A Day Off

Yesterday was my first day off since starting work and I took full advantage. I laid poolside with my frozen cocktail for a few hours, of course got too much sun and spent the rest of the day chillaxing and getting some quality Leah Time. I tried not to let all of my relaxation get interrupted by my new biggest fear....

Everyone knows that I HATE bugs. Up until now the bugs that I most feared were wasps, bees, spiders and roaches. But, now I live in a place where the ultimate bug exists.... SCORPIONS!!! Ed thinks I'm ridiculous because he has lived here his whole life and has never even seen one, but I've already met someone who knows someone that got stung and their whole arm went numb! Supposedly they only live in newly or non-developed areas, but that didn't stop me from freaking out every time I thought I felt something on my leg at the pool yesterday....

A Walk in the Park

Yesterday was my first store refresh at work and it went really well! We had to be there at 6am, so by the time I got off I felt like I had hit a wall. But, Ed came over with his dog, Lily and insisted that we go on a walk and explore my area. Once he dragged me out of the apartment I was glad we did. We walked around the apartment complex and over to a park across the street, threw the ball around for Lily and took in the pretty view of the mountains. Ed thinks it's funny how obsessed I am with them. But just look at how pretty they are! I may even let him talk me into a hike soon!


For tonight, Phoenix is experiencing some rare weather... 42 and rainy! Arizonians are as bad as LA people when it comes to rain. Everyone is freaking out and have lost their ability to drive. They're also blaming me for bringing the rain with me from Mississippi. Anyway, since the weather is yuck we just got some take out and are about to settle in for a movie night. Lucky for me, Ed brought over my new tv unit, so we're not going to have to watch it with the tv on the floor!

OB-sessions/Good Buys

 Since Kate Hudson's fringe bag (as shown in the original OB-sessions post) isn't available anymore I have been on the hunt for a substitute. I saw this one online at Free People a few weeks ago and was interested, but fell in love when I saw it in person. It is so cute (and only $68!!!!!). MINE!

Obviously, I'm not at the point in my life where I can splurge $420 on a pair of Tom Ford sunglasses (also shown in the original OB-sessions post). So, I freaked out when I saw this just as cute pair also at Free People for only $18! MINE!

The Sheila Fajl ring I originally posted was very similar to this one and cost over $200. This one is on sale at Anthropologie for $70! Soon to be MINE!!!

Ahhh... How I love retail therapy.

Fiesta Night!

Today was my second day at work and so far I'm loving it! All of the girls are young, really cool and super laid back. However, last night I closed and then I opened this morning so I was exhausted when I left work this afternoon. Luckily, I have the best boyfriend ever! I came home to him waiting for me outside my apartment with all the makings of a mexican fiesta including margaritas! Mmmmm!!! He knows how to keep me happy! I had to take a picture of his "quesadilla"... It's actually 2 quesadillas in 1. I was pretty impressed. 


So, we had our fiesta night and watched American Idol. As far as American Idol goes, I may not be watching it anymore after tonight... Pia was one of my current top 3 picks and now she is gone and the freakin country gangster boy is still there?? Ugh! I don't get it.

Getting Settled

I LOVE my new apartment! There's not much to it right now, but here are a few in-progress photos....

This is the view of the living and dining rooms when you walk in. Obviously, I have some shopping to do. The first things on my list are a tv stand, coffee table, side tables, table cloth and chairs for the dining table Ed's sister gave me and drapes to cover those yucky vertical blinds.

I wanted to have a cute little moment right when you walk in. The table was Muna's she got back in the 70's. Love it! I still haven't hung anything, so Audrey is just having to lean right now.

The view from the dining room into the living room. Remember the rug? I'm so happy I got it! I'm thinking a big cool mirror for above the sofa and I said before, I'm in desperate need of tables! 

Turn around and find my patio. Ed's family surprised me with the chairs when I got here :) It drastically cools down here in the mornings and evenings, so I am really going to enjoy those!

Here is my bedroom which also has a sliding door out to the patio. My mom got me this bedding a few years ago and my sister gave me the bed and sheets. 

This dresser was also Muna's, but from the 50's. It needs another coat of paint and as you can see, I haven't attached the mirror to it yet. The white milk glass vase was my great grandmother's. I need to get some fresh flowers to put in it.

I'm enjoying all the space that comes with having my very own place. I have a coat closet, too where I put all of my sweaters and coats that I'll probably only be able to wear for about a month here.

Bathroom.. Not a whole lot to it.

I love that the bathroom attaches to the living room and bedroom.

So, as you can see things are coming along and I'm getting settled in pretty quickly. I got so lucky that I had so many people wanting to get rid of stuff right before my move. Not sure what I would have done without it! I'll post more pictures after I do some shopping in the next couple of weeks.

Another Begins!

Ahh... The cable guy came today, so I'm finally reconnected to the world! It has been an extremely long past couple of days, but I am finally here and unpacked! Turns out, all of my anxieties about the move were for nothing. I couldn't have asked for a smoother trip!

Ed arrived on Saturday and helped me load the uhaul along with my mom and sister. Everything fit just right!

I was really sad when we first left. It was hard to get excited because I was more focused on what I was leaving than what I was getting. I cried for a bit and Ed was getting a little worried. I took this picture because I knew it was the last time I would see so much pretty green for a while. 

Crossing the river... Bye bye Mississippi :(

After an hour or so I started feeling better and getting excited. That's when the car singing started. I know what you are all thinking... Poor Ed. But, he was a trooper. There were a few songs that he got pretty tired of hearing because I played them over and over. My favorite song of the whole trip was Here Comes the Sun. I think it may be the best road trip song ever. We stayed pretty entertained until we passed Fort Worth and got to West Texas. It's flat as can be and has nothing to look at. MOST.BORING.DRIVE.EVER.

Atleast we ran into some windmills. I don't know why, but I just think they are so cool! Especially when there are so many of them. This part of the drive almost made me feel like we were on another planet.

We stopped for the night in Midland, TX and had a nice little dinner at a very "Texas" restaurant. The mashed potatoes were so good I got some extra to go so I could have them again.

The next day, we set out again and finally made it to Arizona! I think they could use a better welcome sign, but that's just me.

And, a few long hours later we made it to my apartment. I was so excited!

Everyone is asking for more pictures of the apartment and they are coming soon. For now, I have to go drop off the uhaul and do a practice run to my new job so I know where I'm going tomorrow. Can't wait to pick up some pizza on our way back and have my first tv lounge night with Ed in my new home!!!

One Chapter Ends....

There have been several times these last two years (since leaving New York) that I have felt frustrated with this "transition period" I've been in. It is a common symptom of the QLC. You start to feel insecure about your future because you have no idea where it is going to take you. 

My mom relates my situation to an airplane holding pattern: when an airport is too busy, so planes start circling waiting for their turn to land. I would say that is an accurate description of this phase. It is hard for someone like me because I'm not very patient and I like to make plans and making plans is impossible when you are "waiting to land." However, I have said several times that although this might be one of the most difficult times of my life, I believe it is also one of the best times. I have been able to do so many amazing things these last two years. 

Here are some highlights.....

I went on a month long tour of Europe with my bestie, Carmen

Threw a baby shower for my other bestie, Stephanie

Made several trips to Destin

Did A LOT OF tailgating

Was Beyonce for a day (major highlight)

Spent my Great Granddaddy's 103rd and final birthday with him

Relived the good ole college days in Oxford with my other besties

Made a trip back to NYC to see Lady Gaga at Radio City

Spent Valentine's Day at the Grand Canyon with Ed

Spent the 4th of July In NY/CT with Ed and his family

Got some rare Ed + Bestie time in NoLa

Made another holiday family trip to NYC

Rang in 2011 on a ski trip with Ed

Proudly watched my mom become one of the Top 50 Business Women of MS

And made some amazing new friends at work!

When I put it all down in front of me like this, I am able to see how truly blessed I have been. I can only hope my next chapter will be as amazing as this one was. Now... Time to go pack!!!!