pre & post birthday celebrations!

since i was out of town for my actual birthday - i got to strech the celebrations over a few weeks!

the wednesday before i left for aruba, my mom & brian took me to dinner at one of my favorite charlotte spots, 300 east! we had all my favorite things - hummus, onion soup, and the black bean & green chile tortilla that will change your life. we ended the night with trivia at angry ale's - no better way to celebrate! my parents got me bluetooth headphones that i've been wanting for months! 

friday before my birthday, i walked into my office to find my desk decorated with all sorts of fun! my boss & coworkers are too sweet to me. they also got me some awesome gifts including a owl coffee mug, an awesome cook book and these cute measuring cups from anthro that stack into a milk jug!

we got home from the trip on tuesday, and i had planned to have dinner with my two besties on thursday night. they picked me up around 7pm and we opened more awesome presents before heading to dinner at heist brewery. when we walked inside, about 15 of my friends were there yelling "SURPRISE!" katie & cheslea have surprised me two years in a row now - y'all are sneaky! i was so glad to see all my pals and thankful everyone could make it to celebrate. thanks k & c for getting everyone together!

it was a fun filled two weeks of celebrating my birthday! thank you to everyone who made it so special - i am lucky to be so loved!

weekend highlights!

i have been absolutely loving the plan-free weekends i have had the past few weeks. it gives me time to get things done, work out, and hang with my family. this weekend was no different - below are my highlights!

1. friday night dinner with dad & stepmom at bricktops. i try not to eat dessert too often at restaurants, but there is no way you can say no to the skillet chocolate chip cookie with ice cream. it would just be wrong to deny yourself. 

2. saturday morning yoga & lunch with mary! i met mary through twitter a few months back and we just so happen to go to the same yoga studio. we went to the 9:30am class and then walked over to fern for lunch. neither of us had been before - holy YUM. fern is a vegetarian cafe i plaza midwood that offers all sorts of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. 

we started off with a glass of refreshing cucumber water, a cup of delicious coffee & the daily muffins which were cranberry & pear and chocolate chip on saturday. i ordered the vegetable fritata & could only eat half - but it was delicious! i love new friends & new restaurants!

{fritata}

{brunch menu}

3. saturday night i headed down to south charlotte to my parent's house because church was early on sunday. daddy & i had been wanting to see argo - so we finally watched it. wow - what an amazing movie. it makes you wonder what other crazy crap our government has been up to. 

4. easter lunch! grandparents, mashed potatoes, baked corn, ham, turkey, green bean casserole, and my step mom's homemade peanut butter eggs - what more could a girl want? i also took a glorious nap after  eating so much i thought i may pop. 

5. dinner at 300 east. a charlotte gem & one of my favorite places, i never get tired of this place. my stepdad's brother & his wife are in town, so i met my parents and my aunt & uncle there for dinner on sunday evening. court came with me which was super fun - i love that my mom & brian include court even though she's not technically "theirs." i had the usual, court & i shared the amazing french onion soup & then we both got the black bean and green chile tortilla with chicken. it was a great way to end another great weekend!

{black bean & green chile tortilla}