Marriage...Its Growing on Me

Martha Stewart Weddings

I have generally not been a huge fan of marriage. Well, it terrifies me. I am from a family full of divorces. My grandparents were the only truly successful marriage I have seen, unfortunately, my grandma died far too early in life. I don't believe that life is easy and full of beautiful roses, nor do I think they had a perfect marriage for 40 years, but I know they were happy and loved one another. The other side of me is a hopeless romantic. I have been with my boyfriend for five years next month and after eight months of living together, the idea of marriage is growing on me.

I heard a few months back from this lawmaker in some European country proposing that all marriages have a seven year expiration date and then you have to renew it. I thought, this is a pretty good idea. If nothing else, it makes you reevaluate your relationship and do what is necessary to make it work. Some marriages would likely end after the seven years, but I think many more would renew. Now, this is not likely here in America or probably anywhere, but it was a creative idea, which is more than I can say about divorce.

I read Cup of Jo religiously and she has been discussing her engagement and wedding plans for months now. She got married this past weekend and has left for her honeymoon. While gone, she has enlisted many of my favorite bloggers to fill-in for her writing about their secrets to a happy marriage. Today, Grace from Design*Sponge wrote some great tips:

Grace + AC's secrets to a happy marriage:

1. Talk it out: No matter how angry you are, talking always helps. I wasn't a big talker before meeting Aaron (I was a big "slam the door"-er) and he taught me the value of talking through any and all difficult situations.

2. Support each other's dreams: AC loves to play poker and guitar, and he also likes mixed martial arts. If he wanted to leave his job to pursue any of those, I would support him 100%. And I know he'd do the same for me. I realized a few years back that no matter how good the salary or benefits, if your partner isn't happy, even the best job is the wrong job. If you're both truly happy, then material things really do become less important.

3. Go on adventures: Whether it's a scooter ride to Coney Island or a backpacking trip out west, remember to experience new things together. AC and I are complete opposites, but we both love to try new things, which keeps us growing together.

Have to Admit this is JAMMIN'!!!

It is Miley, but I cannot deny a good song regardless of who is singing it. I heard it was produced by a hip-hop producer, so maybe that is where the HOT vibe is coming from. I was walking to the metro in the crazy heat, in a terrible mood. I put this on my iPod and almost busted out dancing in the middle of the metro station. I just heard the entire song for the first time yesterday. I heard it in her Wal-mart commercial, like 100 times. I am all over it. It is my end of summer jam.

I had a 2 hour-long texting session with my cousin in Texas about how I really can't stand teenage girls, they are just irritating and Miley definitely falls in that category, just obnoxious. I was not the most likable teenage girl either though, I haven't met many that are. But, I will give it to her, she has earned my respect on the music front. And the girl can sell ANYTHING. She has a serious following for a reason.

I watched her performance on the Teen Choice Awards. It was rather risque for a 16 year old. She has tiny shorts on and did a little dance with a pole, but at least she sang live and she sounded good. Most artist don't and that I respect. My cousin told me to just pretend that she is 18 when I watch it and it totally helped. I do that every Monday when I watch Gossip Girl, just pretend they were 25 years old and the show is totally believable. I love it.

Growing up isn't easy for anyone, especially for someone doing it in the public eye. Miley, I just don't want to see another Britney fiasco.

UPDATE:
Here is the performance from the Today Show this morning.

Taking Social Media to Bed

These are the cutest little throw pillows, one for each of the major social media networks. Is it taking things a little too far...probably. Apartment Therapy has a great post about this Etsy store, Craftsquatch, that is selling social network-themed pillows. They are probably infringing on the trademarked logos, but they look really well made. I am not the biggest social media freak, but I have been on Facebook since 2004 and on Twitter for over a year, longer than most. I can think of about 10 people I would buy these pillows for, too bad they are SOLD OUT.

DC Restaurant Week

Last night, my boyfriend and I took part in DC's Restaurant Week. It happens a few times a year and we always try to take advantage. DC is a huge foodie town and there are a ton of really nice restaurants that are way above our food allowance. But with Prix-Fixe Menus we are all over it. It is $20.09 for lunch and usually $30.09 for dinner, but the price has gone up to $35.09 for dinner.

This past winter for Restaurant Week we went to B. Smith's in Union Station, a delicious Creole-Southern themed restaurant. And because it was so good the last time, we decided to go there again. I got the Smothered Chicken and my boyfriend got the meatloaf. I really enjoyed my meal, but my boyfriend thought it was better the last time we went, when he ordered the Swamp Thing, a mixed seafood dish. They do have the most yummy mini corn muffins and biscuits. It was totally worth the trip downtown, especially since we saw Ms. B. Smith herself, as we were walking out of the restaurant. She is like the "black Martha Stewart". I used to watch her show on TV One.

You only have 3 more days to enjoy Restaurant Week. Go to Opentable.com to make reservations.

Color of Life

I definitely have a new best favorite blog, the Whisk Kid. I love baking, I love the idea of being a fabulous baker. I watch a ton of baking shows, cake shows, I love the idea of making a beautiful cake. I can make a good cake, a tasty cake, but not the pretty cake yet. I haven't gotten the crumb coat/icing process down yet.

This will be my first success cake. I am super excited about this cake. It is fun, pretty and a great practice cake. So, even if I don't succeed at the icing, the inside is really the treat. Plus, my boyfriend will eat anything that is put in front of him. So, he always makes me feel good.

Whisk Kid is making everything I love. Just fun sweets. Keep it up.

Let's Dream

Robin Thicke's new song Dreamworld is amazing. I absolutely love where he was going with this. He has a line in the song, "There would be no black or white, people would just treat my wife right." He is married to a gorgeous black woman. He goes on to say, "We could walk down in Mississippi and no one would look at us twice."

In his Dreamworld, he could tell Marvin Gaye, his father didn't want him to die. It was such an honest thing to say, I wanted to cry.

My cousin, brought this song to my attention and said it was the Pisces theme song and she is soooo right. We are both the poster children for Pisces personalities. Which is why I almost cried during a Robin Thicke song. We are dreamers, we are fish, we want to live one way but we have to be in the water, so we just dream about the possibilities.

Beautiful.

She's Baaaaaack!

Amy Winehouse clearly has had some serious issues. But her music is undeniable. She is an amazing artist and I am glad she could keep it together long enough for this performance with The Specials at the V Festival at Hylands Park in the UK. She has an amazing talent. I love the British soul singers that have hit the scene in the last few years. Keep it coming Amy.