Weekend Update(s)!

{Linking up with Sami, Leeann, and Meg!}

This was such a fast weekend!

But before I recap this weekend (which will take only a few sentences), I must show some pictures from last weekend in DC. It was so relaxing and amazing. It was just what we wanted: we saw friends, ate amazing food, went to two Nats games, I went for a run around the monuments, and we didn't ride the Metro once!

This pretty much sums it up: Capitol Hill, baseball, friends, and food! 
PS Megan is in a lot of these photos...have you read her blog, Musings and Manolos?  Go check it out!! It's such a fun blog!



Now on for this weekend!

Friday started as all should: at happy hour.

I went with co-workers to our favorite after-work hangout (OK "favorite" is a stretch. It's just the closest.) . Then I met up with Andrew at a new bar for us, The Holiday Grill & Bar. We loved it!
However, he kept beating me at Connect 4. I won one, though!!!
Saturday I went to CrossFit where I had a great workout and met fun people. I really like going to a gym that's walking distance from our place!
That evening we went to 90 Mile for delicious Cuban food with some good friends. I love that it's BYO...and Andrew had a great idea to keep the beer cold. After that we walked over to The Green Eye, one of my new favorite Chicago bars. Too bad we were too stuffed from dinner to stick around longer than the Bulls game, but we definitely want to return!

On Sunday I somehow managed to wake up early and make it to Mass. It's always tough to wake up, but Old St. Pat's is worth it! I seriously love that church!

After that we had delicious breakfast and then I went to meet up with friends for a run along the Lake!

I met them north of the city and we ran along the lake for about 4 miles before they turned back up north and I ran home. All in all it was about 7 miles. That's really really far for me! 

We won't talk about how long it took me. I don't care about that :)

I basically crashed for the rest of the day, but we made delicious fajitas for Cinco de Mayo!

How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun for the Derby or Cinco de Mayo??

Weekend Update: Engagement Edition!

 (Leann, Dana, Sami)

Sooo if you read my post over the weekend (and the title of this post), you know what's coming for the weekend update! 

I hope you don't mind, but it was the best day of my life so this is a long post. A shorter version of this (plus his version if he'll do it!!!) will go on our wedding website for sure!

Background story (or should I say "Zack Morris Time Out"??): when Andrew and I moved to Chicago in May 2011, we promised ourselves we would visit DC once a year no matter what. While we love Chicago, we both really miss the District and especially our close friends who live there. In the three years he lived there and the four years I lived there, we made some of the most amazing memories and dearest friends. This year we planned the trip to be this past weekend due to availability and cheap flights. 

AKA I had NO idea this was coming...

...although, I will admit, I kind of hoped it would; I'm a girl about to go on a trip with her boyfriend of three years, you know?!?! Of course I wanted it to happen! Although we never spoke of it, I thought it would be fitting for him to propose in the city where we met and I kept talking myself out of it as we made our trip plans. In my mind a proposal was at least another year away. I would tell myself, "Stop it Mary. A proposal is far off. He's not even thinking about it." So I pushed all of my girly hopes out of my head and tried to focus on visiting with our friends.

We arrived Thursday night and stayed with our friend Justin. He greeted us warmly with treats, drinks, laughter, and music. It felt like a vacation!!

On Friday morning we slept in and took our time getting ready. I have a planner mindset so I wanted to go go go all day with a schedule, but he kept being chill and just told me to "go with the flow" and relax; we earned a vacation, so let's enjoy it! He wanted me to not make any plans and just tell our friends to contact us. He wanted to hit our favorite DC spots all day without much of an agenda. It made me anxious since I like to at least have a loose plan, but little did I know that he had plenty of plans in store!

We started off at one of our favorite brunch spots, Belga Cafe. Actually, the chef is now on Top Chef so that's pretty cool. We knew it when, though! haha

I challenge anyone to find a more delicious French Toast. 

Side note: isn't it so amazing how calories don't count on vacation? Just me?

Following brunch we headed over to the zoo from the Cleveland Park Metro Stop. I used to live in Cleveland Park and LOVE that neighborhood. I was so excited to see it and walk around the beautiful area. 

Zack Morris Time Out: after dating a few months I played hookie at my internship and met him at the zoo for a spontaneous date. He had the day off already. Anyway, we wanted to see the panda (Tai Shan) before he was shipped back to China. After that trip (and one of my favorite pictures together!) we fell in love with the cute bears. It was such a fun day, so the zoo holds a special place in our DC memories.

Time In: The zoo was awesome on Friday! 

The weather was perfect, the pandas were cute, and the big cats were actually outside. Success! 

I thought it was weird that Andrew kept on his winter coat the whole time since it was pretty hot and because we did a lot of walking. Also, his hands were in his pockets the whole time. Hmmm...shoulda known, right???

After the zoo we walked down through Woodley Park and hopped on the Metro to Dupont Circle. I was so excited since we didn't go there last year on our trip. We went to visit a couple co-workers from my first job in DC at the law firm. We grabbed some delicious Saxby's lattes and caught up with my two dear friends. I just love them and was so happy they could meet Andrew!

After that I kind of wanted to go back to the Hill and start to drink! It was happy hour, after all! Andrew, on the other hand, was insistent on going to Georgetown. Besides, we had to stop by GW for a quick errand, so we were practically in the area anyway. I wanted to go to Georgetown on Saturday with some of my classmates. I didn't get why he wanted to go to Georgetown, but figured he wanted to see it at night and also figured he didn't really want to go on Saturday so he could watch football.

On we trekked to campus! I was excited because the sun was about to set, so we decided to watch it on the Car Barn roof. I "studied" out there a lot as a grad student, so I was really happy to see it at sunset. Then we walked through campus.

I thought it was weird how Andrew was bummed that the tower on Healy wasn't lit, but I knew he really likes that building since it looks like Hogwarts. I also thought it was weird that he wanted to go to the Bookstore. I didn't need anything from the bookstore and didn't have the money to spend on a new shirt, but I wanted some new pens, so I figured why not.

After the bookstore and pens in hand, his boss called and he had to step away for a moment. I was hoping everything was OK, but since we took the day off I totally understood.

Then he suggested visiting the chapel behind Healy Hall since we stopped there during our first week of dating. 

Zack Morris Time Out: one week after our first date I was "studying" on the roof of the Car Barn. Andrew sweetly asked me when he could see me again. Swooning, I offered to hang out in Georgetown after he got off work. He worked across the bridge from campus so he met me on the roof of the Car Barn and I gave him a tour of campus. We stopped at the chapel courtyard at the end of the tour because it's my favorite spot on campus. It's secluded, quiet, and so romantic.

Time In: once we left the bookstore and walked out to the chapel courtyard, it was secluded, quiet, and so romantic.

(OK I'm crying a little bit as I write this!)

Then he stopped me as we were walking and said the sweetest words anyone could ever hear.

Of course I said...ok I kind of screamed...YES!!!!

I was in such disbelief! I just couldn't believe it! It happened! We were engaged! 

And then it really registered: I heard snapping throughout the proposal...

...he hired a photographer!

I CAN'T WAIT to see her pictures!!!!

Oh, his boss on the phone? Not his boss. It was the photographer. She was running late. Obviously I had no idea.

Once we both stopped shaking and snapping pictures around the chapel and Healy, we hopped in a cab! The plan was to meet Justin at Pour House for happy hour. 

Zack Morris Time Out: Pour House is the Steelers bar where we met. Justin was there that day and was actually the reason we met (AKA he sassed me while I waited for my friends to arrive so I joined them in their booth!) 

Time In: I was hoping friends would join us but didn't really think anyone would since it's a little out of the way. Since Pour House is where we met it was so fitting to celebrate there!

On the LONG cab ride through town during a Friday rush hour NO ONE answered their phones! Seriously! My parents, his parents, my sister, my brother and sister-in-law were all not answering!!! I immediately called Callie and thankfully she answered! She knew it was happening so was expecting a call, that sassy, sneaky best friend that she is! 

 (PS thanks for keeping the surpise, Cal. You KNEW I didn't want to know anything! Nice job!)

By the time we got to the Pour House I had yet to tell my parents. How frustrating, right?!?! UGH! I left funny messages on their home and cell phones: "Really?!?! Answer your phone!" Click. Redial.

We got out of the cab and Justin greeted us at the door. The photographer snapped a few pictures, I told the bouncer we just got engaged (of course I told everyone. The cab driver also said congrats.), and went to walk upstairs...which I also thought was weird since it was just the three of us and we met on the first floor.

Andrew stopped me on the way up for a quick smooch and I didn't think anything of it except that he was being cute as always.

When I turned to face upstairs I saw Megan and Andy, my best friends from grad school, holding a Steelers jersey saying "Mrs. Somyak" on the back with the number 9 for November 9, the day of our proposal. A split second later I turned and saw all of the friends I had emailed to say we were in town...and then...

...I saw my parents.

And his parents.

(OK I'm crying again!)

Andrew orchestrated a surprise engagement party!!!!

I was in SHOCK. 

I still kind of am! 

So many people came!

We even reenacted our meeting over three years ago in the same booth:

These are pictures of my parent's pictures they printed for us. I can't WAIT to see what the photographer captured.

Phew!

So there you have it! We're engaged and thrilled!

I am still on cloud 9. I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of love. 

I know that's cheesy, but did you see how many people were involved? All of their stories are hilarious. Andrew's version is AWESOME. He took me to my favorite places in DC and involved family and friends. My parents drove that morning from Ohio (they've known since September. He asked their permission when we went to visit for Homecoming). His parents flew in from Austin (they've known for over a year. The ring is an heirloom)!! My friends dropped any plans to be there for the surprise. Megan and Andy and Justin helped Andrew make it all happen.

Needless to say, I am so blessed. I could not have asked for a more perfect man for me and a more perfect proposal. I don't know how he knew that I dreamed family and friends would be involved, but he knew. He knows me so well. I love him so very very much. I thank the good Lord every day that we met and fell in love.

Nice work, Andrew. 

Well done.

I can't freaking wait to call you my husband! Fiance will do for now :)

Did you read all of it?!?

Sorry I'm not sorry this was my longest post. It's 1 a.m. and I need to get to work early tomorrow. Worth it!

Weekend Update

{Linking up with Leann, Dana, and Sami}
Recapping my weekend won't take but a minute. Andrew and I lounged pretty much the entire time. Aside from an eye appointment and a couple workouts for me, a haircut for him, a super fun trip to the new and amazing grocery store Mariano's (it was a WILD Saturday night, lemme tell ya), hanging out with friends in the building for a few minutes, and Mass, we basically just chilled.

It.Was.Glorious.

I did have my first red cup of the season, though!

AND we turned on our fire for the first time!

Oh! We also had a video chat session with my niece, Lizzie! She is such a talker, I love it! What a cutie!

Sure we didn't do much, but we're heading to DC this upcoming weekend, so we were happy to stay in and save some cash!

How was your weekend?

Little Bit of Class Tuesday

Hi there!

I had an absolute blast in DC this weekend. It was somewhat difficult feeling like a visitor in the city I called home for four years, but other than that the trip was wonderful. The weather was perfect, Andrew flew a plane over Virginia, I saw pretty much everyone who said they could make it out, and went to some of my favorite spots in town. It's just what I needed.

However, it's strange how only five months away feels longer. Maybe it's because my DC life and Chicago life are vastly different, or maybe it's because other friends have moved to other parts of DC in my absence. Maybe it's weird to think about how life keeps moving when I associate the city a certain way - like when you go home from college for the first time and you notice your town added new restaurants or your favorite store closed: you imagine something a certain way and when you aren't there to be part of the change it seems unreal or just plain wrong. For example, both Andrew and my previous abodes on the Hill had apparent repairs to the facades of the buildings which we always wanted while we lived there. Then when we got back we noticed our own apartment building had new paint (!!!). Do we have to see something as it happens to accept change? Is this getting too deep for a Tuesday afternoon? My food coma has taken a turn from my typical spacing out to an over-analyzing session instead. Oh well.

Here's a picture from my pinterest for some classy inspiration this Tuesday. I would love to make a wreath like this - it is certainly a step in the classy direction as opposed to the current scarecrow wreath decorating our door! Have a good one!

Source: missloviecreations.blogspot.com via Mary on Pinterest

Little Bit of Sass Thursday: Ode to DC

This sassy Thursday I must pay tribute to the city that helped to sass me into shape. Andrew and I are headed there this weekend to visit friends and the city we used to call home. The more I think about DC the more I miss it. Mainly I miss my friends and the familiarity of the District; I always knew where I was going and I usually knew what was new and going on. While I love Chicago it's an adjustment getting used to another - much bigger - city.

This weekend I'm looking forward to the weather, the changing leaves in Virginia, the pandas at the zoo, trying to eat at our favorite spots, and hanging out in my previous neighborhoods of Cleveland Park and Eastern Market. I would love to squeeze in a stroll through Georgetown, too. I am excited to see previous friends, whether old friends from Ohio, previous co-workers, grad school buddies...you name it, I want to see them.

Instead of linking to my Pinterest for some sassy pics, I am instead going to share just a few of some relatively tame pictures as proof my growth as a sassy and classy gal. Gosh I miss my friends from DC :)

Spring Has Sprung!

So walking around DC has started to be more enjoyable lately. The flowers are in bloom, friends! Everywhere I look there are flowers. My favorites, though, are the Cherry Blossoms. Have any of you seen the Cherry Blossoms along the Tidal Basin? They are gorgeous every year. Too many people walk around, but overall the scene is gorgeous. Here's a pic from a couple of years ago on an unfortunately cloudy day:


There are plenty of pretty pictures online (below), and at the markets and street vendors most of the artwork on sale involve blossoms!

{via}

All of the pretty spring flowers inspired me to create fun outfits on polyvore.

Spring Has Sprung! by mkrulia featuring maryjane shoes

Certainly I wouldn't wear those heels to stroll around the Tidal Basin, but for quick pretty pictures I sure would. What would you wear? Clearly I'm all about teal this Spring. What's your color?