Choose to chance the rapids; dare to dance the tide.

After going out for sushi and "one" drink Friday night, I was left with an awful hangover Saturday. 

Thanks to some TLC in the form of water, Advil and Chick fila from the boyfriend, I was at least able to make it to the car for the ride to Jacksonville for the Garth Brooks concert. I definitely wasn't the most presentable person in the world, but we made it in time to enjoy some tailgating and BBQ before heading off to the show!

Garth Brooks played throughout my childhood and his songs bring back many memories for most people, myself included. When the option came to see him in concert, I was elated and knew he was a must see. I shouldn't be allowed to post photos because my grainy phone photos do not do the show justice but they will definitely help me remember the fun that was had. Simpy put, he was the most energetic, humble and talented performer. 

He even joked that he listens to new songs from his favorite performers but when we goes to see them in concert, he is there for the old songs. And with that, he played every song that I remember hearing over the years and seemed genuinely shocked that people still knew all of the words to his songs. Dancing to "Friends in Low Places" at his concert was a blast but hearing "The Dance" and "Unanswered Prayers" live is something that is indescribable. Too perfect.

When Trisha Yearwood was singing, Garth found a little girl that knew all of her songs and they called her up there and signed his guitar for her. Whether or not they do that in every show, I don't know but I lost it. He genuinely seems like the greatest guy and the fact that his band members have been with him for 20+ years speaks volumes to me. 

After the concert we went to the closest bar called "City Hall" and decided to create our own dance party. By the end of the night, I was e.x.h.a.u.s.t.e.d and think I was sleeping before even hitting the bed, but I was certainly smiling.

There was no time to waste the next morning because we had to make it to Daytona Beach for the Wings and Waves air show that I was excited to take my nephew too. The combination of planes and the beach (in October nonetheless) were a perfect mix for my favorite 4-year old. He loved playing in the water and watching the "super fast" planes. Love that sweet sweet kid. Ryan and I were equally surprised with how neat the air show was and I may have freaked a few times when I thought that they were crashing. There was definitely some talented pilots out there. 

When we got back home, we went to Outback for dinner and I tried the new Parmesan-Herb Crusted Chicken. I obviously subbed the broccoli for a loaded baked potato but I give the new menu item two thumbs up! 

We tried to see Gone Girl after dinner but found that it was unfortunately sold out by the time we got there. Instead, Ryan had the genius idea to get milkshakes at Shake Shack and watch the sunset. I'll never tire of a beautiful lake sunset. 

We ended the night on our big comfy couch watching the best onscreen combo in Blended. Perfect ending to a wonderful weekend with the best guy. 

Take me back!

One of my best friends got married this weekend in the Bahamas and I'm reminiscing about blue skies and soft sand in my toes. Days were filled with sweet friends and nights were filled with dancing and laughter, what more could a girl want?

Congratulations Brittany! If only she could get married every weekend!

Bachelorette Fun!

This weekend, we celebrated one of my best friends Bachelorette Party in Jacksonville Beach and it was definitely one for the books! These girls have such a special place in my heart and spending time with them is always good for my soul. 

I'll let the photos do the talking! 

The best part is that we get to do it all over again in a month for their cruise wedding. 

Let the countdown begin! 

Switched the Flip

Quick life update in the last week since I'm the worst blogger on the interwebs.

Ready..

Set...

GO!

1. One of my dear friends got engaged...and I got to plan & witness the entire thing. 

We were all on the ground with signs while they hovered above in a helicopter.
Once they landed, they came to snap some photos with us!

2. My liver was seriously tested by the amount of work events we had over the weekend.

Starting with Thursday's Christmas in July!

3. On Friday we had our quarterly off-site team building day, also known as Loco. We take a half day and pick something to do as a group. This time, we made our way to Wekiva Island! This was our company meeting prior to leaving
for loco, stolen from my co-workers Instagram. We were getting excited! :)

Winning team for flip cup & volleyball - thank you very much!

Followed by a night out on the town where my phone was stolen.

WAHH, hence the lack of pictures for everything listed above.

Whoever took my phone, I really really hate you :(

4. The CEO of our company had a Pirate Party at his house on Saturday.

Who doesn't love a pirate party with boats, floating in the river, glow sticks, live music, a dj,
flip cup & dancing? I sure can't think of anyone.

Reason #506 why I love my job: the lovely ladies!

5. After 7 extremely long months we found out that we didn't get the house. 

It was a HUGE bummer. I guess it just wasn't the house that was meant for us. 

Let the home searching commence... again!

After all the fun I had this weekend, losing my phone & a house didn't seem all that bad.

Another year older & wiser

Fourth of July/Birthday weekend has officially come and gone... & nostalgia has set in.

Rather than bore you with all the fun events that took place, I'll do what I always do - a ridiculously lazy update filled with mostly photos explaining the shenanigans that took place.

Once the clock struck 4 on Wednesday, I hightailed out of town straight to Daytona Beach to stay at our friends new absolutely gorgeous condo. We went to dinner on the inter-coastal, listened to live music and drank Corona Light by the pitcher. That just screams vacation in my eyes. We had a little hot tub get together when we got back to the condo and had time to play games before hitting the sheets to rest up for the 4th of July festivities. 

Being the early riser that I am, I was ready for the party at 8 a.m. We dressed in our most festive attire and headed to the pool to soak in the gorgeous Florida sun. After a few hours, we jetted over to New Smyrna (only a 15 minute drive) to continue the weekend celebrations with more friends. If you haven't been to Chase's on New Smyrna beach, you haven't lived. Our day included endless drinks, pool volleyball and friends. Need I say more?

We didn't have much time to get all fancy so with a quick change of clothes and run of the straightener, we headed to watch the fireworks right on the beach. Fireworks filled the shoreline and it was so beautiful to witness. My idea of heaven. Of course we headed out for another night of drinking until we couldn't drink anymore. A Taco Bell & Mc. Donalds stop may or may not have happened on the way home.

We had a pool party on Friday with more pool volleyball. If you're thinking I love volleyball, you would be correct. I love any game really. Add alcohol to games and it's my kind of heaven. We went to a local place for dinner and ended up having drinks with the sunset as a gorgeous backdrop. After finding another location that would fit all of us, we went back to the house to play Battle of the Sexes. Katie even decorated the room I was staying in to make me feel special for my birthday :)

My birthday was Saturday so after a 7 o'clock wake up call we made it to disappearing by 9 to celebrate. Talk about having the entire day to play! We experimented with the jet ski, rested on the tubes, grilled out, drank our faces off, twerked (yup) and just had an absolute blast.

We had 6 girls & 5 girls in the house so I was amazed at how we were able to all shower and get ready within an hour to make it to our dinner reservation. Every single one of the girls washed and blow dried their hair. Hate to brag but that is pretty darn amazing.

After dinner, we met up with my birthday weekend twin, Jen, for more drinks and bar hopping. Jen is Justin's best friend's girlfriend that I met when they got together a little over two years ago. I'm so thankful Mark picked such a great girl that I get along with so well.  I think Jen and I were the only ones that wasn't exhausted going into the night, but after 5 shots of fireball, I was ready to hit the sack. My birthday had come to an end. Wahhh.

We drove home Sunday, washed our cars, unpacked our bags, did the laundry, went grocery shopping, took my Nephew fishing all before 2 so the rest of the night was spent ordering take out and watching a movie.

Now that, my friends, is a perfect mini-vacation :)

One for the books!

Let's get right down to it. 

After work on Friday I went to see NKOTB, 98 Degrees & Boys ll Men in concert.

Happy Hour before, standard. Shots of Fireball, necessity. Excited fans, you betcha.

 These boys (now men) did NOT disappoint. I don't think I sat down for more than 3 minutes the entire concert & that was while they were in the process of switching acts. My feet were not so happy with me come Saturday morning, but it was COMPLETELY worth it. 

 I'm not sure if it was the alcohol, the energy, the 13-year old in me or what, but I literally had the time of my life... & I think I said that numerous times during the show. 

Yes, I was that girl screaming "this is the best day ever!" Oh wells.

New Kids on the Block had more energy than I ever would have been able to muster myself. And surprisingly, and thankfully, they don't look much different than they did 15 years ago. Swoon.

Saturday morning we spent the day at the pool with my little sweetheart of a Nephew. He could cure a multitude of ills, including a hangover, with one giggle. Love him to pieces.

After the pool day, I decided it was time to head to the dealership and purchase a new car. I've been needing a new car for quite some time but I hadn't found one that I just adored, until I passed the Mazda dealership this week and saw this beauty sitting out front. Obsessed is an understatement. After a grueling negotiating process, I drove home my new 2014 Mazda 6.

On Sunday, I just organized stuff around the house, went grocery shopping, cooked dinner, caught up on my shows and, of course, took my car for a spin a few times.

I believe I had a pretty successful weekend if I do say so myself.

Link-up with us & share what kind of Shenanigans you got into this weekend! :)