Read It: Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

Well, this is embarrassing. I read this book almost THREE MONTHS ago. In fact, I started it immediately after finishing Bossypants. But alas, life got in the way. It has been so long that I can't even come up with anything witty to say about it. (This post is embarrassing for so many reasons now. Me? The inability to be witty? The humanity!) 

Here is what you need to know - I liked it. What I enjoyed the most was the fact that I went into with no prior knowledge on Mindy Kaling. I had no idea she went to Darmouth, no idea she created an off-Broadway show with her roommate ("Matt & Ben"), and I only assumed that she liked to indulge in retail therapy every now and then.

While I didn't find it as funny as Bossypants, it was a quick read and really enjoyable. Get your copy today! (No, this is not a paid advertisement.)

Finally.

Tonight. Jo & Sarah. HH at Tap House. FINALLY seeing the Hunger Games.

Seems like a pretty wonderful Thursday to me.



Checked Out

I can't concentrate. Mr. Malone and I leave for vacation Saturday morning and it's all I can think about.

And yes, I plan on indulging in a Mai Tai (or five) everyday.

Saturday, please get here soon.

Luck of the Irish

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Wives = Calendars

Shannon and I have been organizing a "play date" for our husbands this weekend - a Thunderbirds game. She asked me what day worked for Mr. Malone and I added it to our calendar. 

Apparently, Mr. Hunnex thought it was silly for us to be their cruise directors.

"We're big boys! I think we can figure out transportation on our own."

Here's what happened last night

Me: "So have you talked with Mr. Hunnex about Saturday at all?"

Mr. Malone: "Ummm... no. I guess I should do that."

Me: "Yes, you should. Shannon is out of town and she won't be able to make arrangements for him."

Moral of the story? Men should let women plan their lives. Happy Friday, ya'll.

Life's Stuff

A co-worker shared this with me today and I liked it so much, I decided to share it with you.

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written." - Regina Brett, columnist for The Plain Dealer, Cleveland

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry, God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a "gift."

Julia's Bridal Shower

*WARNING: This post will be picture heavy! (You are welcome and/or I am sorry.)

Another Jewski is getting married, and my youngest sister & I jumped at the opportunity to plan her bridal shower. We had the BEST time creating the invitations, finding decorations, and planning a menu. Emily & I bought all of the paper from Paper Source and spent an afternoon putting them together. I could spend HOURS in Paper Source - I was heart broken when I heard their Bellevue location closed. I am hoping the one in U Village sticks around!

Thanks to our new fascination obsession with Pinterest, we had no trouble finding inspiration for DIY projects and items to bake. My personal favorite? The fabric banners. These could not have been simpler! We bought the pre-portioned quilting squares and then I made a stencil out of an empty box. Trace, cut, and  string. Easy!

As for the favors, they included another online find. Julia loves Scrabble. We have grown up with it, as our Nana was always challenging us to a game. (We used to have to team up to beat Nana, but now we can take her on our own.) I knew I wanted to incorporate Scrabble somehow - and thanks to Etsy, that was no problem! I found the cutest magnets made out of recycled tiles and the store owner was so easy to work with. She absolutely loved that they were going to be used as favors and helped me come up with a list of wedding-related words to be used. To go with each magnet, I made some salsa to celebrate the fact that Julia and Marcus will be getting married on Cinco de Mayo!

Seeing everything come together was so fulfilling. Now who's hiring?

He stole the show. 

Seriously - how cute is he?

The perfect gift - their reception will be at The Space Needle.

Creating another glassybaby addict.

Let the countdown to May 5th begin!