The Wannabe Foodie

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Chris   •   Just Because   •   Life   •   Local

Our Engagement Story

May 16, 2016

Chris and I have been together for a really long time. Like a really long time. Like, so long that when we started dating I still had braces and just started college. A running joke throughout our relationship has been my persistent wine induced proposals. After a glass or two of wine, I became notorious for proposing to Chris (this goes way back, I probably first proposed when I was 18). At the time of my “first proposal” Chris laughed and told me that I wasn’t allowed to propose, he had to do it. So, I of course took that as an invitation to continue to propose. Fast forward about 9 years and I started to get the feeling that Chris was actually going to propose (insert nervous anxiety here).13122827_1065885366786415_1702008911122457297_o

The day of our engagement started like most other days, other than the fact that it was New Year’s Day.  We woke up late, went to one of our local coffee shops for bagels and coffee. I spent lots of time at the verizon store and got a new iPhone, Chris got a haircut, and we relaxed and watched Netflix. Because we both had the day off, we planned a night full of Italian food and seeing Sisters downtown. We headed to dinner and had a great time talking about all the things Chris wanted to achieve in 2016. This included lots of house projects, starting blogging again and more. When we wrapped up dinner I thought to myself… (okay well.. dinner is done, looks like it’s not happening tonight!). I am pretty sure that I was a little relieved because I was overthink everything.

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We had some time before the movie started, so we headed to Uncommon Grounds to pickup hot chocolates before walking to the theater. It was when we were sitting at Uncommon that I got a little feisty (thanks, red wine at dinner) and asked him to ask me what I wanted to do in 2016. I started rambling off a lot of the same house projects he mentioned, blogging again, workout goals, etc. at the end I said “and I am pretty sure we should get married this year… Chris Makenzie, will you marry me?” he laughed and said “funny you should say that, I was about to ask you the same thing” and pulls out a box from his pocket. After the fact, he told me that he had had the ring for weeks and was waiting for me to propose first.

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After he proposed, we decided to keep our plans and headed to the movie. After the movie, we called my parents and headed home. We didn’t tell anyone else until the next day. I love our story and seriously couldn’t have planned something more “us” if I tried. We decided that we wanted to plan a wedding for 2016, so we really buckled down and booked everything pretty quickly. At this point, we are less than five months away from our day and I couldn’t be happier.

Life   •   Local   •   maine   •   NYC   •   Saratoga   •   Summer

Summer 2015

Aug 31, 2015

Hello Friends! Here we are, the last day of August. I dare not say “end of summer” because we have a week of 90 degree weather headed our direction. While the weather hasn’t accepted that we are essentially into September, everything else keeps chugging along. Chris has his fantasy football draft tomorrow, grocery stores have Halloween candy and pumpkin flavored beer for sale, mums are popping up and leaves are beginning to fall around my neighborhood. The school year starts next Wednesday for most of the elementary and high school kids.

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This summer has been a good one. Lots of hot days, lots of swimming in the pool. A few road-trips and a short vacation in Maine. I have been taking a range of different classes at RAW Fitness in Saratoga that have made me feel strong and good about myself. If you told me a year ago that I would regularly be boxing and running up flights of stairs for fun, I would have laughed. RAW Fitness has really changed my outlook on working out- I look forward to the classes I sign up for and my back has felt really strong (so important to me).

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This past weekend I visited the King Arthur flour campus in Norwich, Vermont and explored with my dad and brother. It was seriously a bakers dream! I left with 6 different types of baking mix (scones, breads, coffee cake (YUM)), as well as a roll of frozen cookie dough. On Saturday, I went to NYC with family for the BEST pizza and a Mets vs. Red Socks game.

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In Butternut Squashington news, he has had a pretty awesome summer. Lots and lots of swimming, befriending our neighbors and figuring out how to break into their back porch. Lots of walks and a fantastic Maine vacation. He is seriously SUCH a lake dog. He spent every second he could with his paws in the water and enjoyed his few leash-less days immensely.

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How was your summer? I missed blogging.

Inspiration   •   Life   •   Local   •   Summer

Garden Inspiration + Block Island Organics Review

Jul 13, 2015

Hi Friends! I hope that you have all had a wonderful weekend. We had one of the first really HOT weekends in upstate NY, and I made sure to enjoy every second of it that I could outside. Saturday was spent at a friends wedding BBQ. He was married over the winter off on a tropical island, and then had a picnic over the summer as a local reception for all of his friends and family that couldn’t make the trip. How awesome is that? Dibs stealing that idea.

On Sunday my mom invited me to go the 2015 Soroptimist Secret Garden Tour. After thinking about how much gardening help my backyard needs, I decided some garden inspiration was probably in my best interest. This year we spent a lot of time working on the front yard, so next year we are planning on doing a bunch of changes to the back. I really liked the way that this patio just blended together with the deck. It felt really cozy and secluded and natural. Also, check out those vegetable gardens! I was totally impressed with their use of PVC piping. And that pond? To die for.

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We visited about 5 gardens before we decided that it was time to head to my house for some lounging by the pool. Buddy was thrilled to see my mom and was playing in the pool before I could get my suit on.

Before I started floating, I grabbed the Block Island Organics natural mineral sunscreen that they recently sent me to try. I am a wonderful mix of Irish and Italian and tend to burn quickly, so I always have sunscreen with me. I have had really good luck using the sunscreen so far! I read the directions and made sure to apply the sunscreen when my skin was dry (so important to remember!). I found that the sunscreen went on well and left a whitish tint where applied. I totally expected this because I have experienced it with other mineral sunscreens. It had a really light scent, unlike some other sunscreens that I have used in the past. 

 

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It lasted quite a while and never had a greasy feel. I am really excited to try this sunblock the next time my friend Sherry brings her adorable son Jack over to swim, she is always looking for natural products to use with him and I think this sunblock would be hit.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who is looking for an all natural sunscreen to use. It worked for me on a hot day floating in the pool. I would just make sure that you remember to reapply and always apply to dry skin.

**Block Island Organics sent me this product to try for free, but as always my review is completely my own**

Life

A to Z Survey

Jul 09, 2015

I have seen this survey bounce around the blogging community for a while now and decided it was my turn! I love reading these types of things, so I hope you do as well!

A – Age: 26 (27 in October)

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26th birthday celebration! We went and saw Amy Schumer (it was awesome)

B – Biggest Fear: My back going out. I am very prone to back spasms and have dealt with back pain for most of my life. Whenever my back goes out I am useless for what feels like forever. I have blogged about back pain quite a bit.

C – Current Time: 9:34 AM.

D – Drink You Had Last: Water!

E – Easiest Person To Talk To:  Besides Señor Sexypants (Chris), I would have to say my friend Sherry.  She’s a great listener.

F – Favorite Song: I have been loving Hozier this summer. Work Song is my JAM.

G – Grossest Memory:  I don’t have a really gross memory… I guess I am lucky! The last time I FELT really gross is when I had a stomach bug over Thanksgiving, it was awful.

H – Hometown: Saratoga Springs, NY

I – In Love With:  Señor sexypants.

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J – Jealous Of:  Anyone who gets to travel for a living.

K – Kindest Person You Know: My brother Andy.

L – Longest Relationship: Going on 9 years with my mister.

M – Middle Name: Marie (such a popular middle name!!)

N – Number of Siblings: One! My little (but much bigger) brother Andy. me and andy

O – One Wish: I always wish for animal cruelty to stop. I find it so hard to believe that human beings can be cruel to such defenseless creatures.

P – Person You Spoke To On The Phone Last: Discover Card lady (boring)

Q – Question You’re Always Asked: “Who do you look like?” a few friends think I look like Rachel McAdams (I think that is hilarious, but gladly accept)

R – Reason To Smile: I am healthy, strong and happy.

S – Song You Last Sang: Work Song, Hozier.

T – Time You Woke Up: 6:31 am

U – Underwear Color:  Turquoish Blue!

V – Vacation Destination: I am missing the ocean, Cape Cod or Maine would be nice.116

W – Worst Habit: Walking like I have lead feet! I have a very heavy step and am not graceful in the slightest.

X – X-Rays You’ve Had:  My foot when I sprained it, my teeth.

Y – Your Favorite Food:  Gah. I really love breakfast foods. And fresh pasta. And quesadillas. And enchiladas.

Z – Zodiac Sign: Scorpio.

4th of July   •   Life

4th of July Shenanigans!

Jul 07, 2015

Hello hello! Happy Summer! I hope that you have had a fantastic 4th of July.

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me with family about 20 years ago

 

My good blogging friend Danielle visiting from Canada, and we had a great time! (p.s – thanks for so many of these pictures Danielle!)

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While the weather held up for most of her time visiting NY, the 4th of July was a soggy mess. We had a party that somehow managed to go pretty well regardless.

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My brother made an awesome watermelon keg and after the rain finally stopped, we were able to head outside for games and a few brave souls even went swimming.

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How was your 4th of July?! 

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