If you were hoping my Valentine’s Day involved more than just a can of soup like last year, well you’re in luck!  I was a very very lucky girl this year.  Seriously blessed beyond words.  I’m not normally a flowers & chocolates kinda girl, but I’ve gotta admit, getting them sure did put a huge smile on this girls face.  Wow is all I have to say.

My day involved a few surprises.  Like waking up late.  Having a major test postponed.  Kicking butt on my first attempt at making Peppered Steak.  …but all of those didn’t compare to what was to follow and sit in between all of those other accomplishments at least not in my world…..

If you follow me on Instagram…then you’ve already seen these beauties.  I got them a few days ago…with a card that read “Thinking of you.  cover you ears…. You’ll get another surprise in a few days.”  Talk about catching a girl off guard and all before V-Day.  Needless to say…I was wow’d.

Today I come home from school and the delivery man shows up a few minutes later.   Another off guard moment.  I had completely forgot all about my special surprise…completely.  My house smells fabulous, especially my beautiful roses that are sitting on my kitchen table as we speak.

Last but not least, my most favorite gift has gotta be iTunes cards.  Let’s just say I’ve bought my weight in country music albums…Andrew Johnson apps (hello….amazing apps that’ll get me to sleep in the blink of an eye)…and a few silly games for my iPad.  Still have a hefty amount of money left over, any suggestions on what to get next?

What do you get the girl you think has everything?  Well let me just drop you a few subtle hints on some things she just might like.

…you can never go wrong with flowers.  Sure girls may say they’re a waste of money, but in all reality, who doesn’t like getting flowers on Valentine’s Day?  Can honestly say it isn’t this girl!

Let’s get real guys.  If you’ve got any fashion sense, surprise her with an amazing sparkling dress, new heels and some accessories.  Signed.  Sealed.  Delivered.  (I’d kill for those shoes, hint hint.)

I’m a sucker for pink, we almost all know that.  Do something special with flowers for her, I’m sure she’d love it.  Like I said, she isn’t going to hate it.

Turquoise is the new black, well almost.  You can pair it with almost anything and is definitely a bright enough color for me, hint.  Christian Louboutin doesn’t know what’s about to hit him. : )

Every girl needs a cutesy iPhone case.  This one is by Kate Spade (one of my fav designers), but there are plenty out there.  I just love all things that are colorful.

I have no idea what girl wouldn’t have the biggest smile on her face after getting some of these amazing things.  Really.

Sparkly dresses!  This is a top fav in my book.  Love it.

…and if you still find yourself grasping at straws and unsure of what to do…. iTunes gift cards always work.  New Music.  New Apps.  Books for School (and enjoyment).  Who wouldn’t want to get one of these?

Okay guys — you’ve got your lovely suggestions from me, now get after it — you’ve got 7 days left!

Decorating for my favorite holiday kicked off a bit early this year.  It involved a bit of an accident, too.  All is well and I’m happy to report I wound up with NO broken bones, a few bruises and some scuff marks  on my door.  Oh yes, talk about one scary moment.  One that I mentioned to no one until after I had everything out.

The mantle this year.  Not quite the best one I’ve had in this house, but I didn’t feel like dragging every single box out of the attic by myself.  No 9ft. Christmas tree this year y’all, although there’s always next year….

The one tiny tree that I actually have out and decorated is one of my favs.  Yes, those are mini golf balls on my tree.  I do love a good game of golf every now and then.  This just proves how much I love the sport and am looking forward to whacking a few balls this Spring.

Spooky.  Halloween is just around the corner.  I’m good & prepared for Fall to be here, are you?  In the meantime, let’s celebrate Halloween shall we?

For Valentine’s Day this year there will be no dates….or car rides…heart shaped chocolate….or kisses.  I’m getting to spend Valentine’s Day completely alone.  I have never gone out on Valentine’s Day and this year will be no exception.  Plain & Simple : it sucks.

But, I’m not going to let this one be about me.  It’s actually CHD Day.  It’s not about the Flowers, Candy, Gifts & Kisses.  It’s about making those who are unaware of what 1 in 100 babies can die from aware.  Aware that the deadliest illness to a child, one which actually ranks above Cancer, is Congenital Heart Defects.  It’s something that is near and dear to me and my hope is that one day those number will be cut in half or eliminated.  I hope that Pediatric Cardiologists realize that these CHD Babies need care well into Adulthood and that they will always need medical care of some sort.  That’s my hope.

I did pick out some cute gifts on what I’d get me if I were getting me a Valentine’s Day gift.

I have a love for cowboy boots.  I haven’t bought new ones in 6 years, but not because I need them.  I hardly ever wear them, my current ones are sitting in the top of my closet waiting for the next big adventure that I’ll have to drag them back out again.  Maybe I should mention I’ve worn them less than ten times?

You know the one place I didn’t visit in NYC….Dylan’s Candy Bar.  I seriously have kicked myself for not going while we were there.  That would’ve been a sight to see in itself.  I will definitely have to go just as soon as I make my second trip to the Big Apple.  That is something I look forward to more than anything, another trip to the Big Apple.  Just can’t contain my excitement.

I love strapless and I love dresses.  If I could afford Anthropologie on my College Girl pay, well I’d shop there constantly.  I completely love Anthropologie, I’m tellin’ ya….l-o-v-e. So yes, black strapless dresses that make a guys heart beat uncontrollably I really really love these types of dresses.

But, since I don’t have plans for Valentines Day, I’ll sit home and drink one of my favorite drinks.  I do love my Framboise…so this evening I will kick back with a bottle of Framboise, a hot bubble bath, and a good movie on the laptop.  This ends my wild evening of Valentines Day.  I’ve got my fingers crossed next year will be better…I mean things can only get better from here, right?

I’ve been indoors most of the day, but after awhile I couldn’t take it any more & took Ellie outside to play.  She looooooooves the snow.  Despite sinking into the snow, she’d hop over the “mountains” that we accumulated yesterday.  When I brought her in she had all these snow balls covering her fur, so I gave her a bath & now she’s currently running through the house like a wild woman with her Christmas Bobo.

My laptop didn’t arrive in time for Christmas.  It may get delivered tomorrow, but I have to refuse delivery since it sat in the cold all night and is now at risk for condensation.  I’m still very frustrated with UPS about this issue.  I even have to send my wine fridge back because it was shipped broken.  For now, I’m just going to save my money – spend the Amazon cash on something else & keep on going.

To recap on my 25th this year…

Overall it was a good Birthday.  I got lots of phone calls & messages.  Lots of encouragement about how 25 isn’t a big deal and could actually be a “fun” year.  Oh Joy!  Very thankful my parents didn’t put candles on the cake I got yesterday (cranberry orange coffee cake).  No writing.  No frosting.  No candles.  Yea!  No one had to alert the fire department – a great thing!

I didn’t do much today.  Roomie decided to go to Seminole to see her boyfriend & left me here.  I’m hoping I can convince her to take me out for a Mexican lunch tomorrow with a margarita.  Oh yes, I do hope.  This year was so much better than last year – 10 fold better.

Although I don’t feel any different now – I’m sure I will later on down the road as my jogging obsession grows.

I got this…

Transitioning from 24 to 25 doesn’t sound like a huge deal – but it is on paper!  Holy Cow!  It’s hard to believe a year has gone by – it seemed like it happened in the blink of an eye….literally.  I accomplished so much this year and went places I never thought I’d go (Destin, FL & NYC, NY).  I made some great friends and got another semester under my belt….only a million more to go!  I’m excited to see what takes place this year and I’m looking forward to the new things that are about to come my way.

Mom & Dad came over the night before my birthday and we had Pei Wei – one of Dad’s favorites.  They took Emmie home with them and from what I hear, Joe the Chihuahua, is doing really well with her and they just might hit it off!

Can I pleeeeease be done counting after this?  I know I said that last year, but really, pleeeeease can we be done?

Target had these goodies on SALE.  A whopping 40% off in store and a 20% off coupon we found online.  Roomie & I each got trees, one for my bathroom and one for the front room.  Now, we’ve just gotta buy our lights for the house for next year and we’ll be ALL set. (We will get them after Christmas so they’re 75% off).   Oh yes, what SMART college girls we are!

We’ve flipped & flopped & flipped & flopped so more.  We have a total of 9 Christmas Trees living in our house.  One in the living room, one in the attic & two outside.  We’re a household without children, so why is it that we have sooo many Christmas trees?!  Beats me.  They’re pretty I guess.

Here is a glimpse of what Roomie & I have been up to.

The gorgeous trees that were adorned in brown & champagne ornaments have moved outside.  Our neighborhood has a decorating contest and well, our house needed some more pizazz.

The front still looks somewhat bare, but it’s better than last year!

This Giant Green Monster is what Roomie & I acquired yesterday evening.  It’s massive.  I can’t believe it fits in our house.

Since we’re college students, we cheaply decorated our tree.  A tree topper that doubles as a wall decoration.  Tulle from Wal-Mart {so we didn’t have to buy more ornaments}.  And the ornaments from the 2 trees that are now located on the front porch.  What you don’t see is the tree skirt which is just fabric from Hobby Lobby & 2 stars that were tree toppers on the other 2 trees.  Yep, We did GOOD!