Let the one year countdown begin!

Ok so let me gush for a hot second.  Today marks two things:  1) this is Robert and my fifth anniversary of our first date!  Who knew that being late for econ class my freshman year would turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to me?

2)  One year until our wedding!  I was so excited to see that April 30 was a Saturday… and to see that my venues all had the date open.  I thought it was so fun (and easy to remember) that our wedding date had such significance  for us!
Anyway, I am so excited and I just wanted to share with you all!  I’ve gotta run – unfortunately I can’t celebrate our anniversary with Robert (long story – he has an alumni event at SJU tonight… usually I have one on the same night, but mine is next week!)  Since I can’t celebrate with Robert, who better to spend the day with than one of my best friends?!  My matron of honor and I have a hot date with a phenomenal greek restaurant and a bottle of wine.  I even bought her flowers – how romantic right?!  So excited <3

Happy Friday!!  One year til the wedding!!!!

Four for Four

What’s good, blogdizzles?

How’s March turning out for you guys?  I’m happy as a clam over here!  I officially kicked off my Team Philly training for the Broad Street run last week, and I’m proud to report that I haven’t missed a run yet.  It’s only been four runs – and I haven’t gotten to run with the group at all courtesy of busy season, but this is HUGE for me!  No matter what the running plan is, I have a hard time sticking to it.  I guess the investment is my motivation this time!

Anyway, my yoga challenge hasn’t been too hot.  After my outside run yesterday, I did 20 minutes of hip-opening flow from yoga download, but that’s been it so far for the month.  It felt darn good though!  I’m hoping to do more yoga this week – I’m shooting for Thursday and Saturday?  Or Friday + Saturday?  I’ve been eyeing a Total Body Conditioning class at the gym for the past few weeks.  I am hoping it’s like the Body Pump I’ve heard so much about!  It’s the only class offered in the mornings before work, so I’d like to see what it’s like.  I’m going to go tomorrow – and if I’m not dead from soreness on Thursday maybe I’ll go again.  If not – yoga

I feel like I have so much to catch you guys up on.  Robert and I had a fantastic weekend with great friends+beer on friday, an impromptu date night on Saturday, and an amazing dinner that helped us decide on our wedding venue last night.  I can’t wait to catch you all up on it… but for now – back to work!

Four Course Friday

So it’s Tuesday… but Friday’s dinner is still rolling around in the back of my brain, so I HAVE to share it with you guys!  As I mentioned last week, it is restaurant week here in Philly, and I was lucky enough to follow up my Three Course Thursday with a Four Course Friday! 

My Friday was pretty excellent, if you’d allow me to back up for a minute.  At 4pm, my seniors decided to send us home!  Considering our dinner reservations weren’t until 7 (and the fiancee doesnt get out of work until 6:15…) I did what any normal girl would do with a few hours to kill would do: SHOP!

I started here, at the cutest little second-hand shop on Chestnut Street.  Everything was an additional 50%!  Unfortunately I didn’t find anything in my size, despite my most valient efforts

Next on my shopping tour of Center City was Ann Taylor Loft in Liberty Place.  I may or may not have walked out with this cutie… picture it in black though.

I found banana republic too, and got an olive green turtleneck for $13!!  Fabulous.  No pic though… it was only a turtleneck!

Right outside of Banana was a gorgeous stretch of Broad Street… check out the sights:

The Union League is one of my favorite buildings in Philadelphia.  I attend an SJU dinner there every year, and the history and beauty of the building blows me away. 

Finally, it was time for dinner.  I was meeting Robert at the restaurant we chose – Smokin’ Betty’s on 11th and Sansom.  It was a cute place, with a bbq theme.  While I was waiting for Robert to get there, I sipped on a raspberry lemonade cocktail, which was DELICIOUS!  It was so sweet and light, and it reminded me of summer!

Unfortunately, this was the last picture I took of the evening.  I’m still a  little camera shy, even around my darling fiancee.  Any suggestions for getting over this fear while blogging?!

Anyway, our dinner was ah-maz-ingg!  The whole meal reminded me of my childhood.  My first course was a cheesesteak springroll.  While it wasn’t very bbq-y, it was so good!  The chinese restaurant in my hometown used to make something similar, and it brought me back to the good ol’ days!  It was paired with a yummy tomato jam that gave it a nice tangy flavor.  Robert’s appetizer was enough for a whole meal… 3 bbq sliders.  He didn’t seem to have any problem polishing them off though!  One was pulled chicken, one was beef brisket, and one was pulled pork.  I stole a few bites – I think the brisket was my favorite! 

There was a quick garden salad course, which freshened our palattes for the humongous plate of ribs heading our way.  I have always had a soft spot for good bbq, as my family vacationed in the south every summer of my childhood.  These ribs were perfect – delicious tangy bbq sauce, and the meat just fell off the bone.  Just thinking about them makes my mouth water!   About 6 big ribs were paired with grilled asparagus, and mac+cheese.  I ate all of my veggies (and Robert’s too!), and most of the ribs.  The mac was actually very garlicky, and not what I was hoping for… but I certainly didn’t miss it amongst all the other great food on the table! 

By the time dessert came around, we were both stuffed.  I only had room for a few bites of my chocolate mousse – it was so rich.  It tasted just like chocolate gelato, but it had such a fluffy texture.  It was truly divine.  Somehow I managed to find room for the whipped cream and berries that came with it though  

All in all, our dinner at Smokin’ Betty’s was so much fun, and a great dining experience.  Our server was so happy and enthusiastic, and the service was fast.  Both Robert and I agreed that it was a fun change from the typical italian BYOB that we usually frequent during restaurant week.  I highly recommend it!