What are your letters?

So I got this cute new personalized phone case this weekend.  I actually ordered it last Friday.  Most of the examples showed a full 3 letter monogram.  When the woman asked what I wanted and I just said "D" she looked confused.  The conversation went something like this:

Woman - "Just a D, why not your full monogram?  Monograms are really in right now"

Me - "My monogram is DOA"

Woman - "That's with your last initial in the middle"

Me - " Yes"

Woman - "Oh, how about first and last initial"

Me - "That's DO"

Woman - "I think a D will be perfect"

I know we don't get to choose our names and my mom said she thought she looked at all that but DOA is not something I want to walk around with.  Just in case you are not familiar with hospital, police or firefighter speak thats the code for dead on arrival.  Thankfully my case came out great!

Below are some of my favorite monogram items or in my case initial items (with the exception of the first which is full monogram).  I don't think I can same monogram anymore...haha.  What's your favorite item that shows your letters?

All sources can be found on my {Pinterest} page

Thought for the Day

Up & Away

Heading to Chicago this week for work. Can't wait to see my team. It's been a while! 

Summer is Here!

Today is one of the best days of the year - the first day of summer!  While I love the holidays, the summer is my favorite season.  The warm weather, the beach, fireworks...the list goes on and on.

I decided to make a bucket list for myself for summer.  You know, like the ones you see all over Pinterest.  I think mostly they are from moms with kids but hey, I like to cross things off a list just as much as the next guy (or gal).    While I was making my list I came across this one for single ladies from {POPSUGAR}so I will tackle some of these too!

1. Rope-swing into a lake
2. Say yes to a spontaneous adventure
3. Head to a bar by yourself
4. Go on a group date
5. Learn to play an instrument
6. Join a photo walk
7. Go on an organized camping trip with strangers
8. Visit a nude beach
9. Learn to do the splits
10. Feel confident in a bikini
11. Treat yourself to a new pair of heels or red lipstick
12. Approach a stranger and say "hi"
13. Go swimming at midnight
14. Join a beach volleyball game
15. Ride in a car with the top down
16. Confess to your crush
17. Climb a large tree
18. Try out a new hairstyle
19. Send a message in a bottle
20. Ride in a paddleboat
21. Chase down an ice-cream truck
22. Have fun on an adult slip 'n' slide
23. Learn how to drive a stick shift
24. Tell someone one of your secrets
25. Go on a long hike
26. Take pictures under water
27. Blow bubbles like you're a kid again
28. Experience the feeling of Pop Rocks in your mouth
29. Organize a flour fight
30. Frolic in a field of daisies

But here is my list...I may add as we go but this will get me started.  Any ideas, let me know!

Payne in my Heart

Tuesday marked the 3 year anniversary of death of someone that I was very close to.

Charlie Payne and I went to high school together.  We went on one date our senior year, to an ice hockey game.  I think I had a little crush on him then but we never hung out again.  Fast forward to the summer of 2009 and we reconnected on Facebook.  We started dating at the end of the summer.  I actually stood him up the first time we were supposed to go out, ok well not really but I cancelled.  I asked to reschedule.  I later found out he had had all his shirts dry cleaned and his car detailed to get ready for the big night. haha...  makes me laugh just thinking about it.  Our real first date happened while we were both driving home from work on a Thursday night.  We were on the phone and ironically around the same place (we lived in opposite directions at the time) so we met at a bar for baseball and beers.  I was working at the hardware store then and in jeans and a crummy work t-shirt.  But it was one of the best first dates I have ever had.  We were together for just under a year when he passed away in June of 2010.  I will never forget that day as long as I live.  I was in Boston for work, my parents were away on a cruise and I got a phone call before 8:30 am.  I was with complete strangers and they couldn't have treated me any better.  I will always be thankful for that.

It was the hardest thing I have had to go through so far in life.  I have lost grandparents and great aunts and uncles, but losing someone I talked to multiple times a day and was such a big part of my daily life was hard.  I was a mess for a while.  My family and friends were so supportive and there for me.  I don't think I was alone for at least a week after.  Someone was always with me.  The Twin flew home from Indy, I didn't ask but she knew I needed her even before I did.  I remember thinking at the time it would never get better.  I don't think I will ever believe "everything happens for a reason" because there is no reason that can explain losing Charlie or him being taken so soon, but I do believe you can learn something from every situation.  I learned a lot over the last 3 years.  I learned I am stronger then I thought, that I will love again and that I am very loved.  I learned that with time things get easier.  The hurt doesn't go away entirely, you just learn to deal with it, you adjust.

I will always carry a Payne in my heart...

Wine and Burgers

Ok so I just going with it and this will be Food Week...haha.

I was in NYC for work on Wednesday.  My college bestie lives not far so we try to meet for dinner when I am in her neck of the woods.  It's also a good way to avoid sitting in rush hour traffic.  And who doesn't want to eat and shop with their best girl any time they can?

We ate at a new place in the mall near her house - {Zinburger}.  Burgers and wine...Yes, Please!

Such a great looking place! - this image from their website to avoid random strangers :) 

I had the Samburger which included Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon, American Cheese & Thousand Island Dressing (I substituted Ranch).  It was delicious!

It was a great meal with a great girl!  I hope they open one of these closer to me soon!

What's your favorite thing to do with your best friend?

Grillin Time!

Food posts 2 days in a row...not sure what is going on here.  Haha.  I am most successful at making a mess in the kitchen.  I told myself I was going to cook more and eat out less.  Living alone its tough because cooking for just me means I usually eat the same thing for a few days.  But it doesn't matter.  I am going to get better and start working through some of the recipes on my {food and drink} board.

Tonight I had a cousin over for dinner.  Nothing too fancy.  Just some chicken on the grills, noodles out of a box and some asparagus also done on the grill with my homemade seasoning.  This was a first for me.  Usually I just put some salt and pepper.  I decided to get a little fancy tonight.

I used items from my pantry - garlic salt, Weber Zesty Lemon seasonings, vinegar (1 T) and EVOO (3T).  I combined in a bowl and mixed together with the seasons.(sorry no pics of this step - afterthought)  I did not measure the seasonings, just kinda dumped them in there.  I used a basting brush and covered on both sides.  

Grilled about 3 minutes, flipped over and then 3 more minutes.  

It was delicious if I do say so myself.  I will def be doing this again!

Hot in the Pot

It was pretty hot here this weekend.  It's been high 80s or low 90s for the last several days.  I finally caved and put the air on in my house.  This hot weather has me thinking of putting together a summer get together.  I would love to host a seafood boil.  My boyfriend in college's family had a clam bake every year and it was awesome.  There is just something about the newspaper covered tables, Old Bay covered fingers and beers that just screams summer! Not sure if I want to have this down the shore (thinking 4th of July) or at my house out back.  Decisions....decisions.  Here are some pics to get you hungry.

Images from my {Pinterest} page