Tag Archives: New york

Life Is About The Journey

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I apologize if you came over to my corner of the web today looking for a Rock n Roll San Antonio recap. That is not what you will be getting.

With half-marathon under my belt I have come to this moment, right here, enlightened. In regards to MY OWN running, that is.

You see, before this year I never thought I was capable of running 13.1 miles. I never thought I could actually run much more than a 5k. I mean marathon runners have like…. Less than 10% body fat (or ya know.. so I thought). I’ve always been a thin girl, but average thin.. Not anorexic thin. Until I became an adult I absolutely never had body image issues. Crazy, since I was a gymnast and a dancer. Both notorious for self-image issues.

I can pin the day I started having bad body images to the day I had ovarian surgery. I was bed-ridden for what felt like an eternity. I was on a diet that consisted mostly of mashed potatoes and ice cream. I needed help with everything. After a few weeks, I hated what I saw. Although even at my worst, I was never actually overweight. Actually, I don’t think anyone other than myself, including my boyfriend at the time, even noticed a difference what-so-ever. But I was growing more and more disgusted with the girl looking back at me in the mirror. I was also growing weaker and weaker every day. Truth be told, I had stopped being truly active about 2 years prior to this. Quit gymnastics and dancing entirely. My only form of physical activity at that point was waiting tables 30 hours a week.

When I began running, I saw my body transform. Not necessarily in appearance, but I was definitely getting stronger. I felt my core that was pretty badly destroyed from surgery recover with every run I went on. Even if I was running a mile with frequent walk breaks. Throughout my journey as a runner I have become stronger every day. My legs became the rocks they once were as a gymnast. After some time, I learned to incorporate other forms of strength training. Core work. Leg work. Even my arms, now…

At one point during this journey, running even taught me to love my body. It proved to me that my body is something to be proud of, flaws and all. If I’m smart about it, and put in the work; my body can do anything (within reason) I want it to. This is my body, and it’s the only one I get… Assuming I don’t get bionic parts in the future.

For this very reason, because I love my body. Because I respect my body I have decided to drop to the half-marathon at the Austin Marathon in February and postpone my Marathon debut. This wasn’t an easy decision to come to, yet it was the easiest decision of my life…

I realized there is a genius to the run-walk approach. Hang with me here, because I’m not being literal, though I really am at the same time. (Charlotte, get it together here. You’re not making any sense.)

Physical work is easier and healthier when you take breaks. This also works for learning…. There is a reason that teachers start their lessons with a brain warm-up, then dive into the heavy material, and end the class having backed off a bit.. Allowing creative and cognitive thought to replenish the brain.

After two-ish years of running, one of which was more ‘serious’ running, I have learned that my body needs me to back off after an intense training cycle. Like our brains, my body works best when given rest and variation. After 13 weeks of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion, I know that my body needs me to back off a little. I never really spoke about my brother’s death. I downplayed how upset I was after the split between Zack and I. I downplayed how stressful it was to try to move to Austin after just getting back home to NY. I downplayed how painful my hip was getting at the end of training for San Antonio.

Sitting here right now.. It’s kind of silly to me that I did. I grew more than I knew possible this year. I’ve grown more in less than a year, than a lot of people do in a lifetime.

All of this. Every aspect of it. The epiphanies I’ve had, the injuries I’ve experienced, the heart ache…Wanting to rip my hair out over some of the stress; Have lead me to this comfort… I know now, that life really is all about the journey. There is no rush. I do not want to just survive this life, I want to thrive in it!

I don’t want to just survive my first marathon. I want to thrive! I want to be the strongest I’ve ever been. I want to cross the start line confident, not terrified. (Though yes, there is a certain level of fear in every marathoner, newb or experienced) I know that if I run in February, I will end up only half-way pleased. I will be proud of myself for finishing, but I will be disappointed with how poorly executed it was. I will be extremely frustrated with my body for doing something that it wasn’t prepared to do in the first place.

I will run a marathon. I still plan for it to be in 2013, it just won’t be Austin. It just won’t be 2 months from now. Instead I will be giving myself some time to back off the intensity so my body mind and soul can recover from the last several months of intense life. I’m going to find some local 5ks, pick out my favorite hole-in-the-wall bar in Austin, go to social outings and meet people, and even go on my first post-engagement date. GASP.

If you want to rain on my parade, go right on ahead. It will not bother me. I am comfortable with my decision. No, actually, I’m proud of it. Being smart enough to listen to our bodies takes a level of responsibility that only come after growing as a person, and a runner.

Movin’ On Up…..

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I’ve thought long and hard about where I want to take my life next. I fully anticipated having to wait until after the wedding next July, but with the recent turn of events I’ve started to realize that perhaps this is the path for me. Perhaps, I’ve finally found my calling and this is life’s way of saying “JUMP ON IT BEFORE ITS TOO LATE”

(It sometimes scares me how much power we have over our own destinies)

So, it may come as no surprise to some of you, that I have decided to move to Austin and get my career plans under way…. In September!

Austin has been on my radar since I was… 6 years old?! haha. Seriously, the first time my dad ever took me to Austin I knew that someday, I was going to live there… Even then, I knew that the live music scene in Austin, the culture, the easy going and laid back environment, friendly people, exciting downtown life.. I knew it was all for me.

The best part was when I grew up and realized that Austin really was the best of all worlds. Food, affordable. Beer, cheap. Apartments, totally reasonable. State income tax, pfffft what is THAT nonsense? JOBS — EVERYWHERE.. Especially for my bar/restaurant management degree. Uh, 6th street, I hear you calling my name! Gas is OVER 50 cents cheaper than it is here in New York (or Maryland for that matter) People are so dang friendly, the weather is gorgeous (HI i hate snow unless I’m skiing) there are trails GALORE. I’ve basically decided I’m going to be spending 94.3% of my time running town lake. It’s just meant to be. ;)

It comes to no surprise to any of my family and friends that I’m moving there! None. As soon as I told my friends I got “ohhh you are going to EAT UP that music scene” Austin hands down, has one of, if not THE biggest live music scene in the entire world!

I am truly and honestly STOKED about this next chapter of my life. I have so many friends in Texas that have migrated down from Dallas to ATX… I have so much family all over the state. Mostly in San Antonio which is less than an hour south! :D

I am truly over joyed.. Which, lets face it… I needed something to bring this year to a happy end! The only thing I’m super nervous about is finding a decent apartment. If you are in Austin, or know anything about Austin and can point me in the right direction to find a place in Downtown/central austin (close to UT, close to 6th street… but not necessarily on top of either) I will owe you my life! ;)

:D :D :D

So, tell me darlings… Whats the most exciting thing thats happened to you recently?! 

Maybe Happily Ever After CAN Exist?

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There are so many exciting things happening over in my little corner of the world, recently! I had full intentions of doing a Project Wedding update with all of the exciting progress we’ve made in that department, but instead I have SO MUCH MORE to share with you all.

It all began yesterday morning with an out of state phone call that I didn’t recognize. “ORANGE COUNTY” it read under the number, and a light bulb went off! Could it be? No no no. It can’t. It’s just a coincidence. I let it roll to voicemail. As soon as my phone vibrated I snatched it off the table and listened eagerly!

It was.
(CLICK ME) ;)

During the months of March and April Oakley put on a contest called “Perform Beautifully” 10 women would win a spot on the Oakley Women’s Ambassador team, as well as a trip to Napa Valley, California in June to attend a Women’s Fitness Retreat. I WON A SPOT. Me. Charlotte. The no name girl who grew up in Jamestown. JAMESTOWN! Me. I was selected out of over 650 applicants. Incredible, inspirational, tear-inducing bios from all over the country, and they chose ME!

I am honored. I am in shock. I am so flipping excited I can hardly think straight. Oakley is a brand that I truly believe in! From their ski goggles, to their sunglasses and jackets – they have never let me down. Skiing, running, swimming, just hanging out in the sun, I have been able to rely on Oakley multiple times throughout my life. I am so honored to be a part of their family this year! The anticipation might just kill me ;)

In OTHER news, we have made some actual, legitimate progress in our wedding planning. We realized that Chautauqua County is well, TINY. Good talent is hard to come by and will get snatched up that much sooner. We decided that all of the dates the planning books said, we want to be several months/weeks ahead of the recommendations. Boy am I glad we made that decision!!!

My sister pointed out to me the other day that our old band teacher (yeah, I was a band geek. ;) ) left the teaching world and opened a photography studio. I was immediately intrigued, & was immediately certain he was the photographer we wanted as soon as Z & I went to his website. His work was gorgeous. So artistic, so personal. I could feel the story of these weddings while looking through his portfolio. So we contacted him. I was all “i know its so far away but blablabla” and he responded that our wedding date was actually the only saturday in July of 2013 he had left. WOAH. (insert slight panic that I’m going to end up with crappy vendors because everything is booked here)

So we jumped on it! We filled out the contract and sent it off in the mail. Now I just have to cross my fingers, toes, and pray to the universe that the date remains open until the mail gets from Maryland to New York (OMG PLEASE!).

On top of that we chose the important songs of our wedding! We decided on our processional song, our recessional, as well as our first dance. But – I won’t be giving away THAT surprise. I want people in attendance to be surprised by SOMETHING at our wedding since I seem to be blabbing about so much of it. oops ;)

We also discovered both of our passports are expired. Which means that if we did decide on Ireland for our honeymoon, we would have to worry about updating those ($$$$) and with our big move coming shortly after our wedding, we just don’t know if that’s something we should spend the money on. Nothing is ruled out yet, but we are considering a multi-Island adventure honeymoon package in Hawaii instead. We didn’t want to lounge on a beach on our entire honeymoon. We are adventure seeking, culture exploring people – but Hawaii would definitely be the best of both worlds. Beach, Scenery, Exploring, Adventures galore….

Next week when we’re in Texas visiting my family I’ll be showing my dad, step mom, and sister my wedding dress AND PURCHASING IT!

It’s crazy. It is so crazy how happy I feel every time we cross something off the planning list. It fills my stomach with butterflies and my heart with warmth. We are that much closer to being husband and wife <3

I am living on a rainbow right now and I can’t think straight. haha.
ALL I know right now, is that it’s all thanks to my will to DREAM. I DARED TO DREAM. I dreamed big, I reached for it, I achieved it. & this is life showing me that everything pays off. Maybe Happily Ever After CAN exist after all? Maybe it’s not just for the Disney Movies….

You can accomplish anything you set your dreams to.
SO DREAM AS BIG AS YOU CAN 

NYC is Chaotic. And I am Attracted to Chaos

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Have you ever had a dream come true that you didn’t know you even had?

This is happening to me… To us.

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Okay, so that’s obviously not it… I already have my Associate Degree in Culinary Arts – I’ve always known I want to do something with food/restaurants.. However next year, after Zack has graduated and I finish my program with the Institute of integrative Nutrition – I am going to finish my bachelor degree, in Food journalism and media.

What did come as a huge surprise to both of us, is how overwhelmingly excited we are about where the school is.

The International Culinary Center is in NEW YORK CITY!!!!! I never knew I wanted to live in NYC, until Zack & I got to seriously talking & realized its the best of the best when it comes to both of our career goals. His degree being in film/editing and mine being in culinary.

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The funny thing is, when I say that I’m from New York most people assume that means NYC. I’m told time and time again “oh you don’t have an accent” or “wow that must have been amazing” no.. No it wasn’t. That’s because I grew up in the South-Western tier of NY state. (for those not familiar with NY, this is what you typically refer to as “Upstate NY”) So my perspective of New York living is nothing like the city. Jamestown has a population of 31,146, is a 10 minute drive to the Pennsylvania state line, and 5 minute drive from “Amish Country” as the WNYers call it. Because of this I swore off ever living in NY state again… But I hadn’t really ever considered the NYC.

Now that we’ve made this decision it’s all I want. It’s as if any other city/state was never even an option!

I remember my first trip to NYC. One of my best friends, Lindsey and I took a train leaving Buffalo at 1am and pulled into Grand Central Station around 7am. As soon as you come into the city you can tell – the walls all around you are more and more covered I graffiti (some people hate this. I find it to be part of the city’s charm) I remember getting out of the train like I had arrived in any other city, completely underwhelmed. The station was massive – but it was just that, a bus/train station.

Then we walked out into the heart of midtown manhattan. I don’t even know how to describe that feeling…. It was suddenly very apparent we were in another world. I was Beaming and in complete awh. That first moment that I looked up and up and up at the buildings surrounding us… I felt an electric charge tingling all through my body.

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The second time I went to NYC was with my sister and my ex-brother-in-law. This time I explored NYC in style and was able to enjoy the culinary side of the city. We went to Mr Chow, Nobu, The View. We went to Brooklyn for pizza, walked Crentral Park, and sipped mimosas at the Plaza before our flight home.

Since then I’ve been several times in short spurts and each trip is more and more incredible. To say I will be a New Yorker (again) after our wedding, is incredible and strange!!!!

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To really kick things off, I registered for my first NYRR event. The Mini 10k in manhattan/Central Park on June 9, 2012.. We’ll obviously still be Baltimore residents, but the weekend will really make it all stick. Also it’s practically exactly one year before we make the big move!

Also, do you see what I’m writing people? Central park! I never dreamed of living in NYC – but since starting to run I have constantly wished I could run in central park. Soon, this will be somewhere close enough to run daily!

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have you ever had a dream you didn’t know you had, come true?

My Anti Valentines Day Love Declaration

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Neither Zack, or myself believe in “Valentines Day“.. It is SOsilly to us. Why do you need one day out of the year, designated to showing someone how much you love them? I much prefer little reminders 365 days a year. There will be no expensive jewelry buying, or expensive dinners at a 5 star restaurant, or flowers that will die. (I’ve seen enough flowers in the last 7 days to fit the bill for the rest of my life, thank you very much.)

With that being said, Valentines Day is falling on a week and day this year, that I’m particularly appreciative of this incredible rock in my life. I can honestly, without a doubt, say that I would absolutely not have survived the last week without Zack.

tree

      When I frantically called him while he was in class, last Tuesday –  he couldn’t even make out the words I was saying, all he knew was that there was panic in my voice and left class, no questions asked to come to my rescue. He put aside a huge show (That Ryan did bad ass at on his own!) in DC without hesitation or allowing me to apologize.

All week when I would start to lose it, break down – all he would have to do is wrap me up in his arms and squeeze, and I would be washed over by a sense of calm. He doesn’t have to ask me how I’m doing, or what I’m feeling. He can sense it when my mind wanders to the dark side. We can be so in tune with one another, it scares me sometimes.

alamo

It was almost love at first sight, you could say. Not that I even, entirely believe in such a thing. But, we definitely had a connection, from our very first encounter. There is no special, fairytale story about how we met. We have several mutual acquaintances, it seems impossible we didn’t meet sooner. When we finally did, it was through his cousin, Lou – who has been a great friend of mine for years! We first connected on the fact
that we both believe in several Taoist practices.

The beginning of our relationship was tough. We fell for one another almost instantly, but our lives had us living incredibly far from one another. At the time, I was temporarily living (again) in Southern, Florida and he was going to school here in Maryland, but our common ground was “home town” Jamestown, New York (Confused yet?) Needless to say, Chapter one of our relationship consisted of mostly picture messages, day long text conversations, and late night phone calls. We hit a few rocky patches on that road, but at the end of the day, nothing in life is perfect. When we finally landed ourselves in the same city, for the entire summer – everything clicked. It was proof that all of our hard work would pay off. Chapter two, was spent falling even more in love than I ever knew possible, learning to trust someone for the very first time in my life, laughing so hard I cried on a daily basis, and becoming a member of the Fowler family… Even if not officially.

halloween

At this point in our love story, I already knew I was going to spend the rest of my life with this handsome man. We decided to move down to Maryland together and start planning and living our lives – together. We quickly fell into a comfortable routine, and started bonding even more. (couldn’t have imagined that was even possible!) We both knew exactly where each other stood, which brought me to the night after Thanksgiving, when I proposed. (I still get a lot of crap about this, but I DON’T CARE. He loved it, I loved it, it worked awesome for us and I think traditions are silly anyway.) Which brings us to today, where we are still growing in love every single day as we plan the celebration of our marriage.

I honestly, thank whatever greater power exists in this universe, every single day for letting him enter my life. I’m so thankful to have so much support and love. I can not wait to marry him, become Mrs. Charlotte Fowler. I know that with him by my side I can battle any-single-thing life throws at me.

z and beckham

He makes me stronger. When I’m with him, I’m the kind of person I can be proud of.
So yes, even though I do not believe in Valentines Day. This year, THIS Valentines Day – I am overwhelmed with thanks that he is in my life. He saved me.

So excuse me for making y’all barf.
& Z, since I know you will read this – I love you. Thank you for everything, especially this last week.

11 Things. aka BLOGGER TAG

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I was tagged by the lovely ladies Janine & Betsy to do this “11 things” post. since I feel like trash & there for my creativity for the day is null, what better day to do this post?!

Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

Now — Since I was tagged twice yesterday, I’m absolutely not going to bore you guys with 22 questions.. & I’m only going to do 5 facts because, none of you even care about 11 of them :P & I’m sort of cheating & taking my favorite questions from each of the ladies :) So, here goes!

Random Things About Me:

  1. I haven’t lived in the same city for much more than a year since I was 17. Sometimes that was a simple move like, from Plano, TX to Trophy Club, TX.. Other times as drastic as deciding over night to move from Orlando to Dallas the very next day…. The longest I have been in one city since high school was in 2010/the first half of 2011.. Only medical reasons were holding me back. Living in Maryland until next summer will officially mark the longest since 2006… I just feel like there is way too much to see & do. I won’t even try to count the amount of cities I’ve lived MY ENTIRE LIFE. o.O
  2. From ages 6-17 I was a competitive gymnast.I absolutely would go back in a heartbeat if I wasn’t in my 20′s & had lost 65% of my flexibility ;)

    My team picture once upon a time ;) ... & thanks mom for the bowl cut...

  3. I L.O.V.E. hot weather. the 100+ degree days in Texas when all the native Texans complained about it like we always did in NYabout the snow, even though it happens every year & we know it’s coming…. I would just shake my head at them. Give me the hottest weather imaginable, a bikini, & a tropcial drink with an umbrella & I will never complain!

    Once Upon a Time in Mexico ;)

  4. I have never worked a job outside of the food/restaurant industry. I count Jenny in on this because, Nutrition/”dieting” is about food. Also, we are putting together their meals for the week.
  5. On that note… I put diet in ” ” because I HATE THAT WORD. It’s one of my least favorite words in the dictionary! uffff. Diet. What a concept. HA! If you want to see permanent changes you can not make TEMPORARY fixes. You must make LIFE STYLE CHANGES!.

&& 11 of the questions Betsy & Janine asked –

  1. (Betsy) Do you think I’m crazy for signing up for the tough mudder? HECK NO GIRL! It makes you a bad ass & you are going to destroy! I’m so excited for you
  2. (Janine) What chore do you absolutely hate doing? LAUNDRY. Seriously — It’s like we’re always doing laundry. So absurd how quickly we go through clothes. It’s amusing to me how much more laundry I do now that I’m working out so much…
  3. (Betsy) What food can you not live without? shoooooot… Pizza. Hands down it’s my favorite food of all time & is my weakness. I heart thy zza.
  4. (Janine) What celebrity do you look like? I don’t see it what. so. ever. but I have been told I look like Ann on Parks & Recreation? I’ve never seen the show to be honest, & have googled it to see what she looks like whenever people say that… I DISAGREE. Flattering, very very flattering, but no.
  5. (Betsy) What is your dream race & why? Most people say Boston… But not me.. I do want to qualify one day, but I don’t even know if I would go. I honestly don’t run to win or be the best of the best. Maybe one day, when I get speedier that will change. haha but for now I run to run & race for the rush & love of it. I would however LOVE to run the Athans Greece Marathon. Run on the grounds that started them all….
  6. (Janine) Coffee, Tea, or Beer? BEER. Blue Moon with an orange slice, please.
  7. (Betsy) Does each pair of sock have a “left” sock and a “right” sock? Oh goodness no! In fact, it’s a rare day that my socks match. They’re mostly all bright & colorful so I don’t even match them up after doing laundry & just grab a random 2. Except on race days ;)
  8. (Janine) What are you afraid of? I’m afraid of more things than I care to admit… But I guess the biggest fear I have is not seeing/doing EVERYTHING before I die…
  9. (Betsy) What is your favorite way to cross train? Pilates!!!!!!! It makes me feel alive $ awesome & sweaty.. I’m growing super addicted to hot yoga as well.
  10. (Janine) What’s the next planned event in your life that you’re looking forward to? the Athleta IronGirl Half marathon on 4/29!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  11. (Betsy) Do you have a bucket list? Oooh yes! I fully intend on completing it too! You can even read about my 30 to 30 list here

    12. Now…. My 11 Questions:

    what is your all time favorite movie?

    if you could go to any one place in the world for a week, all expenses paid where would it be & why?

    Taste-wise, what is your LEAST favorite food?

    what is an embarrassing memory?

    what is one of your favorite memories?
    What is the number

    ONE thing you must do before you die?

    Best vacation you have ever been on?

    what is your most ridiculous phobia? (for example – mine is throwing up & others doing it. Even on a movie it freaks me the f out

    where were you born?

    what was the last thing that made you laugh?

    what is your favorite restaurant?

    TAG
    Alyssa, Kelsey, Shannon, Christie, Jennie, David and anyone else who wants to join the fun!

    Also If you’re not tagged please — answer a question In my comments! ;)

DIY Button Up Shirt – Turned Dress. EASY and FABULOUS

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I find that the more I get into running, the less desire I have to actually get ready for the day & make myself all “pretty” after. I’d much rather just hop in the shower, throw on some comfy yoga pants & stick my hair in a bun…… But, this week  & from here on out I’m making a point to actually stop this habit.

This fun little article Zack found on Huffington Post (That… I for the life of me can not find right now. But — all rights go to the young lady who did this on Huff Post!) for a cute & easy DIY Dress you can make out of a man’s button up shirt jump started my desire to look more feminine more often. As soon as Z saw this he MADE me do it. It was so easy & cute too.

The Finished Product. Sans face because my tripod is in NY... oops

It’s really simple! I swearz. Just follow these 4 steps…

1) Find a button up shirt that’s long sleeved & too big. If you have a hubby, fiance, or boyfriend — snag one they already own ;) Put that baby on, but don’t button up!

2) Slide off the sleeves & button up to your cleavage. (Or further depending how much skin you’re comfortable showing)

My small chest makes this easy... But also makes it look retarded

3) Wrap the sleeves around the FRONT of your body & tie. (TIGHTLY!!! But not so tight that you can’t breathe..)

Excuse the face..........

4) Wrap the remainder of the sleeves around your back. If there is enough sleeve, TIE IT UP. If not, Tuck it in the back & no one will even be able to notice you did any tucking at all! I SWEARZ

TA-DA

DONE & DONE! Now, you look super fabulous & it took you all of 30 seconds. Nobody else at the bar will be rockin’ a plaid dress like that. Personally, if I were to go out in this (which I totally will eventually!) I would wear leggings under neath. Just a bitttttttt too short for my taste. But It’s super cute & fun. Made me feel like a girly girl for the first time in ages. :)

My kitchen has the best lighting in the house. Leave me alone ;P

& it takes all of 10 seconds to get the thing off & back into your lounging clothes…..

There you have it folks! Easy, Peasy, LEMON SQUEEZEY!


Project Wedding – We’ve Made Actual Progress

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Not even kidding, we are legit thinking about doing this... You love us. ;)

(Source)

Everything feels a little bit more real now. After a some-what very stressful few weeks of back & forth conversations, waiting for the mail to deliver (when you need it to be timely, it never is) our down payment, & the “stealing” of our first pick date –. Oh, & of course it was also about to be the weekend of the Warren Bridal show, where the venue would be showcased…. We received confirmation that our date & venue have been secured & payment was received! EEEEEEP!

July 20, 2013 I will become Mrs. Charlotte Fowler.
The Red-House - Cassadaga, NY

We got really lucky! We found this gorgeous 19th Century Red mansion that has been restored into a wedding venue that lays on 6 acres of land with a gorgeous wood barn. (Fun Fact: It used to be part of the Underground Rail Road!) We fell in love as soon as we pulled up to the place. It’s absolutely breath-taking! Not to mention there are so many options. The very first time Zack & I talked about weddings in any sense, during our relationship — was about how we both wanted a beach wedding. Obviously, that’s not possible with our budget, or without missing out on great friends & family attending. So, next best thing is an outdoor wedding in the beautiful nature that exists in Western, New York. (As much as we all have whined growing up there, it has gorgeous areas!) However, if it rains — no worries! No tents. No wind interfering. If the weather stinks we can just set up on the first floor of the barn! SO MANY OPTIONS!!!!!

THIS is where we'll be spending one of the most important days of our lives

(Source)

Not only is this place GORGEOUS, but all of their profit goes to Development for the youth! I’m so excited to have a date & location! I’m also so relieved the ceremony & reception will be at ONE location. wohoo for no commute! That’s not all though!!! We also decided on
our color scheme! Yellow & Grey!

I kind of want to carry sunflowers in my bouquet… But, we’ll see about all that. We have a loooongggg time to plan this amazing day! (Thank goodness! I can’t imagine trying to rush to get everything done! I’d die from stress.. Planning a wedding for a city you DON’T live in & can’t just scoot on over to check out venues, is um… fun ;) ) :D

A Road Trip To Maine (A Notixx Photo Story)

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As I’ve mentioned before, Z is in a music duo named Notixx. This past weekend we made a 1) a 6 hour drive to our home town, in New York — to meet up with the other half of the duo, Ryan. Only to get back in the car the next morning for 2) a 13 hour drive (turned 15) 3) 3 hours of sleep, 4) 8 hours of live music…. And a repeat of the three first steps in reverse order. o.O

Was it a pain in the ass & exhausting? ABSOLUTELY! Would I do it again next weekend if it were to come up? ABSOLUTELY! I got some awesome pictures & videos. (Actually, in the process of editing them. I’ve never edited video before, so this is quite the task, but its fun.. Stay tuned for that! ;) ) I love shooting at shows. The lights, colors… It makes them really fun to play with after. :D

It was a long long drive, y'all!

But we made it as fun as we could with our situation :)

So um, driving to Maine from NY at night in Winter… SUCKS. But — I was blown away by how kind every single person we interacted with up there, was! I was humbled. Everyone was appreciative & friendly. If only more people were like that these days.

Also, holy crap did Maine SHOW UP! The place was packed. They energy was incredible! Everyone was having a great time. It was so surreal, to be on the other side, all these people who are HUGE fans of Zack & Ryan, so so so excited to meet them & hang out with them. I was so proud! :)

Ryan & Zachary (Notixx)

Okay Gloating moment. THIS PHOTO IS BAD ASS! Our buddy TJ aka IRON MAN ;)

Like I said. They were RAGERS!

I’m so glad I didn’t have to be IN that crowd… I probably would have fainted. However, I had an awesome time with all the musicians & DJs & the incredible people who begged & begged until someone listened to get Notixx a show in MAINE! The club told the boys that they have never been so busy & they were sorry for being hesitant about having an Electronic Music showcase.

:D It was an awesome trip! Worth the days of exhaustion that followed :)

When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, ‘tis near Halloween.

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I realize my trip home was over a week ago… However, I’ve been crazy busy since then. ooof! However, better late than never right?

The trip home was incredible! Short & sweet. I got to see so many friends & family members & just relax in a town I know like the back of my hand. The journey started out rough. I worked 12 hours Wednesday followed by 12 hours on Thursday…. Immediately followed by a 7 hour car ride with a lap dog (& I magically had to keep myself awake so that I could make sure Zack didn’t fall asleep driving.. He had an equally long few days before our trip home) We arrived in Jamestown with just enough time to catch merely 3.5 hours of sleep…. Commence a long but fun weekend!!!!!!

Friday morning I had breakfast with my old upstairs neighbor Jen & her Fiance’ Jon. Just two weeks ago they gave birth to an incredibly handsome baby boy named Damion Robert Collazo. I was so bummed when I got the phone call a week before I was coming home to visit saying she was in labor. I wanted to be there so badly!! Jen & I became insanely close while living in that building.. But, the wait to see him was worth it! He is gorgeous, healthy, & strong. :)

...."Am I breaking him?".......

I got to feed him & hold him. He just learned to smile so his adorable little dimples were making me swoon. He’s so tiny! I was terrified I’d break him. (babies sort of scare me. They’re so fragile!)

The rest of Friday was spent relaxing with my mom & her animals. Catching up with life long friends. & topped off with a dinner at Forte with my sister, my best friend Kanisha & one of my other best friends, Bob. It was really nice. One of my favorite restaurants in the world, with some of my favorite people in the world. What a great way to end my first day back home! :)

Sushi from Forte

Saturday was Jamestown’s Halloween celebration. Every single year, this is hands down one of my top 3 favorite nights of the year (competitors being New Years Eve & The Local Music Showcase). Thursday before going to work I had about 20 minutes, so on my way in to work I stopped off at Party City. With slim pickins & very limited time I just grabbed the first costume that wasn’t completely whorey (which at this point in the season was NEXT TO NOTHING) So I ended up with what appeared on the poster to be a fairly cute Hello Kitty costume. Well, jokes on me because when I finally woke up Friday & tried it on… I looked like a 12 year old candy skank.

JUST SAY NO

I was really bummed. Almost tossed out the idea of dressing out entirely out the window. Until I decided on a genius costume! (That Zack decided to jump on board with for a couples costume!

Mail Order Bride & The creep Who Ordered Me ;)

For spending $15 & loving the dress so much I’ll definitely wear it again — I would say this last minute idea was a HUGE success. |
Going out was a blast. Saw so many familiar faces, had so many laughs & hugs & great conversations. Its nights like this that make you really appreciate the people in your life. I work so much that I haven’t had any time at all to meet new people & make friends. So I now cherish my time with the people I care about much much more than I used to. One of the things life teaches you when you grow up, is that the value of friendship is higher than gold.

Now is it just me, or are there more & more of these costumes every year?

Britnee & Dave

my Kanisha <3

Don’t get me wrong…… When done correctly, they can be really gorgeous. But, I just hate the over done every where you turn around, you see one, type of costumes….. Another one on that list is definitely Zombies. OOOOOOOF. sooooooo many zombies, every year they multiply.
However, Joe pulled off a really good Zombie on Saturday

I love the white-out contact. Adds an awesome touch

Now…….. For some of Jamestown’s Finest:

Bartender at Forte. I just LOVE this

So simple & cute

Cereal Killer & a Bowl of Spaghetti? Epic

Papa Smurf

Jason & Stacy. Bumble Bee & Her Keeper ;) Too stinkin' adorable

There were a lot of really great costumes this year. These are my top favorites. I love the simple but awesome costume ideas. No one says you have to be a packaged whore for Halloween in order to look amazing!!!!!!

& For some of the BEST of the best of THE BEST people in the universe:

Todd & Jason :D

Mr. Cardinale

Some awesome "gentlemen"

Ozzie & Pauly

Pop Eye The Sailor mannnnnnnnnnnn

Vampire Paul & yours truly

She's such a cutie-pie

After the bars we went home to sleep for a few short hours before making the 7 hour journey back home to Maryland….. what a Short but awesome weekend it was! Definitely a Halloween to remember! I wish I had more time to see everyone I wanted to, & Spend more time with some people.. But, I keep trying to remind myself. This time I only live 7 hours away. I don’t have to book a flight, have any lay overs or figure out who will pick me up from the airport.. I can just drive right on home any time I need to. Texas & Florida were a lot more difficult to arrange trips home. Maryland is easy compared. & I will go home again when I can!