24: Spoiler Alert!

No, don't worry, this is not about the TV show.

Yesterday I turned (dun dun dun) 24 years old! I still can't believe it. Aren't I still 18?? Nope.. I'm definitely not a carefree teenager anymore. As you've probably noticed, I barely have time to post on here let alone take a breather. Well, thanks to the most amazing boyfriend ever I was able to unwind and have a terrific weekend last week.

Last Saturday, I thought I was going to see The Phantom of the Opera (my favorite show ever!) with Pat. We went into the city a little early to have lunch before the show...little did I know I was walking into a room filled with my friends & family!! I could NOT believe it! I've never been thrown a surprise party and, up until this year, I never really did anything big for my birthday since it always fell right in the middle of finals. I'm still glowing and ecstatic from the surprise!

When we got to the restaurant Pat led me straight to the back. I guess I was really out of it because all I thought was that he must have been here before. I walk into the back room, look up, and see my parents, my brother, and so many of my friends! My big, her boyfriend, my sophomore year roommate (who I haven't seen in forever!), the Crazy Fatties, and many more. I was THRILLED!

I was so, so happy I got to celebrate this day with my brother by my side!

The most amazing family!

The best girlfriends I could ever ask for. I don't know what I would do without them. Oh, and please note the GREATEST birthday sash of all time. Yes, that does say "birthday #ootd" -- thank you, Jessica.

For the next 2 hours or so, we enjoyed a delicious bottomless boozey brunch. I was so overwhelmed with joy that I didn't even try the food haha. It also had to do with the fact that no one let me have an empty glass. Once our time was up at our table, my parents and brother headed out and the rest of us continued the celebrations onto the next venue.

Yes.. I did bring these balloons everywhere we went :)

Next stop? 235 Fifth -- only the best rooftop bar EVER! We got our own table up on the roof and had the most beautiful view of the Empire State Building and the rest of the city. 

Such a great group of girls.

It wouldn't be right if we didn't take our standard picture :)

This guy. The man of my dreams!

After it got dark outside, the majority of us made one last stop before ending the night at a bar called Flat Iron Hall. It was here that I had my leather jacket (seen above) stolen :( 

But aside from that...I seriously still can't believe I got to experience such an amazing day filled with love and the most important people in my life. I couldn't ask for better friends & family, I truly am blessed. Pat really outdid himself and I am so lucky to have him in my life. Thank you to everyone who made 24 feel a little less old and a LOT more fun!

Here's to 24!!!

Summertime Sadness: May Highlights

Guys...it's fall.

I feel like I was just on the hunt for the newest and cutest bikinis, and now (not that I have a problem with it) I'm searching for the biggest and coziest sweaters. Honestly...where has the time gone?!

Probably since the song came out, I had the most genius idea to feature my summer highlights using the title Summertime Sadness (wow, Cristina..it must have been so hard to come up with that). Being that I was quite forgetful over the summer months to keep you all up to date on my activities and whereabouts, I figured I'd make a series of posts dedicated to reminiscing about those beloved summer months. On top of that, I kiiiind of strategically planned to wait until a Throwback Thursday so everything would "fall" together. See what I did there? ;) Also, since it is JUST starting to feel like fall I can officially put the summer behind me (metaphorically, of course).

So let's get started with the month of...

 May.

I GRADUATED!

After some (much needed) extra time at college, I finally received my diploma :) I couldn't have asked for more when it comes to my college career...except maybe some more time haha. I never wanted to leave!

This had to be one of the biggest, most exciting moments during the month of May. As happy as I seem in the picture above, it was also really sad to say goodbye to the place I had spent the last 5 years at. Just thinking about it now is getting me all worked up. Thankfully, I'll be going back for Homecoming in less than a week!

Some more pictures from graduation...

I can't even begin to explain to you how hot it was during the main ceremony. It was on the football field  which, when you're at the bottom of the pit, seems to never receive any breeze whatsoever. So if I seem a little sweaty in these pictures, cut me a break please!

Pat, his parents, and I after the main ceremony!

I swear...we couldn't be normal even if our lives depended on it!

Absolutely love my Zetas <3












I was so thankful Felice was able to make it to my graduation! She has been one of my best friends since freshman year (not that she had a choice). 

This was such a weird yet rewarding feeling to finally receive my diploma from the #1 Business School in New Jersey!














My biggest support system since day 1. Thank you for making all of this possible. I love you both!'

Just some of marketing babes with the Dean of Marketing haha.



















Pat and I at our celebratory dinner with our families. Such a great way to end an amazing day.

As you can probably tell, graduation was a big part of May for me. Aside from that, here are a couple of pictures from some other memorable moments...

Pat and my last formal ever!!! I still can't believe that we're not in college anymore.

I'm still in love with that dress. Can I wear it every day? Is that weird?

These 2 pictures actually make me want to cry. On the left is a picture of me and my sorority family. CHAMP FAM BEST FAM. My family is filled with some of the most loving and beautiful girls I know. I miss them more and more every day. I don't think the picture on the right needs much explaining. Senior Zetas just didn't want to graduate. 

Starting the summer with some family time for my mom's birthday and mother's day!

All in all, ending my 5th year of college with some of these great events in May wasn't a bad way to go out. I just wish it didn't have to end.

Out with the old, in with the new!

always,

Throwback Thursday

This post is definitely LONG overdue.

Over winter break, my family, boyfriend, and I traveled to the warm and sunny Florida! It was just what I needed -- a little getaway.

After my best semester of my college career (Dean's list, what upppp!), a vacation was the perfect reward. Not to mention that 80 degree weather is a good change from the current freezing, slushiness of  New Jersey.

Here are "some" of the highlights (so hard to choose):

view from our house

family

playing around with my new camera ;]

those things were terrifying

my kind of life

Pat, Dad, & I snorkeling

couldn't be more at peace

i need one of these

Hemmingway's cats

Southermost Point!

my personal, life-size tripod

fishing

my biggest catch

on top of the world

 

night out in Miami

Alisa's view of Miami from her apartment. NBD 

best friend since 2nd grade <3

baby struggling a little the next day...

perfect day on the beach

we <3 hammocks

love this view

I absolutely cannot wait to return to the Keys and Miami again! Florida in the winter is by far the best weather I have ever experienced. Too bad there isn't the perfect place in which every day is like that...

A girl can dream though, right?

always,
cristinamarie