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: June Highlights

First of all, I want to talk about how it was supposed to be miserable outside this weekend but turned out to be absolutely beautiful. The bright, sunny weather didn't really make me miss summer enough to want to write about it. I wanted to enjoy the here and now.

But since I still have a few months to go, I have to keep on truckin'.

 June.

I started of the month with a post-grad celebration in Hoboken. Even though it was only my second time in this wonderful city, I fell in love all over again. The second I get a job, I will be seeing you again, Hoboken. This time...as my home <3

Next up, a nice celebration for my boyfriend's 22nd birthday. I don't think I stopped singing that Taylor Swift song for a good week or so. I don't hate it.

As a belated celebration of our 2 year anniversary, Pat took me to see The Little Mermaid musical at the Paper Mill Playhouse! Not only was it amazing because it has always been my favorite Disney tale, but a fellow ZTA sister's actual sister was performing in the show! It was absolutely amazing and I would definitely go see it again.













Pat and I standing outside the theater.

Okay, so June was apparently filled with a million celebrations. This is before we went out in Belmar for Kelli's birthday. Lucy wasn't able to make it, but obviously we saved a spot for her :)

Trips to New York means....

Seeing the one and only, CHOPIN! He seriously gets cuter and cuter every single time I see him.

Such a precious little pup.

Doesn't this shot look so natural and not staged at all? This is what Felice and I do when she comes to my house for the day to work. She's doing real world work while I distract her. Sounds about right to me.

I surprisingly saw my big out in Asbury Park and could not have been more ecstatic! No matter what, she can always put a smile on my face!

My big, my cuzo, and I out at Porta! I love my fam <3

All of the girls out in Asbury! There's never a dull moment with the 4 of them :)

My outfit for a "meet & greet" at a family friend's company!

Since it was in the city and I had an interview the next day there as well, I was lucky enough to stay at my brother's apartment. Aka...hang out with this little munchkin.

My outfit for my interview the next day! I'm totally not one to do business professional, but I managed to put my own twist and style into it. Not too shabby, if I may say so myself!

June was also filled with many fire pit gatherings at Kelli's house. We even made s'mores one night! Nothing like sitting around a fire, listening to old songs, and reminiscing with your closest friends.

The next day some of the Crazy Fatties and I went crabbing in Point Pleasant! I've never done that before but it was so much fun!

Even though it wasn't what we expected...this was SO COOL! One of our cages caught an eel, a crab, and a blowfish! You can even see it all blown up in the top right corner.

I love my girls. Through thick & thin.

                            

One weekend, Pat and I spontaneously went to AC hoping we would somehow be able to get into the Hardwell show. An HQ promoter that we had met was actually able to get us in AND we were front row!

The last celebration of the month was Pat's graduation party! This is what I wore..eventually I took the headband off because I felt like Cleopatra haha.

So that was my June! A lot of things to celebrate in one month, but it was all so much fun! Keep an eye out for my July highlights...can you guess what you'll see? Probably not fireworks or anything...

always,

Weekend (life) PIC Up

hi again!

Within the past few weeks, I feel like there have been a number of little events.

A few weeks ago, my freshman floor finally had a successful reunion! It was so much fun and made me miss being 18, young & wild. Too bad I'm not as good at taking pictures every two seconds like I was back then.

Just within my sorority, my family now has two new, gorgeous, perfect members and the latest class just became initiated! I also realized that it has been FOUR years (on April 3) since my pledge class was initiated!! I'm still in shock.

Although it has been extremely exciting, all of this has made me feel ridiculously old. Plus the fact that I am turning 23...oy! There needs to be some wild celebrations to distract from the fact that I'm ancient.

The latest news? My house is dog sitting again!

If only I had one of my own...

Assini & me before going out

Ran into Bry & Laur at the bar!

I am the oldest of these perfect dynasty and I love every minute of it.

My perfect littlests!

Me love my little long time.

Alpha Omegas back in '09!

Perfect day to be outside with this little pup.

I need a convertible. Now.

Sleepy Soph

Hey there, little one.

Now that it officially feels like SPRING...it's time to put some major spring cleaning into action. Who knows what is in store for me this coming month.

always,

cristinamarie

Weekend PIC Up: Thanksgiving & Black Friday Style

Happy {belated} Thanksgiving & Black Friday!!!

I hope your holidays were both as stuffed {tummy} and as empty {wallet} as mine were!

Even though it's a little early for my Weekend PIC Up, I thought I'd let you see a little bit into my life as of late. This time, featuring both iPhone AND regular camera pictures! YAY. Featuring our star guest: Chopin!

{Pat & Me || in the city}

{Chopin || keep an eye out for his tongue}

{Chopin & Me || not kidding about that tongue}

{Chopin || on top of his thrown}

{Chopin || crazy dog}

{Chopin & Me || so tempted to take him home}

{Mommy & Chopin}

{Chopin || could he be any cuter?}

{Daddy & Me...right}

{Daddy & Me || dysfunctional}

{Happy 30th Bacos!!!}

{Marcos & Chopin || he's such a dad}

{Chopin || pup in a sweater}

{Chopin || patient pup}

{Chopin || not so patient pup}

{OOTD || Blazer: Charlotte Russe || Skirt: Lord&Taylor ||  Legwarmers: Kohls || Booties: Target} 

{Chelsea || when zetas turn zombie}

{Jessielyn || still hot as a zombie}

{Chopin & Me || he's my little baby}

{Thanksgiving || Kohler style}

{Marcos & Me || that's about right..}

{Marcos, Chopin, & Me || my favorites}

{Chopin || daddy sleeps, so he does too}

{Chopin & Me || Black Friday work outfit}

{Chopin & Me || Dress: Zara || Scarf: Mom's || Boots: Steve Madden || Lipstick/liner: Ruby Woo & Cherry by MAC}

Stay posted for my attempt at a virtual Christmas list! (most likely the majority of my list will remain virtual. womp. haha)

always,

cristinamarie