Poly always WINS

BFF Court and I went to the annual rival game between our high school Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (POLY) and Baltimore City College (actually a High School - City).  Every year, for the past 124 years, Poly meets City for a football game.  The games used to occur on Thanksgiving Day but that all changed several years ago. Well, and even today - the game still occurs.

It was cold and windy out there this year for the game.  For the last few years BFF Court and I have skipped out on the game and gone to the tailgate which is loads of fun. Annually we get a chance to meet up with old friends - catch up  - and then wait another year to see them again, for more idle chit chat and some drinks.  But we keep going. Its actually a pretty superficial meeting.

I wore:


White long sleeve tee-Target; Jeans-AshleyStewart; Boots-Avenue
BFF Court wore:


BUT it was so cold out there, this is what we looked like ...



... and the winner is - City College. They won the game this year, but Poly always WINS!!!!

BFF Overnight Sleepover

My BFFs and I spent a night out in Alexandria, VA. we got a hotel room and dipped out.. if only for one night.

Top-Ross; Bermuda shorts-Talbots
On Saturday, the weather was a little gloomy and rainy but that didnt stop us.  We started the adventure with breakfast at Bob Evans.
We arrived in Alexandria and checked into the Hotel Monaco-Alexandria. We loved it. Everything in the hotel was lovely. I wish I could add a bunch of hotel photos here, but you can check that out for yourself at the link. When we were done checking in - we hit the streets.  We went for a little stroll a few blocks along the main King Street. We shopped a little - stopped in a few consignment boutiques (I really want to own one of these one day) and got some shoes from Ross (I will be doing a full inspiration week with a pair I purchased). And then we headed back to relax before dinner.  we decided on the Burger Joint. Sounds crazy - but it was goooood! After dinner we wanted to go to the pool, but it was filled with youngsters watching a cartoon - we went back to the room to relax instead.

On Sunday, we just relaxed before finally getting dressed and heading out to brunch on the waterfront. It was an ok, meal, but the company was awesome! BFF Yolanda, got BFF Court and I hooked on Instagram.. I might just join Twitter next, lol. and then we headed back to reality. I updated my FB status to read "There is nothing like a BFF sleepover. We need one of these monthly"

top-LaneBryant; jean/capris-Cut off jeans (Ralph Lauren)

We had a great time .. and I love them soooo much!

on our way ...

i had a great day off today, spending time with my BFFs and doing a little holiday shopping.  We had plans to go to DC but we stopped at the outlet mall and we never got to DC. Maybe another day :)

long open cardi-Lane Bryant; jeans-Ashley Stewart; long sleeve tee-Walmart; clogs-JCPenney; necklace-Burlington

 we didnt take the baby on this trip, but he sure was a cute accessory for the photos :)

Jilly from Philly

Yall know how I do for birthdays... well maybe you dont - but let me say, around here, birthdays are "something like a big deal"

So for Sister and BFF Yolanda's birthday we went to the Jill Scott Concert here in Baltimore.  It was amaaazing, (ofcourse).  We love Jill.. some years back, Londa and I went to a Jill Scott concert in ATL. Who do you know, will plan a trip to ATL (hotel, airfare, rental car, etc) to see Jill, just because the tickets were $20. Joke was on us because the place had no seats - we waited in line for 3 hours and then stood another 3 hours for the show.  OKay, that was a long time ago. This time we had some of the best box seats in the house.. and we sang along like we were on stage with Jill.   Can u say - "true fans"

Both BFF Yolanda and BFF Courtney went to the show.  (Cousin Nikki went to the show too, but I didnt get an outfit pic) We were laughing because we all get to benefit from the others birthday.
They looked cute in these outfits:

 The Birthday Girl - BFF Yolanda

 BFF  Courtney

well this was my first opportunity (post baby) to get dressed up... so in "Mrs Hall In-Training" fashion (no pun intended, lol)... i had a fashion show. Here are the looks that I had to choose from. Which is your favorite?

Look #1 : dress-Macys; shoes-JCPenney (all looks); accessories-Avenue

 

Look#2 : dress-Macys

Look#3 : top-LB; ponte knit leggings and long cardi-JCPenney

 

Look#4 : top-Ashley Stewart; cargo jeggins-Dots

 

Look#5 : top-Ashley Stewart; ponte knit leggins-JCPenney; sweater-LB

 

 LOOK WHO TURNED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF MY PHOTOS, LOL!!

 

Look#6 : denim top-JCPenney; skirt-LB

So which was your fav? I wore Look #1 to the concert :)

Small Tid Bit of Girls Night

Yesterday we celebrated one of my friends birthday with a girls night at BFF Courtney's house. Here is a look at what I wore.



Cardi and tank-LB; jeans and clogs-JCPenney

The girls said I look smaller than my prebaby weight. I'm actually able to wear my prebaby clothes too. My Doct says that I've lost 30lbs since I had Ryan. Pretty good I would say, but I'm not sure that I had much to do with it. It must be the breastfeeding.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

...still counting .. from home

Well, Im not at work today - but Im working.  I'll be working a few days from home until "Prince Charming" decides to make his arrival. 

However, yesterday I was off from work so BFF Court took me out to lunch... mm mm mmmmm!!

 I think I'll go eat some of my leftovers.

Rock Star Baby Shower - Pics Heavy

I decided on a Rock Star Baby Shower to celebrate our little bundle of joy.  The event was held at an upscale bowling alley called Mustang Alley. They have a private room that we used and there were not that many people because they cater to an evening crowd.  Hubby reserved a few lanes in case some of his friends wanted to bowl while the ladies were enjoying the shower games.

I designed the invitation and had it printed.  We used bright yellow metallic envelopes to send out the invitations.

I gathered most of the ideas for the baby shower from the below links. I know I know.. its not for a Valentine's Day party or a child's birthday party, but I loved the idea for a babyshower.. so we ran with it.

http://www.hostessblog.com/2011/01/love-rocks-rockin-valentines-day/

http://www.hostessblog.com/2011/02/real-parties-rockstar-birthday-party-part-1/

http://www.hostessblog.com/2011/02/real-parties-rock-star-birthday-party-part-2/

Here are the highlghts of the event. I really wanted to make a slideshow of all the pics. Maybe I will get to that this weekend.. we'll see, but no promises.

Team "Ryan" :These ladies were invaluable to planning and hosting our baby shower.  They contributed their money, time and ideas to the effort.  I love and appreciate them so much not just for what they did to make the shower a success, but for being such great friends to me and ofcourse the Hall Family :)

Yolanda, Kameel, Jamaica, Courtney and Cousin Nikki in front, lol

Deidra and Kameel

Decor: Since the theme was "rockstar" I tried to add a few different elements, but we still wanted to keep it "baby".  So if anything had a skull and cross bones, it was quickly deleted from the event.  We even had tattoos for everyone to wear, although I think only three people had one on. It was still a cute idea.  I chose a color scheme of red, orange and yellow. I got plenty of props - star shade sunglasses, inflatable microphones and guitars. We personalized soda and water bottles and we had orange and yellow cupcakes individually wrapped. Ron's mother made the flower centerpieces. But I think the highlight had to be the baby onesies that created a banner. Too too cute!

 

  

PhotoBooth: The photobooth was my brainchild.  It didnt really come off the way I wanted it to, but it was still fun.  I tried to get everyone to take a pic with the backdrop at they came in. And for the most part I got alot of pics. And some really funny pics too. 



Kameel and Mom Bernette (Grandma Benta)



Kameel and Ron's Mom - Grandma Claudette

My grandma and her sister (Aunt Berniece)                 Martha and Kameel

   
Some of the Fam!

 
The Book Club Members

Sorority Sisters          and         Coworkers

Games: The games were fun.  Im not really a fan of a bunch of different games at babyshowers (or bridal showers). One of my favorite games was Baby Bingo. But it was difficult to play with alot of people (the guest count was almost 80 people).  We still had a good time. 

 

Gifts: Ron and I were in awe at all the lovely gifts that we received.  It was truly a shower of kindness. We appreciated it sooo much.  

  

It was a great time!!! Im so grateful for my family and friends.