These past few days have been crazy around here! I’ve barely had time to write any posts, and I especially haven’t had time to work on any blog projects! But all of that should be changing this weekend. I plan on getting my spray paint on and maybe do some painting. Not to mention Jesse and I have some building plans in the works and will hopefully be finishing our master bedroom in a few weeks! 🙂
But unfortunately that’s not really what this post is about. This post is about why we’ve been too busy to breath for a few weeks. First, my office is participating in Lent again this year. Last year I gave up fast food, and I actually totally broke my addiction. I can’t even eat the stuff anymore, except for Chickfila because that’s better than fast food. In the spirit of giving up things that are bad for me, I’ve decided to give up soda this year. Not only will I be parting with the sugary goodness, but soda is also my main source of caffeine so I’m breaking that addiction as well. The withdraws have been a B (Did I mention I also gave up swearing? Kill me now.)
Also it was this little thing called Valentine’s Day. We had wonderful plans to go to dinner and enjoy the evening BUT the little restaurant we wanted to go to said No Reservations on Wednesday but had changed their minds and completely booked up by Thursday morning. So instead Jesse played basketball and then we went to Chipotle. I know, super romantic.
At least I got some gorgeous purple tulips out of the deal! (Tulips are my favorite.)
Friday night we went out with friends and saw Wreck It Ralph at Richmond’s discount theater, The Byrd Theater. And then we met up with other friends for drinks afterwards. We took it easy on Friday so we could go out all day Saturday. We hit up the Habitat for Humanity Restore to try to find some old shutters to make a headboard for our bed. We didn’t find any and Jesse decided he hated that idea, so we left and had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. It was DELICIOUS! 
Then we went shopping at the mall, and didn’t buy anything, and hit up a huge Good Will not to far from the mall. Again we didn’t buy anything. Why is it when you have time/want to buy things there is nothing good to be found, but when you’re broke the world is full of cute things?! After being defeated by shopping we hung out with friends and played some Settlers of Catan.
Sunday we went to the grocery store, Lowe’s and Target to run a few errands. Speaking of which, I’m beyond in love with Target’s home collection for the spring. It is all so pretty! 
Then I made some Chicken Tortilla Soup and chocolate covered strawberries for dinner and we caught up on some of our shows.
Then of course there’s all the stuff going on with work. Including the fact that I got my own office, which I can’t wait to get knick knacks for and dress it up a bit. 
And last night, to make up for no V-Day dinner, Jesse took me out to a little bistro type place downtown last night. I had a great time dressing up and spending the evening with him. 🙂
And there probably wont be a post tomorrow, because tonight I’m going to see Mary Poppins with a friend! I absolutely LOVE musicals and this is one of 3 that I’m dying to see this year! 
I’ve got to go back to work! But I’ll be back here with an actual house related post on Thursday! 🙂
I give up pop and swearing every year. Pop usually sticks but swearing never does :/
I gave up soda last year and it stuck (still drink every once in a long while, though, maybe once a month? But only if we’re out, I don’t buy it at the supermarket anymore).
This year I tried giving up chocolate… yeah, that didn’t work. Haha.
I love tulips also, and those purple ones are beautiful! Sounds like a great weekend to me =) Congrats on the office, and you look great!
Jesse did a great job on your tulips… they are beautiful! Soda is a cool thing to give up for lent. Such a great reminder when you start feeling tired to remember to pray for strength and energy from God who is way more powerful than any caffeine drink.
I love these little “what we’ve been up to” posts!! Congrats on your office!! That’s so exciting! And good luck with lent….I don’t drink soda but the swearing…that would be a tough one for me!
Brian and I have been considering the shutters-into-headboard idea since Jason Freer posted that idea on his realtor page! It seems fairly simple and there’s a great antique store we pass all the time that’s got dozens of them! Still not 100% convinced it’s *the* headboard but it’s an idea! I played Catan for the first time with my in-laws this weekend and it was really fun!
Mary Poppins was amazing!! we saw it in Chicago two years ago. THE BEST. good luck! We gave up eating out for lent…so no fast food and no going out to dinner for 40 days gahhhh
I just spent our whole vacation breaking the caffeine addiction so I hear ya on the withdrawals. Hope you come through it quickly! 🙂
Loved this what we’ve been up to post! Looks like you’ve definitely been busy! The tulips were so pretty- makes me crave spring.
You have been super busy! I gave up wine for Lent this year- hopefully it won’t stick! The flowers are gorgeous and I took our son to see Wreck it Ralph- I thought it was so cute!
Lent is always a great opportunity to overcome some bad habits. I love how everyone thinks Chik-fil-A isn’t really fast food 🙂 I’m in the same boat. It’s so much better than McDs and BK. I always crave it on Sundays though!
Ok, so I seriously have been seeing so many cool old pieces out on the streets, but of course I can’t pick them up because Joel would not be so fond of me cluttering up a hotel room with junk finds I can’t even do anything with. BUT, I just know that once we get into a house I won’t find any pieces when I’m out looking … that’s what you’re story about going out but not buying anything made me think of. OH, and you’re hot stuff by the way. 🙂
All the food in this post looks incredible! And you look gorgeous in your cute date night get up… 🙂
Busy girl! I love the tulips! 🙂
I could eat Chipotle every day of the week and twice on Sunday and be a happy girl. Add chocolate covered strawberries – my all time fave – and I might explode of happiness.
Hi Ashley,
I feel ya! First of all, I’m kind of a fast food addict and soda addict as well. I’ve tried to “break it” many times, or at least just do less of the fast food soda thing, but it’s almost like I feel like my body is dying, lol, even though it’s really just healing from all that crap I put in my body!
Secondly, I have been MAD busy as well, so don’t feel bad if you don’t have time to blog as much as you’d like. Just do it when you can 🙂 I know you feel like you have readers depending on your and you’ve got blogher, so you’ve got some expectations to live up to, but it’s okay to slow it down just a bit when life gets crazy. You don’t want to sacrifice anything else in your life just so you blog thrives. It’s all about balance. I’ve been working on building a new side business and I got swamped with new clients, so I’ve been working 12 hour days for the past month. I think I have a nerve problem in my right pinky and entire right arm from using the mouse and computer too much… Which means I should probably try to finish up with this comment! 😉
I love chipotle. Who wants to go out for V-day when everyone else is anyway? 😉
Those tulips are beautiful! 🙂 And chocolate covered strawberries, YUM! I made those on V-day, they were soooo delish!
Oh yeah and congrats on getting your own office! You rock! 🙂
~Lisha
I gave up pop a lonnnng time ago. Sometimes I’ll get the craving for it and I’ll get a diet pop. Then I’ll be good for a few weeks. I don’t think I’d last a day without swearing. Target is killing me with all their cute decor and clothes. Killing. Me.
This year for Lent I gave us shrimp in an effort to eat more fish and so far so good, though I haven’t eaten any fish (oops).
Congrats on getting your own office – I am super jealous of that! I also need to email you about this Settlers’ expansion pack. We’re not there yet but it sounds interesting!
Where is the Habitat for Humanity Restore?! I’ve never heard of one being around here.
(I think I spy an internet meme on your office wall)
There is one downtown of Chamberlayne and School, not too far from SCOR! It’s awesome!