D's Big Quarter of a Century Milestone

My wonderful boyfriend is getting older. 25 to be exact!


For his actual day of birth, D had a BJJ symposium and grading conference over that whole weekend. We still managed to steal some time the night of his actual birthday to watch the fights with friends.

I made him a cake, because you have to have cake on your birthday, even if you aren't celebrating it until a later date!

D turns the big 2-5!

 So because I am a student, and incredibly poor this time of year, I had to get a little creative for D's birthday gift. I saw this post: 1 Year of Dates on Shannon Brown's blog and fell in love with the idea!
D says I am not decisive enough when it comes to options for us to go out and do things....So I gave him one year of decisive, and unique dates. We'll be trying new things, tasting new foods, and going places we haven't been before. Added bonus, I don't have to actually pay for the dates until we go on them! (And some of them are even free!)

I'll be posting some of my ideas on here in the near future.

 ...I may have over done it on the chocolate shavings on top...but you can never have too much chocolate...right?

Chocolate Stout Cake with Whipped Cream Cheese Icing

This is a delicious, rich and moist chocolate cake without being overly sweet.

I followed this exact recipe over at My Baking Addiction for the cake. She is so talented, check out her fundamentals for some great tips!

I used Bad Hare Chocolate Stout for the required beer.

BONUS: it's enough that you don't even use 1 whole bottle for the cake...so you don't have to buy extras if you don't want to actually drink the stout!

And I found this little gem for one of the BEST icings I have ever had. I'm not a huge icing person, so that's saying something!

Our friend kept stealing the icing off of everyone's slices when they weren't looking and requested a bowl of it for her upcoming birthday...no cake....just a bowl of the icing.

It was a perfect light and airy balance to the cake.

Coming up this weekend I'm throwing D a full out birthday party to make up for the lower level of excitement on his actual birthday.

Look forward to more bday posts soon!

What is your favorite birthday gift you've ever received?

<3
Ern

Up to Speed

School....lots and lots of studying. That has been my life for the past couple of weeks...that...And a little bit of COLDPLAY!

Do I not have the greatest boyfriend of all time? I'm quite sure that I do! What did he get me for Valentines day? 

Not flowers that die within a couple of days...or chocolates that I'm trying to avoid...no, he get's me tickets to COLDPLAY!!!

EEE!!!

Yeah, I'm weird, I don't want jewelry, flowers, or chocolate for Valentines Day, but take me to a wicked show and I am SO happy. 

Also, I got a rather sweet card that he actually wrote a love note in, he didn't just sign what Hallmark had already said for him. 

To me V-Day is all about spending time with the one you love, and the memories...not the gifts. Yes, concert tickets count as a gift...but it's a gift for both of us, and an experience to share together and make memories of. Which I think is the perfect kind of gift.

Last year he got me tickets to the Goo Goo Dolls (was SO stoked!), and we had so much fun that we decided to make a tradition out of it. We choose a show we're interested in...and then he "surprises" me with the tickets. ;)

The Goo Goo Dolls I was surprised about even though we had discussed that it would be cool to go and see them, but for Coldplay I did know what was coming my way February 14th!

So here was my Coldplay experience...which was also my first ever arena concert!

Super stoked for the show!

Our wicked light-up wristbands...we got to be part of the light show!

The light show aspect was phenomenal! See all the wristbands in the crowd?

Confetti!!

Now that I'm officially done exams I have the next couple days to get things did! 

I have so many little things to catch back up on life before I either start spring semester, or start working, and getting my life beyond school back in order.

Life is in limbo, lemme tell you!

Look forward to date, birthday, and party posts in the near future!

What's the most amazing concert you've ever been to?

I'd love to hear from you!

<3

Ern

2012 before it barely began - Learning to be thankful.

I have big plans for my 2012.

After having such a great year in 2011 - meeting the love of my life, going on a vacation (to see my man's little brother tie the knot!) and stabilizing old friendships, I've decided it's time to epic-fy (I know what you're thinking...but I get to say it's a word if I want too!) my life even more.

If life is essentially good...why not try to live it to the full and make it the BEST life it can be?

Unfortunately I've been handed some complications this year including family emergencies, being sick for 2 months, financial troubles (no more shopping! *gasp!*), living situation complications, school struggles (this one is HUGE!), contracting the travel bug itch with no scratching to be afforded, amongst many day-to-day crappy happenings that have just become overwhelming all piled together.

BUT....I have SO much to be thankful for.

1 Year Anniversary - 2012

Christmas with D's family - 2011

The most amazing, sweet, and supportive boyfriend in the world. He cooks for me when I'm pulling all-nighters for school, brings me liquidy treats when I'm sick and can't swallow solid food, tells me he thinks I'm beautiful even when I'm a sick, nasty mess from being under the weather. He never makes me feel bad that I have no money to pay for things, and has never failed to cheer me up when I'm feeling down. He encourages me to follow my hobbies (particularly sewing!), has seamlessly become a part of my family, and he tells me that he loves me every day.

A big and wonderful family...

• My dad tells me he's so proud of me for going to University (the first out of all 5 of us kids!) and is always ready with a hug and "I love you"s.

• My mom helps me figure out my sewing class assignments, and my ideas for fun craftiness she helps turn into a logical reality, or she's an ear to vent when I'm having a rough go of it.
• A big sister who adds me to her online shopping orders because I can only afford little tidbits at a time, (but this way I still get free shipping!) and goes with me to see chick flicks.
• A brother who is always around to help my family out because they really need it.
• The brother I can count on to always make me laugh, go for a car ride and share good music with me.
• The youngest brother is always ready with an excited hello and a big ol' hug to make me feel welcome and loved.

The best grandparents in the world...

...who understand that my life is insanity so I don't get to see them nearly as often as I'd like.

  A close friend in my cousin.

And my oldest friends (+ 1 new one!) have come back into my life after growing apart for awhile.

Duck face...I know...what were we thinking?? This is years old to be fair though!

I have a roof over my head (for the time being anyways), and I can always get a meal from either D, or the parents. I'll never go hungry, and I'll always have somewhere to sleep, even if it isn't my own place.

*I just hope I never have to desert my beautiful gold furniture!...but more on that another day!

I have Bernie, my reasonably reliable (*knock on wood!*) purple-mobile, that has cost me so little in the big picture.

I have a large wardrobe, and I am learning the skills needed to remake it so that it stays current, and fits me. To prevent wasting more money on clothes I might never wear more than a couple of times.

I have lost over 11 pounds since this time last year, simply by changing my diet and not baking as often (although I'm pretty sure that this is partially from being sick for so long? But I've put the effort in too).

I may not be able to really travel like I've always wanted to, but I've been to some pretty cool places in Canada still. (never left the country and I'm 23...can you believe that??)
I know that some people haven't even left their city before.

Montreal 

Toronto

Sorry for the poor picture quality, this was taken almost 4 years ago!

Northern British Columbia

This is one of my all time favorites! Isn't it just breathtaking??

So I am currently compiling a list of things to strive for in 2012....there's still time for me to turn this year around yet.

And even if it doesn't get better...at least I'll come out stronger.

I can't wait to share my list with you when I get it all finished!

<3,

Ern

P.S. What do you have to be thankful for? I'd love to hear what makes your world go round. Leave a comment or email me if you prefer anonymity!