March Madness

For the first time ever I am participating in March Madness. Even though I have watched the games and picked random favorites to win the tournament I’ve never played in the all the pools and brackets. But this year I was convinced to do some picking by a couple people in the office. I’m totally excited even though I don’t know anything about the teams. I like sports in general, duh proud Sport and Entertainment Management major sitting right here, but most people are surprised that I’ve never done a bracket. I’m not a super competitive person and unless it the Gamecocks I don’t know much about other teams or their players. I think if this proves to be a fun as I think it will be maybe I’ll do a fantasy team in the fall too. Who knows?

I also have a decorating fever at the moment, but sadly I have nothing to decorate. For the first time in literally months I have free time on my hands. Since November we have been nonstop at the arena and I haven’t had time to do laundry no less wonder around random stores. But now I’ve had a chance to catch my breath and I’ve taken a liking to places like Ross, Marshalls, and Bed Bath and Beyond. They have random home décor like vases and picture frames and end tables, none of which I need right now because I don’t know what my living situation is going to be in the future. I badly want a place of my own that I can decorate and manage exact how I want to. I’ve never lived on my own and it’s definitely a life goal of mine. I think it’s very important to learn how to be by yourself and not be lonely all the time. I’m totally excited and I think I have a color scheme picked out and some other ideas decided on. If you have already decorated on your own or want to as well I’d love any ideas, tips, comments you have. Here are a couple things I liked from Pier 1. I love anything colbalt, polka dots, paisely, sunflowers, and pairing black and white with a bright color.

Currently I’m still reading: Three for Cocktails by: Madeleine Wickham. It’s pretty good but it’s a little depressing in the sense that it shows how being a grown up definitely has its disadvantages. It shows the lives of three ladies; one becoming a mother, one having an affair, and one who is being taken advantage of by a friend. I did really enjoy the Southern wedding book that I just finished. It was very funny and has some fabulous recipes that I can’t wait to try.

Getting to "That Age"

Well we have definitely hit “the age” where everyone we know is getting married. My mom said this would happen and here it is, or at least it’s starting. The parade of showers, bachelorette parties, and weddings has begun; and you are expected to wear a different dress to each one by the way. While the groom and his buddies more or less just show up when and where we ladies tell them too it is a little more complicated for us. The planning, the prepping, the present buying, blah, blah, blah and we do it all with a smile because, generally speaking, the bride and/or groom means the world to us and we want them to feel special and loved on their big day.
I for one am enjoying this time though. Deep down I am a true romantic but more than that, to quote the always lovely Taylor Swift from the movie Valentine’s Day, “I love the hype”. You want to know one my favorite wedding details? I know you do. ;) The registry. I love seeing what people’s personal tastes are. What better way to learn about your friends than to see what kind of plates, flatware, sheets, towels, electronics, etc they pick for their life together. I personally have a little problem with getting presents that I think the couple will need or like that aren’t on the registry. Like pizza stones, which are amazing, ironing board covers, because who wants a boring ironing board, and hand painted platters by yours truly. My favorite new things that people are adding to their registries are games. How great is that idea?!?! You can bet that if I am invited to your wedding and you have games on your list I’m going to be the one buying them for you. All the other stuff is great but I like getting something that both the girl and the boy will enjoy and something that gives them as reason to invite people to visit their newly-wed home. Any way that’s my two cents for the day.

In honor of all the upcoming weddings I am currently reading Somebody is Going to Die if Lilly Beth Doesn’t Catch That Bouquet: The Official Southern Ladies’ Guide to Hosting the Perfect Wedding by Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays. I’ve read their other books and they are hysterical and they have fabulous recipes. I’m also reading Cocktails for Three by Madeleine Wickham. I haven’t gotten very far yet but it’s about three women in the magazine business who meet once a month at a cocktail bar to catch up.

I'm a Whole Year Old, Almost!!!!!!!

Hello blog world! I think I say this every time but I can’t believe it’s already a new month. I remember being a kid and everyone saying how fast time goes but I never believe them. I now understand. Actually in three days it will be my one year anniversary of starting my little blog. I’m a little disappointed in myself that I haven’t written more and I think that will be a goal of mine for this next year.

So one reason time has been flying by is because I’ve been working crazy amounts lately but I will finely have a break after this weekend. However in honor of the chill month ahead I have all kinds of craziness this weekend. We have the South Carolina high school basketball championships at the Arena which will take up all night Friday and all day and night on Saturday. Andy has some of his best friends from Maryland coming down for a couple days, which means his house needs an overall cleaning which will take forever, and I have a good friend coming up from Charleston. Also, along with a couple bridesmaids, I will be hosting a couple’s shower for my lovely roomie Megan who is getting married next month. It should be really cute so I’ll have to post some pictures later. We are having it here at the Arena in order to go along with our Gamecocks theme and make it more couple-y. Any last minute easy decorating ideas would be much appreciated. I was kind of proud of the invitation, althought is said something different. What do you think?

What is everyone doing this summer? For the first time ever I have more plans than I do time. Andy’s family wants to do a couple after trips and then my family is planning a trip to….wait for it…..GREECE!!!!! The Olsgaard clan has been bit by the international travelling bug. We all had so much fun in Germany, big thanks to my cousin Amber and her husband Joe, that we, and maybe Andy, want to go on another adventure. Nothing is set in stone yet, just preliminary ideas but we are all crazy excited. Bring on the history, architecture, food, and hot men (no offense to Andy ;).
Well wish me luck with my crazy weekend and let’s see if I can make my posts a little more frequent.

Currently I’m reading: Matchbook: The Diary of a Modern-Day Matchmaker by Samantha Daniels. It’s just like the show on Bravo Millionaire Matchmakers. It goes to show that no matter how weird someone’s quirks are, everyone just wants a little lovin’.