A fantastic New Year's Eve

This New Year's Eve was epic y'all.
Oh my goodness when I think about it I turn into a puddle of giddiness.
Seriously amazing!
I'm getting way ahead of myself.

For starters it almost didn't happen.
The car rental I had set up through carrentals.com when I arrived to pick up my car at 3pm I pulled up to an closed rental agency...they closed at 1pm.
I almost began hyperventilating at the perspective of not getting to go.
I needed the escape.

Luckily there was a Hertz a few doors down that had an available option.
So before I knew I was cruising on down I-95 to Miami.
With the sound out and the music playing I already felt a ton better.

So it was great because I got to go see one of my classmates from graduate school.
I hadn't seen him since we graduated five years ago.
And it was just like old times.
We had always got along great at school often studying and hanging out together.

I arrived at his brother's place and got to meet his brother's lovely wife and their adorable little girl.
We were hanging out and chatting because he had just hopped in the shower.
When he came out he was so sweet he was like you look JUST like you did in school...these years have been great to you.
And they had certainly been great to him...he was tanned and toned and making me crack up as usual.

We first headed out to grab a quick sub and catch up on each other's lives.
Then we headed over to one of his good friends homes.
It was a beautiful backyard party.
With a fire pit, blankets and pillows, and 6 large wrought iron candelabras on which they placed candles in mason jars.
It was beautiful and perfect.

So we settled into a night of a great time.
Drinking, eating and doing crazy things like walking around the block with suitcases as this is supposed to bring travels in the new year.

Staying up all night until it was time to head back to his brother's place to crash.
I'm not even sure how it happened.
Maybe it was my sexy pajamas of yoga pants and a t-shirt (obviously I'm being sarcastic).
But the next thing I knew we were kissing.
Kissing a lot.
Kissing until 9:30am.

Then we headed out to the porch to hang out and chat and not wake up anyone.
And the hangover started creeping in.
And I started getting nervous.
Not only was my hair was a mess and my makeup no longer existent...but would this be weird?
We never had been in this position before...nothing like this had ever happened in graduate school.
Was I destined to have the same let's not make this awkward conversation with him like Will?!

We decided to change into some beach ware and head to the beach.
And I tried not to look like such an awful mess.
And as he drove he reached across and grabbed my hand.
And my stomach did butterflies.

And the little things...giggling as he brought my hand up to kiss it.
We pulled up to the beach and decided it would be a good thing to grab more drinks.
And joined people at the bar that clearly never left the bar.

Girls in shiny mini dresses or belly baring crop tops and long flowey skirts.
And we ordered drinks and chatted about things.
He told me no one paid any attention to him in graduate school whereas I was the prettiest girl in the class...and my face flushed.
I told him he was always this good looking and girls would have gone after him more but he seemed to be not serious and just enjoying his single self at the time.

And he would do things like lean over and tell me to kiss him.
And I was only too happy to oblige.
Leaning back into the sun thinking...oh my goodness this is my life.
I swear I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.
Especially when he would lean over and say things like, "you're really beautiful Teagan".

After a few cocktails we headed to the beach hand in hand.
He spread out a beach blanket and we hung out for a bit.
He convinced me to take a dip in the ocean.
Winking at me as he said, you'll have to take that green dress off though.
And I cringed a little as I did and hoped he didn't notice my cellulite.
As he took off his shirt and I stared...damn he's handsome.

We ran into the water giggling like teenagers.
Jumping in the waves before he pulled me against him.
Making out as the waves hit us and just laughing.
Headed out to dry in the sun and making out on the beach blanket like a couple of 16 year olds.
Him telling me he'd like to do a whole lot more of what we did a few hours before.
And the rest of the afternoon flew by.

Pic from here

I was disappointed when the day flew by and all of a sudden it came to the end.
As we headed to his brother's house.
We hung out on the porch a little...kissed a little more.
And as he walked me to my car he pulled me in for just one more.

I drove back to my parent's place just over the moon happy.
Best new year's eve in a very long time.
Could he turn into a MrGradschool?
I try not to let myself hope too much...because it's impossible really.

He did text me last night with a "hey Teagan-have a safe trip back to Canada.  Let's keep in touch!  It was great to see you! :)"
I replied as casually as I could with a "Sounds great.  I had a great time :)"
Nothing will probably happen...but is it bad that the littlest part of me is hoping it does?

Stevemas

So the two Canadian cousins held their annual Stevemas party!
And it was AWESOME!

Just a warning some people may find the description offensive.
But it was all in good fun!

For those of you who are new to Stevemas:

The Story of Stevemas.....

Steve was the lesser known brother of Jesus. His birthday is November 27th. Poor Steve didn't get any attention, what with his brother walking on water and feeding 5,000 people without the help of a proper caterer; yet Steve was a great guy. Steve liked booze, hookers, gambling, jello, and hot dogs.

We get together every year in our most festive holiday sweaters to have a few drinks, some jello, and a hot dog or two, and celebrate the spirit of Steve.

In simple terms, Christmas is to family what Stevemas is to friends. After a few quieter Stevemases spent in Kingston, I have a feeling this year's is going to be a "resurrection" of sorts.

So please, raid my mom's closet or your nearest thrift store, don your most festive holiday sweater, and join us for some Stevemas fun and games.

I realize some of you will not be able to make the pilgrimage from Kingston, Edmonton, Ottawa, PEI, Halifax, and other far-away lands, but I wanted you to feel the Stevemas love, and hopefully you'll be inspired to host your own satellite Stevemas gatherings. But who knows....maybe you will make it...there's always hope for a great Stevemas miracle!

Steve Bless You,
The Canadian Cousins

So I did participate.
In fact I brought MrRealtor to meet the friends for the first time.
In fact he was so great because I ran out of time and he went to find us ugly Christmas sweaters by himself.
He did quite the good job...

Here's what he got for me.

And this is his 
(he had no idea it was a woman's sweater...which was actually hilarious when he realized it...at the party).

And he was good with my friends.
And he played along with all the fun games.
And overall made a good impression.
Do you sense the but...really no real reason but I feel like there is an impending but...

November's Bookclub

November's book club was great too!
This time at one of the British Expat's downtown condo.
This time the book was "Let's pretend this never happened" by Jenny Lawson.
(Also a blogger by the way...well like a real blogger not like this excuse of a blog lol!)

Pic from here

Super excited to read....especially because as Lawson says, this book is about "the surprising discovery that the most terribly human moments—the ones we want to pretend never happened—are the very same moments that make us who we are."  
We definitely like it more than the first book BUT we decided that it is difficult especially with our criteria of a book that we all wanted to be something none of us had read before.

Seeing as a lot of the book took place in Texas this was a TexMex theme.

Champagne with Hibiscus flowers...amazing!

Hummus, Olives and Artichoke spreads

Snacks!

The table spread plus Salsas and my special Guac!

Close up of the salsas and guac...my contribution.

E's raspberry lime margaritas...yum!

Laurel's special 

S's delicious and spicy Boca Negra mini-cakes!

Another super fun and amazing bookclub.
So happy to be hanging out with these cool ladies.

October's Bookclub

October was our very first book club.
We had decided to read; Paris A Love Story by Kati Marton.

Pic from here.

And while we all agreed we didn't really enjoy the book we all had a great time!
It was hosted by the two Canadian cousins in their third floor flat.

How cute is this little table and the fun bronze candle sticks!

Wine, cheese, veggies...all amazing!

Following our French theme...French Onion Soup...before...

After!

The after of the cheese platter!

Champagne cheers :)  

What would a French themed night be without my favourite...Macarons!!!

We laughed we talked we bonded.
And I left that night so so so darn happy!
And I couldn't wait for the next one.

Dallas Trip~ Thursday (Day One)...The Arrival!

Working up to my trip things were crazy busy!
I felt like I almost wasn't going to make it to Dallas.
I worked an earlier shift so I could make it to the airport in time.

Leading up to it I was nervous and excited.
Coupled with my busy day of not eating at all...
I was a little awkward when MrPravda came to drop me off at the airport.
A lot awkward actually.

I think I was just so full of different emotions.
We had just come off of this date...and I still wasn't 100% feeling great by the time I was to take off.
He was perfectly sweet.
He even parked the car to help me in with my luggage.

And as I got to the ticket area he was like "this is you".
So I was like "ummm okay".
Though MrPravda did send me a cute text saying he was looking forward to a thicker southern accent when I got back to Canada.
Then I headed to customs.

They totally gave me a hard time because my hair is on the lighter side now versus my dark hair in my passport picture.
After I cleared that I found the only place in the terminal to eat that served warm food.
(Toronto airport kind of sucks actually with that kind of stuff).

I also may have had a cocktail while waiting for my food...heck it was the start of my vacation!

So I had a mediocre hamburger.
And got ready to head out.
One final picture outside the airplane window.

And it was goodbye to Toronto (at least for a little while).
And I got to enjoy SkyMall which is a guilty pleasure of mine.
And I may or may not have one of these wallet things on the cover.
(However I received it as a promo in a swag bag from a meeting last year I didn't buy it from Skymall...truth be told I've never purchased anything from SkyMall...yet).

From being sick and my sinus congestion the flight was so very painful to my head.
I was very happy to land.
And when I landed the feeling of pure bliss.
It felt already like coming home.

And then to have my gorgeous and (now pregnant) bestie pic me up outside!
I was so completely thrilled.
We headed to her BEAUTIFUL home that I got to see in real life 
(and not just during facetime chats).

I met her amazing sweet husband MrArchitect.
And then we stayed up gabbing.
It was so so hard to keep the secret I was keeping.

But I was easily distracted giving her some cute things I had purchased for her.
Like ...

Taylor has a pair of Uggs so I could not resist an itty bitty baby pair.

Seriously it was pink and had polka dots...could not resist!  And I LOVE little ones on white tights!

I loved the sweet details of the buttons.  The quality of Joe Fresh is incredible!

To me this seemed very Canadian...a really nice knit.  Though the buttons might be a bit of a pain.

I loved how these buttons were little hearts!

Before we knew it it was getting late and we had to get up early to head out the next day.
I went to sleep happy and excited and with a feeling of calm I haven't felt in a VERY long time.

the stars at night are merry and bright...

Pic from here.

If you're reading this 

then that means

I'm on my way to 

DALLAS TEXAS!!!!!!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pic from here.

The coworker's wedding

So not this past Saturday but the Saturday before.
I attended my coworker's wedding.
Who I actually have secret plans of becoming friends with haha.


Remember back in January when I went on a double date with her and her fiance?
I had a great time mainly because I was with them.
Anywho nothing ever came of MrMarble and me.


So I got invited to the wedding...the one I had invited MrKent to attend.
So I went solo instead.
I got seated at a table with a bunch of my other married coworkers.
Where the topic of dinner conversation quickly turned into the "why are you single" interrogation.
Goodie.


Oh well I put on a brave face and before I knew it I was being set up.
So I guess that's a good thing.
I ran into MrMarble at the wedding.
And we had the most boring conversation ever.
Bless his heart but I had more interesting conversation with our waiter.


So after a few too many cocktails.
I mean if this isn't a clear indication of a European wedding I don't know what is.

Thirsty...how about you pour a shot if your cocktail waiter is taking to long or if the open bar is too far of a walk...haha!

I decided to take MrDentalSurgeon up on his offer to pick me up.
After all I was all dolled up in a short black cocktail dress and fascinator to as well.
So he picked me up in his cute car.
I was actually standing outside with the bride and groom at the time.


And we headed downtown to a club called Muzik.
(Sidenote: I know I have terrible spelling/grammar but I really don't like things spelled like this.  Why not just call it Music or the word for music in another language like Musique (french))...anywho moving on...
I have not been to a club like this in Toronto yet.
Had the sleezy guys outside driving by continuously in Lambo's/Ferrari's.

Pic from here.

The outside was actually quite beautiful and reminded me of Miami.
This picture was actually taken that night...it was crazy busy.

Pic from here.

Pic from here.  The inside.

Pic from here.  The pool outside.

Actually had a really great time.
Though sometimes I wonder if he actually listens to what I say.
And then there is me doing the AWFUL comparison to hewhoshallnotbenamedMrKent.
Just because I worry I didn't see the signs before.
I just find MrDentalSurgeon so hard to read.


So we headed home and pulled over to make out a little bit.
If I was an adult I would actually invite him up but ummm who knows where that would lead.
Though I end up pulling away/slowing down because this feels like I'm 16 making out in a car worried to get caught.
I'm an adult I should just invite him up.
But it makes things a little awkward when you have to ask the security guys for a parking pass at 3:30am a little bit tipsy!


So that's how I ended off my Saturday night.
And enough of feeling exhausted and hung over to cancel my date with MrConsultant...that or my lack of interest...ugh!!!
Maybe I should just stop dating???

Hmmm well I should have told myself that before my next schedule...
Though I still have to catch you up on last Wednesday's date.

Tomorrow I have a dinner date with B (ummm yup forgot to tell you about that).
Wednesday date number two with MrPravda.
Thursday dinner date with Val (yea girlie catch up time).
Friday hanging out with CanadaCrew.
Saturday date with MrDentalSurgeon.
Sunday 30th birthday party with Canada Crew...80's theme...y'all should see my outfit it is RIDICULOUS!
Monday (holiday here) date with MrConsultant.
Wednesday potential date with another new one.
This is getting a little hectic!

Deedeedeedeedadada (aka Saturday Night)

So Saturday I woke up leisurely.
Had a quick gym run.
And started to get ready.
Look at us...all dolled up!

I love doing that...putting music on and getting ready for a fun night out with the girls.
We hopped on the subway and then the streetcar to head to another of the CanadaCrew's condos right downtown.
She had this amazing spread all ready.

The birthday girl!

And us girls had drinks and snacks and got excited for a fun night out.
At around 10 we headed to Pravda.

Pic from here.

It's a Russian Vodka Bar.
It had really cool decor.
And we were all in a really great mood ready for a night of dancing and fun.

Pic from their website.

Pic from their website.

Pic from their website.

Pic from their website.

Here's what it looking like more with people in it!

PIc from here.

Had a great time.
Lots of laughs, lots of dancing, lots of chatting up boys.
B was there too.

It's not a complete night out without a foggy/blurry bar shot with some of the girls!

It was super fun dancing around, and flirting and just generally practicing catching someones eye.
I'm actually pretty bad at the whole approach thing.
One of the girls from the CanadaCrew actually got annoyed when this guy and I kept making googly eyes at one another and just waved him over.


I though great here comes this guy in a bar which will just lead to awkward conversation.
Only it wasn't awkward at all.
We had a lot in common (and not just because we were there celebrating birthdays with a group of friends) and I had so much fun chatting with him.
At the end of the night we exchanged numbers...and there may have been a few text messages exchanged today :)
After all I am "playing the field".


After it got late I headed home with Laurel and her fiance to crash on the couch.
Didn't sleep that great because they only have a small air conditioning unit in their room.
So I was very warm.
Woke up Sunday morning to head home because I had two dates lined up.
More about that later.


It was a GREAT Saturday night that seemed to really fly by.
And it was lovely to hang out with the CanadaCrew too.
Slowly but surely I'm making a life and more friends for myself in Toronto.
It's getting better.
And that's all I can hope for!