women who inspire me/friends in my head

Today I thought I'd give you a taste of some of the women who inspire me and who I feel are "friends in my head" ala Wendy Williams :) haha. Here we go!

Of course, Jackie.  She was so poised and classy. 

Barbara Walters- she's met and interviewed so many important and interesting people and has had an amazing career.  I'm going to read her book, Audition, this summer.

Sandra Day O'Connor--as the first woman on the Supreme Court, what female lawyer-to-be could not say that she is an inspiration? Plus I admire that she was always the "swing vote" of the Supreme Court--and that she really ruled on a case by case basis.

Michelle Obama-- wife, mother, lawyer--she is what I hope to be someday.  She seems to truly put her family first, which is inspiring to me.  Plus, it seems like she and her husband are SO in love, something sort of rare in Washington.  

Christina Aguilera--yes, laugh all you want, but I have ALWAYS been a Christina fan, even during some of her less classy phases.   I tell R that I think she and I could be BFF if we met.  Creepy? maybe.  I admire that she has the confidence to do what she wants, wear what she wants and doesn't care what others think.  

Princess Diana--she had such a big heart and was such a complex woman.  I'd love to read more about her.  

Jennifer Aniston--she has always been one of my fashion icons.  I love her classic, simple, American style.  

Scarlett Johanssen--She is basically my "girl crush."  I think she is absolutely gorgeous and I admire that she tries to choose legit movies, unlike many of her peers.  I would love to look like her! 

Who inspires you? 

bear with me!

Hi all!  

Just a quick update to say, sorry for the lack of regular posts!  This law review write-on has consumed my life.  It is due on Monday night at midnight--and then I will finally get my life back, be able to truly start my summer (and summer to-do list) and get back to being a better blogger!  

I only write this since I saw that I lost 2 followers in the last two days.  Hang in there, people!

Thanks!!! Hope you are having a better weekend than I am! 

apartment improvement

Hello all! 

As I mentioned before, R and I have decided to paint our living room.  We live in an apartment, so there is the annoying factor of having to paint anything back to white before we move out--but, we are going to be living here for two more years.  We are just sick of looking at the white walls!  I think it will make the apartment much more home-y. 

This is the color I'm looking at.  We have kind of a brown, cream and green color scheme in our living room.  What do you think?  

Edited to add:  I just realized that this color matches my blog.  Can you tell I like green? haha

RH of NJ

Despite my best efforts to *not* become addicted to ANOTHER bravo show- I now have a new unhealthy obsession with Real Housewives of NJ.  

So far I like Jacqueline and Teresa.  Teresa is sorta stage-mom-ish, but she seems funny and pretty genuine.  Jacqueline just seems like a sweetie and is very down to earth.

Caroline just generally scares me.  I have no doubt that she would kick anyone's ass who messed with her family.  

Dina seems to just be stressed out with the work/life balance, which I can relate to, but she also seems just kind of mean.

AND can we talk about Danielle??? OH boy.  She really has very little class.  She actually asked her 26 year old boyfriend to join her in the bathroom during dinner.  He declined.  She also even stated that she didn't understand why he was spending so much time with his friends because she "has the p****".  WOW.  As a relatively conservative female, I was disgusted by this comment.  EW. She also needs to shield her sex life from her children.

Not to mention, the scenes from next week look very scandalous!  Apparently some book comes out that says some things about Danielle?!  I have to see it...

Side note:  have any of you read Naturally Thin by Bethanny Frankel?  Is it worth a read?  I am thinking of purchasing it on Amazon.

story behind the name

My sister K is starting her very own blog!  As I was discussing blogging with her and she was telling me about the title she is going to use it occurred to me that I never explained my blog title.  

To my readers who are lawyers or lawyers-to-be, good faith is probably a very familiar concept to you.  For those of you who are not, Black's Law Dictionary defines "good faith" as: A state of mind consisting in (1) honesty in belief or purpose, (2) faithfulness to one's duty or obligation, (3) observance of reasonable commercial standards of fair dealing in a given trade or business, or (4) absence of intent to defraud or to seek unconscionable advantage.  

To me, good faith represents how I live my life.  I try wholeheartedly every day to be a good person.  I value honesty and sincerity and strive to remember those values in all that I do.  

So, there you go!  A little insight into my blog name and a little vocab lesson all rolled into one! :) haha!  Have a great night! 

happy memorial day!

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!  Big thank you to all who serve our country :) !

Hope today you are enjoying some relaxation with family and friends!  I hope the weather is better wherever you are-- it's currently POURING in NC, messing up our bbq plans!  Have a fab day and enjoy some of this: 

recent purchases

Despite not having a job and living off my student loans this summer, I have made quite a few great purchases in the past few days!  Check out what I got! :)

Tank top from Old Navy

I was overall very unimpressed with their selection right now, but I thought this was cute, and it was only $8.50

Dress from Target.  I'm pretty sure it's a knockoff of a Banana dress.  Cotton material and VERY comfortable!  They have it in many colors and it's only $25! 

Headbands from Forever 21-- assorted blues and black were $1.50 for whole bunch.  The pink one is just like the one I bought, but I got it in black.  It was also $1.50 ! 

Dress from Forever 21-- only $15.50!  Very cute and form-fitting :) I imagine I might wear it with the black headband I got! 

I really need to lay off the shopping for a while, but at least I got good deals, right?!

Have a great night! 

Friday recap

Yesterday was a perfect summer Friday!  

My sister and I laid by the pool during the day.  I got a little law review reading done and worked on my (nonexistent) tan.  Then we went out to dinner with L and A and L's (non)boyfriend and friend from school downtown.  It was really nice!  Later we went over to the girl's house for some beers out on their porch.  It was a nice, relaxing summer night!

Today I'm trying to figure out my game plan.  I need to get some reading done.  My sister is still asleep.  I think we may do a little shopping as well... who knows ! 

Hope everyone has a relaxing Saturday :)

my summer to-do list

Hello, all!  Do you have a summer to-do list?  Because I am super busy during the school year, a lot of random things get pushed to the side...so I have a lot of stuff to get done in June before I go to Italy!  The list looks something like this---

• Finally get my college diploma framed
• Organize the pictures found at my mom's house (thousands!)
• Paint some of my apartment (?)
• Add some decorative accents to the apartment
• Buy a new digital camera
• Hang a few more pictures
• Get a tan
• Read a few books for pleasure
• Learn a few new great recipes
• Buy a backpack for Italy (i hate backpacks, so this will be a challenge)
• Get a good haircut 

And much more, I'm sure!  Guess I should go work on law review, and maybe my tan too!  Have a fab Friday :)

random update!

Hello everyone!  Sorry for the lack of posts.

I'm finally back in NC after being home for a few days.  It was great to see my Dad and grandparents and get to have lunch and get a pedicure with R's mom.  It was quite a busy few days!  Even though I had a really nice time at home, I'm glad to be back.   Sam (our dog) met my mom's dog that my dad has graciously taken in.  It was not so successful.  My mom's dog is a chihuahua.  He is very sweet when he knows you....but he does NOT like people he doesn't know or other dogs.  It was essentially 4 days of barking, pulling them apart, and separating them in different rooms= very exhausting.  Even worse, my Dad is the one who is going to take care of Sam while R and I are in Italy in July.  I really hope the dogs can just suck it up and tolerate each other for sake of his sanity!  We really don't have another option because we can't afford to board him for a month (and wouldn't want to!).  

My sister K is visiting right now! I'm so excited :) Last night we went out to dinner at a great Asian fusion place in town.  Today we're going to hang in during the day so I can work on law review and so she can finish up her last take home exam.  Then tonight we are heading to "thirsty thursday" at the local baseball stadium for $1 drafts!  Two of my best girlfriends A and L are going to London for study abroad for the month of June, so this may be the last time I see them before they go.  It should be a fun night!  

Have a great day!

homeward bound

Hey all! 

This afternoon R and I are leaving to go home for a few days.  We're driving to VA today and staying with my nanny (my dad's mom) tonight and then we're driving the rest of the way home tomorrow morning.  I can't wait to go home!  I really miss my Dad and I can't wait to see him!  Sunday night we'll be having dinner with R's parents.  Monday we are having dinner with my grandparents (mom's parents).  Then Tuesday my Dad and I are driving to my sisters' college to pack her up and bring her home!  I can't wait to see her and for her to come back with me to NC! 

At some point while doing all this I have to start reading all the law review write-on competition materials.  The packet of information which includes case law and research is more than 300 pages long.  The paper is due on June 1st.  I want to make sure I put my best effort into it.  I figure that write on is my only chance of getting onto law review and that I actually DO have a decent chance, since writing is definitely one of my strengths.  We will see! 

Well I'm off to have my coffee(s) and get going for the day.  Hope you all enjoy a fabulous Saturday! 

just call me martha

Hello! 

Sorry I have been M.I.A. the last few days-- there was much drinking and celebration after my last final and at the pool yesterday :) It was so nice to finally FINISH 1L and get to celebrate it with all the fabulous people I've met here!

Today I've been cleaning... ALL DAY.  I generally hate cleaning and during exams...let's just say that a lot of cleaning gets thrown by the wayside.  However, today I made it a point to get as much done as possible...even stuff I've been putting off forever!  I even made a trip to Target to stock up on cleaning supplies we've ran out of.  It's looking so great! I really want our place to be in tip top shape throughout the summer because we are having lots of visitors!  

My sister K is coming on Wednesday, R's best friend from college and his fiance (a couple that we used to hang out with ALL the time before law school) are visiting in the beginning of June, my best bud from home C is coming in mid June, and my best college bud from my sorority S is coming in late June!  It is going to be a busy but fabulous month! 

Anyway I'm off to Shred and eat dinner! Thanks for all the well wishes during exams! 

LAST ONE!

My last exam of 1L year is starting in 25 minutes!  By noon, I will be DONE!!!!! By 1, I will be getting drunk! yayyayayayayayaayyyy!

1 to go!!!!

Hello! 

Hope you all had a great weekend.  Yesterday, being mother's day, was hard, but luckily I had so much civ pro to study that I really didn't have too much time to get upset.  

Today was my civ pro test...which means I have ONE test to go!  Property-- on Wednesday morning.  I have not started studying for property. at. all.  Well, I made an outline a while ago.  That's about it!  Needless to say I have A LOT to do in the next 30ish hours.  

R and I already hit up Total Wine and the grocery store to get party preparations for Wednesday after exams and our celebratory pool party on Thursday.  I am so pumped!  I am making that pomegranate punch again.  I think it will be perfect for a pool party!  Now we just need the weather to cooperate and of course, to get through our last test.  

I must hurry off to take a nap before the studying commences! Have a fab Monday :) 

mother's day

Happy Mother's Day All :) Since my mom passed away less than 2 mos ago, today is obviously hard for me...so today I wanted to dedicate my post to my mom.  My mom and I had our ups and downs.  I always loved her so much but sometimes I really didn't like her.  This is something that I still struggle with and know that I will be able to come to terms with in time.   However, for today I only want to think about what I loved about my mom-- things about her that bring a smile to my face and make me laugh.  

So here are 10 things I love about my mom:

1.) My mom never judged anyone.  She always taught my sister and I to treat the CEO of the company the same as the janitor.  She lived this in her daily life and truly did treat everyone with respect.  

2.) My mom knew how to have a good time.  I often think about what it would have been like to hang out with my parents in the early 80s when the were dating and for the first few years they were married.  My mom used to always tell me, "you can't tell me anything that would shock me, I've been there and I've done it all."  Honestly, I really believed her too.  Maybe that's why I'm such a goody goody :)

3.) My mom was quite the smart ass.  She passed this trait onto my sister :) love you K! She called things as she saw them and never let anyone get away with anythinggg.  She had this spunky attitude even when she was in the ICU two months ago and made my Dad, sister and I laugh when were were tired of crying.

4.) My mom had lots of stories.  You know those people that have tons of stories that they tell over and over?  That was my mom.  After a while I would roll my eyes, but now I really appreciate that I knew so much about her life.  

5.) My mom was super creative.  She had lots of random talents, like arranging flowers and crafting.  She was a fabulous cook who completely taught herself after marrying my dad.  My sister got a lot of these more "artistic" qualities, but hopefully I can get her cooking talents and someday be as good as she was! 

6.) My mom accepted me and my sister the way we were, for our whole lives.  She always told us, there is nothing you could do to ever make me stop loving you.  I always knew that she wouldn't care if I wanted to be a lawyer, a painter, a housewife, or a waitress.  She just genuinely wanted us to do what made us happy.  

7.) My mom was really funny and she loved to laugh.  She wasn't afraid to make fun of herself and always pushed me to laugh at myself too and not take myself so seriously.  I'm still working on it, but I'm getting there!

8.) My mom had lots of "isms".  You know, little quirks that my sister and I would pick up on and tease her about....until we would realize that we do some of the same things!

9.) My mom was fearlessly frugal.  She bought so much stuff at the dollar store- picture frames, kitchen utensils, greeting cards, cleaning supplies...you name it.  Even though I used to tease her- she taught me not to be a snob about it and it turns out you CAN get really good stuff there...for a dollar! :) haha

10.) My mom had the biggest heart.  She felt it was her calling to raise my sister and I, and she always told us that we were her greatest accomplishment.  My mom dedicated her life to caring for others.  Because of this she took care of children for years, had many pets and did elder care for the last few years of her life.  She understood how important it was just to spend time, talk and listen to other people.  

yay!

Today I was excited to find my Miller Ribbon key fob in my mailbox from MRM's giveaway!  The people from Miller were so great--they hooked me up with the cutest pink & green key fob :) I absolutely LOVE it!  It certainly brightened up a long day of studying civ pro! 

Thank you so much MRM and Miller Ribbons! 

queen for a day

Hey all! Happy Friday :)

I got the "Queen for a Day" award today from Isley Said! Check out her blog :) 

I have to: list 7 things that make me awesome, pass the award onto 7 bloggers I read religiously, tag those 7 bloggers, link the queen who tagged me, and put the award in my sidebar.  Here it goes!

7 things that make me awesome: 

1. I can make a mean meatloaf (one of R's favorites)
2. I'm super organized
3. I love my friends & family and would do anything for them
4. I'm very frugal (don't let the online shopping fool you!)
5. I have the cutest doggie!
6. I've worked hard to earn anything I've ever gotten
7. I have the best boyfriend! .... okay, R told me to say that ;) 

7 bloggers I read religiously-- I tag YOU! <3 

Making Stuff & Doing Things, Vineyard Vogue, a $10,000 wedding, Such A Loverly Life, the Dirty Martini Diaries, Where Preppy Meets Hippie, and Her Highness of Cute.  

2 down, 2 to go

Contracts is over! yayy! 2 exams left-- civ pro on Monday and property on Wednesday and then I will be DONE with 1L!!!

Today after the exam R and I and some other classmates went downtown to a hotdog place--they have all beef kosher hotdogs with all different types of toppings.  It was really good!  Obviously not a figure friendly lunch, but it was my post-contracts treat.  

After the hotdogs R and I were essentially in a food coma, so we went home and napped for like two hours.  While R went to the gym I did the Shred and cleaned the apartment, which was insanely messy.  I can't wait for finals to be over so that I can keep on top of the household chores.  Clutter and messiness stress me out, but during finals it's just so hard to do anything because I'm so exhausted.  

Anyway sorry for the boring post!  Life is kind of boring right now, so I guess that's expected.  Hope you all have a fab friday and an exciting weekend!   It will probably be better than mine! 

another lazy post

Once again, I'm deep into study mode.  I saw this cute post on Adorably Distracted today and used it as my pre-dinner break procrastination.  I got a couple more followers over the last few days, so for you new readers- here's a little bit about me :) 

I Am: not your typical 22 year old woman

I Want: to do the best at everything I do

I Have: a big heart. I want the people I love to be genuinely happy.

I Wish: my mom were still here so I could understand her better and ask her all the things I never got a chance to ask

I Fear: failure.  I have extremely high expectations for myself (hello, type-a)

I Hear: a song, decide I hate it, and then decide I love it a week later.

I Search: for ways to improve myself every single day

I Wonder: what the next few years have in store for me

I Regret: nothing. Live and learn.

I Love: my friends, family and R

I Always: think too much

I Usually: am stressed out about something. If I don’t have something to worry about, I invent something (that I may have skin cancer or some other random disease, etc.)

I Am Not: as put together as I try to appear to be

I Dance: when I’m drunk!

I Sing: around my apartment all the time (and I have a terrible voice)

I Never: would be the person I am today without the hardships I’ve gone through

I Rarely: think about the past.  I am always looking forward to the next great adventure

I Cry: mostly in the shower or in bed at night.  It is the usually the only time that I stop to think about things that are bothering me.

I Am Not Always: so serious.  I have a very silly quirky side but very very few people see it

I Need: to learn to let things go sometimes and stop worrying myself to death

fab giveaway!

You must head over to Ms. Newlywed's blog and enter her Ashley Brooke Designs giveaway!  Ashley Brooke Designs is a stationary company that makes absolutely adorable custom illustrations.  I would love to win this giveaway after newly acquiring my stationary obsession.  Here's hoping! 

Happy Cinco De Mayo everyone!  Hope that you will celebrate today, even though I will be holed up in the law school all day and night studying for my contracts exam on Thursday.  

This time last year I could look out my bedroom window at the most popular bar at my college.  Today they would have lots of decorations out on the balcony and it would be packed with people drinking $2 corona and doing shots.  What a difference a year has made...

Have a fab day and drink a margarita for me! 

because I'm too lazy for a real post

I saw this on It's A Loverly Life and decided to partake! Here we go...

Rules: Answer all, replace if you don't like, and add one of your own; then tag others!

• Current Obsession: butter pecan ice cream
  
• Namesake: my mom & dad used to go to a restaurant/bar regularly a few blocks from their first apartment together when they were in their early 20s.  The bartenders knew them and what they liked to drink and would have it ready for them when they walked in with their friends.  They named me after the restaurant :) haha.  Don't worry my name is nothing weird. 
• Favorite Dinner: italian food
• Most visited websites: facebook, gmail, twitter, wikipedia, southern weddings
• Favorite Tea Flavor: Starbs Passion tea !!
• Favorite Owned Jewelry: the tiffany ring R gave me for Xmas freshman year of college and my mom's ring
• Favorite Beer: New Castle in winter, Purple Haze in summer
• Listening To: Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas
• Bathroom cabinet holds: vitamins, nail clippers, tweezers, medicine, lotion, etc
• I miss... seeing my sister and college friends regularly
• If I could go anywhere in the next hour I would... go eat dinner at my dad's house
• Major Pet Peeves: inappropriateness, loud people, repetitive sounds, techno music
• Favorite flavor of gum: raspberry mint orbitz
• Five Year Plan: graduate from law school, get a job, get married shortly after graduation, enjoy finally being married!
• Something that always makes me smile:  R's laugh & smile and my dog
• Today is special because... I finished everything on my to do list already and it's 6:15 
• Where I blog: on the couch in my apartment
• My perfect (regular) day: sleep in, make brunch for R, take Sammy for a long walk together, get dressed up and go out to dinner somewhere where we can sit outside and drink a beer and enjoy each other's company

I tag MRM, Jigging in JCrew, Adorably Distracted, Habbala, Jane in the Waiting Line! 

the 30 day shred !!

Hey all! Several of you have asked about how the 30-day shred is going and how I like it.  I must say, I am NOT a workout person.  I do not like going to the gym.  I do not like to run.  I loathe every second of it.  Because of this I usually go to the gym in small kicks for a few weeks and then give up.  Well, that was until this DVD!

I LOVE this dvd! There are 3 levels and on each level there is a girl doing "easier" versions of the moves, and harder versions.  Basically I started out at Level 1 doing a mix of the harder and easier versions and kept at it until I could do everything like the hard girl (about 2 weeks).  The workout is only 20 minutes long-- she does a quick warmup, three circuits (3 minutes strength, 2 minutes cardio, 1 minute abs) and then a cool down.  There are no breaks-- it is nonstop.  Since it's only 20 minutes (and she reminds you this over and over while you're doing it) it is easier to push through and do everything, knowing it will be over soon!  This workout will REALLY make you sweat!  I had R do both level 1 and 2 with me to see what he thought.  He works out about 4 days a week (some cardio and lifting) and he was sweating and panting through the video! It is no joke! 

I would VERY HIGHLY recommend this to anyone--any fitness level.  I hadn't worked out in 4 mos when I started this, and I'm now on level 2.  I can already see changes in my body!  I don't do the scale thing regularly, so I don't know if I've lost weight, but my legs, butt and abs are already a lot more toned.  Perfect to get rid of your extra winter weight :) ENJOY! 

If I could have a body like this, that would be fab, k thnx ;) 

the derby

Today is the 135th Kentucky Derby!  

This race makes me think about my Mom.  She even asked me about it when she was in the hospital a few days before she passed away.  She loved horse-racing ever since she was a little girl and used to watch it on TV and go see races with her Grandmother.  My mom's grandmother passed away shortly before she married my dad.  They were very close and my mom always felt that they were sort of kindred spirits.  My mom's most prized possession in life was a pin of her grandmother's that she had made into a pinky ring.  Since my mom passed away I have been wearing this ring, and it helps me to feel like she is with me.  

If I were rich enough to go to the Derby and watch from one of the millionaire's boxes, I would wear this Lilly Pulitzer dress (which I JUST bought yesterday on Rue La La for $70 dollars!!!)....but since I do not live such a glamorous life, today I will watch the Derby and think of my mother.  Hope you all enjoy the race as well!