Living My Happily Ever After: Finally an update

Hi all!

I am still around. I have been super busy and haven't found the time to sit down and write a post. I've had so much I've wanted to share, but I have sense forgotten about many of them.

I never did an update about our conference, Capitol Convergence. The conference was a complete success. I had a lot of fun with everyone I worked with and must say I was extremely tired when I got home. However, I always feel like we get so close when we are around each other so long.

The beautiful capitol where the conference took place

The conference was in my hometown, the state capitol. So, I got to see my mom for a few. I arrived Thursday night with another of my co-workers so we could get everything ready. We got a great chance to have dinner and hang out that evening. Thursday, I wore my Limited cords with a teal v-neck shirt and a great shaw type of thing. I also did my adorable curly side bun.

Friday was very much all work. We got everything set up and ready to go. Then we had registration, followed by dinner and speakers. We closed the night with a session with the students. Friday, I wore black dress pants, black heeled boots, my black dressy tank top, and a purplish colored jacket. I wore my hair back in a headband.

Saturday was a long day. There were many speakers and many sessions. During the day, I wore black dress pants, a white tank top, my cute black Ann Taylor Loft cardigan and dressy heeled boots. I wore my hair pulled back with my Coach ribbon.

Saturday evening was our gala at the Governor's Mansion. The staff did a great job decorating and we all looked fabulous. :) I wore a black dress with a off white waist band. I wore my hair in a bun to the side. The speaker was my mother-in-law's co-worker and friend. I had a great time chatting with her over dinner.

The wonderful ladies I work with-Kim L, Kim C, myself and Kristi

My fabulous past co-worker, Neil, who helped with the conference

The conference coordinator, Brett, and I

Our staff picture-I love this one.

Finally Sunday, we had a few speakers and we all split up to do service projects. I lead a group to the Covenant House, an organization who caters to the needy. We were able to do things around the house to make it more organized. We had a great time. It was nice to be able to dress down on Sunday. We all got to wear jeans and our black staff shirts. Unfortunately, we all woke up extremely late, but we made everything work.

Spring Break

Over my spring break, I worked and my mom was able to come up for a couple of days. I've always been a momma's girl and being able to spend a few days with her was great. I really miss her.

We did some shopping. We both love to shop, but being a newlywed I have to watch my mom. So, for a special occasion, my mom and I did a little shopping. Boy, did we get some bargins!!!! :)

She came up on a Thursday and we went to the small mall we have in town. We also hit up Gabe's and our shopping center. We sure did find some bargains at the mall. We found my grandmother some awesome birthday gifts and we got ourselves some stuff off the sale racks. I got some awesome shirts for $4 each. Gabe's had a ton of Ann Taylor stuff, but I only convinced myself to purchase a headband. After dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant, we headed up to TJ Maxx. I found a Vineyard Vines tunic for cheap, but didn't buy it. I sure do regret that now. However, I did find this:

A Lilly dress for the cheap price of $7-I couldn't believe it

Friday, we were going to head up to Pittsburgh, but settled on outlets closer to home. I had never found much there, but it was a bargain day. I bought a beautiful black and white Columbia coat for under $30 and ski pants and gloves. I also bought a few new pairs of jeans from Gap and Banana. I scored some Crocs for my husband for $10-he wears them camping.
Here are my awesome purchases from Columbia

My mom and I before she left-oops we are sideways, oh well. :)

Finally, I have been doing some bargain shopping with the husband and on eBay. With Mr. McB, we bought some awesome pillows for our couch. They are beautiful. They are the white pillows with the black flowers. The other pillows were all on sale from Target last year.

I bought these awesome Lilly capris off of eBay for $10.

This past weekend can be summed up by my best friends birthday. Friday was my best friend of 12 years birthday. Her husband recently had surgery and is still in the hospital in another state. So, Mr. McB and I took her out for dinner at Fujiyama. We missed her husband, but we had a blast. Then, she came over and we watched movies and she stayed over. :)Saturday, I went to lunch with my two bffs, again for her birthday. We had salad and bread sticks at Olive Garden.

For her present, I bought her a Vera Bradley Capri Melon wallet-her favorite pattern. I also included a Strawberry wallflower to make her house smell summery and VS My Desire in travel sizes since she'll be making lots of trips in the coming months.