A Social Life

Having a toddler who enjoys a strict bedtime of 7 pm and a husband who works odd hours makes it difficult to have a social life outside of having friends over to my house for an occasional drink or hang out.  In the past 2 weeks however, our social activity calendar has been full, not sure why now, but here's what it entails for the rest of the week:
Tonight I am going to see... ahem, Magic Mike, with some girlfriends.  I can assure you, I am definitely not going for the plot development or the characterization.

Tomorrow night the hubs and I are going to see Moonrise Kingdom at The Nick.  Cannot wait for this--I know I've been blogging and tweeting about it for weeks now, but I really am excited.  It has gotten great reviews.

And Saturday night we are going out dinner at @116 Espresso & Wine Bar in West Columbia.  I have blogged about this spot before, and it is still one of my faves in Columbia, but I don't get to go there very often.
Thinking pre-movie nights that we're going to Cantina 76 and Hunter Gatherer, two more local favorites.

What has been on your social calendars lately?  I'm just excited to have one at the moment, and thankful that I have awesome parents and in-laws to babysit :)

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Random Monday

I have been a bit absent from the blog of late, and I apologize.  I have had lots going on, and I promise to post later this evening with some pictures of some of the things that have been taking up my time.

Here is some randomness for your Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday:
~James and I saw Love and other Drugs last weekend--I really enjoyed it, James not as much.

~I also saw Geoffrey Canada speak last week in Columbia, and he was just as inspiring as I had hoped.  If you still haven't checked out his ideas, read Whatever It Takes by Paul Tough...it's next on my list.

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If you're particularly interested in alternative ideas to our failing public education system, also read Work Hard Be Nice.

~I am officially 36 weeks pregnant today.  If I have the baby today, he will officially be full-term, even though technically full-term is 40 weeks...apparently, he has all the organ-function he needs now to be born perfectly healthy.  Believe me, this fact has not been lost on me...I've been talking to him all day trying to coax him out already.  My body is over being pregnant.  For real.  I have my 36-week check-up tomorrow, so I'll update if there is any news.

~I had an amazing baby shower last weekend, given by and attended by awesome family and friends--thanks everyone!  I will post some pictures of some of the items we received for Jones later.  Looking forward to a second baby shower given by my mother-in-law, aunt-in-law, and their friend this weekend!

~I Love Chris Colfer: see his Golden Globe acceptance speech for his role in Glee below:

~I have been super-domestic lately--nesting, you know.  Organizing, getting on a regular cooking schedule.  I made some amazingly healthy and tasty wheatberry salad last night--pictures and recipe later tonight!

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~James and I are newly-obsessed with Entourage-(and late to the party, I realize)!  It is so great; I just love all the characters--Jeremy Piven is amazingly slimy and Vince's friends are all hilarious in their own rights.  We've finally caught up from Season 1 via Netflix, and now we can watch on through Season 7 via On Demand...love it.

~And finally, if you're looking for someplace to eat in Columbia this week, you are in for a treat!  It's Restaurant Week through January 22nd and so many amazing places have amazing deals going on--I think the hubs and I are going to take advantage of the Cantina 76 menu one night this week.

So, Happy Monday, loves!  Have you seen any good movies or TV shows lately; eaten at any great places? 

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This Week in Columbia

Here's some fun things going on in Columbia this week:


*Tonight only--shop for a good cause at Revente. 20% of all sales will go to Sistercare, the local shelter for victims of domestic violence.

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*Wednesday- go drink a margarita or a Dos Equis 'cause it's Cinco de Mayo! Eric's San Jose on Garner's Ferry is my usual pick for cheap Mexican food, but their margaritas aren't my favorite...maybe try Cantina 76 or Yo Burrito.

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*Every Thursday in May, Riverbanks Zoo is hosting Rhythm & Blooms. From 6 to 9pm guests can listen to live music under the Rose Garden Pavilion and browse displays from local artists throughout the Garden. Tapas and drinks will be available for purchase on the Garden terrace. Cost is $5 for members and $7 for non-members.

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*Haven't visited the SC State Museum in a while? Or ever? Here's your chance--Friday, May 7th from 6-10 pm is Pirate Night at the museum. There will be 2 showings of the classic movie, (and one of my all-time-favorites), The Princess Bride, as well as flashlight tours of the Pirates, Privateers and Buccaneers exhibit.Price is $15; click here to register.
Not into pirates?--take your mom to the museum on Mother's Day, May 9th, and she will enjoy FREE admission when accompanied by her child(ren).

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*This Saturday, May 8th is the annual Get in the Pink 5K, 10K, and Stiletto Sprint to benefit breast cancer research. I will be participating in the 5K, along with some of my Biggest Loser team members--go Slate Blue! There is an after-party with food from Cantina 76, Doc's BBQ, Bojangle's & Chik-fil-a, and activities for kids. Events start at 8 AM.

And don't forget--Sunday is Mother's Day! If you attend any of these events I'd love to hear about it!

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Yappy Happy Hour

Wanna get out and enjoy this beautiful Columbia weather? (It's supposed to be 70 degrees today, and 71 degrees tomorrow--and sunny!) Do you also have a furry friend of the dog-persuasion, or just like dogs? Do you like margaritas? And chips?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, then I suggest you head to Cantina 76 tomorrow, Tuesday, March 9th from 5-8 pm for a "Yappy Happy Hour" to benefit Project Pet.

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The cost is $12 per person and includes margarita and wine tastings, chips’n’dip bar, and door prizes. Call (803) 407-0991,ext.1004 or email nachberger@projectpet.com for tickets. If you bring your dog, you'll be on the patio--sans pup, you can sit inside and enjoy the same deal!

Project Pet is an amazing local non-profit that saves pets from local high-kill shelters to adopt out to loving homes. Dexter, (pictured below), is one of their featured dogs right now--click here to learn more about adopting Dexter and giving him a forever-home.

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Dexter

Cantina 76 is self-proclaimed "A Taste of Mexico with a Unique Southern Twist." I have been once and enjoyed their tacos and a chicken chimichanga, which was a special that night, but I hope they have made it a regular menu item--it was great. Click here to see their menu. Click here to join their Facebook page.

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