Thirsty Thursday: Happy Things!

Thirsty Thursday is back again! This is a link-up through Jenn at Going the Distance and Trish from Tales from Trish, come link up and see what's going on in our virtual happy hour!

What's In My Cup?

Vodka Martini Dirty

Recipe and picture via

Basically it's a traditional vodka martini but you pour a little of the olive juice in at the end (YUM!).  I first tried this in my "Search for My Martini" back in 2010, where I decided I would taste-test different versions of the drink to find my preferred version.  This lasted very briefly as I discovered Martinis can be expensive, beer not so much.

I rediscovered this drink at the wedding last weekend as I was burned out on orange juice (too many mimosas) and didn't want too much sugar or something that would drastically show if I spilled on my dress (I'm nothing if not pragmatic about my tendency to be clumsy).  Let me tell you, it hit the spot and has solidified itself in my shortlist.

What's On My Mind?

Since I missed you lovely people last week, this might be an extra long post to make up for it =)

Susie's Wedding!!

It was absolutely Magical!

Some ladies in the bridal party (pre-party on thursday)

The bride and groom (pre-party on thursday)

My and my lovely sisters at the reception

LOVE!

on the bus back from the reception, party glasses ON!

some mischievous people decorated the groom's truck

I WISH I had more pictures (especially with more of the bridesmaids, the groom's sisters are FABULOUS new friends) but since I was in the wedding I couldn't lug my camera around with me the whole time =)

Web Series

Regular TV seasons have wrapped up (except for Game of Thrones... we get ONE more episode to the season although it seems too soon to end) and I definitely don't have time to get involved in a new summer show with all my studying this summer.  So I've discovered a wonderful alternative to fulfilling my need for scripted stories: Web Series! Episodes are typically less than 10 minutes and provide a great diversion from work, without taking up an hour of time.

The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
This is a re-imagining of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice with a modern twist.  It has been modernized in that instead of a novel it is a pretend video blog (or vlog) by Elizabeth Bennet (or "Lizzie"), all the actors are super engaging, and each episode leaves you wanting more. I'm hooked! Check out Episode One below:

New Episodes Mondays and Thursdays!

The Flog (not necessarily scripted but fantastic nonetheless)
Felicia Day is my total nerdy girl crush, like if I could be any celebrity it would be her. She's so adorable and has been in a few mainstream productions Bring it On Again & episodes of Buffy or Supernatural but has worked really hard and pioneered lot of on-line web series.  She starred in one of the first scripted YouTube sensations: Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog, created 2 web series of her own The Guild and Dragon Age: Redemption, and now a channel on YouTube called Geek & Sundry.
The highlight of this is her weekly vlog called The Flog where each week she shares her Fave Five on-line things of the week (how I discovered The Lizzie Bennet Diaries), learns a new skill set (such as cooking or ice sculpting), and answers a fan question.
Even if you're not a nerd like me, you can totally appreciate how candid demeanor and how well produced each one is.
Here's an episode where she learns to crochet (she makes an Iguanaswanguin, an animal she decided she had inadvertently created in a previous episode when trying to ice-sculpt a swan, like I said, ADORABLE):

New Episodes every Monday

Job Hunters
This series takes place in a dystopian future where to fight overpopulation, all 22 year olds must enter a fight-to-the-death competition to prove their worth to employers.  Sounds kinda Hunger Gamesy but it's very different both in tone (pretty comical & satirical) and plot (it follows 6 job-hunting hopefuls).  I find this particularly entertaining since I'm currently in a jobhunt myself
What's really  neat about this is it started on Kickstarter, and it seems like it has taken the next evolution of scripted entertainment in that it is completely grassroots funded created by and watched by a particular niche of people, and potentially A LOT more, with worldwide FREE viewing.  Can you imagine this on a larger scale? It's neat to see people taking such a hand in creating entertainment that reaches a larger audience.
Here's episode 1:

New Episodes every other Wednesday!

Great New CDs

A review will be forthcoming in the next Musical Monday post but suffice it to say that Ramona Falls' Prophet was the BEST unexpected musical find, Kimbra's Vows were worth the wait, The Lumineers  are happy folksy foot-stomping perfection, and the only regret I have about Of Monster's And Men's My Head Is An Animal is that I did not pick it up sooner.
Tune in Monday for a bit more in-depth reviews of the albums including my favorite singles if you just want some song suggestions

What songs have gotten you through Spring? I'd love to know!

Best,

Bitzy

Rickshaws, Kickballs, Wedding Bells

Thirsty Thursday's back again! This is through Jenn at Going the Distance and Trish from Tales from Trish.

What's In My Cup?

So since this is my last week hanging up in DC and since bicycle rickshaws seem to be all over the city my drink of choice in honor of the District is The Rickshaw.

 The Rickshaw

recipe and picture via

Ingredients:

 2 ounces gin
1 ounce basil simple syrup
1 ounce fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
Cucumber slices (garnish)
Basil leaves (garnish)

     Basil Simple Syrup prepared ahead of time:
              1 cup water
              1 cup sugar
              1/2 cup fresh basil

The Basil simple syrup is what makes this drink, it is PERFECT for a sunny day as the weather starts to heat up a bit.  You can drink these well into summer and refresh yourself with each sip.

What's On My Mind?

Kickball:
Once again, it's kickball time! I had a blast returning to kickball last week! I scored 2 runs and really had fun seeing some friends again.  Then on Saturday we got together for an inter-squad scrimmage followed by a team cookout.  While I admit we may take this simple game a little too seriously, the best part about this team is that everyone makes sure to have fun and actually connect with the other people on the team and last weekend was a blast!

Speaking of last weekend...

My AWESOME Mamma:
I forgot to do a Mother's Day shout out last week (I'm a bad kid) but I really have the most wonderful mom and we had a family-filled Mother's Day and I'm so spoiled at my parents house I don't want to go back to Richmond (although that might have something to do with the fact that returning to Richmond = Bar Prep.

For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll?
Lastly, I will ikely not be able to join up next Thursday as I will be headed up to PA for one of my BEST friend's wedding! This will be my first time as a bridesmaid and I can't wait to share in and support this awesome lady as she gets married! Anyone have any good tips that all bridesmaids should know? Since I'm a noob I welcome any and all assistance!

Thirsty Thursday!

So this is my first attempt at a blog link-up.  This is through Jenn at Going the Distance and Trish from Tales from Trish.  Let me tell you, here in the midst of finals week a Happy Hour is just what I need!

What's In My Cup?

My virtual drink of choice: Shiner Bock.  A nice easy, simple drink that requires no prep time (since I currently don't have any) and would allow me to return to my work after... lame I know but that's life right now.  Plus there are certain times when a cold beer just hits the spot and now would be one of those times. Maybe when I get home I'll have to crack one open.

What's On My Mind?

Well obviously law school finals, the bar application (which I have yet to print and mail in, that's my task for Saturday through Tuesday because apparently printing the bad boy is muy complicado), and my current state of unemployment for next year are weighing heavily on my mind but I don't want to be Debbie Downer on my first Happy Hour with y'all so here are some of the things I'm excited about:

Graduation! 

My Senior Year Apartment-mates at my undergrad graduation at this place 3 years ago.

Graduation is always a little bittersweet but this time I'm just super excited because it means no more school for this lady! EVER!

Babies!

I just found out that another friend of mine is pregnant, with TWINS! That brings the current count of friends with babies born (or to be born) in 2012 to about 6.  And I'm super excited for all the new moms but it also makes me super excited that I don't have a new life to look after yet and can be very independent in my job seach (I've been looking at some opportunities in Europe, but if I do ever have kiddoes, they will be born in the USA baby!)

Weddings!

I'm in my first wedding at the end of May and am super excited for the bride-to-be.  I went to her bachelorette party last weekend and it was suuuuper fun.  I also attended a FAB wedding of a law school friend recently, and in August will go to the first wedding between two classmates, both good friends and a one former house-mate from 1L year, it'll be a great post-bar summer celebration for all of us!

Wow... "Babies!" and "Weddings!" I am such a girl, I need to share some sporty stuff to stop this from becoming a Pinterest board.

C-A-P-S Caps! Caps! Caps!

Me in the Library *RIGHT NOW* Sporting my CAPs gear

The Washington Capitals made it through the first round of the playoffs! In a nail-biting Seventh Game against the Boston Bruins they clinched the victory with an overtime goal by a lesser known player Joel Ward, which just shows you that anyone can make a solid contribution to the team at any moment!

Well that's all the time I have for now, I mean that last picture was kind of awkward to take in the middle of the law library so I'll have to have some actual work on my computer screen before more people walk by and judge me.

Yay for Link-ups and Thirsty Thursdays!