1. I inadvertently crossed off some NYC Bucket list things – one of which I didn’t even know should be ON the list.

Top of the Rock is beautiful. The absolute best views. Hands down. I highly recommend it to everyone, even if you’ve lived here for 10 years.

(Although, I am a little biased because I didn’t have to pay. My momma and Uncle came to visit on Saturday, which means I got the mom-star-treatment.)

We accidentally walked through the Central Park Zoo. And I did see a seal. Does this count?

2. I ate a delicious pumpkin cookie today that my co-worker made. She got the recipe from here (she skipped the toffee chips, still so good!) The recipe looks soo simple, so definitely something to keep in mind.

3. My sister is pregnant and it takes all of my will-power not to buy her shirts like this. I also sent her the link to Gina’s cupcake gender reveal and told her I’d bake the cupcakes. Too much…?! I might be worse than my mother…

Three things from Jamie because I wanted to play the game too:

1. When I get married, I want to wear a dress like this. Or maybe just wear this dress- you think she’ll let me borrow it? That’s not tacky, right? Danny pretends he is not amused by the “when I get married” game. It’s okay D$, I know the truth, you sappy son of a gun.

perfection... and such a beautiful wedding

2. I love lifting ridiculously heavy weights. It makes me feel really cool and tough. The callouses on my hands remind me of my old days as a competitive gymnast. Sure, I didn’t stay on the team long enough to compete because four nights a week interfered with my eighth grade social life- but the pride in having a strong tough body is still one in the same.

baby biceps

3. After a conversation with Alyssa on how I’ve felt so BLAH with my appearance over the past couple months, she suggested I get some cute side bangs. I decided to listen to her advice and go for it- adding a nice trim too.

if the bathroom is a mess it's not my fault..

Only problem is- I somehow walked out of the salon with a strange feather floating underneath my pound of hair. Let’s play a game called “how long will it take Danny to notice?”

oops

Stay classy, kids.

Things you might have missed:

1. Courtney got bangs! Huge step in life.

2. Jamie lost half her shirt for Halloween.

3. We’ve been drinking way too much wine. (Is that anything new?!)

4. Entire bags of mini Reese’s should not be given to anyone except maybe Cely because she is awesome.  Unfortunately, Courtney was the victim of this crime and will have to strictly follow the serving size of 5.

what's a girl to do?

5. It’s hard to be nice sometimes. Why are we so mean lately? Is because our rent has increased… our old age is catching up to us… too much separation…the grind got us down..?

you mean we can't dance every day?!

6. Jamie did 36 pull ups.

It's totally the new Lululemon. Photo Cred: Alyssa

7. Treat Yo Self. Take a page out of Tom Haveford’s book (Parks & Recreation) and treat. yo. self. You’ll feel better in the morning.

8. Last, but certainly not least: The icons on iPhone are the only way to have conversations.

xoxo, Courtney

Plus- I thrive off a busy schedule. I’m about 80% happier of a girl when I don’t have time to sit around and think about things like hurricanes, war, sharks, and calories. That’s just me.

For an update I can start off by telling you that I’m currently charging two beautiful things that I feel lucky as shit to have.

1. My Garmin
2. My iPhone

Let’s start off with the Garmin. I love running, I really do. But something about running on the treadmill or running in 90+ degree heat really makes me miserable. Now that it’s FINALLY cooling off (or shall I say- it will begin to cool off in the evenings and early mornings..it stays pretty warm in VB until November) I’ve signed up for a race! The Surfin’ Santa 10 miler! I’m pumped, and tomorrow marks my first “long” run on my schedule- 4 miles…

I’m extra excited because I’m running with my cousin’s wife Emily! This is her first race, and I am pumped to run together every Friday until December 3rd.

tailgaters gone runnin'

Moving on to 2. My boss decided to buy me an iPhone! I feel like a lucky internet marketer of a girl. Hard work pays off..sometimes not in the form of a raise but in the form of a beautiful gift. I’m afraid to take it out of the box- and it’s DEFINITELY staying home this weekend. iPhones and dollar vodkas don’t mix. Alyssa knows how many blackberrys I’ve gone through in the past few months..

who, me?

Happy ALMOST Friday! XO

Jamie

if only we were co-workers...

And partying or gyming even harder.

In between all that – somehow getting in some serious resting in, too.

this is a rest day... right?

Add in respective sicknesses, second jobs, natural disasters, apartment hunting, football season, lost phones, and things have been straight up cray cray. (<— btw, this is my new favorite phrase. I promise the phase will end soon. Maybe.)

(side note: read our rules if you’re confused on the bunny ears.)

I think we’ve all been there! Some days you get home from a long day (or your long day WAS at home if you are J) and the last thing you want to do is look at a computer. We appreciate your understanding while we gather our marbles. I think the last few might be hiding from us.. (Read as: #1 on this Seven Things A Twentysomething Can Do article. It’s hilarious.)

In other news, I was ecstatic to finally get to enjoy Fashion’s Night Out actually in New York City this year! It was a dream come true. (Even though I didn’t see a single celebrity, not even Pauly D. Sigh.)

my favorite city

free patron popsicles @ lacoste

fashion installation

I’ll take free alcohol and goodie bags every day, please. I think that might help my marble count. What do you think?!

Please come back now. Soon isn’t early enough.

xoxo, Courtney

1. Jamie’s Dance Moves > Courtney’s Dance Moves.

Jamie could probably be a back-up dancer for Lil Wayne, and I on the other hand am very “white girl can’t dance.” My body sometimes feels like a Barbie when it tries to bend.. it just doesn’t move that way. Jamie tries to coach me along, but in her absence my skills are seriously lacking.

2. Jamie is a super romantic mushy-gushy Charlotte type. I am a practical, show less-feelings kind of gal. (Maybe more of a mix of Carrie and Samantha - without the raunchiness, and definitely skipping the lesbian episodes. )

mush

This is a good balance to have in friendship. I can bring Jamie back to reality, and Jamie can tell me when I’m not being mushy enough. Trust me, there’s times.

all about balance

3. In the theme of #2, this stems many (sometimes wine induced) proclamations of love on Facebook.

I, on the other hand, don’t think I have ever made one of these mushy statuses. I like to keep things more serious.

(A reference to my apartment woes..)

4. The herbivore (Courtney) and the carnivore (Jamie)

Anyone who lets eating habits get in the way of friendship is silly. We both respect each other’s choices and would never try to persuade the other to the dark side, or the light side.. Jamie actually willingly decided to try out vegetarianism a couple years ago and it just didn’t work out for her. Only we know what’s right for our bodies and as Gina says, “different strokes for different folks.”

5. I need hugging lessons. I dance like a barbie and hug like one too. Jamie will pull anyone into a giant embrace and usually has her arm around Danny at all times. I am more about personal space over here… I’m working on it.

Before I showcase my eats- I feel the need to brag. For the past two days in a row Alyssa and I have worked out right next to (I mean sharing weights from the same rack/sitting on side by side benches) THIS FACE. Photo:

is this real life?

Apparently sexiest man in the universe JT records here in VA Beach and has chosen our amazing gym as his place to get fit. Basically- holy shit. I haven’t said one word to him and I’ve barely stared because I have a huge fear that if he is too bothered he will change gyms and leave my life forever. Hunk of the world, you are JT. I will admire you from three feet away.

This morning I woke up after dreaming about Justin Timberlake’s sweaty abs to a rumbling stomach!

Breakfast was a bowl of plain cheerios with almond milk, peanuts, and chocolate chips. If I said “Nom”, I’d say it now.

i spy chocolate

Also served with coffee+almond milk/my first jug of water for the day!

hey to court and a pre-romance d$

Lunch time! Hearty whole-wheat with turkey, cheese, and Smart Beat mayo. If you like mayo…try this. I think it’s amazing.

scarfed down in 8 seconds flat

Also with lunch I got a little wild and heated up the end of a bag of frozen spinach mixed with some peanuts.

odd? yes. delicious? yes.

My not yet consumed snack will be a Think Thin bar..Told ya I’ve been loving lately!
And for dinner! D$ and I will be eating leftover lasagna. I made it last night and definitely impressed myself, not to mention my man! Girlfriend points, that’s what it’s all about here. It’s also all about ridiculous wall paper. We’re renting. Have no fear.

ta-da!

Don’t mind the top.. cooking in clothes you’d wear to the club provides bonus girlfriend points, and those count the most.

Off to spend the rest of my day with these suckers! I’m working on a book launch for my job and it’s getting pretty exciting up in here.

i'm no dummy!

I’m anxiously awaiting my afternoon gym date with Alyss and JT. He better be there today! And he should be- my mom texted me last night and said, “Are you going to be in his next video? Maybe he likes your butt.”

I like his too. And YES JT- I can dance.

$5 pitchers @ The Boxx

coming home to an Edible Arrangement from Danny after the gym!

Spinach pizza post gym

beach fun

birthday margs

the nachos I had to try @ Lunasea

oops – Menchie’s. Only $3!! 16 Handles, please take notes.

making our own fun in the rain

brunch @ big sam’s

post pool dinner at baja sandbridge

pretty view over the bay

matching our cups

fun at the pool

cake batter!

twenty-four!

bed head.. and candle blowing

dynamite duo

Most of our favorite products come from two places: Target and Sephora.

First up from Target: Our Colossal Volume Mascara! Eighty coats and you’re ready to hit the town! This stuff gives you some pretty amazing lashes without getting all clumpy- and it’s super cheap.

maybe it's maybelline

Second necessity: BRONZER. We’re from Jersey, didn’t you know? We have gone through bronzer phases (from wearing way too much to just the right amount, from expensive to cheap) but no matter which phase we’re in- it’s always included in our make-up lineup.

A word of caution: careful with the bronzer, because you could end up looking like this..

it happens to the best of us

Third on our list: Bare Minerals Matte Powder. This stuff is amazing, and it covers EVER-Y-THING.

you are worth the lofty price tag

And as if the combo of bare minerals and bronzer wasn’t enough, we both add in our most favorite blush of all time: Nars Orgasm. Such a pretty shade.

beauty

Once we get our faces glowing with all this goodness, we always brush our teeth with this toothpaste. Crest Vivid White provides THE BEST whitening.

like a ghost

gotta glow!

And to wipe off all our glow and revert to our incredibly dull selves, these face wipes are THE BEST. We have both been obsessed with them for awhile now, as we are usually too tired at night to imagine the thought of using water from the sink and combining it with soap. (The horror!)

so fresh and so clean clean

So there ya have it! These are not the only products we use, but they are the products that we obsess over together. Next week’s installment of BFF will be a special one…vlog, anyone!?

Shaved ice actually shaved in front of you. I got the red plum. It was sosososo delicious. I might be a little biased because I had just spent my time walking around on top of Manhattan in the sun, but I doubt it because my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

new arm workout?

And walking in the sun was on the HighLine. Old train tracks turned into a park. Brilliant. (<– can you tell I saw HP7 last night?)

Worst $6 I spent? (…Sorry Danny. Jinx, Jaim?)

pick yo cookie, pick yo filling

I’m very sad to report, but it was on a Coolhaus ice cream sandwich. I had been following the truck on twitter for some time now and was really excited to finally be able to try it.

The cookie was way too hard for my liking; I couldn’t even bite into it without the whole thing becoming a sloppy mess and wound up throwing almost half out. (not of course before I ate any extra ice cream I could savage!) Awesome idea, but softer cookies, please. Especially for $6! Danny claims my choice of red velvet cookie and oreo ice cream was a poor choice, too. I’ll argue that one though..

Otherwise, my weekend was spent on quite a few roof tops and seeing quite a few concerts. And I won’t dare complain about either of those things.

Enjoy your Wednesdays, all! I’ve got a half day and visitor I’m looking forward to.