Her name is Merlot

Say hi.

Carved Up!

Ch-ch-ch-check it out!!!

So I went to a pumpkin patch yesterday and picked out a massive pumpkin. My guy is the goofy looking one in the middle with a huge smiley face. 7 bucks and it went to charity! Woot, woot! :) But really - check out the amazing pumpkins carved by my pals. They did a phenom job! 

Happy Halloween!

I'm 25 now...

Therefore get an excellent discount on car insurance. Welcome to adulthood, Lauren.

30 days

Where in the world have I been for 30 days? Welp, it's been a roller coaster.

I made it to the APA (American Psychological Association) Convention. PHENOM! I love Psychology! AmyJane and I presented our poster, "The relationship between verbal aggression and internalizing symptoms." I know, so grown-up of us! We wanna go back... The next convention is in D.C. next August. It's happening.

And, while I was in San Diego with AmyJane for APA, I met up with Sam... 

Helped AmyJane celebrate her bachelorette... 

And frolicked around L.A. with Miss Katrina!

Finally, we met up with Mama Meyer and Kirk in DisneyLand... 

Whewww!!

In addition to all these shenanigans, I've been celebrating birthdays... Job hunting... And applying to PhD programs. 

More updates to come!

My friends are good to me.

Hayley bought me this shirt. I love her. :)

10K

(photo via insidesocial.com)

I'm running in the Lost Dutchman Marathon 10K race on February 20th, 2011. My dear Sister suggested it, so we're going to do it together. And recently, my mom jumped on board. It's going to be a lovely bonding experience for us! So, I'm registered for the 10K starting at 8a.

Here's the dish, I'm not much of a runner. But, I want to be. So, I've officially started "training." While living in New York, I was motivated by my dear friend Amy to run along the West Side Highway. When I returned to Phoenix, I decided to run on the treadmill instead (running in 110 degrees, not happening). So, come the last week of September, I'll start running outside again.

So then, consider this my official commitment.

Phoenix

Indeed I just graduated, and I'm getting a lot of "What's next, Lauren??" and "Find a job yet??" and even a few "The real world is scary! Are you ready??"

So, what is next? Here's the story...

After careful consideration, I've decided to move back to Phoenix. Pause for reaction.

I've mentioned it in blogs here and there, and perhaps alluded to my excitement for returning to my hometown. The truth is, I miss it.

Yes, I love, love, love Manhattan. I have developed a sincere passion for this big city lifestyle. But, I'm ready for something else. Will I find it in Phoenix? Maybe. But, I know I've looked for it here, and I haven't found it. The next year will give me the opportunity to seek some field experience, now that I've completed my degree. And, I'd like to obtain my PhD one day, but the reality is... Money is a bit tight and it would be wise to spend my summer making a genuine investment in my future, that is studying for the GRE (Yikes!) and writing phenomenal letters to schools. And even better - spending some quality time with my family and friends. I miss my dear Miss Kate, my wonderful Sister, my supportive parents, and my lovely friends. I'm ready to make Phoenix a home, even if it's a temporary transition to something else. Sure, I've gotten some grief from some pals here in NYC, like I'm giving up on this lifestyle, like I couldn't hack it, like I disliked it all along... They joke, of course. But, the reality is... I did succeed here. I'm not giving up, simply moving along, heading in another direction.

So, I have a wicked to-do while I'm home! I still have four crazy weeks left in New York City. I've got some research to wrap up, and a few tasks to take care of. Naturally, I plan to make the very most of my final days in the city, embracing the grace and charm of this city. But, here are a few things on my mind...

1. Eat at Pita Pit with my gal pals. 

2. Shop at the H & M in Scottsdale with my Sister (Cha! There are H & M's in NYC, but I'd like to dig into a little big city shopping as a desert rat.)

3. Central Coast Wine Tour. 'Nuff said. 

4. Dance. Dance. Dance. 

5. Take an Aqua Zumba Class

6. Canoodle with my Mom, Sister, and Baby Kate

7. Go swimming. In a swimming pool. While it's 100 degrees outside. 

8. Cosmic Bingo! My friend Kristin piqued my interest yesterday. 

9. Drive. A car. With the windows down.

10. Get a good haircut. (I really only trust my hairdresser in Phoenix. Snobbish? No, just selective.)

11. Eat at Postino with Brie.

12. Do the Scottsdale Art Walk.

13. Go on a hot air balloon ride.

14. Go Salt River Tubing.

15. Find a job? Whoa, how did *finding a job* make it on this list?

16. Visit the Cave Creek Thieves Market. Have you ever heard of this??

17. Visit First Friday in Downtown Phoenix, hosted by ArtLink

18. Go Bowling. 

19. Join the gym again. Amen. 

20. Surround myself with family and friends. 

Graduation Day Attire

I must share some love for my graduation day attire. (I certainly wish I could have been more creative with my hair. Mortar boards are so unflattering.) I was soo smitten with my dress! Many thanks to my dear friend Andrea for funding it. And to my delightful surprise, I received a lovely little package in the mail on Tuesday, two days before the big day. I opened up the package to find a fancy pair of Guess floral platforms from my dear friends Hayley, Joan, and Kristin. Ahhh! I love them all so much for thinking of me, making my day very special! xoxo

I graduated!

It happened! Finally. After two years of blood, sweat, and tears, I'm done! (Ok, a bit dramatic, I know...)

The ceremony was quite lovely, but bitterly boring - as to be expected. However, I got to share the experience with my closest girlfriends. It was a very special time and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Check it out...

8 days

(photo via postsecret.blogspot.com, shared by my friend Rachael)

8 days, my friends. 8 long, long, long, oh-so very long days. On Thursday, May 27th, I'll be a Master scholar. Yessss! I've been MIA the past week trying to wrap up a million loose ends with school, work, externship, yadda, yadda, yadda. But, I'll be back in blogging action quite soon. I have some serious shenanigans to share! Isn't it madness to think... The last two years have just flown by. But time, now, seems to be just creeping by. The next 8 days will be totally brutal, but I'm almost there! :)

1000 Awesome Things

(photo via 1000awesomethings.com) 

I have seriously, seriously brainstormed the idea of making a book out of my Happy Things portfolio. Some of them, yes, are somewhat personal and may not strike a chord for others like they do for me. But, some of them are so special, so sincere, that I think many people would appreciate hearing, reading, or seeing them.

Well, well, this wonderful chap did something very similar, and I look up to him immensely because of it! Please check out 1000 Awesome Things by Neil Pasricha. It will make your heart happy! He made a book titled The Book of Awesome. I'm putting it on my wish-list.

Some of my favorites...

#523, When you learn a new word and start seeing it everywhere...
#531, The big night nap...
#536, When you're being chased by zombies and suddenly find a hidden stash of guns and ammo...

I've only perused through 20 or so, but with 1,000 available... I'll keep the good ones comin!

Poetry Slam

(The Poets, photo via Nuyorican.org)

My dear Mom and dear Sister will be in town this coming weekend, and naturally I'd like to show them a good time. Mama Meyer has only a short layover in the city, so surely we'll grab some fine faire then mosey over to the theatre for a fun flick. However, Sister/Sister will be in town until Sunday morning. I've heard oohs and ahhs from some pals about the wonders of the Nuyorican Poets Cafe - a fantastic little place in Alphabet City. Apparently they host poetry slams every Friday night! Fun and original, eh? We may have to partake...

Any other suggestions?? I'm always down for good fun on the cheap... (LaurenNMeyer@gmail.com)

Lovely in Floral?

I hope to be lovely in floral... I purchased a graduation dress this afternoon from Francesca's Collections. I'm thinking they should start high-fiving me for all the purchases I have made with them. Depending on the weather, I may pair this with leggings & wedges... Thoughts? Thank you, Andrea, for such a lovely treat! :)

(photo via francescascollections.com) 

Graduation Dress

I do believe I've decided on a few possible graduation get-ups. (9 weeks, my friends!!) Of course, it's from Francesca's. I was recently furnished with a lovely little Francesca's gift card from a wonderful lady friend named Andrea, so I was all too happy to peruse through the Spring lineup and select a dress that would scream personality - but maintain my mature and professional image. ;)

We have...

The Housewife Dress

(I have a special crush on this dress. I'm thinking I'd pair it with a bright red cropped cardigan and some cute red shoes!)

Enchanting Dulcet

Feedback is certainly welcomed. It will be May in New York - cool during the day and night. 

30 Before I'm 50

(photo via photobucket.com) 

Some of my gal pals are into list-making... I love lists, too! So, I decided to jump on the wagon and make my own 30 Before I'm 50 list (Why 50, you ask? It gives me some time to take my time. This list is gonna be dramatic and intense. I don't know if I can squeeze all of into the next five years)... I've made similar lists before (here, here, and here), but life-lists are always fun, so here we go again! (Also, I got a little inspiration from A Sneak Peak, I Heart Kiwi, and Keeping Record...)

30 Before I'm 50

1. Obtain my Ph.D. 

2. Swim with Sharks. Big ones. 

3. Take a wine tour. On a bike. With my gal pals. 

4. Eat cajun food in New Orleans. 

5. Adopt a dog. 

6. Visit every continent. 

7. Learn how to drive a stick shift. 

8. Learn how to knit. 

9. Be an extra in a movie.  

10. Become fluent in Spanish and American Sign Language. 

11. Go skydiving (again). But this time - not tandem. 

12. Spend a summer working at a horse ranch. 

13. Try base-jumping. 

14. Take an Alaskan cruise. 

15. Take a Mediterranean cruise. 

16. Go on Safari. 

17. Run in the New York Marathon. 

18. Write a fun and frisky feature article for the New York Times. 

19. Learn how to surf from a Hawaiian beach bum. 

20. Couch surf across the country. 

21. Camp out in the desert. 

22. Take a hot air balloon ride. 

23. Make Thanksgiving dinner for my family. All. By. Myself. 

24. Own a home on Martha's Vineyard. 

25. Go on a huge family vacation to Disneyland. 

26. Drive a zamboni. During half-time. Of an awesome hockey game.  

27. Ride an elephant. 

28. Hold a snake. A big one. 

29. Spend six months living on a houseboat. 

30. Work for a non-profit in another country. 

What do you want to do before you're 50? 

Carlsbad Flower Fields

(photo via flowerfields.com) 

So, it turns out I'll be in San Diego in August for the American Psychological Association Conference (Hooray!!) and I'm thinking I'll take a swing by the Flower Fields in Carlsbad. How bomb-diggity does this look?? I plan to stay for a week and soak up some rays, visit DisneyLand with my volunteer voucher, and take a swing through the Belmont. However, I must say... The weather here in New York over the past few days has been downright phenom, which makes leaving in June so much harder!

Washington D.C.

(photo via wordpress.com) 

Amen for vacations. Amen for vacations that you get to spend with fun people in fun cities. 

I'm going to Washington D.C. over Easter weekend to hob-knob with my dear friend Brooke. Naturally, I'm super psyched to see her. She's ASU alum and now working for a software company in the city. Basically, she's a grown-up, doing exactly what she loves. And, it's pretty cool. 

We have some fun things on the agenda. The FDR Memorial is probably one of my favorites. Plus, it's Cherry Blossom time in D.C. :) 

Caroline's

(photo via CarolinesComedySchool.com) 

Last Tuesday, my good pal Matt introduced me to Caroline's School of Comedy. SO AMAZING! They're hosting an event called March Madness - 64 comedians, 4 weeks, 1 winner. As it turns out, Matt's friend performed in the first round, so that was how he heard about it. A lot of the comedians had some good jokes, causing major uproars. Some of them, however, kind of sucked. But! Next Tuesday, those who fought to stick around last Tuesday will give it another try. Ahh! I'm psyched! 

I bought a new dress!

And when I say I bought A new dress, I mean... I bought two new dresses. Mom, stop reading now.

My dear friend Jen is getting married next month (Ahhh!!) and I decided it would be nice to wear something new and sweet for the rehearsal dinner. The wedding is in Arizona and since I'm already home for Christmas, I decided to have it shipped directly to my parent's house. (Whoops.) So anyhoo, I'm down-right obsessed with Francesca's Collections. I was introduced to it several years ago while I was still living in Phoenix... It's a cute little boutique that sells sweet little dresses and gorgeous little earrings (among other things...) They have a website (AMEN!), so I've been able to feed my addiction from the comfort of my little shoebox in Hell's Kitchen.

The Winter Fling Dress

(photo via Francesca's Collections)

Paisly Mantra Dress

(photo via Francesca's Collections)

I plan to sass these up with some bodacious accessories. Done and done. Happy Tuesday! :)

Christmas Lights

The city is all lit up! Driving around Phoenix, your heart just warms when you see all the homes fashioned with some serious holiday apparel. I miss it. However, New York City does a pretty fabulous job. Trees, buildings, cars (seriously), are all decked out with their festive attire. It makes me excited for the holidays!

Tonight, AmyJane and I took a gallop down Broadway to Urban Outfitters after chomping on some mean nachos at the Burrito Box. We were eager to outfit ourselves with a sassy new image. So, we each picked up an oh-so-chic boyfriend blazer. On our way, we passed this lovely Christmas Tree all decorated with lights. I totally biffed and did not get the whole tree in the photo. Nonetheless, doesn't it just scream holiday to you??

This weekend, I'm making a trip over to Rockefeller Center with a cup of hot cocoa so I can allow the Rockefeller Tree to dazzle me.

Happy Friday! :)