Monday, March 29, 2010

I'm 23 Today!

Happy Birthday to Me!
I Made it to 23!
Yes ladies and (very few) gents, that is me with my daddy on my 1st birthday a whopping 22 years ago! Check out his amazing glasses and my birthday suit. Wooohoooo nothing has changed haha

Neither my parents nor I ever thought we would see the day. And only 2 more years until I can rent a car without some ugly daily fee because these car companies think I am less responsible at 23 than I will be at 25. Ha, I'll teach those car companies a thing or two.
And this ugly little runt....with black hair? weird....is going to spend her day baking tons of goodies to share with my teammates at practice tonight and then...and then...ummmm I don't think I am doing anything else for my birthday.

Anyways, I LOVE birthdays and I am so happy mine is today.
It makes me feel Speeccciiiaallll and plus my day will be full of unlimited foot rubs.




And The Winners of My Sunday Giveaway Are....

Well, more importantly, Matt's team won tonight!!!!
They have two more matches but the outcome of those don't really matter since they are the
CHAMPIONS!!!

Congrats Honey! You played great!

Now to the good stuff.

Okay so drum roll please......

Winner #1
#19 Katie from SmileyEyes.
Check our her blog it is adorable and full of pictures. Who doesn't love pictures?
#2 JackieK at Purple Monkey
I LOVE her blog! She is also so fun to have follow my blog. Her comments always put a smile on my face.
#6 Sharlyn Emily from The Little Things
Her Tub Lust post is absolutely adorable!
#20 Emily who is a new follower and I can't wait to get to know her better!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated. I had so much fun doing this and reading everyone's comments. I can't wait to do my next giveaway....oh whatever will it be?

Sorry Cass and Camilla. Since I love you two so much let me know which of these you like and I will go find a similar one to bring home as souvenirs for you two.

For the winners,
1) CONGRATS!
2) Please email me your addresses at
morganebeck {at} gmail {dot} com

*image via




GO MATTHEW!!


Tonight is a huge match for Matt. With this win, it would lock his team into 1st place for the remainder of the season which means Anorthosis will be the Champions for 2010!

So everyone wish Matt luck and send him great vibes to kick some serious Omonoia tail tonight!

I Love You Honey Baby Boo Bear!!!
You are going to play so well!

XOXO



Sunday, March 28, 2010

How About This Dress?

Now that I have the dress, where do I get the boobies?




So Now That I Am An Aunt...


I want to make sure I am the best Aunt in the world!

1. I need to brainwash her to call me "Cool Aunt Morgan" and make sure she believes I am the coolest Aunt ever!
2. I can't miss a birthday party and I must always have the coolest gift (other than her parents of course)
3. I need to take her for ice cream once a week and if not ice cream then to the movies for the latest Disney feature.
4. I will make sure to take pictures together so I can make a scrapbook to give to her when she no longer finds the idea of a scrapbook with her "Cool Aunt Morgan" very cool.
5. Be able to randomly pick her up from school and take her to Disneyland!

I want to go back in time and write up this list for my Aunts. They could have learned something from me.

*image via




Saturday, March 27, 2010

Stella Josephine Arend

Born March 27th, 2o1o at 1:20 pm
6 pounds, 8 ounces
Welcomed by Jon and Erin

GOOD LUCK YOU TWO!!




I'm An Auntie!!!

I just got the call and I am soooo excited!!!!
My sister just had little Stella Josephine Arend and she came out at 6lbs 8oz. She looks so much like her grandpa, Eddy Beck!!!
Not to mention my sister looks absolutely fabulous for just giving birth!




Decisions. Decisions.

#1 Problem when planning a wedding...

YOU OVER THINK EVERYTHING!

So I come to you to talk some sense into me...

Lighting makes a room right?
Think about going to a club and walking inside to a huge space that has crazy lights and snazzy colors and everything about it is just so sexy (not that sexy is what I am going for) but then you go into that same club the next morning to pick up your phone that you left on the back of the toilet during your potty break and the place looks like a total train wreck.
I know you all know what I am talking about.
So with the power of lighting, I want to turn our reception room into something magnificent. I want jaws to drop because of the cool atmosphere and I want peoples' feet to subconsciously start tapping because the lights on the dance floor give you the need to shake your hiney.

So with that, here are some images of the lighting schemes I like.





Which is your favorite?




Today Is A Good Day

Just saw my picture on the Asics Website!
So Pumped!





Urban Style Sunbathing

Who said you weren't allowed to soak up the rays on the roof of your apartment complex? It's prime location to upgrade the Sexy!

Best way to spend a Saturday!

*P.S. If you entered the giveaway, your chances of winning are super high. If you have not entered and you want a good chance at winning something, make sure to enter here




She's Just Like Us!

Olive looks out the window just like us

Olive checks her Facebook account just like us

Olive watches March Madness just like us

She should be debuted in US Weekly for being just like celebrities too!
Minus watching March Madness on a ghetto television.




Thursday, March 25, 2010

Picture Perfect

Even though we have been having problems with the dress orders, I was looking through my email and came across pictures of the bridesmaids' dresses.
I have to admit, after looking at these pictures again I am so so so happy with my decision. It works so well with my dress and it's so flattering on. I also like it because it's different and not the typical strapless, simple dress.
Doesn't my bridesmaid, Lindsey look fabulous in it?




Who's Going To Win?

So my future in-laws are super into games.
If you could turn watching television into a game, they would do it.
Oh wait, they did! And what show would be more perfect for a tv contest other than the infamous AMERICAN IDOL!!!

This is the second consecutive year of our American Idol contest.
I actually think it makes the show more interesting and fun, not to mention it adds a little bit of inner family competition which is always good for the soul.

Now that the competition is down to 10 contestants, we each submit a list with the contestants in order of how they will leave the show. 1 is the winner and 10 is hasta la bye bye next week.

Scoring is a bit tricky and still being modified. So far it will play out like this....

1. Overall top ten scoring - Everyone ranks the top 10 contestants in the position you think they will finish, 10 to 1 (1 being the winner). Score 3 points if you get that person's departure week exactly right, 2 points if you miss that person's departure by 1 week off (before or after), and 1 point if you miss that person's departure by 2 weeks off (before or after).
2. Weekly scoring - Each week, based on what happened the week before, you identify the three people you think could be voted off in the order you think they are likely to leave (regardless of where you placed them in your overall list). Score 3 points if the person who leaves that week is who you said was most likely to leave that week, 2 points if that person is who you said is second most likely to go, and 1 point if you said that person is third most likely to go that week.

So Here Is What I'm Thinking For My Top Ten


Aaron Kelly, you by far have the best and most consistent voice. You struggle a bit with your dance moves but I just want to squeeze the poop out of you.

Big Mike, who doesn't just LOVE you? You're a solid singer but I don't feel like you're a standout singer that is going to give an audience goosebumps. I think you're going to do well because you're really well liked.
Siobahn, where do I begin? A. If you pronounce your name the way it is written, it doesn't even sound like the way the pronounce it on American Idol. It sounds like you are a character in Star Trek. 2. You're crazy, but slowly I am starting to like you more and more. I think your weirdness makes you mysterious so people are going to want to watch you to see the freaky stuff you do. If I could give you some advice, it would be to talk faster instead of like the Clear Eyes dude.
Lee, Can you please smile? Once? I feel like after you perform you just got sit and stare into a corner. Get some personality kid! You're voice kicks ass but it's very predictable. I still think you're great though.
Crystal, you are super original but I think what you have to offer is limited. You are very predictable as well but every performance is solid.
Casey, watching you while the group performs at the beginning of the show makes me uncomfortable. It's like you don't know how to move and you kind of freak out. Your vocals are so so but I guess girls think you're cute so you'll make it only this far.
Didi, sometimes you're awesome but other times it's like listening to nails on a chalkboard.
Tim, SNORE! Ever since you performed Apologize, I have wanted you to leave. Just go already! And your smile scares me.
Katie, I think you have serious potential but you seem a bit confused on who you are and what kind of singer you want to be. I think you just need a few more years and a couple more lessons.
Andrew, I am so disappointed. At the beginning I thought you were incredible and for sure the guy to beat but you have been picking horrible songs. You have an acoustic voice that goes best with your guitar. Moving around the stage and dancing just doesn't seem to be your style.

WATCH OUT SIMON, RANDY, KARA, AND ELLEN!
I miss you Paula!

Let me know what you guys think and we can put together a master list and win this Proper Family competition!

*Side note: If you haven't signed up for the giveaway, make sure to do so here!
Only 4 more days left

*images via




Wednesday, March 24, 2010

How Adorable...

...are my cousins?

The two little munchkins are the ring bearer and the flower girl for the wedding
But don't be fooled by their adorable little faces.
They are monsters!
Twins always tend to gang up on you even if you're twice their size
So don't be surprised when one of them kneels down on all fours behind you on the dance floor and the other pushes you into that trap so you fall flat on your ass.
Told you they were monsters.




Thank You!

{I would love to be sitting at the end of that dock right now, tucked snugly under my Man's arm with a margarita or a cup of hot tea...either one works}
Thank you to everyone who has entered my first giveaway. I love reading all the comments and hearing about all the cool places you wish to visit!

Plus all of your colors have given me a little more inspiration towards my wedding!
WooHooo, it's going to be a blast!

For those of you who have not entered, you have until next Monday!!!




Happy Birthday To My Mommy!!!

{She's the stunning blonde on the top right}
Dear Mom,

I miss you so much and I can't wait to come home. I'm so sorry I am missing you 21st Birthday AGAIN! I hope it's amazing and full of friends and laughter and really pretty flowers (from me of course).
You are the BEST mom in the world and I LOVE YOU THIS MUCH (I'm holding my arms out as wide as I can)

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

XOXO
Your Loving Daughter




Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Champions!!!

This is my team during our match tonight. Say Hi!
I'm the blonde American. Ha!

So I know we don't look too happy in that picture but we all should be smiling from ear to ear. We just won such a huge match tonight against our biggest rivals, AEL.

I know most of you are not going to understand my volleyball terminology and rambling but stick with me. If you have questions don't be afraid to ask.

So we won tonight in 4!
At the end of the 4th set we were up 21-16 and I served four consecutive aces to win the match.
IT WAS AWESOME!
I'm starting to think I should change my number from 3 to 4.

So now, all we have to do is win 2 more sets out of the next 2 matches to be the
CHAMPIONS OF CYPRUS!!!!
....which means....Bonus!
Happy Birthday to Me

Now we have 3 weeks off to celebrate this win.
FANTASTIC!

if you haven't noticed, I feel like CAPS really emphasizes my excitement




Late Night Munchies

YUMMMMM

What is a wedding without an In N' Out cookout trailer that provides those famous greasy bundles of joy you see above for a late night snack?
Clearly we had to book this to keep Matt's friends standing throughout the night!
But shhhh....keep it a secret.

*Images via and via




No Hot Water AGAIN!

GRRRRR!
This is getting annoying.
But it's kind of funny watching Matt bathe in the sink.




Monday, March 22, 2010

Monday Funday

Monday is the new Sunday.

{This picture has nothing to do with my post but I just thought it was so cool! I took it the other day while walking around the center of Nicosia. This Peace sign is right on the customs border between the Greek and the Turkish side of the city. This border was put in place because of the ongoing war between the Greeks and the Turkish. Oh, and enlarge the picture and check out the dude's nose on the right.}

I spent my Monday slaving away in the kitchen. It was such a blast dancing to some John Mayer and Bruce Springsteen while making my mother's Famous Almond Tea Loafs, Williams-Sonoma's Sweet Potato Soup, and Claire's Coleslaw.

The Tea Loafs are Incredible (think Costco's Poppyseed Muffins but way better) and I would absolutely love to share this recipe with you but my mother might kill me.
If I am going to ask her permission to publish this recipe, I am going to have to have your word that you will make this ASAP. Because if you're not going to make it, then I am going to save my ass and just avoid opening up this subject with her.

The Sweet Potato Soup was UNBELIEVABLE! I am begging you to make this because it was that good! Even Matt liked it and asked if I would make it a couple times a month. I was so proud because I am the furthest thing from a Chef. But I mean anyone can follow a recipe right?

{Displayed on our beautiful Easter placemat courtesy of Matt's mom}

That's what I thought, until I tried to make Claire's Coleslaw. I totally botched it and had to improvise. It turned out alright I guess. We threw a little chicken on top and voila....It became an edible meal.

All in all, my Morgan Time today was a hoot. I have a lot of fun with myself. We should hang out more often.

And if you haven't entered my giveaway yet, you can enter here...




She Makes Me Smile





It's All About The Cake


So after searching for months and months and going through hundreds if not thousands of pictures, I have come to the conclusion that a majority of wedding cakes are SO UGLY!

People put all this garbage on their cakes that just destroys them.

Feeling a little frustrated/discouraged right now. I don't know if I will find that perfect cake that makes my heart go.

So my second conclusion right now is the simpler, the better. It's much easier to go with less and really jazz up the table by floating the cake over some flowers or adding tons of candles to create a really cool ambiance.


If anyone knows of any fantastic cakes or sites I must look at please send them my way.


I'm serious. I need all the help I can get with this.


Please...

Oh! And if you haven't already entered my giveaway, check it out here!

*Images via somewhere on the web




Revolutionary Eating


Jamie Oliver has been trying to create awareness of child obesity for a long time and after much research, his solution is to KEEP COOKING ALIVE!

This includes more fresh food and ingredients on school campuses because not only does healthy eating promote healthier children but it has been proven that healthier eating also promotes more effective learning.

To help this cause go check out his website at JamieOliver.com and sign the petition to take the next step towards a healthier America.


Also for all of you cooks who are looking for some new healthy recipes, check out his healthy eating page here!

"I support Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. America's kids need better food at school and better health prospects. We need to keep cooking skills alive."