Sunday Quote of the Day

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Downtown

Today has been such a fun day! My mom and I decided to have a fun day out in Downtown Birmingham/Royal Oak area. As I waited for her to arrive, I hung out with the little one. She and I played on the bed with her toys... I just love her!



Afterwards, my mom stopped by and we were off. We had such a great time going in and out of shops, sipping coffee, eating the most dfelcious, smallest cupcake on the face of the earth. We met some interesting people, looked at some amazing (and expensive) items and topped off the day with a great movie and a delicious dinner at DeLucas. It was a great day, and luckily even though it was cold, we had the sun shinning down.

























I had such a great time with my mom. And I was so excited and proud that I learned some new tricks with my camera. It has been far to long since I picked it up, but when I did it felt like I never put it down. :)

Thanks for the great day Mom! Love you :)

Weekend Agenda

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I don't know about you, but I am super happy that it's finally the weekend. This weekend has been a long one, full of frustrations, highs and lows, enlightenment and deep sleeps. I am looking forward to having a relaxing yet fun weekend. This weekend will be full of....

+Sleeping in
+ Falling deeply in a good book
+ Taking more pictures
+ Watching good movies
+ Drinking delicious wine
+ Trying a new recipe
+ Good laughs
+ Brunch with family
+ Well wishes
+ Good times
+ Puppy kisses
+ Cleaning





What are your plans for the weekend?

What I'm Loving Right Now

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I've been so inspired lately, with people, blogs, books, cooking and pretty much life in general. However, I often find myself imitating this weather were having - cold, quiet and cloudy. But I want to share with you some things I am loving right now. Got this layout from my first thing I am loving

BLOG: Just a Titch what a fun blog, a wonderful clear voice in all her posts. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

BLOG: Kyla Roma I have a girl crush on her! She is so stinkin cute with her pixie cut and cute frames. Not to mention she is extremely talented and frankly my hero for sticking it to the man and quitting her day job to peruse her passions.

MUSIC: Devotchka the music that I hear from Devotchka makes my heart ache it is so good. Listen to it and your life will be better.

App: Gratitude! this little app allows me to write all the things I am grateful for in the day. Allows me to keep things in perspective.

Book: Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin such an interesting book on love, life and marriage. A wonderful interesting talk worthy book

Love love love these! What about you? What are you lovin lately?

30 in 30 - Something you refuse to do

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I refuse to give up. Cheesy, I know. But I refuse to give up on myself entirely, my ideal life, my true self, my happiness. I have ups and downs and do I sometimes allow those bad days affect me? Yes. But I refuse to give up until I am where I want to be in all aspects of my life.

Woot!

Bullet Points

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• Lately I've been incredibly restless. My head is somewhere completely different... and fear, the unknown and "real life" is stopping me from perusing what really want to do.
• I've been making an effort to be more conscience with my eating habits. I think I've done incredibly well. I'm eating less, not snacking as much, more water, less pop, more protein, less sweets. I still allow myself a couple pieces of chocolate or a cookie here or there but the key is not having a handful of Dove chocolates or 3 cookies. I'm giving myself limits.
• Mike and I are eating in more. We have only eaten out maybe three times in the last couple weeks. I'm excited we've been eating in more, expanding our menu as well as savings.
• This year's goal is to to simultaneously pay off BAD debt while saving our little butts off.
  
• The above goal would allow me (us) to do what I long to do - and that's to travel more. Mike and I already discussed that we would not go on any trips this year and to focus all our funds on paying off debt - that way, next year, we can go on a fun trip, somewhere BIG, somewhere magical - and I don't mean Disney World ;-)
• There are so many little things I want to do, like try some fun craft projects, try a couple new recipes, read more books, take more pictures, write more, etc - but I'm stopping myself.
• I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.
• I have this incredibly bad habit of allowing my BAD days follow me around like a black cloud hovering over me. BAD days are going to happen, how I choose to let it affect me is on me.
• I need to put myself out there more.
• I love spending time by myself. Grabbing a coffee, looking through magazines, catching a movie.... but I just CANT eat alone. I feel so....weird.
  

Golen Globes 2011

Did you watch them? I was pretty happy with results, although I was VERY disappointed in Best Picture - Drama. In my humble opinion, I thought that The Kings Speech should have won.

Here are a couple of my favorite BEST DRESSED at the awards.

All pictures from here

The Golden Globes

Tonight is the Golden Globes - will you be watching? I was looking through some old photo's from the award show back to the 50's-70's and man, did they have some class and style back then. Love these!

Source

30 in 30 - The Best Part of Your Day

I am not going to lie. My weeks are pretty busy. When I am not at my day job, I am either spending time with family, or going to Zumba, or running errands or meeting up with friends.... it's always go-go-go it seems. But the best part of my day is coming home to my own home, to my husband and puppy. I love our little home and to be able to snuggle up on the couch after a long day and kisses from the both of them - thats the best.

Your Workspace

This is a picture taken from my workspace at my day job. It's a little boring, there isn't much to it - but alas.

You have your normal computer, snackage, notebook for notes, conversations, to-do's, as well as storage and organization for documents and important papers. To complete my look I have fake flowers to remind me of the outside without them dying on my due to no natural light or fresh air. Sad.

Here you will find my workspace at home.

My workspace at home is still a work in progress. I need to clean up our paint job as we got a little messy, need to get some blinds and drapes for the window and I need to get some more wall art up. I love coming in here now that my desktop is working again. I love being in a space of my own to read inspirational blogs, to write e-mails, to catch up with family and friends. I do feel inspired here, I just cant wait till it's exactly where I want it.

Savour
Slow down and enjoy what's most precious about your life.

Laugh
Why so serious?

Explore
Step to the edges and hang out there a little.

Rest
You, me, we're all sleep-deprived. Grab an extra hour.

Proclaim
Stand for something. Draw a line in the sand.

Discard
You've got clutter online, offline, mentally, emotionally. Purge.

Embrace
Who you are. Reality. Opportunities. Your shadow. Friends.

Partner
Build something with someone else.

Provoke
Poke the status quo and see what wobbles.

Love
Spread the net a little wider.

Flow
Find grace and ease.

Awesome words of inspiration found over here. Thanks for sharing!

30 in 30

I was reading a fellow blog over here about different topics of discussion. I thought it would be fun and a good way for you to get a glimpse into my world.

Starting tomorrow on, I will go through the following:

1. Your work space.
2. The best part of your day.
3. Something you refuse to do.
4. Last book you read.
5. Meaning behind your blog name.
6. Talent y0u wish you had.
7. A photo of you without makeup.
8. Last item you purchased.
9. Something that makes you sad.
10. 15 Facts about you.
11. Your favorite thing right now.
12. Best Christmas present you ever got.
13. Your favorite teacher.
14. Something you’re thankful for.
15. A photo from your childhood.
16. Something you crave.
17. Your worst hair moment (if you skip this one, it’s totally cool).
18. Favorite smells.
19. Last time you cried.
20. Last time you had to apologize to someone.
21. Something that scares you.
22. Something that really bugs you.
23. What you dislike most about your appearance.
24. Celebrity crush.
25. A trait you deplore in others.
26. A photo taken 10 years ago.
27. First book/movie/song that moved you.
28. What turns you off?
29. The story behind one of your scars.
30. This one was left blank so I will have to think of it when I get to it, unless anyone has a suggestion.

Cha-cha-chaanges......

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So I get we are only a mere 8 days into the new year (but still, 8! Yowza) however, I find that I am still doing the same things that I told myself were not working, and vowed to make an effort to change - lone behold no effort.

Things that DO NEED to change:

- No breakfast in the morning

- A 450 cal coffee that I don't need

- Dis-organization (car, home, desk, life)

- No workday routine - Hi, im flying my the seed of my pants

- No actual goals to work toward

- Laying/sitting around too much

- Too worried about everything and everyone but myself

- How I handle my stress

- Conquering my fears head on - it actually becomes crippling

- Stop feeling sorry for myself

- Taking things so seriously

- Staying in too much - get the heck OUT there sista

- How I need to take more pictures

- Spending habits

Things that DO NOT need to change:

+ My work ethic

+ My love of reading and awful TV

+ My desire to be the best I can in life (even when its hard)

+ My ability to laugh at the stupidest things

+ My love for my family and friends

+ Wanting to dance and sing and break out into a number

+ Wanting to travel as much as I can

I also get that it's a lot more easy to pin point the bad in your life than the good, but I know that with the bad there are good. The funny thing people. is I know exactly what I need to do. Im no dumby. I need to make more of a conscious effort. I need to make more time. I need to live more consciously. Sure I am not where I want to be some aspects of my life but that doesn't mean I should let everything else fall apart, right? It shouldn't have to be an all or nothing combination. Life can be hard, but I can do - I did it before - i'll do it again.

In other news!

This weekend should be a lot of fun. This morning I had a nice chat with my aunt who is living in England, looked around the Internet for inspiration and talked it up with my mom. This afternoon, we are going over to Mike's parents house to celebrate our Bro-in-law's bday. Dinner, fun and good times to come. Tomorrow, I plan on doing a little decorating project and then celebrating my Uncle Gino and Aunt Lina's b-day. Lunch at our favorite restaurant with cake and ice cream to follow. Sprinkled in between the festivities I plan on catching up with the mounds of laundry appearing everywhere.... see, if I had a freaking routine this wouldn't be such an issue.

Have a great weekend!

5 Things you can learn from your pet.

I read this cute artical in a magazine. These stories are not my own, but with having a dog of my own, can easily relate to these little lesson's are pets can teach us.

1. Celebrate EVERYTHING. Each time I walk into my home - even if i've been gone for less than a minute - my dogs leap on me, kiss me, wag and bark, and show me their chewed toys. I find it inspiring: Life throws a lot of junk in your direction, so you might as well get your kicks when you can. Now I try to acknowledge every small-but-happy event with at least a cheerful word of gesture. I believe that if dogs can speak, they'd say "You should have a cupcake for that." That's a worldview I can get behind.

2. Just being present is enough. About a decade ago, I suffered the two greatest losses in my life in a quick succession. My sister died of breast cancer, and my marriage ended. One lonley night when I was experiencing the worst grief, my two cats got on the bed and snuggled up to either side of me. They didnt make a sound; they just stayed there, so close that I actually felt embraced. That was suchg a powerful lesson in what truly gives comfort. I have never know what to say to a friend who has a terrible illness or who has lost a loved one, but my cats taught me that I dont need to say anything at all. What matter is showing up.

3. BRAIN size doesn't matter. My wife and I once had a parrot named Chicken who had a really small brain. And yet Chicken took great pleasure in humanlike activities, such as rearranging the cupboards. She was so clevar - as most pets are. If you observe them, you'll be reminded that even though people are smarter, we're still just animals with the same emotions, like anxiety and joy.

4. Don't try so hard. Cats are quirky, independent thinkers. Some people don't like them for this reason. But I find that quality enormously appealing. I respect each of my cats because they are true to themselves and resisent to outside influences.

5. You can get along with anybody. You know the expression "They fight like cats and sogs"? In my experience, it's not necessarily true. It is quite suprising how animals of different speices (cats, dogs, birds, you name it) can be friends - as long as they are raised in a warm and loving environment. IN my work, I bring home baby birds almost every night. Out dog Spinnaker treats them very gently. Humans would do well to emulate such displays of generosity.

What Mimi (my dog) has taught me:

1.) Patience - Before her, I was only responsible for myself. And with this little spit fire, she has taught me to be more patient with her and myself. She is very much still in her puppy phase and as crazy as she gets at times, I love how silly and sweet shet is.

2.) Forgive quickly - Pets don't hold grudges and they are so quick to forgive. I've disciplined her and told her NO and even lost my cool, but Mimi is so quick to give me a moment and then come up to be a give me a quick kiss on the cheek. As if to say, "Im sorry mom, we cool?"

3.) Napping is amazing - I use to be a master at the art of napping and with Mimi in my life, I have come to appreciate this art form in a whole new level. I cant believe how much she naps and when she wakes up she is so refreshed with her little puppy bed head and is ready for the rest of her day.

Frugality

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It's kind of like a blessing and a curse. You see, I am very fortunate to be able to afford not only my every day living expenses (mortgage, food, car) as well as other every day perks (cable, Internet etc) but I am also fortunate enough to be able to buy those pair of shoes I knew I needed in my life, or that movie I thought was adorbs. Like I said - fortunate. And it has always been like this for me. I started working at for an actual company at the age of 14 and since then I have always been able to get the things I wanted. However, I have never been the kind of person to be frugal. I would look at my income at the end of the year and wonder, where did all my money go? Sure I had a small chunk of change saved and sure I had a 401k going, but to be 100% honest with you - nothing substantial. Nothing to where, God forbid I lost my job, I would be able to support myself for a couple months till I got back on my feet.

Ever since I got married, and joined accounts and began to pay all the adult stuff - electricity, heating, cooling, water - etc. I am realizing that I need to really buckle down and get my budget in order and start thinking frugal. I'm talking coupons and hunting down deals, and waiting till a birthday or holiday and actual [gasp] ask for it then. It has always been easy for me to run up to the store and get what I wanted - instant gratification, no doubt about it. I need to learn to slow it down for a hot second and not be so quick to purchase what I want when I want. Saving for a rainy day, or a vacation, or eliminating my school loans at a much quicker pace, or paying off any other debt. Let's face it, it's the adult thing to do. I can honestly say, I have never been frugal. Never. And I am sure incorporating my new "Delayed Gratification" policy into my subconscious is really going to piss my ego off. "Those shoes looks amazing on you, you know it and I know - plus you had a rough week. You deserve it" - that's my favorite. I'll be honest, I got a lot of my crazy spending habits out of my system, so I feel that it wont be as hard. The one thing I am worried about is my morning coffee. I think I am addicted to Tim Horton's French Vanilla Cappuccino I cant explain the deliciousness that is this coffee. Those are going to have to go and, oh i don't know, actually use my awesome kick ass Tassimo single cup coffee machine that I so desperately wanted and got but hardly use except the weekend? Sigh.

And the funny thing, its not like anything crazy happened to where I really had to take a good hard look at myself in the mirror and ask - WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! But I have been looking at myself in a new way, a way that is saying to myself.... you can do better at life. You can excel in all facets and you know it - so damn it - DO IT! and you know what? I am.

Here is to being more conscience of my spending, more aware of my saving and save up for a fabulous amazing vacation. Amen.

Book Review: Heart of the Matter

Even though I got a head start for my 12 books in 2011 goal, I was happy I did. I feel accomplished and ready to start my next book. Before I do, I wanted to give a quick review on my first book of 2011 by Emily Giffin, "Heart of the Matter"

I loved this book more than I disliked this book, simply because it was written so beautifully. What I disliked about the book was how extremely frustrating the topic was: Infidelity. And although I don't want to write out any spoilers, I did not end the way I wanted. But alas, that is life.

The book revolves around two women. Tessa and Valarie. The story goes back a fourth on how these two woman's lives are intertwined together through an act of infidelity. Tessa's husband, Nick is a children's plastic surgeon working on burn cases and trauma. Valarie's son, Charlie was involved in an accident falling into a fire pit while staying at a friends sleepover. The child is then taken to the Hospital where Nick is his plastic surgeon. Nick and Valarie begin a friendship which ultimately leads to an affair. (which further fuels my argument that when you are in a serious relationship you CAN NOT be friends with the opposite sex. You can be friendly but NOT friends) The story goes on to Tessa's suspicion of her husbands intentions and a glimpse into their marriage with all its cracks and the very hard life Valarie had and how she is falling more and more in love with her son's doctor.

The book held my attention the entire time, which can be hard. There were a couple quotes in the book that really stood out to me.

"I think about the thin, fragile line separating all of us from misfortune, almost as a way of putting a few coins in my own gratitude meter, of safeguarding again an after happening to me."

"But i still find myself reaching out and knocking twice on our wooden cutting board. Because you can never be too sure when it comes to the things that matter most."

"I nod, thinking of how difficult marriage can be, how much effort is required to sustain a feeling between two people - a feeling that you cant imagine will ever fade in the beginning when everything comes so easily. I think of how each person in a marriage owes it to the other to find individual happiness, even in a shared life. This is the only real way to grow together, instead of apart."

All in all I thought the book was wonderful. It dealt with a tough issue and made it very real. I would recommend it to anyone.

Rating out of 5 stars: ***

Brining in 2011

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We brought in the new year right. I was around family and friends and to be honest with you, it was perfect!

We did shots of MEADE which were delicious by the way!

Had yummy pizza rolls

Mike used our new deep fryer to try up some amazing chicken wings while he was drunk, probably not the smartest thing, but delicious nonetheless.



Some yummy cheesy potato's going in the crockpot - yum!

Mike and Tom feeling good!

Nikki and Jenn singing away!

Mosh pit to KORN


Mimi getting into the fesitivities as well!

Enjoying a glass of wine!

The drunkest picture of the night goes to Tom - congrats!

It was a wonderful night, and this morning I sure was feeling bleh! But with some food and good liquids in me and a couple excedrin, I am feeling like a human again. Now I am off to take a nice long hot shower and a restful day on the couch reading. Hope everyone had an awesome New Year Eve.

Here is to an amazing 2011!