Big News

Have you noticed that my blog has been totally lame lately?


I've definitely noticed.


I rarely cook, I don't read much, I never do crafts and you're lucky to see even one of my outfits.


However, I have a good excuse.

Well at least, I think it's a good excuse.




I have been hiding something TOTALLY HUGE from you for almost 3 whole months.

It's been hard to get inspired when I knew that my life had changed in the matter of a moment and that I couldn't share my joy with all of you.

So guess what?

Can you believe it?

Yes, it's true.


I'll be 12 weeks on Friday and I can't wait.

We're expecting our little one on November 18, 2011

I'm going to try NOT to turn this into a pregnancy blog, but I have journaled the last few months and I'll share them periodically over the next few weeks.

I'll make sure to write non-baby stuff as well as often as I can too but you may need to bear through baby overload for a few weeks. I'm excited that the cat is finally out of the bag.

Ten on Tuesday

1. How many blogs do you read every day and what are they? (I’m talking the ones you NEVER miss)
I read way too many blogs. It's ridiculous. Every morning I open my google reader and see at least 100 unread blogs. I need to cut back, but it takes so much time to weed through blogs. I also need to get better about commenting. It's hard when you read blogs via reader (that are generally blocked at work).

2. How many “best friends” do you have? Do you have different “besties” for different areas of your life?
That's a tough one. I wish that I could say that I have several best friends (simply because I'd love to know that feeling), but I'm just not that popular. I have a lot of really close friends. I have different friends that I go to for different reasons. Honestly, no two of my friends are alike and my relationship isn't exactly the same with any of them. I do still have one bestie from high school, who was in my wedding and who I continue to speak to often to this day. I also have several internet besties that I met through blogging and other various online things-- Ahem, Amanda and Shaina. Shaina and I bonded over obsessive live Bachelor and Gossip Girl G-Chats. You don't even want to KNOW what Amanda and I bonded over almost 10 years ago. If you want to be best friends, email me. We can work it out.


3. What’s your daily make up routine?
Moisturizer, a little powder, some eyeshadow and bonne belle lip gloss. I'm relatively low maintenance with make up.

4. What is your ideal girl’s night?
Pajamas, tons of food, wine and chats.

5. Do you keep up with your nails/toenails or are they au natural?
I almost always have my toenails done. Blank toenails disgust me. If you're not a man, you need color on your toes. I rarely wear nail polish, simply because I'm so rough on my hands that it chips within 15 minutes.

6. What’s your best roommate story (assuming you had a roommate at some point in your life)?
Ha, I have so many. Some of my fondest memories are of 4 girls stuffed into a tiny dorm room doing Taebo videos with Billy Blanks (or was it Banks?). My roommate had terrible gas and let one rip at every high kick (Caroline.. can you guess who?).

I'm also fond of my poor fish story. My roommate took it home for winter break (she lived in Massachusetts, I lived in Pennsylvania) and forgot about our poor fish in her car. Fish because a fish-cicle.


7. What’s your “go to” outfit that you wear more than anything else?
A dress, leggings and flats. I love it. It's like wearing PJs in public.

8. Do you have a beauty secret?
Smile. It does wonders!

9. Did you read Seventeen magazine growing up?
Umm hello? And.. various other teen magazines. Did you doubt it?


10. How did you learn to put on makeup?
Probably in Seventeen magazine. My mother had never worn make up so she sure as heck didn't teach me. That's probably why I barely wear any. I'd probably look way hotter if I did. Ha.

Link up at www.rootsandrings.com

What I'm Reading

“If I’d blinked, I would have missed it. But I didn’t, and I saw something fall from the rear deck of the opposite ferry: a small, wide-eyed human face, in one tiny frozen moment, as it plummeted toward the water.”

When she witnesses a small child tumbling from a ferry into Lake Champlain, Troy Chance dives in without thinking. Harrowing moments later, she bobs to the surface, pulling a terrified little boy with her. As the ferry disappears into the distance, she begins a bone-chilling swim nearly a mile to shore with a tiny passenger on her back.

Surprisingly, he speaks only French. He’ll acknowledge that his name is Paul; otherwise, he’s resolutely mute.

Troy assumes that Paul’s frantic parents will be in touch with the police or the press. But what follows is a shocking and deafening silence. And Troy, a freelance writer, finds herself as fiercely determined to protect Paul as she is to find out what happened to him. What she uncovers will take her into a world of wealth and privilege and heedless self-indulgence—a world in which the murder of a child is not unthinkable. She’ll need skill and courage to survive and protect her charge and herself.

Sara J. Henry’s powerful and compelling Learning to Swim will move and disturb readers right up to its shattering conclusion.From goodreads.com

This book was decently good. It was on the must read list in various magazines and I'm not sure that it lived up to it's must read status. Supposedly it's a mystery/thriller, but it didn't sense much mystery until the last 30ish pages. Read it if the library has it. I wouldn't drop cold, hard cash on this one.

Speaking of... .

Speaking of wishing that I was someone else....



I heard that Reese Witherspoon wore cowboy boots under her wedding dress.

SWOON.

I'm like so not from the south, but I really wish that I was.

I think I'm really a southern girl in a northern girl's body.

I'd love nothing more than a cute accent, cowboy boots, and blonde pigtails-- all of which are wildly inappropriate for the Northern girl that I am.

Today, I am jealous of Reese AND her cowboy boots.

Sometimes I wish my name was Olivia Mae or Ezekiel and that I lived in the olden days. Where I didn't get ripped off at the grocery store and didn't need to waste a trillion dollars on gas.

I'm not trying to get all political up in here but what happened to all that CHANGE that was highly anticipated a few years ago?

The only change I see is a gas bill that is a SH#T-TON higher than what it was a year or two ago and groceries that are a heck of a lot more expensive. Despite the promise of change, I haven't had a step increase in over 4 years. I looked and figured out that I should be making well over 10,000 dollars more than I do now. Change my a$$.

The hubs and I used to budget 200 dollars a month on gas. Now we're spending well above 400 dollars a month and I spend most months worried and losing sleep about how we're going to make ends meet.

Today, while filling up my tank I was trying to think of ways to save money on gas. Well, short of buying a horse and buggy and becoming Amish, I can't do anything about it. One of my schools is 50 miles away (round trip) in rural Maryland. There is no public transportation to the boonies.

I know we aren't the only ones experiencing these difficulties, but man, life is hard.



I'm off to find a free trial of the Oregon trail and to find a way to convince my husband that we must move to rural Virginia, North Carolina and/or Delaware, where we can be rich with half the cash. Wish me luck!

What I Wore Wednesday

I do not have many outfits this week.. Some days I forgot and other days I just repeated outfits from last week. Oh and this weekend, I laid around on my butt and it was amazing.

THURSDAY- Work


Brown Dress- Macys
White Cardi- AT Loft
Belt- Old Navy
Shoes- Target


SATURDAY- Baby Shower


Dress- Target
Cardi- Ann Taylor
Shoes- Target


MONDAY- Work


Teal Dress- Target

Ten on Tuesday

Link up to Chelsea's blog if you want to play along!

1. When someone asks you for a book recommendation, what is your go-to book?
Memoirs of a Geisha. I love, love, love that book.

2. Do you buy your books, or are you a library patron?
I almost only get books from the library.  I used to buy them all but I was spending so much money on books that I would read once.  The library is much more economical.

3. E-readers, yay or nay?
I'm not a fan-- unless the library starts allowing me to borrow books via an e-reader.

4. What was your favorite book as a child?
Goodnight Moon 

5. If you could be any character in a book, who would you be?
Alice from Twilight

6. What book would you love to see turned into a movie?
The Hunger Games

7. What is your all-time favorite book?
Memoirs of a Geisha or Twilight

 

8. How many books do you read at once?
1-3

9. What is your favorite book genre?
Chick Lit.

10. Which Harry Potter book is the best? Or haven't you read them at all?
I've only read one of them-- the first-- and I did like it.  I should probaby read the rest of them someday.

Keepin' it Klassy

One day,

When I'm all growed up,

and have a child of my own,

I only hope that I can keep it this Klassy.




I'm not sure what is going on in this picture. Doesn't she know that vodka is outlawed during pregnancy?

Kendra Wilkerson she is not.

Now this is a framer. Middle fingers? Tacky tattoos? What's not to love?

The Asian reenactment of Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream

Here's my personal favorite. Mom and her tubby hubs. HOT.

What I Wore Wed, er..Thursday

I'm a day late. I could not be asked to get off of my boot-ay to blog last night.

Plus, my outfits were totally lame this week and the lighting was worse than usual due to a million trillion days of rain.

Here's what I wore on...


Thursday- WORK


Black Dress- Target
Turquoise Cardi- Lands End Canvas


Friday- WORK


Black Utility Dress- Target
Gray Leggings- Lands End Canvas
Shoes- Target


Saturday- Birthday Party


Black Ruffled Top- Old Navy
Jeans- Gap
Wedges- Target
Necklace- NY & Co


Monday- Work

Purple Dress- Marshalls
Black Cardi- Old Navy


Wednesday- Work

Yellow Tee- Old navy
Gray Cardi- Target
Necklace- Handmade
Khakis- ATLoft
Sandals- Target

More Reality TV

Yes, I watch the trashiest TV ever.

 

So sue me.

 

Isn't the cardinal rule of wedding guests that you do NOT wear white to your friend's wedding? 

 

Holy RHONY attention whores.

More Reality TV

Yes, I watch the trashiest TV ever.

 

So sue me.

 

Isn't the cardinal rule of wedding guests that you do NOT wear white to your friend's wedding? 

 

Holy RHONY attention whores.

 

 

More Teen Mom

I suppose I should clarify after reading the comments--

 

I did like Chelsea and think that she is generally a good mom.  What makes me dislike her is the fact that she so easily takes that LOSER Adam back.

 

I'm not sure what it is about teens and women today, but so many think that they need to settle with any old D-Bag that pays attention to them.  She is totally settling with him and he's pretty abusive as a whole.

 

It amazes me that her ridiculously rich dad just sits by and lets Adam live in the house that he PAYS for while Adam does not make an attempt to get a job and/or to pay child support. 

 

I get that dad hates him too, so why he is supporting her while she's with Adam?  He needs to buck up and show Chelsea that he's not going to stand for it. 

Teen Mom 2

Am I the only 29 year old in America that watches (and LOVES) Teen Mom 2?

 

How cute are Corey and Leah? I love them.

 

However, can we please discuss the two TRAINWRECKS of the show-- Jenelle and Chelsea?!?!?

 

Jenelle is a hot mess.  I feel so bad for her poor mother.  The chick smokes weed on the mother's front porch and then complains that she doesn't have custody of her kid.  I know that kids should generally be with their biological parents, but not in this situation.  The girl lacks judgement.  Anyone that thinks that stealing their mother's credit card for a joyride is a good idea should have no access to an infant.

 

Chelsea is a total spoiled brat.  She took Adam back. Adam- the scum of the Earth.  I think Chelsea's dad is a decent man, but if he had HALF a brain he would stop supporting Chelsea for a bit-- or at least until she realizes that Adam is a total d-bag. I mean the chick lives in a house that is bigger than mine and she's 17.  I blame daddy for this. 

 

 

Ten on Tuesday

It's Ten on Tuesday time again!  Link up over with Chelsea at Roots and Rings!

1. If you work, do you drive to work or take public transportation?
I drive.  Oh how I wish I could psychologize children (telepathically) while home in my pajamas.

2. How often do you get your haircut? Do you go to the same person every time?
I always get one when I get my highlights redone, which is generally every 10-12 weeks. 

3. Do you read the newspaper? If so, a hardcopy or the online version?
No, but I get the Sunday newspaper-- Washington Post-- for the coupons.

4. What is the best book you have read this year?
This year, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Wells. I highly recommend it.

5. What is the best movie you have seen this year?
I don't think that I have seen any really good movies this year. We rarely go to the movies b/c it is SO expensive nowadays.

6. Do you tend to crave sweet or salty foods?
Depends on the day. I love candy, but I'm not big on cookies, cakes and ice cream. 

7. Do you eat breakfast every day? If so, what do you have?
Every day, but it's always something I can eat while on the run.  Generally pretzels and a string cheese.

8. If you celebrate Easter, what Easter treat/candy are you most looking forward to?
I like stale peeps.  Ooooh and I love those sweettart chicks, bunnies and ducks.  I must get some of those pronto.

9. How late is "sleeping in" to you?
On weekdays, if I sleep past 6:50 I'm gonna be late and I'm sleeping in.  On the weekends I can sleep till 10. Easy.

10. Where are you going on your next vacation?
The exotic, very tropical Eastern Shore of Delaware.

What I am Reading

Wah, wah,

I am probably like the LAST girl in America to read this book, but if I'm not, I HIGHLY recommend it. It was awesome. Amazing. I loved reading it.

{Except for the cat part. I hate when people are mean to cats}.

It's not a total warm and fuzzy story, but I think the ending is what you make of it. Now, I just wish the author had a website with family photos. I would LOVE to see them.



From Goodreads.com: Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever.

Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.

What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.

For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor.

I'm a Target Shopper

{sorry there are no pictures, Target's website is one of the worst}

People often ask me where I get all of my dresses from and 9 times out of 10 they are direct from Target. I've lucked out with some pretty great stuff and almost all of it has cost me under 20 bucks. Anyways, as a professional Target dress buyer (and since several of you asked), I thought that I would give you my secret tips...

1. If you see me wearing a cute dress from Target, do not run to the store to buy it. Target rarely has any cute dresses left --in stock-- in store-- for more than a two day window. If you need a tshirt, fine- go to the store. If you want a dress, I doubt it will be there in your size. Trust me. I've learned this the hard way.

2. The Target website sucks, but the pay off is worth it. To score a good deal and a good dress always shop on Target.com!! I will forewarn you that Target.com kinda blows and the pictures of their dresses are completely unflattering and often times the pictures are about the size of an ant. You have got to look past that-- and perhaps even grab a magnifying glass. I've ordered many a cute dress that looks like complete hell on the model. I am not sure why Target operates this way but it's as though they want their pieces to look as unflattering as possible.

(I was hoping to attach a pictures, but Target won't allow me to).

More often than not, the uglier they look online, the cuter they are in person. The best part about Target.com is that they offer FREE SHIPPING on any order over 50 bucks and almost all of their dresses go below 19.99 at one point over the course of a month. What I do is load up my online shopping cart with at least 6 dresses at a time. If the picture looks ugly I will look at the online reviews or often times I'll decide to risk it. Thankfully, shipping is free and you can return any and everything to the store without a hitch so there is not reason not to have them send it to you. Out of the 6 dresses that I'll order at one time, I often like at least half-- if not more and even four target dresses will only set me back 60 bucks most times. Give it a shot! Do you have any Target.com shopping secrets to share? *No, I have no affiliation to Target. However, Target-- if you are listening, I can be bought.

What I Wore Wednesday!

I am lacking outfits to post this week! I figured that as exciting as seeing me wear another dress with leggings is, that I wouldn't retake photos of myself wearing the same outfit that I wore a trillion times this winter.

It did start to get a tiny bit warm.. and here's what I wore...

SATURDAY-- DINNER WITH THE FAMILY


Dress- AT Loft
Cardigan- Gap
Boots- Anthropologie


TUESDAY- WORK. My, my dress seems short. Oops.


Dress- Target
Cardigan- Lands End Canvas
Shoes- Target


WEDNESDAY- WORK.


Dress- Target (new and only 15 bones!)
Cardigan- AT Loft
Red Shoes- Marshalls
Red Belt- Marshalls

Ten on Tuesday

You can join in at Roots and Rings.

1. What is your idea best date?

Well my idea of a great date as evolved as I've gotten older.  Now I'd say that I would love to be whisked away to the beach, eat lobster/crab outside on the boardwalk followed up with some boardwalk rides. 

2. How long does it take you to get ready to go on a date?

I'm married and I'm poor. Our dates usually include a frozen pizza (take out Chinese if we're rolling in dough that week), pajamas and netflix.  I'm not complaining, these tend to be the BEST dates.  On the rare occasion that we do go all out, I can be ready in an hour (including a shower and everything).

3. What would you wear on the date?

pajamas or a dress. I even wear dresses to the grocery store. It's my thing.  I find it way more comfortable.

4. If you are married, how often do you go on dates? If you are single, when was your last date?

We honestly don't go out very much.  {This survey is making me feel bad about myself}. =)  We do tend to spend every Friday night together.

5. What was your worst date?

I haven't really had a terrible date. I consider myself blessed. 

6. Do you/Did you kiss on your first date?

I kissed my husband on the first date.  Scratch that, he kissed me.

7. If married, how long before you knew he/she was the one? If single, how long before you know if the person is marriage material?

I knew that I wanted to marry John pretty early on in our relationship.  When we met I was 25-- had dated and lived with several other guys and had been in 3 other 2 plus year relationships.  When I met John I knew exactly what I wanted in a relationship.  We started dating in the fall of 2007, we got engaged in the fall of 2008 and we were married by the fall of 2009. 

8. Do you prefer day dates or night dates?

I like them both for different reasons.  Day dates are more adventurous and night dates are more romantic.

9. How old were you when you first were allowed to date?

I was 15-- almost 16 when I met/dated my "first love."

10. What is the most embarrassing moment you have had on a date?

I'll have to get back to you on this one. I can't remember....

April Goals

I suppose that I SHOULD hold my self accountable for something this April-- Here goes nothing!

1. Save 300 bones. Put it directly into my savings account.

2. Work out at least 3 times per week all month. I'm starting small since I fell out of my routine in March.

3. Spend no more than 250 dollars on groceries this month. We need to start eating from the pantry! What are your goals this month.