Shop Till I Drop

That's all I want to do...at one store...J.Crew.

I love their catalogs, but also their website. Perfection. Here are looks I love...

 

Holiday Spirit

I usually love the holidays. LOVE! I'm the one who gets excited when Starbucks use their red cups instead of regular cups and produce the fancy warm drinks like the peppermint mocha or gingerbread latte....well for whatever reason it's just not getting me all hyped up like usual.

I can't figure out why.

It probably has to do with the lack of money I have, also I've been so busy with school the holidays approached without warning, just "READY OR NOT HERE I AM!"

Maybe, too it's because I'm getting older. I mean HOLY SHIT I'm almost 24!!! (Yes, poor me, I realize 24 is hardly old, but damn it's the oldest I will have been!)

I think it really has a lot to do with my dad being there and us being here, but I can't let that bring me down. After finals, I pledge to get into the holiday spirit. Drink hot coco, or gingerbread lattes and listen to Justin Bieber's "Under the Mistletoe" because hey, it's a new kind of Christmas carol! Also go look at lights, put up a tree (hopefully), possibly go gift shopping (because remember, I have a credit card!) and enjoy every moment I have with people I love. And also, I pledge to drink a lot of champagne...aka champleasure, because it's bubbly and delicious!!!!

I'm almost there! Almost.

Desserts Part II (And a Feast, too!)

I did it! Made dessert. Ok, except I could have cooked both a little less but otherwise they went smoothly. Also made a really big Thanksgiving feast with the help of Chris, Roberto and a little help from Brad (he took most of the photos). Chris fried turkey. I was a bit skeptical at first because I'm not a big fan of fried anything, but it wasn't greasy at all! It was delicious, juicy and took a quarter of the time a roasted turkey would take! I made my dads famed mashed potatoes and they turned out really delicious. I'm proud I can make those now! Chris made his famous, delicious mac n cheese with extremely fancy cheese (smoked gouda and Alfredo sauce, there was not an ounce of cheddar cheese in the mix) and Brad absoultely LOVED it (he's quite the picky eater and even if there is something foreign in the ingredients to him, he will not try it so it's a good thing we did not tell him what it was). Roberto put together dough for homemade biscuits and cooked maple glazed sweet potatoes on the BBQ. I made green bean casserole for Chris (comfort food for him, all new for the rest of us!) It was a lot of fun. Even though I still missed my parents it was really nice to create a little family of our own, and I am so thankful for that!

Pouring the creme brulee mixture into ramekins, posing with my only a little bit burnt pie crust, the ginger snap cookie and raisin pie crust, pumpkin mixture for the pie, pumpkin mixture with vanilla ice cream for the pie, pouring it in (yum, yum!), my mashed potatoes!, a sea of bacon for the stuffing, the turkey fryer!, Chris dropping in the turkey, after the turkey was dropped in, still frying the turkey, a little blurry..but high fiving each other because we did not burn the house down!, success!, our feast!, and me with the final desserts

Desserts Part I

I am going to make dessert for Thanksgiving.

I am not a baker, I do not cook. I just don't like it. But I decided since I have to step up to the plate to create a really neat dinner (Chris and I actually) then the one thing I can try to be proud about are the desserts (and dad's mashed potato recipe, hopefully they turn out delicious!).

Creme Brulee and a Pumpkin Mousse Pie.

Pictures and the ratings from the critique-rs (Chris, Roberto and Brad) will be sure to follow...

A Weird Habit

It's one of the oddest things, but when I was younger and went out I never left the vicinity without looking at the restroom.

I can't figure out why. Maybe because the actual place of wherever I was always had the prettiest restrooms. The cleanliness, sometimes a couch...nice smelling soap.

It's really offbeat and a little bit weird and kind of gross but it really had much more to do with the designs of the bathroom than the actual activity that goes on in one.

Case in point

Today I met Chris for lunch at this really cool cafe that used to be a museum that showcased marble. I needed to check out the restroom, because obviously it'd be different and pretty considering the place was full of marble.

The restroom was.  





(I mean how cool! A bathtub!)

Bye, Mom

Mom's going to Arkansas for Thanksgiving week. My dad is there for work. We all haven't seen him since summertime so it's nice she's going out there. 

It's a little weird though because this is the very first Thanksgiving without my parents. Brad and Roberto are here and we're planning to have our own dinner together. It's a bit stressful because I've never had to plan such a big meal. I think we'll enjoy each other's company regardless. It's a new challenge for me. I'm excited and scared at the same time. Fortunately Chris is right there by my side to help me out.

Let this be an unconventional, always remembered Thanksgiving!

Bye, Mom! Have fun. The crazy kids will miss you and dad, very much!

I love you! I hate you!

Honestly, I applied because I needed a new computer.

I didn't have the money upfront, so I was going to see if I could take out a loan, strictly for the computer.

(The only thing I REALLY needed the credit card for)

I went to the bank, explained my situation, gave them some info. and TA DA, how exciting, I was approved for a credit card.

I had always thought about obtaining a credit card but thought, no no, because I didn't want to get out of control. But the thing about this time was I needed a computer, bad, and the credit limit was the exact amount I needed for it, so I signed my money away.

I got my shiny, plastic new best friend in the mail a few days later and headed out to the Apple store to put myself $1500 in debt. It's okay though, because like I said I needed this computer, and it truly was a good investment, and still is. I paid the computer off and within a few months and had a high limit again. I know you have to use the credit to build the credit so it was convenient that I needed a maintenance check on my car. Perfect. This is the only way I'll use my credit card, for things I absolutely need. 

Well, I wanted tinted windows, didn't need them but justified it by  telling myself I just didn't like people seeing into my car. So I charged it.
I wasn't regretful because they were helping me build my credit and also those purchases wouldn't go out of style.

Again, I paid my card off.

Okay, so I had zero balance due and was going to Vegas in a few weeks. 
I needed a dress, obviously, and new heels, Duh! Oh, I'll put it on my credit card. And just like that, I owed my best friend some money.

Oh, I also really needed those Jeffrey Campbell wedges, and jacket, and watch because I've been wanting a watch! And those jeans, oh hell that whole outfit and another pair of heels because I'm going to a wedding, and another pair of 'fall' boots so my feet don't get cold and oh another pair of closed toed heels for the cold weather because it's just what I need!

(A 'few' items CC has purchased)

Need!

Yeah, right. I don't need any of that shit, but the thing about my bff and enemy is it provides me with instant gratification with money I don't have at the time and I have to pay back later....which is the least fun part. So I love you, when you buy me beautiful things right then and there. I hate you when you make me pay...later!

Fortunately I'm not crazy, and I'm not in crazy debt, but I now realize why people say credit cards are dangerous. BUT OH MY GOD being dangerous is SO MUCH FUN!

Monday, Monday

A good Monday night, to say the least.

Chris surprised me with dinner, a typical "Monday night dinner".  Oh, you know, just filet Mignon, prosciutto wrapped asparagus and a glass of red wine, whiskey from the Rogue Brewery for him. Was yum! Now we're in our own separate worlds, me: writing a paper to interpret my IQ (I can't believe I'm a little above average?!) and him: editing, editing, editing photos, videos and excitement from his 'business' ( I quote business because even though it really was for that, he had a bit of fun because 1. he was in Portland and 2. he was doing really cool shit for his friends) trip in Portland, Oregon for his really good friends' band.















 Chris working.





Being lazy, but I can't complain too much. It's a content Monday, and I can't say all Mondays are like this. 

"I would totally wear that!"

If you have not noticed from a few of my posts I absolutely love clothes, so much that I think after I get my psychology degree I am going to change directions and try to find something in styling. Anyway, this blog for me was about everything. I had thought about narrowing it down to a fashion blog but thought it'd be more fun if I posted clothes here and there (eventually I'll have to start posting outfits like all the other fashion bloggers). I am on this website called Pinterest. The website is neat because you look at colorful pictures and essentially 'pin' the things you find interesting. Well, I always look at the clothes. Reason why is because 1. they are so colorful and 2. always look so good. So this blog is to show a few outfits and everything in between I really enjoy and find a lot of inspiration in.

Babes

I'm not really an animal person, or atleast I didn't think I was, and then we got Skyler and Cassandra.

I had my fair share of 'pets' as in goldfish won from the fair, hamsters because they were cheap to buy and take care of and I've taken care of hermit crabs. I grew up with a few cats but they weren't mine, and never really liked me (I assume when they hiss at you they're not really into your presence).

I just got used to not really being an animal person. My friends grew up with dogs and would tell me how they're emotionally attached and love them so much, but I just never understood it. And then we got Skyler and Cassandra.

Roberto, my brother always wanted cats, but it had always been "no" because my dads allergic and because even though we always said we'd take care of them mom knew she'd be the primary caretaker. Roberto has been wanting a cat for years and just assumed the only time he'd get one was when he moved out and had his own place to care for them.

One day Brad just casually asked our mom if we could get a kitten. A girl from school had a litter of kitties and was going to give them away for free. My mom said yes, which we all were surprised to hear. My dads in Arkansas and he was the only one allergic, so why not? We needed something cute and furry roaming around the house.

The girl asked Brad if we wanted two. We didn't think it was realistic but mom, again surprised us, and said yes!! And then we got Cassandra and Skyler.

As soon as I saw them I fell in love.

Oh. My. Gosh. So in love. Now I know why people are so in love with animals. I've nicknamed them my Babays. But have now shortened it to Babes. My Babes.

Bugged

I had a nice weekend so you'd think I'd be in a good mood.

No. I am bugged.

I cross one thing off my list and add another. It's never ending. It just keeps piling and piling. 

I feel bugged because I have two tests I need to study for and have barely started one.

I have a paper due. Tomorrow morning at 8 AM.

I need to decide if I really need all that money from financial aid.

Why did I get 3 out of 5 points of participation when I was YES INDEED there in class??

I know that it's daylight savings day, but I HATE that it feels so LATE!

Everyday I fall deeper into the hole of "I just want to be completely done and over with school because I am just so burnt out!"

Why is it that I get paid on Thursday and need to fill up my gas tank but only have $10 in my account until then?

Why at work do I have to plan, create and control the group when her and I both have the same job title and make the same money but for SOME reason she gets to stand back and just watch, passively.

Why can't I just have the money to buy and do the things I want??

Why must I decide when I am almost done with college that I actually should have stayed with my original plan because it seems like I want to go back to that.

WHY ARE THE WEEKENDS SO SHORT?!

Obviously, I'm annoyed.

Friends

I met them in sixth grade.

It was an awkward time for me. I knew a few people here and there from elementary school but not enough to be 'friends'. For the first few weeks of school I was actually a 'loner'. Just did my own thing, ate by myself at lunch. It bothered me a little, but I remember trying to not let it get the best of me.

I had met a girl who was in my class and we hung out for a few months. I thought she was nice but remembered she was so bossy. There were a group of about 6 girls that seemed to be the 'it' girls. I just wanted to be friends with them, but I didn't know how to approach it. I was very timid, I couldn't just approach a group of 6 girls by myself...so I just settled and stayed with the bossy friend, who I knew kind of liked me if we were hanging out.

There was this boy I liked and he liked me. We were 'together' or whatever you call it then in sixth grade. Really, we saw each other from across the field, waved, and then did our own thing. Maybe talked on the phone a few times. I remember giving him a 'glamour' shot that was so popular back then. My hair was done in typical prom curls and I even got to wear some makeup! It was a lot of fun and I thought I looked good, because I had never seen myself in that way before. For whatever reason, I thought it'd be a good idea to give him one of these pictures of me for him to have. It's cute thinking back how innocent it all was.

Well the boy was friends with the girls. They heard he liked me and was wondering who I was. I guess he showed them the picture because a few days after giving up my dream of being friends with them, they approached me. I remember them telling me they all thought the picture was so pretty and they needed to get to know me because their friend kept talking about this girl. I was so flattered! I just remember we talked and talked and they got to know me and I got to know them. They invited me to hang out with their group. My other bossy friend was mad to say the least, but I didn't mind. I knew I was only friends with her because I didn't have anyone else to hang out with. 


It was so fun to be in 'the group' because I had friends! Who were all so, extremely nice...


...Obviously, because we've now all been friends for over ten years. I suppose if I never gave that picture to the boy, I may have missed my chance to meet such amazing women who have and will always have a special place in my heart.


I love you guys!!!!

It's been awhile...

 ....since I last posted.

It's the middle of the semester where things are BUSY! Can't wait for Thanksgiving Break and the end of the semester. Good times ahead.

Hope everyone is enjoying their week!