And The Sky Was Made of Amethyst...

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Last night was one of those soft nights in a relationship where you can just snuggle up with your hunny on a comfy couch and a warm blanket and watch some lazy TV. Craig and I did just that after without me even asking him, he took out the trash for me, brought up the package of water bottles I had at the bottom of my stairs, chopped up the tomatoes for our taco dinner, and cleaned the dust off my ceiling fan because he's 6 foot and I'm 5'4". I guess I don't have to bring up the whole Stepford Wife deal until much later. Whew! He's not a 24/7 mushy guy but there are some days where he puts his arms around me, kisses my hair, and plays my favorite songs on his guitar just because I like them. He played  I think I fall in love with him a little more each day...

This weekend is going to be jam packed, of course. Tonight will be easy sort of, but tomorrow night I'm going to be heading into New York City for a Suprise Birthday Party and Possibly a Free Cocktail Drink Class in Union Square... I'm excited. Sunday I'm taking my father to see The Hobbit for his 66th Birthday! Somewhere amongst the madness I have to make him cupcakes...I'm sure I'll fit it all in!

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Also I didn't forget about my search for the perfect macaron recipe! I just didn't get a second's time to make the macarons this week but that will be my project for Monday! WOOHOO!! Macaron Monday... Love the sound of it! I've research a lot of tips and recipes so I'm excited to try my first attempt! =)

A lot of bloggers have a weekly list of favorite posts and the reason why I'm going to hop on this bandwagon because it's a great way to get other people's posts and blogs out there to a different audience.

Here are my Weekly Links that I really enjoyed this week:

A Q&A with the "Girls" TV Show Costume Designer via A Cup of Jo 

An Adorable Valentine's Day line via Julie Ann Art - Blog

A Super Cool Male Blogger, yes I said, Male Blogger,

who blogs at Musings of an Unapologetic Dreamer

Need a Planner? Check out the blog called the The Egg for a Promo Code for Plum Paper Designs

Caseta De Paper is having a Sale! Check out her blog & cute Etsy Shop! via Caseta de Paper

Mini Party Hat Cupcake Toppers via Oh Happy Day

Mini Party Hat Cupcake Toppers via Oh Happy Day!

Please check out my Blogging Friends too: 

(Rotating Each Week List)

Wendy at  Young Heart

Kathy at Vodka & Soda

Jane at Our Life on the (big) Screen

Have a Great Weekend Everyone!

 Title - Lyrics: "Violet" by Hole

The Essentials EveryOne Should Have!!!????

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    I have made the pledge to make 2013 my year and one of my goals is to not feel less like I’m a total mess 99.9% of a day. I would LOVE to look like that lady in the picture but...I'm going to stick to attainable smaller goals. My car is a mess (I haven’t seen my backset in at least a year), I have one clump of my bangs on the right side of my head that sticks straight up constantly, when I hit the pillow at night I’m out like a light, and I’m really feeling the disadvantage of having a small apartment when it comes to actually finding my belongings. BUT alas, I’m making a list and checking it twice (Sry, I’m still not over Xmas yet) of Essentials people should have so I can cut out all the excess crap to feel less stressed.

This is not a new topic to anyone especially today on the radio station Z100 on the Elvis Duran Morning Show and some of their answers really got me thinking. It’s so hard to call into that station so I’m going to post my answer here on my lil blog. Everyone seems to have this re-occurring goal of getting your shit together sort of speak too so I thought a running list would be something fun and nice to do today before I unload a whole mess of drama that luckily isn’t mine on you all. (Remember my friend who texted me about her breakup a while back, well there is an update…More on that later…)

People called into the station & the hilarious folks in the morning show gave the normal responses of Little Black Dress, a trench coat, a good pair of sunglasses, an extra pair of flats etc, a sewing kit, an extra toiletries bag in case you stay somewhere etc… But besides the wardrobe essentials what are things a women really need?

 

1.       A small thing of Hand Sanitizer to Keep in your Purse

(Anyone see Contagion?)

2.       A Safety Net Amount of money in your Savings Account for Emergencies.

-          I keep 5,000 in a separate savings account that I don’t touch. It’s for Emergencies

3.       Bag Clips

-          I know this sounds silly but I use them on everything from bread to fruit to bags of hair accessories

4.       Feminine Products for that Time

-          Speaks for itself, if your a woman reader

5.       A Phone Car Charger

-          It sounds lame but this was one of my gifts to anyone in my family who didn’t have one. It has really come in handy

6.       A List of Every Credit Card &/or Bank Account Information

-          From Hurricane Sandy, it got me thinking. What if you lost that lil piece of paper you wrote your Kohl’s password on or you lost your card etc…I know you can just call up the company, but wouldn’t it be nice to NOT have to change your password EVERYTIME you pay your bill?

7.       At Least One Real Good Frying Pan

-          Speaks for itself

8.       A Default Every-Season Dress

-          The little black dress sometimes doesn’t work for every occasion or season. Finding a ¾ quarter sleeve dress or a strapless  dress where you can easily pair it with a cardigan is a must have.

9.       Have a Close Family Member have a Second Set of Your House & Car Keys

-          When I recently lost my keys at the mall I panicked. Luckily my mother had a second set of everything. Whew!

10.   A Romantic Comedy or a TV Show That No Matter What Makes you Laugh/Cry/Motivated

-          We all have our bad days…I feel it’s so important to have that one movie or multiple movies you can pop into the DVD player and it will make you relax and chill out for a lil while

 I'm still a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan...She kicked ass, it's oddly still motivating!

Okay, those are my essentials I feel every Women should have & some can apply to Men as well…

WHAT'S ON YOUR ESSENTIALS LIST...?

I'd love to hear!

The Stepford Wife Trap...

The Stepford Wives (1975)

I  want to confess that with Craig and I's moving in together date coming soon, I'm dreading falling into the Stepford wife trap that I could already be in. I'll explain...

Over the past two years, I have chosen to keep Tropicana Low Acid orange juice,  French Vanilla Coffeemate creamer, Entemann's pop 'em donuts, and his favorite K-cups in my place just because they are his favorites. I don't feel like I'm spoiling him, I just have felt like I'm making my place welcoming to him when he stays over. I make sure he has a clean towel, I set my alarm a lil earlier to make sure he's up in the morning, and I pack him a lunch usually of left overs while he's in the shower. I have chosen to do these things and more as his girlfriend & I haven't thought twice about it. I love hearing "I have the best girlfriend ever" as he pops one of those mini donuts into his mouth. 

But I'm suddenly asking myself if I really in fact do too much for him? Did I really watch too many episodes of Bewitched and 50's sitcoms when I was younger to think I have to do this stuff for him? Have I subconsciously watched his mother (Craig lives with his mom) do too much for him and think that I need to reciprocate these lil acts to keep him? 

I'm really at a loss. I think I'm trying to be a good hostess because we will be living at my place when the time comes, but when we do move in together will I be able to drop the hostess role & will do more things together as a team? Or will he expect me to do all these lil things because I've done them up until now?

Pretty much it's going to boil down to this: 

When you move in with someone, how much do things really change? 

Does the relationship stay in it's normal routine patterns or is there a complete overhaul...I'd love to hear your past experiences on the matter. 

I have to talk to him. Craig has lived with an ex-girlfriend, but this a whole new world to me. We have good communication when it comes to us, but ahhh how to bring up this lil possible thorn. Craig and I got invited to Little Italy in New York City for a birthday party and it's about a 40 minute car ride for me all the way to there. That's a possible 80 minutes to talk about these things...It'll be perfect! 

I would absolutely love other opinions on this subject!!

Please don't hestitate to be brutally honest. 

The Stepford Wives (2004)

Being the Biggest Loser Out There...

Just a few snapshots of my effort to eat healthy...I really love almonds...

In my efforts to be healthy and make better food choices I finally bought a scale today. I'll admit I'm scared to go on it tomorrow morning. The holidays  it me hard and from running here and there I've had more fast food than I am physically comfortable with having. But, I started my weight loss/healthier life journey a few weeks ago before the January 1st start date so I'm hoping for a good number on the scale.  

As a routine type person, I've been so excited for January because the cookies exchanges are gone, I'm actually home at night so I can cook my dinners, and the tasty aroma of a traditional holiday dishes has finally left my nostrils. Also, I don't want to see a turkey or a ham for at least a month or two... Additionally I've been looking for motivation to keep going on this journey and not fall into "I'm too tired today" or the "I'll start again tomorrow" and my personal favorite vice, "I'll do an extra hard workout next time."

One of my biggest motivators besides all of your amazing comments and photo proofs of results, is the TV Show "The Biggest Loser". There is a new season that started today or yesterday? It hurts to see someone upset that they only lost 9 pounds in a week for fear of elimination when they should be happy, but I love seeing the beginning of the episodes where the trainers really get inside the heads of the contestants and truly see how to help these people out. Be it fear, comfort zones, or lacking confidence too many times I, myself and others have said, "Yup...I've been there."

In tonight's episode Jillian motivated a woman that I'm not sure her name yet to keep going because as  a trainer people aren't inspired by her yelling and screaming, no the viewers are inspired by the contestant's progress, determination, and will to succeed. That is absolutely true. I wish them all the luck in the world this season. 

I've been also watching the Zumba informercials because you can see the drive in those people to succeed. There is something called the Insanity workout too and the infomercial is crazy motivating. 

This is a photo of me last week on New Year's Day.  Pardon the spotty mirror... =)

I hope to one day have the pants I'm wearing in that photo be loose. It's a small goal that has nothing to do with numbers, but real seeable & tangible proof.

What are your Fitness/Health Goals this Year? 

Everyone wants to lose 10 pounds or so, but honestly do you have a pair of pants you'd like to get back into? Are you a thinner person but realizes that you don't eat healthily? Also, Why do you want to lose the weight? What's your motivator...

I'd love to hear. =)

Being There for a Friend...

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There are days in a 20-something's life where you have to put the Xbox away & put on your "adult" pants that you are still struggling to fit into. Sometimes these days are when a friend's close family member passes away and that friend needs his or her friends to be there for them during these difficult times. This weekend an old friend's father passed away from cancer and I went to the service this afternoon to give my old friend a hug and to show that I care. I've known this friend for almost 15 years and it would've felt wrong not to go to at least the service or make a shiva call because they are jewish. In the sea of faces I paid my respects and got to give Corey that hug. I wish them strength & courage & above all else love in this time. 

My reason for sharing this tidbit of my daily life is that some people don't realize that as a friend you should make that effort to reach out to your friends in these times of need. With Facebook it's easy now to "like" a status or comment on the post notifying others of the loss, but if it is in your power to go and  be there for that friend of yours, then by all means, ask questions about funeral services &/or wakes or shivas or traditions of other religions. Even just asking or saying "If you need something" could mean the world to this friend and with texting and so many other social media units it really shouldn't be that difficult, but it is apparently for some people...

Last April my grandmother passed away and honestly I have 3 true best friends and I lost one of my friends last April because of her inappropriate actions. Never would I thought I'd have to explain my 26 year old friend Debra what should happen when a best friend's family member dies. Never would I thought I'd have to explain you do not text information about Batman trailers while you know your friend is at a funeral for her grandmother. She never asked if there would be a service or a wake, meanwhile she worked 2 minutes from the funeral home where my grandmother was laid out. She didn't tell her parents, even though we've been family friends for about 15 years. 

What actually disturbed the feathers of our friendship more was when I confronted her about this she told me that she didn't realize what she was supposed to do when a friend's family member died. I have gone to other services for other friends WITH HER so I knew she was playing dumb because I caught her being a horrible friend.  I saw her today at Corey's father's funeral with her parents, and she apologized. She told she now realizes what needs to happen when a friend's family member dies. I'm still not friends with her, but I hope she truthfully learned her lesson. 

My other best friend drove down from Albany last April because I drove down a few months prior to her grandmother's funeral. I remember she ran to me and we hugged each other for a good five minutes because we were so glad we were there for each other. 

The hugs, the tears, the smiles, the relief that you have that shoulder to cry on is what needs to happen in these times. It truthfully is...

R.I.P Mark Zymet. You will be missed by many....

R.I.P Grandma Carmen...I still miss you and can still hear you laughing...<3 nbsp="nbsp" p="p">

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Saving 10,000 in a Year... Part I - Simple Couponing

I wish there was a more glamorous way to photograph my CVS purchase but I'm going to let the successful receipt speak for me... The above loot in total cost me only $33.64. There are 24 items in total. It doesn't seem like a lot of money for these items BUT the trick of this purchase was that I saved $62.10 tonight through sales, CVS Extrabucks, & 11 individual coupons on top of the sales!!! What's EVEN crazier is that if I bought all these items NOT on sale it would have totaled  a whopping $95.74.  Unbelievable...I can't believe these items which are basic essential items nothing extravagant would have cost me almost a hundred dollars. 

This was my first receipt.  If you are doubting the ridiculousness, please take note I just made this purchases today. My second receipt I saved $10.11.  Total Savings: $62.10. 

What Did I get that would total to almost $100 Not on Sale:

6 Puffs Boxed Tissues

2 Christmas Mugs

4 Dawn Hand Renewal Olay Dish Soaps

Pantene Prov Shampoo Anti-Breakage

Pantene Prov Conditioner Anti-Breakage

Febreeze Candle

1- 8Pack Duracell AA Batteries

1 Soda

1 Sally Hansen French Manicure Kit

2 Packages of 16 Christmas Bows

1 Always Infinity Pads

3 Herbal Essences/Aussie Mousses

Total: 24 Items

Wow... I'm a little floored to be honest because now I don't have to get "Essentials" for at least a few weeks. Every item except the soda & the french manicure kit I used a coupon with a value of $1 off - $3 off. 

THE SECRET WEAPON IN DRUG STORES & FOOD STORES: 

Use coupons when the Items are On Sale...

This brings down the Price Even More than the already Low Sale Price.

It really is as easy as that simple rule. Now this is where I differ from the Extreme Couponers. I DON'T have a stock pile. My apartment is definitely not big enough but honestly I'm completely content with my double what I paid savings and I don't have to worry about tissues for at least 2 months. lol. People hate to clip coupons I know, but honestly I took the newspaper circular and my little coupon sheets from the papers and it took me less than 20 minutes to review all the possible deals. With all those savings...I think it was totally worth it.

Do you use Coupons and Search the Ads for Sales?

The Perfect Lil French Macaron...

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Oh French Macrons...You are absolutely my favorite thing. But living in a small county outside of Manhattan, it's a lil hard to get them every day unless I take a train or spend $10 or more just to get over the George Washington Bridge. There is one mini bakery in Nyack, NY where the brave chef makes these delicate things every weekend. However, because I think he is the only one, it is nearly impossible to get one unless you are on line bright and early at 8am sharp on a Saturday. Well, um that it just not going to work for me, so now what to do?

I've decided that my first bakery marvel I'm going to try to make this new promising year is French Macarons. There is always a picture here or a picture there showcasing the beautiful colors they can come in or another brave soul who has attempted to make these lil cuties. I hope to be the next one.

Me circa August 2011 w/ my favorite Lime flavored macaron

I'm searching the internet for the perfect recipe and I have such high hopes for this project. I will also take a peek at what Martha Stewart has to bring to the table on this subject. Yes, I'm going to call learning how to make macarons a project because I've heard it is not definitely not easy. I'm hoping my new Kitchen Aid stand mixer will be able to help me out here as well. I will even take a peek at what Martha Stewart has to bring to the table on this subject. =)

Floating Bear Cupcakes I made for my Craig's Luau Family Party in 2012

I've always been the cupcake girl, making cupcakes for a friend's party here & there or small get together. I made those lil bears cupcakes up there and it was so much fun, but I want to branch out from my comfort zone. I want to give my friends & family options to choose. I conquered making peppermint meringues last month and now I want to push that envelope further.

Has anyone dared to try to make French Macarons??

If you have, do you have any tips for new beginner?
I'd love to hear!

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A Case of Momentary Cold Feet...

Rachel McAdams in the movie, Morning Glory

"Babe, you have this doubtful look on your face...How Come? Why don't you lose those thirty pounds? Why don't you search for a better job? Why don't you make the best cupcake you can make? Why don't you think you can achieve your goals this year?"

- Craig said to me last night... 

"I think I'm afraid because I'm too comfortable to change." 

- I, honestly responded.

We can write down our goals, our resolutions, but can we really put our minds to it and succeed this year? Craig and I were laying in bed reviewing our day, when the topic of our resolutions came up. He wants to eat less pizza & have his band take off, but I had a few more items to add to the list I started in yesterday's post & it went on and on. Sometimes I need his blunt honesty to pull myself to the surface and see the truth. While I was talking, I didn't realize I was biting my lip & running my hand through my finally growing back right side bangs in my visible nervous tick I picked up about 6 months ago. Craig gently pulled my hand down from my head and reassured me that I can do this...

I've read so many inspiring blogs over the past 48 hours about resolutions & goals that I think I got cold feet last night. I live my life by routines, I run from here to there & squeak in blogging, I know all the people at that bagel shop I frequent often since high school, I shop at the same stores, & I even go to the super market at night at the same time to bring bottles back each week. I need to change that...I need to grow, change, and move out of the tiny world I've created for myself & experience more. I can't let comfort get in the way of the unknown. I need to find the confidence to push that envelope further.

Amy Adams in the movie,  Julie & Julia

Today wound up being a pretty awesome day. I completed so much work, had 3 meals even breakfast, drank green tea, mustered up the confidence to ask questions, thought about Craig's & I's next date night, and took huge steps forward. I took two pictures of a beautiful sunset that made me smile. I even got to work on time. I can't remember the last time I strolled in exactly at 8:30am and actually took the stairs instead of the comfortable elevator. I only had one cup of coffee too in the morning and I didn't have a red bull. It was easier than I thought. I even resisted the urge to buy a soda at lunch and drank water. I can do this...We all can do this!

Anne Hathaway Before & After in the movie, The Devil Wears Prada 

The pictures in the post are from three inspirational movies that I keep on my shelves for a lil boost. Morning Glory, Julie & Julia, & The Devil Wears Prada. All great movies with strong female leads that don't give up. I will also keep your blogs on my reading list for that extra kick! I will also remember that my mother always tells me that she is proud of me. Those few words are such magical words that I'm so grateful to have the chance to hear. =) 

What Do You Do For A Boost of Confidence? 

I'd love to hear...

"Just Breathe"

- Ever After, 1998

Evil Twins?!?! Did Anyone Else Notice This...

I HAVE to take a break from my regular scheduled programming to write this post. I hardly ever touch upon Celebrities, Singers, & Pop culture because for some reason it always starts some form of disagreement or heated discussion. BUT, I have to take a minute and ask if anyone else noticed this eerie coincidence &/or resemblance...

Taylor Swift (Love Story, Mine, Never getting back together songs) & Carly Rae Jepsen (Call me, Maybe & It's always a good time w/ Owl City) both performed this New Years in Times Square to welcome 2013. Now...let's check out the pictures.

Blonde Taylor Swift in Red & Black

Brunette Carly Rae Jepsen in Black & Red

Am I going crazy or did they just put a black haired wig on Taylor Swift and gave her a new name or give Carly Rae a blonde wig and call her Taylor? Did anyone actually see them on stage next to each other or really did they play some switcheroo on us all because wow they look alike. Also they are in the same color combo...

I don't know, it could be stress or I'm losing my mind but their resemblance is freaky ...

Does anyone remember Garth Brooks & Chris Gaines...

Same person, except Chris Gaines was Garth Brooks with a wig and contacts. That threw me for a loop when I found out...

Maybe it is a Taylor Swift/Carly Rae Jepsen conspirary?!?!?!?!? 

Anywho a normal post will be later today! Have a great day everyone!

Hello 2013! Let the Adventure Begin...

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Well, it’s that time whether I want to face the music or not. Here are my New Year’s Resolutions for my 2013 Adventure!

New Years 2013 Resolutions…

1. Be happier with my daily life, don’t complain as much!

2. Shopping Rule #1: Quality over Quantity

3. Save at least $10,000 this year…Dun Dun Dun

4. Shopping Rule #2: Just because it’s on Sale does not mean I have to Buy It!

5. Turn more acquaintances into true friends…

6. Make my condo more like a home, not a dumping ground for all my stuff – Organization a must!

7. Complete a 365 Day Project of Things that Made me Happy Today! At least one picture a day…=)

8. Embrace the DIY…

9. Become a more organized Cupcake Decorating Teacher w/ lesson plans & guides.

10. Build my relationship into something more… =)

10 ½ : Lose 30 pounds… Big goal w/ this is to eat more at home & less processed food…

Resolutions are an odd thing that usually fizzles out some point in early February…but not this year. I don’t think I’ve ever been at a more healthy & positive turning point. I’m truthfully lucky. I’m not saying that it will all be peaches & crème or that it is, but some things have to give and change.  The world isn’t going to magically fall into my lap. Making a Supreme effort to improve my life is going to be my motto & I’m sticking to it. It’s alright to fail, but it’s not alright not to try…

Also I want to actually string the pieces of my zombie romance novel together. I know, zombies are on the rise, but I hope that mine will be a little different. I have to keep writing, I have to! =)

Craig, Me, & our Friend Sean - New Year's 2013

New Year's was perfect - low key with a few caring friends. I got my New Year's kiss too! Some years you want the big party, but others I'm just as happy with close friends to hug and kiss and celebrate with!  One year I will make it to Manhattan for New Year's Eve...One Year, maybe next year! 

I also got to to spend time running after this little girl...

Craig and I babysat this lil pup, Lilly, earlier in the night too. She was ever so cute!! =) 

Happy New Year Everyone!! 

Best wishes for your Resolutions!! 

Hobbit: "You! Mr. Bilbo where're you off to?"

Bilbo Baggins: "I'm going on an Adventure."

- The Hobbit, 2012

Perfect little quote to ring in the new year!