Its been a while...

Wow! I haven't blogged since June...talk about a sabbatical..lol. I go through these little phases where I really enjoy sitting down and blogging away...and then I just do not feel like writing a dang thing. Anywho-I suppose I am in the phase of wanting to blog so I am back, until the next wave of un-motivation to share hits me again. Haha.

Things for me have actually changed a ton since the last time I posted...life is pretty darn good right now. I have fully adjusted to my life here in PA, the job is ALOT better (I actually really really enjoy it now) and the $$ is fabulous. I have made some great new friends and still enjoy spending time with my bff's, Kelly & Nicole. We started to take full advantage of the amazing family activities that are available to us in our area and there is so much to do. We also enjoy just staying home and opening a bottle of wine, hang around the house, make dinner together, play the PlayStation or Wii, watch movies. Ant took a new position that allows him to have off Sun & Mon which I have off as well (I work Wed-Sat) so those days are pretty much our "Sat & Sun" and we love to spend that time together. We have fallen into a nice routine that works for all of us and I find myself quite happy all of the time, now. A very nice change from how I felt several months ago.

The house is really great...and it finally feels like home. We haven't done anything new in terms of decorating or furniture and we prob won't until income tax time. I am OK with it though, keeping things minimal and simple makes it alot easier to keep on top of in terms of cleaning and with 3 animals, a 2 year old, and a husband (you know you're laughing)...I have enough to clean already. When Harlee is out of her "puppy stage" and Sophia is a bit bigger we will start to buy new things. Speaking of "Phee," she is doing very very good, getting so big, adorable, smart, funny, clever, entertaining, loving...I don't know if I can really summarize her. She is so much fun and now that we are finally leaving the "tantrum throwing, terrible 2's" phase, it is so much easier to enjoy her. I can take her out into public again, lol! Anyone who has gone thru terrible 2's knows how it is to have to avoid going out for a while b/c of the possibility of your child having a crazy mood shift and humiliating the crap out of you (which you can affectionately laugh at later on). But we made it through and now Sophia is normal again. Of course you still cannot turn your back for a second, you may just find your cats covered in A&D ointment or bright pink nail polish EVERYWHERE including on your dog's face, but then you get those little arms wrapped around your neck and your heart melts. So with tantrums (mostly) begone...I am loving parenting again. We have put the prospect of baby #2 hold, at least for another year b/c now is just not the time. I know I did not get pregnant for a reason so I am just going to enjoy the new wave of babies on the horizon around me.

The lia sophia conference was absolutely life changing and I was in awe the entire time of being there. I met some incredibly successful women who deeply inspired me to work harder b/c I know this is the career that was meant for me in this lifetime. Tim Gunn was fabulous, as expected, but even better was Bill Rancic. He delivered the most amazing keynote address, so motivating and heartfelt. Oh and Guiliana...GORGEOUS. Stunningly beautiful (and skinny) in real life. I absolutely adore them as a couple and have been addicted to their reality show on the Style network. I eagerly hurry home from work on Wednesdays to watch it on the DVR. Onto the topic of tv, the new season of The Rachel Zoe Project is equally as good, and I am BEYOND excited for the new season of The Hills with Kristin Cavallari taking over for Lauren Conrad. It is going to be so juicy I can hardly stand it. With The City and the new RW/RR challenge...I am going to be in reality tv heaven. Now I just need Private Practice to give me my regular dose of scripted drama and I am set. Wow I sound like a regular couch potato. haha. Only at night though...that's my indulgent couch time.

Our one year anniversary just passed and it was a really good day for us. We spent the afternoon at the Warwick Valley winery and it was the perfect day for us. After a wine tasting we chose to purchase a bottle of pinot gris, a fruit/cheese platter, and a margherita pizza and just sat outside listening to a live band and enjoying the sunshine. I couldn't have asked for a better day. That night we drove down to Wilkes-Barre (the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs) and had dinner at The Ruth Chris Steakhouse. It was very fancy and romantic, perfect for the occasion. I had a perfectly cooked ahi tuna that was stacked with lump crab meat and Anthony had one of our favorites, rack of lamb. After dinner we played some slot machines and digested our dinner and dessert. We ended our evening with a drink at The Bar Louis where we toasted to the end of our anniversary and the beginning of my 26th bday at midnight. My birthday was low key...I really just wanted to spend it outdoors with Ant and Phee, so we picked her up from my in-laws where she spent the night and drove over to Sussex, NJ to Space Farms. After walking around and checking out the animals for a few hours we drove to Middletown to walk around the mall and have some dinner. Ant was supposed to go to work that night and do some overnight stuff in the Matamoras Lowes so i was pretty sad when he left at 7. But being a good hubby, a few hours later he surprised me by leaving work early so we enjoyed the last hour or two of my bday with some champagne, candles, and a bubbly bath in our jacuzzi...very relaxing and romantic.

Fall is now here full force with the crisp air, cool weather, changing leaves, and earlier sunsets. the days are shorter and the nights are longer. Its good and bad at the same time. I wish summer would last a little bit longer especially since we were cheated out of more than half of our summer this year with all of the cold and rain that took place thru June and July. However, with Fall comes the Pumpkin Spice latte @ Starbucks so I can't complain too much!

That seems to pretty much bring everything up to date....I hope everyone is doing well! I love you and miss you all xoxox! Ciao!

It's Finally Here!

Well the event of the year has arrived...the lia sophia annual conference!!! I am super excited and pumped and am ready to return full of fresh ideas!!! Plus I am super excited to see Tim Gunn and Guiliana DePandi Rancic, who are going to be there as well!!!! I will be ready to blog all about it on Monday when I am home!!! Yayyyy! Ciao...xoxoxoxo.

P.S. We got a puppy! She is a beautiful yellow lab mutt that we got on Sunday and we have named her Harlee. She is almost 3 months old and we are absolutely in LOVE with her...I will post pics when I get back!

Cheer up Sleepy-Gene!!!

Just thought I'd let you in on a few daydreams I'm havin' today.....

Cash...lots and lots of Casssssssssssssshhhhhh$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$:

The rest is pretty self-explanatory:







What are you daydreaming about?

Pure Obsession....

OK, Emily & Tricia, and anyone else who knows what it feels like to be completely and utterly consumed by the Twilight Saga: I've been bit (pardon the pun). I spend hours reading and never wanting the pages to stop turning. It bleeds into my daily life and I long for the romance, danger, excitement, and rainy forests of Forks to somehow blend into my now seeming ordinary existence. I want to be them. I prob sound like every other 14 year old girl who is just as, if not more, obsessed than myself. Oh Stephanie Meyer, what have you done to us? All I know is I am in love with these books and they make me happy. I picked up an extra shift at work tonight and being that it is a Monday, I am praying for it to be dead enough to sneak in a page here and a page there. The book is like an accessory to my outfit, it goes everywhere with me, just in hopes to have a quiet moment to be able to absorb a little more vampire love/lust into my brain. So pick up the books dammit! It's not even like reading, the books are so simply written, but engaging enough that you cannot put them down. Stop what you are doing right now and get your butt to the bookstore and jump on the band wagon, this one is too good to be missed.

Pick that head up girl!!!

Today I woke up. I am ready to show myself some tough love b/c I am a tough bitch and not a weeny. So no more weeny-ness. I can't wallow in this stagnancy anymore. I gave myself a month to grieve the fact that the door to my old life has been closed and now its time to celebrate the opening of new one. Its a whole new chapter. I have a beautiful family that loves me to the core. I still have amazing friends no matter how often I see them. Me and Anthony were very blessed to be able to buy a brand new home that is perfect for us even though our country is in financial chaos. I know that my job is not easy right now but it is not what defines me and it certainly is not going to be my career forever. But it blesses me with the opportunity to bring home a full time income with part time hours, and to be able to be with my daughter during the day and 4 nights a week. I am very lucky to only have to leave her for 24 hours a week. As far as a 2nd child goes, I am leaving that one up to God. He knows what I can and can't handle and perhaps me not getting pregnant was a sign. A sign that now is the time to work hard b/c we own a house and financial responsibility is crucial when you own a home. That is just the way it is. I can't argue with it. I can only look around and count the blessings that I do have instead of focus on what isn't in the picture. And today I did just that. I looked at my life from different standpoint and realized that I am an incredibly lucky girl. So now I am showing myself some tough love, picking my head up, squaring my shoulders, and marching right back out into that world b/c life is short and I'm La Dolce Vita for Pete's sake!!! There ain't no crying over Starbucks in the sweet life. lol. Thank you all for your support and love. It certainly is the fuel that keeps me going everyday. Ciao...xoxoxox.

Home is where your heart is?

So I guess part of having a blog is to share the ups and Downs of what is going on in your life. I have been trying to deny myself of what I have been feeling lately b/c it prob sounds selfish and ungrateful to some but I can't help how I feel. So maybe if I blog about it I will feel better and things will improve.

So, basically we have been in the house 1 1/2 months and don't get me wrong, I know I said in a previous post how wild I was about the area and I still feel that way. The problem is, I miss Middletown. I never in a million years thought I would say that but I do. I miss being close to everyone and everything. I miss my job being 5 minutes away (I will get to more on that too). I miss Starbucks and taco bell and the mall. I miss sushi delivery from Tai Fu. I miss having everything I could possibly need at my fingertips. I also miss my apartment. Call me crazy but its going to take a while before this house feels like home. I know its big and roomy and beautiful, but it just doesn't feel like home yet. There is a huge piece of my heart that just isn't here yet. I know it will happen over time but I am feeling a little empty right now.

About a month ago I also started a new job. I now work at a restaurant about 20 minutes away but I think this has been the hardest readjustment for me to deal with. I miss Outback so badly that my heart literally aches just thinking about it. I miss feeling important: to my customers & to my co-workers. I miss knowing my job. I miss knowing the inside jokes. I miss having off Fridays and Saturdays b/c now my jewelry business is suffering as well as any time I had to see my family. My new job is fairly easy, the people I work with are nice, the customers are nice for the most part. But again, just like with the apartment, it just doesn't feel like home. There is a huge piece that is just incredibly unfulfilling to me. I just don't feel like I belong. Not to Outback anymore and not yet to my new job. Its awfully lonely. I did however, meet a girl named Stephanie who has been my saving grace. She works with me there and we have bonded greatly. She has an 8 month old son and a fiance who gets along with Ant pretty good. We take turns watching each other's kids to get errands done or to get our hair done. And we hang out together so I think if it wasn't for having a friend out here I would have lost my mind. I have my in-laws too but with our work schedules I haven't even been able to see much of them either. Lets just say its been hard.

Another thing that has been bothering me is that for a while, me and Ant were trying for another baby, about 6 months with no success. It bothers me b/c now we have stopped trying b/c money is tight and there is no way that I could give up working. During my pregnancy with Sophia, I had pretty bad gestational diabetes and working in a restaurant was difficult to stay on top of eating on time and taking my insulin. Now it feels like it will never happen. That depresses me alot. I see so many people having their 2nd and I just wish that it could be me too.

After reading this alot of you may think its foolish for me to be complaining about things that may seem superficial or silly. But everyone has their story and their share of daily struggles and these happen to be mine. I just needed this time to vent b/c I hate to say it but I really am not very happy right now. Maybe I am just PMS'ing but I feel like shit. And it feels good to blow off some steam. I love you all. Ciao. xoxo

Our little piece of earth...

Ok so after much procrastination...I am posting pics of the house!!! Let me know what you all think!!!

I'll start with the exterior:The downstairs bathroom/laundry room:

Downstairs Foyer: The office/3rd bedroom where we are obviously storing other misc. junk:

Sophia's bedroom: Kitchen & Dining Room:

Upstairs Half Bathroom:

Living Room:Our Bedroom: Master Bathroom:

Walk in closet in our bedroom:

Back Deck:

My Kitties wanted to be in the pic:

So did Sophia:Garage:

There you have it! It is a little bare and a bit messy, but it is home sweet home to us! I know through the years we will have time to decorate and buy new furniture but it has everything we need right now and we are enjoying it 100%! I hope you all like it too!

Ciao! xoxoxo

Food for your eyes.

I am in this kind of mood...

What happens in Vegas...

I know I said I would do this blog like forever and a day ago but we didn't get Internet until yesterday so here I am! Back on planet earth, lol. The cable guy was here for hours and it took longer being that it is a brand new house that never had cable before. And he stunk. And he was a bit of a douche. But he brought me cable and Internet so I can't hate on him too bad! Haha.

When I was 4 months preggers w/Sophia me and Ant went to Vegas. That kind of sounds like an oxymoron going to "Sin City" with child but we had booked the trip for Ant's 21st and we would not have gotten our money back so we still went. Of course it limited stuff that I could do but we still had a blast! In a few years we'd definitely love to go back. Plus you can go for super cheap right now due to our country being in a recession and the casino's are really suffering. We almost went back in February but it never panned out.

Anywho- first and foremost the very best part of going to Vegas is shopping for it! I went to the Express red box sale and bought super spangly dresses and shirts that I would not normally wear in my everyday life. That is also why I went to the sale there b/c they typically mark stuff down pretty low and the leftover stuff is exactly what I was on the hunt for. However, one thing you can't splurge on (well I can't anyway) is super cute and sexy heels. No stilettos in Vegas, unless your lucky to be able to take a limo or something there. We stayed in the Luxor hotel (very nice but I would like to stay at the Venetian or the Bellagio next time) which is pretty far down on the north end of the strip so we did a LOT of walking. There was a little monorail that took us as far as The Excaliber but the strip is lonnnnnggg. (Tricia, you did good staying at the Bellagio which is not only GORGEOUS but pretty central on the strip) So I did good with cute little flats and sandals. Another awesome thing about the state of Nevada is the dryness in the air (good for hair, not so good for skin) which is a whole lot different for us humid state folks. It's actually perfect weather right now over there.

As far as food goes, there is certainly something for everyone. Buffets for the people who like to eat a hell of a lot, casual dining for the not-so-fussy, and fine cuisine for the refined palette. We kind of ate at a mix of the three. The buffet at The Luxor was the only one that we tried (I was still quite nauseous at the time so it didn't go over well) but it was very good with a huge selection. Here is a list of other restaurants that we visited:

-The Rainforest Cafe in the MGM Grand-pretty basic food with a very fun atmosphere

-Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill at Harrah's- nothing spectacular, kind of like hooters except the girl's are wearing Cowgirl-ish slutty outfits and there are guy waiter's that are wearing normal clothes...kind of sexist but whatev.

-Planet Hollywood in Caesar's-we went through a phase where we collected those stupid glasses (which now reside in a box somewhere) but the food is horrible and the selection is limited

We really didn't take any chances with food plus we were on a serious budget when we were there so we played it safe. However when we go back I would love to check out some of the nicer places, Vegas is a mecca for the avid food enthusiast. A few I would love to try:

-Aureole in Mandalay Bay where "wine fairies" attached to a bungee cord fly up and down a huge wine tower to fetch bottles of wine for tables

-Sensi in The Bellagio

-Japonais in The Mirage (I want to order this dish where you cook your meat on a piping hot rock right at your table)

-The Top of the World at the Stratosphere...I am sure the view is worth it.

I could go on and on here but hopefully one day I can actually write about eating at these places but they just look like a really cool and yummy dining experience.

Another very popular attraction in Vegas is the amazing variety of shows that you may choose to see on your stay. There really is something for everyone. My favs happen to the anything by Cirque Du Soleil. There were about 5 to choose from when we went. Going with the theme of Las Vegas I thought it would be appropriate to see "Zumanity," the naughty side of Cirque. It runs in the New York, New York hotel and I must say it was the best show I have ever seen in my life. The whole thing has this burlesque, fetish-y, raunchy, romantic vibe but it is so tastefully done that it doesn't feel wrong. I paid a little extra for these little plush love seats in the front where you can snuggle with your honey during the performance. The theatre isn't too big though so even in the back you should be able to see just fine. I love love loved it and can't wait to see it again. I even bought the soundtrack. But you simply cannot go wrong with a Cirque Du Soleil show, they are all awe-inspiring and beautiful.

If you don't want to do a show, don't fret. In most of the hotels, there are tons of attractions and free exhibits to check out. the lion habitat at the MGM Grand, the Sirens of Treasure Island, the fountains at the Bellagio, the gondolas with the singing gondoliers at the Venetian (which is where we spent most of our time). We also checked out the Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay hotel, not free but fun nonetheless. And you can't forget the shopping. In the hotels, most of the stores are catered towards the big spenders but its still fun to browse and pretend. For us frugal folk, check out the fashion show mall by the Wynn and if you don't mind venturing off-strip there are some amazing deals to be found at the nearby Outlet stores. I think you can take the deuce bus there (the easiest and cheapest way to get around other than walking). And never rule out the pools at the hotels, you may not be able to swim unless you're a guest at the hotel but you can still have a drink/snack poolside and relish the vibe. The Wynn, The Palm, and Mandalay Bay all have beautiful pools with beautiful people. Also-don't forget the real reason people go to Vegas...gambling! There is plenty of that, lol!

While we were only there 5 days, we had a blast and would certainly return. I would stay longer next time to allow myself to get used to the time change (3 hours behind for us east coasters) and to be able to more spend time in each of the hotels. I would also like to check out the spas and nightlife which I did not get around to at the time. There really is tons to do! No matter where you go or what you do, Vegas is super fun and exciting and I doubt there is a person who regrets visiting (unless they lost all their money or something). Tricia-have a blast, relax, indulge...I can't wait to hear your thoughts when you return! And bring febreeze b/c they smoke everywhere out there, lol! Love you! Ciao! xoxoxo

Welcome to Pennsylvania!

Good Morning! Today is my last day with the kids (tear, sniff sniff) due to my new home being 40 minutes away. Emily has spring break starting tomorrow and then the kids will begin pre-school/daycare. It is sad and I am going to miss them but it will be good all around. They will get to meet new kids and make new friends. I loved the fact that Sophia was able to spend 5 days a week with her cousins and they have such a bond that is worth its weight in gold. Now me and Em have a good excuse to hang out more and eat sushi, lol.

Speaking of my new house, we have finally closed and moved in! It is so exciting and I am so in love with it. I am so relieved that the stress of buying and moving is over. I was so stressed that I thought my eyeballs were going to pop out. We ended up living with my in-laws for a few days due to the delay of the closing but they were great about making us feel at home and I have to admit it was a little sad when we left to go spend our first night in the house. I enjoyed waking up and having coffee with Vicki and Bill and having dinner with them at night. Sophia was so cute, she made her own little routine and bonded with their dog, Tequila. It is nice living closer to them, we are only 10 minutes down the road. Moving on to the topic of living in Milford. Even though it is only about 20 minutes from the NY border and 40 minutes from Middletown, the differences are vast. First of all, the pace is alotttt slowwwwer. The speed limits are slower, the cars drive slower, people take their time. Everyone seems more relaxed, even the deer are friendlier. They don't even run away when a car drives by. They just continue to eat along the side of the road and do their thing (this could be a problem however and I hope I don't have to do a blog post on actually hitting one). We also have wild turkeys and bears. I haven't actually seen a bear but I hear that they are quite fond of garbage cans so I am sure I will soon. We are still waiting on our dining room and living room furniture so as soon as we get those I will post some pics. We also have a guest bedroom now so if anyone needs a place to stay when they visit, come join me in the sticks of Pennsylvania!!

On Saturday I was asked to help out at the Bashakill Winery in Westbrookville. It was so much fun and I met a bunch of really cool people. Em & Kev even visited me and hung out. Wine is something that I love love love so it was a job that was right up my alley! I brought home a few bottles to share and they disappeared quite fast. I can honestly say that his wine is the best I have ever had. First of all, it is 100% organic and pesticide free, and every wine is very different from the other and so full of flavor. I am going to be helping him out on May 16th for an evening event that he is hosting. He is having a live band and two of the guys are original band members of Meatloaf. I am quite excited about it and am looking forward to another fun night of "work" there. Check out the website: http://www.bashakillvineyards.com

I am not going to be able to post for about a week due to our cable not being hooked up til next Thursday. However, I am going to do another blog post today on my tips for visiting Las Vegas. My cousin, Tricia and her hubby, Joe are going on a vacation there so I figured it would be a good way to help her out with her planning. I hope everyone is doing great and having an awesome Wednesday! The weekend will be here in a few days! Saturday is Sophia's 2nd birthday so we are going to have a busy day and Sunday is Easter but unfortunately I have to work so I hope everyone eats plenty of ham for me! Ciao! xoxoxo

Fresh coat of paint.

I began blogging to give myself a place where I could empty my head, share my thoughts, outlet my creativity, and stay connected with my loved ones. I did not realize the hold that it would soon have on me. Therapeutic indeed, everyday I look forward to this special time where I can curl up and release. On that note, I have decided to branch away from my default layout and give myself more of an individual identity. The cupcakes represent the title of my blog, "La Dolce Vita", italian for "The Sweet Life". I use this phrase often, not only b/c it is in a beloved language that I am determine to learn, but it reminds me that underneath all of the blood, sweat, and tears...life is indeed, still beautiful. Please let me know what you all think of "my new look."

Strong words are like a band-aid when you're feeling wounded & weak...

I am in an awful mood. Its cold and rainy. We're still waiting to close on our f'ing house. I am living out of a freaking U-Haul. And my 2 cats are staying with Ant's bff, Pasquale, so I miss them very much. I just want to be settled already. I hate having a nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach. To top it off I just read some very sad news on one of my favorite cousin's blog. It just made me cry and cry b/c they are such amazing people and deserve the best. I love them very much but they are strong and I know that they will get through this together. In respect to all of this sadness and anxiety I would just like to use this blog to share some of my favorite quotes that have honestly helped me when times have gotten rough. They are honestly words that I live by. Maybe they aren't geared towards the stress that I am having but in any situation they have come in handy and helped ease my mind. I hope everyone is as happy as I am that it is Friday. Enjoy your weekend! Ciao bella's and bello's!!! xoxox

Starting with Einstein (known for his pure geniusness, I highly agree):

"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions. "-Albert Einstein (this one is special b/c I totally think he is talking about the Law of Attraction here and since I am an avid believer in this, I find it fascinating that Einstein used it to govern his life as well)

"I never think of the future - it comes soon enough." Albert Einstein

"I shall never believe that God plays dice with the world." Albert Einstein

"I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right." Albert Einstein

"Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized." Albert Einstein (we are all equals in our own right, no one is better than the other and we should be respected for who we are and how we are all unique and different)

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." Albert Einstein (My Absolute Favorite quote of all time, my next tattoo will be of these words. It is so special to me for many, many reasons that are very personal and sacred but I feel I am a stronger person b/c of it and I have finally been able to respect myself and love myself for who I am and not what other's think I should be.)

"No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it."Albert Einstein

"Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." Albert Einstein

Other assorted quotes that I like as well:

"In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends."
John Churton Collins

"It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly." Isaac Asimov

"You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind."Author Unknown

"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life" Winston Churchill

"At the end of the game, the king and the pawn go back in the same box." italian proverb (another personal favorite)

***Pretty much I could go on and on with a compilation of words that inspire, motivate, and lift my chin up in this crazy game of life. Please feel free to share your favorite quotes as well!***

If only...

I would kill for a vacation right now. Anywhere is good but preferably somewhere like this:

Ahhhh if only............

My quote for the week.....

Ok, not that it is any big secret or anything...but Moving is F'in stressful!!! I know I have done it several times before but every time we have just accumulated sooo much stuff and now that we have Sophia our stuff has tripled in size. Argh. I just keep telling myself that by this time next week it will be better and that unpacking is so much easier than packing and moving. And at least it is for a house so we will not have to do this again anytime soon. So this brings me to share with you all exactly how I feel right now:

Just a little excited...

Soooo in mere days...we are closing and moving into our new house!!! I can't explain how excited we are. We went out there last night and were planning where we're going to put everything. I will try and blog at Em's b/c I don't know how long it is going to take BlueRidge Cable to get to my house (read: hopefully super fast!) plus we will be unpacking & stuff. I will post pics as soon as we are settled! Love you all! Ciao! xoxoxo

Avo-licious!

I just ate the most delicious breakfast ever. Just thought I would share. I took two eggs and cooked them over-easy using about a tablespoon of olive oil instead of butter. I topped it with my beloved avocado, thin slices of red onion, squeeze of lime, and siracha pepper sauce b/c I am obsessed with my food being spicy. I also dashed on a bit of salt & pepper. I was going to use tomato but I think it would have dominated the dish so I am happy that I left it the way it was. Words cannot explain how yummy it was. Try it out! Bon Appetito!!!

A quick blog before my avocado snack.

Its Thursday morning and the weather is looking a little more promising. Yesterday was still cold but we had tons of beautiful sunshine so that lifted my spirits. Right now the kids are playing and I am watching re-runs of one of my fav shows, "Giada's Weekend Getaways." I just love her and every single thing that she cooks. This particular show highlights her travels that are centered around, what else, food! Today she is in Santa Fe, N.M. and I am happy that I brought an avocado with me b/c I am sure craving one right about now.

Speaking of food, yesterday I made the yummiest little snack ever! I took button mushrooms (stems removed), and brushed them with olive oil. I then took some of my goat cheese, basil, chopped tomatoes with the pulp scraped away, and a little more olive oil...mixed it all good and put a scoop inside each mushroom. A sprinkling of breadcrumbs and then I popped it all in the oven at 400 degrees and baked for about 15 minutes. A little salt and pepper when they came out and oh my word were they freaking delicious. That alone put me in a glorious mood, I tell ya. Today I am pondering on what I'd like to do with my aforementioned avocado. I might just eat it plain with a little lime and salt. Mmmmm. That sure got my stomach growling.

Yesterday, we received some great news. Our home loan is completely done and processed and now we are just waiting on the final appraisal. It is very possible that we may close on Mon or Tues and move in right away! Of course, this is all a whirlwind right about now, but for sure in a good way. So, this weekend we will begin the treacherous task of packing. *groan* I absolutely loathe packing but at least this is for good. I am eager to just get everything done. If I could fast forward time, this would def be the week to do it! I can't wait to be settled into our new home. I am excited to post some pics for everyone. Me and Ant were debating on inviting everyone over for Easter but I fear that may be a bit too soon. Sophia's bday is the day before, the 11th, and planning a party is going to be a task altogether. I always take on too much so I am trying to slow down and not get ahead of myself.

Today is going to be pretty routine: babysitting, work at OB, gym, sleep. Tomorrow evening I have a jewelry party at my BFF's house so I am looking forward to that. I love the combo of socializing, shopping, and making $$. lol. I hope everyone is having a wonderful day thus far. Aaaahhh the weekend will be here before you know it. Ciao! xoxoxox

Pure Yumminess.

Its a beautiful yet COLD Tuesday morning at Em's. Our lovely spring weather has taken a dip into the freezing and we've been robbed of warmth once again. NYC even got flurries last week. I swear the Ice Age is making it's grand re-entrance up here in the northeast. No fun. I really just want to break out the flip flops. My precious UGG's have been overused and abused this year. The last week has been super busy with work work work for moi. Babysitting 40 hours a week, 4 exhausting nights at OB, jewelry parties/business functions filling in the gaps, and on top of that I have decided to return to the gym at least 3 nights a week. lol. Yes, I said busy. I really need the gym though, as I was discussing with Em this a.m., its just so nice to have an outlet. Now that I think of it, I have many outlets: unnecessary trips to TJ Maxx, black & white cookies, watching countless reruns of The Hills, this blog, wine, Starbucks, more wine. Ha ha. What's your outlet?

This past Saturday I attended our bi-annual lia sophia Zone rally down in the depths of PA and had an absolute burst of inspiration and motivation. I really cannot express how amazing it is to be involved with this company. I have so many amazing women who have quickly become good friends and the self-confidence that I have found in myself is worth its weight in gold. Its hard juggling it with everything else and there is slight pressure b/c I know everyone believes in me to go far with it but until my work load lessens just a tad, it is what it is. Right now I am working on being promoted to Unit Manager and then I will be well on my way to earning next year's trip to Cancun. I keep a mini-sombrero on my desk and a chili-pepper necklace in my car for a shot of positive thinking.

Which brings me to one of my favorite topics to discuss. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am an avid follower of The Secret. I truly believe that "What you think about, you bring about." My other favorite book is "Excuse me, your life is waiting." by Lynn Grabhorn. I actually like that one better than "The Secret" and I carry it everywhere with me in my purse. The law of attraction works and I have used it for quite some time now and received extremely lucrative results. It simply revolves around the power of positive thought and I am confident that if our planet followed this way of life we'd see perfect harmony rather than the nonsense that occupies our daily living. This is why I have given up reading the newspaper (except for the horoscope, lol) and I refuse to watch the news. What I need to know in life will come to me in one form or another, I do not need to clutter my mind with sad stories that start my day with sadness and worry. So start your day with a glass of sunshine (O.J) and think positive thoughts of a perfect day and I promise that is what will follow.

Due to our money conservation plan, we've been grocery shopping more frequently and I have been "cooking" more as well. One of my favorite ways to save money is to buy more whole foods rather than processed junk. It is also way healthier, and with my return to the gym I need to eat better anyway as to not reverse the effects of my hard work. This week I loaded up on tomatoes, baby spinach, bananas, avocados, mushrooms, baby carrots, and goat cheese (to be used in moderation). I also replaced bread and rolls with sun-dried tomato wraps. Also, I did not buy ANY soda products at all, gasp. Soda is the hardest thing for me to give up as I lovvve it. But Emily told me that I will yield direct results from just giving it up alone, so I am giving it a shot. Now I didn't say I was giving up ALL my favorites, hee hee, so I did manage to slip in a pack of my treasured B&W cookies that I mentioned earlier. Hey, baby steps are better than what I was eating before. And I allow myself just one a day instead of 2 like before. So here I am with my fresh fruits/veggies and I must say I have been pretty creative with them. I eat them plain with low fat ranch to dip, in omelette's, in a wrap, roasted in the oven, and my fav-as a flatbread. Its so easy...I take a baking sheet or stone and lay out a wrap, spray it with a little olive oil, pile on veggies and a few dabs of goat cheese and bake at 400 degrees for a few minutes. I just kind of watch it to make sure it doesn't burn. Then I take it out and sprinkle on some salt & pepper and balsamic vinegar and enjoy! Soooo good and it doesn't get boring b/c there are so many combos of toppings that you can use. Throw in a small side salad or a healthy soup and you have one of my favorite lunches or light dinners. Another really yummy meal that me and Em were talking about is using baked potatoes as your main course. I like mine piled with veggies, freshly made salsa and a dab of low-fat or fat-free sour cream. Pair it with a small side salad and you have yourself some yumminess. Again, if anyone has some easy and tasty recipes or meal ideas...please share!

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week! Remember-positive thinking! I swear it'll change your life! Ciao! xoxoxox

10 Days til Spring!!!

This weekend was very low key and laid back...exactly what I was hoping for. Friday night I had a jewelry party from 6-9 so I got home around 9:30 and Pasquale & Kelly had stopped by for a little bit after having dinner out. It was sooo nice to see them as we haven't been able to hang out for a while now due to all of our busy schedules. It was super fun and exciting to talk about the wedding, I still have wedding fever even though mine is over so at least I get to re-live the fun stuff all over again. After they left, me & Ant snuggled for a bit on the couch and passed out watching a movie...we were both pooped from a busy week.

Saturday brought GORGEOUS weather and it finally felt like spring was on its way! The air smelled so fresh and clean, the sun was shining, the air was warm. I opened every single window in my apartment and just enjoyed the breezes flowing in, pushing out the leftover stagnancy of winter. Me & Sophia didn't do much, just lounged for the whole morning and watched movies. In the afternoon we went over to Hannaford to pick up some groceries...and I ended up being $4 under my $30 budget...woohoo! I even put back the devil dogs after fighting long and hard to rationalize buying them...but they just were not necessary. And they were too damn expensive! I decided I would bake a chocolate cake instead b/c I already had all of the stuff at home but in the end I didn't even do that, but at least I stuck to my budget! It is so weird having a cash only budget for groceries but I found myself buying things that we really needed and a few treats that I wanted too. But those treats outweighed my desire for devil dogs so in the end they stayed on the shelf. lol. That night I made a yummy taco lasagna that I had a recipe for and it was actually pretty good! After dinner, we went to Sam's Club to return our water cooler bottles to get back our deposit and then we headed over to Lowe's to browse around. Ant got us an insane deal on a washer and dryer and I really wanted to see them. The builder of the house was going to put in a standard pair but b/c we got our own he is going to compensate us in cash. I am so in love with them too...I never thought I would get so excited about a washer and dryer but these were too good to pass up:


We got them in the same color as the pic and the dryer looks exactly like the washer. They normally retail at $3000 but we got them for $1000. We got them so reasonable b/c they were missing the little rubber feet on the bottom. I can do without rubber feet to save $2000!Supposedly they are super efficient as well, saving us $$ in the long run on water and electric. The dryer will completely dry a load in 30 minutes! I can't wait to do laundry! lol. We also picked out a really pretty shower door for our master bath. I fell in love with a glass one by kohler but of course it was over $500 so we settled on another on that is on sale for $100 but Ant might be able to get it for less and he will also get his store discount. Oh how I love my husband's job sometimes! These doors aren't the ones that we are getting but the design is the same idea, just not quite as fancy...

After we were done at Lowes we headed home, put on another movie and passed out. Hey I meant it when I said low key!!!

Sunday brought us another gorgeous day and due to DST we lost an hour of sleep. At least we gain an hour of sunlight everyday so I feel it is a fair trade. I am welcoming the fact that spring is officially 10 days away and I will take all of the sunlight that I can get. Anthony had to work during the day so me and Sophia hung around and played "tea-party" which is her new favorite game. Then at 4:30 I had to be at work, so off to make some $$ I went. The restaurant was a good mix of being busy but not overly crowded. My bff, Nicole, brought me a sushi roll from our fav place, Tai Fu, so that was beyond stellar of her. It definitely hit the spot that night when I got a chance to actually eat it. My shift flew by and after making a quick $100 I headed home to have a glass of wine and pass out.

Now it is Monday, and a rainy Monday at that! I was chosen as one of five advisors in my region to participate in a special training program that lia sophia is testing out. It is called the "hip" program which means that someone above you chooses you to "mentor" or "take you on their hip." It simply consists of 8 weekly conference calls every Monday and then having a 15 minute conversation with my "mentor" to discuss my progress and exchange ideas. I was very honored to be chosen by my region manager and she has told me on several occasions that she can see me moving up into higher management with lia sophia. It definitely motivates me b/c I love this company so much and can see myself doing this long-term. Tonight is also girl's night and we are soo excited about the season 5 premiere of The Hills on March 30th. Sadly though, this will be the last season so it is very bittersweet for us as this show is our absolute favorite! We are gathering at Nicole's house this evening and I am going to make a taco cheese ball that I had gotten from a Tastefully Simple party a while back. It is very rainy and gloomy out but at least it is not cold and snowy! I hope everyone's weeks are starting out great! Ciao! xoxox

Blinded by the light...of the tv that is.

TGIF!! The weekend is here at last!! After a verrrry busy week I am super happy that the workweek has ended, well sort of anyway. I have to do a jewelry party tonight, which I barely consider work, and I have to work at OB at 4:30 on Sunday. This Sunday I am actually waiting tables though, so it'll be nice to shake things up a bit. And they feed us on Sundays which is always a huge bonus!!! lol.

A while back I signed up for paperless billing with our Internet/cable company, so basically they send you an e-bill in your email account. However, due to us not physically seeing the bill this caused us, well me, to "forget" to pay it. No, Mom, this does not mean we're poor and can't pay it, we were just a tad irresponsible as humans tend to be lol. Anyhow, so this week I was sharply reminded of my non-payment when our Internet access and cable was abruptly shut off. And right now with the house and all of our other bills that are due, the cable bill was not on the top of the priority list so it had to wait to get paid. Now the purpose of me telling you this is not to inform the world of my scatterbrainedness/occasional irresponsibility, but to let you in on a little lesson I learned. I was spending too much time in front of the damn TV and computer! I had become completely addicted and absorbed into my weekly reality shows and my daily celeb gossip. This week I spent time on other things that I had stopped doing a long time ago-like reading books, organizing my apartment, spending more time with the kids. Not that I don't do these at all...just not enough. Its amazing to see that life does go on without certain luxuries that you are certain are essential...until they're gone and you don't miss them as much as you think you would have. Of course, this does not mean we are reforming to a cable-less household, but I do think that I will be more moderate with the "junky" brain food and balance out my activities better. Its amazing how warped we get by who Brett Michaels is fake dating or how certain "housewives" are living their life. I was also more tuned into my life and what is so great about it rather than compare it to those of celebs and feeling crappy about myself. We tend to get a little jaded by the shadow of the spotlight and can quickly forget about what defines a "rich" life to us, and not that of a celeb who makes a gazillion dollars more than us, with a private chef and trainer, makeup artist, stylist, blah blah blah. I know I am getting a little off topic here but the point I am trying to make is that I realized I was focusing a little too much time on other's lives rather than my own. And with a little less TV...I think I might find that my life is just as wonderful and fulfilling.

A while back I wrote of a certain experiment with money that we were going to try. I admit I wasn't as strict as I should have been, but now is the perfect time for it due to our upcoming move into a new home. I have to say, we've really cut out about 95% of our daily spending and have been going bare bones. No more Starbucks for me, weekly poker nights with the guys for Ant, and bottles of wine for relaxing on the couch at night. We've also been, gasp, eating at home!
This was a foreign concept to us before but not anymore! I have also picked up more work at the restaurant for a little income boost and Ant received a slight raise at work. Hey, every little cent helps! And yet again, I quickly learned that, like the lack of cable/Internet, life really does go on!!! Its very eye opening. I also appreciate more of what I already have and am actually using things that I own rather than always needing something new! And its amazing to me that I took for granted before what I own. I have some stinkin' cute clothes, shoes, bags, etc. that I barely took notice of! I even have countless books that went unread while I shopped up one of my fav stores, Borders. It was like the thrill of the buy had gotten more exciting to me than it was to actually use the stuff I was buying. I guess lately, I have been learning alot of valuable lessons, lol. So the moral of this story is, like the TV-everything in moderation. I am not about to totally give up my coffees and discount stores (TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, etc) nor am I going to stop watching my fav shows (hello, The Hills!!) but I am going to make a conscious lifestyle change and nix overdoing it all the time with my indulgences.

This weekend my bff, Kelly is coming home from school in Albany, and I am excited to see her and finally get to celebrate her and Pasquale's (Anthony's bff) engagement! It is so exciting b/c they caught the bouquet/garter at our wedding and now they are getting married!! They are two of our closest friends and we love hanging out at the apartment and playing wii. Maybe we'll even splurge and get a cheap bottle of vino to mark the occasion. lol.

I hope you all have a great weekend! If anyone has any yummy, cheap, and easy dinner recipes...please share! I am running out of ideas!!! Ciao! xoxox

Homeowners at Last!!

Hello everyone! Its Tuesday afternoon at Em's and I am making the kiddies mac-n-cheese so I figured I'd sneak in a blog while I wait for the water to boil...

First and foremost I am just going to cut to the most important news that I have for everyone....We bought our first home! Finally the persistence and patience has paid off! We bought a brand new bi-level in Milford, Pa. which is about 10 min from Ant's parents and 40 min. from mine. I am beyond excited! Milford is such a trendy, cool little town and the whole area is safe and clean. We are going to be living in a community called Sunrise Lake. It has a very "country without being in the boonies" vibe. Our home is a little over 1800 sq ft with 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 bathrooms. The kitchen is gorgeous with all SS appliances and granite counter tops. The living room has a beautiful stone fireplace with a huge stone mantle. But the best part is the master suit...HUGE walk in closet and a private bath with a jacuzzi tub (my fav feature!) and separate stand up shower. I will post pics as soon as I upload them. The siding is green with cranberry shutters. We got such an incredible deal too! Our purchase price was $199,900 with $5,000.00 back for "furniture reimbursement" and we will be getting the $8,000.00 tax credit as soon as we close. We financed at 5.25% 30yrs fixed. The house also includes all appliances brand new! I can't wait to have a washer and dryer of my own! No more laundromat! I feel like we definitely reaped the rewards from a shitty housing market! There is a silver lining on every cloud! We signed the contract last night and a bunch of papers with the MetLife guy so basically all we have to do is wait. This is the stressful part b/c I keep getting nervous that something is going to go wrong and we're not going to be able to close. At least its a new home so we don't have to worry about people moving out or deciding not to sell. And the home is built so we don't have to wait for that either. Just the routine inspection, appraisal, etc. I will keep everyone updated!

Other than the house, everything else has been quiet and pretty normal around here. We got yet another snow storm yesterday and I can't take the sight of the white stuff anymore. Give me sunshine and warmth! Sundresses and bathing suits! I long for my flip flops! Aaargh. I am super excited for summer this year. I am looking forward to my conference in Milwaukee in June and for a few mini-getaways that me and Ant have discussed. Trips to the beach, Dorney Park with the fam, and maybe Sesame Place with Sophia. I am also excited to go "flea-marketing" with my Mother-in-law. There is a great one in Marshalls Creek, a little over a half hour from where we will be living. But most of all, I am just looking forward to getting settled and concentrating on selling jewelry/growing my business. I haven't been able to dedicate the time that I would like to it lately so the summer will allow me to do that.

We have had some exciting family news lately and I am so happy for my cousin Becky who recently got engaged! Weddings are very exciting in this family. I still haven't seen the ring yet so email me some pics, Becks!!! lol. I am also very excited for my cousin Vance and his wife who recently had their first son, Logan Vance Louis. They had tried for a baby for a crazy long time and suffered 2 or 3 miscarriages and 2 tubal pregnancies. After my cousin's wife, Muriel had her fallopian tubes removed they pretty much gave up hope...until one day she found out she was pregnant! She had a healthy, normal pregnancy even though everyone was completely mystified by how she even got pregnant in the first place. Well, to make a long story short, a Cesarean birth revealed that a 3rd tube had regenerated and grew allowing her to get pregnant and finally be blessed with a healthy baby boy! It is a story that Oprah should seriously consider doing. It goes to show miracles happen everyday! We have our own miracles in our family, as well, and everyone prays for them everyday...I love you Aunt Patty & Tricia & Joe!

Last week, I had my "ladies night out" and it was a blast! We had an amazing meal at Outback followed by seeing "Confessions of a Shopaholic." I just thought I would quickly share my opinion of the movie. First of all, I have to mention that we were almost late to the movie due to some impromptu shoe shopping at Target! Oh the irony but who can resist two amazingly cute pairs of summer sandals for under $$40!!! Needless to say, we arrived at the movie in the nick of time and my feet and wallet were happy! The movie was fun and cute, but a long shot from the book. I have to agree with my cousin Tricia's blog on her opinion of the movie. I was a tad disappointed but was grateful to have a fun night out with my friends. I think our next ladies night is going to be at the local Mexican joint. Maybe it'll even be warm enough to wear one of my new pairs of shoes??

The next couple of weeks are going to be busy for us as we get everything prepped to move...groan. But at least its for good this time! No more apartments! I also am going to be busy with jewelry parties and extra shifts that I will be picking up at OB. Its money crunch time! I have to admit though, I have never been so excited to save money before! Its all for a good reason!!! I will keep you all posted! Have a great week! Ciao! xoxox

Check out the goods:

I got this pair for $6 even though they aren't that price on the website...but I am not complaining:http://www.target.com/Mossimo-Paulina-Gladiator-Sandals-Patent/dp/B0018Q6752/qid=1236107759/ref=br_1_4/181-9383377-5062100?ie=UTF8&node=3429501&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1

This pair I have been lusting after for a while and I didn't want to risk waiting for them to go on sale and losing out...they are sooo cute on and very comfortable:http://www.target.com/Mossimo-Petrova-Gladiator-Sandals-Black/dp/B001G7BSG6/qid=1236108084/ref=br_1_8/181-9383377-5062100?ie=UTF8&node=13851741&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=13851741&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=2

Look out Becky Bloomwood!!!

Happy Monday All! Its almost 9 a.m. and I am fully buzzing on caffeine. I hope you all had a glorious weekend. Ours was alot of fun. Let me clue you in on the festivites...

On Friday, Anthony and his friends decided to have an impromptu poker/guys night at my apartment (which I was mortified that our apartment was a complete mess but Anthony assured me that guys could care less anyway, lol) which led to me not wanting to be at home which led to my impromptu mini-shopping spree at TJ Maxx (my fav store!). I love a good excuse to go shopping! So I got myself and Miss Sophia showered up and ready and we hit the road. Boy, was I glad I went b/c I made out like a crazy bandit. For the last 4 1/2 years I have been wearing my favorite green winter coat that I purchased from Victoria's Secret for $99 (mixed in with a few other coats but that one was the top runner). Lately, my old faithful was showing true signs of wear & tear and I think I was prolonging it, but my hubby gently let me know that it was definitely time to retire "ole" green. Tear. Sniff. NOT! Hello, its like a fantastic excuse to go buy another one! I swear I am Becky Bloomwood in another body (yes I have read all and loved all of the books). So off I go in hot pursuit and do I score? I do and not once but TWICE! I always enjoy shopping for seasonal items at the end of the season b/c that is where you get the great deals so I waited patiently and it paid off. I found a gorgeous red wool winter coat by Laundry (retails for $300) and I paid $29 flipping dollars. Then as I was floating on retail cloud 9, a bright orange number caught my eye. It was an equally adorable, knee length, wool coat with a drop waist and the price tag? $20 dollars!!! So here I am with two gorgeous winter coats for less than I paid for my green one. Now I have 2 top runners for the next few years!! On top of my "steals" I also made out with a really cute white shirt that was originally $44 marked down to $6.99, a gray "slub" top with embroidery for $14.99, and a plain gray bubble top with an open back cutout for $9.99. Armed with some CHI thermal heat protectant hair treatment ($14 down to $7) I headed to the register. Of course the fun does not stop there, folks. In the past I have been very lucky to arrive when they have freshly unpacked a box of "upscale" beauty products that I have gotten first pick of (before the "grubbies" of M-town have opened everything and stuck their fingers in the makeup ruining it for all of us paying customers out there). And like a shining beacon of light...there they were a full display of Hard Candy makeup and eye shadow palettes. Now, at this point my lovely baby girl had decided that the shopping trip should be over and was squirming her little butt into a mini-tantrum. So what does the true shopaholic in myself do? I grab one in every freaking color. I mean, they were only $3.99 a piece (from ranges of $12 -$20 originally) and there were about 6 or 7 different ones so I spent like $30 bucks on what could have very easily been over $100 had I been in Sephora. La La La. I made out like a freaking bandit. Two gorgeous coats, 3 adorable shirts, and some awesome hair and beauty products for $120.00...woop woop. Becky Bloomwood ain't got nothing on me. I could budget shop her into oblivion. Now now, this is not an everyday or every week activity but a girl's gotta let her hair down now and again right?

Onto Saturday...my cleaning was postponed due to running errands and taking a random drive with the hubby (we like looking at houses). At 4 we headed out to my parents house for a family dinner and birthday cake for Daniel, he's 15 now! Em had mentioned earlier about all of us heading over to The Castle after cake but my parents didn't feel up to it so they were gracious enough to watch Sophia, Mia, and Bubba so we could all go. The Castle is this "fun center" type of place in Chester where they have a roller skating rink, lazer tag, go karts, mini golf, arcade, rock wall...you get the pic. So we (Me, Ant, Em, Kev, Kris, Dan, & our cousin/Dan's bff Aarron) piled into mom's van and headed over around 7. Em & I were really only interested in the roller skating so once inside, we all paid and the boys went their way and we went to rent our skates. Now mind you, I have not been on a pair of rolly-anything since like 1995 so I was a little nervous but half expecting it to be like riding a bike. Wrong! After getting my fat ass off the floor I quickly discovered I was not the graceful, balanced person I was back in the day. Any ounce of agility that I had was gone. So, I made it onto the ring and me and Em had to hold hands for a good 15-20 minutes to make sure that neither one of us would wipe out. I have to admit though, it was alot of fun and very reminiscent of the old days with pigtails and high scrunched socks. And what a crowd, it was supposed to be family night so this is what you had: the poor little 5-10 year olds that were trying their hardest and wiping out everywhere, the 13-17 yr old roller bladers that were too bad ass for words with their cool moves not giving a rat's ass about the poor little ones wiping out, and the middle aged single fathers that were doing everything in their power to get a pair of cuties ( like ourselves lol) to notice them. And what does a middle aged single father do to get a ladies attention? Act like a tool of course! He shakes his booty, jives to the music on skates, wears some rad, fingerless gloves that are absolutely pointless, and the best move of all-he takes off his shirt and flings it over his shoulder and skates in a wife-beater. Too cool for school. It reminded me of those Budweiser commercials, "Real men of genius..." Haha. I could hear it in my head..."we salute you Mr. too cool for school with your wife beater, fingerless gloves, and roller skates, with your fly moves and funky grooves, trying your hardest to find a new baby's momma for your future baby tool offspring." lol. Anyhow-it was a great time...eventually we were able to part and skate on our own and Em had a great idea of having a 70-80's theme 30th bday there...maybe we'll even get the VIP area right over the skating rink. Stay tuned.

Sunday was not as exciting. Ant headed off in the morning to paint ball with Kev, Kris & Dan and I stayed back to tackle my extremely delayed weekly cleaning. Sophia hung around with me watching "Bee Movie" and "Toy Story". It was a very quiet and productive afternoon. Then, at 5 I headed off to work to make no money since we were dead and managed to make it home in time to catch the end of the Oscars. There were sooo many movies that I really want to see very badly and can't wait to see them . The Reader, Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, Benjamin Button just to name a few. It is hard to get to the movies with Sophia so we pay the $10 a month for HBO and wait for movies on there or just rent them if we can't wait. Then there is the occasional date night or night out with the ladies.

Speaking of ladies night...its Monday! Usually Mondays are at my house with The Hills (now its the disappointment of The City but we watch it anyway) but tonight we're shaking things up. At 7 we are all meeting at The Outback for dinner (helloooo discount) followed by seeing Confessions of a Shopaholic. Yes I did read Tricia's spoiler blog (I couldn't help myself) but I am still curious about how it will be played out. I will let you know. I am very excited to hang out with my girl's and get dressed cute nonetheless. I even plan on wearing some of my new swag from TJ Maxx. Holla!

I know this blog was a little long and maybe drawn out (I think I am the queen of the run on sentence) but it is fun to recount my activities with you all. I hope every one's workweek has begun fabulously! Ciao! xoxoxo

My Laundry Coat that I got in Red: http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.aol_refer.false.tpl.detail.msn_refer.false.item.A85184.ref.BRS?cm_ven=BIZRATEFEED&cm_cat=Fashion&cm_pla=Outerwear&cm_ite=A85184