Happy Father's Day

Baskin Robbins Father's Day cake cracks me up. I love that it almost screams beer stein, but to make the cake kid friendly, it becomes root beer float.

Best day of the year

What a commitment! I hope my DD has the lemon filled powdered doughnut...yummo

A little history compliments of wikipedia:

National Donut Day is on the first Friday of June each year, succeeding the Donut Day event created by the Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the women who served donuts to soldiers during World War I.

Still vacation until I go to work pt. 2

As if the day couldn't get better, I did eventually make it to the mall, after a brief pop into H&M to find yet another jem. I like to enter through the Weston Hotel so that I can start my shopping by gazing into the Jimmy Choo store. Just as I was about to step off the escalator and into the mall, I had the sudden urge to blink a few times just to make sure I was actually seeing a Michael Kors store straight ahead of me. Where did this magical place come from??? And for the life of me, I can't remember what used to be in that exact spot.

Of course, I had to go in and see what it was like inside. The space was very white, bright and inviting. A saleswoman saw me enter in, wearing my typical shopping uniform- which consists of old jeans, motorcycle boots, and a t-shirt - not the most fashion forward look, and welcomed me with a large smile and warm hello. (I don't always get such a warm welcome when I look so disheveled) She continued to escort me around the shop pointing out various products that were on sale.

When I asked to try on a pair of pants, she brought in a top just so I could get a feel of what a potential work outfit would look like. She did check in on me a little excessively, but found it cute that when I let her know the look wasn't for me, she continued to let me know about future stock and whatnot that was coming into the store. As she fed me this information, she interrupted herself, saying that she should probably let me change in peace but would be waiting for me to exit to give me any final information. I found this interaction charming and not at all pushy. Thanks!

In the end, she sold me on a pair of earmuffs. They are actually lighter in person than in the picture to the left. I was drawn to the stud detailing and the oh so soft fur muffs. Again, I scored myself a 50% off deal, woohoo!

Both stores left me very satisfied and extremely happy with the service provided to me. I hope to be able to return sometime when I have cash to burn through.

The one upside of returning to work tomorrow is that I will officially work on staying on a budget as cash will probably get a little tighter in the coming year. Shaky fist to you, school books. No more splurging for me. :)

Still vacation until I go to work pt. 1

For the last few years, I have taken advantage of the fantastic sales at the beginning of the new year by wandering around Newbury St and the Copley Mall here in Boston. Previously, I have scored finds such as Lucky Jeans, silver pendants, and blazers from Lord & Taylor. 2011 might have been my best year yet.

For months now, I have coveted a pair of Hunter rain boots (and fleece liners) more than any pair of heels. The brand's reputation is fantastic, quality superb, and I have yet to hear of a bad review from a friend.

Normally these rain boots are priced at $120.00. Not the most expensive shoes in the world, but I do have a hard time justifying that price to a simple galosh. I have spent many hours searching the web for a sale on these boots and have yet to find a deal.

Fortunately for me, I decided to walk up Bolyston on the way to the Copley Mall today. A new branch of the Tannery has popped up near the gardens and I noticed a big 50% off sign. I figured there was no harm in taking a quick look-ee-loo. As soon as I walked in there was a pair of bright blue Hunter boots with a big ol' 50% orange dot on them. When I went to get a closer look, the sales guy let me know that he was sorry because they only had one size 7 (the ones in my hand) and some 11s. Well, that is perfect for me and my teeny feet. I quickly tried them, checked out some fleece liners and was out of the store $90 poorer by 100 times happier.

Year 3! Welcome 2011

Welcome to 2011 folks. I spent the time with some wonderful people in Cambridge, MA. We ate, drank, played board games, and sang along with BSB/NKOTB. Going to a bar can be fun, and I totally did that last year with a group of people, but I don't know if there could have been a more perfect way to welcome the 2o11. Hope your NYE was as enjoyable as mine.

PS - What was with Avril Lavigne performing? Who cares about her right now?

Best tape ever

The Christmas gifts I was so proud to have purchased so early into the Christmas season have been sitting in the corner of my bedroom for about 2.5 weeks. It is now my Birthday-Eve, which is Christmas Eve cubed (the 22nd for you lay people) and at this rate, I will most likely end up wrapping gifts at 11 pm on the 24th. I think part of my procrastination is that I want the wrapping to look awesome. I want to have embellishments like ribbons or bows, but don't have the goods on hand or the confidence that I will pull it off.

While surfing the web for wrapping ideas - time that could have been used for actual wrapping - I found a site for happytape! which might be the best tape ever.

At first, one might get some sticker shock for a $36 pack of ribbon tape. But just think about it. Imagine purchasing nice thick ribbon and rolls of tape, you so pay more than this. Trust me, I frequent craft stores enough to know that ribbon is not as cheap as you may wish to believe.

If I had to time to wait for the shipping, which clearly I don't, I would make the purchase - maybe another time...

Tacky has no religion

My mom totally has a kit to turn her car into a reindeer. I love it. It is super tacky.

I have seen the reindeer get up on a number of cars and even some Mack trucks. But prior to this morning, I have never seen a car topped with a Menorah. It was a relief to know that tacky has no religious barriers. Seeing a gigantic menorah speeding towards me made me smile this morning, which I greatly appreciated, since it is Monday.

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Repeal Day!

Christmas is getting expensive

The 12 Days of Christmas is by no means a favorite Christmas carol of mine. It takes about three and a half minutes to sing, which gets exhausting, and the tune doesn't make me want to dance around the tree. Imagine getting all those gifts! Personally, I don't have the space for the 50 extra people in my apartment (12 drummers drumming, 11 pipers piping, 10 lords a-leaping, 9 ladies dancing and 8 maids a-milking) and my lease only allows for 1 cat, not 23 birds (partridge, 2 turtle doves, 3 french hens, 4 calling birds, 6 geese a-laying, 7 swans a-swimming).

Additionally, I would feel bad for my true love as he would have to spend $23,439.38 to purchase the final round of the song. A group of people have been tracking the cost of the gifts since 1984 and just so you know, total costs have increased 9.2% since last year. Eeeep.

I went to see if I could find an enjoyable version of the song on youtube, and well, this is amazing. There is a gem of a moment around 1:30, I hope you enjoy it!



I mean who doesn't think of Toto when they think of Christmas?

Black Friday

Thanksgiving was great. Per usual my family drove up to New York to spend time with my mom's clan. Things were a little different this year, as the main meal was held in a different relative's house. Fortunately it was just as loud and tasty as always.

Now normally, we stay Thursday -Saturday, but this year things were cut short. In and out Thursday and Friday. For a moment I thought that we were going to skip Black Friday shopping. It was quickly determined that we were going to stay up in Troy for dinner so nothing kept the women from heading to the malls.

The sales were great. I managed to get some gifts for the family, and, well, gifts for me. I need new clothes. Anyone crazy enough to pass up deals like this clearly doesn't live on a budget. As mentioned in my previous post, tights can really help stretch a wardrobe. New York & Co had a sale where everything was 60% off before noon. I got 3 pairs of new tights. Go me!



The tan tights actually are glitter tights. Sadly, couldn't capture the amazingness with my driod.

In addition to some new tights, I also managed to score some new underwear (always a plus), a dress, gifts for sister and dad, and a new Lady Gaga MAC lipstick as I have no clue where mine went. All and all, a very successful Friday.

....Oh, and this doesn't include the score I got from Ruelala.

Happy Halloween

This year I decided to do Lady Gaga. It might have been done to death, but whatever, how often do you get the opportunity to go out in public without pants. While I realize that the lack of pants should put in the trampy category of costumes, but I would like believe that I still haven't gone the way of "sexy _____". After careful consideration, I decided to go with Poker Face Lady Gaga:


Per usual, I did keep with my personal life view of "go big or go home" and committed to leotard and hood only. Let me tell you, walking down the street to the house party I went to was a bit chilly to say the least. The costume was well received, and I even won "best celebrity look-a-like". Here are two pictures I took on my computer before I headed out, I figured I would spare the internet a picture that would include my bum.

I need time to slow down

Last week when I was picking up a few groceries. Know what I saw in one of the aisles?

HALLOWEEN CANDY!

What is going on with the world??? I need some time to breathe, and come up with a Halloween costume.

Sizzle Sizzle Sizzle

Fourth of July weekend is over. This was the best three day weekend ever. Now that I am back at work, life is just so ordinary, less magical, and hot as hell - well outside it is, inside our a/c makes it feel like I work in a meat locker which is definitely ok in my book! Let's recap all the sizzle...

Friday - I left work and drove straight home, well small detour to have a snack and a beer at a friend's, but home in time for dinner. Let me tell you, that dinner was perfect - swordfish steaks on the grill (sizzle sizzle sizzle), baked potatoes, and broccoli. Yummo. As a child I didn't like fish, as an adult, I still don't like most fish, but will admit that swordfish steaks on the grill have totally grown on me. Especially, when there is some lemon to squeeze on.

Saturday - I got up, went to the beach for a few hours (not yet ready to go all the way into the ocean, just made it to my thighs), and then came dinner. Regular steaks on the grill (sizzle sizzle sizzle), baked potatoes and fresh green beans. Oh man BBQ two days in a row! Can this weekend get any better???

Sunday - Whoa, it is getting hot up in here - wake up and again decide to get to the beach immediately out of fear that the parking lot will fill up. This time I go straight into the water and go under. It was cold at first and then I just didn't want to get out. The heat got to me (as did my fear of sunburning) and we went home. What was for dinner? Oh that would be hamburgers and saugies (sizzle sizzle sizzle), potato salad, and corn on the cob. LOVING THIS. I did not make it to fireworks, meh, I'll live.

Monday - I had to get up super early to drive my parents to the airport, but that meant that I was on the beach at 8:20 with my iced coffee and toasted bagel in hand. Great way to start the day. I was gone by noon which suited me just fine after 3 hours of swimming, walking, and reading. At this point the sun was super hot and my skin needed a break (sizzle sizzle sizzle).

I was home in MA in time for kickball, which sadly ended up getting canceled due to forfeiting. Oh well, the weekend couldn't be perfect. It was pretty sweet that my air conditioner was ready and waiting to be put on to deal with the heat. Hopefully I don't melt now that the temp is supposed to hit 100.

Important Holiday!!!

Happy National Doughnut (or Donut if you will) Day!!!

I was going to try and finish the posts I had started earlier this week, but realized I need to be sure to give one of my favorite holidays a shout out. Go to your nearest DD and get a free doughnut with purchase of a beverage!!

Happy Mother's Day

This year I am being a bad daughter by staying up here this year. But I will be seeing her next weekend for my sister's graduation! Hope all mom's have a great day!!!

Good Day for Pastry

Happy St. Joseph's Day!!

At this point I have already eaten 1.5 zeppolis and will probably continue on this trend through the weekend.

Happy St Patty's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day. The weather is beautiful and the air is crisp, I just wish I wasn't in the office. I have been focused on studying and eating zeppolis all week that I actually completely forgot about the holiday this morning while getting dressed. FORTUNATELY, my subconscious was so happy for sun and upset about my gray clothes from the day before that I wore a green striped shirt and kelly green pumps! :)

Hope your day is festive and maybe, just maybe, I'll give myself a break and drink a beer.

Happy Ides of March

Happy Pi Day

Thanks Google for the logo!

Happy National Margarita Day!

Somehow this holiday did not make it onto my calendar. Hopefully, my friends and I will find time to celebrate later this week as the 'rita is a favorite of ours.

I would also like to thank iGoogle yet again for providing a fantastic how-to in honor of this magical drink. Can't wait to try the different ratios/recipes. Drink up my friends, drink up!