Greetings from Chicago

Hm, so first off i'd like to say I didn't know there was an app for blogging. Wow- if I would have known this previously there would have been less gaps between my posts. Fail.

Anyway...hi from Chicago!!! Crystal and I are having a great time so far :)

I'll update you more when I return! Hope everyone is enjoying their week :)

Questionnaire!!

I was tagged by Melina :

to do a little questionnaire...

Rules:

1.You must post these rules.

2. Each person must post 11 things

about themselves on their blog.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for 

you in their post and create 11 new questions 

for the people you tag to answer.

11 Things about me:

1. I'm not Irish (surprise, surprise)

2. I'm very sarcastic...probably about 93.33333% of the time

3. I strive to be creative and artsy

4. I'd pick salty foods over sweet foods any day

5. I hate talking on the phone unless it is something really important to talk about

6. When I'm super stressed I withdraw from things

7. I love thrifting

8. I'm pretty simple (see blog name)

9. I don't use facebook often

10. I love using emoticons on my Iphone

11. My hair is naturally red and wavy...and thick thick thick. I'm usually asked at least once a day if it is my natural color ;)

Questions for me: 

1. What's your favorite cupcake flavor? Hm, I'd say chocolate chocolate or something of that nature.

2. Long or Short socks? Short during the day and long at night. 

3. What are you plans for next year? To graduate from my Master's program!

4. What's in your purse right now? Wallet, chap stick, and stuff for Chicago :-D

5. What's your favorite accessory? My Michael Kors Watch :) 

6. If you could change something about yourself, what would it be and why? I'd stop being such a people-please-er and put myself first.

7. Any piercing or tattoos?  Just my ears are pierced and no tattoos

8. High heels or flats? Flats, flats, flats. 

9.What was your favorite childhood TV show? Rugrats!

10. What is your greatest fear? Failure

11. What was the last thing that made you laugh? Numerous things at the mall with Crystal today, hahaha

Questions for you: 

1. What do you want to do before you die?

2. If you could be any age what would it be? 

3. Cat or dog?

4. What is the one quality you look for in a friend?

5. If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?

6. Hobbies?

7. What is something you wish someone knew about you before they met you?

8. Morning or night?

9. What's your favorite song?

10.What's your favorite color?

11. What's your new years resolution?

I tag:

Stephanie, Melissa, Debbie, Maggie, Ashley, Amber, Brittany, Marisa

Thanks Melina for tagging me, you are the sweetest. Now, to the ones I tagged...do your thing girly girls :) Can't wait to learn more about each of you! <3

Off to the Windy City...

Today, Crystal and I are off to Chicago...

Dear Chicago, We would like to apologize in advance.  We are quite the duo. I'll leave it at that. 

Can't wait for the memories we are about to make and the pictures we are going to take <3

Secret Santa

Melina, from Only a Flight Away hosted a Secret Santa swap a few weeks ago! I was so excited to take part in this event and to send some gifts to another blogger.  I was thrilled when I saw that Melissa from one of my favorite blogs, Simply Melissa Ashley, was my partner!  

The gift she sent me was so incredibly thoughtful that I cannot even handle it.  I literally jumped up and down when I received it (and that was before I opened the package).  She sent me a beautiful handmade card and a cow milk pour-er, like I talked about here. She wrote how she couldn't wait to give it to me because of something I blogged about previously. How sweet is that? 

Melissa, guess what?? I cannot wait to use this <3 Thank you, thank you, thank you! I hope you liked your gifts as well :) 

And thank you again, Melina xoxoxoxo

Merry Christmas!

Love, me and my crazy family 

MARCO...

POLO!!

Ok, I have been found.  Where have I been you ask? I wish I could answer that question.  Life has been INSANELY hectic and I have just been running on empty...and around and around and around; do you catch what I'm throwing at you?  Combine that with not having internet and it is the perfect mixture for going MIA. 

I'm so sorry I haven't been checking all the blogs I follow or answering any of the emails I've been sent.  I promise I will get on that as soon as humanly possible!

So, what have I been up to you ask? I think I may have gotten a severe case of amenisa...or I'm suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder (clearly that second would be more fun) because the details are fuzzy.

I can tell you that I am back to my hometown for Christmas and my shopping has been completed. WOOT WOOT.  Oh...and I'm going to Chicago on TUESDAY, what?! Yup, I said it...and I'm doing it.  Anyone have any suggestions for the windy city??

Some things.

I believe little things like this make days perfect.

Speaking of things that make days...here are a few that have made my day recently: 

1.  Receiving a surprise Christmas gift from my BFF

 She sent me socks, slippers, made me a wire knot ring and made me button magnets! How adorable is she? 

2. So, randomly I mentioned on Maggie's blog blog how I was SOOOO jealous she could knit because it is something I wish I had the patience for.  She emailed me and told me how stress-relieving it was for her and how she would make me something special. Just like that. I was blown away by her kindness and generosity.  Well, I just received my items and let me tell you they are BEAUTIFUL.  I have gotten SOOOO many compliments on my things and I cannot thank you enough, Maggie.  You are so talented.  I believe she is going to be selling her items (correct me if I'm wrong) and I think you all should check them out.  

3. I was the winner of TWO different giveaways

     1. The Short and Sweet of It hosted a giveaway from Charonel Designs and this girl (pointing finger awkwardly at myself) won!! Thank you to both of you for this awesome giveaway. I can hardly wait to use my gift tags <3 

Pretty sweet, huh? 

         2. Isavirtue hosted a giveaway a few weeks ago to celebrate a birthday week...and I won that too! Which is ridiculous because I'm not really one to win things.  I got awesome stationary and a little notebook from this and I'm thrilled :) 

   Looking at the positives is a good way to start a Monday :)

REWIND

Wow, time flies.  These pictures are from about TWO months ago and I'm just getting to posting them now.  After Megan's wedding, Amber and I ventured around Bellefonte to see what the town was made of.  The town is quaint and was just what we needed after a celebrating the night before. 

...after a night out the FIRST thing I want to do is eat. So, we went to this cute little cafe and got coffee and food. Essential. And why yes, funny you should mention it...Amber and I ARE wearing the same boots and skirt. No big deal. We do what we have to and act like it's ok :-D

We then got on a train and took some photos...

Acted like rebels and decided to walk the tracks...

Housed Elegantly ate cupcakes, since Amber is obsessed with trying new cupcake places.  These were delicious, by the way. 

It was the perfect day to just hang around and have best friend time.  I wish this happened more often, but distance is a bitch. If I'm being honest.

Beautiful.

One of my best friends sent me this this other day.

Think about people in your life who are beautiful; you know...those who have real, true and unsurpassed beauty.  What makes them beautiful?  I believe and have found that surface beauty can only go so far.  I've met plenty of people who lost their "beauty" and others who have become the most beautiful people I have ever seen after getting to know them.  What do you think defines beauty and makes a person beautiful? I think the quote above points out a lot of key points <3

The important things...

I got this Andy Rooney quote from Jenna's blog "The Duty Family".  I found it so inspiring that I decided to re-post it. 

I've learned.. that the best classroom is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.. that when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.. that one person saying to me "You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned.. that having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world. 

 I've learned.. that being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.. that you should never say no to a gift from a child.

 

I've learned.. that I can pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help her in some other way.

I've learned.. that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.. that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.


I've learned.. that simple walks around the block with my father as a child, did wonders for me as an adult.


I've learned.. that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer is gets to the end the faster it goes.


I've learned.. that we should be glad that God doesn't give us everything we ask for. 


I've learned.. that money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.. that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.



I've learned.. that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wanted to be appreciated and loved.


I've learned.. that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.


I've learned.. that when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.


I've learned.. that love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.. that the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people who are smarter than I am.


I've learned.. that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.. that no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.



I've learned.. that life is tough, but I am tougher.



I've learned.. that opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.. that when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.


I've learned.. that one should keep his words both tender and soft, because tomorrow he might have to eat them.

I've learned.. that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.


I've learned.. that everyone wants to live on top of the mountains, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.. the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

Pinky Pig

On Saturday, I went over to my friend Sara's house after work and some much needed thrift store shopping.  I brought over stuff to make cake pops along with things that were pink for her daughter (because that is her favorite color).  I decided that we could make some pig cake pops and did the best I could to make these suckers look like pigs.  I did a post about cake pops here if you'd like to look at the recipe and how to make them. They are really delish, if you've never tried them.

I ended up decorating most of the cake pops, which wasn't the plan. As you can see, there were not too many pigs because once you start making a bunch of pigs you start feeling like one. Sophia did like decorating the bowl with icing though, so she did help in that aspect ;)

We then read princess stories and watched Rudolph :) This little girl thinks I'm Ariel, so I can't say no to her haha.  It was an awesome and relaxing night, which is just what I needed.

So, on another note...my boss sent me a Santa video the other day and I cannot handle it.  You input information into a database and send your friends videos from Santa. It's awesome. The website is called Portable North Pole.  I really think you should check it out. I've been slowly sending the videos to my friends <3   PS: You can choose if your friends have been naughty or nice.  Which have you been ;)
 

Freaking Friday

Here are a few pictures from my iPhone:

I'm not sure if you remember, but I talked about my failed attempt to make origami flowers here.

I failed miserably. Steven then made me these...obviously we know who has the creative gene...

If I ever have time in the morning I like to make myself a breakfast sandwich.  This is a bacon egg and cheese on pancakes with syrup. Not kidding. 

Maxwell wrapped up in the newspaper bag...

Beach when Katie and Ashley visited

Sometimes he is so antisocial...

Other times he won't leave me alone...

I'm having a pretty bad day so far, but two things have helped to lift my spirits:

1.

My friend Ashley sent me this and it brought tears to my eyes

2.

Melina, one of my best bloggy friends, made me a button (look to the left).  It is beautiful and oh so thoughtful of her.  Why did she do this you ask?? Well, just because she knew I wanted a button, but am 1. computer illiterate and 2. too busy to take the time to make one.  Seriously girl, shout out to you and your selfless ways. So sweet.  I think you all should go and check out here blog here.

<3

Happy 27th Birthday, Steven. 

A little bit of this...a little bit of that.

So, I haven't been here for a while... so I have random things to share that have been poorly documented.

  First of all, I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving night I had to work at Fossil at 8:30pm because we opened at 9pm, awesome.  I hope you hear the resentment in my voice, haha. I had to leave Pennsylvania a little after 6 to make sure I arrived to the Jersey Shore Outlets on time. Oh well- over and done with. I managed not to get maced, jumped or killed, so I guess working Black Friday was a success.

Last Saturday, my best friend had her baby shower.  I was in charge of the games, prizes and some desserts, so here are some of the things I did:

Wine Bottle in Towel with Bow:

Prize number one: Wine wrapped in a towel and tied with a pretty bow.  The new mommy and I always used to drink a little too much wine, so I decided to torture her with it because, well...I'm a bitch ;) 

via 

Gift card Snow Globe: 

 

 Products needed

 Put glitter and decorations inside of the mason jar.  Hot glue the gift card to the lid (that faces inside)

Price number two: snow globe gift card holder. I made two. One for the baby shower and one for the fossil gift exchange :)
via

Pink and Zebra Cookies:

I made these cookies and they came out salmon colored first- ew, so then I made a quick batch of sugar cookies with red dye. **My friend's theme was pink and zebra striped**
via

Fruity Pebble Treats:

Fruity pebble treats :)

via

I also used a mason jar to put an apron in and attached a recipe to the jar for one of the prizes at the baby shower :) Thank you pinterest :)


I also got a third degree burn (I'm sure I'm exaggerating) from the melted chocolate I put into diapers for one of the games.  Sick, I know. But- watching people guess what kind of chocolate was melted in the diapers was pretty priceless ;)