Get Me Out of Here

Today is not my day. This week is not my week. When did I become so pessimistic? I've let the stress of life get to me [enter emotional break down], and I'm ready to get over myself.

Really, in the grand scheme of life, my week is okay and my day has to get better [right?].


[ I need a vacation. ]

I just want to go to an island in the middle of nowhere by myself and just be. Turn off my BlackBerry, not necessarily do anything, and just relax/recover/forget. It would be nice to just escape reality for a little bit.


Today... I want to be here.



How are you today? In need of an escape?


Ready for the weekend...

Me = Biggest Loser

So I found out yesterday that there is a Biggest Loser competition starting up in our office. At first I was completely turned off to the idea once I heard the competition joining fee was $50/person [for a thrifty girl like myself, I could do wonders with $50!], but then I heard how many people were doing it and the winner will be taking home $600+!!

{ Ummm... what?! }

Needless to say I am signing up tomorrow.

A super friendly, trustworthy co-worker of mine will be keeping track of each person's weight. All participants have to weigh in every Tuesday morning one-on-one with her. At the end of the competition, the person with the highest percentage of weight loss wins the loot!

My motivation: I have a teeny weeny blue bridesmaid dress to wiggle into in t-minus 18 days [...and this sucker is tight]! I figured the worst thing that could happen is I lose the competition and kiss $50 goodbye. BUT the very best thing(s) that could happen is/are WAY better:


1) I could [finally] get down to my healthier goal weight

2) Feel freaking fantastic in my dress

3) Gain back my self-confidence

4) Earn office bragging rights

5) Win $600!!!!

The office Biggest Loser competition is 4 weeks long and I plan on keeping you posted! Your encouragement and accountability mean a lot to me and I'm excited to get back to my healthier, full of confidence self!!

{ HELLO $600 + Cute little bod!! }


[Me after winning and stealing everybody's money - don't I look happy?!]


...What would you do with $600?


Wish me luck!

Guilty As Charged...

We all have them, so don't you try to deny it. Those little things that we secretly love to love, but feel slightly bad for enjoying them so much...



{ Guilty pleasures. }


I would like to say that I only have a few, but that would be called lying. Like... big time lying. I have handfuls of things that I enjoy, so I plead...

...guilty as charged.




{ My Guilty List }


1) People/US Magazine

-What's worse is I never buy them, I read for free at B&N!


2) Kardashians

-Beautiful and hilarious, I can't get enough of Keeping Up!


3) No Make-up

-Weekend. Wake up. Wash face. Dab on moisturizer. Lip balm. Go!


4) Messy FB Statuses

-This is sick. Why must I find people's FB drama interesting?


5) The Hills/The City

-How much more "Pam Anderson" can Heidi go?


6) Justin Bieber

-Go right ahead and make fun of me. His songs are addictive.


7) Sweatpants

-Ummm... yes please. Right now.


8) SATC on DVD

-I could watch for hours on end. Countdown until SATC 2... 16 days!


9) Dessert [instead of dinner]

-Give me a bowl of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia Fro Yo over din-din any day!


10) Blogging

-I absolutely love writing about things I love... thanks for reading!





What are your favorite guilty pleasures?

10 Summer Reads

I don't know what it is about the summer season, but I always crave new and exciting books! Summer is always the time I have to get lost in a good book and find new adventures. I love it.

I think it has something to do with wanting to be out enjoying the beautiful weather... reading by the pool... reading in my cozy patio chair... reading while stretched out on a picnic under a beautiful tree.


{Mmmm... summer reading.}

So, in anticipation for summer I have been making an on-going list of books that I would love to get lost in this season. As always, I warmly welcome any and all suggestions to add to my list! Here is my list, to name a few...


1) The Last Lecture
- Randy Pausch

2) The Happiness Project
- Gretchen Rubin

3) The Carrie Diaries
- Candace Bushnell

4) Lunch in Paris
- Elizabeth Band

5) The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To
- DC Pierson

6) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
- Rebecca Skloot

7) Searching for Tina Turner
- Jacqueline Luckett

8) The Forty Rules of Love
- Elif Shafak

9) The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson
- Jerome Charyn

10) Girl in Translation
- Jean Kwok



My plan is to get to a book shop this weekend and hop to it!


So tell me... what's on your summer reading to do list?

Monday... Exhausted.

It is a gloomy, rainy day here in the city. Normally rain makes me excited and energized [thunderstorms are my absolute favorite], but today I just feel...

...exhausted.

This weekend was long and busy, and today i simply feel burnt out in every capacity. To make matters yuckier... I feel a cold coming on. Blah. At this point, I could easily fall asleep at any given moment. Anywhere.


What I wouldn't give for...

being at home.
sleeping all day.
aspirin.
warm blankets.
snuggling with pup.
a back rub.
when harry met sally.
my cozy bed.
yummy hot tea.
comfy pajamas.



Here's to hoping Tuesday is much better...

Happy Mother's Day!

“My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her.”

~George Washington


Wishing you a lovely Mother's Day honoring and remembering the most selfless, beautiful, loving, funny and wonderful woman ever... Mom.


I love you, Mom!

Twilight Takes Over Baby Names

Holy vampires... it's official! The Twilight phenomenon has swept the nation and has now taken over babies everywhere!



Yes, as insane as it may sound... it's true! My lovely Dad, sheer genius extraordinaire, brought this to my attention this evening as he came across a story in the local newspaper:

________________________________

Isabella, Jacob are Top U.S. Baby Names.

"Mom and Dad may be looking to popular vampire books for baby names: Cullen is on the rise for boys.

Isabella is now the top baby name for girls, Jacob for boys, the Social Security Administration said Friday. Isabella's climb to the top in 2009 ends Emma's one-year reign. Jacob is on an 11-year run at the top.

Edward Cullen is one of the lead characters. Edward moved up 11 spots, to No. 137 on the list, and Cullen was the biggest riser among boys' names, up 297 spots to No. 485."

- Associated Press (via Wichita Eagle)
________________________________

Isn't this funny/crazy?! I think it's so interesting how pop culture effects us!

...I love it!

So, for your pure enjoyment and to quench your overwhelming curiosity... I present the top 10 boy and girl baby names of 2009.


Boy Names

1) Jacob
2) Ethan
3) Michael
4) Alexander
5) William
6) Joshua
7) Daniel
8) Jayden
9) Noah
10) Anthony


Girl Names

1) Isabella
2) Emma
3) Olivia
4) Sophia
5) Ava
6) Emily
7) Madison
8) Abigail
9) Chloe
10) Mia


Do you know anyone who has recently turned their baby into a statistic?! If I were married and expecting, I certainly would not be opposed - especially to those cute feminine girly names!

No worries, as do most girls, I've mentally noted baby names that I love for a million bajillion years from now. No matter how popular current trends are, you simply like what you like, so we'll see how my baby names rank in the year 2073... oh lordy!


On another note, in honor of the next installment of the Twilight saga movies...

...52 days to go until Eclipse!


I hope your weekend has been nothing but wonderful!

Starbucks Your Way Skinny

So I don't know about you, but I love coffee. I love it... like obsession-style love it - Woah! Although, however simple and mindless having a coffee may seem, after awhile all of those calories add up!

Due to the vast approcahing summer season I've got to whip my rear in gear to be swimsuit ready! [I know, I know... just the thought of swimsuit shopping makes your cringe too, right?]



Well, don't your worry my friends, my beloved Starbucks has added new light drinks to their waistline friendly options - YUM! Thanks to the variety of these healthier options I can get my caffeine fix, conquer my incessant sweet tooth, and stay on track for bikini season!

Yummy Starbucks Light
(tall 12oz - nonfat milk)

Caffe Latte - 100 calories, 0g fat
Skinny Flavored Latte - 90 calories, 0g fat
Cappuccino - 60 calories, 0g fat
Caramel Macchiato - 140 calories, 1g fat
Iced Caffe Mocha - 130 calories, 2g fat
Iced Cinnamon Dolce - 130 calories, 0g fat
Coffee Light Frappuccino - 80 calories, 0g fat
Mocha Light Frappuccino - 100 calories, 0.5g fat
Java Chip Light Frappuccino - 140 calories, 2.5g fat
Soy Strawberries & Creme Frappuccino - 190 calories, 1.5g fat
Caramel Light Frappuccino - 90 calories, 0g fat
Vanilla Light Frappuccino - 130 calories, 0g fat
Tazo Shaken Iced Green Tea - 60 calories, 0g fat
Tazo Black Shaken Iced Tea Lemonade - 100 calories, 0g fat



What's your favorite bikini friendly treat?





...Cheers to drinking ourselves swimsuit slim!

Happy Friday Wishes!

Hello lovely readers, and happy Friday to you! I hope your weekend is full of wonderful things!

I have taken the day off to drive home and take care of my little invalid - poor thing! So, I am getting ready to load my bags [and Beast] in the car, grab a Starbucks - my Friday special... yum! - and hit the road.

Mom and I are going to relax and watch movies all day, because that's what she wanted to do [and whatever Mom says goes - haha]! I'm totally excited to have some one-on-one mother/daughter bonding time, watching Julie & Julia and chatting about lovely girly things! A little pre-Mother's Day celebrating... delightful!


What do you have on your fun list today?


...Wishing you a fabulous Friday!

Things I Love Thursday

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love 2010 spring/summer fashion. The big trend this year is soft, feminine fashion.

I love everything about the ruffles, pretty details, sparkle and floral prints! Let's not forgot about the adorable girly accesories too!


Some of my favorites...








I can't wait to find some fabulous deals and steals this spring! What fun fashion trends are you excited for?


Time to shop...

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

strawberry margaritas + guacamole + bright pinatas
yummy tacos + salsa & chips + sopapillas
great music + good company

FIESTA!


Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday full of celebrations!