christmasBLUR.

did christmas happen?
i must have missed it.
the eve was a rush, work all day, two parties at night.
the day was slower.. j taught me how to make his famous meatballs.
we partied at night.
my cousins taught me how to play mad gab.
is statue gnaw king = is that you knocking?

we were finally able to share dad's big news (wedding bells?)!
& another year of health & happiness in our family.
some members still were absent, but it did not put a damper on our holidays.

gifts galore.
my husband does not understand budgets or limits.
i know i should not brag/complain.

minion has a new bed.
he still won't sleep on it.
& he already chewed to pieces ALL of his new toys!

to work today.
drove to school.
class was cancelled.
real life is back.

new years resolution = SLOW DOWN.

on to a new fresh new year.

check out the vintage treasury i made on etsy for the new year!
including this fresh vintage treasure:

from this shop!

you busy?

first i tried j.
'hi you busy?'
'i'm in a meeting'
crap.

next, my mom.
'heyy it's me'
'whats wrong?'
'uhhh.. my car is stuck'
'oh i'll come dig it out'

yeap my mom is stronger than me.
seriously.
she pushed as i hit the gas.
she wasn't strong enough, nothing.

yesterday, car got out of the driveway.. no problem.
today i backed into a snow bank.

even mom could not get my car out.
'um, mom, do you think i could get a lift to work?'
'sure, here i already picked you up your coffee.'

seriously? yeap.
i'm 24 & my mom drove me to work today.
& had a coffee ready for the drive.

white eagles.

it started friday night.
i was finishing my christmas shopping,
j called & asked if i wanted to go to the eagles game on sunday.
OF COURSE! i shouted.

saturday came & philadelphia/so jersey was covered in a blanket of snow.
i started to back out.
20 degrees? i can't handle that.
j wouldn't let me back out.

we made it.
hung out with a couple from erie, pa tailgating.
her name was holly lynn & we both worked in mental health?!
what!? yeap!

we entered the game.
the snow wasn't completely clear.
the fans through snow balls.
j might have through a snow ball or three..

the eagles won..

VICTORY!

E-A-G-L-E-S!

big plans, snowed in.

i had big plans for the weekend.
now we're snowed in.
i'm not complaining.
we have provisions: tostitos & diet coke.
minion's last experience with snow he was a pup & sunk in.
minion's experience today was different, he didn't want to come inside.

last night we celebrated j's bday (one month late) with my mom &
kate's graduation!
our christmas party for tonight has been cancelled.

tomorrow we have tickets for the EAGLES game.
at first i was going to bail,
until a friend convinced me...
if she can handle it with a baby on board,
i can handle it too.
hopefully the california boys won't be able to handle the snow.
& the boys from philly will be victorious!

it's too early for our lake to be frozen,
but if the temp stays low hopefully it will feeze by new years!

big thanks to Jenna for speading happiness to me!

10 things that currently make me happy... so here they are (in no particular order):

1. Etsy - my store has been really successful this year & i love spending weekends with my mom at auctions & estate sales shopping to stock up the store; sad part is that i probably spend more money shopping on etsy than i make!

2. 250 of 700 hours left in my pracitcum, March cannot come soon enough!

3. the Phildelphia Eagles actually winning!

4. our first christmas present came in the mail today (from my gparents in DE) & all of the christmas cards we've received so far!

5. buying size 2 jeans from express, yeap i put it out there. don't mind me bragging there was a time when i was buying size 10...eeeek.

6. two three day weekends coming up (christmas & new years!)

7. holiday parties!

8. how pretty my house looks decorated for christmas!

9.  christmas movies on tv, everyday!

10. "The Sing-Off" - LOVE IT!

So now I need to pass this award on to bloggers whose posts make me happy.

Danielle
Ashley
Erica

updated my link love.

check out my linklove.
updated today with some new real life loves who i'm so happy have joined me in the blog life!

today i had a really great day.
nothing amazing, but it felt great to be back at work and accomplishing a lot.
i'm happy to be healthy & safe this holiday.
i'm happy to give back & enjoy life.
you should join me..

and if you really want to get into the holiday season of giving, give water.

and if you need to remember how precious life is, go here.

as always, shop locally & buy handmade.

oh hormones.

in my recent quest to be a happy, healthier person i have tried to reduce medicine intake.
about three months ago i stopped taking a little pill that had been regulating my hormones for 7!years.
hell has come upon me.
my skins a mess.
today, 5am the cramps i once stopped by taking that pill, hit like fire.
my insides literally felt ripped apart.
i waited until 5:30 then stumbled to the bathroom for tylenol.
j watched in horror as i swallowed the tylenol, laid down for a minute..
then ran back to the bathroom to empty my stomach.

anyone have natural remedies to sooth these wonderful side effects of our natural hormones?
seriously, vitamins/teas.. anything?

back from florida.
after an 8 hour flight delay.

i hate calling out of work.
i've only done so once in th past two years.
i don't mind scheduling days off,
but hate calling in and leaving my clients/co-workers hanging.
today i called out.
i still feel anxious,
but knew i needed the sleep.

the next week will be crazy at work.
i slept til 7pm today my day off today was worth it.

received a phone call about future schooling.
setting my nerves on edge even more.
definitely need to schedule more relaxation time for the holiday season!

celebrate six months.

what have i learned about being a wife in six months?
ha.
still not sure i consider myself a wife.
a partner yes.
funny how rules of life change.
i wonder if anyone feels similar.
i love to take care of my husband, but he does the same for me.
we both work hard to make a living.
share the cooking and he's even started sharing the cleaning.
our decisions are made together.
all decisions.

a wife, maybe.
i like being called his wife, but don't like the possessive connotation.
i'd rather be his partner.
his best friend.

yesterday we celebrated (in the most relaxed way, in florida) six months as official partners.
i don't feel as much has changed.
but then again i may just feel very comfortable with the change.

florida

after a two hour delay at the atlantic city airport & a bumpy flight..
we made it to florida.
today it rained, but we were not stopped.
visited the beautiful naples botanical gardens.

we hear it may snow in jersey tomorrow,
i will take the rain.
tomorrow we're hoping to hit the everglades and see some gators.
real ones, not tim tebow.. but that would be nice too (sorry j).

FYI: the shop will be back open next wednesday!

happy black friday.

my black friday shopping consisted of walking into toys r us.
getting hit by three (yes, three) shopping carts.
looking at the 2hour long line.
walking out of toys r us.

sorry but i'll shop tomorrow.

instead of shopping, i'll spend my day selling.

but if you hop over here, you may get a black friday suprise!

graduation

cousin kevin graduated from the coast guard today!
he leaves on november 30 for virginia beach, va.
another reason to visit my 2nd favorite state? score!
& he received best shipmate award, voted by his company peers!

happy birthday minion!

friday night, november 20th, minion celebrated his first birthday!

minon in march:

minion today:

he's become camera shy.

minion still thinks he weighs the same & can sit on my lap. (he offically weighs more than me!)

he still goes nuts when we walk in the door.

he still loves us.

he still chases his tail.

our brazilian mastiff, is nothing like they said he wold be.

he licks 300x more than he bites.

he's a little weary of the men, but loovess the ladies.

his grandmothers are his bffs.

a successful year with a puppy, i can't believe we survived!

Auction 101

When I post about auction trips I usually get a few questions, so I thought I'd do a quick Auction 101 lesson.

Where to find an auction? My favorite site auctionzip.com; type in your zip code & then click the day you want to hit up an auction

What auction to look for? Estate auctions tend to be smaller, smaller crowds/less items, and may be good for a first timer. Larger auctions that are held weekly, biweekly and/or monthly are larger and will draw a large (sometimes high price) crowd. Avoid Holiday auctions, more people=higher prices. Larger auctions will have more items and sometimes you may be able to find great items mixed into box lots.

What are box lots? Large sales (and sometimes at smaller sales) box items for quick sale. You may get a great box (sometimes find the BEST items) or a bad box.  Arrive earlier to look through box lots, however be careful not to point out expensive things in a box lot that would draw attention to other buyers or the auctioneer who can remove and item to be sold separate.

Ask if you can pull an item.  If you want something specific ask the auctioneer to auction it separtely.  This can be dangerous because you may draw attention to the object or you may get it cheaper because it's no mixed in with other items people may want.

At the auction:
Bring chairs - something mom & I have learned the hard way, we pack folding chairs.
Some auctions only accept cash.
WATCH YOUR PURCHASES, sadly there are people who take other people's items.
Dress comfy.  Last weekend I wore jeans, Uggs, and a few layers of shirts for when I got hot/cold.
Bring a big car, you buy it you take it. (sometimes they may hold or deliver, but not always).
If you're going to bid, set a limit (i.e. $20) and go one over the limit (i.e. $22.5).  Most people stop at large numbers 20/30/40/etc, if you go one above it might be enough to win the item.
Pay attention to multiple items being auctioned together.  Price may be per item, i.e. $10 per item, 3 items your total will really be $30.
Pack a snack.  Some auctions have food vendors, but not all.

Get ready to people watch. Auctions bring out the fun crowd.

Let me know if you have any additional questions!

oh, sunday.

let me set the scene:

sunday morning 8:30am.
i need an outfit.
desperately.
i'd settle for just a new shirt & some shoes.
the mall opens at 11.
party is at 12.
where to go?

thank goodness for target & kohls.
picked up a cute shirt at target 9:30am.
picked up some new pumps from kohls 10:15am.

home by 10:45am.
showered & dressed at 11:30.
party at 12.
victory.

and some great pumps to rock monday at work.

but seriously, why does the mall not open until 11 on sundays?

vanessa cavaco designs

a big thank you to: vanessa cavaco designs on etsy.
for some pretty return address stickers for my shop.
you can also check out: her blog.

i've been waiting for a few days to get an order that i can use these stickers.
and two pretty packages are going out in the mail!
i love wrapping my sales in pretty tissue paper, pretty ribbon if it fits
& now these stickers add to the package!
any other suggestions to pretty up little packages?
i've been dying for pretty bubble envelopes and small boxes (that don't break the bank)!

where am i?

no idea.
here/there/everywhere?
busy busy busy.
work, school, etsy & fun.
lots of new stuff to come.
holidays are too soon!

check out etsy to see all the fun stuff i've been researching on!

happy birthday j!

my husband turns 27 on monday, november 9, 2009.
last year this time we were in vegas.
two years ago, we officially started dating.
yeap, dating to marriage in two years. woop!
for 10 months i'm three years younger than him.
james michael, thank you for the best year of my life!

happy birthday j.

wedding photo by kamila harris

my jersey.

last tuesday night after the new, new jersey governor had been announced i started reading the twitter posts under the trending topic "new jersey".
it was the same old babble.
the armpit of america.
maybe you should meet my new jersey.
we live in the pinelands of atlantic county.
peaceful & pretty.
last sunday mom and i took te scenic route home from her shop.
we drove through salem county.
which if you didn't realize you were in nj, you might think you were in the midwest.
it is a world away from that new jersey (the yankee fan nj).

this is my jersey.
the real garden state.

becauseineedavacationfromreallife.
vacation.
december 3.
naples, FLORIDA.
love.
real life is okay.
just super busy.
hence, the lack of substantial baking/posting.
etsy is in full force.
after two weekends of stocking up on supplies the store should be booming soon.
which is great.
because i need spending money.
FOR VACATION.
okay, too much. i get it.

well here is some eye candy.

helen's hassack in a co-op in salem, nj.

the simple life.

from one of these cookbooks.

get it done.

last week i cleaned out my baking cabinet.
yes i have my own small baking cabinet where i stock my supplies.
i found mini pumpkin cupcake papers.

& i decided they needed to be used by october 31.
summer posted this recipe, which turned out delish.
however, mine were not quite so pretty.
i haven't mastered the icing drizzle yet.
however, i'm sure my co-workers will appreciate the yummies in the AM.

in between baking/phillies/hokies.
i organized my vintage cookbook collection.
vintage cookbook collection?
yep, you heard right.
they will be gracing etsy, hopefully by the end of the weekend.
i'm amazed at the amount of cookbooks printed by ingredient producers.
why don't they continue that?
how much would you love to receive an entire cookbook on things to do with x?
i would.
here's a sneak peek:

sick yet?

hanging in PHILS lockerroom during our 'trash the dress'
are you sick of my phillies pictures yet?
no? that's good!
do you have  phever yet?
i do.
& i'm hoping to spread it around my workplace.
have a REDoctober dress on.
need to find some REDnovember ensembles.
we beLEEve.

photo by kamila harris (ofcourse!)

no day is easy.

when i decided to create this blog on my 24th birthday.
i wanted to make changes.
to appreciate.
to love.
to dream.
to be happy.
i'm a work in process.
thankfully i found this sign here, for a daily reminder.

 be thankful, for each. individual. day.
i've been finding each day too short.
mondays come too soon.
especially in the fall.
any time managing tricks?
household chore short-cuts?
i'd love some advice on how to make the best of my days!
but don't worry i'm slowly advancing on some long term goals :)
hopefully good news to follow!

if you like thoreau or whitman, you love burroughs.
more information on john burroughs can be found here.

auction.

mom & i were up early on saturday. we grabbed coffee/diet coke & headed down the shore.
an old barn full of antiques was auctioned off & we filled the car with goodies!
including a lot of chairs:

& two lots of mason jars that will be on etsy soon!

Morgan Harrington

This young woman has been on my mind all week.

If you have seen this girl or have any information about her whereabouts please call (434) 352-3467

She was last seen October 17, at a Metallica concert in Charlottesville, VA.

If you could pass this long, that would be so helpful!

a successful dinner.

j is the cook in our home.
it's unusual for me to cook dinner & be consumed by j.
tonight was different.

thanks to everyday food.

adapted recipe for two!

...

you support a sports team you have no ties to, because you think it's cool.. defriend.

you hate the phillies.. defriend.

you like the yankees, just because they're the yankees.. defriend.

obviously, i'm losing friends quickly of facebook.

i get by with a little help from my friends.

so when i started blogging last year about our wedding, it was pretty anonymous.
now, blogging about life in general, more of my friends & family have become followers.
& i'm super psyched that some of my friends have started blogging themselves.

hello, friend.

home.
danielle

sisters.
michelle
ashley
madeleine

fellow hokie.
lauren


& if there are more of you (i'm sure there are) who are or want to blog. please join this world.

my phever is HEATING up.

the phils played monday, playoffs!
husband was offered {free} tickets.
i had school.
at least i sort of was at the game..

oh look there's the stadium, as i drive by..
i think i can see my husband!
& my brother in law!

see the phillies phever in the city.. I LOVE IT.
REDoctober.

new button.

there needs to be a dislike button on facebook. seriously.

also a button that says, 'tell this person i no longer have facebook so they'll stop friend requesting me'.
or maybe a 'defriend this person but make it look like i cancelled facebook'

oh wait a 'how do i know this person' button would be perfect!

& a 'if you want to be my facebook friend, but don't say hi to me in public.. automatic defriending' button. (not that it has ever happen to me ;) )

or if 'you pretend you forgot my name but we're facebook friends.. automatic defriending' button.

.. 'you pretend you don't know i'm married but we're facebook friends & my name has changed.. automatic defriending' button

there should be a button on websites that says 'send this to my e-mail' - sure i can 'e-mail a friend' & type in my own address twice, but then it just looks like i have no friends.

every e-mail account should have an unsend button, along with texting. 'unsend text' would be amazing.

everyone should have a 'i have heart courage and brain' button on their blog.
but i'm pretty unsassy with the photoshop/illustrator.. so i can just keep dreaming about that.

ps - j & i became uncle & aunt AGAIN on friday :)
pss - i know what we're going to be for halloween & i was given the idea by my five year old cousin!

pumpkins & love.

kate organized a pumpking carving party.
pumpkin, football & friends.
take a guess of which pumpkin kate & i worked on together.

never a good idea.

dear friend,

you have no good ideas.

it's just that simple.

also, you are the worst advice giver.. ever.

you: 'we should stay for another beer'

me: 'i want these balloons'

you: 'you should definitely take them home'

always a pleasure,

mejor.

ps - go phils. (and hokies!)

a perfect evening.

yummy soup, piquant red wine, a warm fire & a million blogs to catch up on =

a perfect evening

recipe found: via lake jane via closet cooking

i used ground turkey instead of the turkey sausage & added italian seasoning.

quick, easy & ambrosial.

sorry i've been mia. i've got a phever.

top two photos TTD!- kamila harris

freshman 15.

so #2 of this article proves it was not my fault i gained the freshman 15 (or 30..)

& if you have not started reading the daily beast, daily, by now you should.
not your parents news.

sugarsugar.

are you a back aisle shopper?
i love target.
but i really love sales.
when i have extra time i search high & low
through the back of targets aisles.
the clearance section.
i picked up some great cookie cutters a few weeks ago.

obviously, i haven't used them.
i have not had any luck with sugar cookies.
does anyone have a good recipe they'd like to share?
&/or a good icing to decorate with?
please share the love!
(and check out your local target, back aisle style!)

kitchen sink cookies

today i needed a pick-me-up.
j is out of town for work.
so i made his favorite recipe.
(don't worry j i left some for you too!)

you can make kitchen sink recipes anyway you like.
any type of chocolate chip recipe will do ( i like oatmeal ).
& instead of simple chocolate chips..
add whatever you've go in your cabinet.
for these cookies i added:
1/4 cup butterscotch chips
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup coconut
1/2 cup sliced almonds!

here is my recipe based on my favorite vintage cook book!

a walk through the neighborhood.

minion loves to frolic through the woods in our neighborhood.

goodbye & good luck dinner.

last night my family came together for dinner at red stone.
we said goodbye to my cousin.
he leaves for the us coast guard bootcamp monday.
aunt sue throws a party like no other.
including a cake from sweet eats bakery, a family tradition.

moral excellence comes about as a result of habit.

we become just by doing just acts,

temperate by doing temperate acts,

brave by doing brave acts. - aristotle

hokie love.

from here

a dress.

you search & search.
than you find.. the dress.

than you dream about the dress.

decide you'll never fit into the dress.

so you stop eating, sort of.

but somehow, like cinderella's shoes, or the traveling pants..

the dress fits (unlike oj's glove).

you start this new life.

this wonderful, scary, and brand new life.

and you see that dress.

that very dress.

sitting in your laundry pile.

now what?

i always think 'i'm sure no one will want to wear this dress'.

why keep it? what will i do with it?

this past weekend i attended one of my best's parent's 30th anniversary.

they had her wedding dress.

and sure her daughters aren't planning on wearing it to their wedding.

but they will try it on.

& they will love it.

because you wore it & loved it..

the day you started..

this brand new life.

(sorry k, at least i blurred your face?)

top two photos from my day by kamila harris