Quick Update

So, I finally got a second Josette chair from Pier 1 Imports. Unfortunately, since I bought them at different times, they are a little different. The new one is slightly larger (and I'm probably the only one who will ever notice), and slightly brighter. The colors have a tad more punch. I'm hoping that if I accent them differently (one with a pillow, one with a throw/blanket) that it will not be noticeable. And as my mother says, "who likes matchy-matchy anyway?" (Well...I do mother...)

Also, I started reading The Hunger Games (after reading the dog rescue book Oogy in a week or so), and I am already hooked!! Only 1 chapter in and I can't put it down. I think the last book I felt this way about was Water For Elephants.

So this was just a short little update. I am thinking of a couple new topics to bring to the blog. In the meantime, I am going to go read my book in my new chair! <---See what I did there? :)

A Splash of Color

So I currently live in my parents house, which is good (hey, no rent!), but can be frustrating. I want to have my own place so that I can have a creative outlet for all of the crazy ideas bouncing around in my head.

Back in July 2010, I bought a chair for my room at my parents house. I needed something else in the room because it's kind of bare and no longer has a desk (that thing bounced around so many places the past four years that I couldn't even tell you where it is)! This is the chair:

 

via Pier 1 Imports

I knew instantly that when I did get my own place, this would be the inspiration for the house. The chair has so many colors that I love! Mustard, sky blue, and deep crimson red would be other colors that I could introduce throughout the house. 

I was lucky enough to get the first chair on sale. I have been watching the Pier 1 website like a hawk for the past six months waiting for the chair to go on sale again. So far, no luck. A couple weeks ago, I was given a coupon for 20% off of Pier 1, and my mother had just offered to get me a gift for watching the house, dogs, and little brother/third dog while they were out of town. What a perfect coincidence of events!

I ordered the second chair and will be picking in up next week. I can not wait to move into a house/apartment (hopefully sometime in the near future) and use these chairs as my inspiration. I can see them across from a neutral colored couch covered in these pillows:

 

via Madeline Weinrib Atelier

via Pier 1 Imports

Just realized those are FSU colors. YES! Go Seminoles! :)

Major Monday....errr Tuesday??

Note: I wrote this last night, however, my internet crapped out on me so I am posting it this morning! :)

Ummmm...yeah I was sort of busy last week. Bad excuse I know, considering I already broke my promise. Oops.

Okay...starting TODAY I will blog at least twice a week. :D

Another Major Monday is among us. This week I am dying to get immersed in a good book. I rarely find time to read (even though I love it) because my demanding schedule of cheesy dramas **cough** Pretty Little Liars **cough** and wacky reality shows **ahem** The Bachelor and Bethenny Ever After, do not allow me enough time to read before I go to bed (remember, I go to bed earlier than most 22 year olds).

However in the next week I am going to make it my goal (we'll see how this goes, remember my last goal? Oh yeah...) to start a book. Currently pondering:

The Hunger Games (heard from several people that this is a great read)

via Amazon

 

Memoirs of a Geisha (have been meaning to start this since July...)

via Amazon

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (I know, I know. Some say they love it, others they hate it. I want to make my own judgment!)

 via Amazon

Major Monday

Ok, so I am obviously bad at this blogging thing. But at least I warned you in the beginning! :)

New goal--to blog at least twice a week.

I hate Mondays, so in attempt to make brighten my day, I am going to start a little series called Major Monday where I will feature something that I am currently craving.

To start it off: All white rooms. Completely unrealistic in most homes (especially if you have pets or kids), but there is something about it that makes me want to snuggle up with a cup of coffee and a good book.

 

via Apartment Therapy  

 

 

via Nest Egg and Southern Accents

via Country Living

Much Needed Vacation

This weekend I am going to Miami to visit my friend Andrea. She lives in the heart of downtown, close to the beach, and I'm hoping some shopping! I am excited to spend the weekend in Miami, it's warm and I will be able to lay out and get a tan (well okay, probably not a tan, but I'll take anything at this point, I'm beginning to look like Casper). I'm also super excited to go out on the town and be able to get dressed up. Very rarely do I go out in Jacksonville. 1. Everything is so far away and getting a cab is a fortune. 2. I can never stay awake because I normally go to bed at 9 (granny status). And 3. Did I mention granny status? I like Jeopardy and a big glass of red wine in my jammies. Lame and I love it.

On Sunday I participated in the Donna Breast Cancer Marathon. I ran 5 miles in 58 minutes. I am no champion but for me, this is great! I had a wonderful time but I was exhausted! We had to get up at 5:00am to get to the race which started at 7:30am. It was FREEZING. I had to wear shorts though because I wouldn't actually start running until 9:00 when it was warmer. Also, I hate running in pants! I now know that next year I need to bring some throw away sweatpants and a sweatshirt to wear in the morning. Aside from that minor detail, and the fact that the shuttle system was less than perfect, I had a great time.

On Monday it was Valentine's Day. Wahooooo. :) My mom, dad, and brother (and of course the two pups) were my valentines. My brother even went out and bought us chocolate. We had steak, wine, and watched Watson kick serious ass on Jeopardy! Oh, and did I mention that my dad and I have watched every episode of Pretty Little Liars together? He is obsessed and I love that he now asks me every Monday if there is a new episode.

Ta-Ta for now!

Potpourri

This whole blogging thing is hard to keep up with. I have so many ideas. I just need to take the time to sit down and write them down! I think I'll make this post a potpourri of topics.

1. The Bachelor-Week 6: We are in Costa Rica. Land of love....and large beetle creatures that make their way into your living room (and probably your bed--how romantic). I have just a few things to note. First, let's all just pretend that it wasn't the producers idea to put Chantal in Brad's white button down. Was anyone else grossed out when she came out and all of a sudden he was like "I'll be riiiighhtt back." Ew. We all know what you're doing Brad. Second, are men really attracted to the violent and catty behavior of which Michelle reeks? I know that she's only on the show for ratings at this point, but even a phenomenal actor like Brad (did you see his blood donations PSAs and action movie? AH-mazzzzze. HA.) shouldn't be able to keep a straight face when she's slapping him around like a rag doll and acting like a selfish lunatic. Last, when Alli let out the blood curdling scream while being attacked by a bug (hilarious), did you notice how Michelle casually wrote it off while Brad looked genuinely concerned (for 2.5 seconds, then he was back under Michelle's creepy spell). Seems to me like Michelle is not bothered by what seemed like someone being murdered which just solidifies my prediction that she has in fact been in a insane asylum at one point in her life.

2. Things I bought recently: Got those Aldo boots from the "STUFF!!" post. In LOVE with them, however they have quite the (5 inch) heel on them. I look like Godzilla, but I am proud to wear such beautiful boots. Also bought a great new purse, necklace, and hat from Urban Outfitters. I got some great nail polish from Ulta, a rainbow sparkly one and a khaki/army green one! 

3. This weekend is the Breast Cancer Marathon. I am competing in the Marathon Relay with 4 others. We are each responsible for 5 miles (one person does 6.2). I am excited because this will be the first run that I seriously compete in. I am going to try and run all 5 miles. I have done several 5Ks before, but I never run the entire thing. This will be my first chance to see if I am actually cut out to be a runner! Wish me luck, I'm going to need it!

Wardrobe Staple: Stripes

There are a few things that stay constant in my closet. The colors white, black, gray, and blue, and STRIPES! I love wearing stripes. I think horizontal stripes look good on anyone. Basic cotton striped tees can be dressed up or down so they make the perfect transition from day to night. Wear with jeans, flats, and a scarf for a day of lunch and shopping. Or pair with heels, dark jeans, and a leather jacket for a night out on the town.

Here is a little compilation of striped apparel I found:

1. Indigo-stripe Boatneck Sailor Tee--J.Crew
2. Navy Stripe Snood--TopShop
3. Navy Frill Band Stripe Bikini Top--TopShop
4. Whistles Marilyn Silk Stripe Dress--Asos
5. Joie Soft Sagitarius Stripe Top--Piperlime
6. Tory Burch Stripe Espadrille--Piperlime

I obviously have a few striped shirts in my closet.

Though most of the tops I have are no longer available, there is no shortage of striped tees out there! Remember to stick with horizontal striped. Vertical striped look good on no one!

STUFF!

My weaknesses:
1. Clothes
2. Shoes
3. Purses

Yes, it's all stupid materialistic stuff...AND I LOVE IT. Judge all you want but if I won the lottery, I would probably spend most of the money on those three things. (We all think we would put it in the bank, give it to charity, buy our parents a house because we've been sucking the life and money out of them for the past--in my case--22.5 years, but let's get real. We like STUFF. I LOVE stuff).

So this post is about the stuff I love and I'm happy to write about it.

Last night I watched Pretty Little Liars, so naturally as soon as it was over, I headed to Possessionista's blog about everything we covet in Hollywood. I am in love with this top that Hannah wore. Although I would never spend the money on it, I hope I can find something similar. (Picture found by Possessionista).

I wanted to by a pair of Frye boots. I have heard that they are super comfortable and really worth the money. I want a pair of long lasting boots, but I am hard-pressed to hand over $300. I found this at Aldo for only $50. They look almost identical to the style that I wanted from Frye (Harlow Campus), yet they are a fraction of the price.

And lastly, it is time for me to get a new purse. I am always torn between black and brown (boring I know), but I don't like to constantly switch my stuff from purse to purse to match an outfit (cleaning out my purse is a whole other story), so that's why I tend to keep in neutral. I found this bag (also from Aldo, my go-to handbag store) and it's a little expensive so I'm going to try and find a very similar bag. I have had a cross body bag for a while, but I am ready to go back to a regular shoulder tote.

So, although I am trying (really, I'm trying) to save money, I am going to invest in a new purchase soon. I'll let you know what it is!

Workin' on my Fitness

I am currently at work, waiting for my experiment to finish. I am bored so I started reading about the exercises I will have to do tonight according to my Jillian Michaels Making the Cut book. On January 3rd, I began working out 4 days a week, and (at least trying) to eat better. I have done pretty well so far, as the workout goes at least. I am now able to run 1.5 miles without stopping, which is something I have never been able to do, because for some reason I have the lung capacity of and 80 year old with emphysema.

When is started the program, I stuck close to the meal plan. However, in the past week or two, I have strayed a bit because I can't afford to spend $150 at the grocery store every week. Dieting is burning a hole in my wallet! I thought I would share with you a couple of the things I have learned from this book--good and bad.

1. EAT BREAKFAST (how many times have you heard someone say that?? It's so true!!), and have a healthy snack between lunch and dinner. This is especially important if you plan to work out before dinner. I have found that I work much harder and have more energy when I have an apple or some crackers and PB around 3:00 and then start my workout between 4:30 and 5:00. It makes a huge difference when it comes to running long distances without stopping because you have energy from the food, but not a super full stomach.

2. Drink a lot of water. I never used to drink water, maybe a glass before bed sometimes but that was it. Now I drink at least 48oz a day. I bought this cute water bottle from target that holds 24oz. I don't drink soda anymore (at least at work), so I just make sure to drink 2 of these throughout the day.

3. Write in a food journal. It sounds really stupid and OCD, but it has helped me watch what I eat. And if I eat something not so good (like nachos...ahem..like every time I'm with Emily), I am more motivated the next day when I work out to make up for it.

4. And lastly, the book is helpful, however some of the exercises are really tough. If there is something I can't do, I try to modify it in a way to my fitness level. And I wish I would have known that some of the exercises that I am supposed to perform require weight and cable machines. I wanted to do this 30 day plan at home, but it is proving to be quite difficult.

Anyway, I am just getting the hang of this blogging thing. This blog is going to be a record of every day things I think about, so the sky is the limit I guess. I hope it doesn't bore anyone too much! See you next time...

And to leave you a quote from the Duchess herself:

"My body stay vicious, I be up in the gym just working on my fitness"
-Fergie

:D

Well Hello There...

So I have decided to jump on this blog bandwagon. I have a habit of starting projects and not finishing them, so we'll see how this goes. I am not a newlywed, new mom, an expert in anything, and I am not currently embarking on a new adventure. I am simply looking for a place to post anything and everything. I am a movie and television show critic, a fashion enthusiast, a celebrity gossiper, a scientist (geek-alert), an animal lover, and a rambler. Expect this blog to be a potpourri of topics. Anything that is on my mind is a potential entry.

With that said, I welcome you to my blog. I hope you enjoy my sarcasm and nerdiness. More interesting entries to follow--I am currently more concerned with the layout and theme of this blog (<---easily distracted).

And to end, the my favorite quote and the inspiration for the name of this blog:

"Life seems but a quick succession of busy nothings."
-Jane Austen