Where's My Money Go? July 12 - July 31

My (very rough) spending recap...

Bills:
Rent: $866.16
Transportation: $300.00 $33.00 (used Transitcheks)
Cable: $205.00
Credit Report: $15.00
Student Loan 1:  $40.00
Total: $1159.16

Other (this is just roughly what I remember):
Dinner with friends: $30.00?
Metrocard: $7.00
Taxis: $10.00
Friend's Bridal Shower: $70.00
Cloves: $10.00
Cookies for Coworker Visit: $12.00
Beer: $10.00
Vistaprint: $6.15
Total: $155.15

Grand Total: $1,314.31
The "other" section is so far off. I know for sure I spent more than this, but I was really bad at tracking this time around. Argh. I must do better next month. At least this includes big things like rent and bills. Still need to cut back. *le sigh*

Want It Wednesday: Tube-ery

I really wanna go river tubing before the summer is over. I know I've mentioned it a few times, but it seems as though all my weekends are filling up with no plans for tubing! I would especially want to go in something awesome like this...

Inflatable Island Intex Relaxation 10 x 10 Station Private Island 704 lbs 4 Person

$147.99

This would be more affordable, but the previous one has more leg room...

New Intex Pacific island lounger inflatable Float tube

$99.99

Or I could just hog all the fun for myself!! This looks like the La-Z-Boy for the river/pool!

SportsStuff Siesta Lounge – Yellow / Black

$69.99

Features:

With numerous ways to kick back, the Siesta Lounge offers features that allow you to experience complete relaxation.4.7 out of 5 stars (Read customer reviews)
Highlights include two cup holders, zippered storage compartments for sun tan lotion or other necessities, inflatable backrest, and folding inflatable footrest.
Durable construction with heavy-gauge PVC bladder, nylon full cover, and handles for easy transportation. 47″ x 75″.

Though even if I could get this to float down the river, I would be happy...

$18.77

And this looks like a necessity:



Have anything you want to do before summer is over?

Or any new things you would like to have?

RiverRough Cooler Raft

$39.99

Link up with Daphne!

Monday Morning TidBits

So...

This weekend was pretty much the epitome of laziness for me. Not that I'm complaining- I loved every minute of it!! I even squeezed some chores into my lazy-ass-ness! Also, I saw this:

Now, I've always been a big fan of The Jersey Shore. I've watched it from the beginning. But 1. I've never liked Mike "The Situation"...he's a douche, as his dumbass nickname implies. 2. I don't really think they should have desecrated all over Italy. The should've kept their antics in the States. No wonder no club, hotel, store, etc. wants them around- they act like total jackasses. I know these ridiculous displays of drunkeness are what keep coming us fans coming back for more (they did what??! OMG! Crazy!) ...but really... they do make Americans, and Jersey Italians, look like idiots. le sigh.

Unfortunately, I did not see Entourage yet. Or True Blood, or Keeping Up With the Kardashians. C was at a Grateful Dead concert, so I (being the awesome gf that I am) am waiting to watch it with him. So lots to catch up on this week!

But did you hear? Kim Kardashian is suing Old Navy because they have a girl that looks like her in their new commercial. Now, I do love the Kardashians (except, Rob ,who is a worthless talent-less waste of space but ANYway...) but seriously??!! That is so ridiculous- so now no one else can even look like her? Puh-lease Kim, get over yourself. 

source

In other news, Amy Winehouse died of an overdose on Saturday. It is sad, but is anyone all that surprised? Nooo, no, no.

(I apologize,...but it was just too easy). R.I.P. Amy Winehouse, 1983 - 2011.

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

Book Club Friday: I Heart New York

I Heart New York

From Booklist: "Londoner Angela Clarke has landed in New York City after catching her boyfriend with another woman at her best friend’s wedding. Alone, and with little more than the bridesmaid dress onher back, Angela begins to doubt her rash decision. That is, until Jenny, a hotel concierge and wannabe life coach, takes Angela under her wing, giving her a makeover and a crash course in New York life. Angela’s newfound style leads to romances with two very different men—handsome downtown banker Tyler and sexy Brooklyn rocker Alex. Angela turns her adventures in dating in New York into a blog for a popular magazine. When her popularity backfires, she must decide whether to escape back to London or stick to her adopted hometown. Sex and the City fans will enjoy this debut novelist’s take on dating, fashion, and friendship in the Big Apple."

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I thought the book was great for a beach read. Very predictable, very girly, and very Bridget Jones in NYC, except younger and slightly less pathetic- though I mean that in the nicest possible way!

Have you read this? What's on your reading list?

Technology Overload!

My friend emailed me, so I texted her, and then she left me a voicemail to plan a meet up...and we have yet to actually connect!

 And I am currently texting one friend while g-chatting another, and listening to Youtube, with the TV on in the background. I think I'm on technology overload!! So I thought I'd share:

Happy Thursday loves!

Thoughts on Being Home Alone

So C went to a soccer game tonight with some of his coworkers. My thoughts on my night alone:
"Hmm, my friend if off from work. Maybe I'll hit her up for happy hour. Nah, she's probably busy. Maybe I'll go to the free outdoor movie...I've been wanting to see The Social Network..."

But then I was pretty tired after work, so I decided to go straight home, and I thought:
"Ooooh I can't wait to get home and watch some girly tv WHILE reading my fave blogs!"

and then I got home and thought:
"Oooooh, I'm gonna do some dishes, and tidy up a little, and maybe even do laundry!"

and then I did this:
called my mom because she knew I was home alone and wanted the latest gossip
called my friend for our phone date (she didn't answer)
turned on Man v Food (NOT girly tv) while writing this post.

girls' night in alone= fail!!
whatevs, I'm gonna go eat some cookies...

Throwing Responsibility to the Wind and LSNT

Ermmm... I don't really remember what we did on Friday. Probably just decompressed from the week.

Saturday: Went to C's parents house just so he could pick up mail. But then his mom mentioned that she had converted some home videos into dvds. So...we got stuck watching them. It wasn't too bad. We saw 3, one of his mom's 27th bday, his dad's 30th bday, and his great-grandma's 87th bday, one of his dad going somewhere in upstate NY and watching car racing, and then him flying on a glider, and then one of C's 1st bday, him learning to swim, his first steps, and him biking in his neighborhood. He was such a cutie! (I guess he still is!) 

Then we threw responsibilities to the wind and hung out by our friend's pool for the rest of the afternoon. We were supposed to get groceries, go shopping for a few presents for events coming up, and clean our apartment, but it was way too nice out. And it's really nice to be able to just say screw it! And do whatever we want! It was a perfect Saturday summer afternoon. Our friends bbq'ed up some hot dogs and ribs, we drank beers and swam/waded in the pool. 

Sunday we were supposed to go to the Point Pleasant beach with my mom, but she was so indecisive all weekend. By 7pm Saturday, she said that she was tired and a whole day at the beach would've been too much, so she would plan something else with us soon. Then Sunday morning at 9am (when we were getting ready to go to the beach with our friends), she said she wanted to go. But by this point, we already had alternate plans. I felt bad, but we started trying to make plans with her on Friday, and she said she was out on Sat night. So I felt pretty guilty, but we weren't going to just drop our friends last minute either.

So we headed to a different beach, and got there at 10:45 only to find out that the park was full!! Ugh! But we were able to park nearby, and our friends (who got there about an hour before) were able to pick us up right at the park gates and take us to where they were set up...so we were able to enjoy the beach!

And this was the first time I fully got in the water! It was pretty warm, and almost no jellyfish (they freak me out). But I did got knocked down twice! The first time I was able to remember to hang on to my sunglasses (I have no idea why I thought it would be a good idea to wear them into the ocean!),...but the second time, I forgot, and they were gone. We searched for about 10 minutes to no avail. C was already trying to console me, and I was telling myself that it was ok, because at least they were only $10 (though they were my first pair of amber lenses, and they fit my face perfectly)...when our friend went right to one spot and found them! He just walked straight into the ocean, and picked them out like they were on a shelf! He definitely saved the beach day!

I can't find any pics of me in the sunglasses, but you can kinda see them on top of my head here

Yesterday I stayed home from work. From Sunday, my eye kinda hurt, but I figured the pain would go away. Sunday night my eye was tearing pretty bad, and felt strained. I took my contacts out and rinsed my eye out, but it didn't help. I went to the doctor, and she said that I probably had "iriatis" - basically an eye irritation caused by my contacts, but taking the contacts out a few days would probably clear it right up. She gave me a prescription to use in case it did develop into conjunctivitis, but it feels MUCH better, so I don't think I'll have to use it. And she gave me a note for work. Which was great because even though I called my boss at 6:45 AM leaving a message saying I was going to be out because of my eye, apparently she didn't get it and was asking my coworkers (who then texted me) where I was. I called her 3 more times, but she never answered so I left her voice messages, and texted my coworkers that I went to Dr. but would be back tomorrow (today). It's just so weird that she didn't get my messages- I know I didn't misdial because it was her voice message on the machine. Oh wells, at least I have coworker friends that care enough to get in touch with me, and a note to clear up any additional confusion. 

So yesterday I woke up late, went to the Dr., straightened up the apartment a bit, took a nap, did some laundry, and then made chocolate chip cookies just for the heck of it. They came out a little mis-shapen, but delicious!

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Now, for Learn Something New Tuesday! Click the icon to link up!

QUESTIONS
1. When is the last time you read the printed paper?
I read the Comics just about every Sunday...does that count??!

2. Who would you rather go on a date with, George Clooney, Brad Pitt or David Beckham?
George Clooney. I think Brad Pitt is weird for being with that Jolie crew, and Beckham is hot, but doesn't "wow" me. Clooney is sophisticated and seems like a real charmer...not to mention very handsome!

3. Do you like to cook? Do you have a specialty dish?
No, I don't like to cook. But sometimes I like to bake- my specialty is pumpkin pie :)

4. If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Australia, because I've always wanted to go there. I think I would love the culture, the overall vibe, and of course the Great Barrier Reef!

5. If you're married, do you see yourself married to the same person for the rest of your life? If you're not married, do you see yourself getting married?
Yes, I definitely see myself getting married. One day, hopefully!

6. What is your favorite time of the day?
7:40-ish pm. That's when C picks me up from the train. I love that I'm (almost) home, he picks me up, and we talk about our days.

Summer Wish List

I know I shouldn't really be making a wishlist being that 2 days ago I was wondering where all my money went, but a girl can dream right?!

La Mer Bali Stud Wrap Watch

(this one is hot, but they have many different colors and styles- I'm not picky!)

Fossil Rose Gold Watch

I don't know where to get this, but I love it! Especially since this one has the wheel.

Plus it's much more versatile than a giant anchor shirt, and an ode to my sea-faring grandpa.

White blazer

 I like this one button, 3/4 sleeve version form Express.

(That LBD isn't bad either!)

A pair of white, bootcut trouser jeans.

Even these 7 For All Mankind ones are a little more jean-y looking than I'd like, but you get the idea.

I was going to add a maxi dress and a romper, like colorful patterned ones, but I can't seem to find any that I really love/want. Plus, I'm not so sure about how I'd look in either of those styles.

What's on your summer wishlist?

Book Club Friday: The Alchemist

So I just heard of this Book Club at Blonde...Undercover Blonde. Link up below and share your latest read!

My latest read was...

The Alchemist

from Amazon.com: "Like the one-time bestseller Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The Alchemist presents a simple fable, based on simple truths and places it in a highly unique situation. And though we may sniff a bestselling formula, it is certainly not a new one: even the ancient tribal storytellers knew that this is the most successful method of entertaining an audience while slipping in a lesson or two. Brazilian storyteller Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream.

Along the way he meets many spiritual messengers, who come in unassuming forms such as a camel driver and a well-read Englishman. In one of the Englishman's books, Santiago first learns about the alchemists--men who believed that if a metal were heated for many years, it would free itself of all its individual properties, and what was left would be the "Soul of the World." Of course he does eventually meet an alchemist, and the ensuing student-teacher relationship clarifies much of the boy's misguided agenda, while also emboldening him to stay true to his dreams."

This is actually the second time I've read this book. One of my besties said that this is her litmus test for being friends. If the person doesn't like this book (and/or the comic "Get Fuzzy"), she's not friends with them (or not good friends with them, I forget her exact words). However, we've been friends for about 9 years now. (Whoa,...definitely did not realize it's been that long!) Anyway, I told her I didn't like it after my first reading...but I didn't realize what that meant to her! So when she told me, and made forced strongly urged me to read it again, I did. 

I liked most of it. What I don't like is when he's with the alchemist, and they get captured, and he has to make himself into the wind. That's when the author lost me. I lost interest, and didn't understand how/why he was talking with all the different elements. And then, I didn't understand if he actually became wind or not. I liked the whooole rest of the story. It was fast paced, easy to read, and full of adventure. I felt for Santiago completely. And I liked everything after the wind part too- I thought it was such a smart ending. Also, it really made me think afterwards, about how it related to my own life. 

Overall, I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. 

Did you ever read something a second (or third, or fourth) time and understand it better or have it take on new meaning?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Fashion Interview + Where'd My Money Go? July 1 - 12

First I just want to give a shout out to Tangles @ Tangled in Texas- she has a new feature where she interviews fellow bloggers and she picked me to participate! My fashion interview on her blog today- my first time ever! Yay! Check her out- she's so sweet and has such fun and diverse posts!!


Now for my spending recap...

Bills:
Rent: $825.00
Transportation: $300.00 (used Transitcheks)
Meds: $65.00
Total: $890.00


Other:
Beer: $35.00 (Friend's BBQ and July 4th...at least)
Friend's Bday Present+card: $28.00
Lunch with Coworkers: $14.00
Taco Bell: $5.00
Wawa Sandwich: $5.00
Surf Taco: $10.00
Metrocard: $10.25 (Metrocards+difference of train ticket from NYC-Newark)
Taxis: $10.00
Coworker Bbay Shower: $10.00
BBQ Sauces: $25.00 (My coworker makes/sells his own BBQ sauce. I thought it would be a fun idea to bring bbq sauces to the bbq's we've been attending lately. Bad idea.)
Total: $152.25


Grand Total: $1,042.25

Um. Crap.

Paint Me Pretty

[not my nails]

First of all, let me just start by saying that I'm right-handed.

And I don't know about you, but I can't for the life of me paint my fingernails on my right hand! Not that I have tried all that many times...I guess practice makes perfect.

But when I was little, my mom would paint my nails.

In college, my roomie always offered.

And now, if I want my lil digits painted all purty, I just go to the salon.

But since I've been trying to save lately, these little piggies have been bare for quite some time.

So last week I finally did it...I enlisted the Boyfriend to do them..and he (grudgingly) agreed...I think because he thought I was kidding!

His bad!

He didn't do too bad for his first time either!

But, I don't think he will do them again. :(

He did not like the smell (why he was inhaling so heavily I don't know).

And I think he felt...a little less manly.

Plus, afterwards, he was not pleased with how they looked. Boooo.

Ah well, time for more practice...

Miscellany Monday: Weekends, Flooding, and Religious Dogs

[ONE]

Friday: lazy night in front of the TV. Until a friend came bringing treats:

raspberry pistachio torte



That, dear friends, is a raspberry pistachio torte, or at least what Google pics says it should be. Ours did not look like that, it actually looked even more delicious, and it truly was. I don't think I've ever had any sort of torte, but it was fabulous. The one we had was from Financier Patisserie in NYC. Thank you friend, for the most magnificent torte to ever grace my lips!

[TWO]

While I was enjoying my torte, C introduced us to a news brief from Jamaica via YouTube. It was basically about how there was major flooding, and you couldn't cross the street, unless you could swim. It was funny because there were several different news stations, but they were all using the same interviewee:

But then, someone decided to make a song out of it. I usually don't post songs until Tuesdays, but this was funny, and I'm pretty bored at work, so treat for you!

Clifton Brown is an Internet sensation. He don't even know. I love it.

[THREE]

Saturday: Went for a lovely drive along the Delaware River to Easton, PA for my girl's 25th Birthday BBQ. C ate way more jerk chicken than necessary. But really, the food was fabulous and the company entertaining.


Sunday: Beach day! Unfortunately we got locked out of the main beach we wanted to go to, which was Island Beach State Park. That's probably my favorite beach because it's $10/car (not person) to get on, there are several different beaches to go to, and you can bring food/drinks (no alcoholic beverages, but we had those big red cups heehee). Anyway, the park was full by 11AM! Redic! And our friends had their dog, so we had to go to another dog-friendly beach in Manasquan. Umm yeah. It wasn't great- the dog beach had seaweed and rocks everywhere, which made it stinky and un-swimmable.


But I did get tan! Woohoo! And we ate and drank and were merry. Overall successful beach day!

[FOUR]

 We even got Suf Taco takeout on the way home- love that place! And then we lounged and watched True Blood and The Kardashians...has anyone been following True Blood? Thoughts???

[FIVE]

Also, to keep withe the "miscellany" theme, this is what I overheard in the office the other day...
Coworker 1: "I taught my dog the Hail Mary...and I leave the religious channel on for her, it calms her..."
Coworker 2: The dogs barks the Hail Mary?
CW1:  "I say hail Mary full of grace, ...and she goes woof woof...and she puts her lil paws together in prayer"

Legit conversation. Makes me very nervous about the people I work with everyday!
Hope you all had an amazing weekend! Happy Monday!

Link up your miscellany here!

June Goal Review and July Budget

Bills
Rent: $850.00
Cable: $205.93
Phone: $83.95
Transportation: $300.00
Groceries: $300
Netflix: $5.34
Meds: $35.00
Credit Report: $15.00 (I've decided to keep this as I found an error recently and want to track it)
Savings: $310.00

Other
Gifts: $110.00 ($50 Bridal Shower, $35 Baby Shower, $25 birthday)
Miscellany: $200.00
Total: $3209.41

June Goals:
(1) Clean out purse(es): Success!
(2) Start Blog-arage Sale: Semi-success...the page is there, but I didn't add prices or organize.
(3) Start Selling on Ebay: Fail
(4) Make $100: Fail
(5) De-Clutter my "Go To" Chair: Success!
(6) Take clothes to cleaners, alter, or throw out: Semi-success...I went through my clothes and closet and finally switched over everything to summer clothes, but I didn't get rid of or alter anything.
(7) Start "Line a Day": Semi-success...I did start it. However, I only actually did it about 4 times...oops!


Umm... I don't even know where to begin with July goals. And being that it's a week late, and I have different projects I'm working on, I'm going to skip this month. But feel free to share yours!

July 4th Festivities!

Last weekend was AWESOME. I did exactly what I wanted to do.

Well, except for Friday. I wanted to go out- somewhere, anywhere- but that didn't happen. And that fact was doubly annoying because literally 10 minutes after I got on my train home, my friend called me to go out for dinner with her and another friend who was in town from Ohio in NYC. Which is where I was just leaving. Seriously...she couldn't have called just 10 minutes earlier??! And then I was triply upset because even if she had called earlier, it wouldn't have been a good idea to go because it probably would have led to an expensive evening. So I stayed home and was a total b**** to C because I was so jealous that he was at the beach all day!! (He's a teacher and he's off for the entire summer. Bum!) But he just wanted to relax with me. So then I felt bad about being a B. It was not a good night.

But anyway, Saturday I woke up feeling a bit better. We ran a few errands, and then headed to a BBQ in North Jersey. I have to specify North Jersey because it was about an hour and a  hlaf drive for us, which means C couldn't really drink. The BBQ was really fun, minus the fact that there were basically two completely different parties going on because the girl who was hosting had two completely different set of friends- fistpumpers (they really do exist!), and normal people (the group I was in...obvi).

the gang's (almost) all here! (at least the ladies!)

you like my patriotism? yeah, me too!

Sunday was definitely the most fun though, and the party C and I were looking forward to the most. We basically told our close friends (in terms of relationship and distance) that we were going to have a party at their house, because 1) They are the only friends we're close to that actually live in a house and 2) because they have a spacious backyard, pool, and extra rooms to stay in...HOLLA!

C brought sausage (sauseeg!) and peppers and London broil for the grill. Other people brought burgers and dogs, a chili bean dip, skewers of chicken wrapped in bacon with cheese, cupcakes, a very patriotic jello/pound cake with fresh berries on top...there was soo much good food! And of course beer. Everyone brought beer.

just getting this party started

keeping hydrated with some shots!

patron cafe anyone?

cupcakes...nom nom nom

Vader- one cool dog

puppy love with the ultimate snuggle whore, Wrigley

All American goodness!

(can't take credit- made by our friend)

Though it did start to rain a little, we played volleyball in the pool, boccie ball.... well actually...our friends played boccie ball. C and I may have snuck away for a lil bit to make our own fireworks! And then I may have been called out on it, but I was a little too tipsy to make up a proper lie! EEP! But I was also a lil too tipsy to be too embarrassed either!

So we drank, we ate, we played, and the we lit some small fireworks and sparklers that C brought. And we were able to stay over, and our hosts made us coffee and cinnamon buns the next morning! Score!

group shot with some sparkler action!

Monday was very chill. We came home sometime in the early afternoon from our friend's house, and just relaxed. Then we went by C's parent's house for dinner, hung out there for a bit, then came home and watched the Philly fireworks on TV.

Such a fun, foody weekend!

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday!