It's OK Thursday

It's OK that...

- I lost a follower. If you don't like what I have to say, I don't want you following me anyway! Pssshhh!

- I kinda want to know who it was and why they left :-/

- I skipped my 10 year high school reunion last week. None of the people I actually care about were going, and the others I can secretly stalk on Facebook.

- I didn't take part in Black Friday. I like sleep more than I like deals. And I have no interest in getting trampled. I DID take part in Cyber Monday though!

- I love buying my friends and fam presents. And watching them open their presents :)

- I'm super broke this year, so I'm making a lot of presents... hope my friends and family like them!

- I bought too many group deals in September/October. It's OK because now me and C are going on lots of date nights!

- I can't share what I'm making because the recipients read my blog!

- C FORGOT the pumpkin pie I made for his family's Thanksgiving dinner! It's ok because it's my favorite and we ate it instead!

- I'm almost done with Christmas shopping/making!

What are you saying It's OK to?

The Happiness Report #13

- spending a guilt-free and low key Thanksgiving with my mom

- leftovers from C's family's Thanksgiving dinner
- taking a drive down the shore and donating my free ShopRite turkey to Hurricane Sandy victims

- the new show Catfish

- getting books from friends

- finding great deals

- dinner dates 

Were you this guy?

Ain't Nobody Got Time for Dat!

This video which I originally saw here made me LOL:

What's making you smile this week?

Book Club Friday: Never Tell

This week I'm sharing...

From Goodreads:
"Sixteen-year-old Julia Whitmire appeared to have everything: a famous father, a luxurious Manhattan town house, a coveted spot at the elite Casden prep school. When she is found dead in her bathtub, a handwritten suicide note left on her bed, her parents insist that their daughter would never take her own life.

But Julia's enviable world was more complicated than it seemed. The pressure to excel at Casden was enormous. Abuse of prescription antidepressants and ADHD medication ran rampant among students; an unlabeled bottle of pills in Julia's purse suggests she had succumbed to the trend. And a search of Julia's computer reveals that in the days leading up to her death she was engaged in a dangerous game of cyberbullying against an unlikely victim.

NYPD detective Ellie Hatcher is convinced the case is a suicide, but she knows from personal experience that a loving family can be the last to accept the truth. When the Whitmires use their power to force a criminal investigation, Ellie's resistance causes trouble for her both at work and in her personal life. As she is pressured to pursue a case she doesn't believe in, she is pulled into Julia's inner circle--an eclectic mix of overly precocious teenagers from Manhattan's most privileged families as well as street kids from Greenwich Village. But when the target of Julia's harassment continues to receive death threats, Ellie is forced to acknowledge that Julia may have learned the hard way that some secrets should never be told."

My Thoughts:

This book was given out as part of a goodie bag at a Shecky's Girls Night Out event. I had never heard of the book or the series. When I realized it was part of a series, and #4 in the series, I was reluctant to read it. I'm not a huge fan of series in general, and not sure how it would be starting a series in the middle. But the premise sounded interesting, so I dove in.

The book was all over the place. None of it seemed to make any sense whatsoever until the last 50 pages. I didn't like that. I understand that this was a crime novel (and probably the first true crime novel I've ever read) and we were learning pieces of the story as the detectives learned them, which probably is quite helter skelter, but I felt overall the book lacked focus. It started by trying to figure out who killed Julia, and then went onto her family's dynamics, then how street kids were making $100 in drug studies and selling out their best friend to make extra money, and then how Julia's best friend's mom was being cyber bullied on her "secret" "anonymous" blog. There was just too much going on.

Oh, and then this storyline of some guy who just got out of jailed turned up every 30 pages or so, with seemingly no attachment to the main story whatsoever. 

Um... WHAT?!?

That's what I found myself saying throughout this book, and not in an "Omg I can't wait to find out what's going to happen next!' way, but more of a "what does this have to do with Julia's murder? Where are these people coming from?" way.  I had to read the last couple pages a few times to really understand what had happened. In the end, the pieces did kinda fit, but it was not tied up in a pretty little bow by any means. I found this book to be confusing, and I'm happy to be done with it.  

It's OK... Thanksgiving Edition!

It's OK that...

- I can count the number of times I've had turkey on Thanksgiving on one hand
- my family is not very "traditional"
- one tradition we have is going to the movies on Thanksgiving... I actually love this tradition
- the one thing I must have on Thanksgiving is pumpkin pie. It's my favorite
- Pumpkin pie was one of the very first thing I learned to make because I love it so much
- I'm making it for C's family this year even though I'm not celebrating with them
- last Thanksgiving I was in India... there was no turkey or pumpkin pie, but I didn't mind ;)
- Last Thanksgiving was the least stressful one I'd had in years- I don't like picking which family to spend it with, between C's family or my own.
- this Thanksgiving, I am giving thanks for my health, my family, C, my friends, my job, independence, and freedom among many other things.

Weekend Updates

Friday:
This Friday was my friend J's wine tasting 30th birthday in NYC.

She had a private room for us at New York Vintners. 

It was a little odd about entering, because it just looked like a storefront. Then past the register there was a large open space where people were cooking with (and drinking) wine- there must have been about 50 people! Then if you went passed them, there was a small staircase down to the basement.

Ready for some wine!

blazer: JCP

black top: Arden B

necklace: Peddler's Village

The menu/wine guide

I was the nerd that actually took a few notes!

my favorite wine of the night! It was a prosecco (or something like that). Very light and fruity.

Maybe a bit dangerous ;)

duck sandwich

There was quite a bit of food- there were a bunch of cold apps, and then these duck mini-sandwiches, chicken and shrimp dumplings, and Kobe burgers. My fave was definitely the duck though!

lots o' wine!

My friend J, about to devour the s'more desserts!

Group pic! 

I was a little nervous about going to the party, because I had never met J's other friends or cousins, but they were really cool!

You can't see what I got her here, but it was a bottle of Moscato and a Rewined candle. They are made from soy wax and are ina  recycled wine bottle. I got her the Riesling one, and it smelled heavenly! It was a huge hit!

Source: rewinedcandles.com via Dani on Pinterest

The wine tasting took about 4 hours. It was more like, the guy poured some wine, gave a quick summary of what it was, and then kept refilling our glasses.  But he was really cool, and even the chef came down and hung out with us for awhile. We tried 4 different wines, but I have no idea how many bottles. All was going well until we tried to stand up! We attempted to go to a nearby bar afterwards. Someone ordered beers, but I just remember sitting on a stool staring at it- definitely could not drink it! 

Everyone went home soon after that. I'm just not sure exactly how we paid for said ride home. We took a taxi, but then something happened with J's card, and for some reason she thought it got denied, but when she called the company the next morning, they said they had no idea what she was talking about. Either way, we got a $25-$30 ride for $10 because that's what we had on us!

Saturday:

I spent most of the day in recovery. J let me sleep over, so around 2 I finally got myself together enough to take the train home. I consumed lots and lots of water and OJ.

Sunday:

I headed BACK out to NYC bright and early. I met my mom at Penn Station, grabbed some coffee, and got on a train out to "visit" my grandmother. For some reason, I never really get sad going out to the cemetery. I guess it is kind of sad, but it's peaceful there. 

How was your weekend?

Menu Plan Monday and Spicy Dragon Noodles

Sunday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Potato Salad

Monday: Soup and Sammies

Tuesday: Pork Chops and Mash Potatoes

Wednesday: Fried Chicken and Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Thursday: Thanksgiving!

Friday: leftovers

Saturday: Eating Out

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Dragon Noodles

Source: budgetbytes.blogspot.com via Dani on Pinterest

This was one of the easiest recipes I have ever come across. It literally took 15 minutes to make, which is perfect for busy weeknights! It was really spicy though, so if you're not a huge fan of spice, this may not be for you. 

Ingredients:
4 oz. lo mein noodles [we had fettucine, so that's what we used]
2Tbsp butter
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
1 large egg
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp sriracha (rooster sauce)
1 handful fresh cilantro
1 sliced green onion

Directions:
STEP 1: Begin to boil water for the noodles. Once the water reaches a full boil, add the noodles and cook according to the package directions (boil for 5-7 minutes). 

STEP 2: While waiting for the water to boil, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl stir together the brown sugar, soy sauce, and sriracha.

STEP 3: In a large skillet melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat. Add the red pepper to the butter as it melts. Whisk an egg in a bowl and then add to the melted butter. Stir gently and cook through. Once the egg is done cooking, turn off the heat.

STEP 4: When the noodles are tender, drain the water and then add them to the skillet with the cooked egg. Also add the prepared sauce. Turn the heat on to low to evaporate excess moisture, and stir until everything is coated well with the sauce. Sprinkle the sliced green and cilantro leaves (whole) on top and serve!

Tasted even better than it looked!

Happiness Report #12

Source: moondancehooper.tumblr.com via Dee on Pinterest

- This article  about how commuters are trying to find new ways to get around now that our main link to Hoboken has been destroyed due to Sandy. This is a part of my everyday routine and an ongoing issue. Good to know I'm not alone... sort of.

- This pin:

Source: quickmeme.com via tracy on Pinterest

- This video:

This song:

- only 2 days of work this week!

- overload of my favorite meal ever

- going to "visit" my grandmother

- e.l.f. eyeliner

- my recent Target shopping trip

- snuggles

What's making you smile today?

Random Roadtrip: Peddler's Village, PA

We had a very quiet weekend spent running errands and relaxing. I found this post sitting in my "drafts" list from mid-August. I thought I had posted it, but apparently not... so I'm posting now! Enjoy!

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I recently found out that I have 37 days of vacation! So last Monday I took the day off "just because." C and I had a concert at night, and instead of rushing home and then off to Philly, he said why not just take the day? So I did. We decided to head up to Bucks County, PA to a little place called Peddler's Village. We had passed by it several times on our way to his cousin's house, and it looked so quaint, so I've been wanting to go.

I was happy we decided to go on a weekday. Though there were other people, I feel like it would have been mobbed on the weekend. And I could see why. It is so pretty, and there are a ton of little shops and boutiques, and restaurants and eateries. C had been there before, but only when he was a kid, so it was a new experience for both of us.

A comprehensive map

One of the things I loved about the shops were that they had a lot of local and homemade goods, like these sauces...

We definitely had fun goofing off in some of the stores!

These parakeets were up on a really high shelf in a stationary and gift shop... totally random! Their cage was awesome though- hand carved dark wood.

We walked around to just about all the shops. C got a new hat and a meatballs and sauce Christmas Ornament for his mom, since that's what she always makes for us. I got a small gift for my coworker, a ghost pepper plant for my friend, and a necklace for myself.

And of course I wanted a few pics of the grounds- I love this water wheel! The whole place was so serene and quiet- it was a perfect summer day!

Menu Plan Monday and a Recipe!

Last week we didn't wind up eating the beef stroganoff or country breakfast. I know we didn't do country breakfast because we had eaten all our biscuits with the chicken and dumplings- poor planning. And Friday i didn't get home until late, and didn't feel like cooking. Hopefully, we will be better at sticking to the plan this week! 

Sunday: Eating Out

Monday: Country Breakfast

Tuesday: pulled pork sandwiches sweet potato fries

Wednesday: Dragon Noodles

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: YOYO (You're On Your Own- I'm going out for a friend's birthday)

Saturday: Family birthday party

Sunday: Fried chicken and Cheddar Bay Biscuits

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Last week we had Chicken and Dumplings for the first time ever. As in, neither of us have never even eaten it before! We used this recipe, but tweaked it a bit to make it a little more flavorful. 

Source: polishthestars.com via Dani on Pinterest

Ingredients:

1lb of Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (about 2-3)

2 cans (10.5oz) Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

1 can (14oz) Chicken Broth

1 medium White Onion, diced

4 Large Flaky Refrigerator Biscuits (half a can) (we used 5 Pillsbury Buttermilk Grands)

*We seasoned the chicken with Salt, pepper, dried oregano, garlic powder and a little bit of dried basil.

Place thawed chicken in crock pot.  

Top with cream of chicken soup, chicken broth and diced onions.*We added half packet of Lipton Recipe Secrets Savory Herb with Garlic Soup and Dip Mix that we had on hand.

Cook on High for 4-6 hours or Low for 8 hours.  Do not stir while cooking. 

Cut each uncooked biscuit into 9 small pieces and stir into the chicken mixture.  Continue to cook on High for 30 minutes.  Remove chicken from slow-cooker and shred with a fork.  Return to slow-cooker and stir everything together.  Serve hot.

Makes about 6-8 servings.

Not that I have anything to compare it to, but I thought this was absolutely delicious. We added a lot of pepper to spice it up a bit too. It was super hearty and filling. And super easy to make! Definitely a great meal for a cold night!

Want to share your menu or get ideas for your own? Check out TheOrgjunkie.com!

Happiness Report #11

-Sandra Bullock Getting Low

- snow

- vacation days

- my Chi/ straight hair

- new nail polish

- finally getting a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte for the first time this year!

via

- Ulta mini bar 

- planning a vacation

- free time

-Dynamite Wedding Flash Mob

What's making you smile this week?

Spending Report: Nov. 4-10

Source: etsy.com via Crystal on Pinterest

I said I was going to re-assess and redo my budget, and track my spending. I was going to share my budget with you, buuuut I decided against it. Maybe I'll do that in the future. The only reason I'm tracking my spending here is because if I don't, then I probably won't do it- sad but true! Anyway, here's what I was buying last week:

Groceries (C and I split this bill): $30
Beer/wine: $27 (in my defense, we went out last Monday and a single beer was $10!)
Gift wine: $10
Sbarro's $8
Cloves: $10
Chinese take out: $13
Toys R Us (gifts): $70

Total: $168

Thoughts: Being that half of my total was spent on gifts, I don't feel too bad. Also, I'm quite proud of myself for not buying any Groupon/Living Social/etc deals this week- I'm a sucker for a great deal! Hooray!

The Nail Files!

For the first time in a very long time (or ever?!) I'm linking up with Tara for The Nail Files!

Obviously, I need to learn how to hold a bottle of nail polish like her so I don't look like I have man hands, but I'm a beginner and hopefully I'll do better next time!

This is OPI's Every Month is Oktoberfest. This pic didn't come out so well, so here's another pic of what it really looks like:

Source: the-nail-network.com via Michaela on Pinterest

It's a very deep dark purple. It almost looks glittery. This is my first OPI nail polish that I've purchased and I really like it! 

Theater Thursday! Young Frankenstein

This week I bring you...

Young Frankenstein!!

From iMDB:

"Dr. Frankenstein's grandson, after years of living down the family reputation, inherits granddad's castle and repeats the experiments."

Thoughts: 

"oh heyyy...it's Willy Wonka!

"that guy is creepy..." (about Igor)

"Mel Brooks wrote and produced this?? No way!"

"haha...this is pretty funny! Wait...is this supposed to be funny?"

I really enjoyed this movie! I had heard about it before, but never was really interested enough to watch...then again, I didn't know it had Willy Wonka! And that it was supposed to be funny! Truly a classic, and so glad I finally watched it. Now maybe I'll watch the original Frankenstein or Bride of Frankenstein. 

Fave line: "Nice knockers!"

Do you remember the first time you watched this? 

Link up with Crazy Shenanigans!

Meal Planning and Banana Nut Bread

I've stated multiple times that I want to get back into meal planning, and cooking more, and using new/different recipes. So here's what this week looks like: 

Sunday: Burgers and buttered noodles

Monday: Eating Out

Tuesday: Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings

Wednesday: Country Breakfast (sausage patties on biscuits with country style gravy)

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: Beef Stroganoff

And here's the Banana Walnut Bread Recipe. This bread is best when served on the next day.

prep

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for preparing the pan (I just sprayed Pam on the pan)
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 very ripe bananas, peeled, and mashed with a fork (about 1 cup)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Sift the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. (I whisked it lightly.) Set aside.
Whisk the eggs and vanilla extract together in a large measuring cup.
Brush you pan with butter (or spray Pam, in my case.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a standing mixer or with an electric handheld, cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy. *Use butter at room temperature, or get splattered with sugar and butter. Not that I know from experience or anything!

Pour in egg mixture and continue to mix. Add bananas. 

With a rubber spatula, add in flour mixture and walnuts. Mix some more. Transfer to bread pan. Bake for 55 min or until you can stick in a toothpick and it comes out clean. 

Cool the bread still in pan) on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Then take it out of the pan and let it cool completely on the rack. Wrap in plastic wrap. Enjoy!

via

Yummo!

Linking up with Laura the Organizing Junkie!

October Recap/ November Goals

Time to link up with Meghan for my monthly goals!

October Goals:

Cross some things off of my Fall Bucket List: Check!

decorated mantle

baked a delicious apple pie

went apple and pumpkin picking

visited a winery

baked Oreo Pumpkin Cheesecakes... x4!

Read 2 Books: Check! The Darlings by Cristina Alger and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Start (and Maintain) a Budget: Fail.

Save $300: Semi-Success! Saved $200

Continue Planning Birthday Trip: Fail.  Completely changing the trip due to Mom-induced guilt trip. Harumph.

Continue Christmas Shopping: Check!

Continue Line a Day: Mega Fail. I forgot. Oops.

Source: allkidsnetwork.com via Katrina on Pinterest

November Goals:

VOTE!

Cook 4 new dishes

Start and Maintain Budget

Save $300

Plan Birthday Trip

Figure out how to keep both families happy for Thanksgiving

Use my Groupons/deals

Finish Christmas Shopping

Re-start Line A Day... for reals

Read 2 Books

What are your goals for the month?

Happiness Report #10

Source: needlegirlhaystackworld.tumblr.com via Dani on Pinterest

* no power outage/ damage at my apartment

* great company (cooking for us was an added bonus!)

* great food

* unity/people helping each other

* no work for a week

* banana bread

* being able to help others in need

* board games

* knowing my friends and family are safe

* kids still celebrating Halloween

What are you grateful for, or what is making you smile, this week?

Surviving Sandy

Hello friends! I apologize for the mini- hiatus,... we're in a bit of a State of Emergency here!

Hurricane Sandy did come, with a vengeance. Luckily, C and I were fine. No loss of power, no flooding. The only issue we are still facing is lack of phone service, but with connection to the internet, we are able to stay in touch with our family and friends. Neither of us had to go to work for the entire week because the towns we work in are flooded. We actually had two of our best friends, who did lose power, stay with us for 3 days, and it was really fun. They brought over and cooked a bunch of food that would have gone to waste in their fridge, and we had a feast. We watched TV/movies, drank, and played board games. We were very lucky.

Others were not so lucky. This is Atlantic City, one of our major tourist points:

Do you watch Jersey Shore? Here is how Roger, JWoww's fiance, gets home: 

Why yes, he is on a  jet ski. 

I walk through here every single day: 

This is the Hoboken Terminal. Above, the PATH into NYC and Jersey City/Newark. Below, the waiting room. 

Seaside Heights: 

This is very real. Our shores are demolished. People have lost more than power; they have lost their homes. They have lost what they hoped to share with their children one day. They cling to memories of what was. Our shores meant more to us than spray tans and drunken debacles. The shore was our getaway, for generations. Yes, it's still there, but it will never be the same.

And yet I hear others complaining about the NYC marathon being cancelled. That makes me angry. I understand you were training all year (or longer), but HELLO?! We're in a bit of a crisis here. People aren't getting power until November 5th or 7th. The state of New Jersey has started rationing gas. NJTransit and the subway systems are starting to work again, but are very limited.

This is the reality of life in NJ right now. I hope and pray that everyone is, or will be, okay. I hope you will too.