An Award... And Some Throwback Pics!

First off, I would like to thank Kenya of Life with Giggles for this award! Thanks so much girl! This award requests that I write 11 facts about myself- another way for you all to get to better know me! So here we go!

RULES:

1. Link back to the person who nominated you

2. Write 11 facts about yourself once nominated

3. Answer the 11 questions from the person who nominated you

4. Come up with 11 questions for the 11 people you nominate 

Facts:

1. The first concert I ever attended was David Hasselhoff. In my defense, I was just a kid, and he just happened to be playing at the Meadowlands Fair where I went to ride the rides, not see him! (I did get an autograph and free CD though!)

2. I am half Puerto Rican, and half Indian (like the country, not the Native American variety) by way of Trinidad. Confused? So was I for most of my childhood.

3. I love travelling, and have been to 14 countries. I would love to go to Italy and Australia.

4. I was a competitive dancer when I was younger. 

5. I have a half sister who I've never met, though I think I would like to one day. 

6.  I want to be an Event Planner. 

7. I almost drowned going into a waterfall in the rain forest in Puerto Rico. The water pushed forward from the waterfall, and threw me backwards against rocks, and I went under. So I got up and did it again... I got through the second time :)

8. I played the alto saxophone for 8 years. I was a super nerd. I played in marching band, jazz band, and concert band, and was the only female sax player for the last 3 years.

9. I can sing almost any song after hearing it just once. But that might be due to the fact that a lot of current artists have such craptastic, repetitive lyrics. 

10. Though I have a current driver's license, I haven't driven a car in 7 years, and I have never owned a car. (I had two cars, one in high school and one after college, but they were both in my mom's name.)

11. I didn't learn about Santa Clause until I was 12. I was very naive. I found out on Christmas morning from the radio station Z100. One of the saddest days ever! 

Kenya's questions:

Do you have a middle name? I do! 

Favorite sport? To watch: baseball [Go Phillies!] To play: probably tennis, though I haven't played in years

Wine or  Beer? Winter- red wine. Anytime- beer. 

Do you prefer cooking or baking? Baking! I can't even cook eggs properly (I've tried, it didn't go well)

Did you have a sweet 15/16? Sweet 16! My crush came with me as my "escort"! 

What is your job? Office manager at a college

Do you have kids? No, and I am definitely not ready for any right now!

Dog or Cat? Neither right now. I had a dog when I was younger. I would love to adopt a puggle. I already have a name for him/her!

Source: Uploaded by user via Joslyn on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Chelsea on Pinterest

Country living or city living? I've almost always lived in suburbs. I don't think I would do well in the country- I need to be near the energy and craziness of a city!

What kind of car do you drive? See above! 

Favorite color? Cerulean or blue-green. Like this:

11 Questions for my nominees (and anyone who wants to answer!):

1. Where did you go on your favorite vacation?

2. You win $5,000! What are you gonna do with the money?

3. Who or what do you miss the most? 

4. I love hearing new music! What is your favorite song right now?

5. Do you have a signature scent/perfume? What isit?

6. Do you have any collections? What are they?

7. What is your favorite tradition?

8. What is your biggest fear?

9. What trait do you value most in a love interest (bf/gf/hus/wife/etc)?

10. I'm a quirky girl. What's one quirky or something others might find "weird" thing about you? 

11. What makes you happy? 


I nominate the following blogs:

1. Musings of a Twenty Something

2. Forever Newly Wedded

3. Begin Anyway

4. Bubblymuppet

5. Crazy Shenanigans

6. Oh The Places You'll Go

7. The Landlady

8. Get It Together, Woman.

9. Casa de Crews

10. Established: 2008

11.Dabbling in Dixie

Check these ladies out- they are some of my favorites! 

[Sidenote: I wanted to nominate several other blogs, however, they had already been nominated by someone else! Sorry ladies!]

What's in a Name?

I have noticed a few new faces around here (hi new followers!), so I wanted to do a little re-introduction. I saw this link up and thought- what better way to start than with how I came up with my blog name?

I started this blog in 2009... wow! I didn't even realize I've been blogging for almost 4 years! In the beginning (and middle), it was mostly just surveys and linkups. It was until the bf, C, said he wanted to read "real stuff" that I started writing, well, real stuff!

My blog name actually came from a song. I used to *LOVE* Nelly Furtado- I even had a "Nelly wall" in my  home bedroom. It was literally a wall covered from floor to ceiling in pictures of her. (I never realized how creepy that sounds until just now...oh well.)
I went to her concerts several times, though I never got an autograph (harumph).
I stood outside MTV Studios when she was there for MTV's TRL (anyone remember that show?!). It was December, pretty close to my birthday, and I was there, gigantic sign in tow, with 2 of my best friends. It was frigid. I took off from school. It was that serious.

Anyway, my blog name comes from lyrics from a song. The song wasn't my favorite on the CD, but for some reason the words stuck with me. You know how sometimes the lyrics in a song just speak to you? They say everything you're feeling at the time:

"All this inspiration is passing me by
All I can do is chill when I really wanna fly
And this pollution do nothing but dirty up my mind
Faster than forever in the blink of an eye
To see past my lethargy is hard I feign
The beauty of my youth is gone 
But the chemicals remain"

Here's the song for your listening pleasure!

How did you get your blog name? Click on the button above and share!

The Happiness Report #21

- cuteoverload.com ... I.Can't.Take.It! Adorableness.

Pugs (and puggles) are my favorite

- Dev: Bass Down Low

-"meeting" my neighbors; they lived 2 floors above us for over a year, but we never knew each other's names! They seem cool though, maybe we'll hang out soon!

- free firewood from the neighbors; the guy works at a place where he gets free wood, and he was nice enough to share his loot with us!

- Chapstick

- This video. My friend from college is the one in the tutu!

- antique shopping

- 3 day weekends (durr!) 

- This is hysterical. However C, if you ever approach me with a gift and a video camera, I'm not opening it!

-getaway weekends with my bff and love! 

What's making you smile this weekend?

Book Club Friday: A Long Way Gone

It's Friday, Friday! Hooray! I actually took today off from work, so it's another 3-day weekend for me, and I plan to spend it celebrating my bff's birthday up in Lancaster, PA! We rented rooms, scheduled massages, and plan on having a low key, cozy weekend complete with a hot tub, great dinner reservations at a local pub, and of course lots of wine!

But before we set off, I want to share my most recent read!

This week I'm sharing...

From GoodReads:

"...What is war like through the eyes of a child soldier? How does one become a killer? How does one stop? Child soldiers have been profiled by journalists, and novelists have struggled to imagine their lives. But until now, there has not been a first-person account from someone who came through this hell and survived.

In A Long Way Gone, Beah, now twenty-five years old, tells a riveting story: how at the age of twelve, he fled attacking rebels and wandered a land rendered unrecognizable by violence. By thirteen, he'd been picked up by the government army, and Beah, at heart a gentle boy, found that he was capable of truly terrible acts.

This is a rare and mesmerizing account, told with real literary force and heartbreaking honesty."

My Thoughts:

Ishmael Beah tells his story in a direct manner, not devoid of emotion, but in a way that you still feel his fear, perseverance and determination. It is a sad story of extreme loss and heartache, but with a happy ending. He tells the story not as though he is looking back on old memories, but though he is still living it, if that makes sense. It recounts the horrific scenes of a war torn country with point blank clarity. He is a survivor in the truest sense. He even adds some humor (whether on purpose or not) when describing some of the positives that come out of his situation, such as coming to The Unites States and experiencing cold, snow, and trying to work a metallic box, or elevator. I also really enjoyed how he loved rap and reggae music so much. It was surprising but awesome to see some of the old-school rap lyrics within the pages, and see how others reacted to it and enjoyed it, even making up their own lyrics and dances to it.

The only thing lacking was that some of his tales seem unfinished. He introduces characters, they disappear, and then they are re-introduced with no real explanation. His uncle has other children that are not his own, but we don't know where they come from, and no one questions where he came from even when he says that his uncle didn't tell them. That seems unrealistic. His uncle doesn't really question why his "son" is going to New York which also seems odd. Mohamed comes to live with them, but we don't know how or why. Some aspects were just left unanswered.

What are you currently reading? 

OHP: Style Envy- Olivia Palermo

I think I have a new envy-- Olivia Palermo. I didn't even know who she was until I saw some of her outfits on Pinterest. Apparently she is a socialite/model/actress (thanks Wikipedia!). I love her comfy yet sophisticated style!

Source: pattersonmaker.com via Bibis on Pinterest

Belted utility jacket? Why didn't I think of that!

Source: peoplestylewatch.com via Bibis on Pinterest

I always thought drapey jackets like the one she is wearing here would completely dwarf me and make me look even smaller than I am. However, this one works, and she is the same height as me!

I need some leather leggings in my life! And how cute is her pup?

Source: theglitterguide.com via Bibis on Pinterest

She is always stepping out in style. I guess you have to if you're a socialite!

Loving the pink jacket and the simple black and beige outfit in the bottom corner.

Source: outfitidentifier.com via Bibis on Pinterest

I am always looking for ways to look cute in the cold- she's got this look down! Not so sure about those shoes though... they make her feet look big and her legs look like sticks.

Source: Uploaded by user via Mignon on Pinterest

Just adorable!

Source: yourwardrobeismine.tumblr.com via Alexandra on Pinterest

                                              

                                                               Source: via Sarah on Pinterest

                                            

                                               Source: daphnila.tumblr.com via Maria on Pinterest

                                              I never look this good in snow!! Not fair!

                                                             

Source: pleasingaesthetics.tumblr.com via Fard Up on Pinterest

Love her style! And she's so cute and fun!

Whose style are you envious of?

Linking up with Michelle today!

Vday and Weekend Recap

Our Valentine's Day was very low key. We went to Qdoba for some BOGO burritos, and then came home and watched a movie. Or tried to. I wanted to see No Strings Attached, but we couldn't figure out how to connect the computer to the TV, and I didn't see the point of ordering it on TV, because, well, I could watch it for free (if we could just set the dang thing up). I think we watched some of Battleship, and I fell asleep on the couch. Tres romantique, I know. 

Will kiss for free food. 

We had dinner reservations at Pacific Grill, a seafood restaurant at the South Street Seaport in NYC, for Friday night. I had purchased a Groupon for 2 lobsters and 2 glasses of wine a month ago totally forgetting about the whole no meat on Fridays thing. But I lucked out, being that it was lobster. Hurray! 

The dinner was my present to C. It was a complete surprise- and he really enjoyed it!

Eerily quiet and empty at the Seaport

Pier 17

Mustache glass- love!

C decided to have beer with his lobster, so I drank the 2 glasses of wine ;)

Also, how awesome is that glass? We loved it so much we stole permanently borrowed it!

Cheers!

so freakin delicious

It was early when we finished dinner, but I didn't have a plan for what to do next. C suggested heading to a hookah lounge. We used to love hookah- he actually owns one, though we haven't used it in years. The first lounge we went to was one I used to go to fairly often. However, the service was super crappy. They sat us squished between a couple eating dinner and bickering, and two girls blowing smoke in our face, and they wouldn't let us move to a better seat because "we have groups coming." Really? Because we're here now, and ready to give you money. 

So we left and found a much better lounge called Kazuza just a few blocks away. 

My nickname used to be Puff. Apparently I've lost my touch.

It was a very chill and fun night out. Quality time folks. 

The rest of the weekend was relaxing. We ran some errands, did some chores, but mainly were lazy bums. It was perfect. 

How was your weekend?

The Happiness Report #20

It's Sunday, and I am home relaxing. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else right now. I am just so... content! Here are some other things that made me happy this week:

- This article on Productivity
-This video, courtesy of Amy at Taking Steps Home

- Songza, a music player much like Pandora, minus advertisements! It will also pick music for you based on what you're doing, or what you're feeling that day!

- buffalo chicken paninis
- date night, complete with lobster!
- Vday candy from sweet coworkers
- my new black bikini
- This Means War; such a cute movie!
- having the electricity go out at work... and getting sent home early!
- three day weekends!

What are some things that made you happy this week?

Oh, How Pinteresting: Valentine's Day Outfits

Hallo friends!

DO you ever look in your (overstuffed) closet just saying "Ugh... I have nothing to wear!"? That's how I've been feeling lately. And now, I am trying to find something to wear for Valentine's Day. I have a dinner date planned with my beau in NYC on Friday night. I can't wait! I'm looking for something sexy yet comfortable, that I won't freeze in, and something that I can easily recreate with stuff I already own. Here are some ideas:

I really like the lace in the back of this top- wish I had a shirt like that! But I could definitely do the colors...

Source: polyvore.com via Tova on Pinterest

I like the pops of red- it's more subdued, but classy.

Black, grey and red elegant by stylisheve featuring theyskens' theory

This is cute. It's bright and happy, and the jeans make it seem more relaxed.

Neon Pink Pumps & Buttoned Coat by casuality featuring a black bag

I can't decide if I like red and pink together for myself, but this is pretty cute. This would also work to be festive at the office. 

Source: stylishsass.blogspot.com via Adeea on Pinterest

Of course I had to make my own outfits! The left is much more edgy, and the right is pretty classic. I don't know, I like both options!

Source: lildesiqua.polyvore.com via Dani on Pinterest

What are you planning to wear either to work or date this Valentine's Day?

I'm linking up with Michelle!

Valentine's Day, or the "New Couples" Holiday

For the last wek or so, I have been asking my girlfriends what they are doing for Valentine's Day. I will note that most of my friends are now married (within the last year-ish) and/or with kids or babies on the way. The consensus? They aren't doing anything. Which makes me curious- am I a weirdo for wanting to celebrate love?!

Source: imgfave.com via Susie on Pinterest

I understand the underlying idea:
1) We are already married... we have an anniversary/bday/etc to "celebrate" it
2) It's a "hallmark" holiday that was invented by mass media to make people spend too much money to show affection that should be shown on a daily basis, without some made up "holiday" to make you say it.

Well ya know what? I don't agree! (Maybe I will when I'm married, but not yet!) I love love. I love celebrating love. In fact, I remind the bf when we have a month-i-versary. Not that we need to do anything special for it, but I do mention it. Is that wrong or bad? I don't think so. And I feel like people (myself included) get so caught up in the day-to-day crapola, that we forget to actually appreciate our significant other/bf/gf/wife/husband/etc.

Appreciation can come in many forms. For instance, I was confused by the way C expressed his affection in the beginning, before I understood him. He is not a romantic in the typical sense. He is more of a  "doer". For instance, he'll make my lunch everyday, and cook dinners most nights, but is not the type to send flowers to the office (except on special occasions, such as Valentine's Day, our anniversary, and sometimes birthday). He is an "Acts of Service" romantic. It took me quite a while to learn and appreciate this, as I am a hopeless romantic who, before knowing about this, wanted the flowers/chocolate/obvious displays of affection! And then I learned about the Five Love Languages. Have you heard of this before? Here's a summary:

Chapman's Five Emotional Love Languages:

• Words of Affirmation
  This is when you say how nice your spouse looks, or how great the dinner tasted. These words will also build your mate's self image and confidence.
• Quality Time
  Some spouses believe that being together, doing things together and focusing in on one another is the best way to show love. If this is your partner's love language, turn off the TV now and then and give one another some undivided attention.
• Gifts
  It is universal in human cultures to give gifts. They don't have to be expensive to send a powerful message of love. Spouses who forget a birthday or anniversary or who never give gifts to someone who truly enjoys gift giving will find themselves with a spouse who feels neglected and unloved.
• Acts of Service
  Discovering how you can best do something for your spouse will require time and creativity. These acts of service like vacuuming, hanging a bird feeder, planting a garden, etc., need to be done with joy in order to be perceived as a gift of love.
• Physical Touch
  Sometimes just stroking your spouse's back, holding hands, or a peck on the cheek will fulfill this need. 

(via)

I took the quiz to find out my language. As much as I thought I was a "Gift" person, I'm actually not. Here's how I scored:

7 Words of Affirmation

10 Quality Time 

2 Receiving Gifts

4 Acts of Service

7 Physical Touch

Want to know your Love Language?

Take this short quiz and find out! 

As interesting as this is, I think I've gotten of track. My point is that a lot of my friends are "skipping" Valentine's Day. And I just can't do it. Maybe its guilt for not expressing love on a daily basis? I don't know, but I really enjoy this holiday. This year, money is a bit tight, but that doesn't mean we cant do anything. In fact, I purchased a deal- which my spending freeze allows, because it's a gift (and also the only deal I've bought this year- woot woot!) for Valentine's Day. Why spend a fortune when we don't have to? As for him... well, I think he was hoping he could close his eyes and hope the "holiday" would just disappear (his words, not mine!). Sorry hun, that's not happening. But again, we don't need to spend a fortune. So I just asked him chip in for the dinner I already purchased. I mean, that's the type of present I like best-- having an experience together. And a card, because he finds really great cards, and I am a sucker for all cards!

This was my thought as I was finding out about my friends-- is this a "new couples"type of holiday? Do you celebrate Valentine's Day? And if so, how? Or if not, why not?

Music Mondays: Love Songs

Do you have a song with your significant other/spouse/bf/gf? I almost always have had at least one song that reminds me of a special someone. Sometimes this is terrible, because once the relationship is over, and you hear the song on the radio, or in a store, or on an episode of Sex and the City (when it was on), it's super depressing or makes you really angry. But sometimes, it makes you smile at once was- like a sweet memory. That's how I feel about these songs, with the exception of the last one, because 1) it's funny and 2) it's my song with my current beau! So here's a little trip down my musical memory lane...

This was the song with my first real boyfriend. It can be best described as puppy love, and it was back in high school. We are still friends- I actually went to his wedding 2 years ago, and now he has a one year old son! 

This one is in Spanish, but also features my favorite artist at the time, Nelly Furtado. I made a boy who liked me sing this with me for a Multicultural Breakfast my freshman year of college. Luckily, he already knew Spanish, and was able to say the words correctly. We dated for the next three years :)

This was also with him. I guess in three years, you accumulate more than one song. This was our song before it was on Sex and the City, and we were over before that too. I was actually kinda pissed when it was on the finale.

What can I say about this song?! It's hot, and it makes me wanna dance. 

But like all fires, it burned out pretty quick.

This is me and C's song. One night we were at a friend's house, and everyone had gone to bed, and we were still up in the living room watching MTV Jams, and this came on... and I started singing all the words! I'm pretty sure he realized then that I was a complete nut, but he decided to keep me anyway :P

I'm still waiting for us to find a real love song!! 

So... do you have a song? What is it?

The Happiness Report #19

-early dismissals from work

-snow!

-This article: 14 Ways To Be Happier in 2013

-This is just ridiculous: Face Tattoo

-This video (which I forgot about until Krysten mentioned it): The Voice- Bright Eyes

- good morning texts

-This quote: "As you walk and eat and travel, be where you are. Otherwise you will miss most of your life. ~Budda"

- developing old cameras

- pancakes on National Pancake Day

-This moment: 

What's making you smile this week?

What I Wore: Skirts n Stuff

If there is one thing I hate, it's being cold. We had a few warmer days last week, so I was able to bust out some skirts without freezing my buns off! However, I'm still in gray and black mode... ugh. I'll try to work in some color next week!

Black Turtleneck and tights- Kohls
Skirt- Charlotte Russe
black pumps- Nine West

sweater- Old Navy
skirt- permanently borrowed from mom
heels- Steve Madden via A

gray sweater- Michael Kors via TJ Maxx
black skinnies- Old Navy
socks and boots- Hunter
belt- came with a skirt
necklace- gifted

floral top- thrifted
wool blazer- United Colors of Benneton {gifted}
brown pants- ?
nude heels- Nine West
belt- Charlotte Russe
neck warmer- Kohl's
earrings and necklace- gifted

How do you beat the January/February blues?

I'm linking up with...

The Pleated Poppy- What I Wore Wednesdays

Transatlantic Blonde- What I Wore Wedesdays

Abbeyleigh- Dress For The Day

Miriam- Wardrobe Wednesdays

Friends, Food, and Football

I had such a great weekend with wonderful people. Weekends like this remind me how grateful I am for some of the people in my life!

Friday, my old coworkers friends and I checked out a new-to-us restaurant in Jersey City called Kraverie. This place is AWESOME. First of all, they are BYOB. I'm a sucker for any place that doesn't charge me to get my drink on! Secondly, they are a French- Korean fusion restaurant. Yes, you read that correctly. Basically, their menu was divided- one sied French entrees, one side Korean BBQ style entrees, or you could get a Korean crepe- their truest fusion. I had never heard of such a thing, so I was a little nervous.

Luckily, I had no reason to be nervous. The food was delicious! We started off with some wings that were in a semi spicy, sweet sauce with some sesame seeds on top. For dinner, I got a "Korean Burrito"- it had spicy pork, sticky rice, and kimchi. It was so different, and so tasty! It was so good, in fact, that I forgot to take a pic until I was halfway finished with it!

Of course, I could only eat half because I wanted to leave room for dessert. I never have room for dessert, but I saw that they had crepes! I don't even remember the last time I had a crepe, but I love them. Mine had Nutella, fresh bananas and strawberry, but they had a big selection to choose from! It was seriously heaven in my mouth. My friend has a dulce de leche one...wow! So, so good.

Saturday was low key. Cleaning and errands. Womp.

On Sunday, we hosted a Superbowl "party"- it was very chill, just one other couple, B&A. (The same two that saved our asses just two weeks ago!) Before the game started, A and I took a little trip to Ulta. I had a gift card burning a hole in my wallet (spending freeze still in effect- using gift cards doesn't count!), and she is my go-to make-up person. She is the best when it comes to knowing tools, techniques, and products, and she's great and knowing what colors look best on me. I was planning on getting some brushes, a Clinique lipstick (I just wanted an "everyday" type lipstick, and I heard this one was a good one), and a highlighter. They didn't have any of the things I wanted... Boo! (Plus, the salesperson was completely clueless about their products and availability, and almost rude. How about getting off your phone for two secs when a customer actually has some questions and needs some assistance? But that's a whole other topic.)

Anyway- so yeah, they didn't have what I wanted. So I got some stuff I didn't even know I wanted!

Maybelline Super Stay 14-Hour lipstick in Please Stay Plum

Ulta nail polish- Into Astrono-me?

Benefit "Ulta"-mate Sexy Six- their 6 best sellers

Revlon nail polish- Iconic

Lorac Breakthrough Performace Lipstick (SPF15) in Ingenue

So, I found two "everyday" lipsticks, and I wanted a bluish gray polish, so I got that. I'm having a bit of Buyer's Remorse about the six-pack... we'll see if I keep it.

Afterwards, it was time for the Superbowl! Unfortunately, I totally forgot to take pics of our feast! But this was our menu (Blue was B&A, Purple was me and C, black was all):

Dips as Apps:

• 7 layer bean dip 
• Guac and Salsa on the side for C
• Spinach dip
• Chips

Sides:

• Cheesy buns, with pesto and/or artichoke
• Orzo Tri-Color Salad

Dinner:

• Hoagies and Wings

Dessert:

• Oreo truffles
• Snickerdoodles

Drinks:

• Beer.

We actually didn't get to pizzas, because um... we had waaaay too much food! And yes, all this was for 4 people!! As for the actual game- I was rooting for the Ravens because they were the underdogs- and I'm so happy they won! That 4th quarter was a bit close though!! And I thought Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, and Beyonce were fabulous. I was so happy to see the rest of Destiny's Child too! Though I thought it was a bit weird they did "Single Ladies, but whatevs- they looked and sounded great!

How was your weekend? 

Did you watch the Superbowl? Who were you rooting for?