101 in 1001: An Update

Back in December 2015 I decided to start a new 101 in 1001 challenge, and actually try to accomplish more than the 33 items I had done on my previous one! One of my goals was to write about my progress once a month, which I'm obviously failing at being that this is the first time I've even mentioned since last year! However, I found this awesome link-up to track this list quarterly over at Macy's blog, so I decided to join to keep myself accountable and share my progress. For the full list, click here!

Start Date: December 12, 2015

End Date: September 8, 2018
Completed: 29/101 (as of 5/16/17)

In Progress 17/101

Things completed since my last check-in:

Make a new wreath 6/15/16 (cork wreath)
Go on a sunset cruise 5/11/16
Party in New Orleans (NOT Mardi Gras) 12/8/16- 12/12/16 
Go on a spontaneous day trip (Warwick Winery, 11/5/16)
Try a new food Chicken and Waffles 12/12/15
Get a promotion/new job 7/29/16
See an outdoor movie 7/19/16
Host an annual party (Halloween! Last year's theme was Stranger Things) 10/28/16
Attend an NHL game (NY Rangers vs. Blue Jays 11/1/16)
Attend an MLB game (Phillies vs. Mets 8/27/16)
Organize all of my photos and back them up in multiple places 12/8/16
Set up a new vanity area with makeup and jewelry storage 12/28/16
Create an emergency kit (Christmas present, 12/25/16)
Get rid of 101 items 4/22/16
Purchase a scale (Christmas present, 12/25/16)
Go on a picnic (Easter- 4/16/17)
Find my holy grail item in each makeup category (wrote about it here- 1/31/17)

In Progress: 17/101:

Read all the books I currently own but haven’t yet read 23/70
I've only been reading books that I own, which is why this goal and the next have the same number. 

Read 101 books (23/101) 
You can see what I've read so far here! 

Watch a new-to-me movie starting with every letter of the alphabet 18/26
This is actually one I thought would be done already, but I keep watching movies with duplicate letters! Missing C, E, K, N, O, Q, V, and Y. Have any recommendations for me? 

Figure out a skincare routine
I've actually figured this one out, but I'm not marking it as completed because I haven't been consistent in following through with the routine daily/weekly. 

Find holy grail skin and hair care products
Thanks to a few blogger recommendations and a recent trip to Ulta, I'm well on my way to figuring out what works best for my face and hair. Of course this takes time, as using a product once won't give the best results, and but I'm working on it.

Create and maintain a "staples" closet/wardrobe
I still need a few "key" pieces, such as a great, high-quality blazer and/or suit, but I've weeded out the stuff that no longer works for me, and that's half the battle, right?

Pay off student loans 
I'm happy to report that one loan has been PAID. Woot! However I did a huge consolidation for a bunch of other ones, and that's going to take quite some time to pay off. Baby steps. 

Try 101 different bars and restaurants 77/101
To see the list of places I've been to so far, click here! I'd also like to review these places on Yelp, but I haven't been quite that ambitious as of yet. Maybe I should add that as another goal?

Get my apartment and possessions 100% organized
I'm about halfway done with this one. I need to go through some closets, and all the crap I have stored in the basement that no longer serves any purpose other than taking up space. 

Organize all of my music files, delete/update as necessary
I've uploaded all of these onto my laptop, and then left them there. I need to sort, delete old songs I'm tired of and broken links, edit song titles, etc. 

See 3 Broadway shows (musicals or plays) 
2/3- Paramour 5/3/16, and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical 1/21/17

Clean out my closets and purge
I did this in my main clothing closet; I need to continue with the hall and linen closets. Halfway there! 

Update resume

Another work in progress. I've done several drafts and enlisted the help of some friends though, so hopefully this one will be completed soon! 

Completely use up or otherwise get rid of all excess makeup
I've accrued quite a bit of makeup while I've been trying to find out what works, but I still want to use it up or toss it. 

Get to my goal weight
Should be easier now that I own a scale! 

Blog about progress bi-annually (ha...oops!)

Try a new recipe (at least) once a month for a year 3/12
Got the Budget Bytes cookbook for Christmas, have yet to make anything. And I'm not even going to mention how many recipes I've pinned. I really need to get on this! 

Have you ever done a 101 in 1001 challenge? 

Currently: May

Reading: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Listening to: Michelle Branch's new album "Hopeless Romantic" on repeat. So happy that she's back! 

Watching: First Dates, Married at First Sight, Married at First Sight: Second Chances, Grey's Anatomy, Blindspot, and WAS watching NY Rangers play-offs until they lost on Tuesday night :( 

Purchasing: Alllll the concert tickets. Train, U2, P!nk, Incubus with Jimmy Eat World, the Cranberries, and Britney Spears (in Vegas). Still debating one with Gin Blossoms, Fuel, Marcy Playground, Dishwalla and Alien Ant Farm. 

Loving: My new pins from Junk-o that Blue surprised me with! 

Planning: May day dates! An "Eff It"/Mother's Day pampering day tomorrow with Mom , crossing some things off my spring bucket list, and seeing Young Frankenstein with a with Mel Brooks! So many things to look forward to! Also planning some travel for late summer/fall. Looks like Denver and Las Vegas are up first! 

Reorganizing: My bedroom, because I finally got a desk! At work, we started listing things that we are selling, and my coworker was selling a perfect little computer desk for $25. I'm so excited. Crossing another one off of my 101 list! (More updates on that coming Monday!) 

Planting: When I saw this on the list for this month, I was like "Ummm... I just killed another plant and have moved on to fake ones at home..." which is true. HOWEVER, a coworker wants to "warm our office space" so she gave us seeds and a special "plant grow" bulb, and someone else brought in pots so we now have a few growing! 

Baking: beer bread from Tastefully Simple last weekend. You guys, it's seriously addictive! Add some cheese or dip or eat it plain- so good! (And not hoppy tasting at all.) 

Remembering: TimeHop reminded me that on this day last year I was in Key West, FL. We had so much fun on that trip! I'm a fan of visiting new places, but this is one place that I'd love to revisit!

What's currently going on with you? 

Linking up with Ann, Nancy, and Kristin.

Favorite Movie Soundtracks

Oh look, Tuesday Topics on a Wednesday... oops. But I wanted to play along so I'm showing up a day late. Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of soundtracks in general. I usually like one or two "signature" songs and then move on, and I'm not a huge movie buff, so I had a hard time putting this list together. Here are a few off the top of my head...

Moulin Rouge

I actually bought this on CD when it came out, that's how much I loved it. Of course I knew (and sang...loudly and often) Lady Marmalade with my friends whenever it came on. I sang Mya's part (what ever happened to her?).  Also, I had no idea Nicole Kidman or Ewan McGregor can actually sing. How is it that some people just get all the talent?! Anyway, I love how this mixes so many different sounds, and of course the musical/theatrical feel of this.

Favorite Track: Hindi Sad Diamonds- John Leguizamo, Nicole Kidman, Alka Yagnik

Hidden Figures

This soundtrack is almost exclusively Pharrell Williams, with a sprinkling of others, but that's okay. I still love it. A lot of feel good, upbeat tunes that remind me of the great characters in this film.

Favorite track: Mirage- Mary J. Blige

Rent

Ahh, a classic from my high school days. I remember seeing this on Broadway no less than 4 times (because student discount tickets + drama club/ band nerd). Usually I don't like when Broadway shows find their way to the movies, but this one is an exception. (It's not better than the live show, but it'll do.)

Favorite Track: Take Me or Leave Me- Idina Menzel, Tracie Thomas

And of course because it's one of my favorite movies, Love Actually. Choosing a favorite track was difficult because I was really wowed by Olivia Olsen's rendition of "All I Want For Christmas," but I also loved the horns in the opening wedding scene. 

Favorite Track: All You Need Is Love- Lynden David Hall 

What are you favorite move soundtracks?

Linking up with Jenn!

What's New With Me: April

April flew by in a blur. At work, I was transitioning job responsibilities and updating my coworker on what she missed while I was covering for her since December. At home, I was... well, apparently eating a whole lot (and have the pics to prove it)! Here's what I was up to in April.

I have definitely mentioned it before, but DeLorenzo has the best tomato pie in NJ. I was finally able to take Blue there for the first time after a trip to Riverhorse Brewing Co, also located in central NJ. We shared a regular pie and a white clam pie with late onions (For those wondering, "late onions" just means they put them on towards the end of the cooking time.) Also, tomato pie is NOT pizza. It's made differently.

Keebler celebrated his 5th birthday. I got him a cat house (tent?) and the KONG Cat Hugga Wubba cat toy. Kristen previously recommended this, and I am seconding her recommendation. It's catnip scented and has a little bell in it's head and Keebler is OBSESSED with it. He hasn't gone into the tent thing yet, but I think it's because the entrance may be too small for his fat as to fit through. We may have to cut it open a bit. Also pictured: cat wine. Also available for dogs. (Does not actually contain alcohol.)

After purchasing my desk, we made our way to the grand opening of The Halal Guys in Union, NJ. Now I'm used to waiting for their cart food in NYC, but I was not expecting to wait 30 minutes before even entering this brick and mortar one. And I was concerned that it wouldn't be as good as the original, but it was exactly as I remembered it. They've franchised and popped up in a few states but if you haven't heard of them, it's basically a platter of gyro beef, chicken or falafel over yellow rice with a side "salad" of lettuce and tomatoes and pita bread, topped with white and/or hot sauce, or the same in sandwich form.

Had dinner with my good friend Marissa before she and her husband moved to Colorado. On our way, I finally got a glimpse at the 9/11 Memorial reflecting pool (and no lines!). Fun fact: I was her first NYC friend! She moved to NYC back in 2007, and she actually hired me at one of my first jobs out of college (she's the same age as me, but it was a small company). We became fast friends.

Easter was spent picnicking in a park with my mom before a torrential downpour that lasted .5 seconds... just enough to get us soaked and retreating back to my apartment. I may or may not have mentioned that the Easter Bunny would always forget to visit me as a kid, no matter how many carrots I left out. But this year my basket contained chips, cookies, sassy wine glasses, and a fake plant (because I cannot be trusted to take care of real plants). Best. Basket. Ever. 

I cleaned out one of my closets and found an unopened Stars Hollow LitCube box (oops). But how cute are these goodies?! The blue case houses a full manicure set, and I'm still trying to figure out how I'd like to utilize the Copper Boom pouch. Rory sits on my bookshelf (duh).  

And uh... I ate more food. A ragu pasta dish at Eataly (my first time there), Cuban cuisine complete with sangria, beer flights and an amazing chicken/bacon/cheese/chipotle mayo and BBQ sauce sandwich at another new-to-me restaurant, and some of the best macaroni and cheese in Hoboken. 

Not pictured: I bought a desk, visited a new brewery, introduced Blue to a new craft beer spot, and went on a double date to a new-to-us Thai restaurant (yes, more food lol). Oh yeah, I also so John Mayer at Madison Square Garden! He was even better than anticipated, which I did not think was possible. I also had no idea that he had a jazz trio.

On deck for this month is a concert, food truck festival, double date(s), and a show. Busy, busy month! What's new with you? 

Linking up with Kristen and Gretch!

5 Cocktail Recipes

As much as I like a good drink, I'm pretty lazy when it comes to cocktails. As in, if a cocktail contains more than 2 ingredients, I'm out. When compiling this list, I decided to break it up by my personal favorite by season. Also, I just realized that 3/5 have bourbon (though you could do the first one with vodka). I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before, but bourbon is my liquor of choice (it says so right over there -->). I enjoy it so much, that I actually went on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail awhile back. Anyway, let me know if you try any of these!

The Classic (with a twist): Kentucky Mule
This is my favorite cocktail. I'm sure you've heard of the Moscow mule. This is similar, but with bourbon instead of vodka.

Ingredients:
ice
2 oz. bourbon
4-6 oz. ginger beer
1/2 oz. lime juice (I use 2 small squirts)

To make:
Put in ice. Pour in all the things. Stir.
*Tip: Invest in copper mugs/Moscow mules. You can get them at Target for $25, and they're awesome. They really do keep the drink cooler longer as well. (I've tested this for you.)

photo cred

Fall: Smoked Apple
From: Black Button Distillery

Ingredients:
1 part bourbon
1 part apple pie moonshine
1/2 part ginger ale
ice

To make: Pour ingredients in glass over ice.

photo cred

Winter: Minty Hot Chocolate Rumchata (large batch)
From: An old blogger

Ingredients:
1 bottle (750mL) Rumchata
2 cans of Sweetened condensed milk
1 carton of Heavy whipping cream
2 bags of broken up Andes Mints (or the chips)
4 cups of milk

To make: Throw everything in the crockpot, cook on high for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
 *Tip: Let the Rumchata and chocolate lay together in the fridge overnight the night before will make it extra yummy. 

photo cred

Spring: Maker's Mark Makerita
For: Cinco de Mayo

Ingredients:
ice
1 part Maker’s Mark Bourbon
1 part fresh squeezed lime juice
1 part orange liqueur
3/4 part light agave nectar

To make: Fill shaker with all ingredients. Shake and strain over ice in highball glass. Garnish with salted rim (optional). 

photo cred

Summer: Orange Creamsicle Cocktail
From: Friend's bachelorette party

Ingredients:
1 part vanilla vodka
6 parts orange soda (cold)
Reddi-wip (optional, as desired)

To make: Pour orange soda over vodka. Top with whip cream. The end.

photo cred

What's your favorite cocktail? 
Linking up with Jenn!