It's OK! and Theater Thursday

 It's Thursday! This week I'm saying "It's OK" ... 
...to want to dress up for Halloween even though you have no party to attend or children to take trick-or-treating

...to be annoyed with Christmas season overload, but start buying presents in July

...to wait a few weeks to get into new TV shows because you don't want to get attached in case they get cancelled

...to look like you're working hard so no one interrupts you while reading blogs

...to have already started your birthday and Christmas wishlist (see link above!)

...to change into pj's about 5 min after getting home

...to follow your favorite reality stars on Twitter
...to play Solitaire on your phone for two solid hours during your commute because you accidentally had your iPod on all day and now it's dead :(

...to genuinely enjoy leftovers. Sometimes it just tastes better the second time around!

...to raid your refrigerator and pantry looking for food to avoid eating out

What are you saying "It's OK" to this week? Link up above!
----------------------------------------------------



Today's "Theater Thursday" is Easy A

I actually caught this on TV one day. It's basically an updated version of The Scarlet Letter. I was a little wary of seeing it because it looked a bit "teeny-bopper-y" from the previews, but I really enjoyed it! Also, I didn't realize that Lisa Kudrow, Amanda Bynes, and Stanley Tucci were in it, they were wonderful. I think her parents made the movie...they were hysterical!

From iMDB:

High school student Olive Penderghast (Emma Stone) finds herself the victim of her school's "rumor mill" when she lies to her best friend Rhiannon (Alyson Michalka) about a weekend tryst with a fictional college freshman. Word quickly spreads of Olive's promiscuity and, much to her surprise, she welcomes the attention. When she agrees to help out a bullied friend by pretending to sleep with him, her image rapidly degrades to a more lascivious state and her world begins to spin out of control. As she helps more and more of her classmates and her lies continue to escalate, Olive must find a way to save face before the school's religious fanatic Marianne (Amanda Bynes) gets her expelled and she loses a shot at attaining her own happiness. Written by The Massie Twins

One of my fave lines:

"Whatever happened to chivalry? Does it only exist in 80's movies? I want John Cusack holding a boombox outside my window. I wanna ride off on a lawnmower with Patrick Dempsey."

Have you seen this movie? What did you think?

Budget Recap/ Where'd My Money Go? 10/1 - 10/12

Bills/ Fixed Payments
Rent: $944.18 (increase due to resigning lease)
Cable: $205.93
Phone: $90.00
Transportation: $299.00
Groceries: $300.00
Netflix: $5.34
Credit Report: $16.95 (I've decided to keep this as I found an error recently and want to track it)
Loan Repayment 1: $125.00
Loan Repayment 2: $40.00
Savings: $240.00


Other
Eating Out: $50.00
Shopping: $60.00
Entertainment: $25.00/week
Beauty/Wellness: $30.00/ month
Miscellany: $200.00/month

Where'd My Money Go?

Bills/Fixed Payments
Rent: $944.18
Cable: $205.93
Phone: $90.00
Transportation: -- (transitchek deducted from pay)
Groceries: $40.00
Netflix: $5.34
Loan Repayment 1: $125.00
Loan Repayment 2: $40.00
Total: $1450.45

Shopping
Charlotte Russe: $60.00
Cardigans Online: $56.00
CVS: $13.00
Total: $129.00

Miscellany
Wedding Present: $100.00
Hotel for Wedding: $130.00
Fantasy Football Fee: $50.00
Total: $280.00
Eating Out
Fatty Crab: $44.00
Popeyes: $10.00
Lobster Rolls: $20.00
People's Cafe: $15.00?
Corner Cafe: $17.00?
Drinks: 20.00??
Total: $126.00

Entertainment
The Breakers Mansion Admission: $22.50


This is a very loose interpretation of my expenses lately. We went to Rhode Island for a friend's wedding, and I wasn't very good at tracking my monies. You can see where I went over budget in red.
I think I have to re-think/re-calculate my budget, especially in the areas of eating out/entertainment/shopping. I'm not sure what's a "good amount" to set aside!

I think I should try the Envelope Method. Dave Ramsey says that using cash instead of cards is best to track spending, but when I use cash I forget exactly what I spend! In The Envelope Method, you put whatever you budgeted for the week in specially marked envelopes, one for each category...so in my current budget, I would have one envelope labeled "eating out" with $50.00 cash, and another labeled "entertainment" with $25.00 cash, and so on. I think I would be better at tracking that way. And once the envelope is empty,...no more spending in that category!

I'm going to start doing this on Friday. Also, I will try to do better with holding myself accountable with weekly budget recaps!

I can do it!!

Do you have any other budgeting tips or ideas?

It's OK- Football, OJ, and more

 It's Thursday! That means it's time to link up for "It's OK!" Thursdays! This week, I'm saying "It's OK"... 

...to have a love/hate relationship with football season. I like watching to hang out with my boyfriend and keep up with my fantasy team, but I totally forget about my fantasy team before Sundays.

...to restart your NFL RedZone subscription every football season.
 
...to not understand the difference between Tropicana's "Lots of Pulp" vs. "Grovestand"
 
...to prefer the "No Pulp" variety
 
...to laugh at your boyfriend's super corny jokes ("We don't have any OJ,...we only have Old J")
 
...to learn new info via Twitter. For example, I learned that Starbucks is actually a character in "Moby Dick" and that's why they use a picture of a mermaid. And that Ashton and Demi broke up. And that Marriott is owned by Mormons.
 
..to wish you had an iPhone so that you could tweet easier. And take instagram pics. And play Angry Birds.
 
...to learn how to play Angry Birds by your 5 year old cousin.
 
...to be super excited to go to Newport, Rhode Island tomorrow for your friend's wedding! And eat lobster rolls and real New England Clam Chowdah!
 
 

What are you saying "It's OK!" to this week?

 

Also, the original Polaroid camera is back for a limited time!! I'm kind of loving it! Check it out!

Buy the Limited Edition Polaroid SX-70 at the Photojojo Store!

Want It Wednesday: Boot Lovin'

I am on a mission...

to find...

the perfect brown, fitted (to my little chicken legs), riding boot.

This is one trend I want in on.

Here are my finds thus far...

Steve Madden Intyce $120 vs. Wet Seal boots $30

Aldo Prettner $102

DSW Mia Elisa Riding Boot $100

PacSun Black Poppy Knee High Back Buckle Boots $50

Have you tried this trend or any of these boots?

What would you recommend?

Mingle Monday- Fall Swap, PSL, and Indian Clothes

I had such a wonderful weekend celebrating a bridal shower in VA for my girl AJ. 

There was great food, lots of smiles and fun, singing and dancing (though I did get a bit shy), and wonderful people. Unfortunately I didn't take any pics, as I was busy making the "bow- umbrella" and then I forgot. But hopefully she will share the pics others took!

This is a pic from a while ago, but there was a Starbucks stop on the way home. This is my first PSL of the season!

Did I mention that I participated in Life of Meg's Fall Swap?!

I got this wonderful surprise from my swap buddy Sierra when I got home Sunday night!!

This was the first swap I participated in, and I'm so happy I did! I got a tote bag, picture frame, and scarf all in turquoise (one of my fave colors!), coral colored earrings, and a cute Halloween themed hand towel! Along with the adorable gift tag and card- thanks so much Sierra!!

(You can see what I got her here!)

You like my new outfits for India?! I believe they are called salwar kurtas. They are long tunic-type tops with pants like leggings- skinny. AJ gave them to me! They are both so pretty and soft- love!

Speaking of which... 43 days til India! Woot woot!

This week Meg asked: ** What is a Chicago must/see/dine/experience?!**I've only been to Chi-town once, and it was for a conference, so i didn't get to see much of anything. All I remember doing was ice skating, haha. Sorry Meg, but I hope you have a wonderful time!

Friday Faves

It's Friday! Can I get a T-G-I-F?!

I decided to share some of my favorite things from this week!

 

Guantanamera Cuban Restaurant - NYC

Had a date night with C on Wednesday... and I took him to one of my absolute favorite restaurants, Guantanamera. I cannot say enough great things about this place- great food, fabulous sangria (red and white), live music every night, and of course wonderful company!

"Home"made Pumpkin Spice Latte

Once fall hits, I cannot get enough PSLs, and really just about anything pumpkin flavored. But I just can't justify spending $4 per day on a Starbucks fix. Enter Flavia's Capp/Latte Swirl and Pumpkin Spice coffee packets. Lucky for me, I get to decide what coffees we order in the office, and during my last call, they offered me the seasonal pumpkin spice, so I decided to give it a try. OhMyGoodness. I'll admit that it's not exactly SB quality, but it definitely gets the job done, and it's free! *pats self on back*

Flowers on a Tuesday

These beautiful lilies were delivered to my office on Tuesday! I love getting flowers, especially at work!

Thanks boo!

What are some of your faves from this week?

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

It's Ok That A Post is Overdue!

 It's JERZDay! Time to Link up with these two lovely ladies!This week, I'm saying IT'S OK... 

...to plan outfits weeks in advance for a fun event

...to neglect your blog from time to time because of your real life. I'll do a real update soon!

..to take your boyfriend out to a surprise dinner, just for the hell of it

...to be jealous when your coworkers get flowers delivered to work ...but totally giddy when you get them (even though you knew they were coming)

...to have DVR'ed the season/series premieres but haven't had time to watch them,...possibly going on 2 weeks

...that everyone is just now pulling out their blankets to cuddle under while watching TV, and I never put mine away. What can I say, I get cold easily!

...that I am disgruntled about stores putting out Christmas decorations already. IT'S SEPTEMBER for crying outloud!

What are you saying "It's OK" to this week?