Sickies

Hi lovelies. I had a bunch of drafts almost ready to go up this week, but just writing this is taking everything out of me today. I am definitely sick- like, super sick. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow to find out what the heck is wrong with me. Since Saturday night I've just been wiped out, coughing, and there is a sharp pain behind my right shoulder blade, which has hurt since Saturday night. When I don't move it, there's a dull pain, but when I cough, it hurts so bad I literally have to hold on to something for support. No bueno. Yesterday I took some Aleve which made the shoulder pain go away for most of the day, but it didn't work today, so now I'm on Day/Nyquil. Luckily my friend got me some tea, OJ, and soup today, so I'm going to have that and rest/sleep some more. I hope I can knock whatever this is out soon because it seriously sucks!

Hope you are all doing better than me! And hopefully I'll be back in full swing soon! Until then, I'll be doing this:

Apartment Tour

Hello lovelies! I hope you are all doing well! 

Today is a super crappy day in the NJ- feels like fall which I am NOT liking. I don't know why everyone is so excited for cold cooler weather. Summer is my favorite- I detest being cold! But anyway, I thought I would finally show you a peek at my new apartment, even though when I took these pics it was empty. I have been busy filling it up and making it feel like home though, and once all that's taken care of I may just share it again! I really love the hardwood floors, all the closets, and how spacious it is- these pics don't do it justice!

Kitchen- love the fact that I have a dishwasher! And all that cabinet space! And yes my laptop is on my kitchen counter because I didn't have a table yet! Of course the only thing set up is my coffee maker- and fresh flowers from Momma Dukes. Oh yeah, and an empty wine rack- gotta have a party to fill that bad boy up!

New stove, and some *free* bar towels I picked up from Freecycle- love that site!

Full view of kitchen, with a back door that leads to a little wooden deck! (Forgot to include pics of that, just use your imagination- it's small and cute and perfect for two chairs and a little table)

View of living room from kitchen. Got a TV from a friend, but again no sturdy table! Also loving all the windows and light that the place gets! There's no central air, but the ceiling fan (in kitchen) and double air conditions work perfectly! Plus like I said, I don't like being cold!

View of living room from by the windows. Bookcase from a friend, which bag of "stuff" next to it. One door is a closet, the other is the front door.

Small hallway, with 2 closets!

Bathroom. It's got yellow tiles which i didn't love at first, but I accented with a gray bathmat and towels- it's coming together!

So much counter space! It felt too empty, so I added my perfumes

Linen closet

Other hallway closet

Bedroom closet Number 1- love the double bars! (Hard to see, my bad)

Bedroom closet Number 2! They're so big!

The bedroom, view from doorway (I have a bed now, this was the "before")

View of bedroom from the other corner

My freezer- yes, all I had was some frozen veggies and Ben and Jerry's. I've added some frozen pizza :)

My fridge with just the necessities- milk, cheeses, water, salad dressing? (I don't eat salad, not sure why I have that), and some spare ribs leftovers that a friend made me! (I have since gone grocery shopping, but this was all there was for almost a week!)

So there you have it! It's not much, but it's all mine! The neighborhood is really nice too, I'm in the suburbs in NJ, and it's a quiet area but walking distance to groceries and stores. I also have a close friend in the neighborhood, which I greatly appreciated when I ran out of sugar on Saturday morning! And only 20 minutes from work! I have been cleaning like mad so I can put all my stuff in nice, clean closets/cabinets and then start decorating! There's still a lot to do and add, but I think it's coming along pretty well. Exciting times!

Have you moved recently? Do you have any decorating tips for me?

Changes- The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

I have never participated in "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" link-up before, but I've seen it on some blogs that I follow, and it includes a list-like format, so I'm in!

THE GOOD:
- I got a new apartment! ["tour" tomorrow!]
- I got a new job! Actually, it's at the same company, but an entirely new role (and more money)! I am now a Customer Support Specialist, helping everyone in our company with our new financial and time keeping systems- exciting times!!

THE BAD:
- I got a new job, and I don't like one of my new responsibilities. Thankfully I wont have to do it for too long.
- I have been feeling very displaced with this new apartment/moving thing going on. I will be happy once I get all my stuff in one place. Right now it's coming along slowly, but for some reason I'm hesitant on putting things away and truly setting up- not sure why.

THE UGLY:
- C and I broke up. Almost a month ago actually, but I wasn't quite ready to announce it here.
We have had some issues for a while, and neither of us were communicating those issues very well. But it got to a point where one issue in particular kept coming up, and I couldn't take it anymore. So I broke up and moved out at the end of April. Then we were back together like a week later, (I guess like a trial separation?), but I found the same issue still happening, and so I called him out on it and officially ended our relationship. We are still talking, however now it is about rent (I'm still on the lease, but it's up at the end of this month), moving, our bills- the necessary stuff. I'm not getting into any other details. Though I have a blog and on lots of social networks, I still believe that some things should stay private. It's not easy. In fact, it's really sucky and terrible, but I'm doing the best I can to stay positive. Keeping busy with the new job and setting up the new place are helping, as are truly great friends. I am so lucky and grateful for all of their support. I know some of them are reading-- THANK YOU LADIES! And thank you to my bloggy friends Jennifer and Athena for reaching out and helping me through this rough time as well!

Happiness Report #37

- happy hour with the girls
- lunch dates
- great money advice from Femme Frugality, and this article on her first lesson in personal finance
- coral pants
- checking out new places
- getting cable and internet set up!
- sleeping on a bed for the first time in months!
- really great friends
- laundry day
- And just for fun, in case you're in the market for a "Plush-Ass" Mattress

What's making you happy today?

The Pass List

I was totally planning on showing you a "tour" of my apartment today, but then I saw this on Krysten's blog, and it looked way more interesting, especially for a Friday, so let's just look at some eye candy and listen to some tunes mmmkay? Also, I forgot we were supposed to stop at 5, so here's 10 for your viewing pleasure! You're welcome :)

Joe Manganiello (36)

One of the reasons I'm still watching True Blood

Channing Tatum (33)

I see him and automatically hear "Pony" in my head

Bradley Cooper (38)

Ryan Guzman (25)

I know he's young, but he's so darn cute!

Jesse Metcalfe (34)

Anyone remember him?

.:Part 2:.

Paul Walker (39)

Ryan Kwanten (36)

Another True Blood-er

Ryan Reynolds (36)

Juanes (40)

Gerard Butler (43)

The oldest, but he could still get it

Who is on your list?

Governor's Island

Back in May I wrote out a Summer Bucket List of all the fun things I wanted to do this summer. This would be Goal #4- picnic in the park! Unfortunately, I forgot to get any pictures of the actual food. But just picture one of those roast chickens from the grocery store, potato and macaroni salad, a bottle of wine and some waters, and a blanket in a tote bag. :)

If you've never heard of Governor's Island, it's a little island between Manhattan and Brooklyn. You can't get there by car- you have to take a ferry (which is free). I had never been there before, but it was so nice! It's basically a giant park, with bike and walking paths. There is a huge monument, which we didn't see, because it was on the other side of the island, which was closed off the day we went. There is also apparently a carousel on that side as well. They have a hammock area which is awesome, but you have to get there early to get one! There is an outdoor library, which I loved!! [see below] They also have a beach area, where they serve alcohol- bringing alcohol to the island is strictly prohibited, which we didn't know! But the beach was closed the day we went because they were having a concert there at night... wish I had known that in advance too!

So anyway, I went with my mom. And we go up to the area where they check your bags before you get on the ferry and make the "No Alcohol" announcement- and my mom freezes. Mind you, the bottle was at the bottom of the tote bag, wrapped in the blanket- and to say they weren't checking thoroughly would be a severe understatement. But at the announcement she froze, and (honest woman that she is) admitted to having a bottle of wine! Of course they couldn't ignore that, so they said they could either confiscate it, or we could "get rid of it some other way" *wink wink* (literally). 

So we did. We went to another park on the Manhattan side overlooking the river, took out the two cups that we brought, and totally broke the law. Salud!

And then we went back and got on the next ferry, and had our picnic...with water! It was a fabulous day and hopefully we can go back when the beach area is open! Anywho, here are a few pics I did manage to take!

Now entering Governor's Island!

Momma dukes- unfortunately the sun was not on her side

Hallo!

The beach area- set up for the concert

A schooner- I thought it looked cool

meadows where we sat (under a tree)
[via]

Bike, hike or just sunbathe; there’s plenty to do for an afternoon at Governors Island. Photo: The Trust for Governors Island

Read a book or register for a public library card at the new pop-up library outside Castle Williams. Photo: Daniel Broadhurst[via]

View from the island

Happiness Report #36

- making new friends
- moving into my new apartment (deets to come!)
- munchkins
- cooking again
- winning ad space at Why Girls are Weird... you should check her out, she always had fun posts!
- homemade chicken cacciatore... madeby my friend
- Freecycle
- coupons
- Home Goods
- Jimmy Fallon:

What's making YOU smile this week?

#6 Get My Hair Did - Check!

Back in May I wrote out a Summer Bucket List of all the fun things I wanted to do this summer. One of those things was to get my hair done, particularly before vacation. I was thinking of cutting it all off like I did last summer, but for some reason I thought long hair would look better on the beach, so I just got it shaped up and added a few face-framing highlights. [Of course, this was also included in the Groupon I bought!] I was going to just do a general Summer list update, but for some reason I took several pics while in the salon, so it's a photo dump day!

I really liked that this place had chandeliers over each work station

They gave me free wine- now that's customer service!

This heater lamp thingy was rotating- I felt like a Jetson

shaped and trimmed at work

I like the caramel highlights!

I still might chop all of it off later this year, but for now I'm loving the updated look!