Friday Favorites- Marching Right In

Happy Friday friends! I'm super excited to eat some of the best pizza around and see some of my favorite bloggers this weekend! What are you up to? Linking up today with my favorites of the week and Amanda!

Favorite Song: The beat drop at the 1 min mark hooked me. Don't Let Me Down- Chainsmokers ft. Daya

Favorite Moments:
Winning a giveaway!I won the book "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" from The Misfit Librarian.
Donating 10 dresses to a high school for their prom.

Favorite Pic: 
Blue and I went for for a walk at the newly reopened Great Falls Park in Paterson, NJ.

Favorite Lust: 

As a Kimmy Schmidt/Tituss fan, I'm seriously so excited for this and am totally buying a bottle (or 5... for gifts...maybe)

Favorite Reads:

• You guys. I have a new favorite website. Have you checked out PureWow? I love it. And it all started with this list of 9 Things to Be Excited About This March.
• Did you guys see the new one-size-doesn't-fit-all Barbies? Apparently they came out this week with tall, petite, and curvy versions. I say, about damn time!
• Can't find time to exercise and take care of laundry? Well this is certainly one way to accomplish two things at once! 
• Um, how did I not know beer spas were a thing? Do they exist in the U.S.? That would be my jam! 

Favorite Funnies: 

Happy weekend! 

February Goals: Revisited

Today I'm sharing how I did on one of my February goals- The Wallet Watch. Fails are in red, passes in green. You can see my parameters with notes over here. Though I wasn't particularly successful at not spending, I did pay closer attention to what I was spending on and I kept my grocery budget below $60! Even I was surprised with that one! 

The Wallet Watch: Wallet watch lasts from February 1 - February 29. If you wanna know more about it, go here. These are my parameters: 

- No more than $50 on take-out/food out, period: Fail. Over by $51.08

Date of Infraction: 2/1/16 (off to an amazing start, no?!)
Location: Coffee shop at work

Item: Coffee

Cost: $2.25

Notes: I forgot my travelers mug of glorious coffee on my kitchen counter at home. My train was delayed by 50 minutes. It was a Monday. Need I say more? It was also some of the worst coffee I've ever tasted, which made it that much worse. Ugh.

Date of Infraction: 2/5/16
Location: Blockheads
Item(s): Dinner/drinks
Cost: $41.00
Notes: My friend came into town unexpectedly for work. Obviously we needed to go out!

Those two would have been okay, but then...

Date of Infraction:2/12/16
Location: Mariachi Grill
Item(s): Dinner for 3
Cost: $57.83
Notes: My old neighbor/friend wanted to come over for dinner after work one night, and Blue was coming over as well. I didn't feel like cooking. She took a TV, an Easy Bake Oven, and a laptop bag with her though, so it was definitely worth it.

- Check the checking account for fees, and change banks if necessary: Check!
 I found that my bank charges me $7 in monthly fees. And I considered changing banks, but then I remembered that I just got a bunch of checks for this account, and ordering more checks would cost more than what I would be saving, so I guess I'm going to stay for now. 

- Open savings account: Check
Calling this a pass because I'm going tonight. 

- Grocery budget $60: Check!!!
I think this is the one I was most proud of. I only went tot he grocery store once, and the total was $84.62. HOWEVER, this was the day before our Superbowl party, and a lot of items were purchased solely for the party. So I deducted those things from the total, and found I only spent $40. 64 on actual groceries for myself! Adding in a few items I picked up at CVS (see below, 2/27) and the Dollar Store, I spent 56.64 on groceries this month! BOOM!

- Get taxes done: Check! 

- Check my credit score: Fail. 
Isn't there a way to do this for free somewhere? I forgot and didn't want to get charged, or lower my score by checking. 

- Talk to those pesky student loan peeps: Check! 

- Revisit and readjust the budget: Fail
I didn't see the point of doing this before the Wallet Watch. It made more sense in my head to revisit and readjust afterwards. 

- No unapproved spending of any kind, for anything. Approved Spending: Valentine's day gift for Blue, Mom's birthday present, Boss going away present. Fail. 

Date of Infraction: 2/11/16
Location: Rite Aid
Item(s): Part of this was Blue's Valentine's Day present (don't judge me, they had a Star Wars mug), but as for the rest ???
Cost: $47.11
Notes: I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED.

Date of Infraction:2/12/16
Location: PetValu
Item(s): cat toys/treats
Cost: $14.96
Notes: I decided that Keebler (Blue's cat) needed Valentine's day love too. Whatever, it was totally worth it.

the cat who won Valentine's Day

Date of Infraction: 2/22/16
Location: online, Club W
Item(s): wine subscription
Cost: $26.75
Notes: Because, wine.

Date of Infraction: 2/27/16
Location: CVS
Item(s): Passport pics, toothbrush, lipsticks, 2/$5 chips, Pepto
Cost: $47.89 (-$11 grocery)= $36.89
Notes: I had a 20% off coupon and needed to take my passport pics. Blue needed to replace her toothbrush and lipstick which was B1G1 50% off, and we were paying together. So not all my fault!

Date of Infraction: 2/29/16
Location: online, BonTon
Item(s): a Star Wars traveler's mug and 3 pack of K-Cups
Cost: $46.08
Notes: I was weak. I looked at Brad's Deals. Forgive me.

Total Infraction Costs (including the $51.08 from eating out): $222.87

Have you done a no-spend month or Wallet Watch? How did you do? 

Confessions- The First of March

It's Wednesday and on Wednesdays we confess, so let's get right to it, shall we? I'm keeping it short this round because sometimes 10 confessions is too much, and I shared a bunch yesterday. Anyway... confessions! 

I ate meat the last two Fridays. The first time, we were originally supposed to go for pizza before a concert but weren't hungry at the time, so we waited until we got inside and the only vendor that was even remotely close to out seats was "Chicken and Fries" so that's what we had. It was damn good too. And last Friday I felt like death and the thought of more pizza seemed nauseating, so we got the ultimate (delivery) comfort food- Chinese. I got shrimp and broccoli, but then had Wonton soup. Sorry Jesus. 

I didn't participate in #nationalmargaritaday because I don't like margaritas of any kind. I've tried slushy and uh, non-slushy, and it's just not my thing. I've learned (through extensive research) that tequila and I are not friends. I'll stick to my Kentucky Mules and whiskey, thanks.

It took me a few minutes to figure out how to spell "whiskey" because it can be spelled without the "e" and still be correct. Why is the English language so confusing sometimes? No wonder foreigners don't like it.

Blue and I have a shared Google calendar to stay abreast of each other's appointments/girls nights out/dates. But sometimes we just don't want to go to certain events. For instance, I was invited to a bridal shower 45 min away with a bunch of people I didn't know (besides the bride) and/or didn't like, so I declined, making up some excuse. We add these on the calendar as "No Social Media" days so we won't get caught.

Blue reads my blog on the regular, which I love. I could bet any amount of money that she is chuckling at "abreast" above. I'm curious- does your significant other read your blog? How do you feel about it?

Currently: March

Reading: Still deciding. I finished "Missing Pieces" by Heather Gudenkauf last night (review next Tuesday for Show Us Your Books!). Whenever I finish a book it takes me a day or two to pick a new one (as long as I don't have a Netgalley archive date approaching!). 

Listening to: Switching between Alyssa's Spotify playlist (which she made public- have a listen!) and Piper Chapman's Spotify playlist. Good stuff all around. 

Planning: a trip to the Obgyn. Last Friday I felt so sick, I actually had to leave work early. I could barely make it from my desk to the bathroom without doubling over in pain from cramps, and I had to talk myself out of physically getting ill because someone else was in the bathroom (doing their hair for crying out loud- I was thisclose to asking them to GTFO), and I didn't want to make a scene. This is not okay. I was on the Pill for awhile which REALLY helped with the pain and regulation, but I had zero sex drive (sorry if that's TMI). I need to try a different medication. 

Watching: I was so sad to find out that CBS cancelled Angel From Hell after a mere 5 episodes. I really liked it! Le sigh. Currently watching The Walking Dead (anyone wanna talk about it? Please?!), end of S2 of Grey's Anatomy (I started from the beginning, but also watching current season, which is HELLA confusing), S3 of Catfish, and the end of S1 and current seasons of Married at First Sight. Oh, and current season of Top Chef and Big Bang Theory. 

Organizing: My student loan paperwork. Apparently there was some "glitch" where my student loan lenders didn't realize I was exempt from paying them because I was in grad school part-time last year. It's been a major pain in my ass for the last month or so when I noticed I was getting all these "delinquent" notices and was like "WHAT now??" 

Smelling: my dying flowers, which are actually still quite fragrant. 

Wishing: That my tax return would come in, even though I just went to file last week, and even though it's less than it was last year. 

Craving: Even I'm sick of hearing it, but vacation. A real, week-long one with a flight involved. 

Wearing: black pants, maroon long sleeve top, gray tie cardigan. 

Going:  To my friend's wedding in Williamsburg, VA. We're heading down on St. Patty's Day, and stopping in DC for a few hours before continuing on to VA. All those "colonial Williamsburg" commercials actually paid off, especially since Busch Gardens doesn't open until the following weekend! Argh! I've never been!  But I'm sure it'll be fun nonetheless. 

Learning: Patience. I hear it's a virtue, and one I need to work on.


What's currently up with you? Linking up with Jenna , Anne, Christy, Kristen and Gretchen!

Friday Favorites- Last of February

Happy Friday! I'm so happy to say Peace Out to this week. It dragged. But today started off great because I found a $5 on my way to work, just laying on the sidewalk. I looked around, but the street wa deserted, so YAY to found money! This weekend I'm hoping to knock out a few more of my February goals, run a bunch of errands, and go see How To be Single. Let's kick off this weekend right with Amanda and some of this week's favorites. 

Favorite Song: Is anyone watching American Idol? Kelly Clarkson's performance last night was so emotional- there was not a dry eye in the audience, and I almost never tear up at songs! Piece by Piece- Kelly Clarkson



Favorite Video(s):
I don't know what's funnier, The Ellen DeGeneres/Adele prank on Jamba Juice, the fact that overnight, Jamba Juice created a "Swishy Chug" website, complete with a $2 off smoothie coupon, or the video regarding their new "Rolling in the Beets" smoothie.





I would absolutely love to see Deadpool host SNL! Even though it probably won't happen, I loved Ryan Reynold's Deadpool's Kanye West-esque rant regarding the petition!

This Trump/Game of Thrones mashup is perfection.



Favorite Lust Item:
Marie shared this last week, but I am in LOVE with these Golden Girls FUNKO dolls. My bff may seen one of these as an extra wedding day gift!

Favorite Reads:

• I love when the universe works in my favor and gives me a guide to match two of my favorite things: Girl Scout cookies and wine.
• You can be sure I'll be using Morgan Freeman's voice to guide me to Virginia in a few weeks.
• This is not an uplifting post, but I appreciate this woman's candor, her courage to admit this to herself and post it, and her strength in seeking help. I've never sufferred from an eating disorder, and this woman explains the mental and emotional stress of living with addiction in a way that is relatable, if not heartbreaking. Confessions of a Food Addict. 
• In a similar vein, I stumbled across this post on another woman's road to recovery. I think it's important to bring awareness to some of the issues women face.
• Beth shared this on Wednesday, but it hit a nerve so I'm sharing it again. THIS is why I dislike being labelled as part of the Millennial Generation. If I must be labelled, I'd prefer to (correctly) be thrown in the Oregon Trail Generation. 

Favorite Funnies:

Happy weekend friends!

A Day In The Life: Night Edition

My normal weekdays aren't very interesting. I get up, go to my 9-5, and come home. Do you really want to see/read about what I do at work? I didn't think so. But night time is free time. And in the last two years, I've developed a sort of weekly routine that works for me. So that's what you're getting today.

Some things to note:

• I live alone. 
• I don't have cable, and though I have an antennae, Hulu, Netflix, and a Roku, I normally don't watch TV on weekdays besides when I'm eating (which is why I cut cable). 
• I get home around 6:30, and go to sleep around 10:30/11. I don't do anything for the first 1/2 hr after getting home except decompress. The last 1/2 hour is spent picking clothes for the next day, prepping my bag and setting my coffeemaker, and getting ready for bed. So if these seem short, it's because I really only have about 3 hours of free time.

Mondays: I mentioned recently that I've picked up a habit of doing 3 Things each (week) night- 3 Things that need to/should get done. Not on Mondays though. Once I let go of the idea of doing these on Mondays, my happiness levels went way up. To be honest, I don't want to do anything on Mondays, so I don't. Usually Blue makes a big Sunday dinner, and I eat the leftovers on Monday night. I take out something from the freezer to eat the next night, and spend the rest of the night on my couch reading a book, occasionally with a glass of wine in hand. It's the perfect cure for a case of the Mondays.

Tuesdays: Grocery Day. Before I go, I check out the circular for sales and check my coupon stash for ones expiring soon to prepare my list. (I also keep my list on the fridge and add things as I use them up during the week.) Sometimes Blue drives me to the store, but usually I just walk with my coupons, grocery list, and reusable bags in hand. This takes at least an hour, including walking time. I never feel like cooking afterwards, so I grab whatever I took out the night before for dinner. Then it's time attack 2 other "things," shower and get ready for bed.

Wednesdays/Thursdays: Wednesdays and Thursdays are interchangeable. Blue comes over once a week- on either Wednesday or Thursday. But usually, this is designated as Hair Night. I usually straighten my wavy/curly hair once a week. This takes TIME... about 2 hours, including the shower, because my hair is thick and fairly long now. This is usually the night I do laundry and cook too. But I'm really bad at folding said laundry, so it may sit for a few days before I get around to that part.

Thursdays/Wednesdays: This week she's coming on Thursday because she can work from home on Friday, which means she can stay overnight and I can sleep in (she goes in to work earlier than I do). Usually when she comes over I cook and we watch a few of our shows. If I didn't do laundry the night before, I'll do that today, along with two other none time-consuming "things." I also pack for the weekend so she can take my bag home with her, since I spend weekends at her place because of Keebs (the cat).

Fridays: Bye Felicia. If she doesn't come over on Thursday, I pack my bag quickly when I get home, she picks me up, and we either go out to eat or go to her place. Otherwise I take the train to a station closer to her where she picks me up and we do the same, unless we have plans that night.

I'm curious... how do you spend your free time? 

Shit Blue Said: Vol 3

coming into the bedroom to me watching Married at First Sight...
Blue: What is this?
Me: Married at First Sight. You weren't home.
*sits down to watch* 45 min later...
Blue: Ugh, why did you get me invested in this show? I have to pee but I need to see what happens now! 
*10 minutes later*
Blue: Seriously? We have to wait for NEXT Tuesday to see the weddings?! What a waste.

On weight loss apps and things... 
Blue: Lark is harping on me about the importance of lean protein to stave off hunger and its funny, I'm starting to listen lol.
Oooh Restaurant Week starts the 18th. 38 bucks. Anywhere you really want to go for a date night?
Me: I love how you went directly from Lark to Restaurant Week
Blue: I caught the hipoc-Chrissie too (IRL name is Christine)

on coworkers...
Blue: The dept that is in my immediate area is so bizarre.
Me: Other than Farts McGee?
Blue: The manager sits in his office and never interacts with them except for a meeting. And if anyone goes into his office, hes fine with anything. "Andy, I need to step out, I'll be back in an hour. " Ok. "Andy sorry I missed you note, I was napping." And yes he's the fartbox. Then, the musicologist that works for him is ALWAYS having an argument with the copy machine. He literally speaks to it and soft-curses it out. (he wont swear). And the others are bizarre too. One always looks like she's angry and freezing. Then there's the token gay guy that has the most annoying laugh ever. It's like a normal pitched chipmunk.

me: I ordered a clean out kit from Thredup.
Blue: Ahh, what's in it?
me: Nothing, that's the point.
Blue: Must be a Buddhist thang.

on Chinese horoscopes...

Me: Haha, I'm a Pig.
Blue: What am I? Probably an Ass (finds hers and reads)
Blue: Northwest is my unlucky direction. So much for Keeping up with the Kardashians.

drafting a post...
Me: Could you "rock out" to Tori Amos? Does that sound right?
Blue: Her older stuff you can. Who is rocking out to Tori Amos?
Me: We are. Duh.
Blue: We are seeing Ani DiFranco, not Tori Amos. Wrong bisexual.
Me: Well shit. Can we rock out to Ani?

me: *sends link: 6 signs Your Cat Runs Your Home*
Blue: Lol. we should set up a Facebook account. The World According to Keebs.
Me: No no no don't do that. I hate it when pets have an FB account. I'm friends with like 2 dogs and a turtle.

Watching the Restaurant Wars episode of Top Chef...
Blue: If I had a seafood restaurant I'd call it "Just For The Halibut."

Going outside...
Me: Do I need a jacket?
Blue: No you have your Carol cardigan on, you'll be fine. (Carol from TWD. If you don't watch, sorry.) 

One Liner of the month: "If I have to do that work, I may as well take a pregnancy test, because I’m really fucked."

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You can find other Shit Blue Said here and here.  
Linking up with Christina from Simple and Delish!