Hulu Hooping Puppy

Just another snow day..

I yearn for the days when I can post pictures of my weekends at the beach.

For now, we're stuck with this:

Blue and White Stripes

I don't really consider myself fashionable or one to follow (or set) fashion trends. I don't really have the guts to do it and I definitely don't have the money to do it. I've developed my own style of sorts- a little beachy, a little preppy, a little comfy- I'm not sure, but it's just me. I like to be cozy. I would pick flats- preferably flip flops- over heels any day.

While looking through my closet recently, I've realized that I love navy and white stripes. I have a t-shirt, 3/4 sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt and scarf all with navy and white stripes. And I remember buying each one any thinking, "this is cute, preppy and beachy."

Well, it looks like the rest of the fashion world has caught wind of it because it's everywhere right now.

I love it, but I'm sure my bank account won't.

Things I'm loving:

Macy's

Forever 21

Banana RepublicNordstrom (It's over $1,200- that's a joke, right?)

To Gnome Me is to Love Me

You know that one thing that reminds someone of something? Like you see something in the mall and are immediately reminded of a friend and have to take a picture of it or (this is how I've ended up with so many) buy it for her?

Yeah, well when people see garden gnomes they think of me.

Why? No idea. It started during high school as a joke. Back in my bad ass days- this shows just exactly how exciting I was- we would steal people's gnomes from their gardens. It got to the point where a neighbor had chained them down.

Who on earth would want a garden gnome? No idea. But I now have lots of garden gnomes. Big and small. A battery operated talking ones. A Travelocity Roaming Gnome beach towel. Gnome pajama pants. A "You Don't Gnome Me" shirt. A "To Gnome Me is to Love Me" shirt.

Why on earth gnomes? They're so ugly. And they serve no purpose.

But Disney has answered my bizarre dreams. I love, love love animated movies. And Elton John (he was my first concert, oddly enough). And gnomes.

Enter: Gnomeo and Juliet.



I. Can't. Wait!

Growing Up

Okay, I know. I've been blowing it lately at blogging. But, I think I have a very good reason.

In this past week, I have found an apartment I can afford, visited the apartment- and signed a lease!

And since said apartment is an hour and a half away from home, I've been all over the place and spending some more time bonding with my car.

Now that I've found my little apartment by the beach, the fun part is coming up: decorating!!!

But, one very important question: I've had the same bed since I got out of the crib. How do you buy a bed?

(Once it warms up I can run/jog/walk by this everyday!!!)

I guess I have to admit it ...

I have the best boyfriend ever.

He surprised me with something that I've been drooling over and dreaming about for awhile now, a Canon EOS Rebel.

As a proud new owner, I bundled up and took to the snow and ice covered streets of the Jersey Shore.

I think it was worth it.

Photos from my Flickr

Tired of This Yet?

This isn't whining, but is it summer yet?

Muchas gracias, weather.com and Mother Nature.

Lost Puppy

Mom took Tucker to the groomer.

This is who she returned with.
Yeah, I'd be pissed off too.

Old Friends and a Little Love

What I thought was going to be a boring, stuck-at-home weekend ended up to be a really good weekend- and I finally got to catch up with some friends, something that has become a treat now that everyone is in many different directions.

After a snowy day yesterday, the roads were actually (mostly) clear by 7pm, so I went to a high school friend's house to catch up with two friends, Mal and Sam. I miss both of them a lot- Mal is in her last year of school and Sam is in grad school. We had all gone a long time without seeing each other, and hopefully that won't happen again.

I always forget how important my girlfriends are. I grew up being closer to the guys and often "one of the guys", but since college, I've really seen that it's important to have those close girlfriends. There are some things that can only be said to a girlfriend, and I've come to really appreciate that.

Once I started seriously dating someone, it really changed my relationship with my guy friends and there are things that were once discussed that just aren't talked about anymore. The same thing happened when they started seriously dating girls. I don't know- it's like all of the sudden walls are put up. I still really value by guy friends, especially the few I've been friends with since middle school, and sincerely owe them a night of my time and a few beers!

But girlfriends are different. It doesn't matter how much time passes without seeing someone, or I just keep in touch with people who it's like that with. Things have been changing so quickly in all of our lives- new boys, new jobs, new friends, new places to live- and everyone really is changing too. But all the changes I've seen have been for the better. Everyone seems to be growing into the people we always talked we would be. Mal has had some great interviews- MTV, ABC, Regis and Kelly, Comedy Central- and it's amazing. Sam is working to be a teacher and she's going to be one of the best teachers ever. She's so patient and is a true and genuine person. Jess, who is the last member of our little group from high school, is a teacher down in Virginia so she couldn't be with us, but she's also an awesome person and has a great sense of humor.

And, I finally had a date with Little! We went and saw Country Strong, which had a little bit of all the things I look for in a movie- it was sad, cute, funny and sweet. And it had great music and acting. And a hot guy. I haven't heard anyone else say that they liked it, but I thought it was really good.

Then we spend two hours wandering Borders looking through books, catching up and enjoying lattes. Who else could I do that with? (Little is my little sister from my sorority. I love her to death and that she reads my blog as frequently as she reads Jen Lancaster's, which I find a great, great honor. Love you Little!)

I've also realized that I spent way too much time with Boyfriend and need to dedicate more time for Girls Night Outs asap.

Any cheap, fun and unique ideas for a Girls Night Out?

Snowy Fails

With puppies in the house that have a weird obsession with licking feet, squeezing in time to paint my toenails is a treat. Obviously, within thirty seconds of putting the final coat on, puppy naptime was over. To prevent any (more) accidents, they have to be taken outside right after they wake up. And for some reason, they just won't pee unless you stand outside watching them.

Oh, did I mention that it snowed today?

Urg.

And it looks like Mom's poor little palm tree was forgotten about a few months too late ...

To Go with My New Year's Resolution

On Target

Three hour drive to work this morning.

I really, really need to find an apartment. And a roommate. And sign a lease for February 1.

Until then, I'm drooling over adorable things from Target.

A New Year a Day Late

I think I'm glad 2010 is over. I think so. I have some good things to look forward to coming up soon. Moving out. Living where I want. Having my own responsibilities.

But I don't have anything really, really fun to look forward to. No spring break, no summer break. I guess this is what being a grown up is all about. Finding the fun in the little things and finding something that keeps us happy to get through the 9-5.

I guess this brings me to my New Year's Resolution. I don't think I've ever really made one planning to stick through it. Nothing more than the typical "lose 10 pounds," which I actually did last year without setting the goal.

For 2011, I want to be happier. I want to find the things that make me happy. I want to broaden my writing. I want to take tennis lessons. I want to cook more. I want to enjoy myself as I buy furniture and decorate my apartment.

I want to be less negative.

I'm a person known to say "I hate ____." "_____ is stupid." So here's the deal: if you hear my saying that or writing that, let me know. Unless it really is stupid. For example, Snooki and the Situation are stupid. I hate snow, but it gives me a reason to snuggle in my pajamas.

I think that if I think less negatively, I can be less negative and be happier.

Well, here it goes.