bella vita

2011-08-17T06:56:00.000-07:00

Ah, Birthdays. I have finally realized this year that the world doesn't stop moving because it's my birthday. I guess I always expected it to. Even now, I'm turning 24, and I still find myself expecting so much on this day, and the days leading up to it. I wonder why that is.. I wonder if everyone has this epiphany or if it's just me.. The birthday that they realize that a birthday is just a day. Every day is someone's birthday. The princess inside me still wants to wake up to surprise flowers and breakfast in bed on this day. I want the world to stop and my floors to be covered in glitter and my favorite album playing when I wake up. I still want to wear a birthday crown and parade around in a new dress and heels all day. But today was just a day. Someone even asked me if I had work today. My reply? "I will NEVER work on my birthday!" So even if the world doesn't stop, I will still play my favorite Beatles albums, have my mom and Dan over to eat cake for breakfast, and wear a birthday dress and heels.

2011-04-21T05:17:00.000-07:00

IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

Bonnaroo Soon..

I just bought boxing gloves.. I am signing up for a month long kickboxing class with Krystle. I am more excited about finding the perfect Barbie-pink gloves than I am about exercising.

I'M INTO IT:

THIS NAIL POLISH

MY NEW $600 PHILIP STEIN WATCH THAT I WON AT A STAFF MEETING AT MY WORK!

RAIN: THE BEATLES ON BROADWAY. DENNIS TOOK ME TO SEE IT ON SATURDAY NIGHT. AMAZING! MY CHEEKS HURT FROM SMILING THE WHOLE TIME!

MY NEW GLOVES

MY OTHER ANNIVERSARY PRESENT: A RECORD PLAYER AND A WHOLE LOT OF ALBUMS

I have to go get ready for an interval training class at Aviator. I really should start updating this again.

2011-03-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

It's such a lie that you should do what's in your heart. If we all did what was in our hearts, the world would grind to a halt.

2011-02-20T07:52:00.000-08:00

2011-02-20T07:21:00.000-08:00

They announced the Bonnaroo Lineup!

spirit in the sky

2011-01-16T18:09:00.001-08:00

So I talked to my mom yesterday about getting a custom piece of jewelry made to wear in tribute to my dad... We were contemplating ideas and she brought up that he loved the song "Little Wing".. As I get older, I keep hearing more and more about him and it just gives me the chills now when I hear the songs he used to love..

I made a little playlist of amazing songs he used to love and just songs that remind me of him and the time he grew up..

So I decided to have my boss at the jewelry store make me a small wing on a dainty gold chain. Can't wait!

(depressing post)

2011-01-14T18:35:00.001-08:00

Now it all makes sense...

I am basically posting this for my own personal referral.. I have always been like this.. reading something or watching something without making notes is pointless to me.. recording my thoughts and highlighting facts is essential to understanding and truly absorbing something important.... My thoughts on...

The effects absent fathers have on female development and college attendance

Women without father figures lack a sense of protection and as a result may become discouraged.. have self esteem issues...

Fathers' absence not only hinders their ability to make sound decisions, it also triggers negative reactions as opposed to positive ones

Daughters obtain secure foundations knowing what their fathers believe in and stand for (Griffin, 1998, p. 27). A confident base enables females to be successful in their endeavors and accomplish what they attempt.

favourite things

2011-01-14T17:37:00.000-08:00

I want you:

1.

Engraved Whistle Necklace.. Free People

2.

Opal Cluster Ring - Promise ring material... from Free People

3.
Headband from ettika.com

4.

Alvina Abramova Skull Emily Ring

5.

Yochi Hamsa and Cross Charm Necklace

6.

Alvina Abramova Skull Pendant Olga Necklace

7.

Filigree Band Ring from Free People.. yum

These are a few of my favourite things... of the season.

New Year's

2011-01-02T17:47:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve 2010:
Chateau Briand,
Long Island, NY

Amazing night made partially possible by: ALDO pumps

Dennis posing for GQ in the room before we left

Wish we had our New Years hats on

Leprechaun

He hates me.

(Some of )The Best Moments of 2010:

July: Dennis as a groomsman in Billy & Sue's wedding.. Such a beautiful wedding with such great friends.. SO worth the $120 I spent to get my makeup done (ughhh)
August: My birthday trip to Ocean City & Atlantic City

Halloween at Hudson Terrace, NYC

Our first Christmas in our new place!

This year was filled with so many firsts! The experience of moving all the way to Rockaway to move in with Dennis was alone the biggest change.. We are so happy that I decided to make the move. We are even happier than we were before.. except I miss all my friends! Having friends come visit was AMAZING.. From the block parties where I had everyone come stay at my place to the late night pizza devouring love sesh's with just me and my Stacy.. Wish there were more of those memories.. but there's always 2011.

My goals for the new year:

1.) Keep up the yoga (I've been doing Bikram 3x/week)
2.) Start treating my body better (no more oreos)
3.) Have more friends come visit
4.) Take more time off for daytrips and dates
5.) Read more
6.) Post consistently on my blog
7.) Be better with my money

It's been forever..

2010-10-27T05:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Autumn

I haven’t written in my blog in way too long, but I don’t have Facebook anymore so I feel like I need some kind of connection with the world. The only people in my world as of now include Dennis and his family, my pseudo-family, the Kelly’s, who I nanny for, and my yoga family. I feel like I need to update because it’s been so long since I have posted anything.

Jobs:

I am currently holding down three jobs. I watch three kiddos three days a week. Colin, who is 2, Claudia, 6, and Caroline, 10. I am pretty much a mommy substitute because when I am with the kiddos I do everything for them from when they wake up in the morning to when they put their jammies on at night. There have been several instances in which I have been accidentally called “Mom”. Awkward.

On Friday and Saturday, I work the Pandora counter at a jewelry store in Oceanside, Long Island. I handle everything that is Pandora- charms, bracelets, and their other jewelry. And my boss buys me coffees and lunch every week which is a nice perk.

Two days a week, I do a work study at Rockaway Hot Yoga.. I sign in the yogi’s when they come in, and help clean the studio after class on my days in exchange for free yoga whenever I want.. which is great because they charge $20 a class!

School:

I applied to Brooklyn College for Spring 2011.. I am expecting my acceptance letter in November and am currently enduring the grueling process of NYC financial aid applications. As of now I am registered to go into the Secondary Education program. I want to teach high school kids I think.

Relationship:

Dennis and I are so happy that I decided to move in with him. We are slowly but surely adding little things here and there to make our house a home.. a few week ago, we had our first little family gathering for his birthday. His mom, dad, sister, and her daughter all came over for birthday dinner and cake. It was cute.

What I’m excited for:

Cannot wait for Halloween.. I think we are going to Hudson Terrace, which would be amazing, because I love it there. Its so cute and classy and fun, and makes me feel like I’m on Gossip Girl.. I think my favorite part is just getting in the cab and telling the driver to take me to “the upper west side” The theme for this venue is rockstar, and whole I have a cute costume, I am still unsure as to what I am going to dress as.. I really wanted to be a hippie but the costume is so expensive it kills me to spend over $100 on a costume for one night that I know I will never wear again.

Dennis surprised me with Kings of Leon tickets for November in New Jersey.. I am so excited! He hid the tickets in a pair of boots that I am in love with.. and when I went to put them on in the morning, I was so surprised.. Love him!

Things I am hearting right now:

The view from our kitchen window:

My cute trip to the city with my man:

Including Crumbs cupcakes & street fairs

Other than that, I have been too busy with work to really do much else. I am lucky that one of my jobs allows me to do yoga, which is both physically and mentally helping me get through this transition. It hasn’t been easy moving down here, where I don’t know many people. I’m looking forward to school, so I can be around people my age and make some friends. I am not used to having no one to talk to so it is hard for someone like me to keep everything in! I am sure Dennis is tired of hearing my quips about “oh my God did you see so-and-so? She gained weight” or “I think I should cut my hair.. Do you think I should cut my hair?”

(The haircut I want)

or talking about tanning and celebrities.. Poor, poor Denz.

I am going to try and update my blog more.. I love looking back and reading my old posts, because I know nobody else probably reads my bloggggg.

2010-04-24T04:37:00.000-07:00

Since I am in and have the flu, I have been watching a lot of classics that have always made me feel better when sick since I was a kid. Here are few of my 90s favorites that always comfort me:

Created my own "Baby Sitters Club" AND read all the books.

This movie has the best soundtrack and I had the biggest crush on Devon Sawa.

Saw this in the movie theater with Stacy, Danielle, and our moms... and they cried.

Dennis was so confused when we got this from Netflix in the mail. He thought it was a mistake and said, "Who would rent this?" before realizing I had snuck it on our Netflix queue.

Another movie that I sat through for Devon Sawa's brief part at the end. *sighhh*

LOVE J.T.T.

Not a huge hit, but I used to watch this with my mom all the time growing up... we love it!

Love everything about this movie.. great soundtrack, perfect 90s cast

Yes I own this and watch it all year round.
I used to be so jealous of this kid. Believe it or not the one thing I was most jealous of was not the limo, or the shopping sprees or mansion he bought, but it was when he bough the huge 5 gallon drum of ice cream all to himself. I wanted to do that more than anything! Fat kid in training!

And of course, I'm 5, and still head over heels obsessed with the 1990's Disney movies(and some older ones):

While I'm doing a comfort post, I am going to put up some more of my favorite things while I am sick..
Essentials:

Banana Bread,

Green and Black Tea,
Oodles of noodles soup,
Banana smoothies,
Yummm(When I feel better)

2010-04-23T06:20:00.000-07:00

What Spring means to me:

Outdoor dining with friends,

Breakfast with lovers,

Ladybugs everywhere,

Fields of flowers(particularly Central Park)

Spring 2010. It's 70 degrees out and I have the flu.

Which means I'm unable to ride this:

We have only taken out the beach bikes twice so far! I want to take mine out today but I am afraid that my sickness will only get worse if I don't get enough rest. I am not good at resting!

Our 2 year anniversary just passed.. We went out for Thai at Tai Thai in Williamsburg.. our absolute favorite spot.
We sat in the outdoor seating area and it was perfect weather.. We both tried to get something else but neither of us wanted to stray from Pad Kee Mao, our usual dish, which was amazing as usual.
We went for a walk along the Williamsburg streets looking for an ice cream shop, but ended up at our usual Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge.

It's just such a beautiful view and always good ice cream. Except for the Peaches n Cream. Yuck.
We also took another day this past weekend to catch up on some time with each other and had another date in the city. We went to the Museum of Natural History, Jackson Hole for Burgers, and Crumbs for dessert!

Now we are just fixing up our place. We put up a wall, creating a one bedroom where it once was a one room studio, and sanded, primed and painted for days. We also re-did the bathroom and our next project is furnishing and decorating the new bedroom and bathroom. We bought a bed from Macy's and furniture from IKEA. We just have to wait for their delivery and then I can FINALLY have some friends and family down to visit!

2010-04-20T17:14:00.000-07:00

Loves:

1. Favorite Hobby:

2. Favorite tv show?

3. Favorite restaurant food?

4. Favorite thing to shop for?

5. Favorite animal?

6. Favorite song?
Anything by

7. Favorite word?

8. Recent favorite youtube video?

9. Favorite movie?

10. Favorite childhood memory?

11. Favorite place to be:

12. Things I want to do in my life:

2010-04-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

The I-Moved-To-New-York Post!

Just moved in last weekend and I'm still settling in. I had to sleep back in CT last week for school, and it felt so weird. Dennis and I are in the process of redecorating... Some inspiration:

2010-03-04T14:01:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of our resort:

Who knows..... maybe I'll come back with one of these!! haha

2010-03-04T13:41:00.000-08:00

I am at school today, I have had the whole week off to get ready for Cabo and finish up homework and hangout with my best friend. It's been nice but I still wake up at 7 a.m. every morning. I guess it's good for my fitness regimen. I have been doing so good by the way. I am already down to 115 lbs and I am so excited to go to Cabo!

Here's a few new things I bought for Cabo:

The Whitney dress by Blaque Label:

Steve Madden Tristano pumps:

Madden girl Studded sandals:

Victoria's Secret Beach Sexy balconet top:

Also, a bunch of cute tops & dresses from Express. There are certain things I'm still drooling over that are backordered until early June!

I also NEED these Ray Bans:

Aaaaaand everything on my WishList

2010-01-31T05:44:00.001-08:00

ALSO:

http://unhappyhipsters.com/

2010-01-31T04:50:00.000-08:00

Ten Things Sunday

10. This week had been so long and tough for me. My new job is really hard! Plus, I startd school. I'm taking painting, child developmental psychology, and algebra. When I got to Dennis'(our) house Thursday night, I immediately poured myself a glass of wine and baked cookies, I guess that's my stress reliever. I made these:9. And Saturday night I made these:Chocolate chunk cookies (made with Dove chocolate!) with "ice cream sandwich" ice cream in the middle! Heaven...8. Our date last night: So amazing, I can never make up my mind on what to get, so Dennis suggested something that I didn't even see and I got it. He knows me too well. It was so yummy!I also got a margarita. We went with Arti and Chris. Such a fun night.

7. This should be number one. I bought this bra in black, then was so obsessed that I went out to the mall in Brooklyn while Dennis was at work and bought the leopard one. So hot.

6. My new bangs. I actually get up in the morning excited to style my bangs. Who would have thought I'd be a bang person?

5. This swimsuit. Need it.
In red.
4. Dennis and I spent the night looking up travel destinations for a possible vacation spot this year. I kept trying to hear him out when he was saying we should go somewhere tropical, but I kept coming back to Europe. I know we can't afford it yet, but I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to go to Paris.

My birthday!!

3. I guess Aruba wouldn't be so bad either...

2. Or these places... So magical.

Wish I had this when I was a little kid!!

1. Finally, This week I have been all about baking. I'll end this blog with a little inspiration:

2010-01-24T17:21:00.000-08:00

I borrowed a bunch of my old VHS tapes from my mom's house today and I've been watching A Little Princess. The scenes in India are so beautiful. I love this movie.. it's always been one of my favorites.

Ten Things Sunday

Before I say ANYTHING else, my NUMBER ONE all time favorite thing:

Dennis' NEW studio in Rockaway Park, NY. I am SO EXCITED for him. We bought furnishing and decor at Bed Bath & Beyond. It looks beautiful. This is his shower curtain:

10. The place is amazing. Can't wit to post pics!

Anywho, here are some things I'm obsessed with:

9. Long fringy bangs, which I just cut! Inspired by these lovelies:

8. This pizzeria in Brooklyn. So much fun. We went with Dennis' friends last week.

7. The fact that Valentine's Day is almost apon us! I LOVE Valentine's Day. I need to invest in a sex bra. This one is beautiful:

6. My New Year's dress. Still obsessed with it.

5. This new bathing suit from VS. I would love it in red.

4. Chinese paper lanterns. I hope to have these at my wedding someday.

3. The apron Dennis bought me that I actually wore to cook our first meal together at the new place.

2. Blush. I need some and I can't get over how amazing these colors are.

1. Dennis! Love love love him,

2010-01-09T08:55:00.000-08:00

Best moments of 2009:

-Dennis' cute Valentine's Day setup and dinner date.

-Our first cruise! to Key West and Cozumel.

-Getting a 4.0 GPA for Spring semester

-Our one year anniversary in Little Italy

-Memorial Day on Billy's yacht

-Fourth of July party at Dennis' house

-Mini vacations & day trips: Mystic, Coney Island, Hiking at Sleeping Giant, Badfish in New Jersey, Cape Cod..

-Halloween at Quo

-Christina's wedding

Goals for 2010:

Grow out my hair,

find the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe,

learn to cook amazing dinners at Dennis' new apartment,

become good at crochet,

own a vintage beach bicycle,

graduate NVCC and start the nursing program

2009-12-20T12:32:00.000-08:00

Ten Things I Adore: Sunday Edition
I am home this weekend so I reverted back to posting on Sundays for just this once. I know with all of the holiday commotion I probably won't have time to post on Tuesday, so... here is my Ten Things post:
10) Being snowed in with my best friends:
Our night included drinking every ounce of liquor in the house, a tray of cookies, and a late night snowy visit to a drunken and sleeping best friend, Sabina.

9) Using Kraft paper to wrap gifts: I wrapped my gifts in kraft paper and twine, and then decorated the wrapping with little cutout hearts and stars!

8) New recipes! Found some delicious recipes I will make for the holidays: Brownie Bites, Crunchy PB S'more Bites, Caramel cake... Yum

7) Busting out the weave:

6) Leg warmers: I think these are adorable, but I will make my own- homemade is always better.

5) This Look: So amazing.
4)This top:

3)I would love to do a sequin blazer for New Year's Eve:

I freeze framed this woman from Rachel Ray because her style is perfect and that blazer is divine. I need one.

2) The amazing, amazing love I have for Dennis. I haven't seen him this weekend and I feel like my heart is lost.

1) The holidays. Everyone is so carefree and preschool is so much more fun!

2009-12-20T12:27:00.000-08:00

Rest In Peace

One of my favorite actresses, Brittany Murphy died this morning at age 32 of cardiac arrest. So sad. Rest peacefully in heaven pretty girl

2009-12-15T06:02:00.000-08:00

This post is now officially being changed to Ten Things Tuesday. I always end up too busy on Sundays and Mondays.. So Tuesday it is.
Things I'm particularly taken with this week:
10. The Bloomingdale's Ad:
So many cute things. I normally don't go crazy over Juicy but if I were a 14 year old girl I'd be smitten by the new line of products they are debuting for Christmas 2009:

9. Buying Organic/ Handmade, like this adorable lunchsac:

8. The amazing creations found on Bentolicious website:

7. Long, flowy BED HAIR. This is the reason I am trying to grow out my hair. Mane & Tail, I need you!!

6. Since Christina & John's wedding, I have been thinking a lot about mine. This week, I'm totally into Destination weddings:
5. Baking Christmas Treats:

4. Animal- ear hats on babies

3. Christmas songs & Tea, and baking roasted pecans with Dennis (That was our Saturday)

2. Drunken Antics:

1. Snuggles:

2009-12-09T05:50:00.000-08:00

Didn't get a chance to update my 10 Things I Love Sunday:

1. The dress I bought for Christina's wedding. I will post photos next week!
So excited, I love weddings.
Plus, these shoes are AMAZING.

2. Obsessed with sushi this week. Spicy Tuna nom nomz.
How cute is this crochet sushi?

3. Brownie Bites. Im going to make brownie bites like these but make them into snowmen instead.
4. I have been obsessed with Audrey Hepburn lately and I wish I could have found a Breakfast at Tiffany's dress to wear to the wedding, and I would have gotten my hair done like this too! Loves it!

5. This look. I am loving the tights & Cutoff Shorts combo. Throw on a cute blazer and a casual Tshirt and this is perfect!

6. This wesbite:
10 Very Good Reasons Why You Should Grow a Beard
There are so many more lists on that website that are so cute and funny.

7. The idea of Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Schnapps. Dennis and I MUST try it this weekend!

8. This fantastic, COZY sweater from Abercrombie & Fitch:

9. My newest style inspiration:
Clemence Poesy

10. The hippe-esque flower in the hair. I Die!

2009-11-30T17:52:00.000-08:00

My Christmas Wishlist!!

1. The Bailey UGG Boot in Black (we learned our lesson last year.. UGGs run a size bigger! So I need a size 6)
2. Subscriptions to Real Simple, Cosmo, and Ok! Magazines (I'm a magazine junkie)
3. The Parisian Cafe Apron from Anthropologie
4. Crochet Bag, needle holder, organic cotton yarn, and Ready, Set, KNIT book
5. Some items from my Karmaloop wishlist. The lace dress is TO DIE FOR. Also, Harajuku Girls hoodie, Betsey Johnson earrings, Burton snow hat, Dress by Free People

2009-11-29T19:03:00.001-08:00

I cannot believe I forgot to post this among my FAVORITE things!
#11:
My beautiful flowers from Dennis. When I go through PMDD, it hit me really hard. I get moody, depressed, and I get bad headaches and back aches. Dennis knew I was going through a lot and surprised me with these this morning:

sunday update

2009-11-29T18:16:00.001-08:00

Today might have been one of the last beautiful days we experience in 2009. Spent the morning eating Beach Bagels everything bagel breakfast sandwiches and perfect coffees with Dennis outside in Rockaway Park. 56 degrees and sunny. I'll take it, Indian summer in late November. It was absolutely gorgeous seeing the sun come through the trees and the great views of the valleys of Connecticut as I traveled home on the train. The train was packed with people coming home from a Thanksgiving getaway. Just like me, they were sleeping, or gazing out of the window, feeling glum about the reality check we are about to endure when our Thanksgiving festivities stop and the work and need for caffeine returns on Monday morning.
I LOVE Sundays to Death! Lazy days filled with stacks of magazines, baking things from scratch, cutting, gluing, and sewing Christmas gifts.... and bottomless cups of coffee. Not to mention my PMS is practically FORCING me to indulge my every whim when it comes to my need for sweets.
Also, its My 10 Things I love Sunday:
10. Holy God. The Coffee Cake muffins from Dunkin Donuts. Pure bliss.

9. Karmaloop: My wishlist
My FAVORITE piece:

8. Spending the weekend in my boyfriend's bed. I can't get enough of him.

7. My long weekend! We watched Christmas movies and snuggled with Dunkaccinos
6. This outfit. So hot.
5. Spending time with friends--> we're having a wine night/movie night!! I'm bringing chocolate peppermint wafers and movies and we're going to watch the movies Dennis bought me.
I'm planning on making these:
4. My newest cupcake creation. They were a success! Spice cupcakes with walnuts, sprinkles & cream cheese frosting:
3. This beach bike. An absolute necessity if I move to Rockaway Beach!

2. This cookbook. Again, a necessity if I move in with Dennis.

1. Thanksgiving with my family. After two red wine spritzers made by my mother, I totally abandoned my need to take photos of the get together. I didn't even get any of me and Dennis! Oh well, I will put some photos up soo. Until next week.....<3

happy list 1

2009-11-17T17:26:00.000-08:00

so the other night when i was driving home from rockaway,
i made a little happy list in my head.
i get so bored and discouraged on those long drives, thinking, how much longer will we have to do this? two hours can make you think about some crazy things.
but anywho..
i wrote the list down the next morning and have since been adding things to it.
1. being madly in love
2. when i walk into preschool and my class says, "good morning miss toni!!"
3. the smell of puppies when you cuddle them against your cheek.
4. when me and the boy reach into the kettle corn bag at the same time and our hands touch and we both glance sideways and smirk at each other like it's our first date
5. the sun on your face when it's warmer in November than it should be!
6. that amazing, amazing spicy tuna roll i had this weekend in hachi
7. how perfectly lovely i feel when wearing a sundress & ballet flats
8. brand new babies
9. cupcakes, cupcakes CUPCAKES!!
10. the warmth of the blankets when i get back in bed after getting up in the middle of the night

2009-11-17T05:24:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been bursting with so much creativity I feel lik I could explode. I need a creative outlet so I signed up for Painting 101 for next semester(My last semester of community college!!)
Some of my upcoming projects will be:
Christmas cards
Recipe holders/Baked Goods that I will be giving as gifts this year(Who wouldnt rather have a homemade gift for Christmas??)
Learning to CROCHET!! I have been wanting to relearn for years. My nonny taught me when I was little so I think I would be able to pick it up rather quickly.
A little post to update and to post some things I'm obsessed with right now.
Sunday was honestly one of the best days of my life! We enjoyed the Indian Summer and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge from Brooklyn to Manhattan. I wore a tank top it was so warm, it felt amazing. We walked around in Manhattan a little, but decided we were starving and walked back across the bridge to get sushi in Williamsburg where Dennis declared, "I would wear one of those hats.. Buy me one."

So I'm off hipster hat shopping for my man. We went to Hachi for sushi and the place was beautiful, we ate next to the courtyard and got "on the house" miso soup and mimosas! We were so confused but it was great.

After we got home, the sunset was so beautiful we had to watch it, it was really mesmorizing. I have tons of photos of it, I will post them when Dennis sends them to me. We went to the beach and watched the sun set. It was like a movie. So romantic
We just saw Where the Wild Things are, and it was an okay movie, I think I just like it so much because it reminds me of my childhood so much. I was a huge fan of the book when I was little, and now I read it to my students!
And of course some of my favorites:

This movie I heard about because Stacy told me she found a photo of Brittany Murphy online where she looked absolutely adorable so I checked out the movie, and I absolutely love it! It's about a girl (Brittany Murphy with a British accent.. so cute) who is obsessed with Breakfast at Tiffany's and I just love all her outfits. Such a cute movie:

2009-11-12T14:34:00.001-08:00

I have not posted in forever so I made up a little review of what's been up since I last posted.
First of all, the reason why I haven't posted.. I took and graduated from a CNA course in October! The course was a month long and I jjust graduated November 4. I am waiting to get my diploma in the mail so I can take my state exam! Right now I am working a a preschool teacher at Bright Beginnings in Plantsville.
To start off October, we went to a party at Caroline's. Dennis made friends with a bunch of silly boys with long hair and Poison tshirts, anywaysssss....
Dennis' birthday was such a great night. We went out to a lounge first and then went out to eat at NINJA New York.
We went to Philly at the end of October with Halvey and Arti to see the Eastern State Penitentiary. It was super scary and we went out the next morning for breakfast in Philly.
Then I went to Caroline's birthday at Kumo/ Bar. Fun times<3

2009-09-22T11:50:00.000-07:00

My review on the Big E: and my confession: I’m having an affair. With Wicked Whoopie pies.

Dennis & I went to the Big E on opening day and planned on staying a few hours. I figured we would walk around the whole place in a matter of 30 minutes and then spend the rest of the time trying to decide whether we wanted fried dough or hot dogs. But this was no local fair! The Big E was not the hometown country fair I was used to. We spent 7 hours there and ended up leaving because of sore feet, not out of boredom or because we conquered it.. not even close! So our journey went on for an entire day as we ate our way through the Big E.

Let me start by making a list of Big E
Must-haves:
Comfortable shoes
Cash(there are ATMs but probably charge a fortune.. plus you wont be able to get out of the Avenue of States without buying at least one snack in every building!)
Camera

Must-sees:
The view of the entire festival from the ferris wheel. I did have a little bit of a panic attack (I hate heights) but with a little talking down from Dennis, I ended up appreciating it. The view was absolutely amazing.

The Opa Opa Saloon: the most fun we had all day. The set up alone was enough to make me want a beer. Not to mention they had watermelon ale, and blueberry ale, both of which Dennis and I sampled. And when I say sampled I mean bought a 20 ounce cup of it.

Must do-not sees:
The sea lion show. I hate seeing the poor animals forced to perform.
Gyros. Wasted $20.00 on two gyros which we thought would be amazing because it was a Greek place named Demitri's Greek Foods, but do. Not. Eat. Any. Gyros. I literally shuddered just thinking about it.
The kettle corn that everyone freaks out about. It’s called NH Kettle Korn. To be honest, microwave popcorn tastes better. As kettle corn connoisseurs, Dennis and I saw all the different kettle corn stands and wanted to taste each and buy an entire $12.00 bag(The biggest bag, almost as long as me) of the best kind. That was literally our plan. We went to the stand with the longest line behind the New Hampshire building. It was so disappointing!

Must-eats(my favorite part!):
The baked potatoes from the Maine building are a given. I thought, “What’s so special about a baked potato?” but, it was baked to perfection. Pure bliss.
There were many fudge stands but the best fudge was in the big building. It is in the building near the Asian massage exhibition. They use Jif peanut butter to make the Chocolate peanut butter fudge and make it fresh all day. The samples are warm and fresh. Heaven!
Like I mentioned, the watermelon and blueberry ales from Opa Opa Saloon!
WICKED WHOOPIES. You know how they say pregnant women crave certain things and they have to eat them right then and there? That’s how I feel about these. I’m already planning on pre-ordering and freezing a case of them because I’ve been craving them ever since. They’re in the Maine building. Eat one and think of me. Or, better yet, bring me home one! I had the original whoopie, but with flavors like red velvet cake and peanut butter chocolate, buy more than one and bring it home.

Goals for Round 2 of the Big E:
Eat a Big E cream puff. These things are so popular, they have an entire BILLBOARD devoted to them on the thruway near the venue.
Find a hot, buttery lobster roll on a toasty bun. I saw some made with mayo, but I think the best part about lobster is the heat and the BUTTER!
Try out the raviolis in Venda Ravioli in the Rhode Island tent. My favorite.
Sample the raspberry wheat ale at Opa Opa!

I was rather boring this trip! Dennis and I were getting over stomach bugs, so we didn’t stuff our faces like we usually would have. Until next year… (or next week, if Dennis and I try for round 2!!)

2009-09-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

“Everything that is or was began with a dream.”

I have dreams. I just have to think about how to narrow them down. I have so many dreams it will take an entire lifetime to fulfill, so I have to stop trying to rush it! My dreams:

I want babies. I want 2 or 3 babies, preferably at least one of them a little princess girl. I love children, and I feel like I would be the best mommy. Is it a coincidence that I’m dating the most doting, responsible, caring man alive? I hope not! Dennis would make the best daddy. I’m just sayin’.

I also want a happy life! I want to have Sunday dinners that smell like rosemary chicken and cinnamon sugar. I want to knit handmade scarves and give them as Christmas gifts. I want to be famous for making “the world’s best” pasta e fagioli. I want to have an amazing chocolate chip cookie recipe that I only share with my closest friends.

Career wise, I still don’t know exactly what I want to do. I want to be a teacher, a cosmetologist, a hair colorist, a makeup artist, a children’s book author, a greeting card designer, a woman’s magazine beauty article writer. I want to cook, write, draw, paint, create, teach.. I want it all! I guess it’s better to start out with many dreams rather than none.

I realized another thing about myself recently. I am a pretty wholesome girl. The only thing I really do that’s considered “bad” is curse. I have a mouth like a sailor! I get it from my mother. And now I cannot escape it especially because driving in New York City makes me even want to invent NEW swear words for some of the whatchamacallits that get behind the wheel down there. But I don’t drink, smoke, do drugs, party, or do anything that’s classified as wrong. I even hate being in situations where I don’t feel completely safe. I have always been like that. I like being totally comfortable with my surroundings. I think it’s because I am such an aesthetic person; I always feel things out to see if I like the way it makes me feel. I like feeling good!

I am in love with this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VgL3NFCg34

2009-09-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

I had an epiphany! It's 1 am, later than I've stayed up in a loong time. I am so used to going to bed early, but since Dennis has been here and since I kind of attempted to go out last night and went to bed around 12:45, I am just not tired yet! I spent the day feeling like poo, sick with the stomach flu and sick in the head from this PMDD nightmare. I was so depressed and questioning my life and my future and everything like I always do, and I started watching all these makeup tutorials online by this celebrity makeup artist Kandee Johnson. She is so sunny and happy and upbeat and I actually watched her "story", an inspirational video about how she got to where she is, including the obstacles she went through and how we should never give up. She quoted a boxer who said his biggest weapon was his right hook and the fact that he always gets back up when he's knocked down. I think it's because I don't have anyone in my life to inspire me, I just always look at the negative and feel down about myself, but her video and her attitude really inspired me to change the way I look at things. I got into an arguement with my Grammy today. I really treat her badly, I always complain about her and never want anything to do with her. But since having this realization I wrote her a letter pretty much bearing my heart and soul and apologizing for being so difficult to be around. It made me feel a lot better. I also made a pact with myself that I am going to stop feeling sorry for myself and start caring about what I look like and how I act. I am starting my beauty regimen tomorrow. I am going to start eating right and running daily. Starting tomorrow morning, I am going on a life diet. I am going to change the way I look, feel, act, and treat people. The book The Secret talks about how if you project positive messages into the universe, positive things will come your way. Maybe I am always so miserable because I allow myself to be miserable. It's almost like I want misery to come my way. I am expecting things to go wrong because I am feeling sorry for myself. I am going to start thinking positive.
Starting with a list of things I like:
My Forget Me Knot ring from my boyfriend for my 22nd birthday:

The fireworks over the Brooklyn Bridge from Harbor Light Restaurant on July 4, 2008; one of the best nights of my life:
Rollercoasters!! I have yet to get Dennis on one of these:
Drawing:
Baking(especially cupcakes, my favourite!):
Friends<3:
My boyfriend and our antics:
Being genuinely happy:
Rockaway Beach at night:

"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:7

2009-09-20T17:45:00.000-07:00

I couldn't help but re-post again today because I have to put up some photos of some movies I am so eager to see: Where the Wild Things Are, and Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland!!

2009-09-20T17:23:00.000-07:00

The start of something new. Along with the coming of autumn(my favorite season) I decided to start a blog. Not only for me too remind myself of memories and review music, recipes, movies etc., BUT also to keep at least some part of my life a little less cluttered than the rest. Unfortunately, the inner workings of my mind are just as clumsy as i am physically. I mix up memories, make up a few of my own, and jumble up to do lists with recipes I am trying to remember and make up ideas I tried to memorize. Today I felt extremely depressed (Not only do I have a stomach flu that's lasted about 6 days longer than it should have, but I have been diagnosed with PMDD and ADD. In essence the latter two make me extremely miserable before my period and can only be compensated with an emergency dose of Coldstone Creamery's Birthday Cake Remix and laying in bed all day.) I went grocery shopping and although my stomach bug won't let me eat anything and actually enjoy it, I still bought some comfort foods to ease my severe case of PMDD this month. The ever-popular Smores Poptarts, Banana Nut Cheerios, Healthy Nut Whole Wheat Bread, and Honey Turkey & Cheese filled my cart and my heart with a promise of a better evening. I also bought some curl defining mousse and the new Stiletto Waterproof Mascara. I will update to review on those products. Thankfully, when I got home, I learned that A Walk to Remember / Dirty Dancing movie love sesh were on! Now the end of my day will be just as sweet as the start of it. It was just the middle that sucked. This morning Stacy & I went to Grace's Diner for Banana Nut Bread French Toast(maybe it's something about autumn that makes me crave banana nut everything?) But nonetheless it was amazing.