It's Okay.

It's Okay.

I just need to keep telling myself that.

It's okay...

...to get Liv's voice stuck in your head every.single.time. you hear or see the words "it's okay."
...to catch up on Teen Mom before doing your homework.
...to be nervous about the meeting this afternoon.
...to be listening to Christmas music before December.
...to not do "Things I'm Loving Thursday" every Thursday.
...to dream of summer, even though you complained about how hot it was then.
...to think that Extra's Dessert Delights Rainbow Sherbet tastes like regular bubble gum.
...to dress up nicer than usual for no particular reason.
...to end this post with two photos from August that have no relation to this post.

Tuesday's Tunes: Santa Monica Dream

Linking up again this week with Les over at Leslyn's Lovely Life for Tuesday's Tunes!

This week I promise to explain the song a little bit more..



This is "Santa Monica Dream" by Angus and Julia Stone. I was introduced to their music by a coworker, because she really liked their videos and thought I might too. {The ones she showed me were "I'm Not Yours" and "Black Crow" which can also be found on YouTube.}

I think you should watch this video on YouTube by clicking here because there are some really cool notes about the video there & also the lyrics to the song.

So seeing that they had songs titled "Santa Monica Dream" and "Hollywood," I had to listen to those as well since I love California. Well, I fell in love with them both, but "Santa Monica Dream" is my favorite favorite!

Favorite Lines of the song:

"I'm somewhere, you're somewhere. I'm nowhere, you're nowhere. You're somewhere, you're somewhere. I could go there, but I don't."

"I'm singing songs about the future, wondering where you are."

"I could call you on the telephone, but do I really wanna know? You're making love now to the lady down the road, no I don't, I don't wanna know."

Santa Monica; 29 March 2011 {I'll spare you the picture of me sitting on the beach sunburned and half asleep.}

Show & Tell Monday: Thanksgiving

Linking up with Becky over at From Mrs. to Mama for my first Show and Tell Monday!! (:

This week's topic of discussion is Thanksgiving!

I woke up at 5:30 on Thursday to go to work to open right before 7. I got to watch the sun rise as I was driving to work; it was beautiful purple & pink. It was so quiet and boring at work. There were only three outs, and I barely saw any of our guests.

I had some time to take a few pictures of our Thanksgiving tree (more about the tree in a post soon!).

our turkeyraven a la p mac

I only worked until 12:30 so that I could get ready to go to my grandparents' house for lunch/dinner with my dad's side of the family. It was the first Thanksgiving with a baby {my eight month old cousin} since I was a baby! He is so adorable; he was crawling all over & even walked a few steps from his mom to my mom!

The meal {not sure if it was lunch or dinner?} was amazing as always. Turkey, crudites, green bean casserole, garlic mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, kale salad, sweet potato souffle, key lime pie, pumpkin pie, apple cranberry pie, chocolate chip oatmeal bars, Malt Whopper Pudding cookies, and other foods I cannot remember were feasted on.

Here's a picture of the sweet potato souffle that my aunt made. This photo does not do it justice. It was amazing!! I need to get the recipe. I don't even like sweet potatoes, but it kind of tastes like pumpkin pie and it is amazing!

I didn't have my camera with me while we were at my grandparents' -- well actually I was too lazy to go upstairs and get it -- so the only pictures I have are from my iPhone and will be shared on Saturday since they're some Instagram pictures! (:

What I Made for Thanksgiving

I love baking. I saw this recipe on chef-in-training, and knew that I had to try it. Well, a few days later, my uncle gave me a bag of leftover candy, including Whoppers, so I knew that I was going to make the Malt Whopper Pudding Cookies for Thanksgiving!!

Malt Whopper Pudding Cookies recipe from chef-in-training.

This is my baking buddy, Max.

He's two and a half, and he likes to hang out in high places, boxes, and bathroom sinks.

The KitchenAid noise confused him.

Cream butter and sugars.

Add vanilla instant pudding mix and malt milk powder and beat until well combined.

Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.

Add flour and baking soda and beat until well combined.

Mix in Whoppers.

Roll into 1" balls and bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes.

I got twenty-one cookies out of this recipe.

They were well enjoyed. I will definitely be making pudding cookies again!!

Malt Whopper Pudding Cookies recipe from chef-in-training.

Things I Love Thursday: 22 November 2012

Since today is Thanksgiving, I've decided that this is going to be "Things I'm Thankful for Thursday" (:

{I feel the need to say that these are in no particular order}

1. music and the wonderful musicians in my life.
2. my amazing family, even if they all drive me crazy at some point. {today's lunch/dinner shall be interesting}
3. my job that I love so much and the incredible people I work for/with every day.
4. my other job and the experiences I gain every time I chase a dozen four-year-olds around for a few hours.
5. my parents who provide for me so I can complete college.
6. the school I go to, my classmates, and my instructors.
7. God, the church I attend, the women I teach Sunday school with, and the children themselves.
8. the Catholic school I attended for eight years, and all of my teachers and principals there.
9. the public school system I attended for five years, and the teachers and principals there.
10. my friends, even though I rarely see them.
11. the opportunities I have been given to get me to where I am today.
12. Target, cupcakes, and Instagram for keeping my life sane.
13. all of the possessions I have that other people do without.

I'm sure that I could think of more things, but it's early (6 am) and I have to get ready to go to work. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe day spent with the ones you love. xoxo.

Tuesday Tunes

Seven of Spades by Geri X

Not the greatest sound quality on this video unfortunately. I love this song so much, even though it makes me sad.

This song is available on her album (EP?) "The Naked Truth" [The Bedroom Sessions Volume Two].

"I don't need you to sing to me
all your songs are memories replayed"

Linking up today! (:

The Past Few Days

This past weekend was another interesting one at the motel. We're starting to slow down, since it's November, but there is still never a dull moment. I've been going through some archiving stuff, which is pretty cool. I've been finding a lot of cool stuff.

After Mass on Sunday, my mom and I went to get lunch at a popular local restaurant. Their lasagna is amazing!!

This morning I had an eye doctor appointment. It was my first time to see this eye doctor, and overall, I had a positive experience. I didn't have to have my eyes dilated! And I also don't have a different prescription (which means no need to buy new glasses!!!)! He did say, though, when he was looking at my eyes after the yellow eyedrops, that I have a slight irritation from something - some sort of allergy I guess?

I just updated the "Music" page on my blog. While searching iPhoto for pictures, I found some extremely awkward pictures of myself...that should be a post some day. Wow. When I was in high school, I used to just hang out in my room and take pictures of myself apparently. Not only that, I would also make stupid faces when my mom would take my picture.

Here's one that I found (that I like) from junior year. This was taken while I was doing my Alg II homework...haha.

Juicy Couture tee - TJ Maxx - "You Oughta Be In Juicy" - I used to get so many confused comments about it.
gold shimmery 3/4 sleeve crop cardigan - Macy's? - must find

Yay!

Taking part in my first blogger exchange & I am super excited!!! (:

What's in My Bag? {Part Two}

Yesterday, I talked about what I carry with me in my purse - today's post is about what is in my backpack for school!

In case you didn't notice then, I love Vera Bradley, and I own too many pieces in too many patterns...haha. I should post a picture of my collection someday.

This is Vera Bradley's Laptop Backpack in Purple Punch. There is one main compartment, along with a smaller front compartment, and a back compartment. The front compartment has a medium-sized rectangular slip pocket, four pencil slip pockets, a horizontal zippered pocket, an ID holder, and a small slip pocket. The back compartment holds a laptop, with some extra space for a notebook or two.

In the front compartment, I have William Golding's Lord of the Flies (I believe it is the 1959 edition), which perfectly fits in the medium-sized slip pocket, a black pen, and cherry Chapstick (which is in the zippered pocket).

The main compartment holds three folders (Target), a notebook (Target - these are currently 70% off), whichever book or books I need for my class (this is Managing Housekeeping Operations for Hospitality Facilities Management), charge cords for my iPhone & MacBook, a random Bed & Breakfasts of Wisconsin brochure, a Vera Bradley 16 month student planner in Paisley Meets Plaid, and a Vera Bradley pencil pouch in Paisley Meets Plaid.

The back compartment holds my MacBook.

My pencil case contains an eraser, a flash drive, three blue pens, two mechanical pencils, and occasionally random notes.

{Part One}

What's in My Bag? {Part One}

Admit it, we all love to see what other people carry in their bags.

This is my purse. It's a Coach Madison bag of some sort that I bought at the factory store back in April. In this picture, it's sitting where it does a lot of the time: the passenger seat of my Beetle! (:

So this bag has two large compartments (the front and back) with an additional zippered pocket separating the two. There is also a small zippered pocket in the back section of the purse, while the front compartment has two slip pockets.

All of it.

The front section holds my (matching) wallet and camera. In the summer, my sunglasses case is usually in there too. One of the slip pockets holds Chapstick (green apple), my library card, my name tag for the Y, and a Vera Bradley Clip Zip ID in Java Blue, which contains loyalty cards and coupons, along with an old ID (my temps, haha). The other slip pocket holds my earbuds and my iPod when it is not in use.

The separating pocket contains my checkbook (in a Vera Bradley Very Berry Paisley cover), a small notebook, a pen, and sometimes some paperwork.

The back section holds an umbrella (Totes, with purses on it - which my grandma gave me for my birthday), a car charger for my phone (belongs in the glove compartment of my car...), and my keys (on a Vera Bradley lanyard in Rhythm and Blues) unless they are in use. The zippered pocket in the back holds an extra key to my car, a compact mirror, extra camera batteries, lip gloss, work keys, 5 gum (RPM), and Drenched in PINK Fresh & Clean supersoft body lotion.

So, what's in your bag?

{Part Two} 
Linked up with Ricci over at a beautiful mess

Things I Love Thursday: 15 November 2012

1. my job & the fabulous people I work for. they're such incredible people, and so many amazing things happen in that place. did I mention that we had thirty Chinese acrobats {in our 18-room motel} staying with us Tuesday evening? because we did. it was crazy awesome.

2. Target's holiday items. can I buy them all?

3. these cookies. okay, I haven't had them, but they look amazing, and I think I'm going to make them for Thanksgiving!!

4. this quote. via Pinterest.

What I Wore Wednesday

First ootd post!

So this is what I wore yesterday. I went to Target on Monday (of course) and saw this blazer still on the clearance rack for half off. Needless to say, I had to buy it.

Please excuse my not so great photos...the first was taken in my backyard, and the rest on a self timer at work.

love our Halloween tree complete with a raven

adorable pumpkin hand-painted by one of my co-workers

Blazer - Mossimo - Target (Cherry Peony)
V-neck boyfriend tee - Mossimo - Target (Black)
Long and Lean tank - Mossimo - Target (Black)
Jeggings - American Eagle
Boots - Mossimo - Target (shown here)

and here's what I'm wearing today!



V-neck cardigan - Merona - Target
V-neck tee - Old Navy
Long and Lean tank - Mossimo - Target
Jeans - American Eagle (Favorite Boyfriend)

 

ps: I may have done the button really wrong? so if anyone has tips, please let me know! thanks! xoxo.