Since it's only 5 weekends away, I thought it would be fun to post my Christmas Wish List. My Dad still asks my brother and I for them so I have to start thinking about what I want. My brothers hasn't changed much from when we were kids, the newest video game system and this year's was no different, the Playstation 4. My list is definitely more practical than when I was little but I also buy myself the fun stuff now instead of relying on my parents. So here we go!
Monday Must Have's Christmas Edition
North Face Winter Jacket-Black-When I was heaver I had the typical North Face that everyone has but I had to buy it in a Men's XL which was pretty mortifying even though no one could tell. I always felt bad knowing that, so when I lost the weight and the jacket was huge on me, it was a huge victory. I've had a nice coat for the last two years but it's time for a change. Something classy, something warm and functional with the Polar Vortex that's sure to happen again. This coat looks great on everyone and I am totally copying my friend Carly, who has this and looks amazing in it.
Benefit Cosmetics Gift Card or products
-Besides the advent calendar I've previously mentioned, I pretty much want anything else that's from Benefit. I love their products:
Big Easy, Hello Flawless, Gimme Brow, Brow Zings, They're Real, and on and on and on. Benefit is my favorite make up brand and I am almost out a lot of my products so it's gonna be a great time to fill up. The products last a long time without getting gross so it's a great for the wallet as well!
Erin Condren Life Planner with
this photo-I've ordered a planner before and I love it. It's fun to use and I love that you can make it personal. Picking a photo from my instagram, I get to enjoy keeping track of all my shit with stickers and color coded pens. I love being organized and this is a great and useful way to keep myself together. A little pricey but if you still like hand writing things and not using your phone or a tablet, this is a great way to go.
Hunter Boot Welly Socks-First off, if you don't own Hunters and you live anywhere with snow or heavy rains, stop reading and run to Nordstrom's and grab a pair. They are AMAZING. Your feet will absolutely not get dry but I will warn, even with Wellies, your toes can get cold. I has a glossy black pair and grey cable knit socks and want a few more for outfit choices. If you want to wear hunters with leggings to work, these really class them up and are comfy. Long term for $140, these are a great investment.
This or
this funny notepad from Papyrus
-Another great way to stay organized and they're pretty funny. These are going to be great for work and they make me laugh out loud.
Lifefactory 16 oz Classic Cap bottle (pink)-Because I'm trying to stay away from bottled water and the big bad BPA's and because it's super cute. It's never bad to stay hydrated and be fashionable at the same time.
Fleece Lined Leggings from Walgreens-Last year I wanted a pair of fleece lined leggings but wasn't sure what direction to go or where to start. One day I was in line at Walgreen's and saw 2 pairs for $10 and took a chance. I have never looked back. This is a STEAL. These pants are one sized fit all, comfy, the perfect thickness, and they look great. They havent' ripped or gotten nubby ad they keep my really really insulated and warm. Grab a pair!
This weekend I had the new Starbucks cranberry bliss bar and it was so delicious. JoeyWaffles and I had dinner at Sushi Station, I did some laundry and visited a psychic. I wore adorable leg warmers and meal prepped for the week. Most importantly I got to catch up with a dear friend Kristen. I had a wonderful time seeing her, meeting Bacci her adorable Chi mix and learning about Essential Oils. It was a great party and I looked forward to seeing more of her! I also got to play a lot of Tetris Attack with JoeyWaffles and hang out with the pups and relax. All I need now is a
fireplace...
What are you asking for this Christmas? Hannukah? Anything special you really want? Or are you excited to buy gifts and enjoy the gift of giving?
Monday Must Have's is something that a lot of people participate in and I decided that NoShoPo will be no different. So enjoy the first of (hopefully) many North Shore Poor Monday Must Have's. It will be a mix of things you can buy, watch, experience, things I just like, etc.
The Worlds Best Banana Bread Recipe I had some overripe bananas and decided it was time to make some delicious banana bread. I added dark chocolate chips, a teaspoon of cinnamon, and some brown sugar on top and it was AMAZING. JoeyWaffles has something to eat with his morning coffee and I found the only banana bread recipe I'll ever need. Easy to make and the house smelled glorious. See my instagram for a scrumptious picture.
Benefit Cosmetics Advent Calendar I already emailed this to JoeyWaffles as a pre-holiday gift. He get's stumped on gift giving, even though he gets me things all year, so usually we make lists for each other. This way we communicate what we want and it's still a surprise because we give a bigger list then we are going to get. This is top of my list because I love all things Benefit and these would be get things to travel with and keep in my purse.
Criminal Minds Marathons Because sometimes they can't all be about Law & Order: SVU, as much as you want them to be. Not just because you miss all the Elliot episodes no matter how good Danny Pinto can be but because Criminal Minds is amazing and thanks to ION you have just figured it out. I am pretty much obsessed with this show about the BAU (Behavioral Analysis Unit) and love the character relationships. Starting at season one, while watching season 10 and it isn't even weird. If you aren't watching this, you should be.
This weekend I made the above mentioned banana bread and some
inside out carrot cake muffins (the frosting was on the inside) so my beautiful Kitchen Aid mixer got lots of love. We resurrected the Keurig for some Saturday morning coffee and breakfast at home. I cuddled with Bella and Dante, went shopping with a good friend, hung out with my Grandma at the nursing home and enjoyed a great Jeep ride Sunday. Went thrifting and grabbed 3 sweater and some books for under $18. Found two fun dresses at Forever XXI...
this one is really cute and was on sale for $12.
Living well doesn't have to mean living large. It's the simple pleasure that bring the most happiness to my heart. A warm cup of coffee while curled up with JoeyWaffles and a warm blanket. Driving on a gorgeous fall day with the Jeep top down and a great song on the radio.
Love the life you live. Live the life you love.
bob marley
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to go buy and listen to Taylor Swift new album "
1989".
In the meantime, what are your Must have's this week?
Thanks to JoeyWaffles, I am out of the dating game and hallelujah for that. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed dating and the single life but I was always a long term kind of girl. I am not that old but dating now seems so hard! Dating when you're in your twenties in the current social climate, yikes! I have seen a lot of articles popping up on dating from dealbreakers to power struggles and the qualities that matter in a mate, and there is a lot going on. Being me (and having once wanted to be a certified relationship and sex therapist) I have some strong thoughts/opinions and advice. So many people I know are dating and looking for mr/mrs right and wondering why they keep meeting the wrong types. Wondering why you're a catch and still single?
I'm gonna break it down for you, using some old school adages with new school philosophy.
1. Never chase deals, streetcars, and a woman/man. If someone wants you, they want you. Plain and simple. When a person wants you in their life, they call and text and make it happen. If they can't handle this simple communication and have issues, ask yourself why you want them. If they can't even be a friend to you, why want them for a partner? Obviously people have issues and everyone ALWAYS has a reason why this doesn't apply to them but at the end of the day, it's just a fact. You call people you want to see and make them a priority. Someone might be worth it and like you but if they don't call you for weeks and you see them out and about, it's you they don't want to see. Move on.
2. To find a prince, you have to kiss some toads: I believe Foxy Brown said this and she's right. Not every kiss or date is going to be perfect and it shouldn't be. Life is all about experience and sure, there are people who got lucky their first kiss was their last first kiss but that's a rare case these days. Going out with a guy for a drink and having a kiss that taste of bourbon and mystery, why the hell not. Having a list of expectations and limiting yourself to an ideal type just closes off the amount of people you meet. You may not like short guys with tattoos and a nice smile but go out. Have a drink or tea. Maybe you don't click with him but the waiter is your type or his friend. Or you just make a great new friend. Does this mean go out with anyone who asks, absolutely not. But if someone intrigues you, is respectful, interesting and seems like a good person and you feel comfortable take a chance. Even toads offer the experience of learning what you don't want.
3. Where there's smoke, there's fire: Trust your instinct. That's it. If you think you're a side piece/they're lying/something isn't right, you're probably right. Go with your gut. If you want to know, ask. If you get evasive answers and there's a pit in your stomach, don't ignore it. Oprah said the only mistakes she's made were when she didn't trust her instinct and well, she's Oprah so I believe her and so should you.
4.Opposites attract: So this is a funny one because I think it over simplifies things. People who say this to justify relationship problems can be downplaying the real issues. On the surface a lot of thing can be opposite but your core beliefs need to mesh and be on the same wavelength. Your morals, ethics, and who you really are, that matters. What music you like, tattoos, favorite foods, they all play a role but it's what you believe that should not be opposite. So while surface opposites might attract, don't apply this to everything.
5. All you need is love: Ha. If it was only it was that simple. Love is great but it doesn't pay the bills. You also need respect, commitment, time, laughter, and on and on.
6. You'll find it when you stop looking: You know why this works? Because when you love yourself and are happy and satisfied with your life, you stop looking. You know you don't need anyone to be complete you. Before you can be in a relationship and love someone else the way deserve, you need to love yourself first. I love JoeyWaffles more than anything...except myself. I love me more and that makes me all the better as a partner. It's the biggest cliche but it's absolutely true...unless you find your soul mate online dating and then, go you!
The best part? No matter how rational and heart smart we try to be,
Taylor Swift says it best:
"If you have enough natural chemistry with someone, you overlook every single thing you said would break the deal"
I just came back from traveling to the Dominican Republic for 11 days with my Aunt Susan. She's only 13 years older then me and more like a sister. We've been vacationing together the last few summers and they have been some of the best times of my life. We've done Longboat Key, Fl a few times and last year ventured to Puerta Vallerta. This year we heard good things about the DR and decided to be a little more adventurous.
I left the boo, JoeyWaffles at home and spent my time tanning, laughing and reading 40 or so books. Pretty much paradise. One of the best things about my relationship is that I missed him some but I was free to enjoy my time without needing him or thinking about being home more then where I was. Plus, he let me use his t-mobile phone so I could text and use data for free and I left him mine. That's trust folks, trading cell phones for 11 days away and not worrying about any texts, emails etc.
I did a little shopping before I left to get ready for the trip. Thanks to an awesome 20% off from Kohls and some already great sales, I bought a one of those 360 spinner luggage bags from Samsonite in teal. Susan made the smart point of no black since that's what everyone has and she was right. Getting my luggage from the carousal it was easy to spot. I also had a Target Tantrum trying to buy underwear. Listen, I love my VS panties as we all know but I really do love my Hanes string bikinis and I could NOT find a good pack to save my life. They had the wrong sizes and ugly colors and I tried to look at every brand, shelf, etc. I finally gave up and tried some Hanes bikinis and I actually love them. Good fit and did not look like granny panties thank god. I was really being lazy buying new underwear for vacation but 7 pairs for $10 is pretty much a steal. A girls gotta feel good from the inside out and that includes underwear. Add in a cute "you go glen coco" shirt from Target, a basic black cover up along with 5 of spray tanning lotion, some coco butter lotion and I was good to go!
Typical day
Pool. Breakfast.
Pool. Read. Tanning.Flip.
Pool. Read. Drink. Flip sides.
Pool. Lunch.
Pool. Read. Flip.
Pool. Nap. Dinner.
Criminal Minds. Balcony sitting.
I accidentally read a lot of erotica which was interesting and also a lot of really great non sexy fiction books. I found SVU and Criminal Minds in English and brushed up on my TV crime shows. I talked with Susan about anything and everything. I learned I really missed not having avocado everyday and that tripadvisor really works (sorry Barcelo, not going back to you!) Also, AirTran was HORRIBLE in the Dr which was a huge surprise. Delaying a flight for 4 hours and NEVER once announcing it? Yuck.
So I am back, tan relaxed and rejuvenated. One of the things I love most about my job is that I came back and everything was done. No one bothered me and life was good. I came back to my favorite faces, a clean desk, and warm welcomes.
I might have jumped poor JoeyWaffles as soon as I saw him in the car and attacked him with kisses. Being home and cuddled up with him and the pups was pretty tops. What can I say, I love that man.
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There's nothing like home sweet home.
