Tag: Fun

AND SO THE ADVENTURE BEGINS…..

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the best

Happy 2017!  I know I’m like, four months late, but I seriously cannot believe that it’s April already, and we’re almost halfway through 2017.  The past few months have flown by!  This year has been good so far, and I’m excited for what else is to come.

 

So far, I’ve: 

-Celebrated Jamie’s 25th!

-Saul & I celebrated our Anniversary. ❤

-Had a really nice Valentine’s Day w/My Love.

-Watched The Patriots win the Superbowl!

(BIGGEST COMEBACK EVER!)

-Welcomed Baby Harlow into the world!

She is the cutest, sweetest little baby ever!!

– Got a raise!! (If you’re brave enough to ask,

you might just be rewarded!)

-Signed up for (& passed!) a writing course.

-Saw Claire & went blonder!

-Went to an Angel Reader. AMAZING.

-Saw My Favorite Murder @ The Wilbur

w/Jenalynn & Jaime.  So much fun! Love K&G.

-Celebrated Saully’s 31st!!

-Celebrated Gretchen Weinaz Bday.

-Saw Claire again & I’m SUPER BLONDE!

-TRAVELED TO VEGAS TO SEE THE QUEEN (BRIT!)

Just got back from Vegas on Thursday.  It was SO AMAZING.  If you know me, you know I LOVE Britney Spears.  I have since I met her in 1999 at the Kiss 108 Concert.  (She wasn’t big yet, Baby One More Time just came out.  I was her first fan LOL.)

Mel & I booked tickets on a whim in January.  We got there last Tuesday, 10 AM Vegas time so we had all day Tues & all day Wednesday.  Flew home Thursday AM, arrived around 6PM Boston time.  I’ve been to Vegas before (Mels 21st, so scary that it was 6 years ago!) so I’ve already done the club scene/everything else I really wanted to do in Vegas.  Also, I knew 2 days would be plenty after our last Vegas experience (five days is just too much.)  Also, I just wanted to see Britney, which was the main reason I wanted to go.

The Piece of Me show was INCREDIBLE.  It was so entertaining, Britney never stopped going. It’s indescribable, really.  I could sit here and use a billion adjectives but it still wouldn’t capture the essence of the show.  (Insert heart emoji eyes.)

Also, I finally got to go to the Wax Museum, which was fun, but not nearly as good as the one in NYC.  Mel forced me to go to the 110th floor of The Stratosphere, which was horrifying.  (But a pretty view.)  She rode the ride Insanity, which I refused to go on. It literally dangles off of the building on the 110th floor….no thank you. She loved it, though.

We stayed at MGM, which is really nice.  I was obsessed with Planet Hollywood, though.  I was glued to the Britney Spears slot machine.  They also had other Britney themed tables, which was so cool and so fun.  I played Roulette (the guy working could not have been any ruder to me, and I also picked a table that was a $25 minimum, which was a mistake.)  I lost.  LOL.

All in all, Vegas was a blast.  It was so fun to be away.  Before I left, I had the worst anxiety.  I don’t like flying, I hate the airport, I hate being on planes in general.  (It also didn’t help that I forgot to pick our seats, so me & Mel were stuck in Middle Seats, to and from, with strangers.  So dumb.)  Once I actually got settled on the flight though, I was 100% fine.  I was so annoyed with myself for the amount of worrying I had done – literally, all that worrying for absolutely nothing.  Hopefully, for future trips, I can recall this one, and remind myself that I was fine and not worry so damn much.  I also would like to be a little bit more patient with myself.  I know I have anxiety, so instead of getting really annoyed with myself and beating myself up, which I do, I need to just take care of myself a little bit more when I begin to worry.

I definitely want to travel more this year.  I’ve been making lists of all of the places I want to go. The next place I would like to travel to is New Orleans – Saul & I have been talking about it a lot, and that will probably be our next vacation.  (Besides like, Maine, cause that doesn’t count LOL.)

I also want to go to:

-Nashville

(I’ve been before, in 2013. I loved it.)

-Texas

-Cali (LA preferably.)

-Charleston, SC

-Savannah, GA

-Wilmington, NC

& that’s just in the US.  I have another list of all of the tropical islands/other countries I would love to go to.  But that’s for another day.

Alright, time to go.  I vow to write more/blog more this year, so I’ll post more soon.  Before I go, here are some Vegas pics! 🙂

xo

WAX MUSEUM 

 

THE STRATOSPHERE/INSANITY

 

IT’S BRITNEY, BITCH

 

 

TRIED UPLOADING MY VIDEOS, IT WON’T LET ME.  WOMP WOMP.  

 

 

BYE

Vacation Recap

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As you know,  I was off this past week from work.  I had such a nice, relaxing, fun week.  It was exactly what I needed.  Rest, relaxation, sun, and some adventure.  I couldn’t have asked for a better week!

 

North Conway

Saul & I went to North Conway on Monday, and stayed over for the night.  I know I mentioned this, and I also mentioned how we were staying at Merrill Farm Inn, which I thought looked “cute & cozy” after reading Google reviews.  For anyone considering a trip to North Conway, do not stay there!!  There was nothing cute and cozy about it.  It was super creepy, actually.  It was an old barn, and I’m pretty sure it was haunted.  When we checked in, the guy at the desk hands us over our key to room 223, and says, “There is something I need to tell you about this room.”  I looked at Saul, my eyes wide.  I honestly thought he was going to tell me someone was murdered in that room.  He didn’t.  But he did tell us that Room 223 had no windows, and if we wanted a room with windows it would be a hassle because they didn’t have any more rooms with king sized beds.  Um, really?  When I booked this room, do you think I would choose a windowless room?  If we were staying any more than one night, I would have demanded a new room, a discount, or I would have gone elsewhere.  But since we were only there for the night, I sucked it up.  The room bugged me out immediately.  I seriously felt like I was at the Hotel Cortez in American Horror Story.  I pictured hands coming up out of the bed at any given moment. Of course, Saul thought I was being dramatic, as usual.  But, I knew he felt the same way when we got back from dinner that night.  When we had arrived, it was like a ghost town.  When we got home from dinner, around 10:30 PM, there were lots of cars in the parking lot.  “I’m glad more people are here,” I said to Saul.  “It’s less creepy.”  Saul agreed, so I know he felt the same way.

Besides staying in a Haunted Barn though, I had a lot of fun in North Conway.  We went to Horsefeather’s for lunch, and then walked around and went to some of the little shops in the center.  I love those stores, they always have the cutest little trinkets.  Penny Lane’s Boutique is my favorite, they have everything.  Sister Crows Native American is also a really cool store.  They had very pretty home made dream catchers.  (I was too cheap to buy one, seeing that they one I loved was $26.  I’d rather make my own.)  But they had a lot of unique stuff, it was interesting.  For dinner, we went to Vito Marcello’s, which was amazing.  It’s a really cute restaurant, and they have wonderful Italian food.  They also make a fantastic espresso martini.

I did not go on the Conway Scenic Railroad, like I had thought I wanted to.  After being in the car for three hours, the last thing I wanted to do was hop on a train for another two hours.  I also did not really research my surroundings that well before we got there.  I had no idea that the White Mountain attraction area, where I had wanted to go, was an entire hour away from where I was staying.  So we decided against that, too.  We did do some exploring, though.  I’m not really a nature girl, but I will admit that it was very pretty.  Would I go back to North Conway?  Definitely in the winter.  I had a blast at Adventure Suites.  But for the summer, I would not.  I like Maine better!  I still had a fun time with Saully, though.

Nantasket Beach

I love Nantasket Beach.  Saul and I went on Wednesday.  Neither of us wanted to drive far, so Nantasket is perfect, because it’s only about 45 minutes away.  We tanned/swam all day.  I got burnt of course.  But it was really nice and relaxing.  I love the ocean.  I just feel so calm and serene when I’m there.

“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me),
It’s always our self we find in the sea.”
― E.E. Cummings, 100 Selected Poems

 

 

Ogunquit Beach, Maine

I went to visit Patty in Ogunquit on Friday with Jena and Amaritta, which was a blast.  I hadn’t seen Patty in a while, so it was so nice to see her!  I missed her.  (Patty is Jena’s mom, FYI.)  I also met Patty’s boyfriend, JJ, which was really nice as well!  I got to see the motel they run, and it’s adorable.  Her house is adorable, too.  Patty and Jena need to start an interior decorating business together, they do such an amazing job!  We had brunch at Splash, and it was really relaxing sipping a Mimosa while overlooking the beach/ocean.  Jena got a Bloody Mary to cure her hangover, and Amaritta was “Tanned Girl Wasted” off of her spiked iced coffee.  (LOL, inside joke.) I really had such a great time.  It was the perfect beach day.  I love being with my girlfriends, we always have fun being so silly together.  I cannot wait to go back!

Splash

Now my vacation is slowly, but surely, coming to an end.  I’m not ready!  I want one more week.  I know I have to get back to reality though.  And I don’t think I could afford another week off – I spend way too much when I have so much free time on my hands.  In between my travels I obviously went shopping.  I always buy the most useless stuff at Target.  I browsed the Square One Mall one day (gross, I know), but I did get three dresses for $50, which is a steal.  And I can wear two of them to work/in the fall, so I’m okay with that purchase, it was worth it.  I’m also excited to get back to Weight Watchers.  This was a bad week eating wise, and I’m so ready to restart my healthy eating!  I also missed Kirsten so much! It was so weird not seeing her for a week! I can’t wait to catch up.

Hope you all had a lovely week! 

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Liebster Award

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LiebsterI was nominated for the Liebster Award by Violet Elm and am so honored!  I just started blogging, so it’s so exciting to me that my blog is recognized by others.  Thank you times a billion!  I loved reading your answers & I also love the name of your blog, especially knowing that your initials are ELM.  The rules are as follows:

  • Thank the blogger that nominated you
  • Write 11 random facts about yourself
  • Answer the 11 questions which were asked by the blogger that nominated you
  • Nominate 5-11 and let them know that you’ve nominated them
  • Finally, provide them with 11 questions to answer

11 Facts About Me

  1. I love coloring! Melissa got me into it, and Jen bought me a Color Me Calm coloring book for my birthday last year.  It’s seriously so relaxing & therapeutic.
  2. My go to nail polish is Lincoln Park After Dark – OPI.  It’s just a classic.
  3. I know every single line in the movie Mean Girls.
  4.  Fall is my favorite season.  I love everything about it – chunky sweaters, riding boots, chicken noodle soup, Halloween….I could go on forever, so I’ll stop.
  5. My current story that I am working on (which no one really knows about, except for Mel) is set in a fictional town called Briarstone.  It involves twins, and it’s a mystery.  That’s all I’m telling! 😛
  6.  Me and my mom have the same middle name, Christine.  When I have a daughter I plan on keeping that tradition going.
  7.  I have an alcohol allergy.  (I don’t know if this is actually true.)  But ask anyone – the second I start drinking a Martini, my face instantly becomes flushed and my chest breaks out in hives.
  8.  Speaking of Martini’s, my favorite restaurant is Venetian Moon.  I love everything about it.
  9.  I live in sundresses in the Summer.
  10.  I literally could not survive without coffee in the morning.
  11.  I am very sensitive.  I’m an emotional person, and I have a lot of compassion for others.

 

Here are my 11 questions to you…

What is your favourite thing to do in your free time?

Read or shop.  Wander aimlessly around Target buying a bunch of stuff I don’t need.  Browsing Barnes & Noble for new books.  Being with my family or friends.  Just hanging out.  Watching Law & Order SVU.

 

What is your favourite book?

The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald.  I could go on forever, so I’ll just leave it at that.

 

What is most important to you – love or money?

Love!!! Of course.  Don’t get me wrong, though, I’m not one of those people that are like, “Money can’t buy happiness” blah blah blah.  No, money cannot buy happiness, but it sure helps.  But I will always choose love.  Without love, what do we really have?

Where is your favourite place to spend vacation?

My favorite vacations so far have been in Nashville and Punta Cana.  So I’m going to say anywhere in the south where I can listen to live country music and frolic around in cowboy boots, or on an exotic island where I can lay pool or beach side, under a palm tree, drinking fruity drinks.

What is your dream job?

Author.  If I could focus all of my energy on writing, that would be so amazing.

Have you ever met a celebrity?

I’ve met lots of celebrities, actually.  Meeting Britney Spears was my favorite, obviously.  I was only 10, and it was at the Kiss 108 Concert.  She wasn’t big yet – Baby One More Time had just come out.  I got to take a picture with her.  I remember I didn’t get to be in the first group picture, so I was upset.  My mom called out after her.  “Britney, can we please get one more picture?” And she was so sweet, she was like, “Sure!” I met Destiny’s Child at the Square One Mall (also, super young), so this was before Beyonce was big.  One time in Boston I saw Frankie Muniz on the street and Melissa literally screamed Frankie Muniz at the top of her lungs.  I was also with Jacqui & Janel and Janel took a picture with him!

Would you rather watch TV or listen to music?

Can I choose reading?

What was the best gift you ever received?

My Kate Spade bag from Greta.  My necklace from Saully.  I like cards, I’m weird.  I save them all.  So any sentimental cards I’ve received, those are my favorite.

Who has influenced you most in life?

My mom.  She’s just amazing all around.  I have never met anyone as selfless as her.  She is so genuine and caring.  She is an inspiration.  I love my mom.

If you were on a desert island, what 3 things would you love to have with you?

Hmmm….well, I don’t know if I’m allowed to pick a person in this situation, but I would definitely bring Saul because I’d go crazy being alone.  I would also want a book, and a hammock.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I guess writing?  It’s not so hidden anymore, though.

 

My Nominees are:

Sparkle with Kerry

Tea in Wonderland

Life. Love. Lindsey.

Emily’s Adventures

Mundane Glamour

Here are my 11 Questions:

  1. What is the last song you listened to?
  2. Do you have any tattoos or piercings? What are they?
  3. Who is your best friend?
  4. Would you consider yourself an introvert or an extrovert?
  5. Do you have any pets?
  6. What is your favorite actor/actress?
  7. What is the last thing you spent money on?
  8. Do you dye your hair? If so, what is your natural hair color?
  9. If you could trade places with anyone for one day, who would it be and why?
  10. What is your favorite food?
  11. Are you working toward a goal right now?  If so, what is it?

 

Thank you again, Violet Elm!!  Enjoy everyone. 🙂

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JULY RECAP| My Favorite Moments

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Happy Leo Season everyone!! Here are some of my favorite memories & moments from the month of July:

The 4th of July

Saul & I went to Ian & Sarah’s for a cookout on the 4th.  It was really nice to hang out with everyone, I felt as though I hadn’t seen them, or Kristen & Jordan, in a while.  I made Funfetti Dip & BLT Pasta Salad.  This was a big deal for me, because I am not the greatest cook, nor do I bake.  Funfetti Dip is actually super easy, no baking involved!  It’s one bag of Funfetti/Confetti Cake Mix, Cool Whip (I’m not sure how much cool whip you’re actually supposed to use, I don’t follow directions when it comes to certain amounts, but I used 2 normal sized containers) and Plain Greek Yogurt.  (I used three individual yogurt containers.  I would probably use Vanilla yogurt next time.)  You mix it all together, and voila – you’re done.  It’s delicious.  You can serve it with whatever you’d like, but I used Vanilla Wafers.  For the BLT Pasta Salad – I honestly do not remember the recipe.  I’m pretty sure it was ketchup & ranch, because I remember thinking that it sounded disgusting and that I should probably reconsider using Pinterest recipes, but it came out really good.  I used bow tie pasta, some Romaine lettuce, and tomatoes.  Saul made the bacon, obviously.  (I refuse to cook meat.  It bugs me out!) All in all, it was a fun, relaxing, time.

The Shallows

Saul & I went to see The Shallows – it was great!  Blake Lively absolutely killed it.  She’s so amazing.  I was also really excited because we saw it during Shark Week LOL.

Eat, Drink & Be Martins!

Jacky & Derek’s wedding was on 7/9/16.  They got married at Salvatore’s, and it was absolutely beautiful.  Jack was such a gorgeous bride.  Her entire look was “so her”, I don’t know how else to describe it.  She looked so amazing.  Her dad gave the most amazing speech – I couldn’t help but tear up.  Jacky had sewn a little patch into her dad’s suit jacket that said “Dad, I loved you first”, as a surprise.  It was so sweet.  Jacky and Derek were beyond thrilled – the love they have for each other is so apparent when you see them together.  I am so happy for both of them.

Architectural Digest: Lexington Street Style

I finally saw Jena’s house, the completed project!  To say it looks magnificent would be an understatement.  I’m really not kidding when I keep saying it should be featured in Architectural Digest.  She did such an amazing job, in such a short amount of time.  (Jena will not stop working on a project until it’s completely finished.  She seriously worked her ass off on the house.)  We relaxed on the deck with Boo (her dog), on her gorgeous new patio set (complete with a fire pit in the middle), while drinking Summer Shandy’s.  We had a really nice night.

Girls Night

I hung out at Jena’s again that seem week.  We had a semi-relaxing night in, minus our quick Boston adventure.  We ordered Fusion (really amazing Chinese food), and Talia came over for a little while.  Am & Bob were both there – Am had gone to bed, but Talia, Jena, Bob and myself talked for a while.  It was fun.  I miss living close to my friends. (Jen and I used to live across the street from each other.  I still get nostalgic when I see my old house.)  I’m now about 45 minutes away, give or take with traffic.  My apartment with Saul is super close to my work though, and his as well.  So it makes sense.

Nantasket Beach

Me and Saul went on a day trip to Nantasket Beach.  I had never been before, and I was pleasantly surprised.  It’s very pretty.  Saul’s mom grew up there, so we drove around, trying to find her old house.  (We didn’t find it – Saul had the wrong street name LOL.)  I fell in love with the houses – mostly the porches.  I’m so obsessed with wrap around porches.  I can’t wait to own a house.  A wrap around porch is probably my only must have.  It sounds so nice to just sit outside, on my swing, drinking Lemonade on a hot day, reading my book in the shade.  Or sitting outside during a thunderstorm.  Anyway, I’m getting off track.  We went to lunch at a place called Paragon, which was cute and beachy.  We walked around, and I got to see the Paragon Carousel.  The ground leading up to the Carousel is covered in bricks, and the bricks are engraved.  I was loving reading them all, especially when I found a Rebecca De Winter brick! (Rebecca De Winter is a fictional character from the book, Rebecca, by Daphne Du Maurier.  It’s an amazing read, FYI.) It was such a nice, relaxing day.

A Rose for My Rose

I came home to unexpected flowers one day after work from Saully.  It literally made my entire day.

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I Love (Vegetarian) Sushi!

Saul & I went out for sushi a few times.  We typically go to Genki, which is located in Legacy Place in Dedham.  We also tried Misono, which is Chestnut Hill.  Both places are very good.  Genki definitely has a larger vegetarian section (I don’t eat any fish!), but Misono’s tastes better.  I like the Sweet Potato Tempura Roll.

Sister Sunday @ IKEA

I have a love/hate relationship with IKEA.  Mel and I went on a Sunday, right when it opened, and it was still packed and full of screaming children.  We still had fun, and I got a really cute bookshelf for $29.  (Ask me if I’ve put together that bookshelf yet.  Nope.  In my defense, it’s been so hot, and we don’t have central air in our apartment.  We will get around to it…eventually.) Mel and I also took a trip to the Christmas Tree Store.  (Don’t you just love a bargain?)

Family Dinner

I met my mom and brother for dinner at The Chateau in Burlington one night after work.  Greta was very  late, so me and Jame ordered apps and just caught up with each other.  It was really nice.  I really enjoyed his company, and my mom’s too, when she finally showed up! (JK Gretch, hehe.)

Beach Days

I went to the beach a few times, which is always fun and one of my favorite things to do in the Summer.  Nothing beats that ice cold water and soaking up the sun! ❤

Weight Watchers

Joining WW & losing 7.4 lbs was very, very exciting for me!

Cookout #2

Kristen and Jordan had a cookout this past Saturday.  Kegan is home from traveling the world, so he came, and brought his girlfriend, Amy, who is a doll.  Ian and Sarah also came as well.  And the pups, of course.  We had a god time.

I have some fun stuff planned for this month, so I’m excited to see what August will bring!

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