Coooookies

I spent some long overdue QT with my cousin Jennifer. She and I are only 4 months apart and were always together when we were young, only to grow up and slightly grow apart. Now I'm not saying we aren't close, because she is the sister I never had, but it's just what happens when you go to different high schools, then colleges, then live in 2 different states. She just got engaged, and I was fortunate enough to see her new place with her fiance and bake some cookies with her. Well, she baked them, I frosted them. Yummy!

Dumb-Dumb of the Week: Christmas Bomber

It's been all over the news since Christmas Day when Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab attempted to blow up his flight over Detroit. My boyfriend and I both had to fly through Detroit this holiday, but luckily missed this incident. I will say that living in NY does bring me some fear, especially when traveling. I pray that we may all travel without fear of some idiots trying to terrorize us. Well, I hope this guy suffers in jail in solitary confinement for the rest of his life. What a bastard....to Umar and al Qaeda.

Yard Sale Chic: Under $150 Part Deux

While Christmas shopping for others, I of course went overboard on myself. Then again, spending less than $150 and getting 2 pairs of boots, a t shirt, grungy jeans, sweater, scarf, nail polish, and a few vintage Playboy tins of mints (for friends!) is far from over-indulgence.

Flab Freezing

Ohhhh my goodness, researchers have discovered the answer to my muffin-top issues! Some girls gain weight in their butt, others in their thighs, and the lucky ones gain weight in their boobs. I am one of the many who gain weight in the love-handle area. Spanx were made for me! I have to pull my pants over fatty areas, just in an attempt to hide them. Anywho, brilliant minds have developed a procedure that freezes your fat cells called Cryolipolysis. Basically, the use of a machine called a "Zeltiq" uses cold to freeze fat cells, which somehow shrinks them. I'm no scientist, but you can read about it here.

(Image via Angeliska)

Das Boot

I had yet another wonderful time at home in Fort Wayne, Indiana. What short time I had there, I spent with my family and friends. The best thing about my hometown friends is they are the exact same people I grew up with. As my friend Alex said, "Cheers, we have been drinking for 10 years!". And yes, we did a lot of that. Check out all my friends taking down the infamous "Das Boot". Jason chugged about half the boot, and then puked up the half, and then drank the rest of it. Ohhh the high school days!

Socks and Sandals

Once thought of as a fashion faux-pas, socks and sandals are considered quite chic these days (when worn correctly...not wearing your Gold Toe socks with your Adidas sandals). Perhaps this became a style out of necessity based on the economy. I certainly don't have enough money to buy a fabulous summer shoe and an equally awesome fall/winter shoe, so this style fits my fashion on a budget.

(Image via Stylesightings)

Lovers

You couldn't re-enact such a classic couple's photo even if you tried!
Not to mention, that weapon is very impressive. What do you do with that thing? You spy on peeps through the scope and then run up behind them and stab them with the bayonet? Feisty!

(Image via Dlisted)

The New Fad

In my 25 years of life, I have seen the "it" skirt be a billowy peasant skirt all the way to a super-tight mini and every length and width in between. My personal fav is a short, but flouncy skirt....something that is reminiscent of what you wore in grade school. However, I am totally digging the new fad in skirt lengths, and that my friends is the below the knee, fitted skirt. This will accentuate every curve of your body...which means my booty will be more defined. The trick to wearing these skirts is to make sure you are proportionate (i.e. A cropped shirt with the longer skirt)

Love it!

(Images via Refinery29)

Bacon-Flavored Goodies

If it wasn't for religious reasons, diet restrictions, or personal beliefs, Bacon would be everyone's favorite food. I don't care what anyone says, everything tastes better with bacon, but to be honest, you don't actually need to eat real bacon to get that smoky-flavored goodness. There is a mecca of bacon-flavored goodies and they are in high demand. Here are a few favs of mine:

* Bacon-flavored popcorn (both vegetarian and kosher btw)

* Bakon vodka (for yummy bloody marys)

* Maple-Bacon coffee (I'll wake up to a cup of that!)
* Mmmvelopes (sending letters never tasted so good)

MTV's Jersey Shore....Another one of my guilty pleasures

I'm sure my friends aren't shocked when I say that MTV's new reality show, Jersey Shore, is awesome. I blame it on the East Coasters who went to IU, where I observed their ways of life like a zoologist studying the behaviors of lions. I even took a liking to the Gotti boys.

Until moving to NY, I thought all New Yorkers were like the Looong Island/Joisey guidos and guidettes I saw at school. To my surprise, I never saw one of these stereotypicals guids in Manhattan. I guess these people all hide at the Jersey Shore, because I went there 2 summers ago and was in a land of fist pumps, hair bumps, Affliction tees, and hair gel. I was so tramatized I told my bf to take me to the train stop and I would rather take a 2 hour train back to Manhattan than get my eyes poked out by some guy's blow-out. Nonetheless, the Jersey Shore show brings me back to my days of observing the weird phenomena of the guids without actually being in their presence. Me likey.

(Image via nydailynews)

Dumb-Dumb of the Week: Piano Man's Daughter

Alexa Ray Joel, daughter of Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley was hospitalized after an alleged (news word for "it's true, it really happened") suicide attempt where she ingested a cornucopia of sleeping pills at her West Village apartment. I just don't get it. I know money is not the most important thing in the world, but if you are depressed or something, money could get you a good therapist, psychiatrist, shopping spree, anything to help the pain! Well, glad to hear she is doing well.

(Image via Dlisted)

Goodbye November

I am very thankful for my friends, family, job, apartment, food in the fridge, clothes in my closet, but to be honest, there are so many more things to be grateful for that there aren't enough words to express my thanks. My 25th Birthday has passed, Thanksgiving has passed, November has passed. It was a great month!

(Image via fuckyeahdogs!)

Yard Sale Chic: Boulder Shoulders

I am a sucker for fashion fads (ex: harem pants, high-waisted pants, headbands, tie-dye leggings, jumpers, faux fur). You name it, I have probably tried it on, bought it, or at least thought very hard about whether to purchase it or not. My latest fad frenzy are the structured shoulders on tops, dresses, blazers, and sweaters. I gravitate towards fashions that others find hard to wear or they think it is plain old ugly. Not to mention, trends recycle themselves every 20 years or so (or any period piece works nowadays) so I often find these items in thrift stores for supa-dupa cheap... $1.50 for some printed harem pants, $1.00 for granny oxfords, $3.00 for flowered romper) Do I think I look good in all these trends? Of course not! But I do believe in having confidence when you wear ballzy items. YOU wear the clothes, the clothes does not wear you.

(Image via Refinery29)

"Friend-cestual"

Now I thought I was genius when "friend-cestual" popped into my brain after watching tonight's episode of Gossip Girl. Unfortunately, Google told me otherwise, more specifically Urban Dictionary.

1.	Friendcest	40 up, 12 down
	buy friendcest mugs, tshirts and magnets One of the great phrases to describe the fuck-upity-ness of cross-boundry, inter-friendship 'relating' FRIENDCEST - Dating friends, dating your friends friends. You already like them... your friends already like them, so why not....... fuck it all up?" The phenomena of inter group dating / relating in social groupings. esp. relevent to university and post university friend bases. "I'm friendcesting your ex, Michelle.." -"no worries mate, i'm doing your sister."

Kale Chips

"What to do with all this kale?", I said. Well, I have been eyeing this easy recipe for Kale Chips for quite some time now, and I finally decided to stick those puppies in the oven with a little oil, apple cider vinegar, and sea salt. Voila! Fabulously satisfying kale chips. I swear they taste just like a potato chip, but without the grease and guilt.

Now, some of you may be wondering what kale is, and all I can explain to you is that it is a green leafy veggie that is often used as garnish in salad bars and such. Unbeknown to many, kale is very delicious when it's cooked and also vey nutritious. According to mercola.com:

• Kale eases lung congestion and is beneficial to the stomach, liver and immune system
• It contains lutein and zeaxanthin, which protect the eyes from macular degeneration
• It also contains indole-3-carbinol, which may protect against colon cancer
• Kale is an excellent source of calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, and chlorophyll
  

Official New Yorker

I have lived in Manhattan for over 2 years, but now I can call myself an official New Yorker. Yes, I can sing Jay-Z's Empire State of Mind like it was written just for me. I got my New York drivers' license!! Not that I drive here....

(Image via ExpandMyWealth)

Happy Birthday to Meeee

November 18th came wayyyyy to fast this year, and now I am officially veinte cinco anos, AKA a quarter of a century, AKA 25 years old.

I can honestly say that Facebook has made Birthdays better. So many new and old friends wished me a happy bday that would not have typically done so if it wasn't for FB. Not to mention, pics get posted and shared to all my friends with a click of a button. I know many people hate the social network, but I must say that I am pro-FB.

I ended up having a week longs worth of celebrations, all of which was such a delight. I had a friend from high school visit earlier in the week, then went out with coworkers the night of my actual bday, then out with my bestest girlie friends on Friday, then a wonderful din with the bf on Saturday. I must say that it stinks to turn another year older, but man it felt nice to get such special attention :)

Songs I Love: Christmas Tunes

The chilly weather has got me cuddled in my bed listening to the songs that bring so much joy to my heart. The feeling that you get listening to Christmas music makes you feel oh so good! My personal favs:

* Little Drummer Boy - Bing Crosby & David Bowie
* Peanuts Christmas - from A Charlie Brown Christmas
* Dominic the Donkey - Lou Monte (heehaw heehaw!)
* Do You Hear What I Hear? - Anne Murray
* Carol of the Bells - Destiny's Child
* Baby It's Cold Outside - Jessica Simpson
* I'll Be Home For Christmas - Bing Crosby
* Thankful Heart - Muppets Christmas Carol
* Jingle Bell Rock - Hall & Oates

(Image via Scanned)

Stella McCartney for Gap Kids

Stella McCartney has a collection out at Gap Kids and I would like a few pieces of my own. Lines like this make me glad I'm small, and perhaps you'll see me in the leopard sweater, or the tuxedo jacket, or silk top? I'm not joking people, this line is fab (a little pricey, but still fab).

(Image via Vogue.com)

The Princess and the Frog

I would be lying if I told you I wasn't excited for the new Disney film, The Princess and the Frog. This movie seems to have all the makings of our old Disney favs - Princess, prince, talking animals, and singing. The pure aesthetic of the movie is reminiscent of the movies I grew up with; it's not in 3D or has special computer effects. The story is a bit of a spoof on the The Frog Prince, but this time the princess is the one to turn into a frog. Not to mention we finally have a black Disney princess! Exciting, I know.

Indulgence

Time for some Ben & Jerry's "Imagine Whirled Peace"! I would say that I'm about to "sink my teeth into it", but my teeth are sensitive. This is my absolute fav B&J flav... caramel and sweet Cream ice cream with chunks of toffee cookies and peace sign shaped chocolates.

Totally Awesome Baby Costume!

When I have a baby, I want to dress them up in costumes all the time. Why can't a baby wear a lion costume to the grocery store, or a flower headdress to Easter mass? Babies are cute anyway, but even cuter in costume. The photo above is from a blog I came across where this woman made her baby into a little ventriloquist dummy for Halloween. That's awesome!

(Image via inchmark)

Goodbye October

Whoa....where have I been?!! I have been swamped at work lately, so I guess that's my excuse for forgetting to say adios to October 2009. Twas a hectic month indeed!

Songs I Love: We Are The People

We Are The People - Empire of the Sun

I was introduced to this song by my Chi girls the other weekend and I haven't stopped listening to it since. Also, rumor has it these guys are collaborating with Jay-Z on a few tracks (think of Linkin Park and Jay-Z collab). Hot hot hot!

P.S. Don't these guys look like characters from The Lord of the Rings?

(Image via Sound Depth)

Chiiiiiiii

I had another fabuloso time in Chicago this past weekend. This trip made me miss the Midwest more than I have in a long while. We got all dolled up for Halloween, partied, danced, hung out with old friends, and I laughed so much that tears ran down my face once or twice. Now granted my stomach felt like it was imploding Saturday night, which lead me to take it easy that night. Other than that, I had an ahhhmazing time with some of my dearest friends. It was so great to be in an area where so many familiar faces reside. Just driving and seeing people we knew walking down the street was an unexpected treat. I left wanting more!

For Your Entertainment

American Idol runner-up, Adam Lambert, is coming out with an album titled " For Your Entertainment". Adam must have been blackmailed to agree to this cover. Only a person with a dirty past involving the murder of innocent puppies would have an album cover that looks like Star Trek meets Rainbow Brite, but that shiznit is crazy. It reminds me of the 3 wolves t shirt (which is also an odd hipster-inspired phenomenon), but if Lambo had his purty face on a tshirt I would rock it too.

(Images via nydailynews and Timberwolf HQ)

ALMOST 25 Years Old

My 25th Birthday is just around the corner, and I am quite unsure of what I want to do. I remember my 10th Birthday, which was my first boy/girl fiesta. I remember my 21st Birthday that happened to be the same night as Alpha Tau Omega's "Menage-A-Tau" party. Then there was last year's Birthday where my closest girly-friends and I went to a yummy dinner at Alta then to Kingswood for drinks and dancing. Because we are all on a budget (especially nowadays) I am thinking of ways to still have a good time, but at bargain prices. I'm thinking a dinner at a BYOB place. Even if there's a corking fee, we could have a few bottles of wine and a long dinner. What do you think?

(Above image via WooWork.com)

Chi-Town Bound for Halloween

I randomly decided to post old college pics on FB last week, and I got so nostalgic that I looked on Expedia for tickets to Chicago and found one for $188 over Halloween weekend. It was already late that night, but I emailed the Chicago girls and asked for just one "YES" response. A half hour or so later, I got a "YES" and booked my flight then and there. Can't wait for some house parties and being with my girls!

(Above photos are from 2 Halloweens spent at IU. Can you say "AWESOME"?)

Sweet Million

NY Lottery has a commercial sweet enough to give you a cavity. Talk about cheesy, yet awesome!
The commercial features a large cast of bunny-wabbits at a carnival, batting their eyelashes, and blowing sweet kisses to their audience. Ok, maybe they were just sitting there and not blowing smooches, but cute nonetheless.

The lyrics of this cutesie commercial?

If you were a candy man with eyes made of gumdrops a heart filled with marzipan then I'd tell you so soft that I wouldn't share 'cause no one can have you but me you're so sweet you're so sweet.

Whomever makes NY Lottery commercials are geniuses! Yes folks, this is not the only fabulously-hilarious commercial...Check this one out (Monkey?)

McQueen

Alexander McQueen showed off some VERY interesting shoes. Crabby claw feet anyone?

(Image via Refinery29)

Falling Leaves

The best thing about living in Manhattan is that you don't have to worry about raking the leaves!

Yard Sale Chic: Under $150

Ask any of my friends and they will all tell you I am a bargain hunter. I rarely buy things at full retail, and I will search and search until I find the best deals. This past weekend, I went to one of my fav discount department stores, Loehmann's and I bought the following items for UNDER $150. Yehh for Fall clothing!

- Faux fur vest ($50...and my favorite find of the day!)
- Brown tie ankle booties by Jeffery Campbell (on sale for $35)
- Dark Grey harem pant jumpsuit ($30)
- Yellow cardigan (on sale for $20)
- Dark red and gold bangles (on sale for $6)
- Special socks for heels (on sale for $3)

Go Yankees!

(Above Image: Taken right after Teixeira hit the winning run in the bottom of the 11th)
(Above Image: Cheering on the Yanks!)

I was fortunate enough to join 50,005 (actual number of attendees) other Yankee fans at Game 2 of the Yankees/Twins playoffs, and I was not at all disappointed. The forecast called for rain, but the weather ended up perfect. The game started off rather slow, and then around the 5th inning or so, it got interesting. It was a close game (Yanks won 4-3), and every second had me at the edge of my seat or up and cheering. I'm not a huge baseball fan, but I always love going to an actual game. I love the fans, food, beer, and company. Thanks to A-Rod and Teixeira (my secret love), the Yanks were victorious. And it just so happens that the Yanks won tonight 4-1. Awesomeness!

Songs I Love: Pretty Girls Make Graves

Pretty Girls Make Graves - The Smiths

I truly believe that I was meant to be some scenester teeny-bopper in the 80's. I will never stop wearing leggings, rock a side pony tail, and will throw my hands in the air and jump around dancing like there's no tomorrow. I love a little synth, fluffy hair, and the whiny-swoony voices of groups from the 80's.

(Image via captainsdead)

Whhhyyy?!! Whhhhyyyy??!!

Why does Angie dress daughter Shiloh like the drunken homeless man I see passed out in the subway from time to time?

(Image via Dlisted)