From Halloweens Past...

Last night at 3AM, I was awoken from a deep sleep by screaming pirates walking past my apartment. After their AHOY! nearly gave me a heart attack, I peeked out my window and saw quite a scene below. Lady Gaga was stumbling home. Lois and Clark were having a heated debate in the alley behind my patio. There were men in tights everywhere. Halloween was in full effect.

Since I couldn't fall back to sleep with the parade of lunatics outside, I started thinking about my favorite Halloweens. In college, it wasn't October 31st without a white tank top and felt letters ironed on, vodka tonics, and at least 14 visitors staying at our house.

Coyote Ugly, 2000

Snazzy 70s dudes with a Beachwood Fire Fighter, 2001

My 70s Themed B-day Party, 2001

Partying like it's 1999, really. My arms were stained red for two days from that boa.

Pets with Stuffed Animals: Creepy or Cute?

This photo gallery featuring people's pets with stuffed animals sounds great in theory ... until you open the link. 

1) What IS the creature in picture 17? A baby deer? A gremlin? It's sending chills through my spine. I haven't been this frightened since my fear-of-alien-abduction phase in 2nd grade.

2) Why do so many people have rodents as pets?

3) And why do they let them roam free ? "Oh, honey the guinea pig's in the cookie jar again. Spartacus, get out of there!"

4) The overweight hamster in photo 12 is definitely up to no good...

5) Rats have fingers? Whaaaaaat? And what kind of lunatic tucks them into a bed? That's only cute if the rat is a cartoon in a Disney movie with a squeaky voice and tiny shoes.

Anyhoo, there are a few cute ones like this little guy. Enjoy!

Googling Crushes

The scenario I'm about to describe is like a finding a needle in a haystack ... but it happens:

Your new love interest is not (gasp) on Facebook.

Yes, even in today's social media obsessed society, there are still some guys (few and far between) that want nothing to do with status updates, friend requests, and pictures of people's babies wearing knitted pumpkin hats.

Princess Dresses

Girls of all ages are fascinated by princesses. We like to play "princess" when we're kids, and spend big bucks on princess ball gowns when we get married. My love of all things princess really kicked into high gear as a small child, when I realized I could dress my younger brother up as one. I was older, so he had to do what I said. No one could pull off a tiara and sparkly pink veil (or custom headdress - depending on my mood) better than him.

So naturally, when WEtv.com asked me to create a photo gallery of potential dresses for Kate Middleton's wedding to Prince William (if he ever gets his act together and pops the question), I was super excited. Click here for the full gallery. And check out this gorgeous gown I featured from Something White -- a charming bridal boutique in Cleveland. 

And for your viewing pleasure, my little "princess' -- in his "going out" clothes. I couldn't find a princess pic. Please don't hate me Adam. xoxo

One Year Ago Today...

What good is a blog if you can't use it to wish your hubby a happy anniversary?

Thank you for always being the designated Swifferer, personal coffee delivery service, and all around wonderful person. (And for bringing Friday Night Lights into my life).

Happy 1 Year Anniversary! xoxo

Enviro-bragging

My friend Leah posted a Facebook status update that said:

"Enviro-bragging: bc of composting, gardening/csa, recyling, and general consciousness, we've switched to the tiny can as the trash can. Feels good!"

Say what??? I recycle and buy tomatoes at the Farmer's Market. But this post made me think, what else should I be doing? What's CSA? How tiny is that trash can? Why am I single handedly destroying the planet with every bottle of water I purchase? I promptly emailed Leah for a crash course in composting, worms that eat your leftovers, and conserving electricity without adopting an Amish lifestyle.

Leah shared these awesome tips: 
Composting: We have a regular big old compost bin (which requires a little yard space) as well as a vermiculture bin (worms) which is really small and you can even make yourself and keep under then sink or in an out of the way cool/dark corner. All of our non-processed, non-protein food waste goes to one or the other of those (there are some more restrictions for the wormies).

Garden: This is where the compost eventually goes. We use the "worm tea" as a fertilizer, along with marigolds as a pesticide. I need to try some more natural pesticides though because we got a little crushed by all of the crazy bug plagues this summer.

Recycling: We're pretty religious about this, and while I am subconsciously convinced that DC has some dark pit that they throw all of our recycling in, I still keep at it. I also cracked down on my office because they weren't recycling, which is something other people might want to do too (although they should expect some level of harassment...) 

The 20 Minute Workout Revelation

Today I was determined to go to the gym. I walked home from work on a mission. Quickly change into workout gear, and then bop around on the elliptical to my iPod that may or may not include Justin Bieber. But upon arrival home, I talked myself out of that plan. Obvi.

However, I decided that being lazy and eating Pop Chips out of the bag (delicious as they are) would simply not be an option. So, I put on Exercise TV (it's free if you have Comcast) and found a new workout, Kickbox. The best part? It promises to burn fat and sculpt in just 20 minutes. Done and done.

I'm pretty sure I was one jumping jack away from falling through my living room floor into my neighbor's apartment, but all in all - it was a fun, fast-paced, lunge and high kick-filled workout.

The teacher said I was doing "AWESOME", although for all she knows, I could have been sitting on couch sipping a glass of Chardonnay in my workout clothes. I especially liked when she said to "bring energy to your glutes".  Eating a burrito would probably accomplish that too...

I know that I don't deserve a medal for working out for a mere 20 minutes, but all I'm sayin' is that it's better than doing nothing...

What are your favorite quick workouts? Any good tips for staying motivated when you reeaaaallly don't want to go to the gym?

Time Estimation Disorder

"heyyyyyy, soooo sorry, got stuck in a meeting. Be there in five." 

Personally, I'm a huge fan/offender of using extra letters to convey emotions via text or email -- stress, angst, happiness, excitement when a friend signs into g-chat, etc. But overuse of "Y"aside, the ease of being constantly connected to our friends makes this tardy text all too familiar. We've all come down with T.E.D., Time Estimation Disorder. (teddddddd)

In a nutshell, as this very true to life article explains, thanks to technology and the ability to document our lateness every step of the way, we're all a lot more casual about keeping people waiting. Well, except yours truly. No matter how hard I try, I am always on time. It's so uncool.

PS: The extra letters tactic is not good for work. For example: "Hiiiiii, let's meet at 4 for my review." Write like a 4th grader and you can kiss that raise goodbye, sister.

Headband Love

Headbands add pizazz to plain outfits, disguise bad hair days and let your personal style sneak into a buttoned up work dress code. Here are some looks I love.

"Rachel" Swarovski Crystal Bridal or Holiday Headband 
This sparkly style can be dressed up or down!
Price: $115 (clearly, this price tag is special occasion worthy)
Where to Buy: Bethany Lorelle

Cone Shaped Beaded Headband
This gives a babyish bow an edge!
Price: $4.80 (Forever 21 is an awesome place to get trendy accessories)
Where to Buy: Forever 21

Tasha Fluttering Flower Headband
Flowers add a sweet, feminine touch.
Price: $18.90 (on sale!)
Where to Buy: Nordstrom

Juicy Couture Pave Heart Stretch Headband
I "heart" this double strand look. Plus the gold/silver mix matches any accessory!
Price: $30.00
Where to Buy: Bloomingdales

Devil Headband
The devil look is really "hot" right now. No it's not, I'm totally kidding. But for five bucks, this is great for a last minute Halloween costume.
Where to Buy: Old Navy

Think Pink

From wedding bouquet trends to nicknames women secretly call their exes (who can forget "the lawn gnome") ... one of my favorite things about writing is that I'm always learning something new. This month, I wrote a series of articles for WEtv.com's breast cancer awareness section. Not to sound all preach-y, but if you're a woman, or know a woman (therefore this means everyone), these articles are a must-read/share:

Know Your Risk Factors: 
From gender to genetics -- even how much you drink (sure makes you rethink those happy hours) -- can impact your risk of getting breast cancer. I had the privilege of speaking to Dr. Julia Smith, the Director of the NYU Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention Program who shared some really interesting facts and advice. You know when you wish you could somehow hug someone over the phone that you haven't even met? This is how I feel about Dr. Smith.