Monday, September 30, 2013

Weekend Review

First of all... let's all hope the government doesn't shut down. Since I work for them I'd like to keep getting a paycheck so I can keep paying my mortgage.

This past weekend was a fun one! I had a dinner party that I went to on Friday. I made a new dessert (which is one of the things on my 30 Before 30 list) and it was a complete success. I'll share all three of my new desserts as a 30 before 30 post but I'll give you a sneak peek...

After dinner, a group of us headed downtown and spent the rest of the night at Oishii Sushi and Karaoke Bar.

None of us had ever been there so it was something new and fun! They have these private rooms that your group can go into and sing karaoke. That way the whole world doesn't have to be subjected to your music choices and voices. I of course sang the famous, I'm a Slave for You by Brit Brit. Clearly. You can see some of my karaoke in all it's glory here.

I ordered and received a new Christmas tree that I can't wait to theme out!!
I got the 5ft, Smurftastic Blue Christmas Tree from Treetopia. I can't wait to have a new theme tree up this year! Don't worry I'll have my candy theme tree up again this year.

Then I saw an amazing sunrise! No filter...
Happy Monday!!!

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing around here... it's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, D-Tox.
D-Tox also goes by the name Eye See You, it stars Sylvester Stallone as an FBI Agent named Jake Malloy. He's on the trail of a serial killer who only kills cops. The case gets personal though when the killer decides to go after Jake's girlfriend. Once that happens Jake falls apart and leaves the agency. He starts drinking a lot and his friends decide it's time for an intervention. Jake decides to get his life together and goes to a remote rehab center that is hunkering down due to a bad storm coming.

What Jake doesn't know is that the killer he had chased for months has no followed him to rehab and is plotting another kill. However this time... it's Jake that the killer is after. Will Jake survive or will he finally give in since he's already at a low point in his life.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

30 Before 30 Progress

18. Make something in a crock pot.

In my 29 years of life, I had never made something in a crock pot. I had never even owned one. When I added this to my list of 30 things, I knew this one would be a two part challenge. First I would need to buy a crock pot and second I would need to make something in it. I hadn't planned on completing this till later on in the year but when I saw that Khols had this Hamilton Beach crock pot that's normally $49.99 on sale for $19.99 it had to happen!
What made it even better was the fact that I had received a card in the mail from that was good for $10.00 off any purchase. Once tax was applied, I only paid $10.79 for the crock pot! Then the hard part began... I had to figure out what to make. I settled on a pork roast and got all the ingredients together.

I've got the pork roast, the potatoes, carrots, celery and even a little onion. I added the instructed amount of water and then the 8 hour wait began.
 
Then of course some of the results...
Granted I should have taken a photo as soon as it was done but instead, I dug right in and then remembered to get a photo. Either way the crockpot was a total success and really easy! Now I have to get a cookbook with some recipes so I can keep on using it. Here's to another thing being crossed off my 30 Before 30 list!

Monday, September 23, 2013

Weekend Update

I feel every weekend should start out with good food. If you burn the bacon that's an omen to how the weekend can go. Clearly I didn't burn the bacon...
When I was up in Crescent City, I shopped at an antique/vintage place called Sylvia's Attic. I found a great wall shelf that I couldn't pass up...
Can you believe I got this vintage wood, wall shelf for the bargain price of $85.00?! It was a steal because I've been eyeing these online and in other shops. It was in mint condition too which is something that doesn't happen often. After much debate and lots of measuring, I got it hung up on one of my walls.
Now I just have to figure out what I want to display on it.
 

Incidentally the store in Crescent City is the place where I found all of those old YA books that I can't wait to read. Now I just need to find more time in the day. Speaking of time, I saw this the other day and it made me laugh...

If only we all had personal assistants, maids, etc. I feel I do a pretty good job on time management considering I do everything on my own. #Firstworldproblem

Over the weekend, I was also able to complete one of my 30 Before 30 things on my list. So that post will be coming soon! Have a great Monday!

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Sunday Social

1. What is your favorite handbag you've ever owned?
I recently got this bag and I love it! It's a red leather, Steve Madden bag.


2. What is your dream handbag you lust over?



This is a Brahmin large Duxbury Satchel in Cocoa. It can be mine for the price of $295.00 and can be found online here. Isn't it a classic?!?


3. What are the daily essentials in your purse or work bag?

pens
Tylenol
wallet
gps
camera
book
Band-Aids
 


4. What's in your purse (with pictures)?
I'm way too lazy to take photos of my purse. I have all the above in it plus about 20 receipts. Does anyone else find that they collect them in their bags?

Friday, September 20, 2013

Five On Friday

1. First of all... it's Friday!!
 
2. I have become obsessed with writing reviews on Trip Advisor. I don't know why but I have. I think I've done like 12 reviews and counting in less than 48 hours.
 
3. My night tour of Alcatraz is coming up! I've done the day tour and enjoyed it but I finally got my hands on some night tour tickets. They are harder to come by since they don't do as many night tours as day ones and not as often. I can't wait!
 
4. I'm pretty nervous about my work schedule and the holidays this year. I'm hoping for the best but I could end up getting stuck in CA alone for the holidays and that deeply depresses me. So I'm crossing my fingers that it all works out.
 
5. Speaking of Christmas... I'm having a really hard time not putting up a Christmas tree already...

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Theater Thursday

It's Thursday and that can only mean one thing around here... it's Theater Thursday! This week's featured movie is, The Original Nancy Drew Movie Mystery Collection.
This movie collection actually contains the four original Nancy Drew Mystery Movies: Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase, Nancy Drew the Reporter, Nancy Drew the Detective and Nancy Drew the Trouble Shooter.
 
The Nancy Drew movies began in 1938 and starred Bonita Granville as Miss Nancy Drew, a teenage girl who loves to find out the truth, sleuth and solve mysteries in her town. Her father however, is not keen on her getting involved in situations that could bring harm and danger to her. He's a well known lawyer in town and knows first hand what kind of shenanigans crime can bring into a person's life. In these four movies, you'll see first hand that Nancy is a determined, young girl who wants to always catch the culprit! 

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

99 Days!

Can you believe that Christmas is only 99 days away?! Yep, that's right folks we are down to double digits. It's no secret that I love the holidays. I love getting gifts. I love giving gifts and I love seeing people's reactions to the gifts that I give them. Since Christmas is only 99 days away, let the What I Want For Christmas lists begin!
UGG Australia Mini Bailey Button' Boot in Grey or Raspberry Sorbet $134.95
The Michael Kors Large Weston Pebbled Shoulder Bag $298.00
Fossil Watch- Cecile Multifuction Stainless Steel- Rose Gold $165.00
Alex and Ani Bangle: June Birthstone $28.00
Alex and Ani Bangle: Everything Happens for a Reason $32.00
Alex and Ani Bangle: It is what it is $28.00 THIS HAS BEEN MY LIFE MOTTO FOR THE PAST YEAR.
Alex and Ani Bangle: Initial J $28.00
I already have one set of this Fiesta Silverware but I would love a second! $79.99

Monday, September 16, 2013

Weekend Review

My weekend started with food from one of my favorite places... Royal Kebab!
 

Then I found these vintage YA books for .25 cents a piece. I can't wait to start reading them...
Has anyone read these?
 

I indulged in one of my favorite things... Christmas decoration shopping! The season is getting closer and closer. This year I'm going to have a new theme tree up in addition to my candy tree. Here's a sneak peek as to what the theme might revolve around...
I cant wait for the decorating season to begin!
 
Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! PS: Are we friends on instagram? Come follow my adventures there and let me know if you've got an account as well. I'm totally addicted to that site. 

Friday, September 13, 2013

Going North

Last week I got the opportunity to visit more of northern California. I spent three days up in Crescent, City, California. Getting there from Sacramento takes a solid seven hours when driving. I'm not a huge fan of driving long distances. I use to be but not anymore so when I found out this drive was going to take that long, I wasn't too thrilled but once I got there it was worth it.

I stayed at the Oceanfront Lodge which is literally right on the beach and only 500 feet from the Battery Point Lighthouse. I was originally going to be in a standard room but got upgraded to a balcony room. The view from the balcony was amazing day and night.
 By Day
By Night
 
I could literally go out everyday and walk on the pebble beach. The sea breeze felt so good and the weather was just right. It wasn't too hot and it wasn't too cold. Plus the lighthouse was close enough to just walk over to. The jetty was also easily accessible and provided a great viewpoint of the lighthouse and beach.
 There was so many starfish living in those rocks!
 

The Battery Point Light house from the jetty
 
In addition to being in a great location, I visited another beach accessible in Crescent City that had some larger waves and less rocks. It was very windy there. In fact... it was windy everyday!
 
I also visited the Trees of Mystery and saw some HUGE redwood trees! The views were amazing and the wood carvings were pretty awesome as well.
 Large tree root!
Crossing off one of my 30 before 30 items 
Huge trees!

The trip was a lot of fun. It was the perfect mix of beach and trees. If you ever get the chance to take the trip then do it! It's worth the drive and you'll never see trees like this anywhere else!



Thursday, September 12, 2013

30 Before 30 Progress

#28- Visit the Redwood Forest and hug a tree.

While I was in Crescent City, California, I visited the Trees of Mystery. On Friday, September 6, 2013, I crossed another thing off my list. I hugged a Redwood Tree inside part of the Redwood Forest.
The Redwood trees are insanely huge. They are the tallest and widest trees that I have ever seen in person. They are also some of the reddest trees I have ever seen. The tree that I'm hugging wasn't even the biggest one I saw. That's how big they are! I understand why people travel so far to see them. I drove seven hours north to see them but some people come from other countries to see these giants. If you ever get the chance, get out to the redwoods and hug a tree. It'll definitely make you smile. I know I did. 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Oh Baby!

A week ago, I had the pleasure of hosting a baby shower for a co-worker. She's eight months pregnant and still going strong at work. When she mentioned she would like to have a shower, I volunteered to host it. Um... when did baby showers get so complicated? The mother to be had only one request... the shower have a pink/white theme. Fitting since she's having a baby girl!

First up the thing everyone goes to a baby shower for... cake.
I commissioned a two-tier buttercream, vanilla cake with strawberry filling. Since the baby is a girl and going to be named a name that starts with "G", I decided to add that simple touch. I was extremely nervous on the 30 minute car ride from the bakery to her house. I was nervous that one rough bump in the road was going to destroy that bow. Thankfully the cake made it in perfect condition. Then there was the cupcakes. I decided to make some chocolate cupcakes for the baby shower. I had originally planned to make about 40 but I got really busy trying to plan and coordinate every other detail. So I ended up making about 18.
Of course you can't have a baby shower without balloons. I think the next time I travel with balloons someone should remind me that I have to drive on I5 and not see out of the back window.
Needless to say, the baby shower turned out to be really great. Everyone had a good time and the mother to be liked everything. However, I think I won't volunteer to host another one for awhile. It's expensive and a lot of work! I was exhausted! I'm glad everyone had fun though. My favorite thing was the favors...
How cute are those baby girl cigars?! I mean really! Plus they gave that vintage feel.