Mark is going fishing early tomorrow morning with my brother and dad. Lucky him! We're talking really early, as in 4 am. Yikes! Maybe Mr. Owl will be up at the same time. Don't get me started on that annoying owl that made its way into my dreams last night, drove the cats crazy, and eventually woke me up.
I was talking to my mom regarding how the guys are going fishing tomorrow and she said that last weekend her dad wanted to go. How flattering, I thought. Not quite...as my mom said, "yeah he only wanted me to get up early and go with him so he could keep another fish. Apparently the limit is one fish per person." Wow dad, nice tactics. I wonder if Mark will catch on to this too! Though rockfish aka striped bass (in Maryland) is VERY tasty :) I for one will be sleeping in with the two cats and Tucker, the 100+ lb golden retriever.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
I'm Embarrassed...
...shhh...I've been watching Jon & Kate Plus Ei8ht from the beginning. :::shakes head in embarrassment::: Damn you Netflix and Blu Ray player for making me do this.
Just like I became addicted to Lost due to the easy accessibility with instant streaming, now I have become addicted to Jon & Kate...of all shows out there. Really? It's not even *that* good...Kate was acting like a prat even from the beginning. Though how she took care of all of those kids is impressive...I guess having rich friends and other friends has helped a lot. It will be interesting to see how things change now that I'm working my way through Season 3. I'm right at the point whereby Kate starts to show an interest in clothing.
Just like I became addicted to Lost due to the easy accessibility with instant streaming, now I have become addicted to Jon & Kate...of all shows out there. Really? It's not even *that* good...Kate was acting like a prat even from the beginning. Though how she took care of all of those kids is impressive...I guess having rich friends and other friends has helped a lot. It will be interesting to see how things change now that I'm working my way through Season 3. I'm right at the point whereby Kate starts to show an interest in clothing.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Ah, my food loves!
Every week (ahem sometimes more than once a week) I stop by Chipotle or Panera Bread for dinner. I always see the same employees at each place and I think they are catching on... It's so much of a routine for me...I always get the same thing: chicken burrito, no beans, no salsa, extra cheese, and lettuce at Chipotle. I get really offended if they give the guy in front of me an extra scoop of rice and not me...ummm hello, I'm saving you money by not getting the other stuff, give me more rice and cheese please! At Panera Bread, it's always the chicken caesar sandwich and mac & cheese. Panera has the BEST mac & cheese anywhere, hands down. My friends enlightened me regarding this a few months ago during an outlet shopping trip.
Anyway, what would be really fannnntastic is if they had a drive through at Chipotle or Panera...that would make my life...oh, so much more lazy! But efficient, yes efficient. I mean, come on, my library has a drive through!
Anyway, what would be really fannnntastic is if they had a drive through at Chipotle or Panera...that would make my life...oh, so much more lazy! But efficient, yes efficient. I mean, come on, my library has a drive through!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Concealer Recommendation
If you don't need concealer, well, then you're just special, aren't you?
My favorite concealer (to date) is Smashbox's Camera Ready Full Coverage Concealer in 2 light ivory. It is the perfect consistency, blends well, and covers imperfections well.
Source: Smashbox
My favorite concealer (to date) is Smashbox's Camera Ready Full Coverage Concealer in 2 light ivory. It is the perfect consistency, blends well, and covers imperfections well.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Spring Cleaning...Fun (Not)
Time for some spring cleaning! What a perfect day to do it too...it's about 60 degrees out, overcast, and windy. When I clean and organize, I tend to go overboard and spend TOO much time on one thing. There are no shortcuts for me - it's a weakness, I know. Then again, it's baby steps, so that I complete one project without moving on to another one.
Today I am focusing on our master bathroom. It's somewhat difficult because the bathroom is still stuck in 1990 and we have no real plans to update it and sink more money in our upside down house. But at least I can clean it and organize it. I started with pulling out all of my toiletries in the one cabinet...think lots of lotions, shower gels, bubble baths, sunscreen, hair products, etc. It was a mess. I threw away some of the lotions that were...oh...maybe three years old. I organized everything in some nice, clear containers from Target...but not until I wiped down the inside of the cabinets. Not fun since the cabinets are old and not in great shape.
I didn't get to take a "before" picture, but here is the "after" with the nice organization.
Next up was cleaning my makeup brushes. I think you're supposed to wash them every month? I will not tell you when I last cleaned my makeup brushes...it's embarrassing. But they are clean now, that's very good! Nothing like a sense of accomplishment.
Cleaning with just soap and water never seems to work as well as using MAC's special brush cleaning formula.
Now it's time for the drawer. Here is the "before":
Ummm yeah, a lot of that stuff is getting thrown out/recycled.
Check out all of the lipsticks I have accumulated...those are going right in the trash since I never use lipstick but used to hold onto them "just in case" and they were free with certain makeup purchases. I am keeping the little lipglossees.
Today I am focusing on our master bathroom. It's somewhat difficult because the bathroom is still stuck in 1990 and we have no real plans to update it and sink more money in our upside down house. But at least I can clean it and organize it. I started with pulling out all of my toiletries in the one cabinet...think lots of lotions, shower gels, bubble baths, sunscreen, hair products, etc. It was a mess. I threw away some of the lotions that were...oh...maybe three years old. I organized everything in some nice, clear containers from Target...but not until I wiped down the inside of the cabinets. Not fun since the cabinets are old and not in great shape.
I didn't get to take a "before" picture, but here is the "after" with the nice organization.
Next up was cleaning my makeup brushes. I think you're supposed to wash them every month? I will not tell you when I last cleaned my makeup brushes...it's embarrassing. But they are clean now, that's very good! Nothing like a sense of accomplishment.
Cleaning with just soap and water never seems to work as well as using MAC's special brush cleaning formula.
Now it's time for the drawer. Here is the "before":
Check out all of the lipsticks I have accumulated...those are going right in the trash since I never use lipstick but used to hold onto them "just in case" and they were free with certain makeup purchases. I am keeping the little lipglossees.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Every Girl Needs Some Bronzer
I was e-mailing my sister-in-law some Sephora product recommendations, when I thought, oh right, my blog is partly about beauty products...so maybe I should actually write about them?
In light of the scary dangers that too much sun poses, I have turned to sunless tanner and bronzer in the past few years. Back in the old days - high school and college, even post college for some years, I was a sun worshiper. Hard to believe I know if you could see me now.
That all said, in trying to not turn mahogany, I have found some wonderful bronzers that can help a girl out. Oh, the mahogany comment comes from my dermatologist. For many many years I avoided the sun like it was the plague until my dermatologist (who I see every 6 months) told me it was okay if I got "some color...just don't turn mahogany...essentially still wear sunscreen, but 'some' sun will do you good." I will never be quite as tan as I was in my high school and college years. Yes, I will post a picture one day. Why do people look so much better when tan? Who knows, but there are ways to fake it without skin damage and skin cancer risks.
Finally, that takes us to my bronzer recommendations. Some apply bronzer to highlight areas of their face...ummm me, I put it all over my face (is that bad?), chest (depending on type of shirt), and sometimes a little on my arms (if I'm looking too tan on my face and my arms are white).
1. My all-time bronzer go-to:
MAC Bronzing Power in Refined Golden
Source: MAC Cosmetics
I discovered this awesome bronzer when I had a trial run for my wedding makeup. I thought it was just the makeup artist that worked wonders (she did), but it was also her choices of makeup that really made an impact.
2. The runner-up...and often recommended on beauty message boards:
NARS Bronzing Power in Laguna
Source: Sephora
In light of the scary dangers that too much sun poses, I have turned to sunless tanner and bronzer in the past few years. Back in the old days - high school and college, even post college for some years, I was a sun worshiper. Hard to believe I know if you could see me now.
That all said, in trying to not turn mahogany, I have found some wonderful bronzers that can help a girl out. Oh, the mahogany comment comes from my dermatologist. For many many years I avoided the sun like it was the plague until my dermatologist (who I see every 6 months) told me it was okay if I got "some color...just don't turn mahogany...essentially still wear sunscreen, but 'some' sun will do you good." I will never be quite as tan as I was in my high school and college years. Yes, I will post a picture one day. Why do people look so much better when tan? Who knows, but there are ways to fake it without skin damage and skin cancer risks.
Finally, that takes us to my bronzer recommendations. Some apply bronzer to highlight areas of their face...ummm me, I put it all over my face (is that bad?), chest (depending on type of shirt), and sometimes a little on my arms (if I'm looking too tan on my face and my arms are white).
1. My all-time bronzer go-to:
MAC Bronzing Power in Refined Golden
I discovered this awesome bronzer when I had a trial run for my wedding makeup. I thought it was just the makeup artist that worked wonders (she did), but it was also her choices of makeup that really made an impact.
2. The runner-up...and often recommended on beauty message boards:
NARS Bronzing Power in Laguna
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Bellissimo in Bel Air
Last night Mark and I ventured out (on a Friday night, gasp!) to Bellissimo in Bel Air. We were shocked that at 8:00 on a Friday night in the ever busy suburb of Bel Air that we were able to get a table right away. Take a short trip to Bonefish and I would bet you that you would not be able to do that. Sidenote, apparently the Bonefish Grill in Bel Air is the busiest one in the country (ahem, I think that's because Bel Air needs some more restaurants).
Anyway, Bellissimo resides where the horribly named Crackpot once was...in an awkward location near Target. Mark and I both ordered wine...our server brought it in a little carafe but never poured it = odd. The bread that was included with our meals was very tasty. The salad was okay. No ranch dressing I learned.
I ordered one of the specials that night, Cheese Ravioli (in an alfredo sauce with crab meat on top), since it was Good Friday. Mark decided not to abide by the religious rulings of Good Friday and ordered the carbonara. My meal was okay...I would give it a 6/10. The alfredo sauce tasted like it was from a jar...not so great. It was just too overpowering. The crab meat tasted like imitation crab meat. Hey, I know we're in MD and it's not crab season, but some of the other restaurants manage to get some good crab meat from the Gulf of Mexico that is decent for the off-season.
Mark said his dish was good. Not too many details from him, ha! Unfortunately, we have Basta Pasta, one of our favorite restaurants in the area, that we compare every other Italian place to. Oh and La Scala too, but they're downtown. This meal did not even come close to Basta Pasta or La Scala. Maybe I was just being picky last night...other people have raved about Bellissimo.
To conclude, it's also worth noting that the interior of the restaurant is still odd, with lots of bare wood. They have tried to dress up the place and make it more formal but it's not working. They added some booths which are nice, but still, it doesn't have that ambiance that the other restaurants have.
Anyway, Bellissimo resides where the horribly named Crackpot once was...in an awkward location near Target. Mark and I both ordered wine...our server brought it in a little carafe but never poured it = odd. The bread that was included with our meals was very tasty. The salad was okay. No ranch dressing I learned.
I ordered one of the specials that night, Cheese Ravioli (in an alfredo sauce with crab meat on top), since it was Good Friday. Mark decided not to abide by the religious rulings of Good Friday and ordered the carbonara. My meal was okay...I would give it a 6/10. The alfredo sauce tasted like it was from a jar...not so great. It was just too overpowering. The crab meat tasted like imitation crab meat. Hey, I know we're in MD and it's not crab season, but some of the other restaurants manage to get some good crab meat from the Gulf of Mexico that is decent for the off-season.
Mark said his dish was good. Not too many details from him, ha! Unfortunately, we have Basta Pasta, one of our favorite restaurants in the area, that we compare every other Italian place to. Oh and La Scala too, but they're downtown. This meal did not even come close to Basta Pasta or La Scala. Maybe I was just being picky last night...other people have raved about Bellissimo.
To conclude, it's also worth noting that the interior of the restaurant is still odd, with lots of bare wood. They have tried to dress up the place and make it more formal but it's not working. They added some booths which are nice, but still, it doesn't have that ambiance that the other restaurants have.
Friday, April 2, 2010
It's Been Too Long!
Wow, it's been too long since my last blog post. So much has kept me busy...mainly my new job. It's been a difficult transition for many reasons. Thanks so much for all of the support from my awesome friends, family, and former co-workers. I am fortunate that my new location allows me to still see some of my friends who happen to be former co-workers. Keeping in touch with everyone is incredibly important to me!
My schedule has drastically changed. I took for granted the fact that I could work out at the gym every morning while with my old company. I would park in my building, walk across the street to the gym, work out, get ready at the gym, and walk back to work. Perfect! Now, I'm about a 10 minute walk from the gym...couple that with the fact that I have to be at my new job earlier and well the 5 am wake up calls just aren't working. I really need to get back into some routine because me not working out is not good!
I have also been getting home later and by the time I get home I don't want to do anything except take Tucker for a walk, eat, and watch some Lost episodes. Ah yes, Lost. Mark and I are obsessed with Lost. We have been watching it instantly on our blu ray player through Netflix. Such an amazing concept. We just finished Season 5 and don't know what to do now until Season 6 is released. Yikes!
Sometimes working in Finance is great...like today...since the stock market is closed! No work on a gorgeous day. Mark and I will take Tucker for a long walk on the trail today. I'm sure Tuck will enjoy wading in the streams again :)
My schedule has drastically changed. I took for granted the fact that I could work out at the gym every morning while with my old company. I would park in my building, walk across the street to the gym, work out, get ready at the gym, and walk back to work. Perfect! Now, I'm about a 10 minute walk from the gym...couple that with the fact that I have to be at my new job earlier and well the 5 am wake up calls just aren't working. I really need to get back into some routine because me not working out is not good!
I have also been getting home later and by the time I get home I don't want to do anything except take Tucker for a walk, eat, and watch some Lost episodes. Ah yes, Lost. Mark and I are obsessed with Lost. We have been watching it instantly on our blu ray player through Netflix. Such an amazing concept. We just finished Season 5 and don't know what to do now until Season 6 is released. Yikes!
Sometimes working in Finance is great...like today...since the stock market is closed! No work on a gorgeous day. Mark and I will take Tucker for a long walk on the trail today. I'm sure Tuck will enjoy wading in the streams again :)
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