Random Ramblings

I'm a bad blogger with zero inspiration. But you know what, some of my fave posts on other blogs are conglomerations of little thoughts, ideas and whatnot that may not all go together, but certainly are interesting.

At the risk of sounding like June Cleaver, I bought myself an apron and I'm totally excited about it. I saw a picture of it somewhere online last year, and finding it became my obsession. All I knew was that it came from Target and it was adorable. Lo and behold, after basically giving up, it jumped out an surprised me while I was buying dishtowels at Tar-jay last weekend! My sister, who was with me when I found my dear and darling apron, now knows for certain that I'm nuts. My excitement level was probably higher than was really warranted, but oh well.

See? Adorable. Totally worth the stares I'm sure I got for my outburst. I bake a lot, and I am pretty darn messy, so this will spare my clothing. I'm a messy eater too, so I may wear it at dinnertime as well.

On the same shopping trip, I picked up my (other) new favorite household gadget and must spread the word.

Wonder Hangers. My sister made me buy them, and I am glad. You get 8 hangers for $10, so you can hang 45 articles of clothing. Now, I will say this: they're not as fabulous and durable as the infomercials want you to believe (shocking, right?) I wouldn't trust them to hang winter coats or big purses as they show in the commercials. Heck, I don't think I'd put Hubby's XL Polo shirts on them, honestly. But for my size small shirts (especially the tanks and cami's) they are a godsend. Our master bedroom closet is big, but not as big as we'd like (I don't know how it's possible, but my husband owns more clothes than me. And lots of big clothes take up a lot of space) so this will help out big time.

I'll end by passing on a recipe for the cake I made for a co-worker's birthday. He's a founding partner at the law firm I work at, 87 years young, and has a sweet tooth to rival any child. I knew a light, airy angel food cake with some berry puree over top would not do for him. So I pulled out the big guns. If you scoff at the use of cake mix, then x out and make fun all you want. I see no shame in using a mix. Anyhow, I present to you, Betty Crocker's Better Than Anything Cake:


1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® German chocolate cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
1 jar (16 to 17 oz) caramel, butterscotch or fudge topping
1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 bag (8 oz) toffee chips or bits


1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Bake cake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan.
2. Poke top of warm cake every 1/2 inch with handle of wooden spoon. Drizzle milk evenly over top of cake; let stand until milk has been absorbed into cake. Drizzle with caramel topping. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours

A few of the reviews said it was still good when sugar free products were used, so I used a box of sugar free devils food cake mix I already had (accidental purchase, I'm usually not a big sugar-free fan). I also only used about half of the caramel sauce, as well as fat free cool whip. It was still a purely decadent sugar rush. A square the size of about half a playing card was enough for me. Co-Worker had seconds and went back for a third slice later in the afternoon. Good stuff!

Hmmm....

In 2 months, I will be cruising the Caribbean. Hubby and I will be celebrating our one year anniversary and finally taking our belated honeymoon cruise.

Problem is, my hips and thighs didn't shrink like I'd planned them to. Maybe, oh I don't know, because I've been a sedentary bum who drinks far too much Coke? Just a guess.

I've gained 10 pounds in the last year, thanks to stress and changes in my lifestyle. 10 isn't all that much, but when you're only 4'10", it is (yes, I am midget-esque). It's mainly, as I said, in my lower half (Why it couldn't go to the boobal region, I don't know). This will not be cute in a swimsuit.

So I've started really being aware of how many calories I'm taking in. Not obsessive. I'm not depriving myself or staying up at night freaking out about how many calories were in my carrot sticks. But I think twice before shoving down that cookie. I haven't given up soda completely (I cannot live that way) but my very occasional soda-of-choice is Diet Dr. Pepper. I'm aware there is no magic wand to wave to make the pounds disappear. "Eat less, move more" is the only way, so it's my mantra. I hate sweating, so this is a bit of a problem, but swimming, jump roping, hula hooping, weight training and inching my way toward the Couch to 5K program is better than nothing.

Hubby's on board (and quite honestly could benefit too). I don't think 2 months is an unreasonable time to shed a few pounds. 10 may not happen, but even 5 will help. Lean meats, whole grains, lots and lots of veggies. We grill just about every other night. I think the changes we're making will add up quickly. More importantly, they are changes we can handle and don't mind making. Sometimes you just have to shake yourself and get yourself on track, ya knows?

I'd like to start planning out our meals and shopping list for the week. Hubby's schedule is crazy (especially once basketball season starts!), so I'll have to be flexible. I'm thinking that has to be infinitely easier than my usual method of staring into the freezer 'til I settle on something to try to defrost quickly.

However, don't think for a minute I'm cutting out my glass o' wine while cooking dinner or cleaning. It will not get done otherwise, trust me. I may switch to vodka with diet tonic and lime (my fave cocktail). I'm all about sacrificing. (I need booze to clean...add that to the list of things I should not be admitting publicly. Oh well, too late. *Publish Post*)

My evil plan worked!

Ok, so I wasn't actually plotting anything (evil or otherwise), but I am pleasantly surprised by the results of my actions.

Hubby and I have different ideal timelines for starting a family. Hubby is of the "sooner rather than later" mindset. He claims he doesn't want to be an "old dad" (um, honey, you're 31, that's nowhere near old). Me, I'd like to wait a year or two. My reasoning is that we've only been married for 10 months and a couple for only 2 years, and I want some quality "husband and wife time", before we're full time mom and dad.

Recently, I've been trying to warm up to the idea of pushing the timetable up a bit. I've been reading pregnancy websites and blogs. I found some old baby books out in the garage and brought them in to read. I've been quizing Hubby on his opinions regarding circumcision, disposable diapers, and formula feeding.

So last night, as we're lying in bed and I'm rambling on for the 23rd time about which room should be the nursery and what I should do with all my arts/crafts stuff in there, he announces that he's perfectly content with waiting a bit longer to start having little ones and not to worry.

It may have been my questions about his blood type and genetic testing that put him over the edge. It may have been his way to avoid cleaning out all my junk in the future nursery. Whatever it is, I'm happy he's content with having a few more football seasons and summer vacations as "just us two". You know, so we can tell our kids about how cool we used to be.

I'm baaack...

Jesusjosephandmary, computers are more trouble than they're worth. In technical terms, Blogger "ate" my password and wouldn't let me in. I considered telling Blogger where to go and starting over again, but as meager as my blog is I'd still have been sad to lose it. Miraculously, it seems Blogger has reconsidered me as a member and is now back to its usual self. *fingers crossed* Thank you for not forgetting me!

Considering it has been forever since I've blogged, I don't even know where to start to catch up! Let's see...well, my Magic didn't win it all (though I'm very proud of them)...but our vacation was awesome! Here's a quick re-cap:

Savannah: Eating at Paula's was an experience to be remembered. The mashed potatoes had to have a butter to potato ratio of 1:1, and that is a beautiful thing. It was as hot as hell, but a fantastic day of quaint old buildings, parks, and history. Not to be too elequent, but I freaking LOVE Savannah.

The Tennessee/Virginia leg: Our trip to Chattanooga and Ruby Falls and our drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway may top the list of most beautiful things these eyes have ever seen. Remember, I am a Florida girl who has never strayed far from the coast--nearly 30, and only now seeing mountains for the first time! We stopped at some darling wineries and even picked blueberries along the way!

Annapolis: visiting with my family was therapeutic and relaxing. I love Annapolis (helloooo, Midshipmen!) and the sight-seeing there, as well as our trip into Washington, D.C. Best of all, my lifelong goal of seeing the Baltimore Orioles play at Camden Yards was realized---and in bottom of the 9th, come-from-behind victory style, no less! I felt like my mom was there (she grew up an O's fan).

Then I'm home, getting back into the swing of things and BOOM! the beautiful and special Farrah Fawcett is gone. I always loved her (all my Barbies were named Farrah). I have a picture of my mom wearing her hair "Farrah style". I grew to truly admire her during her fight with cancer. Generally, I find people's obsession with celebrity to be a bit odd. I'm in the minority, but I just don't see the fact that someone is beautiful and in movies that you like as good enough reason to want to be like them or call them a hero. In full disclosure, I partially tried out bangs because Reese Witherspoon looked so cute with them, but that's where I draw the line. Some celebrities use their celebrity to do things worthy of our admiration, and with the attention she brought to her struggle with cancer, Farrah was one of them. Even as a cancer-free 20-something, she did cancer PSAs. Anal cancer has such an unnecessary negative stigma, and I really think she helped begin clear that. I am glad that she has brought attention to a lesser-known, lesser-researched cancer. Anal cancer doesn't get an awareness month, or sell cute pink products to raise money to fight it (Please don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking breast cancer's "success", I'm simply saying it gets a lot of attention and is not the only cancer out there...I've known dozens of women effected by breast cancer and lost a dear aunt to it 12 years ago, obviously I want a cure and am glad any disease--especially a woman's disease--is getting attention). Remember when no one wanted to talk about prostate cancer? Thank goodness that has changed. All in all, I am sad that Farrah has passed away and hope her family is making it through ok (I know first hand that even when a death is expected, it is not easier to deal with). They are all in my prayers, and I am thankful that Farrah was able to do such good for so many. What a legacy!

That was a long, poorly organized paragraph that I am too lazy to go back and edit. I apologize to your eyes and mind.

I have yet to upload my photos to Facebook or send them off to Walgreen's for printing for our summer scrapbook, but as soon as I do I will try to get some pictures of our travels up.

Blue and White, Ignite!

Say it with me now, nice n' loud: "Let's go Ma-gic! Let's go Ma-gic!"

Game 3 is tonight, and it's do or die.

I honestly have not lost faith in the team. This is a very special group of men. And we're at home now! I know I've hardly had any posts regarding anything other than the Magic lately, but seriously y'all, they're consuming my life now!

We're super lucky to have gotten tickets for the game (at face value). The perks of being season ticket holders: a good thing. My sister, her husband, Hubby and I are all going tonight. We'll meet up downtown around 6:30 to get some dinner before the game, then stroll over to the Arena to take in Fan Fest. The city is electrified, and I am tickled blue and white about it. As people who've loved our Magic through the good and the bad, it's so fantastic to see them doing well and to have an entire city behind them. They're even closing down several blocks of the main road through downtown! They've extended last call to 3am! The City Beautiful is The City Bluetiful. The Magic have been in the Finals only one other time, back in 1995. It was exhilarating then, but even moreso for us now as adults.

My nails are blue. I'm wearing my star jewelry. I have my Jameer Nelson jersey laid out at home, ready to put on. I may even get crazy with some sparkly blue eyeliner.

With a tip off time of 9 o'clock EDT, I will be one tired puppy at work tomorrow. Hopefully, it will all be worth it. Like I said, I have total faith in this team. We may be down at the moment, but don't make the mistake of counting us out.

Believe in Magic

Let me tell you, I am on Cloud 9 right now! My favorite team, the team that I have been with since day one, my Orlando Magic are Eastern Conference Champions!

Bring it, Kobe. Bring it on! lol...

I have a friend who is a Celtics fan, and he tells me that there's no way what we (Magic fans) have can or ever will compare to what they (Celtics fans) have. Fiddle-dee-dee. I appreciate the history of such a storied franchise, but to me there is nothing more amazing than to be a part of a team from the very beginning and to be able to say "I was there for that, I remember how that felt" for every milestone.

I love Stan. I love Dwight (a 100% class act). I love Rashard, Hedo, JJ, Mickael, Rafer (thank goodness for Rafer!), Tony, AJ, Courtney, Adonal, T-Lue, The Polish Hammer, and of course dear Jameer.

Hopefully the most difficult thing about this series will be avoiding all the purple in my wardrobe for the next 2 weeks!

Sephora

I saw this on Facebook and thought it'd be cute to post. The original "answers" posted on their site are a bit gag-worthy. Totally un-subtle "I hope you're too dumb to realize I'm shilling" advertising annoys me.

Welcome to Sephora's 25 Beauty Confessions! You know the drill - if I tagged you, it's because I want to know how you really get so gorgeous! Copy/Paste this list on a new Note in your NOTES application. Tell all - then tag your fellow beauty addicts. Don't forget to tag the person who tagged you.


1. What is the 1 product you'd grab if your house was on fire?
As big of a beauty junkie as I am, the last thing I'd be thinking about saving as my house burned down would be a tube of lipstick. I think that's their overly dramatic way of asking what my fave product is. If that's what they mean, I think I love my Stila eyeshadows the most.

2. Which friend would you let make you over?
Ummm, none. No offense. ;)

3. What celeb do people think you look like?
I get Reese Witherspoon and Amy Adams a lot. One guy I dated swore up and down I looked just like Beverly D'Angelo.

4. What beauty product do you save for date night?
I just do my regular makeup, but a bit heavier. More eyeliner, or a true smokey eye. I'll wear anything anytime (in an appropriate form, of course).

5. Which of your guy friends takes longer than you, to get ready?
Hubby has been known to take his sweet time getting ready... :)

6. If you could create your own miracle beauty product, what would it be?
I would really love a body lotion with a high spf that didn't smell synthetic/chemically, sinks in quickly, and actually moisturizes. I want to be able to apply it, then go on with my other morning preparations and not feel like I'm getting ready to head out to the pool. I am tired of smelling bad and feeling all gummy. And I want to be able to buy it at a drugstore for under $12 a bottle.

7. How many different Sephora stores have you been to (and in which cities)?
Wow...just the Orlando store, I think! I feel so unworldly, all the sudden. My sister did take a picture of the store in Times Square when she visited, just for me. She knows what I care about, ha.

8. What's your best beauty tip?
Wear sunscreen! Don't smoke! Blondes--lay off the heavy black eyeliner, you look trampy (are you trying to look like Tara Reid after a bender?) Blend your eye shadow! Exfoliate!

9. What beauty products do you love to splurge on?
Philosophy skincare and bath/body products. "Love" isn't the word so much as "worth it", regarding their skincare. Foundations and concealers are also worth spending a bit more for, especially if you can get a nice sample first.

10. Which of your girlfriends would you bring on a Sephora shopping spree?
When I go to Sephora (or even Ulta) I need solitude. Or at least someone who is just peachy with me spending 45 minutes in deep thought and general silence as I browse the isles, smudge products all over the back of my hands and (9x out of 10) leave without purchasing.

11. What is your signature scent?
Philosophy Pure Grace or Amazing Grace. I also love Stella McCartney's Stella and DKNY Red Delicious for night time. RL Romance is a standby fave too.

12. I am on an endless quest for the perfect _________.
Taupe eyeshadow.

13. How old were you when you were allowed to wear makeup AND how old were you when you actually started wearing makeup?
Sixteen (both allowed and started). My mother was a lot smarter than the others, there was no use trying to snow her. I will allow concealer (ie, the one product that would have made middle school more bearable), appropriate mascara and gloss for my kids once they're 13, but no heavy foundations or eyeliner.

14. How many beauty products does it take to get you ready?
::counts:: 15 In my defense, that's hair, makeup and fragrance.

15. What lipstick/lip gloss is in your purse right now?
I try to only carry one lip product in my purse at a time...right now it's Revlon Glossy Rose Super Lustrous lipgloss. A great "my lips but better" color, and cheap!

16. Who is your celebrity beauty icon?
Reese, Kate Hudson, Nicole Kidman

17. Where is the craziest place you've ever applied your makeup?
Probably an airplane...generally, I think anything more than a lipstick touch up or a pat of powder from your compact should be done in private.

18. Who of your tagged friends is ALWAYS camera ready?
n/a

19. Name the beauty brand you'd most love to be a spokesperson for?
Philosophy--because I could say fabulous things about the line and be able to be 100% honest (except Kiss Me lip balm--that stuff is awful)

20. If you could name your signature nail polish, what would you call it?
Kate (it'd be a bright and summery PINK with a purple duo shimmer to it) Zoya has a "Kate", but it is a hideous "mom mauve". Do I own it, regardless of how barfy the color is, just for the name? You betcha.

21. Out of your tagged friends, who's the most Sephora-obsessed?
n/a

22. Fave mascara right now?
Cover Girl Lash Blast or L'Oreal Voluminous. I refuse to buy high end mascara, only to toss it after 3 months.

23. The last thing you bought at Sephora?
I used to live 10 minutes from the mall with Sephora. Since moving, my damage has been online only. My last order was 1/5/09: Sephora brand dry oil (tangerine grapefruit) and Bliss "The Big Orange" set (Blood Orange & White Pepper body butter and body wash).

24. I try never to be seen without wearing _______.
I always wear makeup when I go out (meaning a bare minimum mineral powder foundation, blush, concealer, a wash of shadow, liner, mascara and gloss). At 8 am Sunday morning I might run to Publix bare faced, but that's it. Call me vain, fine, but it only takes 5 minutes and I feel better when put together.

25. One beauty product you recommend to ALL of your girlfriends?
The Ped Egg!