New Year, New MINDSET.

5 Things for 2015

Tbqh, I don't really know where to start with this.  I have been thinking about this blog post for a long time, but I didn't want to start writing it until December 31.  I just feel like this is such a reflective day and to begin writing it anytime before then is just not right.  Thinking about and planning it in my head is one thing, but to literally take my hands to my keyboard and begin typing is another.  I did not want to do so until now.  

I also grappled with whether or not I actually wanted to even write this post.  I still don't really know how open I'm really going to be with it.  There's really something about letting people into the depths of my life that scares the shit out of me and I know a lot of people feel the same way.  Just know that I am certainly not judging you for having that feeling.  With that said, let's get started.

Being that I started this post with 'internet jargon,' that might be a subtle clue as to how I feel about 2014.  Can you feel the tone of this already?  I sure can.  It was the shittiest year I think I have ever had in my entire life.  Even when my parents got divorced in 2006 and when I have almost died multiple times in the hands of my mother as she drove us around drunk as kids were better than this.  I'm getting a bit ridiculous here and I don't mean to be morbid, but it's true.  So rather than celebrating a new year coming along, I am mainly celebrating the departure of this one.

So with that being said, lets get this thing going.

I
 I really am looking to lean on my friends this year for the support that I NEED to make 2015 the best year that I have ever had.  I am willing to admit, finally, that I don't really make my feelings known and that is what has contributed to being the death of me this past year.  I have my best friend to thank for this.  I've never had someone in my life like Ally.  Although we've been friends for a while, this year, she really helped me realize something: I ALWAYS have a wall up.  I need to let that down and depend on my friends who are here to help me, not just excuse my feelings because I feel like I'm a burden.  I'm not a burden, I just have a wall up.

II
I cannot wait to make myself the happiest person I have ever been, career-wise, this year.  All I have ever wanted, since I was a little girl, was to be successful in a career and I am BEYOND stoked to make this happen.  Career of my dreams in the city of my dreams, coming right up!

III
My family is stronger than ever but there are things that can use improvement.  I always influence my brother in many different ways but I hope that this year, I can persuade him to spend more time with us.  He's been doing better with it recently but being that I have such a small family, I try my best to make sure that I spend AS MUCH time with them as possible.

IV
I want to eat better.  I don't really know how many promises that I can make but I just want to eat waaaaaay better than I have been for the past couple of months.  I did so well and lost a TON of weight about two years ago and then life happened and I gained ALL of it back.  Imagine losing 60-ish pounds and gaining it all back after all that hard work.  Eating right is going to be the first step of doing this because my eating habits have ridiculously gone to complete shit.

V
I don't want to make anything concrete or say anything with confidence, but I want to exercise a WHOLE LOT MORE.  Reason for this?  It's the perfect coupling with eating right and I used to be so keen on running all the time and I just never do it anymore.  I even have a gym membership that I pay for and never go to!  Im convinced thats definitely how those gyms make their money.

Lastly I would like to just include something positive because I feel like often people only state negatives, things they want to change about themselves, or resolutions.  I am so proud of my strength and focus this year.  I have been thrown a PLETHORA of curve balls and my ability to try and remain focused and strong has been enough to show everyone what kind of person I am.

These couple of things are among many others that I want to accomplish this coming year.  Lets not call them resolutions but goals, for sure.  Being that I have been writing this throughout the day, I have finally finished.  I've been opening and closing my laptop multiple times at multiple hours and have been thinking about some of the things I've wanted to include.  I specifically haven't listed ANY blog goals because I have some plans.  What do you want to see happen in your life this year?  Tweet me your goals for the year or comment them below.  Perhaps we can stir up some inspiration.  -Brit.

Tartufo & Heads Up!

So let me just start this off by saying that I have been feeling SO FESTIVE in the days following Christmas than I had been for the whole season.  I don't even know why.  It has NOT been the easiest year for me AT ALL and it has really taken its toll, but being able to spend time with family and be filled with happiness for a week or two out of the year is just the best thing ever.  

Chances are that if you didn't grow up in Jersey or the surrounding area, you didn't experience Nasto's.  Maybe I'm talking out of tune here, I could be wrong.  One thing is for sure though, if you've never had it before, you haven't lived.  When I was little, my dad used to bring home Italian Ice and Sorbet in the little coconut and orange.  Ugh it was the best thing in the entire world.  On Christmas, Tartufo is an exceptional tradition.  If you've never had it, you NEED to try it one day.  

After having some leftover Tartufo the other day, we decided to play a little Heads Up, the Ellen game.  It was the best thing in the entire world.  As you know, I have been playing it at family get togethers lately just because I think it gets so intense and it's quite funny to watch family members get excited over a random word.  It just a family-appropriate, fun activity.  Don't get me wrong though, there are categories like 'Adult Supervision' that you can BET we tried playing too.  I criiiiinge when I watch back the videos, they are hilarious.  With Heads Up, it records you while you're playing and you have the option to save the video.  Needless to say they are hysterical to look back on the following day, or even five minutes later.  This was a random photo of my cousin Billy who came downstairs in the middle of one of our games.  He was showing off his outfit and watch.

I'm pretty sure I haven't mentioned on here that my one of my neighbors have moved.  I am so upset about this and miss them already!  I know I've written about some of the shenanigans we've gotten into on here before and I really miss them!  Needless to say, they were cleaning out their freezer and brought us over some of the pizza dough that they had left.  Seriously how hilarious #neighborlythings.  I cannot even explain how much I love them and wish they were still around haha.  So needless to say you better RECOGNIZE that I made this ballin' outrageous pizza.  I was so piZZed (see what I did there) that I didn't get a picture of the final product but it was still ridiculously delicious.  I took the dough and rolled it out, added some oregano and olive oil.  After that, I just literally took jarred pasta sauce, frozen peppers and mozzarella and put it all on top!  For being thrown together last minute it was really delicious.  I plan to do something interesting with the last ball of dough my neighbor gave to us.  I'll be sure to report.

Let us all take a moment and let this view sink in:

Honestly how beautiful?  The sunsets just keep getting better and better and it makes me happier and happier.  I know for a fact that they are pretty epic in the summer but when you get great ones during the winter it just makes you appreciate life that much more.  Sunsets and pretty skies are just those little things that make you think about everything you have, where you are and where you're about to be.  Do you agree?  I appreciate random moments like these because if you feel like nothing is going right in your life, you're left with a MOMENT of beautiful happiness and in that moment you feel like its possible that everything IS or CAN BE right in the future.

Have you ever tried Stroopwafel before?  I don't remember where I first heard of it but it has been a LOOOONG time since I have had it!  When I saw it in Marshalls (of all places) I had to pick it up because it's almost as if I got instant cravings for it.  I had one with peppermint tea tonight (kind of a random combination) and it was supremely awesome.  

Weather has been unseasonably warm here in NJ lately and this is proof.  The other day I was sitting in bed with the window OPEN!  It was just a stunning day outside and I was relaxing with my lavender lemon Yankee Candle so I said what better way to add to the relaxation than to open the window?  AND I DID.. AT THE END OF DECEMBER.  Little things here, little things.

Let me know how your days have been following Christmas?  Are you still feeling relaxed?  I'm trying to still feel relaxed.  Send me a tweet or leave a comment below.  -Brit.

Christmas Day #2 :)

Although I do realize I guess I never 'ended' blogmas properly yesterday, I figured I would just continue anyway, so here we go!  Today I had Christmas Day #2 with my my dad, brother, aunt, uncle and cousin.  We hung out, exchanged presents and just enjoyed each others company.     

 Here's my cousin opening his gift.  You clearly cannot see the actual gifts that I got him, but it was a Minecraft Picaxe and another Minecraft book.  He is ridiculously into Minecraft right now so it's really easy to buy gifts for him.  I think for the last two years I have been buying him lego-related stuff so it's just so nice to be able to buy him something different for a change.  It has been like this with him and I can definitely see it continuing.  When kids around this age get into something, they like it for two years and then they're onto something else.  Just like when they're little, they like it for two seconds and then they're over it.  At least it lasts longer around this age.

I also cannot believe I paid $20 for a large piece of foam.  Lols.

Here's everyone enjoying some snacks and my dad, apparently, acting like Jesus?  The sentiments here are basically what a gathering for us is like at any given time.  Let it sink in.

It's rare that my aunt and uncle get in a picture together at all, aside from a good one, so this is a gem.

We went out for a short shopping trip while they were here and while in Target Ean picked up this Nerf gun.  We spent the entire rest of the night picking up the darts so the dog didn't eat them. Casual.

Here we are playing Tenzi.  I have never heard of this before today!  My cousin got the game for Christmas and it was surprisingly interesting to play.  There are a ton of different ways you can play the game but the main way is that you have ten die and you have to keep rolling until you get all ten die to be the SAME number.  Loving it and so is the family.  As you can tell by the faces.  LOL.

As I mentioned we popped into the mall for a short shop.  We went into a couple of stores including Sephora where my cousin always loves to get every possible eyeshadow on my hand as a swatch.  Not sure if I'll blog about what I got, I don't know that I like it.  For some ODD reason, the 11 year old mind thinks this is just hysterical.  The sacrifices that we make as older relatives to younger children.  *Starts thinking of this as a blog post idea and reminds those reading to stay tuned.*  Thanks for reading all!  Merry Christmas x2 ;).  Tweet me your fun, after Christmas activities!  -Brit.

A Christmas Performance! #blogmas 25, 2014!

Merry Christmas everyone!  The day was full of awesome family, food and a special Christmas performance from my cousin Alec.  Although he performs whenever you want him to, he got a ukelele for Christmas this year so he was switching back and forth between guitar and uke.

My uncle and dad have to of course have to make the most obnoxious faces ever while cutting the prime rib.  Look at that HUGE piece of meat holy shiiiiiiit.

I just wanted to include this photo of my glittery Christmas slippers that my dad bought me.

How much of a cutie bear is my little cousin Jessica?  Here she is loving life and playing Minecraft.  She is also wearing a 'Hipster Cat' shirt and smiling with those baby blues!  We are birthday twins. :)

Here's a glory shot of that crazy insane prime rib.  Are you kidding me right now!?

Here's a quick pic of some of the weirdoes at the dessert table.  Notice almost all desserts at the OTHER end of the table.  I don't know why that happened.

From afar I had to get a photo of my dad, uncle and great uncle STRETCHING it out on the same couch.  The three biggest people in the room on one little section of the couch.  Gotta love.

Aaaaand this is how it ends.  With this picture, lol!  I love my uncle he's hilarious.  At this particular moment in time we were talking about his job and emojis.  Such a RANDOM mix. 

I hope you guys really enjoyed your Christmas!  I ate and drank a ton and just relaxed.  Tweet me photos or tell me in the comments how you celebrated!  Thanks for reading.  -Brit.

Christmas Eve! #blogmas 24, 2014!

Can you all believe that we have made it to Christmas Eve!?  This is literally insane.  I feel like it's the 'basic' thing to say but every year it comes quicker and quicker and I just cannot even fathom it.

I started my day with this GINORMOUS bug on the door.  It seriously scared the SHIT out of me in the morning when I was walking around the house.  I wanted to get coffee on right away and this is the first thing I saw chillin' by the fire extinguisher. My dad was downstairs in the basement so I RAN down there and told him about it because I just didn't want to deal with it (as the first thing I saw in the morning) and he told me the dog would take care of it before I could even touch it.  I said good thing, 'cause I'm not even going to touch it.

I also finally finished my craft that I planned on giving my friend for Christmas.  I honestly don't like the way it turned out!  I remember mentioning yesterday that there were a few things about the directions that I would change, but I think I would really want to make up the directions completely new, entirely on my own.  I came up with something to fix this one, but when I make another one, there are definitely a ton of things I'm going to change.  Stay tuned and find out, I'll definitely blog it. 

I had a classic come on in the car today so I of course had to Snapchat it and let everyone know *eye roll* I know.  Also, I had to share with you the bread that went with the delicious dinner we had!  It's literally the store brand (baked fresh inside the store) but it is SO delicious I can't even handle it.

All of these amazing ingredients were combined to make a delicious lasagna.  My dad is seriously such a great cook but the apple falls very far from the tree in that department, I suck.  While I was waiting for it to be done, I was dipping the bread into the ricotta and the extra little bit of sauce that was left over.  So bad being that I was going to eat a million calories but hey, I'm not mad at it.  I'm going to be eating and drinking a ridiculous amount tomorrow as well so might as well go all out.

I also had a couple glasses of this [yellow tail] Merlot and it was okay.  I've had it before but it's been a while.  I still enjoyed it, it's not bad for a lesser expensive wine.  I bought another wine for a gift that I spent more money on, and thats when I decided to get one for my house.  Happy, happy!  I didn't have too much tonight though because I just KNOW I'll be drinking tomorrow.  

I decided to go with this Revlon read for Christmas this year in 'Bewitching' and it looks awesome!  I was also loving the company of some Parks and Rec (I'm re-watching the entire series because I already caught up with it live and can't wait till the new season) and Christmas lights while I applied!

I was doing a little cleaning in my room tonight (because Christmas Eve is just THAT low key at my house) and I found these Hannah Montana CDs that one of my best friends Theresa made for me when we were teenagers.  We were OBSESSED with Miley Cyrus, ugh, I can't even.  #childhood

I probably shouldn't be sharing this on the blog just yet because I don't know if she's going to see it, but how ADORABLE are these mason jar shot glasses!? I know she's going to absolutely love these!  They look HUGE in the photo on the box and they are bigger than a normal shot glass, but they aren't THAT big!  Hahaha, although once in a while it is fine to *iNdUlGe* you know, you know.

Finally, here sits everything.. completely quiet!  Waiting for Santa here at the house.  I hope you all have a great Christmas tomorrow, I cannot wait to spend the next two days with my amazing family.  What are your plans for celebrations?  Tweet them to me or leave a comment!  -Brit.

The Joyous (& Not SO Joyous) Christmas Moments #blogmas 22-23, 2014!

As you all know there are some awesome and not so awesome moments during the Christmas season.  Most likely when you're out and about you are more susceptible to experiencing those nasty Christmas moments with people driving like idiots, climbing onto the shelves of the stores, etc.  But with that being said, there are some pretty amazing, relaxing and fun moments that happen when you're home with family, enjoying what the holiday is meant to be about.  This #blogmas installment is all about a healthy mixture of the two of these types of moments.

I'm pretty sure I talked about this already and in previous years on the blog but I am just obsessed with Twisted Peppermint from Bath and Body Works.  I just love the scent because it reminds me of Christmas and one of my favorite things about Christmas, candy canes!  Ugh, just give it a try!  This is probably something very 'basic' of me but if it makes me basic, I don't want to be complex.  Mhm.

Coming in and out of New York during Christmas is always the best treat in the entire world.  If you don't live in the area, I truly feel bad for you.  Sorry, I didn't mean to make that sound mean but I just cannot get enough of the city at anytime of the year but Christmas it's just magical.  There are tons of photos being uploaded to Instagram and Twitter everyday so definitely be sure to check them out (mine perhaps: @brittanyirvine).  ;)  As you can obviously tell the photo on the left is a snapchat that I forgot to save before I posted it of some of the simple but beautiful decorations right off of 9th ave.

Another not so joyous aspect of the Christmas season is the FREEZING cold weather.  Of course though, you have to make the best out of it and thats exactly what I did - with these earmuffs.  I just absolutely love them so much and best part?  I got them at MARSHALLS!  When im waiting for trains on the platform (especially in the morning at about 545am) I just NEED to be warm and these amazing earmuffs do the job, they are plain black and thats ~*aLl iVe eVeR wAntEd.

 

A specifically joyous occasion around the holiday time can be looking at and the surfacing of old photos!  How adorable is this one of my dad, brother and I?  I just love it!  I recently found a whole bunch of old photos and I was so excited because I didn't think I had ANY.  When my parents got divorced my mom got almost everything, almost all of the photos included, so I had no recollection of any that we may have.  I couldn't tell you how old I am here, I always really bad at judging ages.  I just remember distinctly my dad walking around in this costume and every once in a while asking us to 'oil him' as the tin man had run out of oil.  Hahahha, way to bring Wizard of Oz magic to life.

The left two are photos of how I like to spend my time relaxing, aka another one of the joyous aspects of the Christmas season.  Relaxation is the best thing ever, especially if you have been doing nothing but stressing over everything lately.  

On the top right, you've guessed it, it's a photo of the inside of Olive Garden.  I think I already touched on going here, I know I tweeted about it.  Theres just something to be said about taking the time and going out to eat with your friends.  It just gives you peace of mind when you just sit down, stop the world and download with a great friend/group of friends.  ESPECIALLY around Christmastime.  The bottom right photo is of my favorite pair of booties.  I can't really tell you WHY I decided to take this photo but I just love these booties, I got them from Aldo last season but I don't think I'll ever get enough of them.  Another joy of Christmastime/finding the best in the freezing cold weather - wearing the boots that you love (even if they're from last season).  

I know, I know.  GROSS right!?  When Ally sent me this picture though, I just immediately started dying laughing, I couldn't get enough.  She just texted me saying, 'He was standing outside of Ripleys!!'  Ally and her fiance headed down to Atlantic City for the weekend and I'm pretty sure all she came back with was this photo.  The weekend was more for relaxation and not going crazy, but nonetheless it was still hilarious  and definitely worth sharing with you!  I'm sure she'd beg to differ.    

I just posted about how my house is decorated for Christmas, another joy of the holiday season.  We literally JUST decorated and I was getting nervous that we weren't going to have ANYTHING going on for Christmas which would have made me so sad.  This is a shorter, fake tree but it's really all we had going on for us this year.  It still makes me really excited to wake up and see it everyday though and thats all that matters.  If you'd like to see other decor for Christmas, check it out here.

Now this is just something.  I was in Marshalls the other day and I saw this woman that was literally DIVING into the shelves!  I couldn't believe what I was seeing and I had to get a photo of it.  I sent it to a couple of friends and they were all in agreement - people have lost their minds.  I know around Christmastime everyone does start losing their minds a little bit but this is just out of control.  I guess thats what I get for shopping when theres only about three days left.  

The photo on the right is one that I believe you have all seen already.  I put a cool filter on it and made it my twitter photo, but this is it without the filter.  I just love wearing red lipstick around Christmas because what other time of the year is more perfect?  I have also been thinking about cutting my hair but I don't know if I ACTUALLY want to do it or not.  I know that I will probably regret my decision but I just am DYING for a change!  In February it will be about a year since I last cut my hair and I cut a lot off.  I'm still thinking, eeee!

I live for the lights in Point Pleasant around this time of year!  They are the epitome of Christmas.

Finally, I have some crafting!  I made a gift for one of my best friends for Christmas and I do plan to write a post exclusively about it.  There are a few things that I would have changed and clarified from the original directions, but you will see that when I post it!  The above photo just looks a glittery mess.

I hope you enjoyed this random post about the joyous and not so joyous aspects of Christmastime!  Let me know whether you agree or not and how you're celebrating!  Tweet me or leave a comment and thank you so much for reading as usual!  -Brit.

Christmas Decorations! #blogmas 21, 2014!

I struggled with what todays entry should be about as I spent the day doing some Christmas shopping.  I was pretty busy and I've always wanted to vlog but I just can't get on with doing it in public.  People would be looking at me like I was psychotic if I did here in ole Jersey.  I've decided that I would show you a couple of photos of Christmas decorations outside in my neighborhood along with the following two RANDOM photos. 

I was at Marshalls today and found these MOST AMAZING peach rings.  Ever since I was a little girl I have always been OBSESSED with these.  My aunt used to buy them all of the time and we used to enjoy them together!  The photo on the right is me making a silly face with my one of my favorite Christmas lip colors (Retro by MAC).  Lets get the xmas decorations started with this amazing sunset first.  I hope you enjoy them!

Here is the inside of my house and the decorations that we have going on!  Please notice my 'Welcome Fall' craft this is still hanging on the wall there in the background.

I hope you all enjoyed the decorations!  Tweet me pictures of lights in your neighborhood or leave some of your holiday traditions in the comments below!  Thank you for reading.  -Brit.