RIP GEORGE

My plans originally were to relaunch the blog on September 1. When I found out that it was a Thursday, that for some reason bothered me and I didn't like the idea of restarting something when it wasn't happening on a Monday. Although it marked the beginning of a brand new month, I just had a problem with it for some reason. Despite my reservations, it was all ready, content planned, and launch date selected for September 1... until August 28 happened.

PLAYING WITH PIZZA

I recently went to my family's annual Pizza Making Party.  It is one of the best get togethers that we have all year long because it's just so much and enjoyable for everyone, even the kids.  This year just seemed like so much more fun than normal and I can't quite pinpoint why.  We had a great time just all being together, making the pizzas, making homemade, fresh mozzarella, listening to some live entertainment and it was just all over merriment.  I wore my light-up Christmas necklace (it's bad ass), we drank wine, the fire alarm went off, I watched Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer for the frist time EVER, and it was just the bees knees hanging out with the family.  Check out some of the pictures from our party here:

HAPPY 55TH BIRTHDAY DAD

Today is my father's 55th birthday.  I cannot possibly explain in this blog post how much he means to me.  The amount of shit that we have been through as a family (him, my brother + I) is absolutely unbelievable.  Of all his 55 years on this earth, I hope that they just continue to get better and better because he deserves nothing but everything and more.  

I don't know if that even makes sense, but my family is everything to me.  I think you get the point!  Cheers to you, Dad! Check out how we celebrated.

Battleview Orchards | Fall 2015

Fall is officially here and we are definitely starting to feel it in the air.  If one thing's for sure, the weather is changing rapidly and I can't say I am thrilled about it.  Apple picking always makes me feel better about the seasons changing though and for the past couple of years, my family has been going to Battleview Orchards in Freehold, NJ.  Here's some pictures from 2015's trip.

My 25th Birthday!

I literally cannot believe that I am 25 years old.  It is insane to think that I am going to experience the proverbial 'quarter life crisis' soon.  As if I haven't had enough crisis already, LOL.  As far as I'm concerned though, this year is starting out pretty great.  Ever since I made some of the decisions that I briefly talked about in my blog post about New Year goals, I have started feeling the best that I possibly can.  Emotions-wise, health-wise, etc.  

To be honest, it always kind of sucked having a birthday a week after Christmas.  The only thing I can think about now though, as an older person and as I have been getting older, is how awesome it really is.  I don't look at it as, 'Oh this sucks, presents are the same, celebrations are combined, etc.' I look at it as a new beginning, a full calendar year to start another year long journey of my life.  Awesomeness.

Every year on my birthday I always put on the same nail polish: Deborah Lippmann's Happy Birthday!  You need multiple coats if it's the only thing you want on the nail but I chose to just throw on Pink Pineapple from Revlon which is one of their Parfumiere polishes.  They are adorable and smell so good!  At least some of them do, lol.  Please excuse the random cut I have on my pointer.

The day started with some adorable messages of love from my Aunt on Instagram.  She gets aggressive on Instagram, so this is a big deal.  Gotta love her and that obnoxious as fuck picture she chose of me to include.  Thanks Aunt Kar, lol.  Also, this banana that we found on the walkway to our house when we were getting in the car.  Apparently my brother dropped it in the dark in the morning on his way to work?

There are no edits on this photo but it just looks perfect for some reason.  We started the day by driving up to Ikea.  The closest location to me and where my family is up north is the one in Elizabeth.  I wanted to look at a couple of things for storage in my room.

We started off at the cafe because we were starving.  Look at all the food on my tray.  I honestly promise you that I didn't eat all of this.  I hated the cinnamon roll.  Everyone always says Ikea cinnamon rolls are the best things ever but there was nothing special about it and it was gross to me lol.  I had one half of my wrap and all of the French fries.  It was my birthday, so even if I did end up eating everything, I wouldn't have cared.  Thank you very much.  #NoJustificationREALLYNeeded

Heres my dad just loving his life.

After fielding all of my birthday texts while we drove all the way to my uncles house, we finally got there.  We had some coffee and then I grabbed my cousin and we headed down Route 4 to Garden State Plaza for some shopping.  There was definitely an accident so it took us like 8 years to get there.  So annoying but we eventually made it and then I shopped my face off for my birthday.

Here are a few glamour shots of the drive up to my uncles house.  We pass Newark Airport and New York City to the East.  Can you see the plane and the skyline?

You know I was Snapchatting the day away.  Here are a few of the ones I included in my story.  

Here are a few eXcEpTiOnAlLy* flattering photos of my family at dinner.  We missed my brother as he was working but it was a nice meal altogether.  It was funny, we were sitting there waiting for our food and all of a sudden we saw JaRule enter the restaurant.  My cousin Pat spotted him and now all I have been singing for the past two days is 'Always On Time.'  Oddly, I can't say I'm mad at it.  We ate at Grand Lux Cafe in Paramus at the GSP.  They are owned by the same people that do Cheesecake Factory so you know it was delicious!    

I had a great day and I can't wait to celebrate with my friends soon!  How do you all celebrate your birthdays?  I will be continuing the celebration for the rest of the month :).  I also did a cute vlog of the day that I plan to maybe upload tomorrow or Monday.  Tweet me!  -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.

TUT, NYC & Dinner. #blogmas Days 9-17, 2014!

Ugh, I know.  I deserve all of the scolding that there is in the world.  I have been SO BAD with blogmas and honestly, I cannot believe it.  I have been so busy and stressed lately that I just have been neglecting so many things, not just the blog.  It really doesn't make me happy but let us carry on.

I feel like this is a photo that you can see everywhere all over social media: photo of girl in subway door's reflection.  I don't know, it was in the moment.  I know I've talked about these e-mails from TUT before but I just cannot get enough!  Its just the little bit of love and encouragement you sometimes need in the morning.  Sometimes it's actually pretty scary how accurate it is with where you are in your life.

I just feel like its my ~*dUtY*~ to show you the Christmas magic of Macys so theres that.  You can clearly tell that I was on the go as the photo is a bit blurry but thats okay.

This photo from the next day depicts the train at 545am.  I just had this feeling that the train was acting like a 'salty bitch' so early in the morning with that BRIGHT LIGHT.  oooofah.  You know I had to also share my selfie on the train with my brand new earmuffs.  Oh my gawl I cannot even tell you how obsessed I am with these, they make me the happiest ever and keep me super warm.  I feel like earmuffs get me into the Christmas spirit, especially when no one around me really is.  

As I was walking to a building today, I spotted this dog.  DANG.  I guess its a poodle?  Interesting, but in person it was bigger than it looks in this picture.  I also had to share my interactions with Benefit on Twitter.  They have always been pretty good with social media and the way they answer their customers.  I think thats whats most important when you're working in social, interacting and forming a relationship with your followers and consumers.  This makes for a long-lasting experience and the potential for more interaction and engagement. 

On the left is just this ~*aDoRaBLe*~ photo that I found recently.  I know its basically the wrong season/holiday but I just had to post it.  How adorable are my dad and brother!?  So lame that I was wearing a cat costume but I don't think that I have warn another costume since this (questionable).  On the right, my latest obsessions all in one photo.  I cannot get enough of this hand jewelry.  This is the second time that I have bought one and I can seemingly only find ones that I like at Forever 21.  I mean I'm not complaining because they are fairly inexpensive, but it would be cool if I could find ones that I actually like at other places!  Also not to mention my amazing Mr.Kate BeautyMarks that I FINALLY received in the mail.  I had been playing around with other Flash Tattoos in the past but I always wanted Mr.Kate BeautyMarks so I finally ordered some and I couldn't be happier. (Full post to come on these soon as I have so many things to say.)

 

I went out for dinner and to Marshalls the other day and I saw this comforter.  I was soooo close to picking it up but I just couldn't commit.  I desperately need a comforter or something because I don't have one right now but I just cannot find one that I love.  I have been looking for some that are bohemian/Moroccan-themed because thats the look I want for my room but I have only been seeing duvet covers and I don't want to have to buy a duvet just to use the duvet cover.  On the right is another token selfie.  For some reason, I just loved this one.  What do you think?  Do you know anywhere I can look for some cute bohemian/Moroccan-themed comforters?

I cannot get enough of the above two photos.  I asked them to pose for a photo and Bill (who was sitting next to me) was trying to get in there at the last minute.  These two were the results and I cannot get enough.  I love these people, sometimes family is just the best thing in life.  Actually, they always are.  

The other day I went to Olive Garden for dinner!  I was so excited because I hadn't been there in the longest time.  When I was younger I used to be OBSESSED with it and go every birthday.  I'm still obsessed but I can't remember the last time I went to OG on my bday, sad.  I tweeted them this picture when I was there the other day and they of course answered me.  They are an example of another company that is really great with their social.

So this is whats been going on for the past couple of days.  So sorry I haven't been posting everyday, I just have been beyond stressed.  I always love how it feels to release emotions and talk about the fun in my life when there doesn't seem to be too much of it; thats why I never forget to do so.  As I leave you now to go attend to some laundry, I hope you have a great night!  How are you celebrating Christmas this year?  Any awesome recipes to share with me?  Let me know in a tweet/comment.  Thank you so much for reading as always.  Talk to you soon.  -Brit.