let's get creative

Often times I start swooning over something I find online that’s just way out of my budget. That’s when I say “Hey..I can make that” but do I ever get around to actually making it? Well, let’s just say I have really good intentions. I’ve finally put my foot down now..I have lined up a few projects that are going to be made. And that’s that.

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I came across this nautical bracelet just earlier today and my first thought was “oohh, I hope it’s cheap”. Of course it wasn’t, unless you think 60 Euro’s is cheap (in which case can I just say I envy you?). I went to X out of the website before I got too attached and realized this bracelet is only made up of rope, chain, and a clasp. I’m not quite sure why they think they can charge that much but you know what I am sure of? That I’ll spend between $15 and $20 between Michaels and Home Depot for supplies and probably be able to make a pretty decent knock off along with a matching necklace. Take that glam-net.com! Deadline to get this project done- I’ll give myself 2 weeks (if I can find all the materials)

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 I need a new camera strap since the one that came with Edith (yea, I think that’s what I’m naming her. Stay tuned though, I’m not 100% sure..) is too short, flimsy, and plain ol’ boring black. As far as I’m concerned, this is the friggin bee’s knee’s as far as camera straps go but there is no way I can go about rationalizing spending $130 on a camera strap. Hubby mightttt have an aneurysm. Also, I think I’d prefer to wear my camera crossbody down on my hip so I don’t feel so nerdy with it around my neck, yuck. I found some nifty instructions on how to make a camera strap here so I can make my dream strap for the cost of some fabric and a $3 dog leash. All I’d have to do (besides obviously not mess it up) is make a purdy bow, put ruffles everywhere, and add a lens cap holder (because if I keep up my current habits of putting it in pockets and bags it’s sure to get lost). Deadline to get this project done- October 15th so it’ll be ready for our weekend in Boston.

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This is actually a sweater but the only part I have any interest in is that gorgeous cowl and lord knows I won’t spend $128 on a sweater unless I love every inch of it. Ok, let’s get real, I won’t spend $128 on a sweater unless I’m under the influence of some serious alcohol, or heavy medication. Anyway, the only materials this project will require is some fabric and yarn. It won’t hurt the wallet much but it will be mighty labor intensive. All that braiding, weaving, and inevitable sewing by hand. Ouch. Better start on this now if I want to be able to wear it in season. Deadline to get this project done- December(ish).

Better get going…a trip to Michael’s is now in order.

never thought i'd say this but

I’m going camping???

Yea, I’m still not so sure how to feel about this. How’d this happen, you say? Wellllll, apparently someone in my circle of friends does an annual camping trip, there were some cancellations, and we were invited. My exact words were “Well, I’m definitely in (cuz god forbid I say no to anything) but you know how Ryan is“. And what I meant by “you know how Ryan is” is that he’s very scheduled, not very spontaneous (although 2 weeks notice is barely spontaneous), and can sometimes be a big stick in the mud in regards to big party atmospheres.

I went home and the conversation went something like this..

Me- Hey, wake up!!

Ryan- Why? What? Oh heyyy, you’re home.

Me- Yea, hi, soooo this is totally up to you and believe me I won’t be one ounce mad if you say no but the girls invited us camping the weekend after the fourth. The guys are all going along with like 50 other people we don’t know, lots of partying going on. What do you think?

Ryan- Sounds like fun. Let’s go online and price out tents.

..talk about a plan backfiring. What plan? I don’t really know..I didn’t have time to create a fool proof one. If I was smart I just wouldn’t have opened my mouth and blamed us not going on Ryan when he wasn’t around.

Since I’m kind of being a negative nancy about this let’s go through the cons of this trip first.

Cons- BUGS!! and even worse..bears!!, no cell phone service, the possibility of being hung over in the woods, the possibility of dealing with others being hung over in the woods, having to use a filthy shower (if I’m lucky- there could be none), no cell phone service, having to dress for function over fashion for 3 days, on that note..no full face of make-up (you can’t make me give up my eyeliner though!!), having to walk in the dark to use a bathroom, oh..and did I mention no cell phone service??!!

And well, there has to be some good points since I am going under my own free will..

Pros- spending a weekend with my awesome friends, beers galore, white water rafting, making smores on a real camp fire (no more backyard fire pits for me!), having a little getaway from our normal routine, living off of BBQ food for 48 hours, oh and the slim possibility of seeing Jason Voorhees..from a distance of course.

Until the jury’s no longer out on my feelings towards this trip I’m just going to focus on what I have to bring because god knows I love to organize and pack for a trip. That should distract me until it’s time to leave. Here’s my list so far-

Sleeping arrangements- tent, air mattress, pillows, sheets, blanket

Food- burgers (with all the fixin’s), marinating shish kabobs, maybe some hot dogs and chicken?, everything for smores, a bag of cheddar potato stix (obviously), and once I figure out what we can bring for breakfast that’ll be added, too

Drinks- 24 pk. Of Corona’s, Sam Adam’s Cherry Wheat, homemade rum punch (if I can get my hands on a jug with a spout), Pinnacle Gummy or 3 Olives Loopy Vodka (haven’t decided), and of course sprite, seltzer, water..all that stuff that actually hydrates

Clothing- boring and basic shorts, tank tops, sneakers, bathing suit, towel..just nothing I’d cry over if I got dirty beyond recognition.

Toiletries- shampoo, conditioner, hair tie, my precious eyeliner, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a body spray that is not bug attracting. I’m doing my best to keep it simple!

Miscellaneous survival gear- flashlight, toilet paper, bug spray, first aid kit, my camera(s) (I think that would fall under this category.. so would my cell phone although it’ll be acting more like a security blanket rather than being functional), and 2 tubes of Carmex- 1 to use and one in case I lose the first because god forbid…

Surprisingly, writing this post has been pretty therapeutic for me. I’m now feeling better about going and actually getting excited..mostly for white water rafting and shopping for camping supplies. However, my fear of contracting Lyme’s Disease still remains.

weekly wednesday weigh in

Ohhh hey Wednesday…what are you doing back so soon? Can you come back in about another week or so? K thanks!

That’s what I’d say to today if a day could carry on a conversation or follow directions. But they can’t, so here we go..

Once again, I didn’t do too well in the “dieting” department this week and I’m starting to sense a pattern. A pattern of me failing miserably. I don’t think this calorie thing is working out for me to well. I never know how many calories to eat for my height/weight and I always seem to run out (or not have enough) around dinner time. Well, I tried it out for about a month and gave it a fair shot. It’s back to counting points I go.

There was some good news on the scale, though. Well, I think. I don’t really remember what I weighed in at last but I’m pretty sure I’m down a lb. I’m still not out of the range I’ve been stuck in for the past 2 months so it’s not really much of a victory. I just gotta keep trying and get serious about all this weight loss business…

weekend recap

The weekend was pretty perfect, in my opinion. It was the first of the season and if this is any indication of how summer is going to be well then, I say bring it on!

Friday night we had Alysha’s graduation. I originally wasn’t planning on going to the ceremony but there were some unexpected cancellations and free tickets so who I am to turn it down? The storm clouds were looming but they made it through the (very brief) ceremony just in time for the skies to open up. Afterwards, we went to Corner Galley for dinner. Wanna know why I love that place? Bison burgers and free wine with your meal. Doesn’t get better than that…

Saturday I took my first trip of the season to the beach with the girls. The ocean was VERY cold, I managed to get stung by some unknown creature lurking in the water, and we played “I’m going to the beach and bringing..” and “name that cloud” for like an hour…

 
then later we went out for a birthday party and unfortunately I was too busy getting white girl wasted to remember to take any pictures. Shame on me.

And Sunday, oh Sunday. It was glorious. I sat down on the floor with my sewing pile (because I’ve been ignoring it way to long and it was about 1 shirt away from becoming a heap) and put on the TV. There was a movie marathon of Sherlock Holmes, 30 Days of Night, and Underworld: Evolution. Thank you channel 40. Other than that, dinner was made and time with the hubster was spent.

That was that, my weekend in a nutshell. Somewhat eventful and very relaxing, a great start to the summer.

holy heat wave

It was 84 at 8:30 this morning when I pulled up to the office..that’s just all sorts of wrong.

 
This is day 2 of the first heat wave of the year and how appropriate that it rolls into town on the first day of summer. I’m telling you, if this is any indication of how the rest of the summer will be then I’m packing my bags for Alaska and I’ll see you in September.

Most of you who live in warmer climates, especially in the south, may say 84 in the morning and a high of 93..that’s called every day. Stop your bitching. But no, you guys don’t understand. Here on Long Island you’re never that far from water and you know what water and heat make? That’s right, kids. Humidity. Yesterday, the temperature combined with the humidity made it feel like it was 104 degrees. And I’m not exaggerating..that’s what the weatherman said, I swear.

These hotter than normal temps couldn’t have come at a worse time, too. Ryan is doing tons of overtime this week due to preparing for graduation ceremonies so I’ve taken on all responsibilities on the home front..cooking, dishes, vacuuming, dusting..you name it, it has to be done. The sauna that our apartment has become isn’t helping anything, either. Oh, and did I mention that I don’t even have time to relax at work because my supervisor is out this week and I’m going nuts. I’m about to lose it over here!

 Ok, enough of my ranting. Actually, there are a few good things coming from all this heat…

It’s become acceptable to eat big giant bowls of sugary cereal since that’s about the only cold breakfast food I have.

I’ve been living in adorable skirts. See, I knew I bought them all for a reason!

 I’m finally getting in my 64 oz. a day because I’m constantly thirsty (and I have a real fear of dehydration)

 It’s finally to officially kick off the season with one of these. Green Cactus’ shrimp burrito’s is one of the things that epitomize summer for me and therefore can only be eaten June through September.

This actually has nothing to do with it being hot but the premier of the snookie and jwoww show was tonight and we were superrrrr excited.

Oh yea, and I am lucky enough to work in an office where it’s cold enough to double as a meat locker. At least I’m getting 8 hours of being chilly a day.

summertime favorites

time of day-

I don’t know if dusk would be considered day necessarily but that hour after the sun is finished setting is definitely is my favorite. It’s that perfect time where it’s still somewhat light out but the sun, along with the 90 degree heat, has disappeared and left you with a need for a hoodie. The fire pits and tiki torches are all put out. S’mores are made. Every nearby carnival lights up like a Christmas tree. If you’re lucky you’ll see a firework or two set off in the distance. All of this just screams summer and puts me in an incredibly happy state of mind.

Oh, and did I mention how I’m obsessed with the way my camera photographs in this light? Another reason I love her so

and finally..san francisco

It was the best time ever.

We got to see our amazing friends, went to Alcatraz, bought monster hats in Chinatown, saw the Golden Gate's 75th anniversary fireworks show, fell in love with the Haight, had really cheap (and realllly yummy) sushi, walked up and down some of the steepest hills ever, rode a trolley, had movie nights and birthday cupcakes, wore my black hoodie the entire time, explored Golden Gate park, ran away when they forgot to charge us for milkshakes at St. Francis fountain, watched the sailboats and seals at Crissy Field, complained about my feet hurting way more than I'd like to admit, drank loads of bubble tea, and here are all the pictures to prove it...