Summer Remix

Summer Vaca has begun! So far it doesn't seem like much of a vacation.... more like an escape from reality.

No more waking up at 5am. No more cleaning of classrooms. No more manipulating of young minds. No more answering billions of questions in a hour long lesson. No more playing doctor Phil when solving 5th grade drama. No more paper work or data notebooks (thank goodness). No more staff meetings or lesson plans. No more walk-throughs or evaluations.

Instead of a stress-filled, energy-packed "8 hour" (in my dreams) work day, I now have no set schedule and actually have the time to do all of those things that I never could do during the school year.

My new Monday schedule looks a little more like this:
8am- wake up... and roll over for another hour of sleep (life without an alarm clock is heavenly)
9am-10am- eat breakfast (a new concept to me) and slowly get ready
11am- laundry... in the middle of the day; not after 9pm...and some CMT music videos
12pm-1pm- shop for craft supplies and fixer upper projects for my new house (details to come later)
1pm-2pm-lunch at Biscuit Factory (oh to have more than 20 minutes to eat lunch...life changing)
2pm-5pm- One Tree Hill marathon and crafting (future blog post about my new hobby to come)
5pm-7pm- dinner out with friends
7pm-9pm- go see a movie...checking one off of my long list of summer movies to see
9pm-10pm- hang out with the family
10pm-12pm- catch up on DVR
*sidebar: insert "lay out by the pool" in this schedule from 12-5 and you have any other typical day during my summer vaca

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day

to the world's GREATEST Daddy!

 Everything Dad

A little girl needs her daddy
To love her with manly charm,
To soothe her when she’s hurt,
And keep her safe from harm.

A girl needs her dad
To show her a man who’s good,
To help her make right choices,
As only a father could.

A woman needs her father
Just to be aware,
He’ll always be there for her
To sustain her and to care.

You’ve been all these things, Dad.
I hope that you can see
How much I treasure you;
You mean everything to me.

By Joanna Fuchs

Cash Fast

This past week, I took on the task of cleaning out my closet (which, yes, still held most of my high school clothing.) It was quite amusing to see what styles I at one time thought were fashionable. Also quite hysterical was the fact that I couldn't fit into a large stack of clothes that were cluttering my wardrobe.

When I first started to pull items from my shelves and throw them into the "get rid of pile," I was moving pretty slow. Sitting there convincing myself that I just might wear that dress or shirt one day... knowing deep down inside that I will NEVER put this piece of clothing on again. So I set up this criteria: if I had not worn something at least once in the past year then it had to go and if I could not get the item on my body without a significant struggle then it too had to leave my humble abode.

After three hours of good cleaning, I had a pretty big pile of clothing, shoes, bags and jewelry to get rid of. The next step was to decide where to take these clothes. A coworker of mine had mentioned a boutique in my town, Uptown Cheapskate, that would give you cash for your old clothes and on top of this, they also took designer or name brand clothing. I thought I'd check this place out. I mean any money for these clothes was more than what had in my pocket.

So last Friday I took a decently large bag of clothes to this store. After waiting for an hour (which seemed like an eternity) I left this store with $25 in my pocket and still a good load of clothing left in my bag that this shop did not see fit for their style.

Oh, but don't you worry... I didn't give up there. I remember that there was another store closer to my work that also gave cash for old clothes (a much less classy company but not my place to judge in this situation.) To my amazement, this store took even more of my clothes and also gave me another $25. Now I had $50 in my pocket and still a good amount of clothing left in this bag.

Finally, I had to run some errand yesterday where my parents live, so I took the same bag of clothing which was now dwindling, to another of these stores. Shocked again... I left this store with ANOTHER $25 and still some clothes in my bag!

Trash for cash... to my benefit. Now I can enjoy splurging on my weekend without any guilt because my closet is now clean and I have cash in my pocket. Why not take advantage of these store and see what you too can get for your old and worn wardrobe.

WebMD

Living in a cyber and technology consumed generation, it is more common than not that an Internet reference will be made in most every conversation you have. Whether it be Facebook, Match.com, RueLaLa, or iTunes. We spend hours checking emails and surfing the net at work. Google Maps app or GPS is used with every minute behind the wheel. An hour doesn't pass that we don't check our mini feed on Facebook or update our current status.

 

YouTube can be reference with the touch of a screen. Never fret when it comes to the weather... just check the current conditions on your iPhone or Blackberry. Who needs an actual camera anymore when the mega pixels on my smart phone are ever higher. Want to rent a movie? Go ahead and check out what is available in your local redbox and even reserve the movie from your phone.

My favorite... GasBuddy app for iPhones. Check to see where the cheapest gas is in relation to your location. One that even I have not mastered, Facetime. Why just catch up through conversation, when I can actually see my college roommate on the phone screen when we are approximately 421.5 miles away from each other.

I am guilty of doing all of the above, but one that I am more well known for is my constant use of WebMD. I've actually earned this clever little website's title as a constant nickname from my colleagues. My consensus is that there is no point in visiting a doctor to indubitable pay a copay/prescription fee when you can easily determine the cause of your pain or sickness with the click of a mouse or touch of screen. You walk into the doctors office knowing the list of symptoms that you are going to rattle off to the doctor. Most likely you even know what is wrong before you walk through the door to fill out 3 pages of paperwork. Why not visit this ingenious website, type in your symptoms and click START? Viola... you're diagnosed!

Next time you're having a conversation, take a moment to observe how many times a means of technology is brought up... or even make it more fun and see how many times you can mention cyber references.

What Not to Do... From a Female's Perspective

I had an entertaining opportunity to be a guest writer on a good friend's new blog, The Gentlemen's Corner, yesterday. JS is married to one of my best friends and through conversation over a few drinks one night we came to the conclusion that the world is full of advice columns, magazines and websites dedicated to women, but there are very few substantial men's magazines... much less blogs.

Hence the beginning of this great blog with topics ranging from relationship to exercise. I know that with some time this blog with draw in a massive crowd of male readers. Thank you JS for giving me this great opportunity to share a little of my silenced opinions.

Head over to The Gentlemen's Corner and check out what men should not do... from my perspective.

Let the Good Times Roll

Last Friday was the final day of the school year and I was so preoccupied with celebrating my sudden freedom that I completely forgot about Lilly Pulitzer being on RueLaLa! Trust me, I was not happy about this and happened to complain about it for at least an hour on the way to my weekend get away (pictures to follow this rant). Callahan shorts for $30 (regular $58) and Shift dresses for $59 (regular $215)!?! How could this sale slip through my fingers. I hope some of you lovely readers were luckier than I to snag some new pieces from the sale.
And for those of you who are not members on RueLaLa... you're missing out! Join today and take advantage of outrageous discounts on designer brands.

This past weekend, I escaped the chaos that I've been consumed in over the past few weeks with school coming to an end. I traveled with a college friend to Sylva, NC (western NC mountains) to celebrate a birthday. It was a successful weekend filled with new friends, corn hole games, many margaritas and plenty of relaxation.

Rachael with the gorgeous party sign

Welcome to Jason Palooza

Fully Stocked (created a few more Skinnygirl fans!)

Birthday boy taking shots

All in all, a perfect little vaca and wonderful start to the summer. Let the good times just keep coming.

Commitment phobe

I came to the conclusion this afternoon that I am not only picky, but I am a commitment phobe. Hence my relationship status, job and living situation.

Check out my Facebook info and one of the first things that will pop up on the screen is Relationship Status: Single. It's actually been this way for a little while extremely long time. *Please do not say awww... no sympathy needed here. This relationship status is purely by choice. I've come to the realization over the past few years that I have a "what if" complex. This questions is constantly lurking in the back of my mind. I meet a great guy and immediately hit things off; soon we start to cross the thin line of friendship into relationship and suddenly the "what if" questions sneaks in. What if he's not the right one? What if things don't work out?And here's the big one... What if there is something better out there?

Beyond my relationship status, I am teaching my favorite grade level at a wonderful school and love my coworkers. But once again... I shy away from settling down. I'm not committed to staying at this school until retirement (which would ironically be 29 more years!) Instead, I plan to teach there for at least 2 more years and then move on to something new. Maybe even a private school. I've built amazing relationships with my coworkers and have created my perfect classroom, but there is still the assumption that something better is out there.

I am also living in a breath taking apartment that I ironically know I will be moving out of within months. I had the apartment completely decorated within the first two days of moving in and haven't changed a thing since except for a book or towel here or there. It is comfortable and picturesque but definitely not grounded. There is nothing particular about the apartment that I am attached to... except for the obnoxiously big closet. And although I am going to be sad to see the apartment go, I moved in with the notion that I would only be here for a year.

Now, I am on to the next chapter in my life: Buying a house. For the past month, I have been in house hunting mode... spending hours on listing book every night and open-housing on the weekends. This week I believe that I may have found the perfect house but still that annoying little questions, "what if there is something better out there," is haunting me.

Finally, I have reached the point in life where I am throwing my "what ifs" to the wind. Bring what it may, let life hit me full speed. I am ready for change and meeting it with an open mind... without the what ifs.

Sweet Treat

The last week of the school year is finally here! I am not only counting down the days... but I am now at the point where I am counting down the hours until I get to send my darling students on their way to enjoy the summer. Being a 5th grade teacher makes this goodbye a little bitter sweet, because I will not get to cross paths with them in the hallway next year. Instead they will be roaming the ever so hectic halls of middle school.

With this being their last week with me, I wanted to leave them with a special little treat. Last year, I gave my students "middle school survival kits" before their 5th grade graduation; but this year I wanted to do something more entertaining. So I created candy awards for each individual student to match their unique personalities. It is the best idea for any award whether it be students, sorority sisters or just party favors.



How can you go wrong with sugar?!?


Here are a few examples:
Smarties: the typical nerd of the bunch
Starburst: the drama seeking girl who is bound to be a star one day
Lifesaver: the teacher's pet (I luckily have 2!)
Three Musketeers: these are going to the three boys in my class that are inseparable and always seem to be oh so entertaining... especially at the wrong times... such as when I'm teaching
Baby Ruth: the star athlete of the class
Snickers: the student with the best smile
Laughy Taffy: the class clown
Pop Rocks: the "pop star" of the class
Kit-Kats: the two students who are attached at the hip
Dove Bar: the peacemaker
Sweet tarts: the sweethearts

Life on the Edge

It seems that we find every way possible to live life on the edge. We strive to find that moment that makes our heart race and breathing stop for a split second. Whether it be in love or life, we tend to put ourselves in the way of adventure and search for situations that bring drama.

We push our cars until the very last drop of gas is running through the engine. Watching the gas gauge drop with each mile that passes. Skipping gas stations that our car comes across; saying "oh, I'll stop at the next one."

We wait until the last day possible to pay that bill hanging on the fridge, just because we like the satisfaction of knowing that we almost didn't make it, but thank goodness we did.

We keep our foot off the brake as we approach a red light with hopes that the light will change to green in the very instance that we reach that very thin white line. A rush of satisfaction consumes us as we can finally let out that breath we had been holding.

We unconsciously read into "signs" each time we meet "the one"... later to find out that it was all a facade that we created in our minds. Heart broken, we miss the fact that he was never "the one" that we tried so hard to make him be.

Yes, it would be much simpler to live a life of constant security, with no risk or regrets. Hiding our hearts; hoping that they will never be broken. Never taking the risk of falling in love. But where is the fun in that. The mistakes we make lead us to the best memories.

So take a risk. Live your life. Fall in love. Make mistakes.

Southern Belle Secrets

I love to read the Southern Secrets revealed by Girls with Pearls... here are just a few of my favorites:

If you're southern... and if you're not... you know the undertone that is used when saying these words.

This would be at the top of my list of overused words... along with "good gracious" "hun" and "gosh darn"

Every southern girl has a koozie drawer in the kitchen... EB this one's for you!

First person on my speed dial: Mom

My #1 Role Model (next to my mother): Jackie Kennedy Onassis

Two words... FRIED PICKLES!

Or at least I hope it's not...

I'm Southern born and bred and still lack my mother's strong accent...

"Reality"

I have to admit a guilty pleasure of mine... Real Housewives of New York, Orange County, New Jersey, Atalanta (definitely not my favorite,) Beverly Hills, DC, and Miami (not worthy of sharing the show's title.) I love them all, but one thing I do hate is the fact that I start watching these addictive reality shows when I'm getting into bed, intending to have a good night's sleep, and instead I end up consumed in four hours of RH.

I constantly catch myself talking to screaming at the TV while watching these reality shows because I cannot help but want to stop these ladies from trudging down a road of an embarrassing lack of class. When did cat fights between grown women, gossiping to the point of being crude and public lude behavior become the norm or "reality." We're not talking Jersey Shore here where it is expected for the cast to behave outlandishly... these are adult women who are supposed to come from a level of society based on class not trash.

Now I will be the first to say that I've had my share of drama in the past but never have I thrown wine in some one's face, ruined a special occasion (wedding, christening, etc.) or told a girlfriend that there is a "pecking order" in our group. I may also have had my moments of hysteria (which I'm glad are not recorded for the world to see) but at the same time I don't live with the awareness of cameras following my every move. Surely this makes you think twice about how much of these scenes are provoked by producers and how much is true reality. 


via

Last night was one of those times when I got into bed with the intentions of going straight to sleep but instead I was captivated by 3 hours of Real Housewives of New York. But instead of being amused by these ladies' crazy antics, I was appalled beyond all measures by Ramona's behavior. The more I watched, the more my blood began to boil. I could not believe how rude and disrespectful she was of another culture as they were taking an adventurous trip to Morocco. So Madonna-esque and not in a good way! The drama and childish actions of these women are starting to become more frustrating than entertaining.

We have morphed into a generation that thrives on drama whether it be our own or that of others. Are you a RHONY fan... if so, do you think some of these women have now taken their new found "fame" too far?

From Simple to Complicated

Life is so simple but we seem to make it overly complicated.

Lately I've felt beyond frustrated with every day tasks that should be oh so simple. I am now waking up an hour later in the morning than I was a month ago and this has resulted in me wearing my bangs in a braid every day... a style that I swore I could never pull off but hope that I actually can. Otherwise my coworkers are getting a good laugh at my bad hair day. Getting out of bed has become a struggle even with the sun annoyingly shining in my bedroom window at 5am!
 Once I finally get around to throwing on the easiest outfit possible. Substituting style for comfort and ease. I no longer take the time to fix a nutritional lunch (considering I only have 25 minutes for lunch and have had to eat in the cafeteria with my class for the past two weeks.) Hummus and pita chips, salad, fruit and veggie chips have officially been put to the wayside and are now replaced with Mt.Dew, left over pizza and M&Ms. Not quite the ideal meal for the rapidly approaching bikini season.

This morning I was being extra lazy and decided to treat myself to a drive thru biscuit for breakfast instead of cereal or yogurt. Considering I had bypassed drying and straightening my hair, this gave me the perfect 10 minutes I needed to grab a biscuit and make it to work before I lost a prime parking spot. But that would be too simple.

I've talked before about my pet peeve of city buses and today this frustration was brought to an extreme. I turn the corner on my way to work and once again... like so many times before... traffic is backed up in the middle of the road so that "Mr. Bus Man" can let all 20 city buses out of the station. Now I will be the first to admit that I'm not quite a morning person but this road block pushed me over the edge. This temporary setback was going to cost me my parking spot but I was not going to forgo my biscuit due to this detour.

Traffic was outrageous after this because of course the city decides to redo the roads in the dead heat of the beginning of summer and take weeks to complete the task. But don't you worry... after a few horns were blown, I finally made it to the drive thru. It was when I reached the drive-thru window that my day was turned around.

The girl taking my order was genuinely happy and positive. This isn't surprising because we all know that companies are upping their customer service; but this particular girl took her hospitality to a new level. I overheard her chatting with the woman in front of me in line and she said "congratulations and best of luck" before the woman was on her way.

Being the naturally nosey person that I am, when I pulled up to the window I eaves dropped on her quick message to the person at the other window through her headset. She inform "window #2 worker" that the customer in front of me had a new born baby in the car and her name was Paige. Now that right there is genuine connections. But it didn't stop there. When she handed me back my debit card, she remarked about how she loved the spelling of my name and thought that unique spellings gave a individual personality. A complement from a stranger before 8am?!? My day was made.

So this goes to show you that the most simple of actions and words can take a person's complicated life and turn it around in seconds.

A True Success Story

This year's Memorial Day was spent by the pool with amazing friends resulting in hours of laughter and fabulous tan lines. Of course, I arrived at my pool with brownie covered oreos and skinny girl margarita in hand. Soon I had earned the title of "cook" from neighbors who fell victim to the scrumptiousness of these little mouthwatering pieces of chocolate. This day of relaxation in the sun was much needed after a weekend that was nothing short of an emotional roller coaster. Success... yes! But sadly there are no blog worthy pictures for sharing.

Flashback: Last Friday, I attended the graduation of my family's foreign exchange student, M. He has been living with my parents for the past two years. And over that time, M, has become part of our family. That first night when he arrived at our house, not speaking a word of English, seems like ages ago. It is amazing how fast time flies by. Now, I am the one contemplating a trip to Columbia this summer where I would be forced to recall what I should have learned from 5 years of Spanish classes... no se!

After a weekend of celebrations, I made the trek to Charlotte with mom last night to take my other brother, M, to the airport. He is heading back home to Columbia, South America for the summer. It was very surreal to send him down the terminal knowing that he is traveling back to a life that could not be farther from my own. We so easily take for granted the safety and comfort that is ours without a cost. While in the US, M has managed to touch the lives of everyone he has come into contact with. He is an amazing individual with a life changing story that will make you think twice about how you are spending your life and if you are truly living it to the fullest.

This past week, an article about M was published on the front page of my hometown's newspaper. The title spoke magnitudes in itself, From Gangs to Graduation. M has lived a very rough life but those experiences have brought him to where he is today; with a story to share. He has worked harder than anyone I know to successfully graduation from high school with a 3.28 GPA and earn a full ride to college. I cannot wait to see what the future hold for him.

With contemplations of the summer trip of a lifetime.

Me and M at the airport.

Thirsty Thursday

This has been one of the longest weeks ever... and I am in desperate need of a cocktail and chocolate to successfully get to Friday. Thanks to Trish at Pink Preppy Lilly Lover, I have a new delicious drink to share with you on this gorgeous Thursday night. It has officially been added to my menu of cocktails to serve on girls nights this summer. Try it out and let me know if you enjoy!

Cocktail... check!

On to the chocolate. Yesterday, I stumbled upon a recipe that was nothing short of mouth watering... it simply tip toed on the brim of being sinful. Just the name of this chocolate sensation sounded beyond amazing... Brownie Covered Oreos! Two of my favorite things of all time put into one bite.

Simply take a box of brownie mix and follow the directions on the box to prepare the batter. Then dip individual Oreos (double stuff preferred) into the batter and place them in the cups of a muffin pan (make sure you grease your pan!) Cook at 350 degrees for about 16-18 minutes. So easy and out of this world! I've already eaten 4 of them and they just came out of the oven.

I'm the most awful photographer of food so I owe some credit for this one.

currents

Current Food:

 Soy Creamy Mini Ice Cream Sandwiches

(complements of Trader Joe's)

Current Drink:

 Caffeine Free Diet Pepsi

Current Color:

Sand Tropaz- Essie

(yes... I know it's time for a change but I love it!)

Current Pandoras:

Gin Blossoms

Katy Perry

Justin Bieber (guilty) 

Current iPod play list:

Adele- Someone Like You

He Is We- Happily Ever After

The Band Perry- If I Die Young

Boyce Avenue- Teenage Dream

Current Website Obsession:

RueLaLa.com
Click the link above for a personal invite to this exclusive, invite only destination where you can shop private sales of designer brands at 50-70% off! Don't miss out... sales change daily!

Current book:

Love the One You're With

 (still attempting to finish it... but there's no time)

Current TV Shows:

Monday- How I Met Your Mother
Tuesday-Glee
Tuesday- One Tree Hill
Thursday- Grey's Anatomy

Current Need:

Someone to force me to go to the gym (down 2 flights of stairs!)

Oh and more hours in a day... unless summer break could get here sooner.

Current Search:
Summer Job

Current Success:

Finally started house hunting... and already sick and tired of the process. Hopefully once I start to decide what I'm actually looking for this search will be a complete success!

Current Celebrity Crush:

Ryan Reynolds

Gah... this might be beyond a crush. I'm in love.

Current Resolutions:

Stop eating dairy and start doing yoga again.

Current Mood:

Exhausted but Motivated

Femme Fatale

I've come to believe that females are born with a gene that compromises their self confidence. Even the most haughty of women have moments of self doubt. It is more likely than not that the majority of all conversations between females involves discussion of other female, good or bad.

We live in a media infused generation where beauty is predefined by those who hold the whims of social power in their hands. Little girls grow up playing with the perfect female, Barbie, with her 39" 19" 33" measurements and watching prince charming choose the fairest maiden in the land. Teens view movies that display expectations of the perfect size, shape and figure that encourages them to change their own image. Grown women swoon over pictures of females in magazine with hopes of achieving that envied physique.



Yet, we all have misconceptions of who the perfect female is. Does she have a foreign accent, captivating wit, divaesque persona? Does she take tequila shots with the guys or sip pinot with the girls? Is she skinny with long limbs or petite and well rounded? Does she dress like a photo straight from vogue or does she saunter around in jeans and a tshirt?

Who is to say that the perfect woman is a cross between Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston (what can I say... Brad Pitt has good taste)? And we all know that there will always be an ongoing battle between the world of blondes and brunettes. Who will win... we will never know. But one thing I do know is that an explicit description of the ultimately perfect female does not exist.

Has anyone ever realized that so often we jump to the conclusion that the perfect female is far from ourselves, when truly you fit the bill for the femme fatale in another person's mind? Hold your head high and know that there is no one definition of the perfect female. All you have to do is find the perfect female inside of you. In the words of Carrie Bradshaw, "And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous."

Have you visited Elsewhere?

I might have a new newly realized obsession. Lately I've grown to love the feeling of buying books... even books that I know I will never read. Just the act of owning them, makes me so happy. If you had told me a year ago that I would rather buy a book than a new dress, I'd probably laugh in your face and then go on a Lilly spree. But today, things have changed.

I am counting down the days until my summer vaca begins so that I can indulge my nerdy side every day by the pool. My "summer books to read" list is growing by the minute and it seems that every store I step foot in has a literary treasure lurking on the shelves.

I've contemplated buying a Kendle or Nook to suffice my reading hobby but it's just not the same. There is something about owning books and attempting to fill the gaps in my bookshelf. So this purchase has been put on the backburner for the time being... until I overcome this need to physically turn the pages of a novel (instead of tap a screen.)

My obsession with filling my bookshelf is encouraged every day as I drive by this great store front downtown on my way home. I've forever thought that it was a thrift shop but found out a few weekends ago that it is actually a living museum.

Elsewhere is a non-profit organization that provides a space for local artist and creative minds to come together in a very unconventional way. The store front is the remnants of an old furniture company/army surplus store of the 30s that became a thrift shop in the 70s. When the owner died, her grandson became the owner of this now cramped and cluttered space. He and his friends took this pile of junk and saw it a masterpiece. They did not remove a things but instead allowed artist to come into the space and arrange all of the nick knacks into masterpieces.

I highly recommend that you stop by and soak in the amusing history that lies within these walls. It was great to see toys and trinkets from my childhood sitting right beside my parents' childhood nick knacks. Name it, and it is somewhere on the walls. Trolls, Teddy Ruxpin, Glo Worm, Battleship, Puffalump (gah I loved my Puffalump), Rubik's Cubes, Mr. Potatohead, Barbie, GI Joe, Little People, Lite Brite, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Polly Pocket, Operation... and this list never ends.

Not only was I in awe of all the memories that these toys stirred up; my jaw dropped when I saw the color coded, floor to ceiling book shelves. I envy this masterpiece and want so badly to recreate it one day!

With outlooks of sunny weather and page turning by the pool,

Mimosas on Monday

Manic Monday Shopping Spree

I've come to the conclusion that couponing is no longer fun because crazy people with their coupon binders show up at Harris Teeter every day before 2pm and clean the shelves before I even get a chance to see what I can get for free. Seriously people, I only want one of each item... you can spare one of the 50 boxes of popcorn in your cart so that my couponing spree can be a little bit more of a success. Oh well, I did get a few things on this trip. This week was triple coupon week at Harris Teeter... they will triple any coupon up to 99 cent. And of course you know this was the perfect opportunity to see what I could actually get for free.

 I successfully bought got $30.33 worth of items for $3.33! 

Box of Puffs tissues, Croutons, Chocolate Chip Eggos, Italian seasoning, Salad Seasoning, Brownie Mix, Fajita Mix, Taco Mix, 4 bags of M&Ms, 2 toothbrushes, Crest 3D White toothpaste, Mustard

Gaga Madness

I will be the first to say that I more than often get caught up in singing along to some Gaga on my XM. Every song is so intoxicating catchy... how can one not get sucked in?! Even if you're not a fan, I would bet millions that you know all of the words to at least one Gaga hit.

Speaking of millions, Lady Gaga (Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta) has managed to rack up a net worth of more than $110 million in a drastically short period of time. She is this generation's Madonna and is practically worshipped by some.

I am not a die hard Gaga "Monster" fan (as they call themselves) so I was a little late in viewing her new Music Special on HBO, "Lady Gaga Presents the Monster Ball Tour: At Madison Square Garden." But today for some reason, I stumbled across it while I was on the phone. After watching bits and pieces during my phone convo, too concentrated in catching up with my amazing college roommate to change the channel, I didn't realize what I was watching.

Once I got off the phone, I was so caught off guard by the provocativeness of her dancing and obscenities that I couldn't help but keep watching.

Now over an hour later... here I am still watching it! I actually caught myself sitting here wide eyed with my jaw dropped as I watched this concert that was nothing like anything I've ever seen before.
Has anyone else watched this special on HBO or even been to a Gaga concert? No question about it... she has an astonishing voice but her concert is nothing short of insanity!

Caffeine High

Warm weather means a slight change in my already hectic morning routine. I've officially done away with my 5AM wake up call at this point in the year. Counting down the days until school is officially out for summer, I am not so motivated to show up at work before the sun shows its face. But I am willing to wake up 20 minutes earlier than my now 6AM rise and shine so that I can fulfill my necessity for caffeine.

Starbucks will eventually empty my bank account if I continue this daily morning pit stop. But don't you worry... Starbucks, being the customer friendly corporation that it is, has helped to both save my wallet and my sleep.

Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee came about a while back, so it's not something new to the world. BUT, Starbucks VIA Iced Coffee is new. And I am addicted. Why would I not love a Starbucks quality drink that I can create in second within the comfort of my own kitchen!?

On top of being simple delicious, it is sensibly cheap. A box of VIA Iced Coffee comes with 5 servings which make up to 16oz. of coffee each (that would be a Grande for you coffee lovers.) Priced at $5.95 a box, that would be $1.19 per drink. That sure does beat the $5 a day I spend to wait for a barista to fix my coffee while I'm dancing around worrying that I'm going to be late to work.

I like to add a little almond milk or flavored creamer to my VIA to add that Starbucks touch. You'd never be able to tell the difference. Have you tried VIA yet? If not... what are you waiting for?