Secret Revealed: Makin' a Career Move

Change is hard. No kidding! Well, remember how I said that I had a secret to share? It's time for the big reveal. Ready?
        I got a new job! Crazy, I know, but this has been an incredibly emotional, challenging, and exciting decision for me. After two interviews, lots of waiting, decision making, crying, accepting an offer, and even more crying, I'm making the move to a shorter commute and a great new challenge.
        I don't want to go into great detail about my past or new position because I like to keep my professional career mostly separate from my blogging world, but I just can't help not sharing this with you all. Let's just say I'm leaving the advertising and health care world and heading into the financial industry. Oh and the most exciting part?
         This simple girl that considers herself a writer, first and foremost, will get to write...full-time! I can't wait to be writing, learning something that has always peaked my interest, and start this new challenge.
         Last week was incredibly emotional for me. This workplace had become a small family and home for me, and now it would not be one anymore. It brought out a lot of tears that I didn't anticipate.
         So I cried a lot, and I'll probably continue to cry a lot as I make this life change and career transition. They're happy tears, sad tears, scared tears, and excited tears. Again, change is hard, but sometimes we just need to take a moment to use our own courage, strength and wisdom to know that change can be a great thing. And this change is definitely a great thing.

Source: Pinterest

So today is my last day at one career, and next week I will start new. A new beginning in a new career that has great potential! Wish me luck!

Thankful Thursday

I'm linking up with Rebecca at Southern Charm for "Thankful Thursday" again. 

I'm feeling overwhelmingly grateful lately, 

and I had the urge to share that with all of you.

I'm thankful for blog friends. Even though all of you are quite far away, you brighten my day!

I'm thankful for being blessed with the love of running. It's been getting me through the past few weeks!

I'm thankful for the big life changes that are headed my way. One of those will be revealed tomorrow! Yes, I'm finally revealing my secret.

I'm thankful for M. I know I tell him how happy he makes me, how grateful I am for him and how much I love him, but I still need to really appreciate how lucky I am to have him in my life!

I'm thankful for having such wonderful kittens in our home. I really enjoy having cuddly little ones to sleep with at night.

Figaro and Giada watching the world outside from my bathroom window

What are you feeling grateful for lately?

Pinterest Lovin'

It's Wednesday, and you know what that means.... "Oh How Pinteresting!" Wednesday with Michelle from The Vintage Apple! I'm going to keep this short and sweet with random things that I'm loving lately. 

Something that made me laugh (and, fortunately, this is not a conversation that I had with my mom)...

Source: The Meta Picture via Pinterest

Here's the puppy that M and I are loving. Hopefully some day soon we'll actually start puppy shopping!

Source: Puppy Find via Pinterest

I'm also loving the number of quotes that I'm finding, especially this one about long distance.

Source: via Pinterest

I'm loving the look of this delicious dessert. YUM!

Source: eat at allie's via Pinterest

This is the duvet cover that I think I'm going to choose for decorating the bedroom.

Source: Bed, Bath and Beyond via Pinterest

What are you loving on Pinterest lately? Have any fun pins to share? I'd love to see them. Go link up with Michelle!

Dad's First Yankee/Red Sox Game

As you all know, over the weekend, I took my dad and M to the Yankee/Red Sox game to celebrate my dad's birthday. Even though the forecast said rain, the weather turned out to be perfect (except for some humidity).

Not a bad seat in the house

We enjoyed some delicious hot dogs, beer and french fries. And there were some characters sitting in front of us filled with some foul-mouthed commentary.

Amazing french fries! (And too much lime in the Bud Light Lime)

M clearly wasn't too happy about the score of the game...

Not a happy camper about the score of the game

But he smiled for a nice picture anyways. Too bad it came out blurry on his face only. I still don't know why that happened!

A little blurry...

Then a picture of Dad and I showing our NYY pride!

Dad and I

Finally, we enjoyed a beautiful sunset that made for a great view right before a big win!

Great sunset

Weekend Sneak Peak

Here's a sneak peak of my weekend. 

A beautiful sunset at an amazing Yankee game. 

Hope everyone had a great weekend too!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

April 2011

Dear Dad,

Today is your birthday. 

One of those days of celebration, appreciation, and love. 

Your support has helped me grow from an always curious little girl 

into a surprisingly strong and determined young woman. 

You have given me the strength in the happy times, hard times, and challenging times. 

It is your constant love that gets me through it all.

I only hope that I give at least half of that love that you give me.

I love you, and happy birthday!

Love always,

Amanda

P.S. Get excited for the Yankee game tomorrow! 

Favorite Things Blog Swap

So the fantastic Leann over at Join the Gossip coordinated the Favorite Things Blog Swap! It was so much fun to be paired with a blogger that I had never met and lives very far away from me. 

My partner was Megan from More Sweet Tea Please? It has been so cool getting to know someone through their favorite things and now having another genuine blog friend. To see what I sent Megan, check her post out here!

Last week, I was so excited to find a package waiting for me when I got home. Before ripping open the box, I made sure to grab my camera to take pictures. 

When I opened it up inside, look at all the goodies I found!

And a very sweet card from a very sweet Megan of some of her favorite things!

 

Plus she loves anything with peacocks, so she sent this awesome necklace. Now I just need to put together an outfit around it. 

Have you ever participated in a blog swap? To see all the other bloggers that participated and their favorite things, check them out here.

Smiles and Sundresses?

Guess where I am today? 

Oh that's right, I'm blogging for one of my blog BFFs, Allie. 

She lives over at Sundresses and Smiles! 

Run on over to her blog to read about what keeps me motivated with all my running.

P.S. My secret will be revealed next week. 

Meg, don't open your mouth yet! 

(And if you haven't checked out Meg's blog, you definitely need to!)

FALLing in Love on Pinterest

Since fall is basically here, and it certainly feels like it is, I thought I would dedicate this post to all things that I'm loving for fall. I'm linking up with the amazing Michelle from The Vintage Apple for "Oh How Pinteresting!" Wednesday. 

For my Dad's birthday, I'll be baking these.

Source: Taste of Home via Pinterest

And because we're going apple picking this weekend, I'm sure I'll bake these soon!

Source: Perry's Plate via Pinterest

And I would wear this perfect-for-fall blazer all the time (if it wasn't so overpriced).

Source: J.Crew via Pinterest

Actually, I wouldn't mind wearing that whole outfit. What are you loving for fall? Check this girl out on Pinterest! 

Nail Polish Anyone?

I don't think that I have enough....

What are some of your favorite nail polish brands? I'm always looking to try new kinds!

IDig Your Blog Award

I got another award! I am so flattered and honored every time I receive one. This time, the award came from one of my closest blog friends, Elizabeth. If you haven't already, go check out her blog Life with Elizabeth. She has recently moved up to the tri-state area, so hopefully we'll be planning a blate very soon!

As part of the award, there a couple of things you have to do.

Thank the person that gave you the award. 

Thank you so, so much, Elizabeth! You rock! 

Share three random facts about yourself. 

1. I can touch the tip of my tongue to my nose.

2. I have always wanted to dye my hair blond, but know that it wouldn't look good on me. 

3. I used to be a very picky eater, but now I will eat and/or try almost anything. (I only don't like anything with truffle or truffle oil.)

Pass the award on to five other bloggers.

1. Bree from .simply.girly. 

2. Megan from More Sweet Tea Please?

3. Chelsea from Hello Miss Chelsea

4. Ruthie from The Chronicles of Ruthie Hart

5. Courtney from Courtney's Organized Chaos

I could go on and on about how wonderful all these lovely ladies are, but I'd rather keep this short and sweet. Hope everyone had a great weekend! 

Happy Birthday, Ali!

August 2009

Happy Birthday, little sister! 

I can't believe you're now 20 and so many miles away! 

I hope you know how much I appreciate you and how much I love you! 

June 2008

You are more than I could have ever asked for in both a sister and a great friend! 

You're smart, funny, loving, and genuine. Thanks for being the best sister anyone could ask for and for being there for me as an amazing support without even knowing it.

I love you!

February 2011

It's OK Thursday

Watch out, Thursday! I'm changing it up today. I'm linking up with the fantastic Neely from A Complete Waste of Makeup and the wonderful Amber from Brunch with Amber for "It's OK" Thursday. Go check out both of their blogs, and link up!

So let's get crackin'! 

It's ok...

...that I only ran 5 of my 6 mile training run last night.

...that I ate quinoa 4 days in a row.

...that I stabbed my pinky finger with a knife last night, and it hurts like a mo fo.

...that I overpack every time I go visit M in Boston, and I'm only there for two nights. 

...that I've been keeping a secret from all of you, but I'll be sure to share soon!

...that I think teleportation should exist so that we can easily teleport and have #blates as much as we wanted. (Why do my blog friends all live so far away?)

...that I am already counting down the days until I go to Paris and Madrid in November!

Get in My (Pinterest) Bed

Happy Wednesday! I am on the hunt for some new bedding and bedroom ideas, so here are some of my favorites. I'm linking up with the marvelous Michelle of The Vintage Apple for "Oh How Pinteresting" Wednesday.

I like this one the best!

Source: Pinterest

Source: West Elm via Pinterest

This color and quilt would be great...

Source: The Company Store via Pinterest

Last, but not least...

Source: The Company Store via Pinterest

What are you pinning lately? Do you have any favorite beddings that you'd like to share?

Tomorrow is a new day.

Every morning (during the work week), I write one of my best friends a short email with a good quote in it to help inspire her day and remind her that I love her. I happened to pick a quote that seemed very fitting, so I thought I would share it with all of you.

Source: Photo Bucket via Pinterest

P.S. Don't mind the blog changes. I felt like a little change of layout, but am hunkering for a major blog change!

A Delicious Home-Cooked Meal

Recipes coming soon!

I remember 9/11...

I thought it was just another day in September. A perfect blue filled the sky with only a few white fluffy clouds passing through to say hello. I sat in the middle of the classroom in English class in eighth grade. I was wearing a white shirt with a green skirt. It was picture day.
       
We had barely been through fifteen minutes of class when another teacher came into the room. One of the twin towers in Manhattan had been hit by a plane. Living 45 minutes from New York City, many of our parents made the daily commute into the city. Something wasn't right. Something was about to hit far too close to home to one too many of us.

As we walked down a silent hall of classrooms filled with currently oblivious students, I was not prepared for what I was about to witness. The TVs weren't on mute when we walked into the library. We didn't even have a moment to sit down as another plane flew into the second tower of the pair. I couldn't believe my eyes. Was this really happening? Were we watching a movie? No, this was real life.

I felt numb. More classes poured into the open space. An announcement came over the loud speaker to return to our classrooms. People were already crying, and a line to use the pay phone began to form. (This was right before the boom of cell phones.) I felt confused, alone, and wondered who I knew in the city that I should be worried about.

The day progressed as scheduled for pictures. I don't remember much of what was said. I remember sitting to take my eighth grade photo and turning to see several friends sobbing. The teachers didn't know what to do. My science teacher had already left for the day because her fiance had been in one of the towers.

"Please look at the camera," stated the photographer. I smiled and took the best class photo of my life, except for my eyes. In my eyes, you could see the sadness and pain, forever imprinted in our hearts.

My mom picked me up from school early, like many of the other parents. We picked up my sister from elementary school and headed home. I sat in front of the TV for hours, holding back tears and watching coverage.

As I write this, tears come to my eyes because of all the pain that happened on that day. Since that day, I choose not to look at photos or video footage. Maybe it's trying to pretend like it didn't happen, or maybe it's because it hits too close to my heart.

Ten years later still feels like yesterday. Ten years later are ten years marking a day of events that shouldn't have happened. But they did, so now we celebrate. We must celebrate the unity that came from such a horrid day and celebrate the lives lost that day.

....I remember 9/11. Do you?

Candy Galore

Something I haven't shared with all of you yet is that my family has a candy store. Since before I was born, my great aunt has run a variety shop in our town (or as I like to call it, a candy store). It's been in the family for about 70 years, and before that, the building served as a post office.
         The official store name is Ada's Variety Shop, but most locals just call it Ada's. My aunt Ada, my grandmother's sister on my father's side, spent every single day at the store, except for Sundays. She would see little ones grow into adults who then got married and had children of their own. The really cool part about working there is meeting all the people who come back and say that they grew up coming to the store after school and were now bringing children of their own.
         For those from the area, I feel like a little celebrity when mentioning that I'm related to Ada.  I have very fond memories growing up of Sunday mornings at the store with one of my aunts, my uncle, cousins, and sister. We would get to re-stock the candy and clean, all while feeling very important.
         When my great aunt passed away in 2008, my uncle inherited the store, and sometimes, I will help out by working at the store for a couple hours. So on Labor Day, I spent the morning working, and I thought I would give you a little sneak peek into some of the candy featured.

I hope everyone has a great weekend! Do you have any special family memories?

Thankful Thursday

I'm feeling especially grateful this week. Maybe it's because I'm trying to see the sunshine through the rain. (And it looks like the sun is trying to come out today!) How has your short week been so far? Looking forward to the weekend? I'm linking up with my lovely friend Rebecca at Southern Charm for Thankful Thursday. Please go read her blog post today! You can stop reading mine because hers is so very powerful and a reminder that the little things in life, and being grateful for them, matter the most.

I'm thankful for getting to wake up with two little kittens snuggling and purring around me. 

I'm thankful that M only lives three hours away. I know that I cry every time I leave him, but in the grand scheme of things, we're very lucky to live so close to each other.

I'm thankful for all the birthdays in my family in September. My sister's is a week from tomorrow, but we're celebrating this weekend before she leaves for her semester abroad!

I'm thankful for having learned how to listen to my body. Last night, I cut my run short because my knee was bothering me, but I know that the rest will do me good.

I'm thankful for simply being happy. Isn't that just the best feeling sometimes?

What are you thankful for today?

Gettin' Fit on Pinterest

TGIW! Yes, you read that correctly. Thank goodness it's Wednesday! I'm already over this week, and it's a short one. I just want it to be Friday! Last night, I plowed through 6 miles, so I'm feeling great this morning. And because I am a fitness lover, I started a pin board related to fitness. Of course, I'm linking up with the gorgeous Michelle from The Vintage Apple for "Oh How Pinteresting!" Wednesday.

Source: Health-Girl via Pinterest

Source: Diet Horoscopes via Pinterest

Source: From Flabby to Fit via Pinterest

Source: Google via Pinterest

Do you exercise or workout? Do you have a passion for running? I do! You can find these pins and more here! 

Simple Girl Accent Vlog!

So I did it! I have recorded my first vlog! And as I play it back, my dog is looking around trying to figure out why he hears my voice, but can tell I'm not actually speaking. Anyways, here's my vlog! Below the video are all the rules and questions. I hope you all link up!

The instructions are to say these words:

Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

And answer these questions: 

What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?

What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?

What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?

What do you call gym shoes?

What do you say to address a group of people?

What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?

What do you call your grandparents?

What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?

What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?

What is the thing you use to change the TV channel?

So did I sound like you thought I would sound? 

A Perfect Horoscope

So on a regular basis, I try to read my horoscope. My mom has a horoscope app on her iPad. Lately, I have been checking my horoscope, and a couple weeks ago, I had an awesome one that I felt the need to share. So here it is:

Sometimes we fear the consequences of taking bold actions in our lives. 

If you're feeling the need to make a bold move in your life, but fear the consequences, move forward with the knowledge that change is going to happen regardless, 

and if you take control of the situation,

 you can work towards ensuring those changes will be positive.

So what do you all think? This was my horoscope on Thursday, August 25th, 2011. Oh and I'm an Aries...

Your Life is Your Life.

Because I love me some inspiration, I had to share this with you. Yesterday, while waiting to listen to a Shania Twain music video on YouTube, I actually paid attention to the commercial before it played. What? A commercial caught my attention? Yup!
          After a little digging, I found the commercial on YouTube to share with you all. I find it very powerful and inspiring. I also find a lot of their other advertising in this campaign to be extremely powerful. Who is the advertiser? Levi's.
           I would love to hear what you all think! And I'm hunting for the transcript of the commercial.

Otherwise, have a great Labor day weekend! And remember that your life is your life.

Thankful Thursday

I can't believe it's already Thursday! Time seems to be flying, but I don't mind when it means the weekends come faster. I'm linking up with Rebecca from Southern Charm for Thankful Thursdays. 

I'm thankful that I get to see Anne this weekend! She's traveling home to hang out for the long weekend. I'm hoping we get to have our favorite meal together!

I'm thankful for the book The Secret. If any of you haven't read this, I would highly recommend it. I find that when things seem to be off in my life, I need to re-focus and re-read. And then the wonderful and amazing things start happening again...

I'm thankful for my love of food. Lately, I have been coming home and cooking dinner. I've whipped up some fabulous pasta dishes lately, and I surprise myself every time I take another bite. 

A delicious tomato, garlic, mozzarella & chili pepper creation

I'm thankful for M. Today marks 8 months of our long distance relationship. Sometimes it's not easy, but I feel very lucky with how often we get to see each other and knowing so many of you have done much further distances and time than we have.
I love you, M!

What are you thankful for today?