Oh, Pin Me

Hello Wednesday! Thanks for arriving, but no thanks for already being the last day of February. How did time go by so quickly? I'm quite happy though that we're already one month closer to warmer weather. I need some sunshine please! And it doesn't hurt that we're closer to my birthday! Michelle, from The Vintage Apple, hosts this fabulous link up, so if you're pinning lots from Pinterest, you should link up.

I love this ring.

Source: Tiffany's via Pinterest

 I want to try to make this brussel sprout recipe.

Source: Miss Make via Pinterest

I'm dreaming of taking a trip to one of the many sunflower festivals this summer. Molly, want to come with?

Source: Pinterest

I'm also thinking about making some of these coasters since I have way too many race bibs to count. I might as well put them to good use, right?

Source: Etsy via Pinterest

What have you been pinning? Anything fun? You can find me on Pinterest here! Happy hump day!

Sometimes, But Always

I'm linking up with the beautiful Megan of Mackey Madness. Have you sent her some love yet? If not, you should.

Sometimes: I feel like I can fill my plate super high and be perfect.
Always: I'm learning that if I want to be happy and keep my sanity, I can't.

Sometimes: I experiment with baking recipes.
Always: I find that I really can't mess with that formula much without creating a disaster.

Sometimes: I don't want to go to the gym.
Always: I feel fantastic after my workout.

Sometimes: I feel like I could live on a diet of candy and sweets only.
Always: I end up craving real food. Like fruits, veggies, protein, etc.

Sometimes: I get dressed for the gym in an attempt to motivate myself.
Always: Unless I feel like going, I end up just staying in workout clothes.

Sometimes: I don't feel like writing blog posts.
Always: I'm so glad I put at least a few words or images down on the page.

What are you saying sometimes and always to today? Link up with Megan!

Flying Solo

How it's already Monday beats me, but here's to re-living the weekend. M left on Friday night to head home to grab some things and run some errands up in his hometown, so I flew solo. Fortunately, I know how to keep myself busy, but I will admit that it's way too quiet in this house without his company.

Real convo with M before bed on Friday:
M: So did you carbo load tonight?
Me: If by carb load, you mean eat the entire jar of salsa, then yes.


Friday night for dinner: an entire jar of salsa with Tostito's Scoops. Is anyone else not seeing the "Hot" Tostito's salsa in grocery stores lately? Or is that just here?

Saturday 4:30AM: off to NYC to run the NYRR Al Gordon Classic 4-Miler in Brooklyn. I knew that my favorite Enthusiastic Runner was running it, but wasn't sure if we'd cross paths a midst the 4,000 runners. But we did end up finding each other and having a fun run together.

Saturday 12:30PM: Finally dragged my butt out of bed. Showered, did our laundry, vacuumed, cleaned, ran the dishwasher, made cake balls, played with my new Erin Condren planner, chatted with M on the phone

Saturday 10:30PM: Fell asleep wearing my 'cuse scarf while watching the 'cuse kick some UCONN butt. 10 hours of sleep was much needed.

Sunday 8:30AM: Out of bed, ready to tackle the day. Trip to Michael's for some frames, visited my parents, blogged, watched TV, gym for a bike workout, home to shower, read some more, cook dinner, then paint my nails.

Sunday 7:30PM: M arrives home and couldn't be happier. An evening of tasty food, drinking red vino, and watching the Oscar's.

I'm a happy girl.  How was your  weekend? I tried something different with this post, a.k.a. not writing in complete sentences, but not so sure how I feel about it yet.

What's your 9 to 5?

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Yea, I'm asking. I'm feeling like I'm at that moment in my life where I know what I see myself doing in 5 or 10 years for my career (and life), so right now I'm just slowly and steadily working towards that. It's amazing that in the blog world, we all are bloggers (another way to define ourselves), however some of us (myself included) don't share what their actual careers outside of this little world are.

Kate has an awesome career, but one that definitely isn't for me. And many of you are aspiring, or are already, teachers, which is also something I don't ever see myself doing. Some of you are nurses, full-time bloggers, mommies, and more.

Aren't you curious about how your fellow blog friends spend their 9 to 5? So, I'm asking. What does your career entail? What do you do? I completely understand if you're like me and don't want to share out in the open, but if you don't mind, email me (romaniello.amanda@gmail.com). I can't wait to find out what your career entails!

Disclaimer: This is just some personal research I'm doing to help figure out what I would or wouldn't enjoy!

Thank You, M

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Thank you, M...
for making me believe in true love.
for loving me unconditionally.
for always being there for me (especially when I feel like I might faint).
for giving me kisses just because.
for being the best roommate a girl could ask for.
for being appreciative.
for getting just as excited about that silly deep fryer as I do.
for being yourself.
for offering to make me breakfast.
for making me laugh.
for being a great spoon.
for not thinking I've completely lost my mind when I cry because I'm overtired.
for being supportive of me and those that I care about.
for listening to me.
for moving to end the distance.
for all the happiness you bring me.

So What Wednesday

I'm linking up with Shannon from Life After I "Dew" for SO WHAT! Wednesday because it's already Wednesday. Can  you believe it? Yea, me neither. 


So what...


...I'm feeling uninspired with my posts lately. I've got a good chunk of drafts, but none of them feel publishing worthy.


...I'm having so much fun editing Jess' thesis. Can we say writing dork?


...I really enjoy eating tofu.


...I'm excited to make homemade pizza this week.


...I'm still on cloud nine that M is really here. 


...if this text conversation made me so happy last night because 
my physical home and my heart home are the same now. 

What are you saying so what to on this lovely February hump day?

Fact: I live with a guy now.

Because I know you're all dying to hear about how my weekend was, I'll finally fill you in. Instead of doing a minute by minute recap, I'm doing a list. Ready?

Friday:

Girl's night!

 

-- Anne and I had a tasty dinner of nachos and mozzarella triangles and drinks. Then headed to see This Means War. Go see it! I laughed my butt off.


Saturday, pre-M's arrival:

View from my bed

-- Woke up way too early, so I cleaned my car inside and out, got a car wash, and visited my uncle.
-- Then got in my training workout (yes, I had to bike for 2 hours and 7 minutes), but read my book to make time fly. Currently reading? Be the Miracle by Regina Brett
-- Stopped at the library to pick up some more books. (Can you notice that I'm being a busy bee in order to kill time before M's arrival?)
-- Grocery shopped so I could make M some rice krispie treats and bought some orange roses. 'Cuse colors, how could I not?

-- Showered, tidied, snacked, painted my nails, and impatiently waited.

Devotion by L'Oreal

Saturday, M arrives:

Card and treats from M

-- Heard the key in the door and bolted from bed to find M with flowers, a card, and yummy treats
-- Exchanged gifts, moved some of his stuff into the house, then off to dinner at Barcelona
-- Fastest dinner in the history of our dating, but so tasty, then home to hang out a bit for seeing some of our friends for a last minute night of drinking games

Sunday: 
-- Woke up, and I made us breakfast (toast and eggs) while making a grocery list
-- Visited my parents then my uncle before grocery shopping
-- Headed home for snacks, and card games before getting ready for our dinner date at Tarry Lodge
-- Perfect, romantic dinner
-- Home to the couch where we watched TV (and I fell asleep) and snuggling

How was your weekend?

As Happy As...

I have to be honest, I'm not myself today. Things have been a little hectic in the world of this simple girl lately. I'm not going to go into detail with what, but on the positive side, I officially live with a boy! And not just any boy, my main squeeze M. I promise to do some recapping of my weekend later today or tomorrow, but for now, I'll leave you with this quote from Abe Lincoln:

via seanwes.com

So are you going to be as happy as you could be today?

Makeover Monday: Eyes

Happy Monday! M and I have the day off, and we're still getting settled into the house together. Let's just say that I'm overjoyed that I know he's around and not just for the weekend.  I'm linking up with Molly and Katie for "Makeover Monday" to share my absolute favorite eye makeup.

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I started using Prestige eyeliner in high school when a best girl friend, who was like a big sister, taught me. I still remember pulling over my car so she could teach me how to apply it. And since I started using the eyeliner, I haven't been able to love another brand.

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A couple years ago, my bff bought me the Urban Decay Show Pony Palette. At first, I was really skeptical, but after being taught how to combine and overlap the colors, I'm obsessed, and it's one of my go-to's for when I put on makeup.

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And last, but not least: mascara. I didn't realize how much mascara can do for my long and straight eyelashes until recently. I discovered this waterproof mascara by CoverGirl and fell in love.  The key to making them look good? Mascara plus an eyelash curler.

So those are my basics for my eyes. Go link-up with my favorite Kansas girl Molly please!

Dear...

Dear M, only one more sleep apart. Then things really will be perfect all the time! See you tomorrow, roomie! Ruv you!

He's even handsome sleeping under a pink blanket.

Dear Anne, see you tonight! Yipee! Can't wait to have some beverages (of the alcoholic sort) and eat nachos. I'm excited for some quality girl time with you.

December 2011

Dear house, please manage to stay clean through the moving in of  M's things. I slaved away on Wednesday night, and you actually seem to sparkle now. I know you appreciate it.

Dear physical therapy workouts, you're kicking my butt. Literally. But I know you're helping me already.

Dear running, I can't wait to do you again, hard. Only a few more weeks!

Dear readers and blog friends, I want to do a giveaway to show how much I appreciate you, but first, what would you want to win?

Dear belated Valentine's Day, I know I would have liked to celebrate on your actual day, but Saturday with M will be so much better. I can't wait to find out what he has planned for us. I'm giddy with excitement to give him his gifts and card!

Dear Tarry Lodge, I can't wait to eat insane amounts of your food on Sunday night to celebrate my man's new job. This dinner has been a long time coming, but it was more than worth the wait!

Dear weekend, thank you for arriving so quickly! And for being 3 days long. It'll be nice to have an extra day to relax with M before a busy week.

Wondrous Weekend

It's better late than never to post some of my photos from the weekend, right? Last weekend was M and I's last weekend in Boston before he moves in.

Friday night, after an hour in physical therapy, I started my drive...by sitting in traffic. When I finally arrived in Boston around 9:30, M and I headed straight for late night Chinese and a scorpion bowl or two. We came home and watched Our Idiot Brother, which was pretty funny, although M was asleep within the first 10 minutes.

Saturday, we woke up to snow flurries, but that didn't stop us from heading to Marshall's and Ocean State Job Lot to do a little shopping. I picked up some great deals before we headed to Pizzing's for beers, mozzarella sticks, and jalapeno poppers to watch the Syracuse game.

After our snack, we lounged on the couch before I got dolled up for our dinner date. In high school, M worked at PJ's Country House, so he wanted to take me there to eat. He always raved about how good their Delmonico potatoes were, and they were even better than I could have imagined. As an appetizer we got oysters on the half shell, and then I decided I needed to try some popovers too!

After dinner, we headed home to change before a night out at Dave & Buster's. I had never been before, so I didn't know what to expect. But I ended up loving the fact that it was like a big kid's playground: booze and games in one place.

M & I at Dave & Buster's

We went with M's friends (J, K, and N), and I can't wait for them to come down to Connecticut to visit us! Sunday was spent packing and getting lunch at Poopsie's before I headed home. It was the first time in a long time that I didn't cry when I left but I think I knew it was because he'd be here on Saturday!

The drive home was smooth sailing, and I stopped at my parents' for dinner before having my dad help me unload the car into the house. I unpacked a lot of what M sent back here with me, but still have a little more to put away before the weekend.

M's suits starting to fill in the closet.

It was such a perfect weekend, and I simply can't wait for him to be here all the time. We've already decided that we think Sundays are going to be pizza and beer days at Colony Grill. How was your weekend? Or more importantly, what are you up to this coming weekend? Can't believe it's already Thursday!

So What Wednesday

I'm linking up with Shannon from Life After I "Dew" for SO WHAT! Wednesday because it's HUMP day. Are all you love birds hungover with love from your night of romance? No? Mean neither, but that's okay by me. I gave myself a mani/pedi and ate quinoa while watching RHOOC. I get to celebrate in t-minus three freaking days. 

So what...


...that I am going to need to change some of my habits once M moves in. But it's worth it since it beats being away from him!


...that I've realized I talk to myself on a regular basis. And I usually end up laughing at myself when I notice I'm doing it. (Crazy much?)


...I just want it to be Friday already so I can see my BFF.


...I'm completely indecisive about making some choices, like what to cook for dinner or whether I should sleep in or workout.


...I'm still pissed that Ben kept Courtney on The Bachelor. (Sorry for spoiling if you didn't get to watch Monday's episode yet.)


...I'm pumped for tonight's episode of Revenge!!! 


...if I'm getting sick of my "green" smoothies. Sometimes a girl needs a bagel and some bacon. Mmmm bacon.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Good morning my lovelies! Happy Valentine's Day! Cue rainbows, butterflies, and hearts pouring from the screen..... just kidding! Anyways, you can find me over at Ashley's blog today. She's my awesome pen pal, and I was so excited to share about why I love Valentine's Day. And no, it's not because I have a sweet and romantic boyfriend. But that doesn't hurt either...

I hope you all have lots of fun and happy plans for your evening. I will spend my night at gym on the a spin bike before going home to make something tasty and have a phone date with my man. M and I won't be celebrating Valentine's Day until Saturday night, but even more importantly, that's the day he moves in! I can't wait!

So tell the people you love them today a few extra times. Tell your mom and dad, sister, brother, boyfriend, girlfriend, best friend, blog friend, puppy or kitten. Everyone likes knowing they are loved, and it makes it more special when they hear it.

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Happy Valentine's Day!

The Written Word

Since I was little, I always had a knack for writing. I don't know why, but it has come naturally to me, and I truly enjoy putting pen to paper or fingers to a keyboard. The writing craft itself takes a lot of time, effort, energy, and more. But writing isn't just about getting your thoughts and ideas down on a page, there's a step that comes after that, through a lot of practice and discipline, I have come to enjoy too: editing.

In all the different phases of the writing process, I have learned and grown. But I'm a firm believer that you can never stop learning and improving. That's why I think it's really important, with something you're passionate about, to keep growing. Last spring, I took a writing and publishing course, which taught me so much, and, ultimately, helped lead me to starting to using this blog as a creative writing outlet.

But there's something that I think is also very important in getting writing assistance. With my writing, I always try to have someone else read it. Now, I will admit that I don't have someone else read all my blog posts, but when it comes to my long-form writing, I like to share the piece with my close friends or family members to receive their input.

One place that I'll consider using, when that time comes, will be TheWritingFaculty. They target to all ages and all writing, it will be the exact input I'd need: unbiased and objective.

TheWritingFaculty is a company that provides online writing tutoring. For more information, you can visit them here: http://thewritingfaculty.com. 

Have you ever thought about using a writing tutor? I certainly did in college. What about for your kids, or when you were growing up? This definitely seems like a great way to find one.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post for TheWritingFaculty, and I did receive compensation for writing it. All of the above opinions are my own, and I only choose to write or accept sponsored opportunities that I believe in or am passionate about.

#FollowFriday

Oh hey, Friday! How nice of you to arrive! What took ya so long? Is that so? Well, I'm going to link up with Hollie of hollie takes notes for #FollowFriday since this is the last one she'll be doing for a few weeks. And I think as a way of celebrating that it's Friday, and I'm not terribly hungover this week, I'll get random with my post. Ready?

I get to see my studly handsome man tonight! I'm heading up to Boston for the weekend! And can you believe he moves in with me in t-minus one week?! Say what? I'm going to have a new roommate! And he just happens to be the guy who makes me giggle like a school girl and gives me butterflies every time I get to see him.

After date night two weeks ago

I'm on week two of PT (physical therapy), and I'm not excited to go tonight because I just want to get on the road. But I know I need it so that I'm in tip top shape for April's races. Yes, races plural.

I debated bringing these up to Boston with me... But since, there are less than half left, I figured I might as well just finish them off myself. I already ate three this morning.

My bouquet of sunflowers is still going strong after two weeks. These flowers make me smile every time I walk down the hall and when I'm in the kitchen.

And since I've been participating in the #febphotoaday, here's day 10: self portrait. I wanted it to really look like me, so this is what I look like on a daily basis. I'm usually very smiley. I don't ever wear makeup. I almost always wear pearls. And my favorite color to dress in is red!

Have you been participating in #febphotoaday? Go link up with Hollie to meet some more great bloggers! And have a great weekend!

It's More Than OK

Oh thank goodness Thursday is here! It was one of those weeks where on Monday I was wanting it to be Friday. Is that bad? Maybe a little... So instead of holding my breath that Friday just appears, I'm linking up for Neely and Amber's "It's OK Thursday."

It's ok...


...that I am counting down the days until M moves in.

...that I'm also counting down all the months (and days) until I get to finally meet many of you lovely ladies!

...that I had beer and wings on a Wednesday night.

...that the service at the restaurant was terrible, and we didn't want to tip, but still did anyways.

...that I saw Chronicle last night and am slightly traumatized.

...that I slept with a light on because of the movie.

...that I got a manicure during my lunch break yesterday with my co-worker who has become a very good girlfriend.

...that I sometimes read blogs, but don't comment because I feel like a flaky comment is worse than no comment at all.

...that I made cake balls as a pre-Valentine's Day treat and am the only person who's eaten them. (Yes, half of them are gone.)

...that I just want to spend the entire day snuggled up on the couch watching movies and taking naps.

...that I love M so dang much, and I want to tell him what I got him for Valentine's Day!

What are you saying it's ok about today?