Today!

Today, I will be getting up early, working out, moving more, then heading into the best city in the world to spend the day with some awesome bloggers! See you soon Neely, Meghan, and company!

A Crazy Game of Thumper

Let's set the scene...

I'm going to recap our weekend via bullets because it was so awesome that I probably could write for days about all the fun activities (and accomplishments) that happened!


Saturday:
Maine arrival included immediately putting on swim suits heading out on the boat and M on the jetski
Boat dies...KAG and I literally swim the boat half way across the lake
During our casual swimming workout, a Bald Eagle is spotted! One word: awesome!
Jetski dead too; M begins swimming it across the lake
Boat revives, we go back for M
Boat dies again. KAG and I swim across the lake again
Kegen (sp?) appears out of nowhere and goes back for help
Boat revives before he gets back and we head back in
Dinner of steamers, lobster, steak tips, corn, and more (I was a bad blogger and didn't take any pictures.)
Drinks and s'mores by the fire
Early to bed

Love this guy

Sunday:
Awake way too early
Lots of raking, sweeping, leaf blowing, etc.
Massive breakfast of eggs, bacon, english muffins, eggo waffles, and more
Soaked up the sun for far too long
Tubing!!! (And I bit down on my tongue and thought I had severed it. Don't worry, I didn't, but it still feels awful.)
Beers on the dock (with lots of layers since the wind picked up)
Time for drinking games, more beers, hot dogs and hamburgers
Build a fire, make s'mores
Play Thumper and 21 game for hours
KAG ends up bruised
Bed

LPG and Sarge (Louie's future bff)

Monday:

M and I are on the road by 11AM for a leisurely 7-hour drive home

Honestly, the weekend was so much better than this and more! I can't wait to go back up in the end of June, except this time lots more people will be joining along with our furchild. I. Can't. Wait! Thanks for a great time G family and company!

Stress-Less

Take me back to the lake please! 

Happy Tuesday, friends! Let's just say that after a wonderful weekend of fun in the sun with amazing friends in Maine, I'm feeling much more relaxed, exhausted, but relaxed. Come back tomorrow for a full recap of our fun, but for now, head on over here to learn about another one of my ways to stress less!

Half Day, Holler!

Yea, that just happened. But this girl is leaving work early to hop in the car with her main squeeze and head up to Massachusetts then Maine for the long weekend. Woohoo! Fingers crossed the weather holds out, and we can enjoy some sunshine, grilling, and lake swimming. Until Tuesday, friends! And have a fantastic 'merica weekend!

Introducing... (drum roll take two)

...the soon-to-be newest member of the M & A house!

He'll be arriving in early June, all the way from Texas!

Sorry for the confusion, I think I accidentally deleted the original post when I was going through Blogger on my phone this morning. Fail. Anyways, happy Thursday! Only one more day until a very long weekend!

Write More Happiness

This one's for you, Mademoiselle Michael ;)

Work is busy. Writing is in full force, which I love! Oh and there's other busyness going on in our lives too. All wonderful things though! Be back tomorrow with a less inspirational post,
but a big update!

Locked In the Bathroom

Intrigued by this title, right? Head on over HERE to find out why I chose to laugh instead of cry when I got locked in the bathroom a few weekends ago...

via

Weekend Snapshots

Amazing weekend to say the least, but because it's a busy week ahead and lots to do, I'm recapping it via a few snapshots from the weekend...
Friday OOTD

Friday night dinner included whipping out the deep fryer for some wonton mozz sticks...

Saturday, I went for a run then painted my nails "Cotton Mouth" by Spoiled before we got milkshakes and tasty food for lunch.

Saturday night was a BIG date night! Off to NYC to have dinner and see Newsies! (Again, best boyfriend in the world!)

Sunday, we slept in. Then M made eggs, bacon, and coffee. I did a little bit of writing before laying in the sun (and getting my back and butt burned), then we went on a long hike in a local nature preserve before showering, me writing, then dinner at my parents.

How was your weekend? Stay tuned for some big announcements this week!

May Outfits...

Part of my 25 Before 25 list was to do an outfit post at least once a month. So for May, I'm throwing in both a work and Cinco de Mayo outfit...

Dress: Marshall's, this season
Cardigan: J. Crew, from too many years ago to count
Shoes: Urban Outfitters, last year

Top: Zara, from the fall
Skirt: Banana Republic, from 3 years ago
Shoes: Consignment store

What's your favorite pop tart?

Thank you for all of the supportive comments yesterday. It took a lot for me to hit publish. On a much lighter note, the lovely Poptart Yogini tagged me in some questions the other day, and hers were actually super original, so I am going to answer them! Ready?

would you rather be able to dance, sing or draw?

Dance, I guess. I actually am pretty artsy, so I can draw well, and I can sing too, but not as well as my sister.

on pinterest, would you rather have the clothes you pinned appear in your closet, the decor you pinned show up in your house (and you can change it as you please) or have the recipes you pinned show up on your kitchen table?

I'd probably want the clothes because I love the actual activity of cooking and baking, and I change my mind too much about decor.

for the next five years, which five countries would you like to live in, changing every year (you would still work and have a life.  this is not a vacation.  feel free to state a city too)

Australia, South Africa, France, Spain, Italy. In that order. 

for the next five years, which five states would you like to live in, changing every year (you would still work and have a life.  this is not a vacation.  feel free to state a city too)?

Georgia (to be with my sister), Virginia (to be with my best friend), California (for fun), Massachusetts (to be with M's friends), New York City

in what event would you most like to win an olympic gold medal?

Either a swimming, running, or gymnastics event. Not sure which specifically, but those were the ones I always was in awe of.

which disney princess do you want to be?

Belle. Fun fact: Beauty and the Beast was the first movie I saw in the movie theater. 

if you were hosting snl, who would you want to be the musical guest?

No clue! 

if you could take one class at hogwarts, what would it be?

Dark arts because that one always seemed to be the most helpful to Harry.

would you rather have the power to see the future or fix the past?

Neither! I'm grateful for my past, and I wouldn't want knowing what's ahead to taint my present moment. 

what is your favorite pop tart flavor (i'm running out of creative juices for questions and well you know, i'm a fan)?

S'mores! All the way! I even have a box in my cabinet right now...

What My Twenties *Are* Teaching Me

As inspired by Sarah's post (and series), let me preface this by saying that, I'm freshly turned 24. Yes, 24. But just looking back on since I turned 20, a ton has changed. This is probably the most raw and unfiltered post I've shared on my blog.  Maybe one day, I'll share more details of these events, maybe I won't.  But some life events forced me to decide between letting the experience defeat me or strengthen me.
I choose strength, always.

When I turned 20, I thought I had the best birthday of my life. I was wrong. Each new birthday gets better and better.  It's okay to be wrong.

When I was 20, I went to my first funeral for my great Aunt and sat in the front as the immediate family. Little did I know that this funeral was preparing me for the next two years of my life. I learned that sometimes seeing the pain of loss in the one's you love can be unbearable.
It's okay to cry.

When I was 20 and a half, my boyfriend, at the time, died of SADS.  I broke and lost myself to depression.  I thought he was my great love. I was wrong about this one too.  Your loved ones, both family and friends, are in your life for the little and big stuff, so let them help.  It's okay to ask for help and let the people who love you take care of you. It doesn't make you any less of a person. And life is short, so live in the moment and try new things.


When I was nearly 21, I totaled my 10-year-old Volvo wagon. Sometimes the universe will send us wake up calls or signs. This was mine, and I'm so grateful I woke up.

When I turned 21, I had another fantastic birthday celebration. And I finally started to feel like me again. I even wore a crown. It's okay to wear a crown no matter how old you're turning. 


When I was 21, I went back to an old flame. It's okay to go backwards to move forwards. And it's okay if you realize that you need to let them go.

When I was 21 and about to start my senior year of college, death visited unexpectedly again. A best girl friend who taught me how to put on makeup, flirt with boys, and really live life, was taken from this world in a car accident. Don't hold back, live life. But more importantly, always wear your seat belt. 


When I was 21, I severely dislocated my kneecap. I couldn't bend my knee for 3 weeks and spent months re-learning how to walk motivated by knowing that I would one day run again. For the workout fiends like me, it's okay to not be able to exercise. And make sure to thank your physical therapist.

When I was 22, I no longer needed to see my therapist anymore. After four intense years of therapy, my therapist was now a friend who helped me change for the better. It's okay to work with a therapist. Therapy works wonders, if you're willing to work on yourself. 


When I was 22 and a few weeks before graduation, death greeted me again. An adviser, who worked with me through my honors thesis, never got to see my completed magazine. Appreciate your teachers, they'll help you in more than just school work.

When I was 22, I moved back home and started a new job that was exactly what I needed after graduation.   Entering the real world is a big change.Do what's right for you, even if that means moving in with your parents. 


When I was 22, I met the love of my life, but it wasn't quite a fairy tale. Sometimes you have to let go of your first love, let go of any guilt, and let yourself fall. Even if it means doing long distance, open your heart because when you find the one, don't let him go.


When I turned 23, I finally accepted that it's okay to not have lots of friends. The ones who are really your friends will be there no matter what, and these friends include your parents.

When I was 23, I started this little blog of mine. What started as an outlet for my writing, turned into something so much greater: a family of blog friends. It doesn't matter where your friends are in the world, or if you haven't met in real life, a friend is a friend is a friend. 

When I was 23, I changed jobs even though my first job had people that became a second family. It's okay to cry about leaving a job and starting a new one.


When I was 23, the long distance ended, and M and I moved in together. It's okay to cry tears of joy. 


When I was 23, I began to really focus on my life goals, most especially my writing. Sometimes we just need a little encouragement and to believe in ourselves. It's okay if you don't focus on your passion as much as you should, just so long as you start at some point and don't lose sight of your dreams.

When I was 24......to be continued.

Better Pinned than Never

Linking up with Michelle for "Oh How Pinteresting!" Wednesday. I'll let the pins do the talking...

Ain't this the truth? Great reminder for me this week...

Source: Tumblr via Pinterest

Finally going to make these this week...

Source: Taste of Home via Pinterest

I would like this in my future home...or an actual wine cellar.

Source: Unknown via Pinterest

I think this would be cute for date night on Saturday.

Source: Shop Ruche via Pinterest

And because I'm starving already, how about some tasty chicken?

Source: Rock Recipes via Pinterest

Oh and I ordered this with matching leash for our future dog (no we don't have one yet, but we will soon hopefully)!

Source: etsy via Pinterest

What have you been pinning lately? Are your pins as random as mine? Follow me: pinterest.com/aromaniello!

Choco Choco Chip!

A typical spoonful of chocolate chip cookie dough!

Happy National Chocolate Chip Day! What? You didn't know today is all about anything and everything chocolate chips? Well now you do! Head on over to HooplaHa to read all about some top choices for chocolate chips, from breakfast to dessert!

Like a Butterfly

@ the Museum of Natural History's Butterfly Conservatory in Manhattan on Saturday

"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder..." -Thoreau

Pink and Sparkly

I'm doing something actually out of the norm for me! I'm participating in a link-up for the first time in forever! And who better to link-up with than Tara and Vicki!

I decided to paint my nails pink this week! They're "Greenwich Village" by New York Color, and the accent nail is "Pedal Faster Suzi" by OPI. I think they look even better holding a Corona Light in a vineyard vines koozie. Don't you?

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend, and go link up with Tara and Vicki!

Life Lately

Life lately...in pictures.

self explanatory

amazeballs homemade pizza

fantastic new Kate Spade iPhone case

house and pet sitting for my parents (Figaro being curious)

actually making breakfast - coffee and scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese

falling more and more in love with this guy (M)