May 30, 2011

They say my lip gloss is popping, my lip gloss is cool. All the boys keep jocking, they chase me after school.

Most of the women in my family have pretty thin lips, but somehow I ended up with pretty full lips. My Meme (grandmother) always used to tell my mom how "I had to wear lipstick because it would be so pretty!" haha

Usually, I just wear Chapstick or Burt's Bees, but the other day, on a whim I grabbed some lip stain while I was at the store.

It's NYC Smooch Proof 16Hour Lipstain. I actually saw a review on The Makeup and Beauty Blog so when I saw them later that night, they were fresh on my mind and I decided to pick one up.

I got Champagne Stain, which is kind of a pink-ish/berry color.


via

At first, I was pretty undecided about it-one minute I would love it, the next minute it seemed like it didn't go well with my complexion. But it's really grown on me...At the beginning, it seems pretty red but it mellows out a little. And even though it doesn't last, 16 hours it lasts long enough that I don't have to constantly reapply it.

I'm really liking it! I think it gives the perfect little pop of color for the spring time :-)

May 28, 2011

Look out, Mom, look out, Mom. I never want you to be foul ball fatality.

The final day of our trip we piled into the car and headed to the last stop on our baseball vacation-Akron, Ohio to see their Double A team, the Aeros.

Before we got to the park, my brother wanted to stop at a comic book store to celebrate National Comic Book Day.


My mom and I tried to explore the shops around, but all we found was a sad dollar store and a pharmacy. This trip was not exactly the best for shopping haha

When we got to the ball park, we went to look at the shop to get some souviniers and there were two players sitting outside signing autographs.

Out seats were on the third base line again, and since the park is so small, there were tons of foul balls! There was also lots of little kids watching the game and it was fun watching them scramble to grab all of them haha

Of course, it started raining again so we ended up moving under the over hang behind home plate. It only sprinkled a little but, it was a pretty nice view. We also saw one of *the most* bizzare things I've ever seen at a baseball game (my dad said the same thing and he's been to waaaaay more than me so it must be crazy!)

The manager was arguing balls and strikes with the home plate umpire and it was getting pretty heated-he turned his hat around and was all red in the face from yelling. The umpire ejected him after this, but the coach just kept going! After arguing for a bit, he went into the dugout, but came out with a bat and a batting helmet, telling the umpire to "try and hit the ball." We thought it was done, but then he stood on the opposite end of the plate and outlined the strike zone in the air for the umpire, ya know, just in case he wasn't sure lol Finally, he covered the plate up with dirt and left the field-it was crazy! I couldn't believe the umpire stood there and listened to him rant for that long!

We finally left the game and grabbed some food on the way out of town. When we finally got to Michigan and were able to pick up Michigan radio stations, we heard about Justin Verlander's second no hitter-crazyness! I still remember where I was for his first one (I was waitressing and watching on the big screens as I walked in between my tables. Once the 7th inning rolled around and I saw he still didn't have a hit, I told the hostess to stop seating me so I could watch the end of the game! ha!)

All in all it was a pretty nice vacation-a perfect break from work and it was nice to spend time with my family. I had a great time in Pittsburgh and would love to go back!

May 26, 2011

Oh, we're gonna get high and inside, high and inside

Since our hotel was right downtown, it was only about a 15 minute walk to PNC Park. We crossed over the Roberto Clemente Bridge,

grabbed some pizza (since we had only had ice cream for lunch lol) and grabbed our seats. We were able to get seats about 15 rows back from 3rd base, which was pretty sweet.

It was Free Shirt Friday, so we all got free shirts, which ended up coming in handy (for a few reasons)

Before the game started, we got to watch the players warm up




and the mascot mess with the reporter.
















There were also players signing autographs...



Andrew McCutchen






Steve Pearce











who signed my shirt!

Woo hoo! I feel weird getting excited about autographs but I just can't help it haha

After I got my autograph, I got back up to our seats, and my mom was laughing so hard! I couldn't figure out why, but then she said "Oh my god, Amanda! When you were running down there, all I could think of was how you looked like a little guidette!"

I told her how happy I was to hear that and we both cracked up!

The game was fairly uneventful, untill about the third inning when it started raining. It had been cloudy all day, but we were hoping it would hold off-unfortunately, it didn't :-(

It started off as just a drizzle, but eventually started pouring.

I thought it was funny that my dad was using the pink umbrella haha

A lot of people ended up leaving so we just went back a few rows so we were under the over hang and didn't get as wet.

Notice everyone wearing the shirts on their heads as protection lol

PNC Park was a really nice park, I loved the location on the river and the park itself was really nice and clean. Plus the view is amazing!


Next time I go back to Pittsburgh, I will definitely be taking in another ball game!

After the game, it stopped raining, so we tried to find the hotel and got lost walked back to the hotel and got some food at the hotel bar. The hotel was also hosting a prom so we watched as all the girls tottered around in their heels and the guys adjusted their ties uncomfortably lol After some reminiscing (ie How has it been FIVE years since I graduated!?!?!), we all went upstairs and passed out haha

May 24, 2011

Just do it with love.

It's been a few weeks since I've linked up with this kind of love for What I'm Loving Wednesday, so let's see what it is this week!


I'm loving Beauty First, a beauty store by my house, which is having a Buy 1, Get 2 free on Essie Nail Polish. And since I live in between two store, I've definitely been hitting up both! But I've gotten 9 new polishes for 8 dollars-amazing!

I'm loving the Memorial Day weekend coming up! I *love* bbqs and this weekend will be full of them! I'm having one on Friday, my parents on Saturday, and maybe another on Monday-yummy!

(Is this not the cheesiest picture? haha)

I'm loving Old Navy! For their "One Day" Wonder this weekend, they had sandals for $1! And the best part, even though I was expecting huge lines and to be there foreverrrrrrr, I was able to go in, grab 5 pairs of sandals *all in my size*, check out with no line and get out in under 20 minutes!

I'm loving my new tanning lotion! I know I shouldn't tan, but I just can't stand to be pale at the beginning of the summer when it's time to wear all my dresses and I haven't had time to lay outside yet. The girl at the tanning salon recommended it to me and I love it!

It's by BoTanica, and it's got Apple, Oatmeal and Shea butter so it's super moisturizing-love it!

I'm loving this ESPN commercial-it cracks me up every time!



Hope everyone is having a lovely Wednesday!

May 22, 2011

Black and yellow, black and yellow, black and yellow

Pittsburgh is only about a 5 hour drive from Detroit so we hit the road after the game and got to Pennsylvania about 9pm. We stopped outside the city to get some dinner before heading to our hotel.

We stayed at the Omni William Penn, which was right downtown Pittsburgh.


By the time we got there, I was exhausted! Between sitting in the sun for the game and the long drive, I was beat. I don't think I was even in bed for 10 minutes before I passed out haha

The next morning, I got up and went to the gym at the hotel, which was so nice! I was worried since some hotel gyms are kinda "eh", but this one did not disappoint :-)

We're during a fitness challenge at work so I wanted to make sure I got my points (especially since I knew I wasn't going to be eating right!)

After my workout, I ran up to the room, because we were leaving for breakfast in approximately .2423523 seconds. So I took a crazy fast shower, got dressed and ran down to the lobby, which by the way, looks likes this:
We went to Pamela's in the Strip District for breakfast.

My mom wanted to eat at places that had been featured on TV and this one was famous for not only breakfast, but their "crepe style" pancakes. And oh, my lord, were they good. I got an amazing omellete (chorizo, salsa, cheese, sour cream and guacamole-delicious!) and we got some pancakes to split. It was all soooo good! In fact, next time I go back to Pittsburgh, I'm definitely stopping by here again! I should also mention that my brother got Croissant French Toast...French toast, made with croissants and drizzled with honey syrup. It was heavenly.

(I totally forgot to take pictures because I had a sleep hangover, so this isn't our but ours was about 10x more packed with food, and those are the pancakes on the corner-yummy!)

After breakfast, we headed to The Andy Warhol Museum. I knew that I was going to like it (I love museums, love art, love Warhol) but I was surprised but *how much* I liked it. They had lots of great information and lots of his art work. They had really great pictures and a really amazing multi media presentation of all his films and art work. There was also a room filled with "Silver Clouds" which was one of his interactive pieces and my mom's favorite part.

You just stand in the room and the "wind" blows the "clouds" around-pretty cool!

In a few years, they are opening up his time capsules (they are archiving it all right now) and I definitely want to go back to see everything that he collected.

The museum is right next to PNC Park so we headed over there to grab tickets for the game that night before getting back in our car.


Last time I was in Pittsburgh, my friends and I rode the Duquesne Incline, and when I told my family about it, they wanted to try it out as well. So we headed over there and rode the incline up to the top. I have to admit, as great as the view is going up/down, I still get a little scared! I'm a wuss, what can I say? haha We took a little walk and looked at houses when we got to the top and took some pictures, before heading back down.


Me and my lil bro.




My parents.
















My dad checking out....


the view from the top-it was a little cloudy :-(

We were all hungry by this point, but couldn't decide where to eat, so we did the sensible thing...and just got ice cream! I had found an ice cream place that looked cool so we stopped by there and got "lunch" haha.

Klavon's

It was an old fashioned ice cream shop-so we had hand made chocolate coke and cherry coke, along with ice cream and milk shakes. You can't really beat ice cream as a meal, right? :-)

We tried to get my dad to get the Super Bowl Sundae, but he wasn't having it haha

My dad and brother headed back to the hotel to take a nap and my mom and I went to the Macy's right down the street from the hotel to look around. It was HUGE! Seriously, I'm pretty sure it took up the entire block and was like 17 floors or something ridiculous like that. We didn't end up buying anything but it's always fun to look around.

When we got back to the hotel, we changed real quick before heading out for the game, but since this is super long, I'm going to do another post for that haha

(PS Ever since I found out we were going to Pittsburgh, I was planning on using that lyric as a title. Me = Nerd haha)

May 17, 2011

Watching the days burning out like a cigarette, Just a few drags to go.

As I inhaled, the menthol hit my throat, not enough to make me cough, but an unexpected feeling nonetheless. And much to my surprise, it was not an unwelcome feeling. I inhaled again-deeper this time, holding the smoke in my lungs.

It went straight to my head-I was dizzy, light headed, giggly. In my minds eye, I could see the disapproving looks from my family, my teachers, my coaches. I was the captain of the team, I was the editor of the newspaper, I was a good student. But when I was smoking, I felt cool. And, most importantly, stress free.

I stood outside with my co-workers, feeling much older than my 16 years. They would pass around their cigarettes, and sometimes a joint or a flask.

It was my secret life.

During the day, I was a stereotypical "good kid". At night, I rebelled. It was only in small ways at first. It started with the cigarettes. They were easy to explain away-if my mother smelled them, it was from the people I worked with. If she saw a pack in my purse, I was holding them for a friend. She always threatened to smell my fingers, telling me it was a surefire way to figure out if I was smoking, but never did. My guess is she already knew, and didn't need the proof.

In my mind, those cigarettes afforded my the acceptance of my co-workers. I was no longer a little kid, hanging around annoying them-I was an equal. And that meant seeing each other outside of work. I was no longer just smoking cigarettes, standing outside the back of the restaurant, killing time between customers. Now, I was smoking on someone's couch, talking with my new found friends, trying hard not to act my age.

I graduated high school and had no reason to keep up my good girl persona. Hanging out with my coworkers, most at least 10 years older than me, was much more fun. I hung out where they were and did what they did. I had no longer had lungs to keep fresh for running, and chain smoking was the thing to do. I had a cigarette attached to my fingers at all times.

I smoked close to two packs a day, it was the first thing I did in the morning and I would smoke at every available opportunity. I could easily smoke a pack on a long drive, the smoke wafting out of my window, a silver trail following everywhere I went. I loved flicking the butts outside. I was mesmerized watching them explode as they hit the pavement as I sped away.

But the lifestyle I lived was tiring, and hard to keep up with.The only constant was the partying -the friends, the bars, the specifics were interchangeable. It was me and my Marlboro Menthol Lights moving from one night to the next, trying to make it out alive worst, and relatively unscathed best. Most nights we accomplished this. Some nights, we were not so lucky.

My cigarettes morphed into whatever I needed them to be at the time-my Xanax when I was anxious, my Prozac when I was upset, my caffeine when I was tired. I was dependent.I felt like I could barely function without a cigarette moving between my fingers and lips.

It caught up with me-slowly at first, but then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I knew I had to stop. I got new friends, moved, stopped partying. But I couldn't bear to give up my Marlboro's. They still made me cool, I rationalized. I need them, I can't give up everything.

I struggled, I was angry, but eventually, I was done. And it felt good; It felt so good. But every now and then, I rely on my old friend. When I'm anxious or stressed, I still find solace in a pack of cigarettes. And I can slip back in, comfortable as ever, as if the smoking hitting my lungs is softly hissing, Hello, again, my old friend.

May 15, 2011

He was crowned the Yankee Flipper by the foul ball of fame. He gave 50,000 fans the finger, but we'd like to share a little bit of the blame.

A few weeks ago, my family and I headed out to Detroit for my second game of the year!

It was such a beautiful day out-sunny, warm, nice breeze. There really is nothing better than being at a ball park during the summer.

But before we actually went to the game, we stopped off at Slow's BBQ in Detroit for lunch.

My family had never been, so they were all super stoked to go. And Slow's did not disappoint.


My brother and dad both got The Reason, which is pulled pork, pickles and cole slaw. You get to choose from their 5 different BBQ sauces, including my favorite apple-yummy!













My mom and I split The Mary Anne, which was brisket, onion and pickles. It was so so so good!











We also split a bunch of sides...sweet potato mash (delicious), french fries (I was the only one who wanted cheese on them so I lost and we got them plain but yummy none the less), green beans (which are sauteed in mustard...so good), and of course, you can't go to Slow's with out getting Mac and Cheese (I'm trying to think of another synonym for delicious, but can't come up with anything to adequately describe how amazing it is haha)



Since it was the beginning of our mini-vacation, my mom decided we had to have desert. So we got...The Chuck Norris-warm Oreo brownie, with coffee ice cream and Sander's Hot Fudge. Mmmm....









After lunch we went down to the ball park and got tickets. We ended up sitting in the upper deck along the first base line. Pretty good seats since we were able to see everything and (much to my mothers dismay) right in the sun haha









It was Paws' (the Tiger's mascot) birthday, so they had a bunch of other mascots there to celebrate and sing him "Happy Birthday" haha







After the game, which the Tigers won 6-3 over the Yankees, we piled in the car and started the drive out to Pittsburgh! Yay for mini vacations!


May 13, 2011

She's crafty, she gets around. She's crafty, she's always down. She's crafty, she's got a gripe. She's crafty, and shes just my type.

A few weeks ago when I was downtown with my mom, we stopped in Peaceable Kingdom, which is like a novelty/gift store type place. They have lots of cute jewelry too.

My mom found these charms and I thought they would make perfect earrings-I was totally right :-)
You can't really tell how big they are, but they are long and dangle-y and I'm in love.

Here's me wearing them so you can see how long they really are-they graze my collar bone if they hang in front of my shoulder. Pretty long, but they are so unique, I just can't get over them!

Workout in the morning, workout in the evening, workout take me higher

Workouts
Saturday: day off
Sunday: day off
Monday: 20 mins treadmill/interval
Tuesday: 10 mins elliptical, 4x15 abcoaster, 8x15 back extension, 20 mins treadmill/intervals
Wednesday: 10 mins arctrainer, 8x15 glutes, 8x15 hip adduction, 8x15 hip abduction, 8x15 leg press, 8x15 calf extension, 20 mins treadmill/intervals
Thursday: Day off (doctor appointment)
Friday: 10 mins arctrainer, 6x15 tricep extension, 6x15 pull down, 4x15 chest press, 3x15 fly, 20 mins treadmill/interval

Saturday: Breakfast-Egg McMuffin, hash browns (McDonalds), Lunch-hot dog (Canal Park, Akron, OH), Dinner-Taco, 1/2 burrito, rice and beans (El Rincon, Akron, OH), Snack-ice cream sandwich
Drinks: 24 oz water, 20 oz diet Pepsi
Sunday: Breakfast-bagel with cream cheese, Lunch-challah with peanut butter, banana, Snack-deviled eggs, 1 donut hole, Dinner-shrimp tacos, cheesecake
Drinks: 16 oz chai tea, 32 oz water
Monday:Breakfast-oatmeal, 1 egg, Lunch-salami sandwich, plum, small piece cherry pie, Dinner, Nachos with cheddar and jalepenos, corn, Snack-strawberries, blackberries, blueberries with whipped cream
Drinks: 6 oz milk, 32 oz water
Tuesday: Breakfast-oatmeal, 1 egg, bread heel with nutella, Snack-half bagel, banana, Lunch-Caesar salad, pear, Snack-100 cal pack almonds, dried apricots, Dinner-chicken square, plum, broccoli, berries and whipped cream, Snack-pop corn
Drinks: 6oz milk, 32 oz water
Wednesday: Breakfast-oatmeal, 1 egg, Lunch- Chicken square, apple, Dinner: open faced sandwich with asparagus, portobello mushrooms, cheddar, steamed broccoli, Snack- Jell-o Mousse caramel
Drinks: 6oz milk, 32 oz water
Thursday: Breakfast: chicken square, Snack- 1/2 whole grain/raspberry muffin, Iced cappuccino (Tim Hortons) Lunch- Frosted mini wheats, Snack-Gelato, Dinner-Egg Sandwich, Snack-freeze pop, pretzels
Drinks: 32 oz water
Friday: Breakfast-Egg Sandwich, Lunch-Chicken Square, Snack-Peach, toast with vegetable cream cheese, Dinner-cheeseburger, corn, Snack-Freeze pop
Drinks: 6 oz milk, 32 oz water

May 6, 2011

Damn it feels good to be a gangsta

Girl, I'm going to make you sweat, sweat untill you can't sweat no more.

Week 4

Workouts
Saturday:Nothing-sick :-(
Sunday: day off
Monday: 30 mins arctrainer
Tuesday: 10 mins arctrainer, 8x15 tricep press, 8x15 row/rear delt, 8x15 pull down, 4x15 chest press, 10 mins treadmill/interval
Wednesday: 10 mins treadmill, 8x15 hip adduction, 8x15 hip abduction, 8x15 glute, 8x15 seated leg press, 8x15 calf extension, 30 mins elliptical
Thursday: 30 mins walking downtown Detroit
Friday: 10 mins treadmill, 8x15 squat/tricep extension, 8x4 chair/fly, 8x4 squat/bicep curl, 8x6 lunge/curl, 30 mins elliptical, 2 hrs walking downtown Pittsburgh

Food
Saturday: Breakfast-bagel, Snack-strudel, Lunch-plum, Snack-apple, Dinner-BBQ chicken, mac and cheese(leftovers), broccoli, corn, Snack-pretzels
Drinks-12oz Sprite, 24oz water
Sunday: Breakfast-bagel with cream cheese, Snack- half donut, Dinner-chicken with artichoke hearts and celery, biscuits
Drinks-12 oz Root beer, 24 oz water
Monday: Breakfast-oatmeal, 1 egg, Snack-apple, Lunch-salami sandwich, celery with peanut butter, 1/2 ginger cookie, Snack-banana, Chobani Greek Yogurt, Dinner-bi bim bop with peas, broccoli, cauliflour, rice, Snack-Brioche with cream cheese and jelly
Drinks: 6 oz milk, 8 oz sparkling water/pomegranate juice/ 45 oz water
Tuesday: Breakfast-Oatmeal, 1 egg, toast with nutella, Snack-pear, Lunch-bi bim bop (leftovers), rugelach, Snack-roll (sample for work), banana, Dinner-Cheeseburger, 1 teaspoon each: macaroni salad, potato salad, coleslaw, pickle, Snack-Jell-o Temptations Double Chocolate, strawberries
Drinks: 8 oz sparkling water/pomegranate juice, 45 oz water
Wednesday: Breakfast-oatmeal, 1 egg, Snack-cupcake (tasting for work), Snack-Chobani Greek Yogurt, Dinner- pizza
Drinks: 32 oz water
Thursday: Breakfast-Chobani Yogurt, Banana, brioche roll, Lunch-1/2 brisket sandwich, side orders (split 4 ways): fries, green beans, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese (Slow's), Snack-pretzels, Dinner-grilled chicken sandwich (Eatn'Go, PA)
Drinks: 32 oz water
Friday: Breakfast-Tex-mex omelette, hash browns, pancakes (Pamela's, Pitt), Lunch-Pizza (PNC Park, Pitt), Spinach/artichoke dip, potato chips (Omni hotel bar)
Drinks: 20 oz Coke Zero, 24 oz water

May 4, 2011

When I fall in love, it will be forever.

It's Wednesday again, and there's lots to love (as always!)


I'm loving the sun being up when I get to the gym in the mornings. It's so much easier to get my butt outta bed when the sun is shining and the birds are singing!

I'm loving that when I get out of work today, I'll be taking a nice, relaxing three day "weekend" and taking in some baseball games!

I'm loving this sauce! It says goes with everything, and so far, I have to agree-I've been putting it on veggies and I'm in love! Perfectly sweet and spicy :-)

I'm loving the health tune-up going on at work-everyone is super psyched about eating right and working out...makes it much easier to keep in shape!

I'm loving doing this list right now-we just had a stressful work meeting and thinking about all the things I'm loving always helps put things in perspective :-)

Pop on over to this kind of love and see what everyone is loving today ♥

May 1, 2011

Now I'm just gettin to know you, what you got for me?Tell me about your parents 'cause the fruit don't fall far from the tree.

Rebecca at rebecca likes nails was nominated for the...


and it is so appropriate and perfect for her! Her blog was one of the first nail blogs I started reading, and I love her blog and all her designs! They are all so cute and fun and I'm so jealous of how creative and talented she is!

At the end, she tagged anyone who was wearing glitter on their nails, and thanks to my new mani from last night-I am!

Proof!
(I don't know if you can tell but the blue is blue glitter-I swear!)

So I'm going to play along and post 10 random facts about myself-I'm not every good at this so bare with me!

1. I used to work in the pastry department at the bakery I'm at now. It's actually where I got my start at the business and I considered going to culinary school, but along the way realized I'm much more a people person than a food person-luckily for me, the job I have is a perfect mix of both!

2. I'm short. Like really, really short. I'm barely 5' even. My dad calls me a hobit and my brother (who is over 6' tall) likes to pick on me about it haha

3. Going along with that, since I'm so short, I LOVE HIGH HEELS! And to be honest, the higher the better. I have an exorbitant amount and no where very few places to wear them ha!

I would die for the Louboutins.
For realz.

4. Nail polish is my newest obsession. I bought 10 new polishes last week! I started to count my collection the other day and gave up when I got to 50 because I was a little ashamed lol

5. I'm not a huge fan of the beach. I'd rather go somewhere urban, like New York or Boston. I also fell in love with Vermont when I went there a few years ago. But if I had to go somewhere exotic for a vacation it would definitely be one of three places (Or all three if I'm lucky lol)...


Oh, hey. What's up Santorini, Greece?








I see you there, Italy.





You too, France!






Aren't they all so pretty? *sigh*

6. My "List of Things To Do Before I Die" include seeing a European soccer match (preferably in one of the above), visiting Israel, visiting every Major League Baseball park, and attend every major sport championship (Superbowl, World Series, NBA Championship, NHL Stanley Cup, etc), among other things.

7. My favorite animals are pandas, as I mentioned in here, but I have a soft spot in my heart for squirrels. If I could keep one as a pet, I totally would!

They are just so cute!

8. Five things I couldn't live with out are: cellphone, Ipod, gum, water bottle and a hair tie.

9. I'm a sucker for reality TV. It's bad. My co-workers call me "Snooki" and request I come in rocking the poof. And to be honest...

I always usually oblige.

and 10. I try to live by the philosophy that life is really to short to be anything but happy. I spent quite a bit of time being pessimistic and I'm trying hard to turn all that around and be a smiling, happy optimist! And so far, it's much easier (and way more enjoyable) to be happy :-)

So I think the rules are that you're supposed to tag people, but I'm not sure if anyone even read this, so if you do-go for it and let me know so I can read it :-)
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