In more important news

than whether I accomplished the goals I set for myself to accomplish before my 29th birthday, I finally won the last issue of Domino magazine that I needed to have the complete set!

Score!

(Yes I know I've been M.I.A. for literally months. I apologize.)

But this is so excited that I feel the need to blog about it. I purchased a photograph off of etsy a while back. I find it very soothing and serene. It is the inspiration for my bedroom redecorating. I love the gray color of my bedroom but lately it's just been kind of blah to me. I found bedding at Anthroplogie that goes really well with my new vibe, except it was about $300 for he comforter and two shams. I found it back in May.

Well.

I just checked out the sale section of their website and the comforter is on sale for $70 and the Euro shams are $15 each- UM HI AMAZING!

So I just ordered the comforter and two shams for my new bedroom!!! Super excited for this bedroom re-do!

And just for the record I'm still doing ridiculous things that would most likely only happen to me I just haven't blogged about them. For example I have returned to my routine of going to the gym at night which I seemed to have abandoned pretty much the whole summer. I thought I remembered the combination to my lock. Turns out I didn't. And had to ask the gym to kindly cut my lock so I could get my stuff out of the locker. Way to go me.

My new obsession

(besides getting the last two issues of Domino magazine I need to have the complete collection- grrrr) is purchasing an antique/vintage typewriter.

There are a ton on ebay that aren't expensive! The cheap ones also don't guarantee that they actually type (you buy cheap you get cheap) but even some that say they do type aren't too bad!

If it's not one thing with me it's another entirely!!

Thoughts

Facebook has been blocked at school.

Our server has been acting up and I cannot get to gmail or our school's grade/attendance system X2. Progress reports need to be input tomorrow. I know I can input them at home, I think, I haven't tried X2 at home, but part of me feels like I shouldn't have to, it should be available at work. What a novel idea! I also feel anxious that I cannot check my email. Oh iChat isn't working either. I cannot chat with Nikki or Meaghan throughout the day. I feel very secluded.

On top of those communication issues there is a giant lack of cell phone service in our school so I can't even text during my prep without difficulty.

Giant FAIL for my school right now.

Also, I really really really want this comforter for my room:

Awesome. I can't find a picture. But here's the link. It would fit perfectly with the new vision I have for my room.

So would an actual headboard. Sigh. This is just a day of "wants" and frustrations.

April Vacation Goals

I am hoping to move my closet (a.k.a. second bedroom) into the actual closet that's in my bedroom, thus creating room for an actual second bedroom.

Right now I have an Ikea monstrosity in my second bedroom housing my clothing. I find that I don't put stuff away after I wear it/wash it and the room easily turns into a mess. Right now I have the Ikea set up, a three-drawer bureau and shoes in my second bedroom. In my actual bedroom I have a second three-drawer bureau and the skinny hard to utilize closet which holds dresses and some shoes.

A bit excessive, I know.

Here's the problem/challenge: my actual closet is narrow which makes it hard to maneuver in. Also, I can't put bars across it because it's the access point for my attic. So I have to be creative. In the back of the closet are two built in cubbies. I'm thinking of putting a shelf in each to act as storage. There are also three drawers below those cubbies.

So if I store workout clothes, sweatshirts, etc. in the built-in along with long sleeve shirts, short sleeve shirts and tank tops, I think that'd work. Oh and maybe skirts. Along the long wall where I can't put a bar I'm thinking of putting coat hooks and investing in some of these bad larry's  to hang my dresses on so that they're hanging, but out of the way. Maybe too, my button down shirts. I plan on utilizing under-bed storage for shoes and possibly some other sweatshirts. The three drawer bureau currently in my room will hold unmentionables, pjs and work pants (?).  I'm also thinking of getting a standing coat rack for in my bedroom to hang stuff that I have yet to put away.

And then the fun part of creating an actual second bedroom! Depending on if I get an actual roommate in the near future or not, I may buy a day bed, or a cheap twin bed, depending on price of each. That's coming secondary to whether or not I can pull this closet redo off or not. One more week to plan and then it's execution time!!

On a positive note

I made some purchases of things for my house this weekend.

On Friday I ordered this print which I've had my eye on for literally months on etsy:

From this shop.

I'm thinking of redecorating my bedroom artwork/decorations based on this print.

I also ordered these two prints from made by girl:

For my front hallway/stairs area. Available here. 

And this print:

I'm not sure where this is going, but I love blogs, coffee and hopefully one day someone. Available here. 

"Try it, you might like it!"

-Danny Wood, New Kids on the Block

That was a quote from a video back in the day, that I or my cousin Nikki taped off of tv of the New Kids on tour. They were eating, and Danny was telling the camera that his mother used to tell him, "Try it, you might like it" about new foods.

I rarely attempt this because I worry about wasting a precious meal either out to eat or store bought in the event that I don't like it. Case and point, lunch today.

Normally I get the Chicken with Almonds Lean Cuisine and I decided to branch out and bought two new ones: one with veggies and whole wheat pasta (I failed to notice at point of purchase that this meal came without chicken) and rice with chicken, veggies and cranberries in an apple sauce. (Not apple sauce apple sauce but some sort of apple glaze business.)

Both I did not like. Now, I did not mind the pasta with veggies option that I had yesterday but my complaint is that it doesn't have chicken aka not enough to it. The second meal which I had today, really didn't agree with me. I should've known but I figured I'd take Danny Woods' words of advice, but unfortunately for me, I was not a fan of either. Back to my chicken with almonds.

Not until the end of the week though, I bought lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, mushrooms and almond slivers to make salads for the week, I've just been too lazy to do so. I think that'll be my afternoon activity.

And watch, we'll have no school tomorrow and I won't need a pre-made lunch. At least I'll get to sleep in and make bacon and eggs for breakfast because I actually have those ingredients! Oh maybe I'll buy waffle mix and maple syrup to make waffles too!!!!!!!

Yummmm......is it 3:00 so I can go home and eat something yet?

HELP!!!

So I am in need of a new rug for my living room. I want something neutral and simple. I checked my usual sites for house stuff, west elm, pottery barn, cb2, crate and barrel, anthropologie (not that I can afford a rug from there) and the like. Eh, nothing really struck me. I then went to overstock.com and I have a few options/ideas I'd like run past you, feel free to comment or email me which you prefer as I enjoy help and suggestions.

Here we go:

Option 1, cheapest and I really love the pattern, I'd go with the one on the bottom, the "chocolate" option. And did I mention it's cheap? $65.99 for an almost 5x8.

Option 2, again, price not that bad and I like the color too. I'm just not sure gray

will look right with my living room, which is why I also enjoy this rug in the brown option:

I still think I like the houndstooth print better. Color-wise too I think I like it better.

Option 3, I really like the print of this rug and also enjoy the price- $169.99. Not bad.

Ok, thoughts? Please!

Domino Update

Since posting that I wished to acquire the entire collection of Domino magazines published from 2005--2009 I have come very close to meeting my goal. Only six issues are evading my capture! August 2007, October 2006, May 2006, March 2006, Jan/Feb 2006 and October 2005. I am *so*close* to having them all.

Which, let's discuss. Is this weird? That I have a strong desire to own all the published issues of a home magazine?

Hmmm....I find it a bit odd, but I'm really excited to have them all one day.

Weirdo. But I embrace it.

Secret Santa is the devil

Apparently the staff here at school does a Secret Santa every year, two days a week for the last two weeks before Christmas break you leave a small gift for someone and on the last day before vacation the trend has been to give a "cool" pen to the person. Fun. Except I didn't know what to get my secret santa, I don't really know her very well. I got her apple shaped post-its for the two days this week in a bag of Reese's and Hershey's (you know the ones with the milk chocolate, dark chocolate, krackle and Mr. Goodbar?) Which I think seems ok? I don't freaking know. I was roaming around Target aimlessly trying to figure out what to buy. I also bought her snowflake gel-window decals to decorate her classroom door with-is that stupid? Who cares. I have yet to get my gift yet to gauge how off I am on this whole thing, only time will tell.

Ok just walked down to get the detention lists and got my gift. I'm in the clear. I got a holiday candy bar (that I'll be giving away tomorrow in class) and a little snowman pen. Perf.

But that's actually not the reason that Secret Santa is the devil. It's really the devil because I ate half of the Reese's and Hershey's because they're in my side desk drawer. Which is actually my own fault, but I'd prefer to blame Secret Santa.

Let's see, I've been slacking in the blog updates so what else is new.

My Mom didn't "accidentally" forget to get me tickets to the New Kids Christmas concert, she legit did, so I won't be attending that sadly. BUT I did request the New Kids on the Block Coming Home DVD which is such dejavu to the days of me taping their specials and appearances on TV and watching them over and over again. This time around I can do it with the convenience of a DVD player!!

Why don't I give you all a run-down of my Christmas List? Sure, why not.

This light from Ikea for my bedroom:

This light from Ikea for my hallway:

The shirt from the etsy shop elizandaxle:

This poster from the cover of Domino magazine:

This rug for my living room:

This jacket from J.Crew that I mentioned before:

These gloves which I've looked EVERYWHERE for and FINALLY found thanks to Meaghan:

And just for shits and giggles, I threw in this desk from west elm:

So. Because I have Christmas then my birthday literally a week after, I try to make a pretty extensive list, jic. My Mom totally ruined any element of surprise for my gifts though. She told me that she ordered the poster but never received an email confirmation so wasn't sure if it went through correctly. Ok, gift number one. She then said I could check her email to make sure it didn't go to the junkmail folder (which it had) and once I opened her email I saw an email from west elm confirming an order. Holy crap. I totally just added that for the heck of it. Can't believe I'm going to be an owner of the Parson's desk from west elm! Insane!! She then proceeded to ask me about the tshirt I wanted from etsy because the packaging was weird and she wasn't sure she ordered the right thing. I explained that etsy is everything handmade so they usually package everything really neat and pretty. Gift #3. Jeez. I'm pretty psyched for Christmas and my bday now! For a last minute list I'm making out pretty well!

What else. I'm up to a total of 13 pounds lost. My goal is 20 by my bday. So far I ran on Monday this week, did kickboxing Tuesday, attempted to run last night but was foiled by a constant cramp and my headphones breaking. I'm going to go tonight too. I'd looove it if I could be down 20 lbs by January 2nd (the night of celebration for my bday, not the actual birthday). I have a vision in my head of an outfit for that night and I plan on shopping at the Natick Collections to make that outfit a reality. It'd be great to be 8 pounds lighter when I do shop for that outfit.

Positive thoughts.

And last but certainly not least, boy updates. There are some. Another day, another post though. All in good time. For now my Christmas list will have to do.

Just Jack!

I feel like Jack McFarland from Will and Grace on the episode when he's obsessed with buying stuff from ebay and keeps on being outbid by Dr. Danger I think it was, and he's running around on a scooter, well I guess it would be scooting around on a scooter, to make sure he bids in time to win whatever it is he's bidding on.

Long winded, sorry.

I am constantly checking ebay for domino magazines even though I won't have any money to purchase them until pay day Thursday, it's like I can't stop looking at them! I keep on thinking I'm just randomly going to come across a whole set of the magazines somewhere like at a random yardsale, or some flea market somewhere....yeah prob not going to happen.

In the meantime I'll just continue stalking ebay during my prep periods and downtime at home!

I'm so excited!

I'm so excited!!! I'm so- scaredddd!

Just kidding, I'm just excited! No Jessie Spanno crazed dancing going on though, just pure excitement!

This week/weekend has so many great things going on in it I just can't wait for it to be here!!!

Let's see. School this week, yeah normal, nothing major. Although I do have my second observation planned for Friday, this time I'll be observed by the principal (which I coincidentally know how to spell because Mr. Belding told somebody that the principal is your PAL so it's spelled princi-P-A-L. Two Saved by the Bell references in one blog post- go me!) which freaks me out, but at this point, bring it on, I just want it over with. So anyway, that is Friday and we'll be working on the Civil War, so I'll need some fun activity for my kiddos on Friday. I guess that is kind of major. Whatever.

I guess I'm also semi-excited about going to the gym this week. I've lost 10 lbs so far (YAY) which makes me want to go to the gym even more. I went yesterday and today. I'm going to Butts and Guts tomorrow night, Cardio Kickboxing Tuesday, hopefully running Wednesday, Thursday, and possibly Cardio Strip Tease Friday before dinner. Probably not though, depends on when we're going to dinner. But anyway, yeah the gym, I'm actually looking forward to going, who'd have thought it!

Thursday is payday, and seeing as my brand new budget goes into effect this week I think I'll actually have money left over after my bill paying and planning etc. I plan on ordering a Domino mag or two off of Ebay (I am "watching" a few different issues that are listed, not sure which one I'm going to bid on yet) and maybe some Christmas cards. I'm thinking these:

and these:

Both courtesy of Parrot Design Studio on etsy.com

Friday night is dinner for Renee's bday, not at all overdue considering her special day is IN AUGUST. Don't judge, we're busy. So it's Nikki and I celebrating Renee and I think we're going to the new Airport Grille which I'm hearing great things about. Yay. Probably a drink or two afterwards somewhere. Good stuff.

THEN Saturday is fun-filled as well. Nik and I will be grabbing breakfast I believe, and then we're heading to Ikea!!! It's more of a scouting trip for me, checking out a possible bed, some shelves, maybe some frames, and who knows what else. I don't think I'll be making any major purchases, but I'll have my camera and will take pics of stuff that I may potentially want to buy on our next trip there.

Saturday night though, I'm meeting Cousin Jess for dinner in Providence and then the Providence Bruins game! How fun is that??

And then to cap of a wonderful weekend, I am going to see Rent in Providence with Josh Sunday night!! I'm so excited!!

Then it's Thanks-freaking-giving! Can't believe it's already here. Not sure what's going on that week, but I do know I want to see New Moon and The Blind Side, they both come out on Friday!!

All very good things, which will no doubt make up for a weekend of going to the gym, rerereading Harry Potter book 7 and going to bed at 8 pm. That is all I did this weekend. Bring on the new week!

J. Crew love part 1

Here are two items on sale that I would love to have. If I have any secret (or not secret) admirers who would like to purchase either of these for me, I'd love you forever.

Velvet jacket? Yes. In dark purple? Yes, please.

Sophisticated dress? Sure. In a beautiful lilac? Thank you! Not sure how I'd like it on me, but I'd like the opportunity to try it on to see for myself. Maybe sophisticated enough for a certain wedding that's happening this summer.....

Did I mention they're both on sale?

Oh! I think my planner just arrived! Ok off to the gym so that I can fit in either of these fine articles of clothing in my dreams....

Weird part 2

So as you know, I've been obsessively looking for Domino magazines. I called libraries. I called magazine stores. I have resorted to the fact that I'm going to have to use ebay to make my purchases.

There is a listing for all 36 issues of Domino. It's listed as "buy it now" for $800.00.

That's almost a thousand dollars for magazines. That is assuming that each copy of the magazine is for sale on ebay for $25.00 which would equal the $800. That though, is not the case. They're roughly $10 and maybe $5 for shipping, but I've talked to a sellar about combining shipping so it's cheaper. Which, estimating that each magazine could maybe be like $15 at the most, I need 33 issues, which would cost me $495, nowhere near the $800 charged for the whole set at once- that's crazy!!!

Anyway, so I'm going to be ordering some, once I have some extra money and let the inspiration reign!!

I'm contemplating

purchasing issues of Domino from ebay. I called the local library to see if they have/had copies and they don't. One local library did, and I called but they're closed on Monday, will be calling tomorrow.

I don't know why Domino has become my new obsession. But it has.

I guess it's better than crystal meth or something along those scary lines.

Another little tidbit about me btw, is that when I get something in my head I kind of go crazy trying to make it happen. Domino- google searches, calling local libraries, contemplating calling Boston Public libraries, ebay, you name it, I'm doing it. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. But I don't need to scare you away just yet with my "investigating" skills. All in good time.

Gloves!!

I would love a nice set of warm gloves for the winter. There was a pair that I saw in a magazine from H&M but since they don't have online shopping I have no way of uploading a picture, but what I do have are three pairs of Coach gloves that I'm loving:

These are my favorite, and of course they're the most expensive at $128:

These are the most practical of the bunch in grey which would go with both black and brown, and they're a tad cheaper at $98:
These may be the happy medium between the two- cheaper, and a pretty color:

For now, they're just wishes!

Oh and ps, the planner I ordered is on back order from seejanework.com so I'm not sure when I'll be getting it but I hope it's soon!!

I also need new mascara (I'm addicted to Dior Show) and some Frederic Fekkai glossing cream....maybe a trip to Sephora is in order?

Funny the way it is.

Shameless Dave Matthews reference there. But seriously, it is!

I *just* posted about the agenda that I want to order from seejanework.com and literally a day or two later I get an email from them saying that if I subscribe to their blog in my reader (btw if you're not using google reader yet you're insane) they will send me a 40% off code for one item on their website!

Cha-ching! $40 agenda? Not for me? $24 thank you very much!!

Now the tough part....which color?

Feel free to comment your thoughts.

Fun idea!

I'm always finding really cool things online or on etsy that I want to buy, for myself, gifts, for my house, whatever and then I save the link or I bookmark the site, but then I always forget! I guess I could relate this foray to my blog in the sense that I always manage to forget when I find really neat things, so it falls under dumb things I do.

Here's the plan:

I'm going to have a series of posts that are dedicated to either online finds for myself, that I would love; gifts for others, dream items that I could never afford but if someone were so inclined they could def purchase for me, etc. A sort of online wish list. One of the perks of having a boyfriend was that I would make lists of potential gifts for myself, from him, including websites/stores, sizes and colors and I generally got everything on my list. Sucks he turned out to be a total jerk- he shopped well! So this is another version of that, sort of.

And no, that unit test hasn't finished itself yet, it's getting there. This is another mental break from making it.

What I am definitly getting for myself, unless someone else buys them for me first, which btw feel free to...

This planner:

Which can be found at www.seejanework.com although I'm not sure I can decide on a color. Suggestions?

Ok I really need to finish this stupid test, so more updates to come on my wish list soon...