Inky Deets

I've been getting a lot of questions and emails about my tattoos, so I thought I would share them with you. First off - I currently have five. I say currently because I have plans for at least three {3} more. I know mom - but either way I have to get at least one more because I'm all about symmetry and even numbers. On top of that I love all of my ink. I don't regret a single piece. They're like mile markers for my life. Each one has it's own story, and the next ones will have their own too. I have put a lot of time and thought into each one because after all it's going to be on my body for the rest of my life. 

Tattoo #1: A Sun 

Location: Right hip bone {no it didn't stretch during pregnancy!}

Story: I got this tattoo ON my 18th birthday. I had thought long and hard about the sun I wanted {a mix between the sublime and god smack sun} but was told I couldn't have it. SO the shop owner drew this one up for me and it's still my favorite {and only colored} tattoo to this day.

Tattoo #2: MY Scorpio sign

Location: Left Wrist

Story: I got this tattoo six months after my first one. I say MY Scorpio sign because I designed it. I drew it up on a napkin at a restaurant and had it put on me two weeks later. Why my wrist? Because as a Scorpio I wear my heart on my sleeve. It made sense at the time.

Tattoo #3: Five Stars  

Location:Right Foot

Story: Not as much thought went into this tattoo. I got it 8 months after Kaelyn was born mostly because I had "the itch" and I thought it was cute. Later I would tell people the five stars symbolize the five most important people in my life as an excuse to add more stars once I have another child. 

Tattoo #4: Love Never Fails VIII-VI-MMXI 

Location:Left Rib Cage

Story: I lied before -- this might be my favorite one. I planned this one for about two months before I got it and finally got the work done four days after our wedding. It's from 1 Corinthians13:4-8.  It's the last verse of our wedding vows: ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues,they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. VII-VI-MMXI = August 6, 2011. I plan on getting Kaelyns birth date under our wedding date, so on and so forth. 

Tattoo #5: Dandelion and Music Notes 

Location:Right Shoulder

Story: My most recent tat. I got this while I was in Colorado visiting my cousin. The idea came to me last minute - I knew I wanted something music related and had planned something bigger and then I saw this and knew immediately what I wanted to do. It represents my first trip to Colorado and that music can be found in everything.

So there you have it. 

The Inky Deets. 

Happy Thursday!

Here We Go

 Looking at these pictures it's pretty self explanatory what went down:

My husband dug a huge hole using only his feet {true talent} // After beach time there was a friendly game of wiffle ball // While the boys played the ladies drank {I like to keep it classy} // I played a lot of fetch with Zippy // We then headed south to Point Pleasant //  Where there were "McMansions" every two seconds // And where I spent time with two of my favorite cousins // On Sunday - we decided to stop in Philly for a cheese steak // Now is the time I mention it was my first ever real Philly cheese steak and it changed my life. 

The best part about this trip? 

I took Tiff's advice, and I savored every freaking moment.
It was spectacular. 

...Jersey Daze

We had such a great trip over the weekend - These are just a couple of pictures from my phone. 

As soon as I get caught up on sleep - and work - I'll share the rest.

Until then, you can now rest easy knowing that we made it home safe and sound.

I also wanted to say THANK YOU - big time - to everyone that stopped by and supported my Chicken and Spandex post. I know it was a little hard to follow - it was also a little hard to write. 

I hope you all had an amazing weekend and I promise you'll hear from me soon - I might even get a chance to catch up on my daily reads... 

*fingers crossed*

Happy Manic Monday!

Chicken and Spandex

Once upon a time, I met {via the blog-o-sphere} an Asian residing in the Pacific Northwest by the name of Jes. She is the owner of Two Smuppies and after a skype session {or two} we decided to make our blogationship known to all. Recently she decided to go to Asia and for some odd reason - asked me to do a guest post while she was out of the country. Then she gave me an obnoxious subject {because I'm the most creative person ever} and told me to have at it. 

So I did.

And THIS is what I came up with.

I apologize in advance for the minute {or so} of your life you'll never get back after watching that embedded youtube video.

In other news:

The hubs and I are taking the weekend off from parenting and heading up to the Jersey shore. Below is a picture from my last trip to the Jersey Shore {about a year ago} for my bachelorette party... yes I am double fisting. It's time for us to: GET THE HECK OUTTA DODGE.  {Thanks Punky}

Happy Weekend!

Sommeranfang

Sommeranfang - it's German for - beginning of Summer. 

...Which is today. 

My calendar taught me this.

I thought I should pass the knowledge to you guys.

Seemed like a fair trade...

Happy Summer!

p.s. this dress has pockets.
p.p.s please excuse the wrinkles - it's 90 some degrees out

outfit breakdown

Dress{similar}|Belt & Shoes {seen here}

The Number on The Scale

I know you looked at the title and you were like "Oooh, she's sooo cryptic" but I'm not. This post is seriously about That G-D Number on that G-D Scale. {If you don't understand G-D it stands for "gosh darn" or any similar phrase, feel free to improvise.}

A couple of months ago I told ya'll about my goals for the year 2012, which I'm proud to say I've accomplished at least the first and third one! Then a couple of weeks ago, I told ye followers {and such} that I hired a personal trainer. Well now - I might have exaggerated a bit in that post by saying " {oh yeah, I hired a personal trainer a couple of weeks ago}" because the truth was - it had only been a week and a half. 

Yesterday. Yesterday marked the beginning of week 5 of my "life style change". Again you're probably thinking "Whoop-dee-freaking-doo!" {sarcastically of course} but let me just tell you what a big {effing} deal this is. This is the fifth week IN. A. ROW. that I have/will be at the gym sweating my butt off for at least four days. For the first time in almost 25 years I am working out - REALLY WORKING OUT - and eating healthy - to better myself. It's not for a grade, it's not because my parents said to, I am doing this completely for ME. M. E. just to reiterate - ME. 

However, the {effing} number on the scale isn't cooperating. The first three weeks it went down -  seven (7) whole pounds - but now it keeps going back up. Not up to where it was - Thank you Jebus  - but up nonetheless. And I KNOW. I really. totally. understand people, that muscle weights more than fat. I get that. But is it too much to ask that the number go down and stay down when I'm working as hard as I am? 

Yes. Yes it is. And it took FIVE (5) weeks for me to understand that. As I'm writing this my abs are SCREAMING at me for the ninety (90) weighted crunches I just did. My calves are refusing to walk in those four inch heels anymore today. And I. FEEL. AMAZING.
No joke - I  feel amazing.

Until an hour ago - I was determined to get that number down. And I still am. But not in the same way. I thought that number was all that mattered but I just got schooled. My pants are loose - a good bit looser. I have just a bit of definition in places where it didn't used to be. But most importantly I feel good. I feel like I'm in control of something I thought I had no control over. 

Crazy, Right? 

I finally understand Nike's slogan.

I never thought I would say this but... 

I love to sweat.

and no {effing} number on the scale is going to change that. 

I'm not discouraged by that number anymore.

Friday Pinspiration {Swim Away}

 I know that I am not the only person that is constantly wishing she was laying on the beach, cold {alcoholic} beverage in hand, relaxing as the waves gently lap at her feet. Considering I am 4 1/2 hours from the closest beach and I have yet to accrue any vacation time {90 day intro period, tough nuts} this is just a wish, a dream, a fantasy. And in said dream, I am wearing one of these fabulous suits. 

{That might I add, looks amazing on me because I also have the perfect body, because yet again - this is a dream}

I'm totally loving {like, totally} the fringe bathing suits, but I wonder  {if you have one please fill me in on this} how awful are those tan lines? And then there's these retro styled suits that are just flattering on everyone {I did buy one from Target, because I'm a cheap-o} that I'm kind of obsessed with. 

Are you guys with me on this? These suits just scream "hand me a drink cabana boy, and slather some more SPF 30 {because 15 is not enough} on my shoulders!" 


1.2.3.4.5

Ahhh, {that was a sigh not a scream} I wish I was in a summer daze.

Happy Friday/Weekend! {finally!}

What's in Your Closet?

It's time ya'll!

It's time for you to see "What's in My Closet" and I have to say I'm kind of nervous. {and was super nervous while recording the vlog.} I do stutter, stumble, and make nonsensical sayings throughout the video - so hopefully these facts do not deter you from reading/following my blog.  I do hope that you enjoy what you see. You finally get to hear my voice, and although I sound like an adolescent I swear I am not. 

So without further ado:

And don't forget, this is a LinkUp {as I've been saying for the last week} so please do so below! I can't wait to see what you've got in there!

Happy Hump Day!

Link up Tomorrow!

OK I've been psssssting and "hey don't forget" ing for the last few posts but I'm serious this time. Last night I recorded and possibly embarrassed myself on YouTube with my "what's in your closet?" vlog, and now it's time for you guys to do the same. 

Tomorrow we go live, embarrassing artifacts and all. I really hope you guys link up because it really should be entertaining... I don't want to be that pushy girl but just do it. If not for me, do it for you. We can be the sisterhood of embarrassing blogs and then it will make this super special. Right? Right. Right. Maybe. OK, maybe no, but can we pretend? I'm going to... So for the last time, grab the button, slap it one your page and show us those skeletons. Puhleaze don't let me be the only one to embarrass myself on the Internet.

 Kidding you'll be better than me.

Peace, love and chicken grease.

I Wine A Lot

Meet Debi. 

She is my best friend, and by best friend I mean - we can get in a fight and be OK a few minutes later. If anything awful were to happen at 2:00 in the morning, she wouldn't hesitate to answer the phone, or come bail me out of jail. She's the one I can tell anything to {and vice versa} and know it will go to the grave. She's the God-Mother to my child, and was my Maid of Honor at my wedding. I'm happy to say we've been in a relationship for 7 years and are still  going strong.

I love her. 

Meet Three Fox Vineyards. 

A year ago we were here celebrating my bridal shower. Three Fox sits at the top of a "mountain" in Delaplane, VA {seriously gorgeous} and it is smack dab in the middle of my house and Debi's - and considering how much we wine, it's the perfect place to meet up on a perfect Saturday for our favorite kind of breakfast. What was more perfect than the weather, my bestie and wine? 

We were the first ones there. 

Meet our Romantic Picnic between the vines.

That's really all that needs to be said. I know how to pack an effing picnic. We had pepperoni cheese and crackers, an assortment of olives stuffed with various things {bleu cheese, garlic cloves and feta cheese}, cucumber sandwiches, assorted berries and melon, sparkling water, and of course Three Fox Wine. 

Don't ever underestimate my picnic packing skills. 

I hate that I only get to see her for a couple hours every couple of weeks. But while drinking and basking in the sun, we decided that from now on {since it's such a convenient location} we would meet once a month {until the season is over} at the Vineyard for a tasting and a picnic. Because every body needs a little time to wine with their best friend.

I miss her already.

And yes - don't forget, this Wednesday we're having that huge link up about skeletons and closets and ugly sweaters or shoes. Make sure you play along! If I can do a vlog, anyone can!

Currently...

I made a new blog buddy - her name is Emily and she blogs over at Hope Squared. 

She's encouraging me to do more link ups - so I will play along. Harvesting Kale just started this link up called - Currently {hence the title of this post} and it's about things that you're currently doing{ish}, so here we go:

reading

I just finished book 10 of the "UnDead" series - a series that I started in high school {and finally decided to finish} about a woman {she's really a blonde bimbo} who dies and becomes queen of the vampires, meets,fornicates & marries a hottie vampire that becomes her king, and has possibly the best shoe collection on the face of the earth. I can't lie, I read smut. 

loving

I am in love - IN LOVE - with EOS strawberry sorbet lip balm. I can't stop wearing it and possibly trying to eat it.

eating

I'm currently on a health kick {courtesy of the Personal Trainer}  and eating less than 1500 calories a day. Who knew that pistachios were low cal/low carb and put a smile on my face like no other? 

drinking

Continuing with the "health kick" I have been drinking a TON {a ton I tell you} of water and diet soda. But mostly water {I pee 2083736 times a day} and to make it taste better {and give me energy because I'm sans coffee} I have been adding this:

looking forward to…

Seeing my Bestie/Maid of Honor/Godmother to my child this weekend for a vineyard lunch date. She lives an hour {and some change} away so I only get to see her about once a month. And when we finally "reunite" its epic and wonderful and makes me super effing happy. Don't worry you will hear all about it.

So there you have it! 

Play along won't you?

Oh and there's more to come - before I forget!

I've been convinced to do a vlog link up - this is actually really exciting ya'll! On Wednesday June 13th - Myself and five other bloggers will be showing off the skeletons in our closets - literally - with the theme "What's in your closet?" 
Anyone is welcome to participate! It should be a lot of fun, so grab the button, slap it on your page, and show us those ugly shoes you're refusing to throw out because your great great grandmom gave them to you.

A "Mommy Complex"

Most of you will think this is an overreaction, and most of you will be right...but what else is this blog for than telling strangers {ok maybe not strangers, that was mean...I'm sorry} about my worries and such in life? So here it goes:
As I have expressed several times, my child is a genius. Where she gets that from is obvious {me} and I have plans for her to be a rocket scientist with a full scholarship to Oxford University so that the hubs and I can retire in London. However, before any of that takes place, we have to get through potty training. I'm not going to sugar coat this {that was a warning for those that will unfollow due to a poo reference}. Potty training is not fun. In fact its pretty gross. Almost worse than the blowouts when you're grocery shopping, or that dreadful moment when you realize you have no more diapers and you're at Olive Garden so you have to "improvise". Accidents happen. You can not {no exaggeration, CAN NOT} force your child to be potty trained. If they're not interested, they're not interested.End. Of. Story.
So we started seriously {meaning everyone was on board with this} potty training about a month ago. She did great at daycare and within two weeks was ready to wear "big girl panties" all day at school {daycare}. And then last week she didn't have a single {peepee} accident at school. And then yesterday, it happened. She refused to wear a diaper and didn't have a single accident {poopoo or peepee} at either home or daycare {insert proud momma!} but alas I have digressed from my original topic. This was only told to prove {and reiterate} how big my little girl is getting...Two weeks ago my alias was "Mommy".

At some point between diapers and big girl panties I became "Momma". I will be honest, at first I didn't really notice. It was subtle enough that my sleep deprived, over worked brain didn't realize what was happeneing. Until it became not so subtle and I kept correcting her to "Mommy". Another thing you CAN NOT force your child to do. They will call who they want, what they want. Except I'm really bothered by this. Why?
Because now that I'm "Momma" it's only a matter of time before I'm "Mom". And then it's only a matter of time before she's asking me to teach her how to drive. And then it's only a matter of time before karma kicks me in the ass and she is telling me she hates me and slamming doors in my face. So much to the point that I have to take the door off the hinges and tell her in every language that I know, "No" {Na, Neit, Ne, Non, Nein, Hakuna} -because she can't go to senior beach week with her senior boyfriend.

This was the point when I realize that I'm really upset because I have/will become my mother. And yeah, I might I have cried about this.
In other news:In case you missed yesterday's post,If you're interested in swapping buttons click here!

Face Lift, Blog Love and Button Swaps

I know. I know. I know.

You don't hear from  me in a couple days so you {like the concerned friend that you are} thought you would stop by and check on me {yes, I'm alive...just busy} and BOOM! 

I changed everything. 

What can I say? I got bored with my layout {and noticed that a couple other blogs had the same one...like that's not bound to happen in the blogosphere} or felt it wasn't special enough {see, see with your special eyes!} so I changed it. 

Now, being that it is June and I already changed a bunch of stuff around {and lost a couple HTML codes in the process} {these things happen!} I thought I would throw out some blog lovin' to the codes I did find {see right hand sidebar} {oh wait that's the only sidebar now...} and offer the chance for other blollowers {thanks Jes} to put up a button or swap it out, whatever your fancy.

 I feel like I over abused my {brackets} in this post so I'll just end it before I'm reported to  bracket abuse services. 

And now a little Blog Lovin':
Again if you would like to be added to my blamily {blog + family = blamily} click here, or leave a comment, or ya know...whatever.
Happy Tuesday Homies! {Yep...homies}