5 facts about me and (Christmas)

1. I love Christmas Trees.  All decorated and lit up.  I could walk around and look at trees for hours.

2. If you've ever sent me a Christmas card, especially one with a photo, chances are that I still have it.  I keep them filed away, sorted by year and look at them at the start of each season.

3. I hate shopping for gifts, but I love wrapping them.  Nothing makes me happier than giving someone a perfectly wrapped present.  Even if the recipient doesn't notice the time and effort I put into it.

4. I love Christmas Carols. 

5.  I also like to drive around neighborhoods and look at Christmas lights.

Christmas is right around the corner!!  Is anyone else still as ill-prepared as I am?  I have a couple of gifts that should be coming in the mail today.  I need to get my neice, my brother and my dad and a few more things for Jason (time permitting).  And I need to finish food shopping!  There just aren't enough hours in the day...

I also like Christmas Penguins.  And Pink Trees.

(stuff) those stockings

Christmas is literally just around the corner.  I am not nearly finished shopping.  But, in case you are and just need a few small things to put in that special someone's stocking, here are a few ideas I know I wouldn't mined opening up my stocking to find...

Boots brand hand cream.  Vintage feel metal tube with a soft lavender scent.  Super moisturizing but not at all greasy.  $6.99 at Target.

Say Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towlettes.  Perfect for freshening up during the day and PERFECT for traveling.  $5.99 at Target.  Also comes in a smaller travel size.

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Honey Suckle.  A touch of color.  Ton of moisture.  $7.49 most drugstores/grocery stores.

Butter of London or Spehora by OPI nail color.  All super trendy colors right now.  Butter colors are $14.50 each and can be found at ULTA Sepora colors are $9 each and can be found at Sephora.

I hope everyone is a little more prepared than I am with Christmas.  I will be running around like a crazy person tonight food shopping for Christmas Eve dinner and attempting to finish my Christmas shopping.  Is it over yet?

Christmas (Freak)

I love Christmas.  A self proclaimed Christmas freak.  And I happen to live in the town where America's first Christmas Tree ever lived.

I am fairly certain that the actual tree that is here now isn't the actual first trree ever.  It's a descendant.  Otherwise, it would be enormous.  And the tree on display is not big at all.  The one in Rockefellar plaza is much, much bigger.

It's still cool to look at and is pretty at night when it's lit up.  You can go and put your own ornaments on it if you want.  They keep it lit all year long.  The tree lives in a cute little park that overlooks where the Lehigh River and the Delaware River meet.  Luckily, it was not flooded the day I was there.

You can also see New Jersey from there.  Standing in Pennsylvania and laughing at how much higher their property taxes are just on the other side of the river :)

FINALLY.

Texas.  Louisiana.  Cajun food.   Ashleigh Sarah.  The McIntyre's.  The Musso's.  Oh and Jason.

The only fast food worth eating.  Serioously.  My dinner tonight.

A sampling of snacks for the plane.  I have books and movies downloaded onto my iPad.  I'll probably fall asleep.  I'm hoping I fall asleep.

Full recap in a few days.  I'm disconnecting until Tuesday!

Exhausted

I had gone home to Pittsburgh to see my family over the weekend.  Traveling back and forth always makes me tired so I decided to take it easy last night.  I whipped up a quick, all natural face mask.

I used:
1 Cup of Pure Pumpkin (NOT Pumpkin pie mix!!)
approx. 1 Tbsp of honey

Organic would be best, but this is what I had on hand, so I went with it.

Mix it all up.  Cover your face with it, it will be gloppy and I promise you will not use nearly all of the mixture!  Leave it on until it dries, rinse and your skin will feel nice and refreshed!

Store leftovers in a plastic container for up to 1 week.

I also downloaded a new book onto my iPad that I have been dying to read, all with the intention of reading until I fell asleep, hopefully early!



The basic premise of the book is that the main character goes back in time to change the course of events that leads up to JFK's death.  It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I've always been fascinated with the Kennedys.

I got through maybe the first chapter and then received a text that one of my favorite Christmas movies was on:

So much for my leisurely evening of reading and going to bed early!  I love the movie as a whole, but one of my favorite parts is when Buddy runs around New York looking at all of the Christmas trees.  And there are some pretty great one-liners in there too!


I know it's not quite Thanksgiving yet, but just to get everyone in the spirit, What's your favorite Christmas movie?

Changing It Up.

I used to be a slave to Clinique's 3 step skin care routine.  Liquid soap for oily skin, the number 3 toner and the gel moisturizer.  For years this was my twice daily routine and it was a lot to tote around when travelling.  I've modified it a bit over the years, but I have recently gone completely rogue and tossed everything I knew about skin care out the window.

For Cleansing I now use Biore Blemish Ice Fighting Cleanser.  I wouldn't say that I have horrible skin, in fact, I totally blame my phone for breakouts, but this cleanser is fantastic.  It has a great lather without needing a ton of product and when you put it on your skin, you get an icy refreshed feeling. It also has lavender extract and eucalyptis in it so it has a great scent-meaning it does not smell like medicine, which I love.  It leaves my skin soft and refreshed and has kept breakouts at bay. I got this product as a sample in a magazine and liked it so much I went and bought it!

Moisturizer: I have been blessed with wonderful combination skin.  Kind of dry, kind of oily.  It can never make up it's mind so finding a moisturizer that's balancing is a huge challenge.  Not only that, but I live in Pennsylvania where it gets cold and windy in the winter.  Wind burn city!  I found Boots Intensive Nourishing Serum.  Its light, its moisturizing, it does not make my skin feel greasy.  It has also evened out my skintone all around which is an added bonus.  It's completely plant based so it's all natural!  I give this product an A++.   Boots has a whole line of skincare and lotions that you can find at Target!

As a side note, I do still use Clinique toner...to clean the oil and makeup residue from my cellphone on a daily basis!

Does anyone else have favorite drugstore beauty finds?  The makeup counter just doesn't do it for me!

Feelin' the Love

Today I am 10,951 days old (that's 30 years + 1 day).  I am not the type of person who ever feels like I deserve to be made a huge deal of, for any reason.  I love to make a fuss over everyone else, but when it comes to myself, I tend to stay in the background.  I would like to say:

to everyone who took the few precious (I'm not being sarcastic, I'm sorry if it comes off that way!) moments out of your busy day to stop by facebook or send me a text or even call on the phone (!) to wish little ol' me a Happy Birthday!  I will tell you, no matter our connection, or our relationship, or the short time we've known each other, it really meant the world to me.  From the bottom of my heart.  Thank you for thinking of me :)

And work friends, thank you for welcoming me so openly to your work family all those months ago.  As an outsider on this side of the state, it truly is hard to find people to connect to.  And you all have made me feel so welcome.  Thank you for making my desk look like this:

And a double, no triple,  thank you for not making it Flyers colors :)  I love you guys!

One Night and One Day in NYC

My friend Alison was in town from Pittsburgh this weekend so I drove into New York to hang out for the night.  Well, actually, first we watched WVU get pounded by Lousiville, but that's a whole other story.

On the drive over from New Jersey, I actually saw a building I've never seen before.  It was really cool.  The sky was very blue and brght and the way it contrasted with the bright white building was awesome.  I have no idea what this building houses.  I just like it.

I could also see the progress of the New Freedom tower coming along nicely.  Now the tallest building in the NYC skyline, I can still remember when the workers were digging below street level at the foundation.

No trip into the City is complete without seeing a minimum of 5 NYPD cas lined up.  In theis case, It was probably about 20.  But I couldn't get them all into the frame of the picture.  There were really that many.  One of them had the blinking sign on top that said "POLICE EMERGENCY".  Really?  I wouldn't have guessed!

When I was in the City last week, I tagged along while a different set of friends went to an event.  I was beginning to get cabin fever.  My friend Emily had a couple of stops she wanted to make before heading off to where she needed to go. 

The Disney Store in Times Square.  I've never been in there before.  2 floors of everything Disney.  They were all deceorated for Christmas and it wasn't even Halloween yet!

This sign was in 10 different languages!  You're welcome, Mr. Disney!

Once Emily and Chris went off, I had some solo time to wander off.  I was in need of a cupcake fix, so off I went to my favorite bakery in the City.

I'm strictly a cupcake girl, but their cheesecakes are delicious too.  The Key Lime Pie variety is to die for!  There is typically at least a 15 minute wait to get in the building, its a small bakery, but on this particularly cold and snowy day, I was in and out in just a couple of minutes.  8 cupcakes, 4 for me and Jason ( 2 vanilla and 2 red velvet) and 4 for Emily and Chris ( 2 vanilla and 2 chocolate ) and I was on my way.  After Magnolia, I didn't have to much of a plan and I had a lot of time left.  So I headed back into Times Square. 

Yes.  We have AE's at the mall's in PA.  However, I had a coupon and nothing else to do.  So off I went.  The Times square store house all brands of AE:  AE, Aerie, Kids 77, all under one roof so its convenient if you shop all of those brands.  I do not so I just headed to the top 2 floors.  No only did I have a 20% off coupon already, but Google was doing a promotion where if you signed up for their new email, they would give you 30% PLUS a $10 gift card!  And I could still use my other coupon!  Needless to say, I save quite a bit of money that day.  I'm glad I went in.

Radio City Music Hall looked lovely lit up and I loved the way the lights reflected off the street.



By that time, Emily and Chris were done with their event so we made a couple more stops that they wanted to make.

NHL Store.  Of course.  Then we headed home in a Nor'easter.  Perfect.

The last 2 weekends were lots of fun, but I'm exhausted!  I need a nice long nap.

(mini) Kate

I received this picture message from my cousin and I had to laugh.  It was reminicent of a photo that was taken of me in New Orleans back in 2006.

Tessa (about a week ago)

She was posing with the mannequins.  See how well she blends in?  That blank stare.  Smileless face.  She's a perfect mannequin.

Me (circa 2006, please excuse the overly blonde hair and overly done eyeliner!) (and my chubby thighs)  (thank you for not pointing out how awful this picture actually is).

We had found an alcove that was just begging for a statue.  I was perfect for the job.  And the only one limber enought to climb the 6 feet up the side of the building to actually get into the alcove.

I'm headed back to the NOLA in a couple of weeks for my (gulp) 30th birthday party.  But, I think Jason might be embarassed if I try to recreate this picture.  Actually, I know he'll be embarassed.  He hates when I do anything fun.

Penguins, Devils and catching up with an old friend

This past weekend, Jason and I packed up the truck, and made the 4.5 drive across the PA turnpike back home to Pittsburgh.  We are very fortunate that his aunt has season tickets to the Pittsburgh Penguins and sells us quite a few games throughout the season.

We had passes to the Lexus Club.  The passes allow you to enter the arena earlier than the general public to shop or to eat dinner in the club.  There is also a buffet during the period breaks and a really nice bar.  We didn't eat there because we go to a bar down the road before games for pitchers of beer and food.  It's our tradition.  We did have a drink at the bar between the second and third periods.  It was nice to drink out of real glass and not a plastic cup at the game! 

Also before the game, I met up with an old friend that I had lost touch with since I moved away from Pittsburgh.  We were very close when I lived there and I was very happy to see her.  She was the one who introduced me to Sushi! 

Alison was amazed that I was trying something new, so she had to document it!  I'm very picky so it was a huge deal that I even tried Sushi in the first place!

To Snack or not to Snack

I don't usually eat a proper lunch.  My office isn't very close to any lunch-y places and when I wake up in the morning, the last thing I am thinking about is packing a lunch.  Most days, I'm lucky I get out of the door on time!  So, I tend to just snack throughout the day.  I keep a good assortment of things at my desk.

Honey Nut Chex for breakfast-No Milk.  Milk does not do this body good.

I also have tons of other stuff laying around.  Clif bars, Luna Bars, Fruit Snacks, Annie's Cheddar Bunnie's (my fave!).  Really anything I can pick at.

Lunch today is some leftover pierogie's from last night's dinner.

I am most looking forward to my mid afternoon snack though: squeezy apple sauce and Barney almond butter!  I don't even put the almond butter on anything, I just squeeze it right out of the tube.

I've have had a Chinese craving for weeks now.  So, I may just get some takeaway for dinner and relax tonight.

So my question for everyone is PF Chang's takeaway or regular Chinese?  PF Chang's in delicious, but I would have to go pick it up and it's not at all on my way home.  Tough Decisions....

The Birthday Boy

Jason turns the big 3-4 today.  Since we knew that we couldn't be together on his birthday, we planned ahead and went out to dinner last weekend.  Red Lobster for Endless Shrimp, his birthday tradition and one of his favorites.  The shrimp, not necessarily the restaurant.  I had bought him a Troy Polamalu jersey a while back as his birthday gift.  We match now.  Mine's just much smaller.

Of course, I couldn't just let his birthday go without buying him anything else, so I picked up a few little things.  I bought him a pair of slippers to wear around the house.

There is also a candy store in a little shopping village near our house that sells retro candy.  So I picked up some Razzles.  Do you remember those?  First it's candy, then it's gum.  I think they look like legos.

 Of course, I also got his favorite candy of all time.  Peachy Penguins.

Cute little guys aren't they?  I normally have to special order them, but that little candy store just started carrying them so they were much, much less expensive! 

 Happy Birthday, Jason!  I owe you a cheesecake next week :)

Meal for One

With Jason in Dallas a good chunk of the week, that means I am solo for dinner.  By the time I get home from work, one of two things happens.  1. I'm either too tired to cook or 2. I just don't feel like it.  So what normally happens is I end up throwing something together from odds and ends in the refrigerator and I'm not really satisfied with my meal.  But last night, I was hungry.  I wanted something delicious.  So, I baked some Lemon Herb Tilapia that I had in the freezer and cooked up some Roasted Garlic couscous.  Threw together a quick salad and I had a delicious meal in about 25 minutes.  Most of which was just for the fish to cook up in the oven.  Fabulous!

Lemon Herb Tilapia-Gorton's (in the freezer serction) Near East Roasted Garlic Couscous

Does anyone have meal ides for one?  I hate cooking for just myself!  I feel like it's such a waste!

a (sweet) surprise.

I came home to see this pretty little logo sitting on my counter.

I'm not huge on sweets. However, I do happen to LOVE cupcakes. Not big cakes, just cupcakes. So, when I came home from a very long, but very fun trip to the Philadelphia Zoo friday night and Jason surprised me with a bag from Crumbs Bake Shop in NYC, I was very excited! Their cupcakes are HUGE and not too sweet, which I love. However, I could only eat half of it so I saved the rest for a snack for later. After being married for so long, it is nice that he still thinks to bring me home little treats now and again!  It's also especially welcome since he likes to tell me how he walks past Crumbs at Newark airport twice a week and the cupcakees look sooooo good!  It's torture!

What are your favorite little treats that your significant other brings home for you as a surprise?

Feeling Nostalgic

I remember my first concert at Mellon Arena.  Well, it was the Civic Arena back then.  I was a sophomore in High School.  Garth Brooks.  Really great seats.  5th row in the 100 level of the igloo, just off the front right corner of the stage.  It was perfect.  Until those two women behind me dumped their beers all over my mom.  Nice. 

I've gone to many events at Mellon over the years.  Endless concerts.  Even more Penguin games.  I've been there for the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.  I also remember my last time at Mellon arena.  It was, of course for a Penguin game.  Stanley Cup Playoffs.  2010.  We didn't make it past the second round that year.  I had only gotten to go to a Round 1 game, against the Ottawa Senators.  I don't remember which game we had gone to specifically but I do remember walking up the hill from Cafe 5th Ave and feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness that this might be the last game I ever get to see at my beloved Igloo.  Turns out, it was my last game. 

Demolition has begun on the Igloo and Consol Energy Center is ushering in it's second year.  I love Consol and all of it's great new amenities.  Our seats are better than they were at Mellon. But, I will certainly miss this scenery coming up from my favorite pre-game spot:

Is anyone else feeling nostalgic about Mellon Arena being torn down?  I felt the same way about Three Rivers Stadium!

Vegan Pizza

I used to be addicted to cheese.  I could eat an entire plate of Mozz and Tomatoes and not even feel guilty about it.  The fresh mozzarella, so silky and smooth.  garden fresh tomotaoes so ripe and fragrant.  I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.  The problem became the my body kind of began to reject Dairy products.  I'd get so sick after consuming even the smallest amount that it just wan't worth it anymore to me.  So, I've been slowly trying to cut these foods from my diet.  Tonight I am going all out and making a vegan pizza.  Zero cheese.  No dairy whatsoever.  Even a homemade pizza dough.  How very Martha Stewart of me!

FOR THE CRUST (Makes 2 Crusts):

This recipe is courtey of The Pioneer Woman.  She has amazing recipes.  Although, they are not necessarily calorie concious.  And she loves cheese.  Which is why I love her.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon Active Dry Or Instant Yeast
• 4 cups All-purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Preparation Instructions

  TO MAKE THE CRUST:
  Sprinkle yeast over 1 1/2 cups warm (not lukewarm) water.
  In a mixer, combine flour and salt. With the mixer running on low speed (with paddle attachment), drizzle in olive oil until combined with flour. Next, pour in yeast/water mixture and mix until just combined.
  Coat a separate mixing bowl with a light drizzle of olive oil, and form the dough into a ball. Toss to coat dough in olive oil, then cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until you need it. ***It's best to make the dough at least 24 hours in advance, and 3 or 4 days is even better

*I've also made this in just a big 'ol bowl without an electric mixer just mixing it with my hands and it turns out equally as well.  I also usually freeze the second crust for later use and it still thaws out nicely for later use.

THE ANTICIPATED TOPPINGS

I have some veggies in my garden that will need picking before the first frost hits, so I think I am just going to use those as toppings.

•  Garlic Olive Oil "Sauce"
• Fresh Tomato Slices
• Green Peppers
• Red Peppers
• Artichoke Hearts (canned-I don't have those growing!)
• Black Olives (also canned)
• Fresh Basil sprinkled on top

This all sounds delicious on paper but I will let ya'll know how it actually turns out.  I'm still nervous about pizza without my beloved cheese!


What challenges has everyone out there faced with a diet?  Whether it be a diet for medical reason or just to drop a few pounds, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

30!

This should be my cake since we are celebrating in grand New Orleans Style...Hint Hint!

My 30th birthday is just over a month away and I suddenly feel old.  I didn't feel old two days ago.  But as soon as the calendar turned to October and the realization hit me that my birthday was just around the corner, I was getting ready to buy wrinkle cream and a walker.  I know, age is just a number.  You're only as old as you feel.  I hear ya.  But trust me.  Saying, "I'm thirty" as opposed to "i'm twenty-nine" is going to be a huge issue for me.

For all of my friends out there who have or will be turning 30 in the near future, how did you handle it or how do you think you'll handle it?  I could use some advice!