Farewell

Today is the beginning of Lent – meaning that for forty days, I will be abstaining from something(s) in order to remind myself the true meaning of sacrifice.

This year, that means alcohol – mainly wine, hard liquor and beers that fall under 5%. (Basically, the majority of adult beverages that I consume in a regular week).

In the event that I falter on that front, I’m also going to try to give up checking Facebook on my phone. You see, it’s my go-to app when I’m waiting around for someone or something. Or too lazy to get up off the couch. I can’t give up Facebook entirely because I use it for work, so I think that this is a happy medium.

Might be a rough forty days up in here, but I’m up for the challenge!

Tags: Lent, life, sacrifice

Try It Tuesday: Blast from the Past

There’s something to be said about living in the present. Yet, who would we be if it weren’t for our past? In planning my own wedding, I have learned more about my parents, my fiance and traditions while also becoming privy to stories and anecdotes that either I had forgotten or were never told to me. These are times that I am sure to treasure as I begin my journey into married life. It’s also quite enjoyable to take a peek back at what life (and fashion) was like when my parents tied the knot.

Eesh. Look at those bridesmaid dresses!

Reminiscing with my parents helps keep things in perspective. As much as I’d like to think our day will be timeless and classic, my parents probably did, too. It’s kind of like looking back on old pictures of yourself and wondering, “How and WHY did my parents let me out of the house dressed like that?”

I encourage you to dust off those old albums or even take a look back at the past year. It’s amazing how many things change and how many stay the same. Enjoy!

Tags: bridesmaid dresses, fashion, life, relationships, sisters, wedding

10.6

That’s how many reasons why I love Penn State this weekend. (And how much money my beloved THON made to help children and families with pediatric cancer.)

Semi-busy afternoon around these parts in preparation for a crazy week. Hope you’re having a good day!

Tags: life, pediatric cancer, Penn State, THON

Sorry for Party Rockin’

This weekend has been filled with celebrations. On Friday, we had a professional day at work and then (thanks to some wonderful co-workers) celebrated our engagement with faculty and staff at a local watering hole.

balloons with our faces on them

Then we passed out on the couch at about 10 p.m.

Yesterday, I attended my first bridal shower of the season held to honor my friend Kerry. It was a wonderful event and I was happy to see and reconnect with people I haven’t hung out with in a long time.

shower favors

Today is going to be spent cleaning, organizing, watching the final hours of THON and supporting the varsity basketball team as they play in the championships this evening.

Have a great one, everybody!

Special thoughts go out to all those Penn Staters who have been standing all weekend in order to find a cure. For all those who think Penn State is just football, I encourage you to click here to see college students giving back to their community. For the Kids, For the Glory. If you would like to donate to help pediatric cancer patients and their families, please visit www.thon.org.

Tags: Penn State, emotions, THON, wedding, celebration, pediatric cancer

Givin’ Up the Goods

If you love something…let it go.

Two things I love are clothes and money. Here is how I’m letting both go this week.

Clothes
I have an absurd amount of what I refer to as ‘dressy’ dresses in my closet. Semi-formal dresses (two from junior year and two from senior year) and cocktail dresses (I tend to buy a new one each year for New Years Eve) have had their time. It’s only right to give them to someone else who can use them. One of my Book Club ladies forwarded me an email asking for gently used prom dresses, so this afternoon I’m dropping off four to help the cause. There are a lot of opportunities to give back, but the easiest way to find an organization in need is via DonateMyDress.org.

Money
It’s no secret that my Penn State pride permeates my life. One of the reasons why I am so entirely enamored with my alma mater (and apparently alliterations today, too) is due to THON. Short for The IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, THON is the main reason I chose to go to Penn State.

This 46-hour no sitting, no sleeping fundraiser helps support the Four Diamonds Fund – an organization that helps support pediatric cancer patients and their families. The Four Diamonds Fund pays for lodging, food and other necessities that are not covered by insurance for families so that they can focus on fighting the cancer.

Back in MY day, THON was a 48-hour deal and held in Rec Hall. Today, it’s 46-hours and held in the Bryce Jordan Center (the large arena on campus). I participated in THON my senior year and it made my final days at Penn State much more memorable. I raised the money, I fought for my spot and I stayed awake (pretty much) and on my feet for 48 hours straight. It’s no small feat (pun intended) and it’s the least I could do to show my support for these kids and their families. Each year has an uplifting theme: With All Your Heart (2002), Hope Surrounds Us (2003), Always Believing (2004), Embracing Dreams, Sharing Tomorrow (2005). This year’s theme is Brighten Every Journey. While it’s difficult to part with your hard-earned money, knowing that it will help better the life of a child makes donating to THON a no-brainer in my book. To learn more about THON, visit www.thon.org.

What’s something that you’ve tried to give up? Were you successful?

Tags: charity, donation, giving back, Penn State, prom dress donation, THON

Try It Tuesday: Movies to Love

In life, there are things you love and things that you love to hate. In honor of Valentine’s Day, here are some of my top movies to love (feel free to disagree!):

1. The Princess Bride. If you have not seen this, drop everything, take a sick day and watch this sucker. You won’t regret it.

2. Say Anything. As a child of the 80s, nothing is cooler than Lloyd Dobbler standing outside your window with a boombox…

3. Sixteen Candles…unless it’s Jake Ryan showing up at your doorstep.

4. When Harry Met Sally. Ah, the ‘date night’ movie. Man enough for the guys but rom com enough for the girls. I watched this with the JA and he patted me on the shoulder when Meg Ryan starts lamenting the fact that she’ll be 30…in three years (it’s only two for me…EEK!)

5. 10 Things I Hate About You. Heath Ledger sings. I don’t want to spoil it, but you’ve been patient, so click below for the goods.

6. The Holiday. Again, another ‘chick flick’ that won’t get a guys man card completely revoked. Ladies, Jude Law in glasses. Yum. If that’s not your cup of tea, Jack Black is sure to hit your funny bone once or twice during the course of the movie.

7. Love Actually. Two of my co-workers have yet to see this movie. I keep telling them they have not lived. (See directions in #1 if you are like them.) Also, one may think that it’s a holiday-time only movie, but that’s false. It’s a love movie and love movies are good year-round.

8. Runaway Bride. While Pretty Woman was good, Runaway Bride revisits one of my favorite pairs in a more modern-day scenario.

Obviously, these are only some of the many movies to love (or love to hate!).

What’s your favorite movie to watch on a date night?

Tags: love, movies, television, Valentine's Day

Judge-y

Let’s face it, we all judge. Whether it’s someone we know (or more likely someone we don’t), it happens. My judging level hits its peak during awards season. From fashion to musical performances, I’m a machine right now.

Enter, the Grammys.

as always, click for source

After the death of Whitney Houston on Saturday, the Grammys began on a somber note. Then, Bruno Mars stepped in and gave what I thought was a completely amazing performance. His dancing was impeccable and kind of made me really want to see him live. His energy translated through the television screen. Ah! I’m gushing.

I wonder about how the duets get chosen. Alisha Keys and Bonnie Raitt? Loved it. Rihanna and Coldplay? Eh. Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood? Nice, but didn’t blow me away.

However, my favorite part about award shows? This guy. His commentary had everyone we were watching with in stitches.

One final thought – did I miss the pompadour memo? Bruno Mars, Alisha Keys, even Ryan Seacrest had a bit of poof in his over-gelled locks.

Tags: Bruno Mars, Grammys, music, performances, television, Whitney Houston

Yee-haw!

As I previously mentioned, one of my bridesmaids (and best friend from high school) is moving to Texas.

yeah, gym uniforms!

She leaves today. Even though she’s moved before – traveling to St. Andrews in Scotland for grad school and Mongolia with the Peace Corps, this time it’s a little bittersweet.

She has a big-kid job working for a university out there. She bought her own car. If you know her, this is kind of a big deal. She normally settles in the States for a bit and then finds a way to escape to Europe for some reason or another.

David Tennant in ANYTHING is enough to get even me to leave the country

I’m so excited for her to begin her new adventure and wish her all the best. Good luck, Claire!

Also, I am now in the market for someone in Baltimore who will force me to eat ice cream, gossip and watch a variety of questionable movies I would probably not pick myself. You have big shoes to fill.

Tags: Baltimore, friends, moving, Texas

Cheating

This week, I’ve been cheating…on my gym.

I usually love me some BodyPump but I’m just not feeling it. Whether it’s the fact that I might be coming down with something or I’m just getting bored, I went to the gym on Tuesday and hated every minute I was on the treadmill /Arc Trainer. So when the wintry mix hit Baltimore yesterday, I decided to skip BodyPump, too.

I feel a little guilty because I’ve been cheating with not one, but several others. Some shorter workouts I found on Pinterest, the Tone It Up Valentine’s Day workout and Bridal AbSession.

While I don’t condone cheating of any kind, sometimes it feels good to get out of your comfort zone and do something different.

Any suggestions for other at-home workouts I should try?

Note: As always, click photo images for their source.

Tags: exercise, exercise tv, gym, home, life, motivation, Tone It Up, working out

Limit(less)

So, I completely forgot that it’s Tuesday so there’s no Try It Tuesday this week. I’ve got a few ideas cookin’ though, so hopefully next week I’ll have a good one for ya

Now, for the musings of the day….

Being immersed in the whole wedding-planning process (and the stress that comes along with it) has really opened my eyes to how little I know about where my limits are.

to infinity...and beyond! (click image for source)

I push myself to be the best worker – rarely taking a sick or mental health day because there’s always something to be done or some meeting to be had.

I push my relationship forward (sometimes aggravating the JA) and work to make it at least a little bit better than the day prior.

I push myself to be a ‘good’ daughter, sister and friend. Sometimes forgetting my needs and placing those of others in front of my own. Even if it’s not warranted or asked of me. I assume it’s expected at this point.

Recently something happened that made me realize that the only limits you have are the ones that you place on yourself. While it’s good to have them, most are self-imposed. When they begin to rule your life, it’s time to re-evaluate how much or how little you’re going to let dictate your choices and actions.

Sometimes you need to say eff it and just do what you want. No one is expected to be perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s our flaws that make us who we are and the person who our friends, family, significant others, etc. know and love anyway

Tags: family, life, limitations, relationships, stress