2013: Eat Your Heart Out!

Can you believe that tomorrow is 01.01.14?? I can't!  It has been a whirlwind of a year for me.  I don't usually go into a new year feeling good about the past year, but this year has been a great one for me!

I started off the New Year with an idea that I would start a blog.  I cannot believe that it has been an entire year since I started "And So She Would Dance...".  This process has been so fun and I have loved every minute of it!  I always wanted to keep a journal, but was never disciplined enough to do so.  I haven't been the most disciplined with this, but I am planning on making a more concerted effort to post at least once a week!  I have also reached over 5,000 views!!  Such an exciting year for this little blog :)

I went to a total of 5 weddings this year!  Seeing 5 of my favorite people get married was amazing!  Because of these weddings I was able to go to three different states and hang out with the most amazing friends and family!!

2013 also brought two of the sweetest little people into my world!  For 24+ years Amy and Nick have been two of my closest friends.  This year they each brought a special little one into this world.  Little Olivia and Jase may be the cutest things I have ever seen!! Three years ago I stood with Amy while she married her best friend, Jason.  And, in 11 days, I get to see Nick marry Ali in Key West :)

It was a big year for my career too!  I was nominated for an award by my peers and superiors!  I had such an amazing time at the BMA's this year!  Cannot wait until next year!  This year also marked a huge anniversary for Bozzuto-- 25 years!! Congratulations!  I was also promoted in October of this year!  Being an Assistant Property Manager has been a challenge, but I have loved every minute of it!  I am so happy with what I am doing and the company that I work for!

2013 brought me to another challenge of running the Color Run.  I did it!  I wasn't nearly as prepared as I should have been, but I made it and didn't kill Brittany lol... I am ready to do it again in 2014!  The race is happening at the National Harbour again in May, 2014, and I am gathering people for my team this time around!  Who's with me!?

I have met some amazing new friends, seen a lot of cool places and done a lot of fun shit!  I wouldn't have been able to do any of it without you guys!  Thanks for an amazing year!

 

I have big plans for 2014!!  I am ready to start my new year traveling to Key West to see Nick and Ali get married!  I am excited to travel this year!  I am planning on hitting up a few states to see my best friends from ECU as well as traveling to Europe to see my Aunt Suzi and Craig!  Katie and I have been talking about August, 2014 for the big trip!  We want to hit up London for a few days and then go off to Italy!  I am super excited and cannot wait to see what happens!  

I plan on being WAY more prepared for my 5k in May! This will be a great one because I already have some great people that will be running with me.  I am also super pumped around running another in the fall to honor my Uncle Nut-- Who is ready for the Haslup Hustle?!

Overall, I have loved the ride of 2013.  I cannot wait to see what 2014 brings and am excited to bring you along for my journey!!  

Cheers to 2014!

Sweater Weather

Well hey there!  I am sorry to have gone M.I.A., but the doggy, Drakers, chewed my computer cord and I haven't had a laptop to blog from :(  Its been weird... but I will get back in to the swing of things!  I figured I would dip my toe back in the water before I decided to canon ball with a huge blog post.  So, I looked around and came across the "Sweater Weather" tag... this just means that I will answer a series of questions and then tag someone else to also complete the tag and pass it along.  Its like a chain letter that you never asked for... ha!  So, here we go!

 

 

1. What is your favorite candle scent?

I wasn't able to burn candles for a while because of the oxygen in the house, but now that I can I went out and bought some of the soy candles from Target and am now obsessed with the Sugar Blossom scent!  I don't care if it is Summer, Spring, Fall or Winter... this candle smells A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! 

 

 

 2. Coffee, Tea or Hot Chocolate?

To be honest... I could really go for all three!  But, if I have to choose one, which I guess is the point, I think I would go with coffee w/ some Baileys :) Sooo yummy! 

 

3. Do you switch up your makeup routine for the Fall?

I guess I do a little bit.  I tend to go for more rosey/red blushes as opposed to pinks and peaches because my skin tone is different.  It isn't drastically different because, let's be honest, I don't really get a tan.  But, it does make a difference to me!  I also tend to go a little darker with the eyeshadows and lipsticks.  I wear more glosses in the Summer, but in the Fall/Winter I lean more towards darker glosses or lipsticks.  PS. I remember when I was younger I thought it meant you were "old" when you started to wear lipstick... dumb!
 

 

4. Favorite Thanksgiving food?

I think it would be a tie!  I am obsessed with the mashed potatoes and the stuffing!  I prefer my mashed potatoes to be a little lumpy!  But, when you mix the lumpy mashed potatoes with the stuffing and add a little gravy?? Ohhhh girl-- watch out!  That shit is delish!  I also have a soft spot for the can shaped cranberry sauce haha...

 

5. Hats or scarves?

This is a no brainer... scarves!  I am a scarf-o-holic!  Liz always jokes when I look at scarves in a store because she says I have way too many.  They are so versitile!  You can wear them with anything!

 

6. Most worn sweater?

I don't necessarily wear full-blown, pullover sweaters.  I am more of a cardigan girl.  They are flattering and help when you are layering!  You can dress them up, dress them down, wear them with leggings, jeans, dresses... really anything! I am obsessed with one that I bought recently that has leather panels in the front and is a lighter, t-shirt type material all over.  I got it from NY&Co. and it has been one of my favs!  I really love it with black jeggings (terrible term btw), boots, white t-shirt and a long necklace!

<----- Photo courtesy of www.nyandcompany.com -- its the beauty on the left :)

7. Must have Fall nail polish color?
Again, a no brainer.  I am obsessed with OPI's Licoln Park After Dark.  I currently have it on both my fingernails and toenails!  I will inevitablly always grab this color when I am getting a mani/pedi.  And now it is even more exciting because they make it in a Gel Polish!! It is so amazing to have this dark color NOT chip on my nails! It is the perfect Fall polish for anybody!

8. Football game or jumping in a pile of leaves?

Hahaha... Like I would ever be outside and raking so that I could have a pile of leaves to jump in!  I mean if there was already a pile and it was calling my name-- that may be a different story.  But, even though I don't fully understand the sport I will choose Football.  I loooove watching my Pirates play :) 

 

9. Skinny jeans or leggings?

Well... if I am in public I am going to opt for skinny jeans.  They are a bit more structured and forgiving than leggings may be.  I have heard that there is a magical pair of leggings that are fleece lined which I could probably be convinced to choose over the skinny jeans, but only if they are paired with boots and a cozy cardigan :)

 

10. Boots or Uggs?

Again, this is going to depend on the situation.  If I am running around and doing nothing then I would prefer Uggs.  If I am going out or actually trying to look nice I will choose boots.  For the purpose of this I will choose boots because more often than not I am actually trying lol...

 

11. What is your #1 favorite thing about the Fall?

I really cannot choose one!! This whole list has a few of the reasons why I love the Fall... Don't make me choose!

 

 

12. Do you have a song that gets you in the Fall mood or just a song you are loving at the moment?

This song doesn't necessarily get me in the "Fall mood", but I pretty much listen to it all.the.time!  It makes me happy and makes me move... both keys to a great song!

 

Ladies and gentleman... Of Monsters And Men :)

13. What is the Fall weather currently like where you live?
It has been really crazy recently!  Here in MD it has been warm and in the 60's some days and then freezing and below 30's some other days.  It really can't seem to make its mind up at the moment.  I got to work on Sunday and the whole fountain was covered with icicles!  While it was really pretty it was also a scary reminder that each time I went outside I was going to FREEZE!






So that is it!! I hope you enjoyed this little peak into the "Fall" me!  I think the person I will tag to complete this next is none other than Miss Brittany Harris!  I would love to know your Fall Must-Haves!  Hope everyone has a great holiday week!  I am looking forward to spending loads of time with family and friends.  I am also looking forward to seeing the Class of 2003 on Saturday!!  Cannot believe it has been 10 years already!



One Year Ago Today...

The incredible silver linings that shown through on the morning of 10/10/12

One year ago today I lost my Uncle Nut.  He lost his courageous and heroic 13 year fight against ALS.  I cannot believe that it has been an entire year...it feels like just yesterday you were here gracing us with your smile!  The other night Liz and I were on our way home from a weekend at the beach and we heard a song that we haven't listened to since this time last year.  It is a song that hits home and means so much to us.  And I just want you to know, on this one year mark, that because I knew you I have been changed for good.

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return.
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But, I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you...

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun.
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood.
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But, because I knew you
I have been changed for good.

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend...

Like a ship blown from it's mooring
By a wind off the sea.
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood.
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good.

Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better
And because I knew you...
Because I knew you...
I have been changed for good.

I love you so much, Uncle Nut.  I know you love to mess with me sometimes... but to know that you are here with me helps put my heart at ease.  I miss you everyday, but I know that you are happy and healthy now.  'Till we meet again...

21 Days And Counting...

And so, we meet again!  Today, October 1st, I will be starting my 21 days of restrictions again!  New month-new limits!  If you don't know what restrictions I am talking about take a second to go back to my "Don't Be Afraid Of Change" post and I explain it there.  I am also going to be starting my food diary again, which I will affectionately call "The Virgin Diaries" haha... such a good movie too :) So, keep your eyes open for the journal entries with some new meal ideas and snacks!

While marking the beginning of one journey, this week is also marking the end of one.  This Thursday is my last day at the property where I have been working for almost two years!  I have been promoted (woop woop) to a new role at another one of Bozzuto's properties in Columbia, MD.  I am so excited to start my new journey with my career!

I am also getting a whole new look on Friday!  Yup! I'm getting my hair did!  I have been admiring a few things from Pinterest and can't wait to unveil my new look to you guys!  Hopefully you like it hahaha...

September was a pretty good month for me.  I am excited to see what October, and the rest of the year, will bring me!  I am pumped about some of the things that are coming in the next few months.  I get to celebrate Water Fowl 2013 with two WF "virgins."  My bestie from college, Carly, is coming down with her new husband, Kyle, to see what all my fuss is about.  I am so excited to show them around Easton and the amazingness (yes-- its a word!) that is Water Fowl.  I am also celebrating my 10 year (good lord) High School reunion at the end of November.  It will be great to see the faces that I haven't seen in a while and to see how everyone is doing.  

Fun! Fun! Fun!  I said it before... I love the Fall! Can't wait to go through it with you guys!

That Was A Pretty Great Weekend!

Life starts all over

when it gets crisp in the fall.

-F. Scott Fitzgerald

Today is a great day! It is the first day of Fall!  I think Fall might be my favorite season of the year... It is the season with my favorite clothes, some of my favorite foods and my favorite holidays!  Pumpkin flavored anything, boots, Thanksgiving... I mean, come on! Can't get much better than that!

This weekend was a very exciting one for me.  I started the weekend off with a great job interview that ended up with me getting promoted to the Assistant Property Manager position at The Gramercy at Town Center in Columbia.  I'm super excited about the new opportunity and the challenges that it may bring me.  Bring it on--I'm ready for it! 

Yesterday I made my fourth trek to Merriweather Post for Virgin Mobile Freefest.  I was excited about the lineup this year because of The Avett Brothers, Robin Thicke, MGMT and Pretty Lights.  If you aren't familiar with what FreeFest is here is a great explanation by the creators of the event:

I got to spend my day with one of my oldest and dearest friends, Sarah.  We have been friends since elementary school, and have most recently been working for the same company!  I am trying to convince her to take my job at Arbors-- we will see what she does (haha, love you Sarah).  

Ferris Wheel rides :)

MGMT

Robin Thicke from the Ferris Wheel... best seats in the house!

We were Mom Photobombed haha

Sarah dying over her loves, The Avett Bros.

Incredible Avett Bros.

And, finally, Pretty Lights in the pouring rain!

All in all it was an amazing first weekend of Fall!  Cannot wait to see what the rest of the year brings me!

To Sleep, Perchance To Dream...

Happy Tuesday morning everyone! 

I know that I have talked about how I want to redo my room, and last night I decided to start putting some ideas together for what I would like my "dream room" to look like.  I am obviously not going to be able to do everything that I want, but a girl can dream can't she?  I found some things that represented what I was looking for and some obvious themes were starting to show up.  I like all things soft and feminine with a shabby chic sort of vibe (as if the design of my blog didn't already give it away).  God help the man I am going to marry... ha! 

To Sleep, Perchance To Dream by cguthrie0618 featuring floral sheet sets

I find this room to be incredibly relaxing and something that I would love to call home.  There isn't too much pink, which Liz did point out to me!  But, I think that it is beautiful and I am going to work toward finding a balance between my reality and this dream.  I totally think I can do it! 

Life Is Like Riding A Bicycle...

It is time for me to hop back on my bicycle... I need to get everything in gear!  After that cleanse I took a little bit of a fall.  That was a rough weekend, and I tried my hardest to make up for lost eating lol...

It is the last day of the weekend and it is time to start thinking about what to do with the Virgin Diet meal planning for the week.  We tend to gravitate towards the same meals that we are used to, but I want to try a couple of other recipes.  I know that there are a couple of tried and true meals that we will stick with, and that is fine with me, but I have found a couple of recipes on Pinterest recently and they may be thrown into the mix!  I have made a tentative meal plan schedule for the week:

Monday

Chicken and Shrimp Baked Fajitas Served with Brown Rice

Tuesday

Honey-Lime Shrimp Over Acovado Mash and Grilled Zucchini

Wednesday

Sweet Potato Veggie Burger with Roasted Asparagus

Thursday

Italian Turkey Sausage and Roasted Brussel Sprouts over Pesto Quinoa Pasta

Friday

Buffalo Chicken Salad with Quinoa, Avocado, Pine Nuts, Tomato, Onion and Carrots

I am still trying to figure out what to do for lunch.  More than likely it will be leftover meals from the previous night. I will do my best at continuing the smoothies each morning.  

I have found some really good alternatives for my snack cravings in the middle of the day.  I have become a master at making my own trail mix.  I make a big bag of mixed nuts (no peanuts), dried cranberries and blueberries and dark chocolate chips to last me the whole week.  I have also discovered the Simply Balanced line at Target. They have the most yummy all natural fruit snacks! 

I hope everyone has a relaxing Sunday!  I am working today and will be working until Friday!  I am off this weekend because I am going to the VirginMobile Freefest this Saturday :)  Since I am getting back into the first 21 days of the Virgin Diet again I wanted to ask... would you be interested in another food journal?  I think it would benefit me and anyone else who may be interested in trying the diet as well! 

Hope ya'll have a happy Sunday!

Blueprint Cleanse: Day One Review

Good morning!  I am writing while feeling a bit under the weather.  I completed my first day of the Blueprint Juice cleanse... and it was awful.  I honestly thought that it wouldn't be bad!

Here is a recap of my day:

5:30am Wake up and get ready for work.  Feeling pumped about my day of juicing.  I figured it wasn't going to taste like any juice I had ever had before, but I was looking at that green bottle feeling positive about the day!

6:30am Driving to work I was wishing I had a cup of coffee or my smoothie.  I knew that I was going to crack open the bottle once I got to work and my day of liquid meals would start!

9:00am I had been at work for an hour and was starting to get hungry.  I grabbed my first bottle of Green Juice and stared at the list of ingredients and dreaded the first sip.  Of all of the ingredients I think the celery and ginger stuck out the most to me and made me gag.  It took me an hour to drink this juice.  I tried to "chase" it with orange infused water, but that helped nothing.  Rough start...

12:00pm It was my lunch time and I was a little unsure about continuing with the juices.  The green juice made me feel really nauseated and I was thinking about ditching the whole thing all together.  I even got all the way to the grocery store and bought a salad.  But, I talked myself out of it and called on my willpower to push me through.  I opened the 2nd juice, P.A.M., and got my drink on.  P.A.M. stands for Pineapple, Apple and Mint.  This juice was actually delicious!  It tasted a little bit like a mojito!  I really enjoyed it.

5:00pm I was on my way home and felt okay.  I wasn't hungry, but my stomach was making some really loud noises.  I skipped the 3rd juice because it was another green juice.  I gave it to one of my coworkers because she thought it tasted good!  Are you kidding?! I would say not the worst thing I tasted, but GOOD? Ha!  On my way home I decided to try the 4th juice of the day, Spicy Lemonade.  This wasn't bad.  It tasted like an unsweetened lemonade with a faint heat at the end.  It was pretty good.

7:00pm I got home and was feeling pretty yucky.  The lemonade made my stomach turn and I was not in the mood to drink anymore.  I was invited to go to The Crab Claw with my Dad, Step-mom, Aunt Leslie, Aunt Linda and Uncle Kirby and my Grandparents.  I wanted to go to see everyone, but the thought of eating solid food made me queasy.  I got there and was probably not the most fun person to be around.  I was tired and sick :(  I got a sandwich and got it down.  At this point I had given up on the cleanse.  If it was making me feel this bad I didn't think it was worth it.

9:00pm  I was home from dinner and just wanted to go to bed.  My stomach was killing me and I was exhausted.  I didn't have this overwhelming feeling of energy and greatness that I was expecting to come from my day.  From reading all of the reviews I knew that the first day was the hardest, but I hadn't read that it had made people feel as bad as I felt.  I tried the Beet juice and the Cashew juice.  The Beet juice was a no-go because the ginger made me gag again.  I actually did like the Cashew one like I thought I would.

Overall, it was not the best first day of a new adventure.  I don't think that the cleanse has anything to do with the way that I feel today, but I don't think that it helped either.  I have been saying for the past week that I felt like I was getting sick, and the cleanse may have just loosened everything up in my system and now I am really getting sick.  I ended up drinking 4 out of the 6 juices yesterday-- I give myself a B for yesterday's effort.  I probably could have gotten the other two juices down, but I am not too upset about it.  I am planning on getting back on the Virgin Diet as I have been, its just going to be without the jump-start of a cleanse.

To Cleanse, Or Not To Cleanse...

 Good morning! How is everyone doing on this bright and shiny Tuesday morning?!  I am doing pretty good! I am ready to enjoy my two days off :)  I have been thinking about my health situation and the fact that I am still not happy with myself for not continuing with the healthier habits that I gained during the Virgin Diet that I did at the beginning of the year.  I have been talking with my Aunt, Liz, and my friend, Katie, and we have decided to get back into it and make it a point to exercise at least a couple of times a week.  I know I can do it... it is just a matter of making myself do it!

Yesterday I found out that a guy I went to school with since Elementary School passed away.  There has been a lot of death in this town and it is incredibly sad.  I hadn't spoken to Justin in 10+ years, but he was always such a nice person and it makes my heart hurt for his children and wife that are left without him.  What it has made me realize is that life truly is something that should be cherished and not taken for granted.  I am living a life that I only get one shot at and I need to make the best of what time I am given. 

I have been researching different juice cleanses and the benefits that come from them.  I know that I will probably hate my life the first day or two, but from what I hear it makes you feel like a whole new person at the end. I think that this may be a great jump start to the beginning of my 2nd journey on the Virgin Diet.  I think it may be the boost that I need to get my body ready for a healthier way of being.

I have decided that I will try the Blueprint Cleanse.  I will only be doing a 3 day cleanse, so hopefully it won't be too bad ha...  I found that I can buy it at Whole Foods so I will probably be picking this up for this weekend!  I will try to do it for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Then that way I can have a fresh start for Monday!  Has anyone else wondered why people always feel like they have to start their "healthy eating" on a Monday?? Anyway... I think this could be very interesting!  

On the Blueprint Cleanse you drink 6 juices a day (they suggest drinking them at least an hour apart).  The first is a "green juice" and, from what I read, you don't really taste the fruity parts lol... we will see what happens!  Apparently the P.A.M. juice is delicious-- I think Pineapple, Apple and Mint sounds amazing!  You then drink another "green juice."  The fourth juice is a Spicy Lemonade, which I have heard of before.  It is similar to a drink that you would have on the Master Cleanse (Lemon juice and Cayenne Pepper) except this one includes Agave nectar which helps to make it sweet.  The fifth juice is one that I think I will have a hard time with.  It is a Beet based juice.  I am not sure how I feel about Beets... hmmmm :(  The 6th, and last, juice of the day is the one I think I will love the most!  I read that it tastes like melted vanilla ice cream-- yum! That is just the way I would like to end my day! 

I think this sounds like a new adventure and I am curious to see how it goes!  Wish me luck everyone!  I will be sure to document and write about it as I go along. 

PS.  If I see you this weekend and I seem irritable-- just ignore me-- I am probably hungry haha!  Hope everyone has a great day!

Happy Lazy Sunday!

Happy Lazy Sunday, everyone!  Today is the first day of September which means that it is time to get excited about the Fall!!  Fall is my favorite season of the year.  It starts to cool off ~I hate sweating~ and you get to wear all of the fun Fall clothes! I love all of the scarves, boots and sweaters!  Today felt nothing like Fall lol... Today was so hot!  I was working and did not dress appropriately for the weather!  I wore a summer dress, but I made the mistake of putting a sweater on.  Oh man... I ended up pulling the hair up and wiping most of my makeup off lol... lesson learned!

I also wanted to let you guys know that I joined Bloglovin!  Now you can Follow my blog with Bloglovin!  It is an amazing replacement for Google Reader.  I am now completely organized with my blog stalking :)  I know I mentioned last week that I had given the blog a facelift (according to my friend Nick my post title was deceiving as I did not actually get a facelift :) ) But, I actually have now!  I got my blog designed professionally and I am so happy with it!  I hope you guys like it!  She is so pretty now!

I am going to the movies later on tonight with my friend, Katie, and we are going to see "The Butler."  I have heard amazing things about it and I am excited to see it.

Alrighty... I just wanted to share my new, pretty blog-face :)  I hope everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day weekend!  Enjoy your time off!