Oh Christmas Time!!

So I really made out this Christmas - earrings and a new charm braclet, plenty of stuff for the kitchen and cash... I got to spend time with all the loved ones and eat plenty of food. Everything to make my holidays joyful and bright. Now all I want is my new car!!

We recently decided to purchase a new "family" car since the deals are so good. I researched, and test drove, and negotiated my rear end off! So when we decided which car was right for us (the Chevy Equinox) we thought it would be all down hill from there- but no, sadly, we've got to wait until they can find us "our" car. The dealer-to-dealer trades are taking too long for my liking, and the dealer I thought was going to get us the best action is being slow. I feel like I'm second fiddle now that they have a deposit! How can they be so lack luster when I've got money in my hand??? Seriously, I know that this is a busy week for them, but don't go spending all your time on the show floor with other customers when you haven't handed me the keys yet!! UGH!!

End of rant - I'll write back when I have better, happier news!

A Responsible Drinking Program For Wisconsin

I'm currently on a business trip now in northern WI, and when I go to throw out a soda can, I look high and low for the blue recycling pail... nope, they tell me they don't recycle.

Okay, so I've heard rumblings that parts of Wisconsin recycle cans and glass - and they do recycle paper. But still - they don't recycle cans & glass? They have to burn everything! The Reason: there is no processing plant to make it easy for people to recycle. Seriously?? I know there are towns of less than 5,000 people up here, but just build a smaller plant!!

I heard in a nearby town, you have to actually be a resident to recycle. And across the boarder in MI, they charge you $2+ "deposits" for cases of "pop" so that they can collect the cans back for the $0.10 / can payment.

I don't understand it and it makes me mad. They drink a whole lot of beer here - haven't they heard of drinking responsibly? That shouldn't just be avoiding drinking & driving... that should include properly managing the waste. I'm starting a resposible drinking program - anyone else in??

Expanding The Wardrobe

I'm glad for tights. Seriously, my wardrobe would be cut in half during the winter if it wasnt for tights going back in fashion. I can still wear all my cute dresses and skirts because of tights being in fashion - and they all look different than in the summer! Now, they have sweater wraps instead of short sleeves, and colorful tights that are in contrast with my pasty legs that never get any suntan... the standard nude granny pantyhose just wasn't cutting it.

Along with that, my work just started a jeans-day Friday every week. We used to have to pay for it (all proceeds went to charity of course!) and then we started a last-Friday-of-the-month policy. Now they're shaking things up with an every-Friday policy!! Oh the possibilities!! My sweaters and heals will have new looks again! Plus, it makes it so much easier for me and Mr. Mc to go out on the town on a Friday Night date night without him having to wait for me to change.

For the past few years, I've refused to buy most things if I can't wear them to work. Now, with Christmas and my birthday coming, it doesn't look like I'll need many new clothes. I may go crazy during DSW's 70% off sale next week and get some cute new shoes though. Now if I only had more closet space!!

Sticking With "It"- Whatever "It" May Be

I'm not good with sticking with things. I've never been on a diet longer than a few hours, I don't have any daily or weekly routines to speak of, and I've quit nearly every activity or group I've joined because I truly resent meetings and activities that take up my time - even when I like the activity or group. It seems I do things only long enough to understand them and be able to say "yes, I've done that" - then I let it go. Good thing I'm not a smoker, I've got a real lack of willpower. How very imperfect of me.

A few weeks ago, I decided I'd keep a notebook in my purse to reign in my spending and eating habits. I kept track of every purchase from 11/9 to 11/23. I also kept track of all my eating from 11/17 -11/22. Then prepping for Thanksgiving mysteriously got in the way and I forgot until now. This lack of stick-with-it-ness really makes it hard to go after that "perfect" life I want to live!!

While I didn't stick with it long enough to actually reign in my spending or eating, it gave me insight to what I was doing to my body and my wallet. It made me aware enough to fill up my time positively during the break: I exercised, ate pretty well and spent time with my family and friends. I won't beat myself up on it, but I guess I better pull out that notebook and try, try again.

If you've got any suggestions, put them here. I need all the help I can get on this one!!

Travel Smart!

I'm glad I'm not one of those people who has to get on a plane or drive long distances during the holidays. This week the news people were covering all the lines at the airports for the Thanksgiving break because so few people actually know how to travel. Here's some tips I've picked up by travelling so often for work:

1. Pack Efficiently: Roll your clothes tightly to put them in your suitcase or rolling bag- this not only saves more room than folding, but it also minimizes wrinkles for most things. If you've got hard items like shoes, fill them with the fragile items. Bring tiny pj's (shorts and a tank or silk pjs take up less space than sweats). Wear your biggest shoes and jacket on the plane or train. Make sure your bag itself isn't bulky. I have a rolling duffle from Target.

2. Choose 1 Color: For short trips, pick one color to tie your wardrobe together like black OR brown. Then you can just bring one or two pairs of shoes, one purse, and one belt to go with all your things. You could also look into two-toned jewelry (a mix of silver and gold) or a nice reversible belt - I have one from Nine West that I got at Marshall's a few years ago and its awesome.

3. Carry On Whenever Possible: To keep you moving quickly, don't check your things if you can avoid it. Usually airports let you bring 1 "bag" and one "personal item", so ladies, put your small purse into a larger "personal item" (i.e. a bigger purse or computer bag) to get more space. Other things you may have to do:

• Buy powdered makeup instead of liquid bottles (I love Bare Minerals)
• Buy travel sized perfume, soap, etc. Remember that you'll probably have stuff at your hotel or relatives that you can borrow!

4. Minimize: This may mean bringing one fewer pair of jeans, or investing in a video iPod. Seriously, do you realize how much those little things can do other than play music? You can buy books on tape, watch a movie, and play games now to save you space and weight in your bags. Ladies, bring a flat iron OR a curling iron instead of a set of curlers. Don't bring both!

5. Prep Yourself: If you're waiting in line to go through security, get your laptop and liquids out and take off those shoes. If you'll be needing maps, bring your GPS instead.

Exercising Emotional Reactions

I had someone ask me today what my weakness was. Isn't that always a hard question to answer truthfully? It always comes up in interviews, and people always seem to say that they don't have a weakness, which makes them look like a liar. Everyone has a weakness; or as I like to refer to it "an area for improvement". So what's mine?

Well, as the type-A person I am, I recognize that I have both many strengths and many weaknesses. The one I'm focused on right now is my tendency to react right away to something, usually with a highly emotional response. In business, that can used as an asset to gain trust, strengthen teams or win sales, and it has been a large part of why I've done so well- people see I have a passion for what I do and I get a lot of things done when I believe in it. However, it can also be a downfall: if someone does or says something I don't like, my mind immediately goes to the deep end: "this person doesn't know what their talking about!" then formulating my response while they talk. Its why I'm a much more confidant written communicator than a verbal one; because I have time to review instead of just responding.

Since someone pointed this weakness out to me, I've been more on the watch for that trap- and trying to put it in check through better listening and understanding. This also helps me develop a plan for fixing things myself, instead of just running for help to someone who I know can fix it for me. I'm still a ways away, but by focusing on this I think I'll start seeing myself as a better leader and be seen as a more confident asset.

Giftings - Best of 2008

Next week is Thanksgiving (ahhhhh!) and the start of my holiday shopping season. This will be the second year for a polyanna for my family. This year, we'll be including my husband in place of my mom (since she can't stick to the rules!) in our Christmas gift swap. The rules of our polyanna are simple: You buy every other person 1 gift under $20, and then your polyanna person you buy one gift under $50.

The reasons we've decided to do this are three-fold: First, none of us have gobs of money to spend and we were in a competitive spending pattern every year on each person; Second, we want Christmas to become less about the gifts than about the birth of Jesus again; Lastly, we're all old enough to buy our own things so we don't really need anything we can't buy ourselves.

Mentioning #3, here are my favorite gifts I bought for myself this year that give me joy almost every day:

1. Our Wedding Rings- because every time I look at my hand I'm still floored that a) I'm married and b) that I have that much bling on my hand!! ($Priceless)

2. My Leather Wallet from Italy - because its sleek and fabulous and from my honeymoon ($125)




3. My Kiva reusable bag- because its been handy more times that I could imagine, and its environmentally friendly ($5)


4. Sony Under-The-Cabinet Radio / CD Player with IPOD hookup - because now I dance in my kitchen more often than before and it gives me some company while I learn how to cook. ($90)

5. White High Heels- I bought these for my wedding of course, but since they aren't made of bridal satin or anything, they have been able to go many places with me this year: my bachelorette party, my wedding, a friend's 21st birthday and work. They are some of the sexiest yet simplest shoes I own and I love them.

Selling Off

In an effort to clean up our house a bit, I've posted the vases from my wedding for sale online. It was a minor struggle for me - I want to keep them, even though I know I'll never use them again! However, I know that they will make someone else happy, and buying them here instead of in a store or renting them from the florist is going to save some lucky bride or event planner some cashish. Plus a little extra in my pocket in time for the holidays wouldn't be so bad either... Wish me luck!

A Newlywed Menu

Anyone who knows me knows how much I hate cooking. However, as a newly married lady something inside me wants to take care of my hubby, save money, AND eat better; so I'm determined to learn. What I've discovered is that it's not so much the actual cooking that bothers me, its the planning. So I've been planning a week's worth of meals on Sundays and buying everything for them then. Rachel Ray had a full week's meal guide and shopping list in each of her magazines this summer. Also, anything that we use up gets put on the next week's grocery list. It's 1.5 months and working so far... I really love the accomplishment I'm getting out of it.

Here's some big things I had success with in September & October; Bonus! 5/6 of them are vegetarian recipes :

1. Homemade Pizza. Inspired by September's book club, this was possibly the most adventurous of my homemade cooking so far. It was also one of the most fun and yummiest. All the extras I needed to buy was some dry yeast & the toppings. I had the flour, salt, etc. already. $10

2a. Raviolis & Spinach- Couldn't be easier! I used a bag of frozen cheese raviolis & 3 oz frozen spinach with 1/2 jar Arribiata tomato sauce. Served with garlic bread, I had enough time (and leftover spinach) to make #3 below. $8

2b. Cauliflower & Spinach Casserole - This was a great all-week long meal. I just broke up a head of cauliflower, Campbell's cream of mushroom soup, the rest of the frozen spinach, a little EVOO, bread crumbs and some shredded mozzarella cheese in a casserole dish and baked at 325 for 1 hour. No fuss and it was YUMMY!! $5

3. Popcorn Cauliflower- Since Mr. Mc really likes cauliflower, I also tried this one- WOW! Its basically french fries, but shaped like popcorn. 1 head cauliflower broken up, 3 Tbsp EVOO, 1 tsp salt, bake 325 for 1 hour. Not a full meal, but its a great side for the burgers & mac / cheese he makes! $3

4. Cranberry - Chipotle Beef- The most surprising wedding gift was the slow cooker, so we went in search of something to cook in it. Cut up & throw the following in the pot: 1 small onion, 12 oz beef chuck roast, 1/8 tsp salt & pepper, 1 clove garlic, 8 oz cranberry sauce, 1 tsp chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce. I put it in the slow cooker for 3-4 hours on high then serve with 10 minute rice. Be careful, this is one spicy meal!! $9

5. Israeli Salad - I had this at an Italian restaurant near my house & liked it so much I decided to try and make my own. Dice the following: 3 tomatoes, 2 cucumbers, 1 onion, parsley, dill, 3-4 tbsp olive oil & juice of 1 lemon. Toss & serve with a whole wheat pita. $8

Snowtober

Seriously? The ground is white with snow and its not even Halloween yet. I think this is God's way of prepping me for my trip to Wisconsin next week, and telling me that my new Italian leather shoes are not waterproof so I shouldn't bring them.

The chilly weather isn't all bad though. Today my lunch was a very yummy tomato soup with Cheeze-its. I've also been able to catch up on some indoor projects: I finally put photos frames on my hallway wall- I'm so happy with how it turned out!

And we got to see Trotter in his winter sweaters; I'm so buying more of these this weekend.

Tonight I'll do some cooking to warm up the house and fill up our fridge. Tomorrow- We're watching the rest of Game 5 with the neighbors. Only 1 more win to go for the Fightin's! Go Phils!!

Overflowing Toilets & Free Candy

Last weekend, my college roommate Kelly & I took a much needed trip to Pittsburgh to stir up some alumni memories (and for her to attend a business conference). We got to do all the fun stuff we've missed for 5 years- including walking around campus, indulging in Dave & Andy's ice cream (twice!), and seeing some old friends. It was really nice to get away from regular life and work for a while- I've needed it.

While the entire weekend was fantabulous and we did a whole lot of laughing and catching up, there are two stories I thought I'd share:

While soaking up the sun at Schenley Park reading a book like the old days, we found an abandoned packet of Skittles in the grass. Free Candy!! After inspecting them thoroughly and finding them un-opened, we ate them. Is that weird? While most people would have found that dangerous, we took it as an opportunity to live on the edge. I think they tasted extra good because they were free.

As if free candy wasn't strange enough, the major hilarity of the weekend was the overflowing toilet. Our hotel room toilet was running pretty much constantly for 2 days, so I jiggled the handle. 20 minutes later, it started foaming and spewing bubbles (fortunately that was all) like an out-of-hand school science project! I took a photo to make sure it wasn't the candy giving us hallucinations:


According to the maintenance man, someone put shampoo down the toilet (apparently this happens every so often). I think it was a disgruntled housekeeper- he also mentioned a reoccurring soap bar issue on the 9th floor of our hotel... Either way, don't try that at home!

All-in-all it was a fantastic weekend. I got my much needed dose of both Pitt and girl-time. Now if I only had some more Dave & Andy's.

Decisive Design

One of the most annoying things I find about house decorating is my lack of commitment to one certain style. I like modern, bits of country, traditional and casual stuff all together. I can look at a commercial on TV where they redo a beautiful traditional room (filled with old beautiful furniture and heavy fabrics) into a new modern one (very open and trendy) and love each of them as much as the other. I just hate being in-between.

My friend Kelly, who I would describe as a minimalist in her home decor, pulls together the trendy looks that I love wonderfully, but she doesn't like to have as much "stuff" as I do. But her style is great because it makes it easier to clean (which her house always is! Jealous!). Now my cousin's house is all shabby-chic, filled with old looking stuff that looks awesome together and uber cozy... Completely opposites, but both have a certain (and great) "look" to them. My mother has a country-style house, with pinks and golds and pans on the kitchen wall that she loves; while my mother-in-law loves the traditional bold, expensive, heavy furniture. You can walk through their homes and know what style they like!

My style feels to be a house full of stuff, arranged it into an organized somewhat presentable room without a certain style in my mind. Is there a name for that?? Ugh, if I only was committed to a certain bigger picture, then I could drive my purchases and house projects towards that... I would feel so much more organized and accomplished; maybe I wouldn't buy so much stuff either!

Tall Star Struck

Picture this: I'm getting on the elevator in the hotel, dragging enough luggage and totes to make me qualify as a genuine bag lady, and without thinking I say to the other inhabitant, "Good Lord you're tall. Do you play basketball?" Indeed he did. He was Kendrick Perkins, of the Boston Celtics in Pittsburgh for a pre-season game against Cleveland. So of course my mind reaches for the most un-suave thing I could say: "Wow, my husband would be impressed. I'm from Philly, so I'm not a fan of the Celtics, but good luck today!" Like, I'm not impressed but someone else would be(although I'm sure I looked impressed with that stupid grin on my face), and good luck, but not good luck. I'm surprised the guy didn't run away as fast as he could! He was nice, he asked what I was in Pittsburgh for- and didn't look too surprised at my crazy star-struck attempt at a normal conversation. Hey, I meant well.

So it got me thinking - how would I handle being famous? Would I be able to smile at the crazy people in the elevator day after day? Would I be able to sign all those autographs and take all those photos and travel that much? While doable, I don't think it's something I'd enjoy.

Also, I've seen how short the showers are here- I had to bend my head back to wash my hair and I'm only 5'9". How does someone nearing 7' fit in there? How do they manage the airplanes and the beds that are meant for someone 6'? Ugh, it must be super annoying to be that tall and famous!

Mastercard Funk

This is one of my absolute favorite commercials ever; its one of the reasons I'm thankful to be in marketing. One day I may also create something as awesome as this. Not only are they selling you product and tying it into one of the best ad campaigns ever, but they also manage to teach suave dance moves that as a white girl, i may have never been able to master without this commercial! I mean, how great is the armpit move that the blond kid does?!? (priceless!)

Dinner & a Movie

Dinner & a movie, the perfect date night! Tonight me and the mister are cooking up some love with a Tilapia recipe idea that I stole from 'newly wedded wife' and then we'll kick back with What happens in Vegas before watching the Fightin' Phil's beat LA.

Dinner planning and cooking has been one of the hardest things for me to accept and implement since becoming a new wife. I've never had to do it; my mom cooked, then my sister, then my college roommate and then Bo started to learn when we moved in together. I'm so bad, I made see-through pancakes once. Accidental crepes!

Of course I can (most often) follow a recipe and have it turn out similar to the expected result- but i freak out! I have this feeling of utter hopelessness that it just won't taste the same as when someone else makes it. I actually shake when going into the kitchen. I think part of it is that most things like school, computers, crafts, etc. come so easy to me, that I'm stupefied by something so many others understand and I simply don't get. Does anyone else have this problem, or am I just missing the cooking gene?

But really, the major problem is the planning. I am always starving when I get home, and we rarely have all of the right ingredients in the house, so I go right for the cereal or Oreo's. Its an evil, evil cycle. So, I'm going to try to do the weekly plans, trying out one new recipe each week depending on my travel schedule. Its going to be trial by fire!

Welcome to East Sixth

My first blog is like the first of anything; awkward, often unexpected and exciting. I'll spend the next several weeks thinking: Should I have done that? What could I have done better? Will I keep with it? Does it matter? Oh yeah, I'm a type A alright.

Being a perfectionist, I've only fallen in love with one blog so far in my life: 'The Bering Blog'. it was interesting to me because it was not only reliable, but hilarious and personal as well. That blog is on hiatus right now, so i'm dating two others: 'Newly Wedded Wife' and 'Where's Bob'. One is very reliable and personal, and the other is bordering on hilarious - but you can go for weeks without an update.

This blog is going to be an outlet for me to careen all my scattered thoughts on work, newly married life, home life, and attaining my own personal perfection into one sensible online journal. We'll see how it goes!