Update-o-rama

Updates! I got my oil changed and discovered the 5 year mystery of my house air filter thanks to my husband. My house filter didnt fit and I was shoving the same size in based on what the previous owner did. Apparently there is a mystery size that stores dont carry and I would have never figured this out if René didnt work for a heating and air conditioning company. Soooo mystery solved. My wedding dress still isnt cleaned, my flowers still arent preserved and our guest book still isnt framed. I cant wait to wrap those three things up!
My darling daughter is turning 8 which is crazy. She wants to have a slumber party...please help me.
I was really trying to get out of it, I know that sounds awful...but I'm starting to come around. Its all she really wants to do and to be real honest, Im sure its the cheapest option too. It happens to be right around Christmas so the trick will be making sure people havent already made plans.
I'm trying not to get caught up in Breaking Dawn hype....but I really want to see it! I saw a trailer yesterday and I was like...I am 25 years old and way too excited for this movie...but I have no shame. I love those books! I can't wait to go see it with my friend Danielle. I know she really wants to see it too but shes an awesome friend and shes waiting for little old me to actually have some free time to steal away and see it! Yay!
My high school friends and I used to have a cookie baking day that my friend Val's awesome mom used to host and tell us what to do. Im pretty sure we drove her crazy over the past 10+ years and since we are grown ups...I think I want to try and bring this tradition back and include Madison too. Getting together with friends and family is my favorite thing to do during the holidays. At this point I am almost anti-gift giving. I love to give gifts and of course get gifts, and this might sound cheesy, but its just not the point. Funerals and weddings dont have to be the only excuse we make to get together. Maybe I'm in the beginning thoughts of making my own traditions!
Ok and here is why I am soooo excited this week and last week. Im going to Texas for Thanksgiving! Yayyyyy! I havent seen René since mid-October...which is actually pretty good for us. I havent seen my stepson, or my inlaws since August though and before this trip I wasnt 100% sure the next time I would get to see them. I cant wait to spend some family time with everyone and especially enjoy some time with my love. 7 more days! Whoo!
Lately my husband and I have brought up some awesome life ideas. We decided we are really the dream team and would like to work together and use our talents to be creative in movies and music and that realm of the arts. This to me is totally realistic. I think once we are in one location the things we can accomplish are endless. The possibilities excite me!
So heres to hopeful focusing on work and life and not getting too antsy for next Thursday!

:)

Ramble on!

This weekend went by so quickly. The past month of weekends has gone by fast. Or maybe just every weekend goes by fast because I personally don't work Saturdays and Sundays and Im always jam packing everything in those two days. Just when I was pretty much dealing with the fact I wouldnt see Rene for the holidays, my ever hopeful crazy self pulled up ticket prices on Friday and BAM! Reasonably priced Thanksgiving tickets to Dallas. So, yes I am going to spend thanksgiving in Texas and I'm pretty darn excited about it.
I am the worst blogger ever, I even feel guilty a lot about it. I really love writing and putting all my thoughts up here. Sometimes I find it hard when I'm feeling funky or moody to start blogging. Ive still been dressing pretty well, I dont feel guilty about that. I have a shortage of leggings and/or tights and closed toed shoes to wear with all my skirts and dresses. I really don't own too many pairs of "work" pants anymore, I got rid of most them not too long ago because they were all 15 sizes too big, yet I was still wearing them. I had to get rid of them just so I wouldnt be tempted anymore. I pulled out all my winter clothes I put away last season and swapped them out with my summer clothes that had taken residence in our dresser. I took out everything from Rene's side of the dresser yesterday, It's all empty, which may seem like a waste of space in the mean time, but I really need to get used to not having those drawers at my disposale. This also made me realize, I need to get rid of more clothes, AGAIN!? I am personally amazed at the amount of clothing I have given away this year. It has to have been almost 12 trash bags full. I feel like I still don't have room. HOW CAN THIS BE?
Some things on my to do list: I need to get my oil changed. I tend to put this off because it usually involves waiting and I am pretty impatient. I also need to get my wedding dress cleaned. Its been three months. My mom said she will have it cleaned for me, yet she gave it back to me, and its now hanging in my closet. Its huge. Also, I need to get down in my basement (full of mice and spiders, thats so dramatic) and measure my air filter hole. Ever since I moved into my house the air filter has been bought based on what was in there when I moved. Well that size is wrong wrong wrong because I'm usually having to rip and shove a new one in there to make it fit. I started cleaning my attic and basement out and I made a pretty big dent. I have some more left to do, but its much easier when I have the weekend all to myself. Ive been trying to meditate everyday, I started reading a book on it too. Since I won't treat my anxiety with meds, this is the next best thing. I need to start incorportating yoga into my life again, but I am admittedly lazy at the end of the day and I don't feel like hearing Jillian Michaels yell at me from the tv screen. I need to look into finding some *gentle* yoga...
We've still been eating pretty good at home, I am still conscience of what I am buying and Madison loves some veggie chicken cutlets. In fact, we really havent eaten that much meat lately. Its funny because I dont even realize it. I havent put pressure on myself to not eat meat at all, so I think that helps. I won't label myself because I found that probably wouldnt work for me. Id be way too upset with myself for giving in and having a burger or not being able to eat at family dinners. Im ok knowing for the most part that we eat healthy and wholesome food. Halloween put a damper on this because Madison and I arent so good with candy in the house. I've limited it to one piece a day, its going to last forever!
Personally, Im trying to work on being more selfless and communicating better. I can be afraid to say how I really feel because Im afraid of reactions. I'm honestly trying to get over this, its hard though. I do not like conflict and I like to avoid it at all costs especially with Rene. That doesnt always prove healthy for a relationship though.
So heres to: working on my to do list, working on my self (like always-I dont think we ever really can stop doing that, maybe when youre like 90?), being excited about Thanksgiving and seeing my family, working hard, being there for my husband and my kids and loving them and everyone else in my life.

My final thought is a simple one:
Life is short, I vow to be happy. :)

What I've been wearing and some unrelated thoughts.

This is a backlog of what I've been wearing. To be honest this past week was really blah for me. 

I was presentable but nothing worth documenting. It's just been like that lately. Maybe next week will prove more stylish for me. 

To be even more honest, I am in a funk and I'm not sure of the way out. I feel selfish for feeling this way. 

I finished reading The Help this past week and it took my mind off of a lot of what I've been thinking about. I feel like if I find a new book, I can make that happen again. I do have books here at the house to read but nothing seems appealing for some reason. 

I'm currently listening to my dog whine incessantly because my daughter is having a play date on her swing set outside and he is inside. This doesn't prove a great environment for writing or delving deep into my thoughts. 

So, for now, here's to making a plan, dressing for success, and finding a book to get lost in again.

Have a great weekend.

dress: forever 21
cardigan:gap
socks:marshalls
boots: steve madden
belt: kohls

dress: gap
scarf: gift-old navy
socks: marshalls
boots-steve madden
belt: kohls

boots: steve madden
shirt: gap
scarf:walmart
leggings: kohls

  

skirt: forever 21
boots: steve madden
tights, shirt: dont remember

Life Update.

Oh hi there! I'm the worst blogger ever, taking a 10 day vacation...sheesh. 5 of those days were spent with my husband when he came to town, so its understandable..no? Here's a rundown of how I've spent my time. Pictures tell the best story. My sweet "Uncle" George came to visit and have lunch 2 weekends ago all the way from Windber, PA. He lives on a farm in the mountains and he tells the best stories. I had a quick visit with my dad afterwards and walked around the yard looking at pretty flowers with my sister, my niece and my daughter.
A week ago today I was baking delicious pumpkin muffins the night before my husband flew into Philly. My heart really doesn't feel the same as it does when I'm with him. I'm currently still being mopey about the fact that he went back to Texas this past Saturday...But! Before he did we had some really awesome times. I made my favorite meal for him, we got our last taste of Rita's water ice for the season on closing day, we took a rainy trip to the apple orchard, had dinner with my dad, and rifled through the local record shop. We hit up the mall, target, the book store, even attended a parent/teacher conference. Our big night out was to see Louis C.K. perform at the Grand Opera House and have a yummy snack/dessert/drinks! He was hilarious, we really had a great time. Friday night René indulged my 12 year old girl at heart and took me to see Footloose with my friend Danielle and her husband Nate. I think both of the guys fell asleep....regardless Danielle and I geeked out beyond belief and loveeeeed it!
The day René was scheduled to leave we had a delicious patio brunch in Newark complete with bloody mary's and mimosas and a quick walk around goodwill and the "Harvest Arts Festival" on the University of Delaware campus. We headed up to Philly early so we could get PIE! We spent about an hour at Reading Terminal Market sampling ice cream, baklava, pie and coffee. I put a dent in my car in Chinatown. I cannot parallel park...
Saying goodbye is always hard, it never gets any easier even though we know its coming. I always cry, I am always beside myself. I become a sentimental mushy mess. I miss René immensely. Words really cannot describe how my heart aches.

Sunday was spent at my dads...feet up, doing laundry and watching really awful sappy romantic movies...

Everyone is coughing. What I've been wearing.

It seems like everyone, everywhere is coughing. I'm just hoping and praying and wishing to not get sick before René gets here. Sick Allie is not cute, not fun, just not happening. I also refuse to get flu shots. They give them out where I work, and you have to sign a waiver if you don't want one. You also have to give a reason...I almost checked "religious reason" so that I didn't have to fill out the little blank line next to "other". I wrote: personal choice. Its the best I could do...

Ok, here we go. Friday is casual and since its the post season and I heart them, it obviously involved a Phillies tshirt! It got really cold here and there were a few days my outfits were less than stellar because I was totally unprepared...these didnt get documented (oh darn).

P.S. Theres an added bonus picture at the end.

First outfit:

shirt: OP-walmart

belt: forever 21

skirt: banana republic-hand-me-down from my sister

shoes: candies-kohls

Second outfit:

dress: asos via ebay

tights: kohls

tank: kohls

belt: off of a shirt from kohls

shoes: target

Third outfit:

shirt: H&M

jeans: express-gift

shoes: target

Fourth outfit:

crop: target

tank: H&M

skirt: forever 21

shoes: target

Fifth outfit: (and final)

shirt: modells- whooo phillies!

cardigan: forever 21

jeans: american eagles

shoes: vans

 

And finally my Wednesday night "date night" with my daughter. We picked up Footloose and ate some 100% all natural mint chocolate chip ice cream..my fave! She thought the angry dance was hilarious and was obsessed with the prom scene.

 P.S. PG in 1984 is nothing like PG now...note to self.

Hope everyone had a great week.

P.P.S Mmmmmmm coffee

Talk. Talk. Talk.

Silence is golden has never been more true. Being in a long distance marriage, at least for me, makes me feel like I need to talk until I'm blue in the face. I feel like lately more than ever...I'm talking way too much. I feel the need to fill the gaps with meaningless conversation. I know that sometimes, chatting is nice...theres not always something earth shattering to talk about. In fact, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that most couples who live together every day don't have insane amounts to talk about. Usually two people work, they talk about their days, anything cool they saw, their kids, etc. Being long distance where the phone is the only thing fostering communication doesn't really allow for just quiet time with your spouse or unspoken time spending. I mean really I love watching a movie with my husband or going shopping or having dinner. I am really good at being charming and loving and awesome (if I do say so myself) in person. Sometimes over the phone...I don't translate well. Sometimes my communication skills turn to crap, I find myself being neurotic to the point of crazypantsness, and I'm all of a sudden worried or thinking about things that I wouldn't be if I was face to face. Some things I need to learn: we don't have to agree on everything. For some reason theres a part of me that desires to be harmonious COMPLETELY. Bananas you say? Of course it is. I don't agree with anyone 100% of the time. Why should I expect anymore when it comes to my husband? When theres nothing to talk about...I find myself bringing up things that probably 1. shouldn't be talked about via phone or 2. I don't actually need or want to know...but since my overactive brain suggests it to me...I'm all of a sudden blurting it out. Sometimes in my head, I want to say OMG ALLIE SHUT UP. I think most of all, I need to learn that silence really is nice sometimes.


Absence makes the heart grow fonder (and crazier in my case). I'm trying to change the crazy part. No one hands you a manual when you get into a long distance relationship and says ok, read this and then you'll know exactly how to handle yourself all the time. I wish! I'm thankful my husband is patient...to a point. I know that marriage is about learning and communicating and nothing is ever perfect. I know its hard work. I also know its all worth it...whether you're long distance or get to see each other every day. Its hard. But if you're in love with someone and you vowed to spend the rest of your lives together, for better or worse-you meant the worse part equally as much as the better part.

René flys in next week for a visit and the timing couldn't be better. Spending time together really is key. We get to enjoy each others company, and take the time to be silent together. I feel like every time we get to see each other, we are making a deposit in our "marriage bank". We get to strengthen our bond and just be in love, and love each other.
I am grateful for that...and I can't wait to hug and kiss him...that's the best way to be silent that I know of.

Lazy October weekend.

Saturday shopping!

This weekend was for shopping and chilly weather. Delaware got super cold, super fast. I woke up this morning shivering, wondering why I left all the windows open... It was still around 80 degrees last week, it really came out of no where. Before my daughter went to her dad's we celebrated her being in the "talented and gifted" program with a smoothie (hey, it was her choice). I'm sooooo proud of her!  I got a gift card from my husband to footaction because he knows how much I need sneakers, so I decided Saturday was the day for the mall! Of course I got side tracked and hit up H&M and Forever 21 to start....more on that later. I found out....my mall doesn't have a footaction. Seriously Allie? I capped my trip off grocery shopping at Target.

shirt: H&M

jacket: American Eagle like....10 years ago

pants: hand me down from my sister

shoes: Vans

what I was working with...

Target is connected to my mall, its awesome. I thought I parked in an area both close to the mall entrance and the Target entrance. You guys, I really thought I planned this out right. Well not so much...I found myself with a cart full of groceries trying to take a cart down the mall road because the parking lots were separated by cement and shrubbery. Then, to make it all worse the wheels locked up. I thought, did I run over something? I'm inspecting my cart on a busy road, pulling it backwards, etc. I gave up and pulled my cart full of groceries, my shopping bags, my purse, and my iced coffee out and piled them on my arms and walked the football field length my car. Insanity. I text my husband telling him my ridiculous tale and he says...don't you know Target's shopping carts have sensors and they lock up when they hit a boundary line so people don't steal them? WHY NO, I DID NOT KNOW THAT.


Ok here's your fashion show of awful! I took some pictures of things I tried on at H&M and Forever 21. And while I do think these things would look adorable on someone else, they just were not working for me... I did get one dress, it was on sale and I love it! $10 people. Its almost comical...so enjoy.

H&M
I thought, maybe with some tights...this could be a cute date night dress. It has stars all over it, they are hard to see.
Alas, my husbands response to this one was "whats up snooki?".
So...no. Too short, too tight-all wrong. Next!












This was adorable on the rack, Its navy blue with green hearts all over it. It buttons in the front, with a fabric tie at the neck. I really liked it...but it was too short. Hey Forever 21, add some length?

You can tell by my face...this was wrong in so many ways. Too short, too tight...it was cut all wrong for me. On the hanger...in the clearance section I might add...it was cute! On me, not so much!

Green lace with a nude lining. I really liked this one. Again, it was way too short. Maybe its just me, but I'm not into dresses this short. I feel like I'd have to take a few inches off my height to wear a lot of dresses at Forever 21.










Hi, I'm 5 years old again. That's really all I have to say about this one.








Ok! So the fashion don'ts are over...here's what I actually did purchase and I love it! It fits very well, its not *too* short and I can't wait to wear some tights, throw on some boots, maybe a cardigan and take it for a spin. To blow your mind, its a size small. I didn't realize it until after I tried it on. Stores confuse me anymore...Either a large is hugging every curve or a small is fitting just right? Oh well, I guess I'll just stop looking at sizes and go with what looks right on my body.

 

Sunday was made for lounging around in my pjs, coffee, veggie burgers, waiting for my daughter to get home, chatting with a best friend...and The Office. :)

I hope you all had a lovely weekend! 

I will leave you with something awesome I found (and didn't buy). 

Fall fashion week-day 5! Last day :(

see everyone here!

Hiiii. It's Friday and I just got paid. I feel like if the Nsync song didnt immediatley pop into your head, youre 1. too young or 2. dare I say it, didn't like boy bands at one point in your life. Its casual Friday up in this joint and believe me I. am. casual. My hair is the messiest its been all week and I think I need a gallon of coffee this morning. Another late night on the phone. Really, I'm not complaining...its been fun. It feels like old times talking to René until the hours switch to am...but I'm older and crankier now. I doubt I'll be catching up on sleep this weekend either! Last night was dance class Thursday. Can I tell you how much I enjoy my 1 hour of social activity on Thursdays?? Its really one of my favorite things, and I missed it all summer. I get to have coffee with my friend Danielle and play with her sweet son and talk/laugh! She is seriously one of my fave people to be around. And I'm not just saying that because she recently discovered my blog. Heyyyyy!

I got pumpkin iced coffee and was reprimanded by the "barista" (he's the shop owner) because my neice was pulling bags of coffee off the shelves. I'm not used to watching toddlers anymore, ok?  I may have also had a pumpkin donut. Stop the madness...I love pumpkin.

Please excuse  my iphone pictures...sans filter at that. I'm not  hiding anything with filters, I just love how dreamy they look. Crappy iphone pictures with poor lighting does not equal dreamy.
I had fun this week thanks to Emery Jo and her awesome Fashion Week! You are all so sweet and I will continue to read all of your blogs. Have a lovelllly day!

shirt: old navy

tank: kohls

pants: kohls

shoes: payless
watch-a gift from my awesomeee husband (its a casio and im pretty sure its from target ;) )

Fall fashion week-day 4!

 

see everyone here!

Good Morning! I hope everyone is having a great day. I still haven't had my coffee...which can't mean good things. I really am that annoying mcdonalds commercial, "don't talk to me until I've had my coffee...". I did have cookies for breakfast..BUT the good kind! They are kashi trail mix cookies, which really shouldnt even be called cookies. Its health food. Its good..but its not a chocolate chip. I stayed up too late talking to my husband on the phone, but is there anything such as *too* late when it comes to that? :) Today is also my big sister's birthday!! Happy Birthday Casey...I love you!

It's the end of the month around these parts..which means busy! I hope you all have a lovely day! :)

shirt: walmart

necklace: kohls

skirt: h&m (by way of ebay)

shoes: payless

lip color: bare minerals pretty amazing-witty (a gift from my stylist on my wedding day!)

taken by my lovely coworker, Nancy!

please dont mind my chipping polish...