Obligatory Lilly Post.

Thoughts on Spring 2012? I have to admit, I wasn't too wowed. Sure there were lots of "oh that's cute," but there was no frantic yelling or frenzied screaming IMUSTHAVETHATNOW like I typically do (let them eat cake please, please come to me).

As a huge history and geography nerd, the state of mind patch print is my must-have. I am unsure of the Ricci Shift...I feel like the cut out plus the bow up top is too much. I would much prefer one or the other.

I'm actually trying to figure out if I can squeeze into a 14 because I really do love the Little Lilly Shift.

Little Lilly Shift in Lilly's State of Mind Patch

Holler New York, home state, and Massachusetts, adopted state:

Any Lilly lovers out there a 2 or a 4? If so I have a NWT black Jillie (4) with your name on it, or a NWT Blossom (2) in hotty pink ten speed. Girlfriend cannot wear strapless but yet I still insist on buying strapless dresses.



Pink Swap 2012

Back when I was just a silent blog creeper, I read about Kappa Prep's Pink Swap and knew I had to participate. I love pink, shopping, the U.S. postal service, and of course swapping. Last February I was paired up with a great partner, another non-blogger, and we both had fun with our first swap. I was anxiously awaiting sign up time this year (I am serious, I lamented to my sister (non-blogger, non-blog reader, had no idea what I was referring to) that I wanted it to be pink swap time right meow.

Anywho, I was paired up with Palm Trees, Pearls, & A Classy South Carolina Girl this time around and had a great time exchanging emails, figuring out precise purchases, and packaging everything to send off to SC (I am now wishing I took a photo of the finished product as I spent a solid 45 minutes wrapping everything up).

I received my package on the last day of January and it was such a nice surprise to come home to after a long day of work.

My goodies included:

Hot pink pashmina

Love this- am contemplating which color thread for monogram right now. I actually almost bought this as well

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails in Strobe Light

Obsessed. Literally obsessed. My right hand is painted in numerous coats right now and yes I did go to work like that today.

Vera Bradley sunglasses case

Such a nice bright pattern that won't get lost in the depths of my bag.

Tyler Candle Company in Mediterranean Fig

Smells amazing. No literally I keep opening it to smell it as I write this.

Huge Reusable tote

I love me some mother nature saving devices. This tote is ginormous and it is sturdy which means I can use it for years to come.

Great reusable tumbler in pink paisley

Bye bye plastic water bottles, you have met your end. muahahaha.

Fun pink miniature mailbox

Reminds me of my childhood and the light blue, with red flag, one I had. I placed it in the kitchen and demanded I be gifted letters.

Finally a home for my Dior's. Their massive size is perfect for driving and while they might not be in the best condition lens-wise, I hate to think of them getting crushed.

I hope it was kosher to post all my fun tingtings....a big thank you to Palm Trees, Pearls, and a Classy South Carolina Girl for all of these wonderful gifts, and of course a big thank you to our gracious hostess, Kappa Prep.

Lurking

I am a self-professed internet creeper. I have been reading blogs, without commenting, for many years now. One of my goals this year was to start commenting and stop hiding in the shadows (cue...I decided long ago never to walk in any one's shadow....)

Beantown Prepster issued a challenge to all of us creepers/lurkers to answer her 11 questions:

MY 11 Questions for YOU:
1) If you could have a theme song to play when you walk down the street what would it be?This is tough. I have, on a few occasions (re: 2am college parties), though not tinybit proud of it, had buckcherry's "crazy b*tch" dedicated to me. I would have to say in my grownup, professional life, the rolling stones "beast of burden" is one song I would never tire of hearing? I feel like that would be a question better answered by a friend.2) If you could only watch one TV Show for the rest of your life, what would you pick?

Always Sunny. No question. Nonstop laughter.

3) French fries: Skinny and crispy or big and mushy?

Only sweet potato fries and wedges please.
4) What is your guilty pleasure outfit?

In public: A little boys Ralph Lauren long sleeved polo, Joe's petite provocateur jeans, and Rainbows.

In the privacy of my own home: my monogrammed Hanes sweatpants (target chic) and a soft concert tee.
5) Soda: Fountain, bottle or can?

Seltzer all the way...if by chance I do want/need to drink soda- fountain no doubt.
6) Favorite thing to do at the gym?

NOT GO. No really I haven't been to the gym in over 2 years. I run outside, or on the dreadmill (sparingly). Until my pilates studio closed I went there 3x a week...now I am the proud owner of a reformer and can pi-lat (as my father calls it) in my bedroom.
7) If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

I need seasons, so as appealing as a non humid Southern state with sunshine would sound, I really wouldn't want to live anywhere but the Northeast. For culture, food, and experience, I'd love to live in Florence. For US city living, back to Boston I go.
8) What was your first animal and do you remember its name?

You have to be a sick, depraved person not to remember your first pet's name. His name was Shadow and he was a golden retriever/yellow lab mix that my father got for my mother when they first got married and he was working nights. He was such a great dog.
9) What is one thing that you carry in your purse that you absolutely cannot live without?

Worst girl ever- I hate carrying purses...but definitely chapstick.
10) What is your most embarrassing habit?

I have far too many to name...but the one that I really try to keep in check in the workplace is...when someone else is talking, I will mouth the words that they are saying. My family still calls me out on this.
11) If you could meet and be BFFs in real life with a blogger that you follow, who would it be and why?

Blair's Head Band or Beantown Prepster. BHB writes in a way that leads me to think she would get my humor, I get hers, and if people didn't have anything nice to say, they could definitely sit with us. BP and I could discuss Boston, politics, and she might be able to join BHB and I at the table. *Not that I think they are all just snark- both are intelligent and charming as well.*

Now I kind of feel like an even bigger creepshow....

Food.

I'm so cute, how could you eat me?

I am a lactose intolerant "vegetarian". Trying to find something nutritious to eat can often be challenging because I'm also very picky.

My quest to be a vegetarian started at an early age. Around the age of seven or so I told my mother I wanted to stop eating meat. Being that she also had a two and four year old to take care of and I was notorious for wanting to be things and then forgetting about them, she told me the doctor said I had to be 12 in order to be one.

Little did she know that the day I turned 12 I told her I was now going to be a vegetarian. I stopped eating red meat and pork when I turned 12, but continued eating chicken and turkey on occasion. The January of my senior year of college I stopped eating poultry for ethical reasons and the mere fact it started to gross me out. The correct term for my eating habits today would probably be pescatarian. Today, the only time I will eat something that had a face is in a spicy salmon roll (maybe 2x month), or crab legs (maybe 2x year). These are also starting to gross me out so I will probably stop eating them as well soon. The spicy salmon roll appeals to me because of the spiciness and the crunch factor. Crab legs appeal to me because my lactose intolerant self gets to douse them with butter. You could just cut out the fish/seafood component and I'd probably still be happy.

The only things I miss about my carnivorous days are wings and kielbasa. Tofu wings don't have the same spicy flavor that you can find in chicken wings, and Ukie Easter is terribly sad for me when all I can eat are pierogies.

I don't have an issue if you eat meat, but what I do have issue with is close-minded individuals who have to comment on my food.

Yes, I find the steak on your plate revolting and yes, it makes me want to puke in my mouth. However, I would never say that to anyone, even a family member. So why do you need to comment that my tofu looks/is disgusting and I am a freak for eating it?

If you don't understand or have questions about some one's veg-ism, please ask. I love answering questions, and while I cannot speak for everyone, most people do like to share their beliefs as well.

I like to kick, stretch, and kick. I'm 50.

Last week I attended a surprise 50th birthday party for the mother of a close friend. Everyone knew her mother would be livid when she got there and found out the party was for her. She was coming to her daughter's house under the pretense that a Pampered Chef party would be going on.

FMP (my dear friend/gracious hostess) put together an amazing surprise party for her mother. Scattered throughout the house were pictures of her mother throughout the years, and the decorations were fun and tasteful. The theme was pajama party, and all the ladies were expected to wear their finest pajamas. (Considering I sleep in nada, I was instructed that I must wear something. This message was stressed numerous times) I ended up finding a pair of flannel pants that had been my grandmother's and wearing those with a long sleeved polo. We received fun goodie bags with purse hooks, lotion, fuzzy socks, coffee, and stiletto shaped bottle openers. FMP had a spa come to the house and a little nook set up for pedicures. The amount of food was insane and I spent quite a good amount of time with the veggie platter and chips and salsa.

But the best part of the whole night, especially for a sugar monster like myself, was the candy table! FMP set up the table to showcase the past 50 years of candy.

I of course helped myself to a generous amount of candy alllll night. And helped myself to a sweet candy goodie bag to enjoy the rest of the weekend.

After witnessing the hilarity that was 20+ 50ish year old women interacting...I certainly hope that my friends and I are that close, hilarious, inappropriate, and fun when we turn 50. Those ladies were funny.

Luff the lake part dos.

I have been very fortunate in my life that my father worked so hard to provide for my family. One of our greatest treasures in our lake house. I have spent every summer living on the lake and countless spring, winter, and fall weekends as well. I am a July baby, and two weeks after I was born my parents took me to the lake, and took me out on the boat. For my tenth birthday I received Felicity (AG dolls holler) and my very own tackle box. I love to fish, and have no problem putting the worm on the hook or taking the fish off. My summers were spent snorkeling, building sand villages, not just castles, swimming, and reading. My first friend that was not a relative was the little boy who lived next door. We would meet at the hammock every morning from the age of five and do who knows what, but we were entertained.

My obsession with the lake, and yes it is "the lake," has only grown throughout the years. In my elementary school years it was about freedom and getting as dirty as I wanted, in junior high I pouted and missed my friends, in high school it was the perfect place for a winter party, and in college I longed for summer break so I could relax and take a breather from studying.

I have even brainwashed my friends into calling it "the lake." PLK will refer to my house as the lake to people who don't even know me, and who have no idea which lake she is referring to. We are lucky enough to live in an area with close access to a few larger lakes. There can only be one "the lake." In fact, the nickname of the lake is the "Queen of American Lakes."

Winter Carnival starts next week-hopefully the ice will come in!

Fall; looking Southwest



Summer; looking West



"Lake George is without comparison, the most beautiful water I ever saw..."- Thomas Jefferson, 1791

99 Secrets

I l.o.v.e ashlee simpson love music. Love it. I love music in the car, when I'm working, when I work out, when I clean, there is really no bad time for music. I love concerts, mix cds, acoustic versions...literally any form of music will do. I grew up in a house where weekend mornings were not about cartoons, but about turning on the tape deck/cd player and listening to music while you did your chores, read the paper, or did homework. I grew up appreciating Bach, Billy Joel, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, The Beatles, Beethoven, Garth Brooks, and anything in between. Even today, there are very songs or genres of music that I won't listen to. Really heavy metal, christian rock, and too pop-ish are my limits. I might appreciate something for its musical quality, but probably won't listen because of the lyrics.

I honestly don't think I could make a list of all of my favorite artists because there are too many to name.

I have very eclectic tastes if you wanted to attempt to categorize. I've been to 20+ Dave Matthews Band concerts, one of my favorite songs of all time is by The Rolling Stones, I think Freddie Mercury was a god, Blink 182 was my favorite band in junior high, I love inappropriate rap and hip hop, I get misty eyed when I think of being in a pub in Dublin and everyone sing along to my favorite Oasis song, and I love to jam out to country music on a long drive. (I also appreciate a good run on sentence)

One thing I can say for certain, I do not trust people who claim they only like one genre of music.

Luckily for me, (big shout out to Al Gore for inventing the interwebs) youtube has changed the way music can be shared and interpreted. One of my favorite new pastimes is finding mashups of my favorite songs.

Enter Passion Pit- Little Secrets+ Jay-z- 99 Problems--> 99 Secrets

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5hw4ZPZy6s

Here is the link if you are interested. Please note, it does contain explicit language which is why I am linking instead of embedding (holler blog speak).

I love this song for driving, running, and hanging out.

I'll be powering my car by dance power to this song if you need me.

Awkward musical secret: In high school I fell asleep every night to Sarah McLachlan's Mirrorball cd.