33

The Twin & I turn 33 today.  She's in TX but we will celebrate when she comes home at the end of the month.  Miss you sister xoxo

Happy Friday

How does this song and these little guys not make you HAPPY!

Team Spirit

It's Olympics time! Are you watching?

Life's a...mess

So I haven't been around in a while.  Sorry about that. Well kinda sorry.  Right after my last post I started my almost 3 week vacation from work.  I had a bunch of vacation days I needed to use or I would lose them.  But on day 2 I got sick and stayed sick through most of the holidays.  But I was able to make the most of it thanks to the cold medicine.

I headed out to Steamboat Springs, CO on Dec. 30 and spent the rest of my vacation on the slopes.  It was one of the best ski weeks I have ever had.  Over 18" of snow and that was just in one day!  New Year's Eve was a bit anti climatic since most of the family went to bed before mid-night.  Looking back we should have celebrated on East Coast Time.  I will remember that for next time.

I came home on a Monday and left early Tuesday morning (I was literally home for 2.5 hours - no joke!) for a work trip to Ft. Lauderdale.  Came home that Friday.  That weekend was full a bday parties, a surprise 30th party for a cousin and then a 94th bday party for my Gpop.  I put the party for my Gpop together so I was there most of the day.

Left again on Monday for a week's trip to Western and Northern NY.  Came home Wednesday night only to head to Houston, TX on Thursday to help the Twin with the marathon.  She is in charge of all the media and I head down to help her out on race weekend.  Left again Monday for a supposed to be quick trip to Delmont, PA (near Pitt) but the hugh snow on Tue. landed me in a hotel for another night.  I got to be home some of yesterday and some of today and all day tomorrow.  I have a few things going on this weekend and then back on the road.  My travel won't slow down until mid-Feb.  And I can't wait.

I just got the Christmas decorations put away today.  I need a good few days home with get my life back in order.  I have declared this year the year of organization!  I have pinned a ton of tips and tricks and now it's time to execute!  Both with work, Stella & Dot and my house.  Here is a pic just in case you thought I was exaggerating!  Pretty bad, right?  Thankfully the Christmas is now all gone.

Here are some things on my 2014 To Do List:

• Go through closet and PURGE (I tend to hold on to clothes because I may want to wear again)
• Recycle all the unnecessary paper - mags, old bills, junk mail, etc. 
• Clean and reorganize basement - AGAIN
• Clean and reorganize office to accommodate both my FT job and Stella & Dot
• Paint master bedroom
• Paint and renovate master bath
• Organize my finances
• Put myself on a budget plan and stick to it
• "refresh" the rest of the rooms in my house.  I need to find and commit to some sort of style and go with it.  This may require some sort of assistance.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Family

The last few days have been very much about family.  We lost a family member last week and said goodbye to her Thursday and Friday.  It's in these times that you see how strong the bonds of family are - blood or not.  

Last night I went to a benefit for a family friend - 27 years old and just diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer.  The amount of people that showed up to support her and her family not only by being there but by donating items for auctions and raffles and then buying the tickets and such to win them.  It was utterly amazing - over 800 people!

Going into Thanksgiving week, I feel very lucky to have such great people in my life.  Both those I am related to by blood and those that have become my family over the years!

New to me App

So I'm know I'm late to the game with Polyvore but now that I have a different need with my Stella & Dot business I have it a whirl. I put together the look is like to go with for my own thanksgiving look. Accessories all S & D of course. So tell me what do you think?

I had an open house today. Made some muffins, got some cookies and wine. And then no one came :(  I'm trying to hot a goal on my first month and I'm 4 days and $200 away. 

If you want to get a jump start on your holiday shopping please visit my site - www.stelladot.com/debbieoddi 

Right Now

So things at work are crazy right now.  I'm not really sure why, there is just a lot going on all of a sudden.  Ugh...

Here some things that are making me smile

We get an extra hour of sleep this weekend!!  Don't forget to change your clocks!  How cute is this picture I borrowed from {7th house on the left}?

I really, really want the Buttercup blow dryer from the DryBar.  The Twin ordered this set from QVC and it just shipped today.  Maybe I will let her test it out.  I am thinking its just as much the hairdryer as the fab person using it (at the drybar) that makes it so great.  I don't know that I will make the cut as the operator. (sorry for crappy screen shot pic)

I booked a trip to Steamboat Springs over new years last night!  My aunt, uncle and cousins will be there.  Can't wait to ring in 2014 on the slopes.

image via {here}

T.G.I.F.

Happy

image via {here}

Mine...Mine...Mine

I am thinking of the seagulls in Finding Nemo...haha

Anyway I made the final payment on my Explorer this week.  Yip-eee.  That's one less payment every month now.  I have plans for some of the extra cash in the next few months but ultimately it will go to savings.  I feel like a grown up.  This is the first new car I ever purchased!

Bad & Good

Last week wasn't a great week for me work wise.  I was treated poorly by one of my clients and it wasn't necessary or warranted.  I know I shouldn't let people like that get to me but it hurt and I was upset.  As if {this} wasn't hint enough.

Then I spent the weekend at the beach with my nephew, parents and cousin.  It was perfect as always.  My cousin and I did some shopping both Friday and Saturday night and I was able to get some great finds at HomeGoods for an upcoming get together.  It was relaxing and low key - well about as low key as you can get with a 2 yr old running around.  But it was just what I needed after the week I had.

There may be some truth to the statement - "you need a bad day every now and then to really appreciate the good ones"

Yesterday for work I flew up to Massachusetts.  I had some time before my meeting in Plymouth so I stopped by to see Plymouth Rock.  How could I not I was less than 2 miles away.  I had never been there and honestly the rock wasn't much to see.  But knowing the history behind it, it was still neat to see.

Not all days are bad and but you should be able to find something good in every day, don't you think?

Summertime

Summer is winding down.  The weather is cooler and you can tell that fall is right around the corner.  But I can't help but hold on to summer as long as I can.  It is by far my favorite season. The beach, the boardwalk, the baseball, the ice cream...the list goes on and on.  In my next life I will live somewhere where it is warm all year long.

Here are some beautiful pics to keep summer going!

original sources found on my {just photos Pinterest Page}

Sunday Funday

There's no place like a new home

No, I am not moving but the Twin is!  She is moving to a great loft like space in Houston.  And the best part about a new place is decorating it of course :) Even though I am miles and miles away, I will still help a sister out.  I will be going in September after she has settled in, I am sure there will be shopping during that trip.  But in the mean time - let the pinning begin!  I created a new board just for her.  Check it out {here}.

This are the pictures she posted as her inspiration on her {blog}.

Here is a hint of the colors that will be leading the pack in the new place.

Happy Friday!

Case of the Mondays

I definitely have a case of the Mondays today.  It days like today I think I should have been a teach so I can enjoy the entire summer.  The long weekend was just what I needed though.  A nice break from work.  Here are just a few more pics from my mini vacation.

My sister and her little man walking to the beach...so adorable.

Little man napping on the beach.  This got us an extra 2+ hours in the sun & sand.

More ice cream, this time from the boardwalk.  This is my absolute favorite no question!

This is the view from the top of the Giant Ferris Wheel.  I love the lights on the pier.  Even Dad said we may need to get this printed to hang in the house. I love my iPhone!

Up & Away

Heading to Chicago this week for work. Can't wait to see my team. It's been a while! 

Summer is Here!

Today is one of the best days of the year - the first day of summer!  While I love the holidays, the summer is my favorite season.  The warm weather, the beach, fireworks...the list goes on and on.

I decided to make a bucket list for myself for summer.  You know, like the ones you see all over Pinterest.  I think mostly they are from moms with kids but hey, I like to cross things off a list just as much as the next guy (or gal).    While I was making my list I came across this one for single ladies from {POPSUGAR}so I will tackle some of these too!

1. Rope-swing into a lake
2. Say yes to a spontaneous adventure
3. Head to a bar by yourself
4. Go on a group date
5. Learn to play an instrument
6. Join a photo walk
7. Go on an organized camping trip with strangers
8. Visit a nude beach
9. Learn to do the splits
10. Feel confident in a bikini
11. Treat yourself to a new pair of heels or red lipstick
12. Approach a stranger and say "hi"
13. Go swimming at midnight
14. Join a beach volleyball game
15. Ride in a car with the top down
16. Confess to your crush
17. Climb a large tree
18. Try out a new hairstyle
19. Send a message in a bottle
20. Ride in a paddleboat
21. Chase down an ice-cream truck
22. Have fun on an adult slip 'n' slide
23. Learn how to drive a stick shift
24. Tell someone one of your secrets
25. Go on a long hike
26. Take pictures under water
27. Blow bubbles like you're a kid again
28. Experience the feeling of Pop Rocks in your mouth
29. Organize a flour fight
30. Frolic in a field of daisies

But here is my list...I may add as we go but this will get me started.  Any ideas, let me know!

Payne in my Heart

Tuesday marked the 3 year anniversary of death of someone that I was very close to.

Charlie Payne and I went to high school together.  We went on one date our senior year, to an ice hockey game.  I think I had a little crush on him then but we never hung out again.  Fast forward to the summer of 2009 and we reconnected on Facebook.  We started dating at the end of the summer.  I actually stood him up the first time we were supposed to go out, ok well not really but I cancelled.  I asked to reschedule.  I later found out he had had all his shirts dry cleaned and his car detailed to get ready for the big night. haha...  makes me laugh just thinking about it.  Our real first date happened while we were both driving home from work on a Thursday night.  We were on the phone and ironically around the same place (we lived in opposite directions at the time) so we met at a bar for baseball and beers.  I was working at the hardware store then and in jeans and a crummy work t-shirt.  But it was one of the best first dates I have ever had.  We were together for just under a year when he passed away in June of 2010.  I will never forget that day as long as I live.  I was in Boston for work, my parents were away on a cruise and I got a phone call before 8:30 am.  I was with complete strangers and they couldn't have treated me any better.  I will always be thankful for that.

It was the hardest thing I have had to go through so far in life.  I have lost grandparents and great aunts and uncles, but losing someone I talked to multiple times a day and was such a big part of my daily life was hard.  I was a mess for a while.  My family and friends were so supportive and there for me.  I don't think I was alone for at least a week after.  Someone was always with me.  The Twin flew home from Indy, I didn't ask but she knew I needed her even before I did.  I remember thinking at the time it would never get better.  I don't think I will ever believe "everything happens for a reason" because there is no reason that can explain losing Charlie or him being taken so soon, but I do believe you can learn something from every situation.  I learned a lot over the last 3 years.  I learned I am stronger then I thought, that I will love again and that I am very loved.  I learned that with time things get easier.  The hurt doesn't go away entirely, you just learn to deal with it, you adjust.

I will always carry a Payne in my heart...

Keeping it Real

I am not sure when I really started following the different blogs I read.  Some have been years and others more recent.  But I feel like I know the girls behind the blogs.  Even though I have never met any of them, the glimpse into their lives, their likes and their work make me feel like we are friends.

And nothing builds a relationship more then when a friend shares a struggle or something very personal.  Everyone is going through something, some worse then others - but to each person their stubble is their own.  It's all they know.

This week {Danielle} and {Erin} both shared some of their struggles.  I can relate to both ladies.  And while my circle of non-blog friends share some of these with me and we can talk about them.  It's nice to know that there are others out there going through the same thing.

Lately my work/life balance has been off.  Traveling 3-4 days a week doesn't make it any easier.  By the time I get home from a trip, I don't really want to do much.  There are the things I need to do - laundry, food shop and see my family.  Outside of that sometimes I don't feel like doing anything.  I do miss having someone to just rent a movie with on the weekends when I didn't feel like doing anything.  It's like at least if someone else is here, I made some sort of effort.  I don't mind being alone but I am along all week while I travel.  There are some nights I have dinner with a co-worker, but most of the time I am on my own.  The travel also makes it complicated to meet people.  And hitting up happy hour with a work crew isn't an option either.  I like my job, I do, but like every job it has it's challenges.

I am headed down the shore tomorrow.  Just for the day and overnight.  But I couldn't be more excited. Everything is better at the beach I feel.  This is the start of going every weekend or as many as I can anyway.  I am looking forward to the summer and hoping it will help with the work/life balance.

I Scream

You Scream, we all scream for...

Ice cream is a good friend of mine.  Always there when I need it and always makes me feel better!

Some choose wine at the end of a bad day but most of the time a big bowl of ice cream or a milkshake does it for me.

When I was little my parents would let us have a bowl of ice cream before bed.  When we finished eating we had to go upstairs.  It was then I learned that "souping it up" not only changed the color of the ice cream depending on the sprinkles or jimmies, but gave us some extra time before we had to go to bed.  I am a plain Jane and good old vanilla bean is my favorite flavor.  Some times on its own, with sprinkles or some chocolate syrup.  Yumm...

Speaking of sprinkles and jimmies - there is a very scientific different between the two.  Sprinkles are the sugar crystal like one that top your treat, while jimmies are the long, slender usually more colorful topping.  I prefer jimmies on my soft serve - nothing like a twist cone with rainbow jimmies on the boardwalk in the summer.  And the sprinkles are better on the ice cream from the freezer.

What can I say, ice cream takes me to a happy place.  Thankfully I do have some self control and don't go overboard on my intake of the daily dessert.  

images via {Pinterest}

How do you like your ice cream?