Fashion: Spring Wants

I was first introduced to the clothing store Modcloth a little while ago by facebook (the little side pop ups always bring up cute clothes from here)! I emailed the online store and made sure I had permission to post clothes from there website on my blog and was so excited that they supported it! 

I thought I would display a few of my wish list pieces for spring!

Modcloth.com

I have seen this print everywhere and I absolutely
 love it! It comes as a dress too!

Modcloth.com

Skinny jeans, heels, ready to go :)

Modcloth.com

I am not a huge fan of pastels so this

dress would be perfect for me this spring/summer.

Modcloth.com

It is always cold in Maine.. so a cute jacket 
is always good to have on hand!

I love being able to post fun unique clothing, so if anyone knows of boutiques that I should check with and show their stuff let me know! I never take images off the web without permission. Don't forget to check out Modcloth.com!!!!

Now if I only had money.... 

xxxx

Beauty: Pout those Puckers

Lately I have been over lipgloss and obsessed with lipstick. This spring is shaping up to be all about bright, fun colors, so go wild and be daring.

Here are my four favorites:

1. Benefit in Frenched (Farthest back)- A true red to give you the ultimate hollywood glam effect.

2. Revlon in Fuchsia (My newest and favorite lipstick yet!)- By far the brightest lipstick I have ever wore, it looks amazing on!

3. The Balm -Read My Lips in Scoop - I wore this on my wedding day, the perfect pink!

4. Mac in Aloof - A great natural color for any time of the day.

A little stick of color can do wonders for your self-esteem :) xxx

Pet Peeve

I'm new to the whole blog world, and I guess I assumed there would be hate in this world too but seriously people come on. I'm so annoyed with people who like to post stupid comments under anonymous... like are you 5 years old? If you are actually going to post something un-encouraging why don't you give your name and a way for others to respond to your ridiculous comments? If you dont like what you read........... than don't read!

Thanks :)

Fashion: The In-Between

It seems that not long after christmas stores start putting out spring clothing. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love to see the bright colors and beautiful patterns hanging from the racks but sadly I am not always in a place where I can wear them. Maine can stay very cold till June, and lately even North Carolina has been kind of chilly.

This is where the "In-Between" outfit comes in! A hint of spring but something that will still keep you warm.

Peep toe heels say spring is on its way!

Dress light!

Tip: The "in-between" is a good place to pull out a few pieces of fall clothing, just make sure it is versatile :)

Top: Forever 21

Scarf: H&M

Bottoms: Joe Jeans

Heels: Steve Madden

xxxxxx

Quote Of The Week

"No one can live your life except you.

No one can live my life except me.

You are responsible. I am responsible.

But what is our life? What is our death?"

- Maezumi Roshi

Found is Zen Meditation In Plain English by John Daishin Buksbazen

Relationships: Cooking Lesson For Two

I love, love, love to eat out, but with money being so tight these days I am forcing myself to cut back on my habit. So this weeks "free date" is simple - stay in with your significant other and cook a dinner TOGETHER. I find that this kind of date night is easier said than done. Most of the time when Lucas and I try to cook together it ends up with one of us doing most of the work and the other watching television or not really paying attention. After a long work week the last thing I normally feel like doing is cooking. If you also feel like cooking could be more of a hassle than romantic or relaxing try spicing up the process, here are some suggestions:

Shutting off the television - We do not communicate if the T.V. is on and even though we love watching the tube after work we try to shut it off while making and eating dinner. Plan on watching a good movie after your dinner date is over :)

Light some candles - Candles definitely set a relaxing mood. Put them everywhere... on the floor, on top of bookshelves and on the table (Please be safe). A few candles and some mood lighting can make you think your in a chic little restaurant in no time!

Put on music - Find some fun music to listen to while you cook (Marie Moreshead, Jack Johnson, Bruce Springsteen -Tunnel of Love, or maybe even some Aerosmith)

Pick a recipe that is a little more complex than your used to - Pick a new recipe you havent tried before. Also pick something that has many different ingredients and steps, this way you both will have plenty to do and will therefore stay involved.

Be prepared - It is always a bummer when you go to cook something and realize you are missing ingredients, so pick a recipe earlier in the week and get what you need. Also if there is a lot of tedious prep work included you might want to get some of it done the night before or earlier in the day.

TIP: If you still feel the urge to go out... have a romantic dinner in and then head out for a few drinks or maybe a little dessert! This will keep spending down but still give you a chance to get out of the house!

Happy Cooking :)

xxxx

Finance: Write It All Down Baby

Ever since I was 14 years old I have been paying my own bills. I have always paid my cell phone, car insurance, gas and I have also paid for all of my college without taking loans. With the economy in a downward spiral it is important to watch your pennies and stay out of debt.

Now that Lucas and I are about to take the next step and buy a house I have been even stricter with our budget. My biggest tip to anyone trying to keep themselves from spending too much is to write EVERYTHING down.

1. First I write out a bill page per month.

I put the name of the bill, when it is due,

and how much it is for. I also mark with stars

and squares what bills get paid with each

paycheck (we get paid every two weeks).

2. When I get a paycheck I write down

how much is in our checking, subtract the bills

planned to be paid with the check, put what

I can in savings, and then divide what is left

by 2 to get our weekly spending allowance.

3. Next I simply write week 1 and start

subtracting everything we spend from our

allowance.

4. Sticking to the budget is by far the hardest

step. Remember to be strong and understand

that sometimes life throws curve balls we can't

be prepared for. You will go over budget, just

try not to do it too much :)

TIP: If you are someone who rather use the computer, make yourself a worksheet on Excel or get the program Quicken.

Beauty: Simply Humane

Where does your makeup come from? Before you hit the cosmetic section at your local drug store, check out these websites and the companies that pledge not to harm animals in any way before you purchase a new lipstick or eye shadow.

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/home

Everything from E.L.F is ridiculous cheap, most products only cost a dollar! They also work with PETA!

http://www.caringconsumer.com/pdfs/companiesDontTest.pdf

This list helps you figure out what companies have made it clear they will not hurt our furry friends!

http://www.mariobadescu.com/

This is one of my favorite lines. I have been using their products for 2 years religiously. I found this on their website, confirming they also love animals.

"Q: ARE YOUR PRODUCTS TESTED ON ANIMALS?

A: We do not test our products on animals. Mario Badescu uses only natural botanical ingredients with minimal preservatives to ensure that we deliver the highest quality products to our customers. Our products are tested and developed in a laboratory environment to ensure the highest standards of production."

Other Websites About and to Prevent Animal Cruelty:

http://www.iamscruelty.com/notTested.asp

http://www.humanesociety.org/

Doing a little research could save many animals lives... and you

might even discover some awesome new makeup lines and products along the way! A win-win in my book!

Film: Dawson's Creek (Television)

As promised here are some of my pictures of filming locations for Dawson's Creek. These are a little harder to come by because a lot of them, including Dawson's and Joey's houses are down private roads. I'd love to see these beautiful filming locations but I would never intrude on someone's privacy, so for now this is all I have to share :)

Downtown - Most scenes of Joey and characters walking around a cute little town were filmed here, you will probably recognize some of the buildings next time you watch!

Hell's Kitchen - One of my favorite places to eat. This was the bar that Joey and friends hung out in while in college. Joey also worked at this restaurant. After the show stopped filming the set was sold and turned into an actually bar. Everything inside is from the original set!

Inside Hell's Kitchen - Joeys row boat is in the background on the wall.

Water Street Restaurant - This restaurant was used as Leery's Fish House. Sadly the restaurant is not still there, but the sign is still up as of now!

The Village Market - Used throughout the series all the time.

The River walk - This area was used a ton in the show. Andy and Pacey had their first kiss right around here.

The Wall - This is the wall where Pacey wrote "Ask me to stay" a big moment in Dawson's creek world :)

The Reel Cafe - One of our very favorite places to eat in Wilmington. Tons of film memorabilia fills the walls. We have had some excellent memories here!

For More information on Wilmington Film check out - http://www.screengemsstudios.com/nc/

The studio offers set tours for $12 on both Saturday and Sundays depending on the time of the year (No pictures allowed or I would have posted those as well).

or

http://www.wilmonfilm.com/

Film: One Tree Hill (Television Series)

Wilmington, North Carolina. Amazing.

For two years I have been lucky enough to live near this small and artsy city. The cobblestone streets, rippling river, old southern architecture and trendy little restaurants made me instantly fall in love. But my true passion for Wilmington comes from its Filming business.

Over 400 films have been filmed here including, A Walk To Remember, The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, 28 Days, Blue Velvet, Empire Records, Nights in Rodanthe, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and many more.

Some of you might not think you have ever heard of this small southern town but it has other names that might catch your eye, how about Tree Hill? or Capeside? Thats right both One Tree Hill and Dawson's creek have and are filmed here!

Here are some of my pictures of One Tree Hill filming locations:

The Famous River Court

Bleachers

Lucas Scott's house - Which is for sale at the moment :)

Peyton's House

Downtown - Water St.

Music Shop - I think it is gone now :( The sign was down last time I was there.

Bro's Over Clothes - This was also the set for Karen's Cafe in earlier seasons. This is a real set you can look in the windows and see it set up just like the show!

Haley's sister Quinn's new photography gallery - New set across from the Reel Cafe

Famous people? Nope just us after a wonderful dinner downtown!

Tomorrow check in for Dawson's Creek filming locations :)

Fashion: 50's Fun

I am so excited that my new bathing suit has arrived! After all the working out this year I felt I deserved a new suit. This year I decided to go with a little bit of a different style than the normal bikini. Here are a few of my summertime accessories:

The poke-a-dots and frills give this cute bikini a fun 50's look!

Top $25 Bottom $14 WWW.Victoriassecret.com

Don't forget your big sunglasses, but PLEASE remember to take them off before you frolick in the surf, I have sadly sacrificed some of my favorite pairs to the sea!

$10-$20 Marshalls, Target, Ross etc.

Headbands are also a very fun and cheap way to dress up any outfit including beach attire!

$3.50 Forever 21

Other Beach Musts:

For my birthday this year one of my guy friends got me this Oversized towel and I have to say it is amazing! You can spread it out like a blanket or double it up. Plus it can be used by two people!

Gift

Lotion Vs. Oil - Personally I am a fan of using my indoor tanning lotions at the beach. I can put it on before I leave the house and I do not feel all slimy!

$20 - Tanning Salons

Relationships: Use Your Resources

I used to complain that there was nothing to do in this town, especially for free. I realized I simply was just not looking hard enough!

This weeks "Free Date" - Uses your resources!

I finally started reading the newspaper and the free county journals that you can pick up at grocery stores and restaurants, and to my surprise I found that there was a lot more going on here after all!

Pick up your newspaper and flip through the outdoors or entertainment section. There is almost always some kind of festival going on or free concert you and your

sweetie can attend. You just need to do your research, go online and google the surrounding towns. Look at the different events they hold. Check local churches for bake sales and

fundraisers.

Examples

St. Pattys Festival - Lucas and I checked out the St. Patty's festival on Emerald Isle this weekend, didn't buy a thing but it got us out of the house!

Museums- For my Maine friends the Portland Art Museum is free on the 4th Friday of every month from 5-8pm! Take the opportunity and check it out!

Open House - Find out when stores are having open houses or celebrations, even if you don't buy anything owners love to see your face!

Bars With Live Music - Find a bar that has free music on certain nights, though you should buy at least a drink while your there, limit your spending and get a soda or watch your alcohol intake!

These are just a few examples of fun, free activities you can find from reading the newspaper. So get your coffee and start flippin!

Tip: for Jacksonville Area readers... Grab Crystal Coast Outdoors (www.cyrstalcoastoutdoors.com) next time you see it at a restaurant or store... they list things to do every weekend! It is where we find most of our activities!

Community: Skillin's Open House

For all you readers in Maine check out Skillin's Greenhouses Open House this weekend in Falmouth!

Get the smells and warmth of spring as you walk through the displays and greenhouses full of beautiful flowers. A great way to get your spirits up! Make sure you snag some tasty refreshments and check out all specials!

I am very sad I can't be there to work and enjoy our open house with my family, but I hope some of you can fill in for me!

A Must Buy: Skillin's Spring Bonds - How they work is like this, you buy one now (on sale till march 31st) for $37.50... after April 1st they are worth $50.00!!!!!!!! You can spend them on anything in the store (there is a few restrictions but not many) and they never expire! A wonderful gift or a great little reward for yourself!

Picture of my amazing grandfather who I miss dearly, my awesome cousin Kristi and me when we were little! Got to make those flowers grow!

Health: Dirty Mouth, anyone?

Stressed much lately? Your mother might disapprove of this stress reducer but it has been proven to work. What is it? Swearing!

I have always had a bad mouth. I really try not to but living with a Marine doesn't help the situation. I got pretty excited when I was reading an issue of Women's Health magazine and found that swearing has been proven to help with stress, and I have a lot of stress!

As the article expresses, this is probably not a great idea to do in the presence of children or at a nice family dinner... but when you are alone and free to express yourself... let the profane language fly!!

Swearing In The Work Place:

An article on CBC News, published in 2007, explained that swearing at the work place is even showing beneficial signs. Along with reducing stress, profane language can also bring employees together and create a better work environment. Of course this does NOT include swearing in front of customers but when in employee only situations swearing might actually help!

Article - http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/10/17/swearing-study.html

Crazy huh?

Film: Hocus Pocus

The first time I saw this movie I was really young. It completely freaked me out. I was positive that there was a Sanderson House in the woods behind my house. As I got older and realized that in fact there was not a creepy house in the woods that belonged to witches, I still watched Hocus Pocus every halloween. It was a wonderful surprise when I found it on the Hallmark Channel a few days ago!

Hocus Pocus is a children's film about three witches who were hanged in Salem for sucking the soul out of a little girl (and turning her brother into a cat!). 300 years later the Sanderson sisters are a silly and intriguing legend among the people and kids of Salem. One night a New comer, Max, his love interest, Allison, and his little sister, Dani, sneak into the Sanderson house, lighting the magic candle and bringing the witches back to life. Now they must find a way to destroy them before they take the lives of more children and live forever!

This film actually has an awesome cast including, Bette Middler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy and Thora Birch. The movie was filmed in Hollywood as well as Salem, MA and Marblehead MA. Though the special effects are very outdated (Movie was made in 1993) and a little corny, it is still a classic family film!

Fun Facts:

I actually attended Salem State College for a semester and the house that Max and Dani move into is just down the street from the campus! Though the college didn't work out for me I will always be obsessed with the history of the Salem Witch Trials.

In the film, after the kids believe they have gotten rid of the witches for good they start to walk down the street. Look at the houses in the background... they are in fact the houses used in American Beauty many years later that Thora Bitch lives in as a teenager with her family!

Sarah Jessica Parker recently realized she was related to an accused witch in Salem (on the show Who Do You Think You Are? on NBC, watch the episode of Hulu.com).

Beauty: Lush

I had always heard of Lush soaps and bathing products but I had never been in one of the stores till this fall. I absolutely loved it! They have more products to make your bubble bath the best experience possible than you would know what to do with!

The best part is they use all organic ingredients and do not test on animals. Even their bags are made out of recycled material and are biodegradable.

My favorite product so far is the bath bombs. As soon as you drop them in the water they begin to fizz and release amazing aromas and oils.

I was recently given this one: Supernova

http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/bath-shower/bath-bombs/supernova

This ball is loaded in confetti !

Check out and order some bath bombs or other bath time treats at:

http://www.lushusa.com/shop/

Community: As Seen in Dove Chocolates....

I have always liked the sayings on the inside of dove chocolates and thought I would write a few of my own. There are some behaviors I find vital in my life. These behaviors make others feel good, as well as make myself feel better. It truly is amazing what a little kindness can do!

Always smile - Smile at strangers when you walk down the street. Smile at people as you pass them on the highway. A smile can brighten someone's day without you even knowing it, plus it is good for your soul!

Tip Well - Working in a restaurant is not easy. Your waiter or waitress is human and they make mistakes. As long as they are not rude or disrespectful tip them well. They did not make the food and they do not control how fast the kitchen works. Do not try to save a few extra dollars and skip out on the tip... if you want to do that go get yourself some fast food.

Always Wave - I wave to everyone, the mascots dressed up on the side of the road, strangers out in their yards, I even wave to the Marines who stand guard at the gate! Its nice to know friendliness still exists in the world today.

Don't Judge - Remember the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover." Use this in your everyday life. It does not matter where people live, what color their skin is or how much money they have. Get to know someone before you decide what they are worth. Wouldn't you want a chance?

Have A Nice Day - Whenever I leave a store, no matter if I buy something or not I always say "Thank you and have a nice day" its a small gesture but makes a big impact!

How Are You? - Seeing that I have worked in retail for years, I know what it feels like when customers walk all over you. I can't even tell you how many times I have said "Hi, how are you?" as people enter the store and they don't even acknowledge my presence. I find it so ridiculously rude I can't stand it. When I walk into a store and someone asks how I am, I also do the same back... come on now, we are all humans!

Don't Be A Know It All - Dont assume you know everything because you dont, and it is perceived as rude. I can't stand people who are continuously one upping others. There are ways to express your opinion or knowledge without being a pain in the ass :)

Hold The Door - Always hold the door for the person behind you. Period.

Write Thank You Notes - This is a recent one for me. I am trying to write thank you notes for EVERYTHING, even if someone just gets my mail for me while I am away or invites me over for dinner. Even though growing up my mother constantly asked me to write thank you notes, I rarely did it. Not until I was reading another blog (Black and Pearls) that I decided to commit myself to writing more thank you notes. So good so far!

Be Self-Aware - Look around, look at how people react to the things you say. Don't assume when someone stops talking to you or inviting you to get togethers that they have become unfriendly, maybe you are the one that needs to adjust your attitude.

Just some random thoughts I wanted to share! I definitely do not act perfect, and have made and continue to make many mistakes when it comes to my behavior towards others, but I am constantly trying to be as pure and true to myself and others as possible, maybe someday I'll get there.

Look at your life and the way you act towards others, are you proud of it?

Relationships: Why Don't We Just Dance

This weeks "free date" is inspired by my parents who have been happily married for 26 years! About a year before me and Lucas' wedding my mom decided she wanted to take some dance lessons with my father. She had been telling me since I was a little girl that at my wedding she was going to know how to dance! ahaha. And sure enough after about a year of lessons they cut up the dance floor. They still continue there lessons almost 3 years later.

So, I propose you do one of two things:

First Idea - If you are willing to spend a little bit of money, join a class! My parents go every Wednesday night and each class is 10 dollars. So for forty dollars a month they get out of the house and spend some quality time together. The class they are in also offers some free practice nights on the weekends!

Second Idea - If you do not know of a class you would like to take or just

don't have the money or time to spend right now, try turning up the radio and dancing around the living room together. It is sure to get you laughing and having a ball!

Fashion: Weekend Finds

Well, not all of these could be called Fashion but I thought I would share with you guys some of my new finds!

$15 Planet, Wilmington NC - This top is light and sheer with a nautical look, perfect for summer on the coast!

$42 Golden Traits, Swansboro NC - This sterling silver, rose quartz ring is perfect to wear when dressing up or everyday!

$4.50 "My Allowance" Change Purse $1 each for pins, Planet, Wilmington NC - The change purse is made out of recycled material and the pins are hand made... the MJ pin was a must!

$2 each Harrika's Brew Haus, Swansboro NC - I got myself and my mom one of these cute tea spoons!

$12 Harrika's Brew Haus, Swansboro NC - I loved this bottle opener!