I Commend You

I know that there are bloggers who blog for a living but I also know that there are a lot who work their 9-5 jobs and maintain a blog. 

This past week I worked at my Dad's office helping on some projects to make a little extra $ before I head to London in 13 days. All I have to say is I don't know you y'all do it. After working all day and sitting in traffic to get home blogging was the last thing on my mind. It seemed all I had time for was work and sleep. Forget blogging or exercising. 

I'm obviously going to have to figure this balance out when I graduate and start working. 

And forget about it when I have kids. You working mom bloggers out there get extra brownie points. 

To all of you out there that juggle all of this, I commend you.

Blogger Day of Silence

My Harry Potter Fix

Who doesn't love some HP? I know I do! Today I'm linking up for My Harry Potter Fix!

JK was super creative, what was your favorite word she made up for the series? Ugh there's so many how could I possibly only pick one. I love the phonetic sounds of Avada Kedarva and Azkaban but I also love the word muggle.

Human-esque magical species you'd most like to meet in real life (house elf, goblin, veela, giant, etc.)? A house elf or an Centaur

Last week we asked if you would dabble in the dark arts, say you got carried away…what would you make into a horcrux? If I was smart I'd say a cockroach, so I could live through anything, but I'd rather have a sentimental horcrux like a locket.

Three things Amortentia would smell like to you: The salty sea air (not at low tide),  

freshly baked cookies, and an evergreen tree.

If you knew you would not be punished, what would you do to Umbridge? 

Hand her over to Aragog.

Did you ever read fan fiction while waiting for a book to come out? Nope

Sunday Social

I know it must sound like I am saying this a lot but I'm sorry for being m.i.a lately. Life has been just crazy with finals week, and then moving out for college and now getting ready for Christmas and my move to London! Wow, life is hectic. I'm going to make a bigger effort to blog more and pay more attention to all of you!

So today I'm here linking up with Sunday Social!


What is the wallpaper on your cell phone?

What do you keep beside your bed? My cell phone, book, and laptop (because I use it as my TV too)
What is your least favorite chore? I hate chores...but i really really hate emptying the dishwasher
If you could eliminate one thing from your daily routine, what would it be? making my bed...why can't it just make itself? 
What do you do to vent anger? workout, read, or listen to music
What is your favorite Holiday of the year and why? I love the whole Christmas season! I love buying presents for other people. I love listening to Christmas music, baking cookies, and watching Christmas movies!

Sunday Social

I know, I know. I've been absent for a long time. I'm almost done with the semester and once I'm home I'll be posting regularly again. 

But for today I'm linking up with Sunday Social!


1. Favorite Holiday Movies/TV Specials?

2. Do you do any volunteering during the holidays if so what? If not what would you do?
I don't :/ I'd really want to though. This year I think I want to make Christmas cards for hospitalized children. I always do a giving tree ornament but I feel like I can still do more for others.

3. Favorite toy received as a Child for the Holidays?
I loved the bike I got when I finally learned to ride without my training wheels and got my big girl bike!

4. What was your must have item in high school for the Holidays?
I've always been obsessed with 7th Heaven so in high school I always had Insert number here season of the show on my list!

5. Item you begged for the most and never got?
I honestly can't remember anything I've begged for and never gotten. I don't think I ever really asked for anything that was unrealistic. I've always been pretty realistic about what to ask my parents.


6. What do you do on Christmas Eve? If you are Jewish what does your family do for Hanukkah?
On Christmas Eve I go to mass with my sister, Dad, stepmother and grandma and then we open our presents from my dad. After my cousins come over and we have the cliche Italian, seven fish meal and it's delicious. We have lobster and that's absolutely my favorite meal of the year! We also do a really fun grab bag with some really complicated rules.

HARRY POTTER LINK UP....WHAT?!?

What is better than a Harry Potter themed link up? Nothing. I'm so happy I stumbled across this fantabulous link party! Harry Potter heaven!

What is your favorite quote from the Harry Potter series?

"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals." 

Sirius Black, Goblet of Fire. 

and

"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"

Albus Dumbledore, Chamber of Secrets

How old were you when you became a fan of the series?

I was 18 and a freshman in college. My roommate introduced got me into it.  I couldn't believe what I was missing the whole time.

Have you ever tried any HP recipes at home?

No, but I'd love to!

Which sort of obscure character would you want to know more about?

Bellatrix...she's so fascinating! I'd love to know all about her past.

Have you ever used Harry Potter to prove a point in your everyday life?

Not that I can think of, but I'm sure I have at some point. I do reference the series a lot.

Be honest...would you dabble in the dark arts?

I definitely would do some selfish things like give myself more Christmas presents or maybe spill water on someone I didn't like (like in Matilda). 

Shop you would most like to visit in Diagon Alley? 

Weasley's Wizard Wheezes! 

My Life this Week...

Cara Box Reveal

Have you guys heard of Cara Box? If not then you should get on it. Every month Wifessionals hosts a Cara Box Swap. Cara means dear friend. So every month you'll get to make a new friend and you'll each send eachother a box of your favorite things. Each month the box will have a different theme.

 This month's theme was childhood and I was partnered up with Sarah from The Sweetness of Laughter.  It was so much fun getting to know her a bit. She is such a sweetheart and also a college student like me :) Go over and say hi to her!

Sarah sent me: 

Dots and Sour Patch Kids - my favorite childhood candies 

A water bottle bag - I didn't know they made these! How cool is that!

A Princess coloring kit - I LOVED coloring as a kid (probably because I stink at drawing)

Lip Smackers - What's a 90's childhood with out lip smacker

And really cute nail polishes :)

Thanks so much for my box Sarah!  I love it!

Nail Polish Swap Reveal #2

The other day I got my Nail Polish swap form Andrea at Andrea's Adventures and boy did she pick out some nice colors!

 She got just what I asked for, sparkly New Year's Eve type polishes, Essie Leading Lady, Prevail City Sparkle, and Sinful Color Frenzy. Andrea even sent this super cute blue scarf that I absolutely love. How nice is that?! 

As you can tell, I'm not too good at painting my nails.

Thanks so much Andrea!

Nail Polish Swap Numero Uno

I was paired with Amber from My Three Bittles! You should all go and say hi to Amber.

Amber sent me this lovely Smokin' Hot Essie polish and Nuxe Dry Oil along with some really cool patterned nail filers!

Thanks Amber!

Turkey, Tanger, and Tebow

Hi guys! First off I'd like to apologize for being MIA lately. Thanksgiving break was crazy but great and now I'm back at school. There's only two weeks left! How crazy is that?!? This means two weeks of hell! I have more finals, papers, and projects due in these next two weeks than I can count. But it also means only a few weeks left until I board that plane and head across the pond!


I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I know I did and here are some pictures from my break to show for it!

I absolutely love living on Long Island for this reason. I get to pass this every time I come home from school. It made me forget few 3 seconds that I was sitting in bumper to bumper traffic for 3 hours.

Me on Thanksgiving :)

My dad and cousin re-lived their high school glory days.

After my family ate a very early dinner we drove to Jersey for the Jets v. Patriots Thanksgiving game. Definitely wasn't worth the drive. But hey, I never said I was a Jets fan because they are good. It's easy to be a Patriots fan, but Jets fans show true loyalty. Sorry for all of the pictures from the game but what else can you do when the game is so humiliating?

The embarrassing Jet's game.

My sister and I :)

We found out that McKayla Maroney and Jordyn Wieber were at the game. How cool is that? To be in the same stadium as two of the Fierce Five. (Jillian Michaels was there too!) My sister and I may or may not have walked around during halftime hoping to run into McKayla and Jordyn. We also may or may not have instagrammed these photos and tagged them trying to get their attention. 

Not impressed with the Jet's performance.

Even Dad got in on the Not Impressed fun

After I got home from the game at 1am my friends and I went out for some Black Friday fun. I got some great deals and most of my Christmas shopping is now done. Yay! By the time we finished it was 7am, the sun was up, and I was ready to die. My feet probably wanted to walk away from me except they couldn't walk any more. 

This pretty tree was in the center of the outlets.

After we were done I went home and slept the day away and then went out for Black Friday part 2 with my Dad. My credit card is not too happy with me right now.


 On Saturday we celebrated my Stepdad's birthday. I made Baked Ziti (for the first time) and this yummy Skinny Taco Dip I found on Pinterest.





My niece! Isn't she so adorable. (Please excuse this horrid photo of me)

Linking up with:

href

=" http://www.heleneinbetween.com " target="_blank"><img alt="Helene in Between" src=" http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a595/helenesula/tuesdaysmaller-1.jpg"/>

Pinspired Style

Don't you love when you come across a cute outfit on Pinterest and you actually have the outfit hanging in your closet? You just never thought of putting two and two together. I love when that happens!

Today I'm linking up with Stephanie and Laura for Pinspired Style!

Here is the pin I found:

Source


And here's my version:



A little different from the original, but a a lot more me :)

Linking with:

Me, Myself, and I

It's that time of the month! The Me, Myself, and I Link Up Party over at My Beautiful, Crazy Life

1. What are your top 5 favorite movies to watch during the Holidays?

1. The Polar Express

2 It's A Wonderful Life

3. Elf

4. The Santa Claus

5. Home Alone

2. It’s the month of giving thanks, what are you most thankful for?
I'm extremely thankful for my family and friends.

For my education and the opportunity to study abroad this Spring. 

That my parents' houses escaped unscathed from Hurricane Sandy. 

For having a fairly struggle free life.

For being lucky enough to have been born into this great life.

3. If there was a quote or verse to describe your life, what would it be?

4. Who in your family are you most alike?

I definitely am a lot like my dad.  I have his ambition and drive. 

I also have his stubborness...hey, ya gotta take the good with the bad.

5. What is your favorite drink order at Starbucks? 

Peppermint Mocha mmm :)

The Liebster Award

Thank you so much to Tiffany from The Dwelling Tree! She nominated me for the Liebster Award!

You should all go check out her blog and say hi :)

Since I did one of these last week I'm going just going to answer Tiffany's questions.

If you want to read my 11 facts and see who I nominated you can read all about it here.

1. If you could have any super-hero power, what would it be? Hmm...this question has always been a stumper for me . I think it would be cool to travel at lightening speed so I never had to wait in traffic again. 

2. What is your favorite holiday and why? I absolutely love Christmas. More specifically the Christmas season. I just can't get enough Christmas carols, lights, cookies, and shopping for others.

3. Why did you decide to start a blog? I started one after reading Mom blogs everyday at my internship this summer. 

4. Where do you draw inspiration for your blog topics? All over the place. In the gym, out shopping, Pinterest. Really anywhere and everywhere. When ever I'm inspired I'll make a little memo in my phone so I don't forget.

5. What do you love to buy? (outdoor gear, shoes, purses?) I love buying clothes and scarves!

6. In three words, how would your friends describe you? Loyal, ridiculous, old.

7. What is your idea of a dream date? Being surprised. 

8. What is your favorite food? Sushi :)

9. What other hobbies do you have besides blogging? I love photography, reading, traveling, and I play tennis. I also had odd and end projects like that time I tried to knit and various stuff like that that usually doesn't stick. Ohhh...how could I forget, I love seeing Broadway musicals and then going home and finding out all I possibly can about the show and how it came to be.

10. What is your all-time favorite television show? 7th Heaven. No questions asked.

11. Where would you love to travel? I can't wait to travel all over Europe when I am living in London next semester. I want to go Italy, Greece, Paris, and Austria really badly! Ooo and Ireland too!

Lip Balm Swap Reveal

Today I got my first swap item in the mail! To say I was excited is a bit of an understatement. 

I swapped with the lovely Cindy of PurrinCup. I'm so glad I've gotten to know her better over the past few weeks. You should all head on over and follow her :)

Anyways, Cindy sent me Pomegranate Yes to Carrots Lip Butter and Pink Punch Baby Lips. I've never tried either of these before so you can imagine I'm really excited to try them. I'm already in love with Yes to Carrots. It smells just like my favorite tea, mmm :)

Today also must be my lucky day because not only did I have these nice lip balms sitting in my mailbox but I also had two emails from Amber of Brunch with Amber and Britt of Yellow Umbrella telling me I won their give-a-ways! How cool is that! I can't wait to order some new prints from Shutterfly and get my read on! Thanks guys!

Instaweek

Here's my last week in pictures :)

Spa night :)

Gorgeous sunset

Free pizza! Score!

Sometimes my roommate likes pretending to be pregnant.

10 Day You Challenge: One Picture

This is me :)

On a side note, I saw Breaking Dawn Part II last night and OMG! You're probably thinking, why would she go see Breaking Dawn? What a Twi-hard freak? Well actually, I don't really like Twilight much anymore. Kristen Stewart kind of ruined it for me. But in high school I LOVED the books. So I was kind of obligated to see the last movie and finish out the whole series. Going into last night I was expecting to enjoy it a little bit and leave. But boy, was I wrong about that! The movie was insane and such a roller coaster ride.  I was shocked, angry, sad, screaming, crying, and relieved all with 5 minutes. If anyone else saw the movie and  wants to discuss it feel free to email me and rant. I wish I could say more about it on here but I don't want to ruin anything for people who haven't seen it yet.

Coffee Talk

Hey y'all! Today I'm linking up with Natalie at ohemgee for Coffee Talk!

1. What is your worst habit?

I'm still a nail biter. How embarrassing.

2. What is your biggest pet peeve?

I can't stand when people say "ax" instead of "ask". It drives me insane.

3. What is annoying you right this very minute?

Sitting in class when I'm hungry and just want to go to lunch.

4. How do you relieve stress?

I like to read, listen to music, or workout. All of these do a good job of distracting me and getting me to relax.

5. What makes you truly happy?

When all of the stars are aligning. When I'm getting good grades, all of my friend and family relationships are in good places, and I'm working out consistently and eating right.

Tag, You're It!

I've been tagged by ArahBella in a game of Blog Tag! What a fun chance to get to know other bloggers!

The Rules:
1. Every tagged person must tell 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the 11 questions that the person who tagged you asked.
3. Ask 11 questions for the 11 blogs you are going to tag. Please tag blogs with 200 followers or less.
4. Mention the blog that tagged you but don't tag them back

11 Things About Me:

1. I am a junior in college.

2. I am studying abroad next semester in London, England.

3. I can't wait to have my own little cute apartment and be in the real world with (hopefully) a job I love.

4. I've recently lost 25lbs through Weight Watchers and working out. I want to lose another 20 or so.

5. I love musical theatre and want to work for a PR Firm that deals with theatre or fitness/wellness.

6. I've done 3 internships in New York City and have loved all of them.

7. I love New York and never want to permanently move away from Long Island and NYC.

8. I love photography, tennis, and traveling.

9. There's nothing better than getting lost in a good book.

10. I've spent all of my summers since as long as I can remember on Fire Island and I'm praying that Hurricane Sandy won't keep us away from going back this summer.

11. I am obsessed with the Olympics.

Questions I've been asked by ArahBella:

1. Why did you start blogging? I started blogging because at my internship this summer I spent a lot of time looking for content for their Pinterest. That meant a lot of time was spent reading blogs. Reading everyone's post really inspired me to create my own blog.
2. What is your favorite book? The Harry Potter Series
3. What kind of music do you listen to? I love all kinds of music but my favorite is showtunes.
4. What is your number one priority in life? Aside from my family, definitely my education.
5. Cake or cupcakes? Ice cream :)
6. Starbucks or a local coffee store? I would say local coffee store but I have none near me.
7. When you were younger and were asked what you want to be when you grow up, what did you say ? At first I wanted to be a farmer and an artist. I know a farmer, who wants to be a farmer? Lets just say I watched too much Richard Scary's Busy Town.
8. What was your favorite TV show growing up? When I was a baby/toddler I loved Barney. That's how my parents got my to settle down. As I got older I loved watching 7th Heaven with my babysitters.
9. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? New York :)
10. What is your favorite thing to make?  Well I don't/can't cook so I'd have to say crafts.
11. If you could meet any famous person, who would it be? Shawn Johnson

My 11 Questions:

1. What is your favorite thing about blogging?

2. If you could travel anywhere in there world, where would it be?

3. What's your favorite quote?

4. What's your favorite app?

5. What do you do with your spare time, other than blog?

6. What is your favorite store?

7. What were you like in high school?

8. What is your favorite TV show?

9. Stripes or polka dots?

10. What is your favorite winter/fall accessory?

11. What are you most looking forward to this year?

The Blogs I Tagged:

Let me know if you're going to play! I'd love to read your answer!

1. http://thatfitnesschic.blogspot.com/

2.http://www.heatherlyloves.com/

3.http://www.ohemgeeblog.com/

4. http://www.quitetheblog.com/

5.http://purrincup.blogspot.com/

6. http://www.lifeasjanedoe.com/

7. http://www.brunchwithamber.com/

8. http://pumpsandiron.com/

9. http://www.losethecushion.com/

10. http://www.heleneinbetween.com/

11. http://sweetnessoflaughter.blogspot.com/

Tell Me About It Tuesday

Today I'm linking up with the girls for Tell Me About it Tuesday.

Not to be one of those uptight brown nosers, but don't you hate when people don't follow the rules? I absolutely can't stand when people can't abide by simple rules. I know breaking them isn't unmoral or unethical but it's really annoying and inconvenient for everbody else when people don't follow the simple rules that are set to make society function smoothly. 

Is it really that hard to do laundry on your assigned day instead of hogging the laundry machine on a day that's not yours. It's great that you got you're clothing store worth of laundry cleaned but now all of us who are supposed to do laundry today have to wait until next week.

Is it really that hard to not take my gatorade from the community fridge?

Jeez, dorm life is annoying.

Sorry for my ranting.