A Short Break (a.k.a. School's On My Mind)

Hey gang!

You've probably noticed it has been a little while since I posted. 

Well, first I must say: We had a great Thanksgiving (I hope you did, too)!  See my previous post for details about all our activities! 

But, now, I must devote most of my time to school, since I have tests this week and finals next week.

I look forward to returning after December 8th! 

Talk to ya soon!  ;-)

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Welcome to another edition of "What I'm Loving Wednesday!"  I'm linked up with Jamie for this fantastic weekly feature!

So, let's begin ...

I'M LOVING that we're going to see the Rockettes at Radio City tonight!!!  This is the third year we've seen the show and I still can't get enough of it!  If you're ever visiting New York City this time of year, kick up your heels and add this to your must-do list.


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 I'M LOVING that Thanksgiving is tomorrow!  I definitely have so much to give thanks for!  Unfortunately, it's difficult for us to travel to our homes for this short weekend, so we celebrate here.  My husband's law school always serves up a delicious Thanksgiving feast.  In addition to attending that, my fabulous in-laws, once again, sent us a frozen Thanksgiving meal from The Honeybaked Ham Co.  It is especially yummy.  We usually try to have it on Friday, followed by many visits to the gym.  ;-)  And, how can I forget the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!!!  We have yet to actually go, since we've lived here.  (We'll make it one of these years :-)  But, in the meantime, watching it on television continues to be one of my favorite traditions!  Cool sidenote:  My high school's marching band will be playing in the parade this year!

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I'M LOVING that our holiday weekend continues with Michael Buble's Crazy Love tour on Friday!  I'm secretly hoping he decides to sing some Christmas music.  :-)  Even though my hubs is not a huge fan, he was sweet enough to get us these tickets -- and tag along with me!  I'm so excited! :-D

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I'M LOVING that we just got tickets to go see the new Broadway show, Spiderman, Turn Off The Dark!  I'm sure this will not be the typical Broadway gig, but I'm eager to see how they pull off this one.  My hubs is especially excited to see this!  Now, I can feel better about dragging him to see the above.  Hehe.  Can you tell we love our shows around here?!

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I'M LOVING that I have EIGHT school days left!  Unfortunately, many of those days are consumed with exams.  But still, it's almost over!

As always, I'M LOVING my awesome husband, puppy and family!  I can't imagine life without them.  :-)

Happy Wednesday to you!!!  I truly hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

{Wordless} Tootsie Roll Tuesday

The Ultimate Study Break

Despite impending doom upcoming final exams, I, of course, had to set aside the slightest bit of time to accomplish the necessary, even if it did mean doing it in my scrubs.

We just recently purchased this little gem of a tree.  Remember?  Isn't she a looker?  She fits so perfectly -- er, tightly -- in our little "window nook," as I like to refer to it. 

It's especially charming when we're walking outside and can see the lights shining from the windows of our 15th floor apartment!  :-) 

Oh ... and our little Tootsie, you ask?  Well, she is thoroughly enjoying our new decor.  So what if she's trying to feast on the branches, knock off the ornaments and eat the tree skirt (which may have an eternal "Bitter Apple" spray scent by the time this is all said and done).  Isn't she just the cutest?

Stay tuned, my friends, I have a feeling Christmas tree #2 will be going up soon.  Don't you know I need LOTS of study breaks in order to stay focused?  ;-)

GLEE-ful!!!

Normally, I'm not a religious television show watcher.  However, Glee has kind of converted me.  I don't usually have much time to watch it on Tuesday nights so I DVR it and, over time, I eventually finish each episode. 

I got the chance to watch like the first fifteen minutes or so of this week's episode and, ohmyheavens, one word: LOVE.

When Gwyneth Paltrow broke out singing Cee Lo Green's latest single (the clean version ... hehe), I wanted to jump off the couch and boogie down.  Some people criticize this show for the sheer fact that most of its songs are covers, but that doesn't bother me one bit!

I first heard "Forget You" (again, the clean version ;-) about a month ago and I became hooked!  It's just so darn catchy.  Check out Glee's version (from YouTube) ...

Tootsie Roll Tuesday: The Laundry Thief

I'm going to give all of you -- my bloggie family and friends -- a lofty challenge.  So, are you ready to use your thinkers?

Take one guess as to what is piled high on the other side of this little girl's pet gate.  Hint: It's not a savory puppy meal.

Well ... if you read the title of this post, you guessed correctly!  (Quite the challenge, eh?  ;-) 

It's laundry.  Dirty, stinky laundry.  And this pile, my friends, just so happens to be dirty "whites."  And do you know what dirty "whites" mean?  Dirty undies.  And do you know what dirty undies mean?  Tootsie is on a mission.  A relentless mission.  And it's disgusting.  Ugh.  I'm sure all you puppy owners can empathize. 

Someway, somehow, she always manages to snatch a pair without me noticing.  Then, she proceeds to maneuver that long body of hers into cracks and crevices that no one of the correct proportions could manage to get to.  Little stinker.  Eventually, one of us notices she's up to no good.  After we chase her down, bribe her, and catch her, she's got those panties so far down her throat, it looks something akin to a magic trick when we're finally able to pull them outta there.  As for me, I'm left with nothing but teeth-torn under garments. :-(

Sigh.  Victoria's Secret 5 for $25 may have to take a backseat for now 'cause, let's face it, they're probably just gonna become the next victims of the Laundry (Undie) Thief.

Heck, even in the "non-white, non-undie" pile, look what occurs sans gate ...

Just a temporary mess.  ;-)

Sheesh.  Without the gate, we may be left with no clothing around these parts.

Oh, but how can I get upset with her?  She's such a little sweetheart who's simply following her instincts and that darned sense of smell, right?  :-)  Yuck.

I hope y'all have had a nice Tuesday -- and I hope I didn't embarrass our little Toots too much.  I'm off to attempt to teach her some manners -- and how to be a bit more lady-like.  Ahem.

What?  Treat??

Delivery Complete

After a long journey from Mahopac, New York, she arrived today: the centerpiece of New York City during the Christmas season.  And, once again, she's majestic.

We watched -- as the workers built their platforms and secured her in place.  She stood still (thank heavens), waiting to be adorned with thousands of lights and a special Swarovski star.  Come November 30th, she'll be lit!

And, as we witnessed this tree's very first night in Rockefeller Center, look who decided she wanted to partake in the pre-Christmas festivities ...

You know, it was her very first night in Rockefeller Center, too.  This little four-legged New Yorker doesn't like to miss a thing.

To read more about this year's Rockefeller Christmas tree, go here. 

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

This is my FIRST "What I'm Loving Wednesday!"  I think I'm going to enjoy these posts, since they are just so positive!  Fortunately, I have lots to love today.  So, here goes ...

I'm loving ... that the apartment smells like Fresh Balsam, thanks to Bath & Body Works' Wallflowers.  Christmas smells make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!  :-)

Photo courtesy of http://www.amazon.com/



I'm loving ... that my husband, Tootsie and I will be taking another stroll through Central Park this weekend.  As you can imagine, this time of year it is simply stunning!  Here are few shots from autumns past ...

I'm loving ... that we recently booked our flights to see our families over the holidays.  Living so far away, we rarely get to spend quality time with them.  So, it's always a treat to see them, even if it is only for a few days.  Plus, I have two new nieces I have yet to meet!  Pictures sometimes just aren't enough.  I can't wait to cuddle them!

I'm loving ... that I have less than a month until this semester is OVER! Zip, zilch, nada studying will be done by me over the break ... hehe.  I'm also loving that my husband's semester will be coming to close fairly soon, too.

I'm loving ... these beautiful and cheap(!) sconces I hung today.  They flank a Paris picture we purchased from Ikea.  I feel like they complement the architecture in the picture perfectly!  The sconces came from Etsy (I am in love with that website).  Check out the shop Oh Shabby Day.  Her items are lovely and so well-priced (a definite must for this student).

I'm loving ... that I believe I just scored the best clothing deal of my life.  I found a pair of skinny jeans at Ann Taylor Loft for $6.50 (originally $60.00)!  So, I bought two pair.  Seriously, y'all -- it was unbelievable!  What's even better ... the price tag said $9.88, but when I took them up to the cashier I discovered I got an EXTRA 30% off.  Now, that's what I call a steal of a deal.  These kind of purchases make me want to do a little jig.

Photo courtesy of http://www.anntaylorloft.com/

I'm loving ... our new apartment.  I really am.  I feel much more relaxed here.  One of the biggest perks?  The gorgeous sunsets over Manhattan.  I'll never get sick of it.  Unfortunately, a picture wouldn't do it justice.  I feel so lucky this particular apartment just happened to be available when we were searching for a new place to live.  If I ever sound like I'm taking it for granted, feel free to give me a cyber slap in the face.  ;-)  Sometime here in the future, I'll give you a photo tour.

I'm loving ... that another New York City Christmas is just around the corner!  The Rockettes, Rockefeller tree, Macy's ... oh my!  It's so magical -- and something, I feel, everyone should experience.  In fact, I can't wait for my family to come up here at some point so we can live it together.  Here are some photos from previous years ...

I'm loving ... that I finally started this blog!  Now, I just need some followers.  I would love to know if you're reading. ;-)

As always, I'm absolutely, 100% loving ... my husband, my puppy and my family.  They are my life. 

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Mission Organization: The "Bedroom Office"

Well, I could deny it all I want, but it's true: Organization really is the key to my calmness.  Now, don't get me wrong, I have learned over the years to adapt and to not let my britches get rattled when everything isn't in its place.  Okay, okay ... so I still have a little long way to go, but really -- when the apartment is in order, my life is in order.  Weird?  Probably (atleast I can admit it, right?).

Annnnnnywho, with a recent move that involved hauling most of our loot from storage, I needed to make some serious organization interventions.  Meet the "bedroom office" (post-move):

Pre-organization.  Trust me -- all kinds of stuff is scattered in the bins and drawers.

Devil boxes.

Understandably, you might be wondering:  The "bedroom office?"  Let me explain: out here on the East Coast, living space is quite limited, unless you have lots and lots of moolah.  :-)  Therefore, we must combine -- or, consolidate -- if you will.  You know ... two rooms must sometimes become one.

Since the move, this little corner has needed some serious work.  So, during my first break from exams, I immediately jumped on it. 

As I scrambled to empty the boxes -- some from storage, some from the previous apartment -- I came across a few interesting finds, like these ...

Holiday hand warmers!  During those long winter months, these will be quite "handy."  Hehe.

Bouncy ball with happy tooth.  Hmmmmmm ... not sure where I picked up this.

A men's Coach wallet?!?!?!  Hubby had no problem recalling when he got this little beauty, which was in storage.  I guess he's saving it?  

And, finally, the most ridiculously splendid treasure I completely forgot I had ... a FREE 60-MINUTE FACIAL from the NYC Aveda Institute!  You bet your bottom dollar I'll be using this after my final exams.  Indeed.

After my discoveries ended and I proceeded to trip (and play hopscotch) over all the goodies laid across the floor, I finally got to organizing.  I used three cheap fabric bins, filled them, and labeled them.  Then, I organized the drawers.

For the final step, I whipped out the Pledge, Windex and all other relevant cleaning supplies, and soon enough, I could see the sparkle.  I felt completely rejuvenated and ready to study.  Yes, study.

Ahhhhhh ... organization. 

Now, on to my next project (when I get another break).  Darn it.  I guess I'm not gonna be completely calm until the end of the semester. :-)