I'm everywhere

Eye can see you...

Yeah, I'm kind of a big deal...ha!

Me and Paris are bff!

source

Bella: what does it all mean?

What Bella Means

You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous. You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things. Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Here is where I critique what is said above! No, it's really cute and I wanted to try it out! You should too! However, what is said above is not all true. I guess this could be a 'getting to know me' type of thing here! So here we go...okay, I am NOT very bold, I don't really get in trouble, I'm really a good girl. I feel bad doing bad things! I don't have a bad temper, but I do have to ad mit, I am friendly and warm and I DO get along with pretty much everyone. I do have to say that I am pretty 'chill' and go with the flow pretty well! They do have it right on the perfection side of things though! I never knew, but I guess I'm a Type A personality...you learn something new every day, huh?!

Rings, flats, clothes and games

Me and my Mister went last night to pick up our wedding bands! We had a glorious time and decided to walk the mall a bit just to give us something to do.

I went to TJ Maxx while he waited patiently for me in the arcade.

I got a couple of cute shirts and some new black pants for work. BUT I did spot some shoes that I really really liked!

I don't know about you, but I am a Jessica Simpson fan. Don't ask me why, I just have this unexplainable like for her. I knew she had a shoe line out and I have 'browsed' it on zappos.com occassionally, but never really took the time to look through them all.

Well, while at TJ Maxx last night, I found the cutest flats with an even cuter square toe (see the black shoes below). They were SO adorable and cute and they were even comfy! I didn't get them though. I know, I know. I should have. I always do that! We'll see, there were plenty, I might go back.

I just searched shoes.com and there are SO many cute little square toed flats from the Jessica Simpson Collection! I could go shoe crazy!!! I'm thinking that would break the bank though! :-)

These are the cute shoes that I almost, just almost bought!

Aren't these just too cute?! I LOVE the color and I just have to say...I love all the square toes shoes! They remind me of ballet shoes!

Some more fun!

I went back to meet my Mister in the arcade just as they were announcing that the mall was going to be closing shortly. We rushed (and I'm serious, I was jogging at one point and then power walking the rest of the way!) over to Jama Juice to get us some fruity goodness to end our night! We got home and tried on our weddings bands. I have to say, I don't like that they are at our house! I feel like I'll want to try it on. However, I was just told today by some friends at work that it is bad luck! So maybe I'll rethink every time that I go to try on my pretty wedding band...maybe I'll just 'look'! Oh and by the way, my Mister was so cute about the ring! I think he really likes it! :-)

A few fun facts about Chicago

In 1885 the world’s first Skyscraper was built in Chicago.

The Sears Tower is the largest building (as of current) on the North American continent.

The first aquarium opened in Chicago in 1893.

The NFLs Chicago Bears were first known as the "Staley Bears".

The first animal purchased for the Lincoln Park Zoo was a bear cub, bought for $10 on June 1st, 1874.

The Chicago River is dyed green on Saint Patrick’s Day.

Chicago is the nation’s third largest city.

Contrary to popular belief, the Fire of 1871 burned less than one quarter of the area of the city.

America’s first movie studio, Polyscope, was founded in Chicago in 1897.

The airport baggage abbreviation for O’Hare International Airport, “ORD,” derives from the location’s earlier name, Orchard Place.

We should open a bridal shoppe...

...cause if we did...WE'D BE RICH!

Seriously!

Ryan and I have been trying to think of what kind of business we could get ourselves into where we could work for ourselves. I told him we should open something that has to do with weddings. We would make major dough then!

Honestly, EVERYTHING (and I don't lie here) is just jacked up in terms of prices and what not.

Which brings me to the tiaras and veils that I tried on during my wedding dress hunt.

Oh the wedding dress, that's a completely different subject in terms of money! Luckily, I knew what style I wanted and found my dress online for a VERY reasonable price!

Okay, back to the tiaras and veils.

The tiaras are no less than $75 and go well over the $100 mark.

The veils I was trying on were almost $200! Can you even believe it?! All for a few fake beads and some tulle?!

That's why I'm sticking to making my own 'hair decor' and finding a cute and practical veil somewhere else!

Plus, I think it'll mean more if I make some of the things on my own. And I'm going to make Ava (my niecey aka the flower girl) a matching hair piece to mine. Too cute!

I'm gonna brag...

Pardon me for a moment while I brag a little bit here...

I'm really not trying to be snotty or anything like that. Just admiring myself. So I guess maybe a little bit vain! :-)

I don't recall if I mentioned or not, but my friend Jenny did my hair a few weeks ago. She did an awesome job (as always), but whenever I get my hair cut, trimmed, whatever...it takes me a week to get it to style correctly.

Well as of late, my hair has been blowdrying and straightening just perfectly. I just love this!

Today, I was washing my hands in the bathroom at work and noticed how perfectly in place it was and how perfect the ends looked. Rather than the raggedy ends that I had circa two weeks ago!

Sorry if you think I'm being vain...I guess I am, but I can, this is my blog! :-)

The local fair

Friday night, my little niecey was spending the night. My mom came over and we met my friend Jenny and her fiance at the Lake County Fair. As we were pulling up to the intersection where you could semi-see the top of the rides, Ava was getting SO excited in the back seat of the car. I thought it was hysterical! I have never seen anyone get so excited over something! It was too funny! She was just talking and we were having our own conversation. At one point she asked, "Can I please just scream?!?!" To which my mom answered no. And then you just hear this short but excited scream in the back seat. It was hysterical!!!

It was pretty crowded and rather warm and muggy, but it was fun. I went on one ride with Ava. It was the gravity one that spins and then rises up. My stomach didn't feel too good after that, but that didn't stop me from having some fair food! Who could go to the fair and not get some yummy bad stuff?! I had some icecream (you know, since I was hot). Then I had some bites of an elephant ear, which I had never had before and I have to say are much better than funnel cakes! And of course, I had to get some cotton candy to bring home with me. Me and Ava enjoyed a few pieces right before bed! I just love cotton candy (or anything with sugar in it!).

Ava was a brave little one and wanted to go on all of the rides. Even the upside down ones!

Here are some lovely pics from the night...sit back and enjoy, there are quite a few...

Me and me mum

Me and Jenny

Ava flying like Superman

Acion shot...

Ooh yeah, I forgot...there are all different kinds of animals at the fair. It was fun walking through to see them all...but it did spell a bit! We saw pregnant cows that were just HUGE!

Aren't these pigs so cute?! They are spooning! ha!

There were even bunnies, turkies, ducks, ducklings (for only $20...I want one!) and so many other things I can't even think of?!

This is the ride I went on with Ava. She went on AGAIN later on...BY HERSELF! If you look at the top towards the middle, she is the one with the pink shirt on.

We were trying to get rid of tickets quick so we could leave. Jenny went on the Octopus with Ava...she said Ava was just chattering the whole time. She did the same to me on the spinney ride! She is so darn cute!

Nonni got to go on the dragon coaster with Ava...I'm sure she was thrilled! ha! :-)

I can't believe the weekend is already over! It goes WAY too fast! I can't wait for next weekend...I hope it arrives quickly!

Sleepovers and the Fair

We're off to the Fair tonight. Little Ava is sleeping over and me and mom are going to take her over to the Lake County Fair! It should be fun. I'm sure it'll be nice and crowded...

My friend Jenny might meet us there too!

Then tomorrow, I'm going to take Ava swimming at our pool. This is not necesarily to be the
'fun Aunt', but rather to just wear her out in hopes of having nap time tomorrow! ha!

My Mister has a show at night and I plan on going and having a good 'ole time! So I need a nappy tomorrow (or some sort of rest and relaxation)!

I have been sleeping alone the past couple of nights since Ryan has had to work overnight at the hotel. It's been SO lonely and I just can't wait for tonight! Which brings me to Sunday! We get to lay around ALL DAY LONG and DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING together! I simply can't wait for it!

I'll try to remember to take some pics and post on the weekend!

Have a FABULOUS weekend!

Cute

I just had to post this because I thought it was so darling.
Picture from weddingbee.

It's a meme!

Alright...I don't have much for you today. Other than the fact that I had a wonderful 3 day weekend and I'm hating being back at work. But that's all I've got!

So without further ado...a meme for you! (I'm rhyming now too!)


What were you doing 10 years ago?
Ten years ago, I would have been 15 years old. I was enjoying the summer while being on summer vacation. Yes, yes the good old days when I actually got summer break. Boy do I miss that. I was actually just thinking of that this morning. I believe I got my first job that summer working as a phone/carryout girl at Royal Cantonese chinese restaurant. I had my drivers permit and was counting down the months until I could get my license. Oh to be that young and carefree again! I guess I would only resort back to that if I could still have the life I have today!


Favorite Snacks
chips and salsa (soo good, could eat it any time)
guacamole
chocolate (any kind any form...yum!)


To Do List
I normally write to do lists when I have more than 2 things to do. Otherwise I will forget! On my list at the moment is just a lot of wedding stuff. We are a tad bit behind on a few things, but that's okay, we've got some time! Some of the most important things...book a photographer, finalize our guest list and get started on our passport application (I swear, I feel like we're not going to have them by the time of our honeymoon!).


Today my list consists of the following:
1) take a shower (EVERYBODY NEEDS A GOAL)2) movie with Alex3) make Costco list for D.4) phone call @ 2 with BP (a person, not the oil company)5) change sheets6) LAUNDRY7) conquer a little bit of the email mountain8) work on some stuff for my, well, work9) edit podcast (you didn’t even know we still did those, did you?)10) cook supper11) write something (again: GOALS! I HAVE THEM!)

Jobs I Have Had
babysitter, chinese food take out girl, salon receptionist, marshall fields associate, front desk hotel clerk, sales rep...


Places I Have Lived
All in Illinois...Mundelein, Normal (short lived), Libertyville, McHenry and Grayslake


Bad Habits
procrastination (only at times), eating too much, perfection (it IS a bad thing, believe me!), cleaning too much, I could go on and on and on...


5 Random Things People May Not Know
1) My parents are divorced but they have a great relationship with eacother. I often joke when go out to dinner with them that we're going out to dinner with my 'mom and dad' (you know, like they are still together! ha!).
2) Ryan and I met while he was my boss at the hotel. I thank the Lord that I took the path that I did or else I would have never met my future hubby and might I add one of the best men in the world!
3) I have been to Europe (Germany, Belgium, England and France). It was when I was maybe 14 years old, so I was less appreciative of it than I should have been.
4) I had surgery for 2 hernias when I was just 2 (almost 3...i think) years old.
5) I have a birthmark on the middle of my lower back that my mom always used to tell me was an upside down L (of course, she told me this because my middle name starts with an L!).


CDs I would want if stranded on an island
Well I don't necesarily listen to cds so I would just loap up our iPod with anything and everything that could fit on there. Maybe add some movies too! :-)


What I’d Do if I Were a Billionaire
1) Pay off anything that needed to be paid off.
2) Buy a house and pay it in full so that we wouldn't have to worry about mortgage payments.
3) Quit my job and pick up a hobby that would eventually make me money!
4) Give a chunk of money to each of our family members.
5) Travel the world with Ryan and experience life!



That's about it! If you're reading this then you are tagged!

Wedding {check}

Yay! We went to Zales today to get our wedding bands! What fun! Excuse the 'outlet' part of the sign...they actually had the ring that I wanted there...and if we could get it for cheaper, well then, duh?! :-) I can't wait for them to come in! I'll post a pic after the wedding :-)

{Strangely} unusual

I'm truly addicted {and other weekend jaunts}

On Saturday, I went scrapbooking for my very first time. I've actually dabbled in it a little bit before, but was never truly aware of the vast aray of materials available to use.

I must say, I am addicted!

I went with Lori (future sil) who is a scrapbooker herself. We had a really fun time. It was nice to spend some time with her and I got to learn how to do some different things. I just love it!

At first I was excited but a little worried. There are so many different options that I thought I wouldn't be able to decide on what to do or where to start exactly. Then it just kind of came to me. Not to mention, we were in a scrapbooking store working on our stuff, so the world was at our fingertips.

Here is some of what I did. I am so proud of myself for being so crafty! Who would have known?!


I love the cover!

This is my first page. I want to write some 'memories' likes dates and such or a quote on the little sticker on the right.
I love this page, its one of my favorites.

So cute too! I especially love the quotes.

Another one of my favorites.

Today, I got to sleep in a little bit and then my friend Jenny came over. She did my hair...thank you so much Jenny!!! Then we went to Zales so she could get her ring cleaned and inspected. I also tried on some wedding bands (we're going tomorrow to buy them...yay!). We had a nice lunch and went to David's Bridal so she could purchase her bridesmaid dress for our wedding. All in all, it's been a busy (but fun busy) weekend. It's not over yet! We have Monday off together and have a few plans in mind. Stuff to cross off the wedding to-do list!

We're a little goofy

Sometimes we like to wear the same exact thing and wear our matching glasses! ha! :-)

Friday night birthday celebration

We went to a little bar/pizza place on Friday night for Cody's (my cousin) and Morgan's (my sil) birthdays. Cody's was about a week ago and Morgan's is coming up this week. We had some yummy beer nuggets and some pizza! It was a fun time, although it was loud in there and there were so many conversations going on around my head that I couldn't concentrate and it was driving me crazy?! Yeah, I know, I'm a little weird! :-)

Adam (brother) and Dad

Ava and Cody

My Mister and Mom

Me and my love

Happy Birthday Birthday Boy!!! Nonnie and Zizi Nikki...these pics are for you! :-) Oh and there would be pics of the birthday girl, but she doesn't like getting her picture taken. I've had to take it off the blog before! :-) Happy Birthday Morgan!!!

feelin' crafty

Check out my new blog.

It's just an outlet for me to record projects that I find and want to remember.

I thought it would be a good idea so that I don't have so many pages book marked or written down everywhere.

There's not much on there yet, but...stay tuned...

Click HERE to check it out!

Bits & Pieces

A few random things here...

I have to give props to this awesome blog Bits & Pieces. Seriously, it cracks me up. It's just a bunch of random funny things from the internet. Fun times. Good entertainment.

Also, another thing I found while reading through blogs on my Google Reader was Lush. I'm really just posting this here so that I can remember what it is and to check it out...but I thought I'd share as well!

Lush products are vegan/natural products. I have yet to browse the entire sight. I mostly just looked at the shampoo bars. Yes, that's right, I said bars. I've been reading a few reviews from people who said they thought it would be a bust to use shampoo that looks like a bar of soap, but they were shockingly suprised when the 'volumizing' bar actually worked. Check it out...I maybe have to get some stuff...

Like this one that promotes shiny and bouncy hair...ooh la la!

There are plenty other cosmetics aside from shampoo though. And they are so bright and colorful!

Tasting

Astoria

We had our tasting last night for our wedding reception. It was actually really nice. A bit shorter than we had anticipated, but that was to our liking.

We got to nosh on cream cheese filled cucumbers, mini beef wellington (our fave), calamari, filet, chicken parm and chicken marsala. I think there was a little too much wine in the chicken marsala, but we're not having that...so that's a good thing! :-)

We had a really good time together though and it was something fun to experience together.

Pardon my no pictures. I DID bring the camera, but completely forgot to take any pictures!

I loved going back to Astoria to see the place again. It reminded me of how much I love it there!

Props to my future hubbs

First off, this post is coming a day late. I meant to post it yesterday, but it got too busy at work and why would I blog at home?! ha! Just kidding...after staring at a computer all day long, it's the last thing I want to do while I'm home, usually...

I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but I'm a bit of a neat/clean freak. That said, Ryan does his part (as much as I let him, did I mention I'm a clean freak and a little controlling when it comes to that?!).

To my suprise when I arrived home from work on Monday, the house was all picked up, clean and even vaccumed (totally spelled that wrong)! It was awesome! Plus, he had ran out and got us the first season of Hell's Kitchen (we're obsessed). Dinner was almost done (see below...mmm!) and it smelled so good. I didn't have to do anything but change my clothes and sit down!

To top it all off, I was have tummy issues all day long and felt horrible and you know what he did?! He ran out to Walgreens for me, even though I'm sure he just wanted to sit down and relax before going to bed.

Isn't he just the best?!

I think so and I thank my lucky stars each and every day that I have him.

I am so glad that we get to grow old and grey together. It's the best feeling knowing that it'll be with him!

He even remembered to take pics for the blog while he was making us dinner! It just kept getting better and better! :-)

The finished product. Doesn't it look great?! We have made Chicken Parmesan before, but it has never looked this good. Plus we usually always use Ragu and bake it in the oven. Thanks to Jenny for this modified version...I just love it!

Our babies names

Ryan and I have been talking a bit lately about when we are going to start making babies. Then, the subject switched to names. While we have had our boys name picked out for awhile now, we've had to have some fun discussion on our girls name.

Obviously we're hoping for one of each! ha! :-)

Since God works in those ways. Right.

No, whatever we have, we just want it to be happy and healthy!

So back to the subject at hand.

Jack Ryan. This will be our boy's name. Jack was a dear friend of Ryan and I. He was an older gentleman who worked at the hotel where Ryan and I met. He would stock all needed things at the hotel and run errands as well as drive guests around. He was the most kindest man and really got to know each of us. We consider him a dear friend. He passed away last year and we wanted to honor him. Plus, Jack goes with our last name (or my future last name...)! His middle name, Ryan, is for obvious reasons...that's his daddy's name!

Oh and p.s. there will be no calling him J.R. for short...hate that...ick!

Now before I tell you our little girls name I want to tell you what I had originally liked. And that would be Madison. However, Ryan doesn't like it because he claims it's a strippers name (sorry if your whild is named Madison...I love it! It's not me!). I just like the nickname Maddy and it also goes so cutely with my {future} last name. So I told R that IF we have 2 girls (and my future sil doesn't use it...she liked it too) then maybe I'll just have to have my way! :-)

Olivia Bea. After my original name was rejected I was on the hunt for a cute name. I thought of Olivia before, not necesarily as my childs name, but thought it was cute. While I can't stand Olive, I do love Liv as a nickname. Too cute! The middle name would stand for a couple of things. Ryan calls me B all the time or BB...it's his little nickname for me, has been since maybe before we even started dating. Also, my Nonni's (Grandma) name is Beatrice, Bea for short. So we would be honoring her (hi Nonni!)(she reads my blog!).

I had originally thought of Olivia Grace, but I like that Ryan put some meaning behind it. It makes me glad to know that we both thought of a name for our little girl!

Pretty cake

cake courtesy of here...check it out, she makes some cute cakes!

Isn't this such a pretty yet simple cake?! We were originally planning on (well I was) a plain white cake with maybe some pearl decorations on it. Since I've seen some cute cakes with black (one of our colors) bands around the tiers...I may be leaning towards something different like that. Just an idea. And I found this cake and it looks so yummy and pretty! Minus the pink flowers...

Working 9 to 5

Well those aren't necesarily my work hours, but I am sick of it!

Is it time for me to retire yet?! haha!

Really, can we win the lottery or have some strange luck come our way?

Because that would really make my day right now...

Homemade ice cream cookie sandwiches

I had a craving for chocolate last night. We didn't have any real chocolate, but we did have brownie mix...and ice cream! :-) I thought I'd make some homemade ice cream sammies using brownie cookies and chocolate ice cream.

I made the brownie cookies (so good) and then gave up going any further. I got kind of tired.

This morning, I finished the process and they just look so good. They are currently chilling in the freezer waiting ever so patiently for us to eat them!

Don't they look so good?!...

Mirrors mirrors on the wall

We ran out to the local Super K on our way to get dinner today and picked up a few things (i.e. new cushy bike seats so our bums don't hurt, sand paper for a project I'm working on {see below}, and some other odds and ends).

I'm always looking for something decorative to make our house a cozy home and add depth to our rooms. I happened upon a set of mirrors and have kind of been looking for something like this to go next to our door. We put them up when we got home and I think they look cute!


See our faces in the mirrors?! ha! :-)

We put them to the left of the door. Slowly but surely we are gaining little decorations!

Then we had a little bit of fun with them. Okay, maybe a lot of fun!

We got those cool hooks that are long and you push all the way in the wall...you know what I'm talking about?! I see infomercials on them all the time and they actually really work well. I'm a sucker for infomercials!

In other mirror news, I have this new mirror that I got from my mom. She was going to toss it and I thought I could create some sort of crafty refinishing project. I already stripped some paint off of the actual mirror and washed it. Now I'm thinking about painting it black and finding somewhere to put it. I was trying to think of something cute and crafty that I could do/add to it, but am at a loss. Any ideas? I have it sitting next to the doorway at the moment and Mason couldn't care less if he saw himself in the mirror. Roxy (the cat), on the other hand, is being so funny with it. So found it yesterday after we brought it inside and randomly just sits in front of it and stares at herself...it is just the funniest thing!

A drive to Rockford

On Saturday, I so graciously offered myself up for driving Grandma to Rockford to attend her sister's 60th wedding anniversary lunch. I had Ava for the day, so she joined us too!

It was a fun time, kind of, and it was nice to spend some time with my Grandma, but we were in the car for an awful long time and I, of course was the only driver. Add on top of that, a 5 year old who got pretty bored pretty quickly and decided to act up...

Boy oh boy was I wiped out by the time we finally got home and oh so happy to go home to a nice quiet house. It was a fine day though!


Grandma and Ava

The granddaughter and great granddaughter

Isn't she so darn cute?!

Grandma and her only living sibling. Grandma was a bridesmaid in Aunt Til's wedding. I got to see all the wedding pictures from back in the days as well as hear their stories and all that they are thankful for. I can't wait to grow old and grey with my Mister!