Dustin Says

Me: You didn't go to the gym...
Dusin: But I drove right past it and I talk to the manager every day.
Me: That doesn't count.

I have an associates degree in yearbook quotes.

Dustin: You're pre-ordering stamps?!
Me: Um yeah.
Dustin: That's pretty fucking nerdy.

I've been calling Cheeto "Cheesy Chi" ever since I watched Straight Outta Compton.

Olive's middle name is Garden. She's Olive Garden Maffioli.

Currently

Healing from: The weirdest injury ever. So last Thursday I washed my hands in the bathroom at work and as I went to grab a paper towel and cut my knuckle. Yes, you read that right. I got injured trying to dry my damn hands off. The thing is the paper towel dispenser is old and the paper towels were all shoved up in there which made it hard to get out. So I had to use extra force to get anything out which made my hand slam down and smash into a sharp metal edge. The pain wasn't too bad at first. It was like a "dammit that hurt" kind of reaction. But then as I walked down the hall I looked down to my finger bruising before my eyes and blood dripping down my hand. I went to the first aid kit and grabbed a bandaid. I sat down in the first empty seat I could find because I was about to pass out. It wasn't the pain, it was the blood. I got back to my desk and asked my friend Amanda to get me some ice to put behind my neck because it helps so much when I feel like that. She was amazing and really came to my aid. I sat there at my desk and just tried to calm down. I ate protein bar and sipped some water and before I knew it I was feeling more like myself. I probably needed a stitch or two (yeah there was skin flapping - bleh!) but I didn't want to have to go to the walk-in clinic over something that I could just nurse myself. Instead I bandaged up my finger and although I could barely write or type the rest of the day, was totally found. BUT THEN, the following day I hit my finger while putting on my tennis shoes in the same bathroom. I was changing to go to the gym but when I hit my finger it started throbbing and I could see the blood coming through the bandaid. My first thought was "goddammit, not again." This time I changed the bandage and added pressure until I felt it was under control. I didn't feel sick though so that's progress. I totally skipped the gym and ended up coming home. My finger hurt the rest of the damn night. It's now Sunday and I am definitely in the clear. The pain is no longer an issue and the wound has finally started to close. PRAISE HANDS.

Watching:

Stranger Things - Well I guess I should say "already watched". Dustin and I finished that shit in two days. First of all the show is on Netflix and only 8 episodes long so it was really easy to get through. It's like a love letter to all of the great 80s movies especially those with sci-fi elements. This one show reminded me of Stand By Me, The X-Files, The Goonies, E.T., etc. It's just got nostalgia to the core. But it's also completely it's own story. If you haven't watched it yet, get to it!

Orange Is The New Black - I just finished the new season today while at the gym. I wasn't crazy about last season which is why I wasn't in any rush to watch the new episodes. This seasons didn't really do it for me either. The show as a whole just isn't keeping my interest like it once did. I didn't really enjoy this season until the last 3 episodes and even then I wasn't emotional. There were several super shitty and emotional storylines and I was sad but I didn't shed a single tear. For me, that's super weird. I am the type that cries over everything especially fictional characters. (That's not even a joke.) I'm not ready to stop watching but it isn't a show that is a priority anymore. The finale was pretty intense and I do want to see how things end up for everyone.

Peaky Blinders - Dustin and I were so pumped when the new season came out. This season was as the kids would say "turnt". I mean every season is pretty crazy but damn this one was a little extra crazy. I have got the biggest crush on Tommy Shelby (see in the photo above). His character mixed with the time period and gangster lifestyle is just hot as hell for whatever reason. Arthur Shelby is still insane in the best way. And then there's Dustin's favorite: Alfie. I also love seeing how much the Shelby family has progressed since the first season. So many changes! And that finale?!

Listening to: Not In Love by Crystal Castles. The music itself reminds me so much of the Stranger Things score (which I really want to buy but it's not available on iTunes). It's just very catchy, poppy, yet still mellow. 

Working on: Eating better through out the week. Thanks for the extra push from our bud Fiddy I am now one of these weirdos who is meal prepping on Sundays. I am going to try to stay on a "diet" through out the work week. I plan on being more lax on the weekends but I really want to cut out the uneccessary snacking, eating out, and sugar rushes. I have gained some weight and I'm working on losing that shit or at least turning it into muscle. I've been going to the gym regularly for months now. I've got a routine and I actually enjoy going (most days), but now I need to focus more on eating habits. Fiddy sent me an easy to follow meal prep guide and I'm going to try and follow it the best I can. It's basically 3 meals/day, 2 snacks/day, and a gallon of water. I'm starting today so wish me luck!

Photo: One, Two, Three

What I Wore #51

I'd like to preface this by saying I usually have Dustin take all of my "What I Wore" photos outside because I prefer natural lighting, but on this particular day it didn't happen. Dustin has already left for work and I was planning on going straight to the gym from work. So I decided to document my cute outfit myself. 

I just got this top last weekend and wanted to wear it as soon as possible. It's classy enough for work and fun enough for weekends. I love the print but I also love that it's sleeveless. The heat has been relentless so I need all the cool outfits I can get (hence why I paired it with a skirt). I typically stay far away from any white clothing but this shirt was too cute to pass up. My rule when wearing white is only drink water and don't eat anything involving ketchup. Ha! i'm the messiest eater in town so I had to be extra careful this day. 

Top: H&M

Skirt: Cotton On

Flats: Online (Cannot remember for the life of me the site) Ha. 

Divorce Party

Last weekend I went to my very first Divorce Party. I met up with my new friend (from Bumble) and four of her other friends to celebrate. We originally had planned to go to Better Than Sex which is a dessert place; but we didn't have a reservation and there's no room for walk-ins. So we went across the street to The Imperial which is a wine bar. I've actually been to the one in Sanford not realizing that's what it was. Ha! It's a really neat place because during the day they sell a bunch of really interesting furniture. It's completely out of a normal person's price range but it's still cool to look at. But the furniture is used as seating while you enjoy a glass of wine or craft beer. During our visit we had a private room that had furniture resembling something out of Game of Thrones. The lights were dim and other than there not being any music playing, it was just an overall cool vibe. I don't drink so I enjoyed a nice glass of Root Beer. It was strangely easy to talk to a table full of virtual strangers. The old, younger me could have never done that without a panic attack coming on. But I was cool as a cucumber and enjoyed getting to know new people in a new setting. I made her a "Congrats on you divorce" card and another friend of hers made a "Free At Last" sash. I stayed until my new friend and a few other girls went downtown dancing. That's not my thing so I headed home and wished them a fun and safe night.

Some people might find a Divorce Party kind of strange but I thought it was perfect. The thing is, I'd say 98% of couples in unhappy marriages know that shit is not working. Maybe they don't want to admit it to each other or even themselves yet but they know that the end is near. In those cases divorce is a good thing. Yes of course it's sad but it's good to recognize a shitty situation and start to take steps to a better life without one another. It's never too late to begin again. And for those who have been completely blindsided with divorce papers it's better to mourn and move on as fast as possible. It's a much harder situation thinking everything is fine when the other person doesn't, but we are all more resilient than we initially think we are. Time is such a relief too. It's amazing how the hurt can dissipate in a matter of time. It's amazing how our perspective can change with just some passing months or years. So I think a party to celebrate a new beginning is absolutely the coolest.  

Dustin and I both went into our marriage with the thought that we hoped like hell it was forever but we weren't going to live in a fairytale if it turned out it wasn't. I still have that sentiment. I still hope like hell it is forever but I'm not going to be naive. I think that's when you have even more of a chance of failing. After over 11 years together we're still happy. I know it sounds silly but this relationship is super easy which I think is why we've always been happy. Sure there have been bumps in the road but there has never been some huge drama or scandal. Our fights are over housework or what we're going to eat for dinner. We respect each other and always have. We trust each other. And most importantly we have so much fun together. I know a lot of couples who get married in their 20s grow apart because you can change so much in that amount of time. We're some of the lucky ones. I still see us as those idiot 19 year olds who were just looking for something and someone to hold onto.

I have never experienced a divorce from that perspective but I sure as hell know what it's like to be the kid watching your parents go through it. I actually went through two divorces. My mom and dad's and then my stepmom and dad. The first time around I was too young to remember anything. But the second time hurt like hell. It absolutely sucks being in the middle. No one ever gives you the full story and even if they did you probably wouldn't take it very well because you're just a kid and it's hard to wrap your head around everything. I cannot remember my parents ever being married but I also never wanted them back together. They fought at pick ups and drop offs, over the phone, and at random events. Why would I want them in the same house so they could just tear each other apart? When I finally found out why my step-mom left my dad I totally got it. It was justified. I realized that at only 13. I couldn't blame her one bit. I was pissed at him that he fucked it up and Cody and I were the ones that had to suffer. But for her, that divorce had to happen and more power to her. 

No one deserves to be treated like shit. No one deserves to live in a unhappy and unhealthy environment. I get trying and trying again but if it can't be fixed, don't force it. Divorce shouldn't be gone into lightly but it can certainly be a new beginning for a lot of people. It is nothing to be ashamed about. Sometimes relationships work and sometimes they don't. And sometimes those relationships just happen to be marriages. My marriage does not define me and divorce doesn't define anyone else. 

photo: one, two, three, four

Marie

I met my mom at Marie's house last Sunday. I hadn't seen her in a long time and had been asking for months when we could get together. I was so happy we finally got it to work out. I see Marie every now and then but I hadn't been to her house since I was probably a teenager, maybe even before that. But somehow as soon as I turned down her road I totally remembered. I remembered spending the night with her and Bubba all of the time as a little girl. While I was visiting she reminded me how I used to sit behind Bubba and pick his hair. He was a real sport about it! Ha! She also said that I would lay on the ground coloring and when I was done I would tell her "Ok, I'm ready for bed now". (Yeah I was a really good kid who always appreciated sleep.) She also brought out a stuffed rabbit that she'd talk to me through. I didn't remember the rabbit but I still loved hearing the stories of my reactions as a little girl. We talked about how she would pick me up a couple times a week and she and my grandma would watch me while my mom was at work. I loved to help her clean. She told me I always asked for a rag and would scrub along side of her. She also taught me how to fold socks, and laundry in general. One time I pushed the laundry basket from one end of the house to the other and put away all of my grandparent's clothes for her. How I did it, we'll never know but helping her was always second nature to me. She's the one who taught me how to make scrambled eggs in the microwave. Still to this day it's my favorite way to cook eggs and the only way I cook them at home. I remember watching soap operas with her on her lunch break as I got older. We'd discuss what the Newman's and Abbott's were up to on Young and the Restless while we both enjoyed sandwiches. She always listened. She always cared about what was going on in my life. She always told it straight. She started working for my grandparents when my mom was a baby. My mom is now 62. She was so much more than a nanny or housekeeper or even friend. Marie has always and will always be a second grandmother to me and all of my cousins, and a second mother to my mom and my aunt and uncle. She's special. She's family. I do not see her enough and I plan to make that a priority from here on out.

Dustin Says

Me: Did you read my blog?
Dustin: No, I'm saving it for when I can really appreciate it, like when I'm on the toilet.

Gangsta's Paradise is the Bohemian Rhapsody of rap.

I like my tattoos the way I like my sandwiches - without the crust.

Guy Fieri is the human version of Walmart.

Flag Day Video

I just remembered that I never edited my birthday video. So I just whipped it together real fast. Yeah!

Found

All of the flag apparel you'll I'll  ever need. Why did I come across this AFTER Flag Day?

41 '90s Rock Songs To Listen To This Summer

Ilvermorny

19 Spot-On Tweets That Will Ring True To Married People

Guy Leaves Fake Animal Facts All Over Los Angeles Zoo

How cute is this teacher?!

Space tattoos.

This video is one of the funniest things I've seen in recent memory.

49 Celebrities Tell The Stories of 49 Victims

A story about Dave Grohl and Taylor Swift.

Daniel Radcliffe gets interviewed by kids.

An important short film about emotional abuse. I have been in an unhealthy relationship. I have had friends and family in unhealthy relationships. If you're in one, reach out and get out.

John Cena Perfectly Explains What Patriotism Really Means

Currently

photo

Listening to: A new-to-me Podcast called 'This Week Had Me Like'. If you're like me and loved Parenthood than you'll remember Sarah Ramos who played Haddie Braverman. Well, I follow Sarah on Instagram and I recently saw her post THIS photo in which she mentions the Podcast she produces. I started listening about a week ago and I am loving it! The type of person that would also love it would need to enjoy the following: pop culture, celebrity news, sarcasm, and humor. But seriously there are only 12 episodes so far so it's not overwhelming. I'm just one of those people that needs to start from the beginning but hell, you just jump right in wherever you want. I've been listening to it  in the mornings when I'm getting ready and while driving. I also just came across the host of the Podcast's store and well let me just say it's hilarious and also NSFW. You're welcome.

🇺🇸

A photo posted by Britany LaManna (@britmaack) on Jul 5, 2016 at 12:11pm PDT

Obsessed with: Hiddleswift. Yeah Taylor Swift and Tom Hiddleston are apparently a thing. If you didn't already know that EVEN if you aren't a fan of either of them (come one, everyone is a fan of at least one!) than you have been living at the bottom of the ocean inside a giant octopus named Gus who doesn't let you use the internet. Ok I'm off on a tangent. Back to Hiddleswift. So apparently they started dating only weeks after Taylor broke it off with Calvin Harris. A lot of people are of course judging her for this but I say "GO GIRL. Fuck the haters." because come on, us regular-non-famous gals do that shit all the time so we all need to calm down. They have been spotted taking selfies, out with each others parents, and most recently at Taylor's annual July 4th party at her Rhode Island mansion. A lot of people were not a fan of his attire. It was totally cheesy but I'm not going to hate on him for it. He's fucking Loki. He can do what he wants. But hold up, there is a theory that this is all a publicity stunt for Taylor's yet-to-beannouned-record. So is this crazy whirlwind romance for real? Even if it isn't I'm totally enjoying the ride.

photo

Loving: BumbleBFF. Bumble is a dating app much like Tinder where you swipe left or right for a connection. But what's cool about Bumble is they have added a "BFF" option to find legit friends in your area. I mean, it's the coolest app ever! Let me preface this by saying I love each and every friend I have. No one could ever or will ever replace them because they are each a unique part of my life. That being said, you can never have too many friends which is why I signed up a few months back. Plus I don't have super local friends. I have matched with a ton of girls. I don't say that as a brag but just that I was lucky enough to find a lot of girls that felt we had enough in common that we could be friends. I've talked to all of them but most of the conversations fizzled quickly. There have been a few though that I have exchanged numbers with and added on social media. I had my very first friend date last weekend. We met up at a Starbucks and talked for over 2 hours. It weirdly wasn't weird at all. And the funny thing is she works with a friend of mine from high school. It's a very small world out there. If you're in a new town or if friends have moved away or if you're just looking to add to your squad check out this app. because it's pretty damn awesome.

via GIPHY

Feeling: Stressed. This week just has not been my week. Work has been hectic because we are down a person for a little while. Cheeto has had a nervous stomach for days which I'm almost certain was brought on by the stress of the fireworks. So I've been cleaning up a lot of shit. Every day more shit. Poor bud. (Poor me.) Also we've been having issues with our A/C. It's not totally broke but cannot keep up for a lot of the day which has been making me cranky as hell. I hate being hot. I hate sweating. It's been temporarily fixed but I'm hoping someone will be out to permanently do so. Is it Friday yet?!

What I Wore #50

Here's what I'm going to call a "Patriotic Twofer". If I'm the queen of anything it's the patriotic outfit. Ha! It's the one thing I do so well I feel comfortable bragging about it. I enjoy July 4th as much as the next American but my love for red, white, and blue apparel comes from my Flag Day birth. The story has been told before but here we go again. My mom used to dress me in flag related clothing for my birthday. I absolutely hated it as a kid but as I got older I started to embrace it. It's like when kids were bullied and then go on to be famous comedians. Well, something like that. So yeah, I have my share of patriotic apparel. The first photo shows me on my actual 31st birthday a few weeks ago. I love this baseball t-shirt. The fabric is incredibly soft and breathable. I love that it's not over the top flag but it hints to it. Instead of screaming "IM WEARING A MOTHER FUCKING FLAG", it whispers "yeah a little bit of a flag is going on over here". My second outfit is what I wore to my birthday lunch. It's super casual. My favorite part of the whole ensemble was the bow that I scored from the $1 bin at Target. I'm pretty sure it's for a small child but I rocked it nevertheless. 

Top: Sophie & Trey

Pants: Old Navy

Flats: Target

Necklace: Gift from Amanda

Shirt: Target

Jeans: Old Navy

Flats: Target

Bow: Target

Happy 5th Birthday!

So I wrote my "Intro" post exactly FIVE years ago today. How crazy! There was a moment where I thought about stopping the whole blogging thing. I got real dramatic and went on hiatus for a month. Remember that? Well I'm so glad you (you being my friends) encouraged me to work through my funk and continue on. I don't write life changing posts or anything but it's something I still enjoy and as of right now I don't see coming to an end in the foreseeable future. I still love it. So here's to many more posts about my weekends, mishaps, opinions, and whatever else is going on in my brain.