2011 is right around the corner

I came across this great website for paper called Paper Crave!  Check out this cool calendar by JHill Design.  I think this would be a great addition to my cubicle.  Have a great weekend, Cheers!

Let's Talk Luggage

The look of an old, leather piece of luggage can say a lot.  It can say where someone has been, where they plan on going, how often they have travelled and so on.  I have a tendency to "collect" things.  I use that word very loosely because it is not like I am going out intending to start a collection; it just kind of happens.  Check out Etsy for some amazing pieces...I would like to start a "collection" of these (not what Greg wants to hear.)  Cheers!

Tan Delight Vintage Travel Bag

Upcycled Vintage Samsonite Suitcase and Carry On

The Vintage Tote

The New City

93 South…my commute. Although the highway is blanketed with cars every morning, the drive isn’t all that bad. At least we move, with a few hiccups now and again. The thing I hate the most are the potholes! Seriously Massachusetts? Are you trying to eat my car? Other than that, the view I see as I roll down the interstate is definitely different than going past Hartford. I look to my left and see Bunker Hill, to the right and I see the Prudential Center, The Garden, more tall, majestic buildings, and this all as I go over the Zakim Bridge, which if you have ever seen is a really funky looking bridge. It’s pretty cool living so close to Boston. I much prefer this city over New York City. It’s quieter, less hustle, happier, friendlier, just all in all a better place; plus, The Red Sox and Fenway Park, DUH! One of these weekends, when Greg and I actually don’t have something planned (I think that won’t be until January!!), I want to take a Saturday and just go roam the city. Hit up a good restaurant, go to a museum, and enjoy a good pint of beer and nachos! Cheers!



image: Zakim Bridge

...and THE DAY has arrived...




Well, Septemeber 26, 2010 has come and gone all in the blink of an eye; however it was all worth it!  Here are a few pictures from the wedding.  Cheers!





All ready to go...or not



The Girls

Under the tent

My handsome groom

The ceremony



The gents



The ladies

Ceremony



Ken, Karen, Greg, me, Matt, Jenny, Gma, Gpa



The Dion's/The Fasold's



The guys hanging out

Greg, me, Mom and Dad

Can he find it???

The Cake

Rehearsal Dinner

In preperation for the BIG DAY, we were honored to share in a special dinner with all those people who are nearest and dearest to our hearts!  The food was wonderful, but the company was even better.  CHEERS!

Just Married!

Hi all!!  Well, here I am, back and a married woman!  Can you believe it?  I can't!  I am still trying to get back into the swing of things (adjusting to the new area we moved to, the new job, trying to fit in time to blog!), but I just wanted to stop in to let you all know I'm still here.  There will be more to come; however, I must go to training now for my new position.  Cheers!

Image: Wedding Sandals

Engagement Photos

Hi all!  Check out our Engagement Photos. Our photographer is Carrie Draghi (www.cdraghiphoto.com) and she is phenomenal!  Enjoy! Cheers!

Image : Annie Ruden Photography (another amazing photographer) 

Venting Session

I would like to yell because people frustrate me.  How the h*** does someone have the audacity to think their s*** does not stink and point out mistakes others make, but in turn cannot see that they know jack s***???  Please, someone, explain it to me!  I am the first to admit that I hate to make mistakes; however if someone shows me what I did wrong I will take it, fix it and never make that mistake again.  Some people just cannot grasp the concept of "it's OK to make mistakes" and "you learn from your mistakes."  And to top it all off, their approach is completely wrong and they are tactless and have terrible people skills...and they want to be a manager some day??  WHAT A JOKE!  AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Went for a quick walk...I feel better now...Thank you.

Welcome weekend! Enjoy all!

CHEERS! CHEERS! CHEERS!  (the weekend deserves 3 cheers) 

image http://www.legaljuice.com/yell%20screaming%20yelling%20scream.jpg

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

I came across this website called The Daily Green and was totally excited about it!  I am not one who is all into this "Go Green" stuff; however I am not against it either.  I do what I can in my own day to day life (recycle bottles, paper, reuse bags, etc).  There are tons of different articles to click on, anything from news, tips & advice, green living to new green cuisine and weird weather watch!  Being a storm chaser at heart, the weird weather watch definitely caught my eye. 

As I was browsing I saw a link for 30 Great Green Gifts for Under $20.  Well who doesn't like finding different, neat, unique gifts to give someone without spending an arm and a leg? I don't see anyone raising their hand, so you should probably check this out.  I've included some pictures of a few gifts I found that perhaps some of you might just be receiving.  The "Circuit board Business Card Case" is classic, since my fiance is a computer geek!  Christmas gift is blinking in my head.  I also did a little more looking and browsed one of my favorite stores...Barnes and Noble!  The 100% recycled "D" note cards are perfect for all those Thank You notes I will be writing.  And how can anyone go wrong with buying a jar of your local honey, putting it in a basket with a beautiful cloth napkin, some different teas and perhaps a nice homemade treat?  Enjoy these great ideas and please let me know of any online stores you might have come across with unique gifts, such as these.  Cheers!

Falling into Autumn

I woke up this morning to a chilling 49 degrees and I loved it!  This time of year makes me so happy.  The brisk, cool air, the sun shining, the leaves changing.  I can wear a comfy pair of jeans, cute sweater and flip flops and I'm good as gold!  Perfect.

What better way to start off this fabulous day then with some jewelry?  I thought I would look for some inspirations or ideas for some new pieces to add to my massively growing jewelry collection.  How can you go wrong with a beautiful necklace?  Stunning cuff bracelet?  Gorgeous ring?  Phenomenal brooch?  Well, easy, you can't!  Enjoy these few pieces I came across and please let me know of any unique, cool pieces or shops you see!  Cheers!

 

Leaves and Pale Green CZ Teardrop Lariat Necklace by BLACKSWANJEWELS

Arabesque Cuff

Samba Ring

Alba Rose Brooch by madeofjacinta 

Mmmm Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Back to my trusty website of AllRecipes.com!  I am in love with carrot cake, carrot cake cupcakes, carrots dipped in ranch dressing!  You name it, I love it.  Since we are getting to that time of year where there is a brisk feeling in the air and you want to hop on a tractor and go for a hay ride, while picking apples, let's talk food!  Check out this delightful recipe for  Fluffy Carrot Muffins with Cream Cheese Frosting ,  yeah, delightful!  On that note, I need to run to the store!!!  I have some baking to do.  Cheers!

Image http://www.bennisonscakes.com/images/cupcake/carcuplg.jpg

It's been awhile, but I wanted to share...

I am the incredible disappearing girl!  Sorry...but, I'm back!  Well, I'm back until I go on my honeymoon and start my new job and move and be married (not in that order, obviously.)  I wanted to share another blog with you.  It is one that a friend of mine, Yvonne, is a part of it and I think it is a beautiful, art filled, crafty blog!  Everyone should check it out and become a follower!  http://everybuddydreams.blogspot.com/ 

While you are at it...you should become a follower of my blog too!  What am I, chopped liver?? Geez people.  Enjoy!  Cheers!

Image: http://gcsubacklot.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/welcome_back.jpg

"1000 Awesome Things"

Good morning all!  My ritual in the morning when I get to work is to sign on, log in my time, start my programs I need for the day, put my lunch in the fridge, check my work email and then hit up www.cnn.com .  I was reading the most depressing story about a woman who murdered her 2 children...ugh, terrible!  No details, but anyway, after I was done reading the article, I scrolled to the bottom and there were some other stories you could click on.  A link caught my attention, 8 Feel-Good Websites To Brighten Your Day .  Well that was definitely better than this terrible story I had just read!  So I clicked on it, as should you!  One specific site caught my attention, 1000 Awesome Things .  The moment I started reading what this blog had to offer I smiled from ear to ear!  I just wanted to share this with everyone in hopes that I could bring a smile to your face today :-) 

(Image from http://mindchimes.net/wp-images/behappy.jpg )

Find Your Move

I've been MIA, my bad.  I am getting down to the wire to get everything done for the wedding, so needless to say, I have been a bit tied up and stressed out!  However, I did have a quick second to check out a few of my favorite websites; one of them being www.cookinglight.com .  I came across this cool article called "Ultimate Move Finder" (Ultimate Move Finder)  .  It breaks down the entire body and gives specific exercises for toning.  Give it 5 minutes and check it out!  Beat that stress with a little exercise.  Cheers!

I found this really great stress reliever...

Here we are!  The greatest thing known to man!  Hahahahaha this really made me laugh because I am feeling slightly stressed with making sure all details are in order for the wedding and also with finding a new job.  Life is hard.  Obviously, this is not something I just learned; however it is something I am experiencing.  I suppose the only way to deal with it all is to look at the bright side.  I will be a Mrs. in about 50 days.  I have my health, my family, my friends and that's all I need in life.  I thank you all for your constant support and help.  Where would I be without you?  No where!  What would I be grateful for?  Nothing!  What would I smile about?  Nothing, and that would be a sad day, when Alison does not smile!  I had someone at work the other day say, "You know, I love seeing you run around this place because you are always smiling, no matter what you are doing!"  I was touched by that comment because that is one thing I do try to do all the time:  Smile :-)

"There once was a man from Nantucket..."

And I'm glad I did not meet him!  I just got back from a spectacular 4 day trip to Nantucket Island with some wonderful ladies.  We had so much fun relaxing, enjoying some cocktails, and going to see the Savage Brothers play at the Chicken Box for 3 nights!  Amazing!  I could not have asked for a better time.  Although, I wish I could have enjoyed the stroll around the island with Greg, it was still a beautiful time.  I look forward to enjoying it next year with him.

The Chicken Box

The Island  

Take a moment for yourself

I was listening to Pandora on my phone and the song "My List" came on by Toby Keith.  Although, many dislike country music, the message of this song is huge!  You need to start living life because you just never know when it could be your last day.  Think of all the things you want to do, achieve, see and enjoy!  Imagine, the chance is taken away in the blink of an eye.  I encourage everyone to live like there is no tomorrow.  Make your own list of things you want to do.  Some call it a bucket list perhaps, whatever you call it, do it, live it, enjoy it!  Take these lyrics and read them and make them your own and believe me, it opens your eyes to a lot of things. 

"Like go for a walk, say a little prayer

Take a deep breath of mountain air

Put on my glove and play some catch

It's time that I make time for that

Wade the shore and cast a line

Look up a long lost friend of mine

Sit on the porch and give my girl a kiss

Start livin', that's the next thing on my list

Put an extra five in the plate at church

Call up my folks just to chat

It's time that I make time for that

Stay up late, then oversleep

Show her what she means to me

Catch up on all the things I've always missed

Just start livin', that's the next thing on my list" 

(Cowboy Lyrics - Toby Keith (My List)) 

Image from http://itsenzo.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Your-Bucket-List.png

Raise a little hell, laugh 'til it hurts

Romantic Quotes

I came across these romantic quotes on Real Simple and I figured it's a nice choice for the upcoming nuptials! 

“Once in a young lifetime one should be allowed to have as much sweetness as one can possibly want and hold.”

― Judith Olney

“To love abundantly is to live abundantly, and to love forever is to live forever.”

― Henry Drummond

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same.”

― Flavia Weedn

“Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.”

― Franklin P. Jones

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.”

― Thornton Wilder

“Have a heart that never hardens, a temper that never tires, a touch that never hurts.”

― Charles Dickens

Real Simple : Daily Thought Wedding Quotes

Daily Finds from Real Simple

Here's to another installment of "Daily Finds" from Real Simple! 

Real Simple Daily Finds : 10 Pretty Shirts Under $80

ENJOY!

My indulgence

I love, love, love different hair pins, clips, headbands, feathers, etc.  If I could have 365 of them, one for every day, I would!  Perhaps, one day I will get there.  Etsy is a wonderful place to look for unique pieces and I love just browsing through to see what is out there.  Check out these pieces that really caught my eye!

 Sashiko Stars - Kanzashi Flower Bobby Pins by PetalMix

Portia ... Petite Peacock Fascinator by surreptitioussloth

Silver and Pearl Rosette Hair Pin by beanandthesprout