2009 Year in Review

I'm stealing this blog idea from my friend Colette at Modern Wife. Because frankly I need something to blog about, and I haven't been too inspired lately. It's too frigid outside for me to want to experiment with any OOTDs that don't involve sweatpants, fUggs, and a Snuggie.

Okay, so 2009 started off with a NYE party and a bottle of wine.

Also in January some girls from work had a Golden Girls party. Check out my ode to Rose Nyland. She wore Uggs, right?

February marked our city's annual Mardi Gras festivities. I'm appropriately festive in the blue cardi. And beads. (Not earned honestly)

In March it looks like the only exciting things to happen were eating leprechaun cookies and starting my Macy's wedding registry.

Oh wait! I'm leaving off our annual trip to the Finger Lakes for the Cruisin' the Tropics two day wine tour! 32 wineries in two days is exhausting.

In April my grandmother turned 90 years old! Look how cute she is. She is in slouched/hand on hip position to show her exhaustion at all the picture-taking, but I like to think it's to show off her Italian sass.

In May I had the first of my bachelorette parties and my bridal shower, where I got to open lingerie from my future grandmother-in-law -- every girl's dream.

That night was the bachelorette party. Yes, I was that bride who made her bridesmaids wear matching BM tanks. And yes, my top had the word "Bride" emblazoned in rhinestones. Judge on.

Also in May: I got laid off (well, semi laid off) from my job.
In mid-June I had a small bachelorette #2/birthday party. I turned 28 but it went by basically unnoticed. PSA: do not plan a major life event within a week of your birthday. Because no one cares.

Something else happened in June. Crap... what is it?
Oh yeah. I got married.  Best decision ever.

We took a mini-moon to the NJ beach. The "Jersey Shore" you might say. But less skeevy. No guidos in sight.

In July we went to Pittsburgh to hang out with one of my besties. We caught a Pirates game while we were there.

Also in July I found another excuse to put on my wedding dress by doing a Rock the Dress session with my new hubs and my bff. Check out our "Bride Wars" homage.

Also in July I said farewell to my '00 Sunfire (first ever car) and said hello to my pretty '09 Honda Civic.

August and September were pretty lame. I used this time to hone my wifely Donna Reed/Martha Stewart skillz. I even made chocolate chip cookies.... from scratch!

In October, I returned to my job full-time. Then there was Halloween. Everything else was a blur.

November went by without much fanfare. I did get to visit with one of my oldest friends who on this night asked me to be her matron of honor! I bet she's hoping I won't be such a zilla when it comes to a wedding not my own.

December was busy and stressful per usual. But we got to celebrate our first married Christmas. Yay!

OOTD: They just don't get it

A few weeks ago I picked up this Converse All-Star plaid dress from the Target clearance racks. Having the choice between a rusty red vs blue I purchased the rusty red since blue's too safe for me, and I'm trying to take some "risks" lately. Not knowing how to style it, I let it collect some dust in my closet with the tags on.

Oddly enough my friend D sent me her OOTD Friday. My dress. In blue! I loved how she styled it by craftily using the dress's fabric belt to tie around the dress AND cardi.

Here's my version:

Dress: Target (Converse)
Sweater: Old Navy shawl collar cardigan
Sweater leggings: Target
Boots: Bearpaws in black











Even though I was feeling mildly self-conscious (especially when I compared how much better it looks on D thanks her long and lean frame), I thought, "Eh, just go with it. You're just wearing it to the freaking mall." But then my husband came home.

"You look like a grandmother. That looks like an outfit my grandmother wears to bake in."

Then again, D's husband told her she looked like a farmer.

OOTD: Rainy day neutrals

With some dreary November rain falling outside, I figured it was a good day to wear some dreary colors.

Note: The seaming of this dress didn't work with my new stretchy belt (Kohls), so I lost that and the houndstooth headband before going to work.

What I'm wearing:
black lace cami (old Rue 21)
black empire-waist elbow sleeve knit dress (old TJ Maxx)
gray leggings (Target)
black fUggs (GoJane)
black/cream houndstooth bag (Gap Outlet)

A few of my favorite things

I'm totally stealing the favorite thing list from the lovely blogger of Saltwater Dreams. You can find her list here.


1. DiorShow mascara

In the past year I attempted an experiment to try every drugstore mascara to find my Holy Grail mascara. Since my lashes need some length and curl help, finding one that doesn't go on too wet, or gets too clumpy or flaky, and doesn't smudge throughout the day often found me disappointed and wondering, "Why the eff did I just waste $8?" The experiment ended when I finally chose to suck it up and spend the $24 for DiorShow, a product that was recommended time and time again on the Knot beauty boards. Even with its hefty price tag (it's $72 per ounce, my friends!), it's saving me so much aggravation and money in the long run since I was probably spending that much per month on different drugstore mascaras. Its downfall is the waterproof formula is a bitch to take off at night.

2.  Frizz-Ease Heat Defeat Protective Styling Spray

I'm new to the whole flatiron phenomenon thanks to a changing hair texture. Going to flat and limp to thicker and frizz-prone happened before I knew what was going on. While I definitely love how flatironing my hair looks and feels, budgetary reasons forced me to buy a cheap metal-plated straightener. To give my locks a little bit of protection from the damage I know it will cause, I picked Frizz-Ease Heat Protectant from the shelf. It has a nice smell and smooths out the little frizzies that the blowdryer and flatiron cause.



3. Target Xhilaration Kendra Seude Boot

While I appreciate the lushness of the authentic Ugg boot, I'd much rather buy 5 pairs of Ugg knockoffs for the same price. Enter the Target Kendra boot (available in chocolate, tan, gray, and black). In comparing these to the other three brands of fUggs currently in my collection (Bearpaw, American Eagle, and GoJane), the Target knockoff comes in under the quality of the Bearpaw but much better than the other two. It's sturdy and decently thick, though the footbed could use a little more cushion. I picked this up in the tan color last week, and I'll probably be back for the black and gray in the next few months.




4. Clinique Advanced Concealer

Instead of hiring a makeup artist to apply my wedding day makeup, I turned to my bestie/MOH who is awesome at makeup application. Problem was I had to research and purchase my own makeup. Since I have acne scarring from very old breakouts, I went to the Clinique counter with the idea that I could be matched up with the right colors and know I was getting the most full coverage products I could. One of the best finds was Clinique's Advanced Concealer. It's liquid, but with the warmth of your fingers when applying, turns into more of a powder. It's so blendable and really helps hides old and new blemishes. And for such a wonder product, the $14 price tag doesn't make it too much of a splurge.




5. Leggings

It took me a few years to really cave in to this trend, probably because it was the first fashion trend from my youth that finally swung back around again. But afterall, I loved them in the 80s; why not give them a go in '09? I'm finally learning how to style them. Since I'm quite hippy and because 1/2 of my "new wife weight" has settled to my butt and thighs (::sigh::), I cannot wear them as pants. No, sir. I'm loving leggings with mid-thigh and above the knee dresses and tunics, and with either flats or boots. Plus, they limit the "chub rub" that happens with thighalicious ladies. I'm looking forward to expanding my current collection of two pairs by adding a fun sweater legging to keep my legs extra warm this winter. 


To be continued....

Mad for Plaid

Much to my dismay, I am obsessed with the plaid trend this fall. Lump this in with my newfound acceptance (and daresay LIKE) of leggings, skinny jeans, and flat boots. Note my blog of two weeks ago where I debuted the a.n.a. Denim Legging to see my first plaid purchase (pintuck tunic from JC Penney). Second plaid purchase: Blue/black tunic courtesy of Wal-Mart for $12. I paired it with leggings and my poor man's Tory Burch knockoffs from Payless.

And here is my Halloween costume for 2009. I was thrilled that I had a perfect excuse to wear plaid again! This whole costume only cost $9 (shirt from Wal-Mart again) since I already owned the denim mini (last summer Target) and the boots (Mossimo Kady in Cognac - Target). Hat on loan from a friend.

My First "Winterizing"

I've always been horrible at "winterizing" my summery outfits. But now that I stalk fashion blogs like it's my job, I've gained a new confidence to take some risks.

So, here we have a black cotton shift dress with ruffled neckline from TJ Maxx. I love this LBD. It's insanely comfortable, albeit a bit short in a "Oh no, can't lift my arms up or bend over" kind of way, but it keeps the girls in check, so it's worth a bit of a leggy show.

May 2008 and June 2009

Now here's my late October winterizing attempt. I added black leggings (Target), black fUggs (GoJane), and my new Merona cardigan in Ochre (Target).

Fashion Find: Skinny Jeans

Actually, they're not technically skinny jeans. But that's kind of the allure of the denim legging. Yes, it sounds atrocious in theory. When I first heard the term "denim legging" I imagined something of the acid-washed Jordache variety from the 80s. But other than the fact these babies have no zipper and no functioning front pockets, no one would ever guess they're leggings.

My dear friend Kristen alerted me to these fabulous find last week, and after seeing them on her, I knew I had to have them, plus the stretchiness factor was a big plus. The a.n.a. Denim Legging is available at JC Penney. I got mine on sale for a mere $20.

Because skinny jeans are a pretty terrifying thought for a girl who does NOT have the hips of a pre-teen, I will always wear mine with boots to balance out the "junk in the trunk." And a tunic always helps too. The tunic I'm wearing today is also from JC Penney, and you'll notice the boots from yesterday's blog!

These boots were made for....

I'm not sure what they were made for to be honest, but I LOVE them! This is my first foray into non-Ugg boots (for many reasons, one of which is my wide calves), and I got them for a steal at $30 at Target. While not genuine leather, they are a decent replica. Plus the shaft comes up to the knees and there's decent room for wide calves and skinnies.

Let me introduce you to the Mossimo Kady boot in Cognac. Click here to buy.

And here they are on me paired with a Target Converse All-Star dress in smoke blue color. I couldn't find it on the website, but they should be in the store in about three other colors including gray and black.

 

Who doesn't love $15 sweaters?

It appears it was the weekend of the $15 sweaters -- both Old Navy and Target were offering up the same kind of deal. Though I didn't peak into ON (their sweaters are good for maybe one wear), I did grab up a couple of basic sweaters at Target today.

1. Mossimo Supply Boyfriend Cardigan in Cream

2. Mossimo Sweetheart Neck in Heather Purple

3. Merona Cardigan in Ochre

Amy's 101 in 1001

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizng and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities. Learn more about the 101 Project here.

Start Date:  October 1, 2009
End Date: June 28, 2012

Bold/italicized - Completed Item

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Get Artsy
1. Take a photography class or self-teach
2. Make framed art with calendar or scrapbook paper.
3. Take a course in Photoshop or self-teach
4. Create art for above the bed.
5. Resurface or restore a piece of furniture.
6. Finish wedding party scrapbook.


Get Healthy
7. Work out three times a week for one whole month. (/30)
8. Lose 15 pounds by February 14, 2010.  FAIL
9. Participate in a 5k with my husband. 
10. Eat breakfast religiously for one month straight. (0/30)
11. Drink five glasses of water a day for two weeks. (0/14)
12. Go one week without eating convenience/frozen/boxed food. (0/7)
13. Floss every day for a month. (0/30)
14. Complete 50 push-ups.

Get Cultured
15. Read 5 non-fiction books (0/5)
16. Organize or participate in a book group.
17. Watch all of AFI's top 100 movies (2007 list) (0/100)
18. Go to a live show at our local community theatre.
19. Go to a local festival.
20. Attend a live music performance of someone I don't know who is not famous.
21. Read 10 books I haven't read from 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. (0/10)
22. Attend a concert of someone famous of whom I've never seen before. 

Get Deep 
25. Go to a movie alone.
26. Identify 100 things that make me happy. (0/100)
27. Identify 25 things I like about myself. (0/25)
28. Go to a coffee shop with a book and enjoy the afternoon solo.

Get Domestic 
29. Take a cooking class.
30. Make dinner at least 3 nights a week, two weeks in a row. 
31. Make my dad's amazing spaghetti sauce.
32. Make home made ice cream.
33. Host a party for friends.
34. Take a cake decorating class.
35. Decorate a cake (or cupcakes) for a loved one's birthday.
36. Take lunch to work every day for two weeks. 
37. Try 30 new recipes. (10/30)
38. Cultivate a plant.

Get Organized 
39. Organize car trunk.
40. Clean out pile of wedding gifts.
41. Keep a filing system for important papers.
42. Buy birthday cards and greeting cards to have on-hand and send
43. Organize jewelry with a new storage system.
44 Clean tarnished jewelry.
45. De-clutter the bedroom.
46. Change my name with several places I haven't changed with. 
47. Back up all 2009 photos and start printing/albuming pics since 2005.

Get Rich (or at least get my finances in better order) 
48. Set DH up with direct deposit and auto withdrawals. 
49. Transfer at least $50 to savings a month. (0/32)
50. Create a financial plan with the hubby.
51. Put $5 in savings for each completed task and $10 for every uncompleted one.

Get Generous
52. Pay 10 strangers compliments (0/10)
53. Purge and donate old clothes from closets at least three times (0/3)
54. Volunteer for a fundraiser or organization.
55. Pay for the person behind me at a toll or drive thru.
56. Serve food at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
57. Send 12 cards or letters for no reason at all. (0/12)

Get Social
58. Mail 50 Christmas Cards out before Christmas.
59. Make plans with a new friend. 
60. Call one faraway friend a week for 6 weeks. (0/6)
61. Have a girl's night once every other month. (0/16)
62. Plan a surprise birthday party.
63. Have a dinner date with my husband once a month. (0/32)
64. Have a double-date with friends once every other month. (1/16) 

Get Stuff 
65. Buy a digital SLR camera.
66. Buy a home. 

Get Adventurous
67. Go to NYC.
68. Go to the West Coast.
69. Take a girls only trip.
70. Take a completely impulsive, spur of the moment road trip with husband


Get Habitual
71. Blog daily. (0/30)
72. Declutter house. (15min/day) (0/30)
73. Give up fast food for a month. (0/30)
74. Meditate. (0/30)
75. Photo a day. (0/30)
76. Stand in front of mirror and say an affirmation. (0/30)


Get Random
77. Write a letter to my future self.
78. Drink wine on a boat.
79. Go to a drive-in movie.
80. Re-read The Baby-Sitter's Club books for the first time in 20 years.
81. Get wedding dress cleaned.
82. Pick strawberries.
83. Kiss in the rain.
84. Play mini-golf.
85. Host a theme party.
86. Print off important digital pics.
87. Stay in a bed and breakfast.
88. Color a coloring book.
89. Attend a Zumba class.
90. Surprise husband with a romantic dinner.
91. Take pictures in a photobooth.
92. Send my grandmother flowers.
93. De-clutter my trunk
94. Keep a recipe book.
95. Leave a 100% tip to a worthy server.
96. Throw away old makeup.
97. Make Thanksgiving dinner.  
98. Pay a stranger a compliment.
99. Discover my favorite wine.
100. Be a vegetarian for a week.
101. Get a facial. 

Fashion Find

Tonight I scored myself a new winter-ish coat. Where, you might ask? Rue 21. I know, I was surprised too. I don't mind picking up some funky acccessories or a going out top there once in a blue moon, so I never expected to find almost exactly the coat I was looking for this season. And at a price tag of $40, well, I simply couldn't pass it up. It hits almost knee-length and flares out at the bottom - a girly touch I love.  While looking for  the coat on their website I came across even cuter coats in plaids and houndstooth, which I may hunt down the next couple of months. A girl in PA can never have enough winter coats.

Evolution

While going through some old pics, I happened upon one of the first pictures of me with two of my best friends from 11 years ago at my sister's wedding. For some reason this sparked my imagination to create a quick collage of the three of us (Triple A) over the last decade to email to them.  I'm all about before and afters and "my, look how they've changed/aged/declined/etc" comparisons. Naturally, creating these little collages is right up my alley.

Anyway, after finishing my little project, I stared at it for a little bit, contemplating my own personal aging and look. Simply coincidental that the first and last (2009) pics are both from weddings - my sister's and my own -- just FYI. I must admit I was pleased that I'm not 'declining.' While some people are at their peak of their looks at age 17-18, I was a freakin' mess. The dress was my sister's old formal dress from the previous year, weird grimace, wretched straight bangs.... gah. In 2004 you see a much plumper and rounder Amy -- but at least the hair was 85% improved. 2006 still brings the chubby, but you'll note I wasn't afraid of the smoky eye. Finally I seem to have it mostly together in 2009. I could attribute this to an expensive dress and pro hair, but for now, I'm going to bask in the fact that I'm not declining. I'm like a fine wine getting better with age! Or perhaps I've hit my peak at 28, and it's downhill from here. Either way, I need to roll with it and start appreciating myself. It's been a long time coming.

Follow-up: Skincare

Two words: Product rave. I'm four days in to my Clinique Acne Solutions starter kit regimen, and I am in love. It IS pretty drying, so I recommend an extra moisturizer tacked on to the three steps. But otherwise, my skin is happy and oil and acne free. I really couldn't ask for more. If this keeps up for a few more weeks, I will be Clinique's bitch for life. Between this and their Advanced Concealer -- ahh!  Just tack department store beauty products on to the ever-growing list of merchandise I will drain my bank account for and not think twice about. Where was this stuff ten years ago? :/

Who gets this excited over skincare?

Thanks to some online recs (thanks, F&B and Melissa!), I'm going to try out a new skincare regimen -- Clinique's Acne Solutions line.

For years I've battled (what is this, a war?) wretched breakouts, bumps, and scarring from ten years ago.  Just seems pretty ridiculous that a woman creeping up on 30 is having to worry about this like a hormonal 15-year-old.  In the past year I've tried a crapload of products, and just when I think I've nailed down the best line for my skin, it backfires. I blamed most of it on wedding stress, but I don't have that anymore, so what gives?  I'll be sure to update the blog on the Clinique outcome.

Notorious

One of the benefits about having so many pro photoshoots is having your photographer think you look decent enough to display on a wall!

First up - Here am I on the wall of Krisha Martzall Photograhy's studio in Lancaster, PA. I did a boudoir session last July as a gift to my then fiance. To the right you'll see the sexy legs of my friend Laura. You can view more of Krisha's awesomeness at her website: http://www.krishamartzall.com/

And as part of our city's First Friday celebration to honor the arts, here is a display from my Rock the Dress photographer, Shannon Confair. I'm obviously the bottom two. To the left is my fabulous friend and DOC extraordinare Francesca, and above me is my BFF Alisia, who joined in on my RTD. More of Shannon's work here: www.shannonconfairphotography.blogspot.com

I don't get it.

While hanging out with friends last night, discussion turned to talk about some acquanitances who were recently married. Apparently this couple "changed" quite drastically in personality once married -- they're more serious, less likely to laugh at jokes, don't hang out with their friends often. This isn't the first time I've heard this scenario. It's happened to others we know. Sadly, my husband voiced concern before our marriage that I would change, becoming some nasty shrew.

But I just can't wrap my mind around this phenomenon. How does exchanging vows and rings change one's personality??  There isn't anything in the "code of marriage" that flips a mental switch in the bride and groom. Yeah, I get that *something* changes -- I feel a little more mature, or at least that I *should* be anyway. But I'm me. My husband is still himself. We're the same people we were when we met six years ago.

It's making me feel a lot more self-conscious of how our single friends perceive us now, like they're watching for any noticeable change in us now that we're legally binded. If anyone can explain this phenomenon, or has a similar story, leave a comment.

Parents Album

Click here to view this photo book larger

Wedding album is here!

Sadly, the arrival of my wedding album today will most likely be the most fascinating thing to happen to me this week. Being the little wannabe designer that I am, I loved creating my book - selecting the right layouts and photos, customizing and personalizing to my heart's content... so much fun, and a hell of a lot cheaper than having it done professionally. While the difference in quality in bindings and paper is substantial, I still adore my Blurb book. Here are some snaps I took of the finished product.