Sunday Morning

(Totally thought I posted this last week!... so double post day it is)

I love our Sundays. 

Typically they are slow, mostly lazy days filled with nothing big but totally special.

We start off waking up a little late... or maybe early... whenever we feel like! 

Then we go off to our favorite neighborhood diner for breakfast.  We are basically regulars but only our drink orders are regular: Diet Pepsi for him and a Jamaican Me Crazy coffee.

For breakfast, I typically do eggs (over-hard, egg white omelet with cheese and veggies, scrambled with cheese), bacon, sour dough toast and home fries. So much bounty for $4.99!



G tends to get the French Toast special with sausage and steals half of my home fries.



Yeah, it all looks like a lot of food but we typically don't finish all of it and ALWAYS skip on lunch.  Ahhh... a good breakfast!

Then we go home or to the store to get groceries.  And the rest of the day is light cleaning, lots of resting and tons of enjoying our time together.

How about you? 

Pintrest-ed

So I have spent the last... oh, 4 months, gawking at all the beautiful inspiration on Pintrest.

Last week, I decided it was time to participate.

Honestly, I don't have much yet.  Even more honestly, I don't know how people fine SO MUCH STUFF!

And I am kind of a blog slut.  I blog around. I blog and tell.

So if I think I am bad, there must be some real blog ho-s out there :) 

But come visit me and see what I am liking -

http://pinterest.com/tres_chic_life/

Hope you are enjoying your Wednesday!  George is FINALLY coming home and I couldn't be more grateful.  With the week I had, all I want is him.

Tomorrow is our Friday then we are off to Toronto!  Go Yankees :)

Sunday Morning

After days of rain and more in the forecast, the sky cleared as much as it could and Maroon 5 took the stage!

Adam sang and shook-his-groove-thang (while I had a perma smile on my face) for over an hour and it was amazing.  They gave it their all and the crowed cheered for an encore. 

And an encore is what they gave us; they returned with "Sunday Morning"!

Can you hear Geo singing at the top of his lungs??? 

And I am not sorry for the shaky camera... we were dancing to our song :)

Many may have questioned our choice of having "Sunday Morning" as our wedding song.
My response is the same every time: it's romantically realistic.
"Thing just get so crazy, living life gets hard to do.  Sunday morning, rain is falling and I am calling out to you.  Singing someday it will bring me back to you. Find a way to get myself back home to you."

With that, it's Sunday morning and I am going to find my way to Geo!

xo,
S

Thank You McDonalds

I would like to thank McDonalds. 

I know, I know... fast food is the devil (cause so delicious with calories and greasy-goodness) but when they launched the "Any Size Coffee for a $1" promotion... I fell in love and I don't care who knows it!!

So every other morning, I get my large coffee with 2 creams, 1 sugar for a whopping $1.08.

Gooood Morning Sunshine!!

And those 108 pennies that I spend every-other-day seem to make that day so much more enjoyable... like I have something to look forward to... something other than the weekend!

I hope these dollar days are here to stay! 
Happy Friday morning :)

Words of Wisdom

I was clicking through my blog-roll and my favorite wardrobe consulting site, Style Your Life, had this great things-to-remember list that I had to share.

Let's just say, I need to remember #2, 11, 16, 21, 22!  And definitely 21... I have so many things that are "for a special occasion" but everyday is special and worthy of fine things.

What are your favorites? 


1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3.. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone.. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time..
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

P.S.

Check out Worth a 1,000 Words and Est. 2010!... lots of new pics added :)

hugs,
ss

Our New Camera

We got the Nikon d3100!!!!

I have wanted this camera for almost 2 years now.  And after seeing my cousin and his wife use it on their 2-month road trip across America, George wanted it too. 

And let me say, this camera was meant to be ours!

We went to Best Buy on Friday night, with every intention to buy the camera.  And online, it was $600.  When we got to the store however, it was $699 and the lower price could not be honored since online does it's one thing.

You've Gotta Be Kidding.

So George and I hmm-and-hawed for a few minutes then we realize, there is an Open-Item sticker on a d3100 box in the locked case.  So we strapped on our bargaining boots and go to town!

We asked the sales guy if they could come down on price.  He went to ask his manager while we jumped on the iPhone to check prices at Target.  Sure enough, it was $599.00 at Target, which is literally next door.

The sales guy comes back with 10% off.  Not impressed, we ask him if they competitor price match: THEY DO!!!  So the sales guy called over to Target to confirmed the price and gave it to us for $599.00.

SOLD.

Then, out-of-the-blue, George digs deep into his negotiation pocket (like the clothing references???) and say "Can we get the 10% off the competitive price?"

The sales guy leaves to ask his boss and comes back with a big, fat Y-E-S!

So we got this amazing camera for ... wait for it... $569.99!!!!

Why yes, that is a choir of angels you are hearing!

Like I said, that camera was meant to be ours.

Now, we just have to learn how to use it ... haha

So this morning we are walking, going to brunch then off to the park for a photo session :)

Happy Sunday everyone!

An Open Letter to Our Unborn Child

Hi Baby,

Mommy and Daddy love you so much!  You are not even conceived yet but "so much" does not even begin to describe how much we love you.

In December 2010, Daddy and I knew 2011 was going to be a big, huge, exciting year for us.  Yes, we were going to Paris and London, settling into our first home, celebrating our 1st year of marriage and enjoying our last year in our 20's.  But more important that anything else happen in 2011, we were planning on starting our family; beginning with you.

We love you so very much that we decided we had to get fit and healthy just for you.  And since we knew we couldn't do it alone, we enlisted the help of a diet program and would make us lose lots of weight and get healthy in a short amount of time.  But Daddy and I pay $X,XXX.XX a month for the special food.  Daddy has lost almost 40 pounds but me, Mommy,... well, I am struggling to meet half of that.  But I am trying and I will not give up!  And that means, I will be on this plan a while longer.

So we might not be able to give you the best designer stroller/diapers/clothes but we will get you the safest car seat and crib that money can buy, give you a safe house and warm clothes, a full belly and a happy life.

And I might not be able to stay home with you everyday and watch you grow, but I promise I will be able to play with you for hours when I get home and have the energy to keep up with you and everything you do.   

But most importantly, we promise you a healthy family.  You will be healthy and so will we.  And though you might not understand the importance of it now, you will someday.

So Mommy will keep spending an insane amount of money to get healthy.  Cause it is good for us but it's all for you.

Love you so so so much!
Mommy and Daddy.



And to the readers of this blog: I'm not psycho!  I am just desperate to remember the reason I am on this damn diet to begin with... haha!!

Oh What a Day, What a Day...

What do you get when you combine ...

1 Stressful Day ...



+

1 Bud Light ...

+

1 Girl on a Diet ...

=

Ya get a little loopy blogger!

Ugh, who has to find the steadiness to walk off the beer calories.

Have a Molson/Mojito/Margarita/Milk Monday :)

(all images from Google.com)

Tracey's Bridal Shower

I am SO excited for this weekend.  We are going to be insanely busy but at least it's a lot of fun events with wonderful people.

First, tomorrow night is our usual drinks with friends!  Did I ever mention that Geo, his best man and 2 of his 3 groomsman all work together?  It makes it easy for planning our friend events! 

Saturday is Tracey's Bridal Shower!!!  I am very excited to see Tracey step into that "bridal" role.  Similar to me, she has struggled a bit getting that bridal feeling.  Mine hit with my bridal shower... not my dress, not booking the reception but a party celebrating me becoming a wife.  I bet the same will happen for her.

Any how, since dropping some weight which seems to be in my chest, where I don't need to lose weight, I thought I would get a few new pieces for the event.

My outfit consist of a new, light pinky-taupe silk top from Target, black pants that now fit, a simple long gold necklace, gold earrings and a-pop-of-pink shoes...

The shower is at noon and at 4, I am off to Natalie's 6th Birthday Party!

Like her sister, Natalie will be receiving a Fisher Price Digital Camera and a little photo album. 

Then Sunday is devoted to relaxing and redecorating!  Yes, everything in this house is changing.  I don't know why this happened but the muted, beachy look isn't working for this house. 

So my plan:  Classic Style with a modern twist.  I want to keep it simple, timeless and welcoming.  Updates to follow :)

Happy Almost Friday!

Sarah

Life vs. Responsibility

Well, we have some good news. Geo and I can take the trip of a lifetime!

But, here's the thing.  We have some debt.  We have a house.  To be honest, I am worried about my job right now (buy out rumors are circulating). 

Our debt isn't crazy; a bit on charge cards but a substantial amount in student loans.  Our savings is growing but we planned on using that for this trip... or a chunk of it.

So we are torn. 

Pay off the charge cards and be down to my student loans and car payment (we paid off George's car and he didn't have student loans). 

OR

Go to Paris and London or Paris and Rome. 

We could scale back the trip but I'm not too sure how much more we can scale back.  And to be honest, we might never get back there.  Kids+Flying+Europe = An Expensive Nightmare!

We are going to talk to a travel agent and see what else we can do to keep cost down. 

We might wait and pay off the debt and re-save up for the trip but I don't know.  I would like to think we could save enough by September or October but it might be more like next spring:  That's OVER A YEAR AWAY!

Okay, I need opinions and I need them now.  What do we do? 

Pay it off... Get our travel on... or pay it and wait it?

Hope everyone is enjoying the NBC Thursday night lineup :)

Sarah

Long Live the Queen, Princes and Kate

I am unapologetically obsessed with the Royals.

It started here, after a 9th English research paper on Grace Kelly; The Film Star...



And, after her divorce but before her death, I thought Princess Di was almost a saint...

I thought Wills and I were destined to be together since we are exactly 1 month apart.  I guess he had other plans because I woke up on November 16, 2010 to this...

(and, cue my heart breaking)

 

Once I overcame my shock, I started planning a Royal Wedding Day Celebration!

My mom, sister and I have taken the day off from work and are planning our British Morning Tea while we watch the nuptials take place. 

Yes, it's at 6:00 am EST so mom and sister are sleeping over and waking up early to watch the ceremony play-by-play.

I am collecting tea bits and pieces over the next few weeks.  Then planning our menu, which I hope to be very English.

My aunts might come over too.  Maybe the obsession started earlier?  Like birth?

I am sure I will post more about this soon... cause April 29th isn't too far away :)

Anyone else a little crazy for the Royals?

Well, That Was Brief

My last post might have been a bit premature.

I was looking at the stats of this blog and realized most of the traffic was me and George.

And that's okay!  Sure, it kind of stinks to think no one is reading my words, thoughts and ideas but I didn't start blogging for readership; I started so I could be creative again. 

I honestly do not have the most stimulating job.  It's actually quite redundant.  And kind of boring.  And not very fulfilling.  But, it pays the bills!  It allows me to lead a comfy lifestyle for my age!  It keeps me marketable to other employers!  It gets me interacting with co-workers, clients and vendors!  And come on, what else am I going to do with my days!

Writing here gets me out of the corporate mindset and into a comfortable space where I can offer a narrative of my life.

So I am going to keep blogging.  And maybe someday someone will read it and tell a friend.  Or maybe I will just keep writing for myself and dropping present hints to George (let me just say, he did awesome this Christmas!).

So I guess what I am trying to say is, intermission is over and let the show begin!

Pack it up. Pack it in. Let me begin.

As I mentioned here and here, we have a lot of plans for 2011.  And I have no idea why I have this mindset, but I will not start resolutions until January 1st of any given year.

In recap, the resolutions for 2011 are:
1. Lose weight and get healthy
2. Volunteer
3. Be more aggressive with money (savings, 401k, trim monthly budget. etc.)
4. House projects
5. Travel and have more experiences with Geo  (just added this!)

So, it's time to begin tackling that list!  Here we go... I am going to list efforts for my list... because I love lists.

Goal 1: Lose weight and get healthy
Efforts:
- Joined Jenny Craig today (can't wait to tell you about this process... the food better be good!)
- Taking a daily pre-natal vitamin
- Cleaned out our kitchen cabinets of holiday foods and snacks
- Purchased Zumba for the Xbox 306 Kinect

Goal 2: Volunteer
Efforts:
- Looking into run/walk events for a cause that I support and can raise money for and participate in
- I suck.  I need to do more here but it's only 3 days into the new year.

Goal 3: Be more aggressive with money
Efforts:
- Purchased a copy of SmartMoney magazine... haha!  yes, that's an effort :)
- Looking into better life and disability insurance policies

Goal 4: House Projects
Efforts:
- Christmas is put away
- Basement is reorganized
- Kitchen cabinets are cleaned out

Goal 5: Travel and have more experiences with Geo 
Efforts:
- We are going on Jenny Craig together, which will be one heck of an experience!
- Paris in May '11
- NYC or Toronto in late summer early spring for a Yankees game

Not bad for 3 days in, ay?

I think January 15th is the national Resoultions Lost day so we will see how I am doing then :)

Happy Monday!

Welcome 2011!

Last night, I said farewell to 2010 and hello to 2011 with some good food...

My mom and sister...

And that little man I call my husband...



It was mellow and simple and exactly what I needed after a long holiday season.

And yes, some pics are blurry.  This is me trying to figure out my camera.  I'll keep working on it!

But for now, Happy 2011 ... we are going shopping!!

I'll Miss You 2010!

George asked me out on a date last night so we went to breakfast at Simply Crepes this morning.  What a great way to end 2010!  Crepes with eggs and bacon, a good cup of coffee and Geo. 

As we waited for our breakfast, we did our annual month-by-month recap of the year.  It's funny how much took place this year!  So, naturally, I thought I would share our recaps with you :)

January 2010

George looked at a house. 

A few days later, he thought maybe I should look at the house.

I looked at the house.

A few days later, I suggest we put in an offer.

We put in an offer.

Two days later, we were homeowner!

February 2010

We packed.

We made Valentine's dinner.

We closed on our house :)

The next day, we attended pre-cana and LOVED it!

And that same night, we picked up our caterer's dinner sample box, went to our new house, and had, what eventually would be our wedding dinner, our first dinner at our new home. (ya follow that??!)

March 2010

We moved in a snow storm.

I unpacked like crazy.

We sent out our wedding invitations.

We hosted our first St. Patrick's Day Kegs-and-Eggs.

We purchased our wedding bands.

George turned 28.

April 2010

We hosted my sister's 30th birthday party for 30 of our family members and friends.

I had my bridal shower.  

Celebrated my brother's 24th birthday at our new house.

Finalized our wedding plans.

May 2010

I interviewed at a little medical software company the week before and the week of our wedding.

On the 22nd, we promised forever in front of our family and friends!

On the 24th, I was offered the job.

June 2010

I started my new job.

We went on our honeymoon in Cape Cod: Our first vacation alone!

 I returned to blogging and I can't believe how much I didn't know I missed it.

July 2010

House work, house work and more house work. 

Our good friends, Jordy and Tracey, got engaged :)

We celebrated my 28th birthday with brunch, a random wine tour and some outlet mall shopping!

August 2010

We. Did. Nothing.  ... and loved it!

Well, except for house work but we love that, too.

September 2010

George traveled for work. 

Did some "While You Were Out" house updating.

George paid off his car!

  

October 2010

 

We signed on to host Thanksgiving.

We got down to business with decorating the dining room and living room.

We celebrated our 5 year anniversary on Halloween. 

 

November 2010

 

I finally planned for the holidays, early.

We hosted our first Thanksgiving for George's family... all 15 people.

We had our first Thanksgiving in the house and as a married couple!

We gave thanks... for everything.

 

December 2010

We sent out Christmas cards.

We decorated the house for Christmas (which, besides a tree, we never did in an apartment).

We had our first Christmas in the house and as a married couple.

We spoiled each other and our families, for the last time (we are going a different direction from now on)

We slept-in, ate our faces off and survived our family parties.

We had our last date of 2010.

 

Hope your 2010 was as blessed as ours!  Here's to 2011: You have A LOT to live up to :)

Happy New Year!!

xo- Sarah and George

It's Not that I NEEEED Anything...

buuut, there are a few things I would like to get for Christmas, should Santa be reading!!

3 years ago, George and I went a little bit nuts and brought uber expensive bikes.  He loves his.  Mine, on the other hand, KILLS my back.  They never mentioned that, if you have lower back pain, mountain bikes are not for you.  wah-wah.  All in all, I never ever use it.  Anyone want a bike?!

This year, I want to bike with my husband and maybe (just maybe), as a family.  So we have been looking at comfort bikes.  Thicker tires for stability and a bit of  off-roading riding.  High handle bars and I low seat so I am in more of an upright position.  Swooning over a bike... yeah... I am that old!

As most of you know, I am living/blogging without a camera!  We had this one.  It was great, cheap, easy to use and my fault for breaking it.  I would not mind one bit having it again

 

Stella and Dot is my new obsession and I could totally use some vintage-luxe jewelry!  I mean, look at that bracelet... gimme-gimme-gimme!

I have also been dropping hints that I would love a Kelly Green or pink passport cover, a deep frying pan with a lid, a big tote bag to use as a carry-on and socks. 

Yeah, these are big-ish ticket items but I am not expecting any of them.  Er.. well, maybe one item.

What are you hinting at for Christmas? 

Relationships Come...

... and relationships go. Despite age, years together or intensity, the loss of love can sting, burn, cripple and numb even the strongest of people.

I got a dreaded phone call from my little brother (he's 23 and not-so-little) this morning. His girlfriend of 3 years has broken up with him. He is heartbroken.

I find myself crying for him as I write this post; for him, his broken heart and because I know exactly how he is feeling.

This was his third relationship that lasted over 2 years. But this most recent relationship was a different. They made plans. They complimented each other. She was becoming family.

I had a devastating breakup too. All breakups are hard but, similar to my brother's, we had plans and he was becoming family.

I am grateful that my brother turns to me for support. I am a fixer. I have a hard time just listening to problems when there is no solution or no way for me to help. With friends, I can listen and offer support without a problem. But with family, I want to fix and make the problem go away.

Now, I won't be able to heal a broken heart but I can make suggestions on how to keep occupied, how to advance, looking at what lessons could be learned for the next relationship, etc.

But the hardest thing is knowing how much my brother can love. And knowing how hard it is for him to accept love. And worse, how long it takes him to trust. I know he will love again but I hope he can trust again.

No wedding plans today. Just positive vibes out to my brother. BIG HUGS!