Homecoming with my sisters

Oh homecoming season!  Today I spent the afternoon watching my niece in her first homecoming parade.  It brought back so many memories. And I got to thinking. My last homecoming was 25 years ago.  WHAT!!  I know I am old but when I put a number on it, it completely freaks me out.

So 25 years ago, I was a senior and finally on the drill team.  At 17, I felt like all my dreams had come true. I tried out for my junior year and didn't make it.  And I cried like a baby. My goal since I was about ten years old, was to be on the high school drill team.  One of the main reasons was because my sister Linda became my trailblazer and made the team her senior year.

I felt like a celebrity because, my sister was on field in front of all of our town.  The entire town saw her each week performing and she was my sister.  I remember seeing her in her uniforms each Friday and was in awe of her.  

When I floated home on a cloud after getting the announcement that I made the team, I was so excited to let her know and then to show her. My chance was homecoming.  She and my very pregnant sister, Barbara and my niece, Marisa flew back home to spend the homecoming weekend with me and my mom.  When I was ten, all my siblings had left home and had their own lives so they never really came to any of my school programs, etc.  Their decision to fly from Dallas to see me, was the coolest thing they have ever done for me. I was so nervous knowing they would be at the pep rally, parade and the game.  I wanted to make them proud of me.

It dawned on me that I had never told them how much it meant to me and how to this day it makes me happy when I remember that time.  Today it brought it all back: the butterflies, the excitement and the fun. So to my sisters, thank you for making me feel so special by taking the time to be there for me during one of my milestones.  Today's theme is sisters.  Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

Doctor Doctor

This summer has come and gone and the last time I posted something was in July. Where the hell have I been? Well not dating anyone that's for sure.  Haven't even met anyone. Shocker, I know. Honestly, I have been sick.  I have felt horrible all summer.  I have no idea what is really wrong with me.  Part of it is a bad allergy attack but there is something else and I can't put my finger on it.  I'm exhausted all the time and I am beginning to feel like Dorothy on Golden Girls when she was sick and the doctors couldn't find anything wrong with her. I've missed my Zumba classes because I have absolutely no energy. I go to work and then come straight home and lounge on my couch because driving wipes out all my energy.  Plus the reason I know that something is up with me is because I have never been so diligent on eating healthier.

After a couple of trips to see my doctor, I did find out that I am Vitamin D deficient so I am taking a huge dose of Vitamin D (500,000 mg) but still feel like poo.  Oh did I mention that I had my blood tested for West Nile too?  I'm not overreacting, it's that I work in a hot zip where they are spraying and I have been bitten several times.  It's been two weeks and I am still waiting on my results.  Fingers crossed.

All in all, I am just a big ol mess.  My 42nd year really has not been super but I am being positive. I have to keep telling myself that I will not have West Nile and that I will start feeling better. I need to feel better. I wanna live!!

I will try my hardest to get back on the blogging track. Today's soundtrack theme is doctors. I've seen you too many times and need to stop meeting like this.  Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

A Great Day with Family

Today was a really good day. Unlike my 4th. I ended up getting sick yesterday so no Independence Day fun for Julie. Wah!  It was spent drinking gallons of Sprite and stuffing my face with crackers.  I was in my jammies all day, didn't brush my teeth, take a bath or put on my contacts. I was miserable.  I have no idea what made me sick.  All I know is that I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Now this morning I felt like a human again.  Not 100% but at least I wasn't dizzy or nauseated.  That was a huge step for me.


As I mentioned, it was a good day.  I spent the day with my youngest niece, Gabble.  That is one of many nicknames that I call her. We had lunch at our favorite place, Pei Wei then headed to Target for a little shopping and then a spur of the moment movie "Madea's Witness Protection".  (Don't judge us).  We had a great conversation and she always surprises me with her wisdom.  


Spending the day with her made me kinda wonder what would happen if my life would have been different. You know - marriage, kids, carpools, the whole enchilada. Then I realized that I am so not a grown up yet.  I don't feel like one. I might not even act like one.  I'm a great faker. I could win an Oscar for the role of a lifetime.  All in all a good day.  Today's soundtrack theme is family. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

Summer TV - Turn It On Again

I loves summer TV. I remember being a kid during the summer and there was nothing but reruns on prime-time TV.  It was okay for awhile but then it got SO boring. But I don't count the daytime reruns because I loved me Addams Family, Father Knows Best, Good Times and Happy Days.  Those were our go to shows. 


It's taken awhile, then huzzah! Some of the cable stations realized the good scripted shows still matter during the summer.  And who does it best?  Well in my opinion, it's USA Network. I am such a huge fan of their line up. Here are my favorites and why.


1. Royal Pains -Hot, smart Dr. working in The Hamptons.

2. Common Law - Two hot cops in L.A.

3. Necessary Roughness - Beautiful, smart psychiatrist treats hot athletes.

If you're not watching these, give them a shot. Each of the shows is funny and smart. Go on, what more do you have to do?  Loved to hear what you think of them.  So for today's soundtrack, our theme is TV. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

Today My Life Begins

Hello!!
Soooooo, I'm not lost.  I've just been pretty much a bum. The only things I've done is work and go to Zumba class.

True be told, I've been kinda down. It took awhile to figure out why and then it dawned on me. A couple of months ago I declared that I would no longer hope or pray to meet someone. After 20 years, I was tired and depressed of not seeing a result.  Hence declaration time.  I felt like Michael Scott.

After my declaration, I was okay with it. Truly I was. A few weeks later, guess what came creeping in?  Sadness and maybe a little despair. But what was making me sad?  I'm not that bright so it took about another month to realize that I was sad because I no longer have any hope in my life.

I got to the point where I was just a sad sack. Not slashing my wrist sad but just really sad and blah. I had no motivation for anything.  Then light bulb! My declaration backfire and slapped me in the face.  A person can not be okay without any hope in their life. I need hope, we all need hope. 


I've been scared to really to acknowledge it but man, it feels good to get that out in the world. Now it's time to live. Time to bring hope back in my life and get back in the world.  I am putting it out in the world - I want to meet my soul mate.  I am ready to meet this dude and get to living. So today's theme is hope and living. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!

Julie

Where have I been? Honestly, I've been just working and going to Zumba.  Not a lot of excitement going in my life.  Actually kinda boring. The most exciting thing is my new vacuum purchase.  I bought a Hoover Elite Rewind.  It is complete greatness.  With my squatter, it has been a miracle.  It is the best purchase I've ever made.  Wow, I've embraced my middle-age.

Wait, one major thing has happened.  I turned 42 at the beginning of May!  I still don't feel like a grown up even though my last paragraph was about a vacuum cleaner.

Okay that's all I got today. I've been under the weather so I'm gonna make it short and sweet.  Today's soundtrack is going to be random because I can't really think. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

I lost 3 pounds! Boom! Boom!

I love going to my Zumba classes.  If I could go every day, I would.  Heck I think I would like to even run a Zumba studio.  How much fun would it be to help people reach their goals and to get them healthy?   As much as  I love, I still  pretty much suck at it.  I feel like a stripper that has 2 left feet. I really wish I could But I still love going because I come out sweating like a ho' in church.

I started going in December and so far I have lost 3 pounds and I can tell a difference in how my clothes are fitting me.  The love handles are now infatuation handles. Next up, getting the top of my thighs to stop touching.  I think I am up to the challenge.  3 pounds doesn't sound like a lot since I see all the commercials that advertise losing a ton a weight by taking a pill and not doing a damn thing.  Okay, they don't say damn but that's the basic jist.

Anyhoos, 3 pounds is pretty good especially since over the last 2 months or so, I have been in love with cupcakes. Maybe it's lust?  Either way - yeah for cupcakes! So much so that I've been making them, taking them to work and making everyone partake in my new obsession.  But that is coming to a halt.  Now I just have to stay out of the nice little bakery down the street.

Okay kids, today's soundtrack theme is Zumba.  Our instructor has some great music and it just makes me happy. Enjoy!

Did you ever see Dance with Me?  Loved it!!!

Ah Little Richard - the Architect of Rock 'n Roll!  Woo!!

 
Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

Mr. Clark you're a 98

Dick Clark passed away today and my heart is sad.  I knew he wasn't doing well but it's still so sad. At 12 noon on Saturday afternoons, my face was in front of our TV.  Our family's Saturday morning ritual was to have our entire house clean so that we could be ready to watch Bandstand.  We had our favorite lunch (white bread sandwiches with bologna) and our favorite show.

Man, I loved that show. I always wanted to be a dancer on that show. Admit, you wanted that too.  I wanted to dance on top of the tiers. I wanted to wear Yo-Yo's and jeans with the monogrammed pictures on the back pockets.  Man, I was a dreamer.

I loved everything about it: Rate -A-Record, the Spotlight Dance and my favorite, the dance contest during the summer. One of my favorite memories was seeing Prince (with his perfectly coiffed hair and big earring) perform "I Wanna Be Your Lover".  I loved that song. I trusted Mr.Clark's taste and he didn't let me down with that one.

This how ingrained that show was in our family.  Back in the 70's, there was a dancer that looked like my sister's boyfriend, Mr. X (at least we thought he did). So for years, we always called that dancer, Mr. X.  Tonight I am watching the CNN coverage on his death and they are showing Bandstand footage and there is Mr. X. I called my sister and told her what I was watching and to guess who I just saw.  First thing out of her mouth, "Mr.X!"

And who can forget the Pyramid? My sister's would play as a team and were actually pretty good.  I think they earned about $1million. That ticking sound always made me nervous. When the contestant made it to the winner's circle, boy howdy were we glued.  Now that was some good TV.

Wait, I almost forgot one of my favorite shows, American Dreams.  It was on NBC back in 2002.  Oh, I loved the Pryor family.  It's a shame it only lasted 3 seasons.  I miss you J.J. Pryor!

Today's soundtrack theme is for the oldest teenager, Dick Clark.  Mr. Clark, I rate you the highest; a 98.  Thank you for bringing us great music and TV shows.  Thank you for being a constant in my young adolescence life.  No matter what teenage drama I was having, you were the one thing I could always count on.  Heaven will be rockin' now that you're there.

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

Money Grabber

Tax day is 4/17 and I just finished mine yesterday. I normally do not wait until the last minute but there were some circumstances from last year that made me have to actually go to a real person to have my taxes done as opposed to doing them online (for free) as I have done for years.  It dawned on me that this was the first time that I had to hire a professional and for the first time since I was 15 that I was not going to use a 1040EZ.  Boy did that suck!  Sometimes I hate being a grown up. After all was said and done, I ended paying $175 to have my taxes done but one the bright side, I am getting a pretty decent refund. So woo hoo for that!  It was a happy ending but getting there was pretty scary.

I'm all ready making my list of what I am going to buy. First thing's first, I am buying a new vacuum cleaner.  My old one sucked up a cat toy so it's pretty much useless.  I was all ready looking for a new one anyway since my slacker sheds like there's no tomorrow.  There is one that want but it's like $500 and I just can't bring myself to pay that much money for a vacuum cleaner. I like nice things but I just can't do that.

I shouldn't complain that I had to pay for the service, it just threw me for loop. Hopefully next year I can go back to being just a normal Joe.  Today's soundtrack is based on my taxes and me dolling out a bunch of dough. Enjoy!

I'm gonna Stir It Up

It's been another week down and not a lot going on here.  Just the same ol thing. No major change to report.  Well one thing has changed and maybe it could be considered major.  I started to do a little cooking. If you don't know me, I am not much of a chef.  Okay honestly, I have no idea how to do so. I can make pasta and a dang quesadilla.  I pretty much eat like a child (oatmeal, grilled cheese, PB&J & smoothies) and I rarely do I spend much time in my kitchen.

But this past week, I started venturing out.  I've been trying to eat healthier so I decided to buy some yellow squash and zucchini.  I remembered my brother-in-law making this easy, delicious dish and I copied it.  Super easy: slice up the veggies, cover them in olive oil and pepper and then put them in the oven for about 20 -30 minutes.  I also made a nice little chopped salad with cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes and spinach.  This is my new thing. I am in love with all my salads be chopped.  I don't know if it's laziness because I don't have to cut up the salad but it's fantastic.  But I cheated on my main dish, I bought a frozen pizza (it did have chicken and spinach so it was somewhat healthy).  The veggies were like butter.  Even now, I am drooling.

Then the 2nd act that shocked my kitchen was that I made cupcakes for our family's Easter lunch today.  I made vanilla cupcakes with four different toppings: vanilla frosting, chocolate frosting, vanilla frosting with coconut flakes and then chocolate frosting with coconut flakes. As I am typing this, I am kicking myself for not getting a picture of them. They were delicious, at least I thought they were. I believe I ate 4 of them, of course I stopped counting after my 2nd one.

My goal is to eat better and that means learning to do a little more cooking.  So challenge accepted. Today's theme is cooking!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

If I Could Change the World

Last night I went to a screening of Hunger Hits Home. It's going to be shown on 4/14 on the Food Network.  Mark that on your calendars folks.  This is a real problem and there are solutions. Okay, I'm off of my soapbox.  Sandra Lee was in town to host the screening and shared her story with us. She told us that her family lived on food stamps and welfare. Here is someone that proves that the system works and it doesn't have to be a cycle. One thing she said really stuck with me.  And that is that she isn't ashamed to let anyone know about her situation.  It was so great to see someone that had a similar background as me and is successful and has not forgotten how she got here.

Back to the film.  It focused on three families around the country (New York, Texas and Virginia) and their struggle to get good, healthy food on the table and to get food at all. It also featured three heroes that are doing something to make a difference.  One of them is Cheryl Jackson from Plano, Texas. She runs Minnie's Food Pantry, a 501 C3 non profit agency. This lady is amazing. She has devoted her life to feeding people that are struggling. And she is just as sweet as can be. Cheryl was at the screening also. I had a chance to meet her and thank her for doing what she does for the community.

Driving home, it got me to thinking.  Thinking about one incident that happened to one of my family members. This person told me that when they were 14 years old and the summer they didn't have anything to eat. I was so completely shocked by this story.  To this day, it breaks my heart and can't imagine how that sweet 14 year old wasn't able to get what they needed.  I still tear up thinking about it.

Believe it or not, you probably know someone that has gone through this or is going through it now.  I am not hear to preach or tell you what you should do but to bring awareness to the fact that there are so many kids that are going without food and/or not getting a healthy meal.  I hope you get a chance to watch this special. It really opened my eyes. It made me so thankful for what I have and realize that I can do something about this. What am I gonna do? Well, I am going to spread the word about this film and look into some volunteering.  Today's soundtrack is hope and change.  Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

Times Like These

This weekend, I got a free preview weekend of Encore and Starz.  Lots of free great movies and what do I end up watching?  I watched "Working Girl" twice.  I am such a goober. It is so 80's and I love it.

One of the things I love about that movie is how Tess (Melanie Griffith) uses her day-timer.  I've had a fasnication with those lovely, wonderful tools for as long as I can remember.  I've worked with a day-timer since I was 16.  I actually still have it.  Truth be told, I have every single one of my old day-timers. No, I am not a hoarder.  (Please don't turn me into TLC - I promise, I am not one of them).  I have them all packed away nice and neat in my closet. There were times that I was too lazy to keep a journal, so it was a nice way to keep up with my life.  So many memories: great, sad, scary, funny, the good, the bad and the craziness. Bottom line, I love my day-timer.

One of my favorite things to shop for, is items for my day-timer.  Actually I am a bit obsessed with it.  I just bought a new notebook about 2 months ago and it's Pink!!!  Even though we live in the electronic age, I still love using my old fashion, handwritten day-timer. I use it all the time, for work, personal, etc.  I love to check off my tasks and see what I've accomplished in a day.  Yeah, I'm weird and I'm okay with it.

My very first day-timer. 1986 - holy cats!!

My current day-timer.  Love the color!!

Today's theme is time. Don't waste it and enjoy every moment of it. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

Happy Anniversary to me!

There was a major milestone for me yesterday.  March 28, 2012 was my one year anniversary at my job.  Woo!!Hoo!!  Happy Anniversary to me!!!  I celebrated with some really good cupcakes.  Honestly I think that yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting is just about the best thing ever.

2009 - 2011 were not the best years of my career life.  I survived two lay-offs in 2 years and about of 13 months or so of unemployment. Thank you God!!  It was a tough, horrible experience and I wouldn't wish it on anyone not even my worst enemy.

I have been so lucky at this job and wake up every day happy to be there.  One thing that I think about almost every day, "I get paid to do this! How sweet is this?"  Being a publicist isn't curing cancer but I get to work for a place that makes people so happy.  I don't have a job, I have but a career I love.

Since this is my only anniversary, I am going to rejoice in it.  Today's theme is my anniversary. Enjoy!!!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

Sugar Sugar

Holy Cats!
I am soooooo tired. Over the last month and a half, I have made a commitment to attend at least 1 Zumba class a week and 1 day with my trainer.  Actually there have been weeks where I have done 2 classes a week and training.  I've stuck to it and so here I sit exhausted but feeling good about myself.

I am starting to see a difference except my belly.  I can't seem to lose that gut.  I've always had a belly even as a kid.  Plus it would help if I would stop eating cupcakes.  Society Bakery is walking distance from my office so it's so easy to take a break and grab a sweet, delicious, sugary, awesome yellow and chocolate frosted covered cupcake.  Droooooollll!!! I have a weakness for all things sweet.

I think today's theme should be sweets.  I heart it and I'm not sorry that I do.  Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

I drink alone

I made a big decision in my life.  It's been something that I've been thinking about for the couple of weeks or so.  It's a big step and I am not sure if I am gonna regret it but here goes.  For the last 10 years for so, I have been praying pretty much every day to meet and marry the man of my dreams.  And no dice, not even close. My decision: I am gonna stop praying for it.  I've lost faith on that aspect.  Maybe I am just not meant to have anyone? It's not easy for me to do this but I think I have to face the reality.  I just might be on a solo gig.  The world is my stage and I am on it alone but still fabulous. Now if I could just get a make-up and hair person to follow me around at all time.

What if there isn't anyone out there for me?   All my years of single-hood, I've never had anyone say to me "I have the perfect person for you".  Not one!  Nor I don't remember the last time I had a date or the last time I met someone that I truly connected with but I can remember all the goobers, creeps and jerks that I've dated over the last 10 years.  It's a long, sad list.  Actually, it's a list of depressing dates. I don't wish that on anyone, not even my enemies. So goodbye online dating, you've been completely worthless so suck it!

It's time for today's theme. Going and being solo.  Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

My Mommy

It's been 23 years since I lost my mom. I don't want to remember the day we lost her or all the pain we felt. I want to remember some of  the good times in her life.  In her honor, I am using the color purple because it was her favorite. And this soundtrack is for my mommy. It's the music and TV shows she loved. The TV show soundtracks bring back so many great memories of us in our living room watching these shows.  It's funny, I was just a kid but I was watching these soaps with her.  It was one of the things that we bonded over.  And now that I am looking at the music, I think my mom dug her some bearded men.  Who can blame her?  Hope you enjoy the tunes!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

Smash - And not the TV show.

I have decided that I would like to start a Smash Book.  So for the last 2 1/2 hours, I've been at my laptop looking up ideas and have yet to move from my couch.  Now if I could just get off my butt and do it.  I have boxes of memories that I saved over the last few years and I would to finally do something with it.  And this looks like something I can do.  I am not sure if I want to spend the money on it so I am going to try to make my own. Wish me luck!

Thanks for reading my blog.

Freedom!

Today was a very liberating day for me.  I believe I've shared with you that I had a falling out with a friend last year.  Actually it will be 1 year at the end of April. I've pretty much moved on but this past week I took a big step in completely moving on with my life without said "friend".  About 3 days ago I had decided that it was time to make it official and de-friend this person on Facebook.  I mentioned it to another really good friend that I was going to do that and then I just let it stew, however I didn't do it. But something happened today that made me change my mind. It's such a long drawn out story  and I don't want to bore you with it but I will say I did indeed de-friend this person, removed any pictures with that "friend" and removed all tagged photos with that "friend".  I was kinda nervous when I started doing it but by the end, I felt stronger.  After I finished, about an hour later I started to cry.  But I put my big girl pants on and completed the day.

It's really hard to admit when you make a bad choice, whether it's an outfit, date, haircut or friend.  I thought this friendship was real and that I would always have this person in my life forever. Heck, for a while I thought this person would stand with me when I finally got married.  But it seems that I put more effort, love and caring into this friendship. It was more lop-sided but I didn't realize it until these recent happenings. Time is will heal my wounds and I will find a better friend.  I am now free to move on from this whole mess and enjoy my life.

As they say in those cheesy movies "Live, live damn you!"  So I will. So today's soundtrack theme is freedom. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

This weekend was So Emotional

I am still processing the fact that Whitney Houston passed away this weekend.  And it's not shock that she passed away, because let's face it, we all knew she had some major problems. But it was a jolt to my system.  It made me so sad to think that she chose those substances over her daughter. I can't understand it at all. But who am I to judge?

I was sad when I heard the news but it was listening to her music that brought me to tears.  I kept choking up as I heard it.  Then of course I started watching her videos and the floodgates opened up.  So many of her songs brought back specific memories.  As you guessed it, today's theme is the one and only Ms. Houston.

11th Grade 

We're at a speech tournament in Canadian and in the hotel room when this video pops up.

12th Grade

My 17 year old heart was so conflicted between 3 boys.

Junior year in college: 

My friend Sam loved this song and always called her "Whip Me Houston".  

Senior year in college: 

Oh my song to my college boyfriend (just like everyone else).

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

Don Cornelius: Love, Peace and Soooouuullll!

What!  It's been over 2 weeks since the last time I was here? I usually have so much to say but the last but lately, not so much.  The last few days I have been feeling my age. And mainly because of the death of Don Cornelius.  It made me so sad that he took his own life.  Just a shame.

When I was younger, we watched Soul Train when we were in Dallas visiting our big sister.  They didn't show American Bandstand so it was Soul Train. And for me, it was a hard transition because I needed my "spot light dance" and "rate-a-record".  But soon I began to get into the greatness of the Soul Train line and the Soul Train Scramble Board.

A couple of years ago there was a great documentary on VH1 about the show called "Soul Train: The Hippiest Trip in America".  It  was really interesting. I love learning about the history about any thing that involves music. If they run it again, I suggest you check it out.

As you would expect, today's theme is Soul Train.  I hope you enjoy the music as much as I do.

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

9 to 5 - Not really but loving it

As usual, not a long going on in the personal life.  Nothing on the dating website front. It's scary as usual. What's new with that?  But I have found 2 websites that have helped me pass the time away.

http://shitgirlssay.com/ - I hope you don't get offended by this but hi-larious!
http://pinterest.com/ - So addictive!  Wish there was more time in the day to read everything on this.

Working a lot but loving it.  Our company opened a beer garden and restaurant right next door to the theater about 2 weeks ago. Someone asked me if it was going to be tough to work for 2 venues?  My answer - Heck no, it's job security.  After 3 lay-offs, it's a blessing to have a job.  So bring it on.  I am excited when I get up in the morning and head to work. I thank God every morning that I get to do so.

Today's soundtrack theme is working.  So happy that I am. Woo!!  Enjoy it!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie

I live with an Animal

The other day my friend at work, Tobi (but I calls her Tob's) were talking about our pets.  We both have male pets. She has a dog name Belvedere and of course you know my squatter, Oliver.

After about 10 - 15 minutes we came to the following conclusions.  Our male pets are the equivalent of really bad boyfriends.

1. They only sleep with you when they want to.

2. They poop and smell your house and don't even spray any air freshener.

3. They don't have a job.

4. They sleep most of time.

5. They leave a huge mess i.e. shed like no body's business.

Our lesson here is the only way we will accept this type of behavior is in pet. Maybe that's why we these little fur babies so that we know what not to accept in a relationship. So for today's soundtrack, the theme is pets.  Enjoy!

Thanks for reading my blog!

Julie

Fashion Monday

Let's hear it for shopping. I finally was able to check out the new H&M store at Northpark Center.  I was so excited. I had no idea what to expect.  I purposely didn't go to their website so that I could be surprised.  It was much bigger than I thought.  I made my way through all the sales racks ($5 items - I am gonna love this store) and then took my time through the regular priced items. And what a bonanza.  I found some really great items. All for about $50 and bonus, nothing was sale so that means, this little chica will be able to shop there so much more often than I thought.  Here's my loot:

Gonna try to wear a flower - channeling my inter Carrie Bradshaw.

Looks kinda plain but really cute.

This is black cardigan but I took a crappy picture.

For today's soundtrack, it's fashion. Enjoy the tunes!

Thanks for reading my blog.
Julie

I am not Under Pressure

It's a new year!  Happy 2012!!  Woo! In the years past, I would have my entire apartment cleaned (from top to bottom), all my laundry done and everything would be organized by the the first of January. It usually took me 2 - 3 days and I would be so exhausted from doing it. I've always felt like if everything wasn't in order, the rest of my year would be a mess. I know it's a silly thought but that is just something that's always been with me.  But this year, I made a huge decision. I decided that my New Year's Eve home project would not be this year. The pressure has been lifted. I can't tell you how much better I feel. I am not in a mad rush, I am just being.

It feels good to just be. Don't get me wrong, my apartment isn't in shambles but it's not in the Martha Stewart perfect order like I would normally like it to be. No pressure, just living. Along with my big decision, I decided to hold off on my resolutions. Just like everyone else at the beginning of the year, I am a big talker but then get a little sad when I don't keep them. So I am going to start off small. Don't know what they are yet but I am giving myself until the end of the week to create my small victories.

Here is to not putting pressure on me and my life. So for today's soundtrack, the theme is pressure (or the lack of it). Enjoy!!!

Thanks for reading my blog!
Julie