"It Seems That I Can't Shake Those Memories"

Title: Lily Allen - "Littlest Things"

Am I the only one in disbelief that we are starting a whole new decade the end of this week? I'm just at a loss. I can't believe it will no longer be oh nine of 0h five. It is crazy for me to think it is finally going to be 2010. I figured what better way to celebrate the new decade then to remember major memories, good and bad, from the past decade.

*Please note that the pictures do not necessarily go with the year, but I just wanted to add pics. 8)

~Me & one of my best friends, A, having a sleepover~

2000

Age: 13

Sat on the couch with my best friend, J, under the covers with a lantern ringing in 2000, in case everything was going explode or lose power or something.

Graduated 8th grade from Private school

Was salutatorian of my 8th grade class.

Went on my first real family vacation to the beach with my mom, sister, and BIL for my graduation present.

Started a public high school

Went to my first high school homecoming with my girl friends.

~Me playing with old best friend's guitar. Mine is yellow and I can't really play yet.~

2001

Age: 14

My sister and BIL got married!

Went to homecoming with a real date.

~BFF's, R, graduation from HS~

2002

Age: 15

Found out that my sister was pregnant.

Struggled with depression.

~Princess at the beach when she was 3~

2003

Age: 16

Went on homebound education to finish my sophomore year.

Got my permit.

Moved in with my sister for the summer.

Took part in a mentoring program and figured out what I am meant to do with my life.

God gave me the best gift, my niece.

~Not long after I got my driver's license, driving my mom's car~

2004

Age: 17

Got my driver's license! Woohoo!

Worked at Panera.

Quit Panera and started working at Bon-Ton.

Met Vito.

~Vito's homecoming~

2005

Age: 18

Vito & I became a couple.

Went on my first trip without my family, my music trip which included riding in a bus to FL, taking a 3 day cruise to the Bahamas, 2 days in Universal, and riding back.

Went to my first prom.

First speeding ticket on the way home from graduation practice. Ugh.

Graduated high school! Woot woot!

Went to Vito's homecoming.

I fell in true love.

Quit Bon-Ton and started working at the bank.

~My prom~

2006

Age: 19

Bought my first car, Norbert.

Had Norbert totaled 2 months later.

Went to my 2nd prom.

Vito graduated high school.

Buying Norbert Jr.

Vito & I went on our first vacation together to Indian Shore FL.

Started community college.

Learning that love can span over 1000 miles.

Cried more tears then I have in my entire life.

Became stronger.

~Music trip in Universal~

2007

Age: 20

My sister graduated with her master's.

Vito came home.

OBX vacation with the family.

Vito's education was taken from him.

~Me and BFF going to Morp at my High School~

2008

Age:21

Quit the bank and started as a secretary.

I turned 21!

I didn't get carded on my 21st birthday at the beach. Sad day.

Became a new mom to the beautiful and playful Zoe Princess.

~Vito & I on my 22nd birthday!~

2009

Age: 22

Transferred to my now college.

Made mine and Vito's first cross country trip to California, staying for 10 days in the LA area and loving every single minute of it.

Spent my 22nd birthday in Disneyland. First time to any Disney. LOVED it.

Went to WV for the first time for a wedding.

Found a new love for blogging and my bloggin' friends.

Well, some years I remembered more then others. Some years were worse and some years were amazing. All in all I am ready to say goodbye to this decade and I look forward to the next!

Happy New Year's Eve!

These Shoes Rule, These Shoes Suck.

I'm in a crappy mood today, but this video never fails to make me feel better.

Please enjoy the oddness with me. 8)

"And The Night Goes By So Very Slow"

Title: Glee(originally by Heart by I'm jamming to the Glee version)-Alone

Back before Christmas for my 100th post I had you lovelies ask me questions. I got so many awesome questions, I broke them into 2 post, SJ Style. 8) Here is part one and look forward to part 2! Enjoy!

Lauren asked...

What is your favorite place you have traveled to and why?

Oh traveling. It is a love of mine. Vito & I have agreed since we got together that we could travel at least one new place every year. This could be either near or far, just somewhere we've never been before. This has lead me to love 2 places that we have made major vacations to.

My favorite vaca took place this past May when Vito & I went cross-country and flew to LA and stayed for 10 days. After the first day lost to jet lag, when we got out and exploring the next day I. Feel. In. Love. LA was so different from the east coast. There was so much to see and do. My favorite part of the trip was going to Disney Land on my birthday. Hi, I was turning 22 and had never been to any Disney establishment. Vito, who has explored all of Disney World, went with me even though he wasn't looking forward to it, stood in line for 1 hour to meet Tinker Bell (my fav), went on all the stupid rides with me, and bought me all kinds of things for my birthday present. Best day of my life. I look forward to going back to Cali and seeing so much more one day especially LA. Maybe even moving there one day. 8)

Vito & I at the Griffith Observatory May 2009. I spy the Hollywood sign!

My second favorite vaca was to FL. We had both been there before but I wanted to see white sand, which lead us to the gulf side on FL. We had only been together for a little longer then a year at this point and decided to take a vacation by ourselves, driving 15 hours to FL. Never again will I drive that long fyi. This vacation, unlike Cali, was relaxed and laid back. We spent most of our time on the beach and enjoying each other, being away together for the first time. It was an adventure and the beaches were gorgeous. I'd go back in a heart beat.

Vito & I in Indian Shores, FL 2006

Brittany asked...

What's the story behind 'Caramel Covered Photographs'?

Well once upon a time there was a princess... no just kidding. A story? Oh Lord I guess I should have one so it would make sense. But I don't. Fail. While in Cali, I wrote a blog for everyone to follow us back home so they could see what we were up to and see the pics as we went. I loved it and wanted to make my own blog once I got back. I kept trying to come up with titles for a good blog. Something original. One night while tossing and turning in the middle of the night it came to me. Honestly it is just 2 favorite things smooshed together to make a title. Caramel is the center of my universe. I'd eat anything with caramel. & I love taking pictures. It isn't an exciting story, but it's the truth. 8)

Me circa 2006 riding the same carousel I rode after my prom (2005), in a white dress, side saddling it. Because all the cool kids ride a carousel after prom.

Meghan asked...

What is your major at school?

I'm a blasted Psychology major and I minor in Criminal Justice. No one ever warned me of how horrible being a psych major is. Thinking of becoming one? DON'T! Psychology steals your life. Take criminal justice. The classes are full of idiots. No lie.

How did you and Vito meet?

Would you believe me if I told you I met him while sleeping over with 10 other guys and I was the only girl? Well you should because that is the truth. Makes me sound like a winner doesn't it? Haha no here is the back story here.

Me, Vito, & Rob at my house before Vito & I started dating. Why yes my shirt says "I'm good in the sack" and yes he is in a sack race. Be jealous of its awesomeness.

I was home schooled until I hit 6th grade. Starting at 6th grade I attended a private school. While there I had made a few best friends. (one of which is still my bff today and I keep in contact with all the rest) One of these friends was Rob. Loved him to death. Once I finished 8th grade, starting with 9th grade I went to a public high school and Rob went to a different high school. Sad but we still kept in touch and he was still my best friend.

Rob is on the left followed by Vito, Me, and Ex circa 2008

So Rob would have a party at his house for his birthday in which everyone slept over. Since I was the best friend and his mom loved me, I was the only girl allowed to stay over too. Well during his party in 2004, I saw this guy walking around talking to different guys but we didn't cross paths but I knew I didn't know him. The party went on, shenanigans ensued, and by 4 in the morning I was laying on the floor beside Ex trying to get some sleep in the computer room. There were 2 guys, one of which was the kid I didn't know and the other was E, a friend I did know, in there promising to not let anyone mess with me while I slept. While tossing on the floor I heard unknown boy say "You know you shouldn't sleep with gum in your mouth, you will end up with it in your hair." All I could think was wtf? So I told unknown boy that I didn't want to get up so he gave me the cap to his soda bottle for me to spit out my gum in and he threw it away. I then asked him what his name was and he told me "Vito". In this group the guys often called each other by their last names so I asked him what his first name was. He repeated it and I was confused. Too little sleep does that to you. I finally understood and went back to sleep. Later after waking up I complained my back hurt from sleeping on the floor. He offered to give me a back rub, it was amazing because back rubs are a way to my heart plus he made Ex jealous. Perfect night. This is not the start of our relationship for we didn't see each other again for 4 months, but that is a story for another time. 8)

First pic taken together in 2004 at the meet up 4 months later. It would be another 4 months until we made it official. Please excuse our middle fingers and my hideous face. Thanks.

Mar asked...

What's your favorite song of all time?

Oh no. I can't answer this question. I don't have a favorite song of all time. My favorite songs change from week to week. Usually you can tell what my favorite things to listen to at the time by what are the songs at the top of my playlist on my ipod. I always like to listen to them first so they are always on top. At the top of my slow songs list, I have a few A Fine Frenzy songs, Ben Harper, Lifehouse, Trading Yesterday, Blue October, The Spill Canvas.. For my rockin' out list: Jimmy Eat World, Theory of a Dead Man, Skillet, RHCP... For my drive list: Elbow, Bethany Joy Lenz, Jet, Steve Miller Band...

So much music. Sorry I don't have a direct answer. 8(


Me at the aquarium in 2006 . Penguins are my fav.

What are you most proud of in your life so far?

I guess there are 2 things. First a not so serious one is that I am proud I sucked it up and got a tattoo. I've always wanted one. Like for years but my mom hates them so she refused. I had to wait and then I started dating Vito. He hates tattoos. He was being a jerk about it but it came down to my choice. It is my body as all. He accepted my decision and actually loves my tattoo. I am proud I went through with it being as how afraid I am of needles and still freak out when I need a shot. Not only did I do it, I didn't cry. It was a proud moment in my life.

My one and only at the moment. My sister paid for it as my 20th birthday present. Awesomest Sister ever.

For a more serious answer, graduating high school. It is something I thought I'd never make it through. I hated high school and all those people who said it would fly by so fast lied. High school took forever and the day I graduated was by far the best day at that school. Not because I didn't love the people there, but I just hated being there.

My Sister and I 2005.

Sarah asked...

If you were a popsicle, what flavor would you be?

I asked Vito this question because I wasn't sure how to answer. His reply. "Tomato, because every lick is good for you" He's a freak, no joke.

I'm thinking I'd be one of those multilayer-ed popsicles that change flavors throughout since I have many layers to me. It would definitely include strawberry and watermelon.

Me on my 20th birthday at the Inner Harbor. Why yes I can make a hamburger hat awesome.

Who would you consider your hero, and why?

I guess I have 2. First off is my sister. She is almost 10 years older then I am and not only is she my sister, but she is my best friend and like a mother. She's always taken care of me, she's taken me in when I needed her to. She never questions when I need help, she is always there. She's the strongest woman I know. She worked full time, had a baby at home, and was still working on getting a master degree and found time for everyone in her life including me. She is raising my niece to be the best. I hope to grow up like her one day. She inspires me on a daily basis.

My sister and I in NYC 2009.

My other hero is my grandfather. This man makes my life. He is quiet and never really talks about himself so I honestly do not know much about his past. He'd rather listen to what everyone else has to say. He is always good for a laugh, never fails to make you smile. After 76, he is still a young kid at heart and I admire that. He'll go out of his way to help anyone and I love him with all my heart.

Me, Pop-Pop, and Princess for Christmas 2009.

Alice asked...

If you could live anywhere in the world other than where you live now, where would you live?

Oh goodness, anywhere but here. I can't wait to get out of here. As far as places I have visited, I'd love to live in Cali. I need somewhere warm, doesn't get too cold, and no snow. I'd love to live outside of the US for a little while. England or Australia or somewhere cool like that. I'd love to live by the beach too. The beach owns my life. No lie. I look forward to moving someday and I can't wait to find out where it will be! 8)

Vito & I in the Inner Harbor 2007

These questions are fun and fabulous. I will have part 2 up soon hopefully! If you have any other questions, please let me know! I love answering these!

Cookies for Santa

On Saturday, I was suppose to meet up with my sister and her SIL but when I woke up to this, I realized my plans were going to be changed .


(Pic taken the next morning. Think we got enough?)

So I took advantage of the empty house after I shoveled the driveway all by myself to do some wrapping after I got warmed up.


Since my cookie plans were canceled, I ended up baking cookies by myself with Vito helping on cleaning up. He's the best seriously. What other man do you know that would wash all my dishes in between each batch? Love him real big. I made 6 different kinds of cookies and I have pics of 5 of the kinds. I'll let the pics speak for themselves!





Wish I could send you each some. They are scrumptious if I do say so myself!

What's your favorite cookie(s) of all time??

10 Holiday Eating Tips

I found this list over here and thought you would all enjoy it!

10 Holiday Eating Tips
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat step #3.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello!

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table--like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa--position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over. But hurry--January is just around the corner!


P.S. Please don't forget to ask me all the questions you want to know about me!

Oh Happy Day!

So there is 2 things to celebrate today while I'm stuck at home on the couch sick. Awesome right? At least it is not over Christmas, I'd rather get it out of the way now.

First of all, I have 21 followers. Little ol' me. Hi followers, old and new! When I first started this blog, it was just something to do. I've never been good at keeping journals because I'll write for awhile but then I stop for months. I actually made a blog for when Vito & I took our Cali trip back in May so everyone could follow our adventures. After getting back I misses blogging, so then I kept thinking about it. One night while I was lying awake with my mind racing (I have a slight case of insomnia) I thought of the title for my blog and started it the next day. I never thought I'd make friends or people would find what I had to say exciting or funny or could relate. I'm never one to like being wrong, who does? but this time I was and I'm happy about that. So thank you for reading me!

Secondly, this post is my 100th post. The most posts I've ever made anywhere in a journal or my old school Xanga. 100? How could they have come that quickly? I only started to make posts in July and here I am already at 100! Woot Woot!


I've been thinking for a few days now what I would do for my special 100th post. Then while browsing all of your blogs it hit me. I'd copy off of your inspiration that seemed to have gone well for some of you.

So here I am and I want you all to ask me questions. Anything you want, I'm an open person. I've loved this idea on other blogs because I think it is fun to get to know everyone. So please, ask as many questions as you desire and I promise to answer every single one in following posts.


So what are you ladies waiting for? Ask away!

Happy 101

I'm super excited to have been nominated for another award! Makes me feel all warm and special inside. 8)

The lovely Brittany over at Tales of a Southern Belle and her Beau sweetly nominated me. Are you following her? You should be. Please take a break from reading my blog and head over there now. You won't regret it. Plus if we like you enough, maybe you can come to our special super duper parties we will one day throw. Seriously, she's fabulous and never fails to make me smile. I love her real big even if she does break my Christmas rules.

This award is meant to be awarded to bloggers that make you smile. :)

The Rules:

1. List 10 things that make you happy.

2. Tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day.

10 Things Making Me Happy:

1. My love, Vito. He never fails to make me happy. He goes out of his way to do whatever he can just to put a smile on my face. Never has a day passed by where he doesn't tell me he loves me and how beautiful I am to him. Never has a day passed by where I haven't thanked God for putting him in my life.

2. My beautiful niece. Haven't heard me gloat about her enough? I could go on and on. She is the sunshine in my life and no one on this earth means as much to me as she does. My life would not be the same and I owe that to her. She came into this world when my world was dark and light up my life. Her hugs, kisses, and "I love you Essa" makes everything better.

3. Music. I do not go through a day without it blasting. Morning, noon, and night (literally while I sleep) music is always on. It has gotten me through some rough times. I love to sing and hopefully one day I'll learn to play an instrument.

4. Finding a lovely sale. Nothing like saving money to create happiness. I'm a poor college kid, I need every penny.

5. Starbucks. They never fail to make me happy. In the winter or the summer. Nothing like getting a good drink and having long chats with friends.

6. Christmas Cards, sending and receiving. I literally squealed when I received my first one yesterday in the mail.

7. Having such a close relationship with my sister. She's the motivation that backs me and someone I constantly look up to. Even though we are 10 years apart, it doesn't seem like that. She's one of my best friends and I can't imagine life without her. No one understands you like your sister.

8. Christmas parties. I just had one last weekend at my grandfather's house. It was small but spending time with him is always wonderful. Tonight some friends and I are going out to dinner to celebrate before things get crazy busy. Nothing like this time of year to bring everyone back together.

9. Wrapping presents. I can't tell you how excited I get to wrap. I get all serious, put on my Christmas music, get out the ribbon and start curling! It is serious business and I do it when I'm not going to be interrupted. It is a peaceful time for me to get into the spirit.

10. Finally being done with finals!!!!!!!!! Knowing it was not my finest semester in my academic career, I am just glad I survived with all passing grades.

I can't believe I can only pick 10 blogs since all of you make me smile, but I'll follow the rules if I must.

Sarah from The Color Plaid

Mar from Sketches from a Twenty-Something Life

Alice from Alice's Shenanigans

Meghan from Optimistic and in Denial

Anna from The Way I See It

Amanda from Amanda's Musings

Elizabeth from E Tells Tales

Alex from Always Alexandria

Jenny from Bits & Pieces of My Life

Vienna at Living in Your Letters

These ladies are fabulous and never fail to make my day better either on here or on Twitter. Check them out and enjoy their wonderfulness like I do!

"To Reminisce Won't Bring You Back"

Title: Avenged Sevenfold - "Until The End"

I'm the type of person who adores taking strolls down memory lane. I'm the person who holds on to anything I find sentimental value to because one day I'll look back and remember the fond memories.

Now I'm a whole 22 years old (old, right?) so I spent most of my time growing up in the 90s. I stumbled upon this blog a few months ago and read it daily because it never fails to make me smile. It's called Children of the 90s.

They post about different fads in the 90s and I love reminiscing over the old times.

They've done posts anywhere from movie that turn into cartoons, like Casper, Dennis the Menace, and The Flinstones.

The beloved Golden Girls

Creepy toys, like the Furby (mine looked just like this one!)

The macarena Is this song now in your head? You can thank me later. 8)

These posts are good stuff. If you love the 90s like I did or just love to reminisce and get a big kick out of the stupid stuff that was around or the amazing TV shows that use to grace our TV, check it out! I promise they cover the good, the bad, and the terrible.

"So Go On, Go On Be Your Own, Go On Be Your Own Star"

Title: Blue October - "What If We Could"

After much contemplation on the Twitter situation I finally made my decision. Feedback varied from people not caring for it to addicted people, some telling me to get it and some telling me FB is way better. Well, I broke down and got one.

I'm still learning. I must admit, it is pretty fun. We'll see how long it lasts. 8)

On another note, it is finals week. BLAH. So posting will likely be light this week due to devoting my life to the gigantic load of work between tomorrow and Friday.

Lastly, to the ladies I'm sending Christmas cards to, they will be out in the mail this week! They are made out, I'm just waiting to get stamps tonight so be on the look out!

xoxox

"It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas"

Oh, let me tell you a story to introduce my little, actually long post.

I hate public speaking. With a passion. I'm that person who stumbles over their words, gets flustered, blushes, plays with the rubber band on her wrist, and frequently say "uhm" when I lose my train of thought. HATE PUBLIC SPEAKING.

I've had to take 2 speech classes in my life. First in high school and then in college. To say it was torture would be sparing you my true feelings about it. While in my college class, they made us give the typical speeches: Narrative, Informative, and Persuasive. We could pick anything under the sun for our topics. I was struggling on what to pick for a persuasive speech. While driving home from work one night inspiration hit. Christmas lights. Let me just tell you how perturbed I get about Christmas lights. This spawned a speech on how I believe there should be rules for Christmas decorations. It was a hit.

Everytime I drive, I critique people's decoration. One of my dream jobs would be for people to let me decorate their houses for Christmas. It would make me happy to say the least.

So here is a list of rules I think should be implemented for Christmas Decorations. I apologize now, I wanted to go around and take pictures of the idiots' houses I see on a daily basis, but I didn't think they would appreciate that so I must use internet examples.

1.) Decorating for Christmas before Christmas season officially begins should be a sin. I think this stems from a few separate facts. First, I worked retail. I started decorating Christmas trees the beginning of September. It ruined it, seriously. Second, I like to enjoy each holiday as it comes. I love turkey day and want to enjoy turkey day. Black Friday is the official start of Christmas season and seeing people's decorations out before hand is annoying.

2.) No house should ever look like the house from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. You know what I mean? Like this.

Trying to light up the neighborhood is unacceptable. I shouldn't see the eye-sore called a house 3 miles away. It's tacky. Can you only imagine what their electric bill is like?!

3.) This would be the opposite of rule number 2. These are the people who do the most minimal decorations ever. You know the ones that only put out a light up deer and that is it. It is like they want to decorate but forgot to finish. The deer looks out of place. Either decorate a bit more (not to the extent of the above picture) or don't bother.

4.) This rule is for the lazy decorators. If you are going to be lazy, don't decorate. I'm talking about the retard trees.

This can be seen on trees or bushes when people haphazardly throw on some lights but do not bother to make it look normal. It drives me nuts.

5.) Have a theme. If you are going to have color lights, awesome, have color lights. If you are going to have white lights, then have white lights! Don't do all white, then add a smidge of color. It turns out looking like this.

The tree must be bleeding? I don't get it. It looks totally out of place. Themes are important people!!

6.) Decorations from the 80s should stay in the 80s. This includes huge blubs and plastic light up figurines.

I mean, really. By the way, who needs that many Santa's in their yard?! The one picture I really wanted to show you is a house I see on my way home from work every day. This house as a plastic nativity scene set out in front of their house. Now I love me some Jesus so I ignore that fact that it is plastic... but on one side with the wise men, there is a plastic church that sits behind it. Okay, a church that kind of makes some sense? Then on the other side behind the cattle and the shepherds sits Frosty. Now I've gone to church for many a years and read the Gospels many a times and never did I ever see any mention that Frosty came to see baby Jesus in the manger. This person brakes rules: plastic figurines and no theme. What a mess.

7.) Lastly, my most hated thing. These have been a fad for the last few years and I can't help but want to buy a BB gun and take care of every single one of them.

Inflatable decorations. Never in my life have I hated a Christmas decoration as much as I hate these things. I mean look at this yard, Christmas literally threw up in this yard. Clean up is obviously needed here.

And that is it. 7 simple rules. I need to petition to get this going. The world would be a better place. At least for me! 8)

To Tweet Or Not To Tweet?

That is my question at least.

I'm perplexed. So I turn to your ladies, you've never steered me wrong before.

I have a myspace (which barely use) and I have a facebook (which I often use to stalk keep up with people's lives). But I don't have a twitter. None of my friends have Twitter so I pretty much put it out of my mind.

Now I see it everywhere in the blog world and I kinda feel like I'm missing out. Am I?

I'm contemplating getting one but I'm still unsure. Vito is utterly opposed but like that matters. 8)

So tell me, do you have Twitter? Love it? Hate it? Tell me to get it or stay faaaaar away.

P.S. I am still getting together my stuff to send out Christmas cards like I talked about here. If you still want to receive one, send me your address!! V5L2T4 @ yahoo . com

Shop Til You Drop, Or Get Too Grouchy To Go On.

Oh Black Friday, you've come and gone all too quickly. To say it was fabulous would be an understatement.

My sister and I started out at midnight at the outlets about 40 minutes away, got a few articles of clothing. Nothing too exciting. My big purchase from the outlet was these beautiful babies:

Cute boots. These aren't the exact ones, but close enough. I got a pair this color from Nine West. I think I'm going to return them for the gray pair. I'm undecided.

Original Price: $ 59.99
BF Price: $19.99
Plus 10% coupon

After braving the rain and the crowds, we headed back toward home and stopped at a 24 hour diner to eat breakfast at 2:30 am and finished making our game plan. After breakfast we headed over to Kohl's which opened at 4. We only waited in like 15mins. We didn't have anything really big we wanted to get there. This was my main purchase:


A new pea coat. I needed a new one for the winter. Simple and classy. The way I like it.

Original Price: $160.00
BF Price: $50.00
Plus 15% coupon

After waiting in line for awhile at Kohls, we headed over to Target, since it opened at 5. Oh Lord, this is where it got ugly. The line was enormous. I mean really, hundreds of people. I know this because they handed out bags to the first 500 people in line. The 500th person was no where near us. Once they opened the doors it literally took 12 whole minutes until we got inside. It was mad chaos. I ran for the GPS, but 2 people told me they were out. Liars. My sister found them. Target was our main store. Here are my favorite finds:

Fuzzy Blankets. No one should be without a fuzzy blanket.

Original Price: $39.99
BF Price: $19.99

GPS. This was the main thing I wanted this year. It is going to be a gift from my mom to Vito and I. It is really for me because I'm the one who always gets lost.

Original Price: $249.99
BF Price: $98.00

New season of OTH. Must have. Obvi.

Original Price: $44.99
BF Price: $13.00

New season of GG. I'm hooked. Thanks ladies.

Original Price: $44.99
BF Price: $13.00

After rushing around to find all of these great things, I tried to get in line. To say that the line was atrocious would be an understatement. It took me 15 minutes to find the end of the line. The employees were pushing clothing racks out of the way to make more room for more lines to weave in and out of the departments. They kept calling over the system to say look for the Cat and the Hat employee (she was wearing the hat) to find the end of the line. It got soooo bad another line randomly formed, they forced them to merge into our line, which made us mad. Then the Cat and the Hat girl couldn't find the end of the line anymore. Awesome right? No. We waited in line for another 30 mins and came near the front of the store... before it was about to loop the whole way around the outer loop. Yeah no, we weren't having it. About 8-10 other people started jumping into the cashier lines and my sister decided we should too. We jumped in line and a employee came up and started yelling at my sister and I, standing in front of our cart telling us we needed to get out of this line and get back in the other one. Now no one tells my sister what to do. They had a mouth battle. I was angry because this man wasn't saying anything to anyone else who jumped in line, just us. RUDE. He finally gave up and went back to do his job, and we saved another hour of our time. Was it the right thing to do? Nah. Would I do it again? Yup.

After that experience we went to the mall around 7. This is the only thing I picked up:

For the wino in me who doesn't like to use the manual wine opener. This thing is a blessing.

Original Price: $39.99
BF Price: $16.97

The mall was a bummer. After we left there, we headed to Best Buy/Bed Bath & Beyond/Ulta.

Mmm I love shower gel. This stuff lasts forever and smells yummy. I got Ginger Bread and Berrylicious. These were a steal.

Original Price: $14.99 per bottle
BF Price: $13.98 for 2 bottles
$3.50 off coupon.

We finished up there, decided to ditch Wal-mart (which I was glad, I DISPISE Wally World), hit starbucks and we were done. 9 1/2 hours of shopping. Here's the main damage minus a few things in my sister's trunk yet:


Dear Black Friday,

Come again soon. You may be a pain but your sales are totes worth it.

Love,
Vanessa a.k.a Now totally broke