BLOGTOBER | Halloween Costume Reveal

This year Paige is being an adorable little kitty cat!

Here are a couple photos of past Halloweens with my hubby!

Starting from the top left: Mad Hatter and the Queen of Hearts-2011, Big Bad Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood-2010. Bottom left: Gangster girl-2009, and ghostbuster, Pirates-2008

 While I was pregnant with little Paige (2012), money was tight so I decided to make myself a costume.  I made it using regular white fabric paint and added the cute little bow because we just found out that she was a little girl.

And this one is from last year.  We could only afford to get Paige a costume, and it's not like we were going to make it to any costume parties with a little one, so we splurged a little and got her this amazing pink monster costume.  Seriously, how cute is this?!

What is your costume this year?  Have you ever made a costume yourself?

Hope you have a great holiday!!

BLOGTOBER | 30 Facts About Me

Well, today is my first day being 30!  I'm not sure how I feel about it yet.  I'm not as upset as I thought I would be.  I've done a lot of pretty cool things in 30 years!  I can't wait to see what I do for the next 30+ years. lol!  So, to celebrate my 30 years I thought I would share 30 facts about me...

1. I've known my husband since I was 13 years old
2. I've lived in 5 different states.  Pennsylvania is the one that has felt the most like home to me.
3. I LOVE owls and penguins.  I'm a little obsessed and I think it wore off on my daughter, because now she loves owls too. lol
4. I can quote every single line from Robin Hood:Men In Tights. haha!  Not sure if I should be proud of that one or not...
5. I am super OCD about applying my strawberry chapstick
6. I am a super big sissy about cold weather.  I'm a summer kind of gal....but my favorite holiday is Christmas.  I don't make any sense
7. My first celebrity crush ever (when I was a preteen) was Indiana Jones. haha!
8. I didn't wear any makeup until I was around 18 or 19 years old.  I've been more of a tomboy my whole life.
9. I have a bit of a shopping addiction problem...I kind of want everything.
10. I hate talking on the phone with people.  I'm more of a texter.  If I have a story I need to tell them I just call but if it's just the usual "hey, how ya doin" then it's a text.
11. I thought I would always want to live near Pittsburgh but now as I'm getting a little older and have been here for so many years, I would LOVE to try another state.
12. I've been dying my hair since I was 15 years old.  I've had black, dark brown, reddish brown, fire engine red, and natural looking red.  No blonde
13. I have 7 siblings. 1 brother, 3 half-sisters, 1 step-sister, and 2 step-brothers.
14. When I was in 3rd grade I carried my Roger Rabbit doll with me everywhere, until my teacher told me I wasn't allowed to bring it to school anymore
15. The sun makes me instantly happier and I tend to feel "down" on cold, rainy days
16. I've suffered from depression on and off since I was 16 years old.  I was also an insomniac from 15- 24 years old.
17. I've always had more guy friends than girl friends.  I'm not really sure why.
18. I can't remember the last time I was drunk...it's been YEARS!  I rarely touch alcohol now.
19. I used to be a dancer: ballet, tap, hip hop, etc.  I miss it a lot
20. Even the sight of mayonnaise makes me gag.  Can't do it!
21. I sing all the time when I'm alone or in front of my husband/daughter but I won't in front of anyone else.  Even though my husband says I have a great voice. lol
22. When I was younger I never ever cried, but now I swear I cry about the dumbest things!  Disney movies even make me tear up.  What happened?!
23. I can't handle the little wooden stick they give you with those ice cream cups or in popsicles ... they make me gag.  I don't know what it is about it.
24. I gave up all coffee and soda a few years ago.  Now I really only drink tea and water.
25. I hold on conversation while I am asleep.  My husband and friends tell me all of these stories. haha!  It's pretty embarrassing
26. I love musical theater!  I've been in the theater since I was 13 and I love it.  I've even painted sets for larger scale productions in Pittsburgh
27. My hands and feet are always cold unless I'm sick
28. I have a HUGE public speaking phobia. I was the matron of honor at my best friend's wedding and had to give the speech.  It was horrible.  I thought I was going to pass out!
29. I don't like ranch dressing.  I know, I'm the weirdest person alive
30. I am fiercely loyal to the ones I love.  I will do anything I can for people.  I have a really hard time saying no.

BLOGTOBER | Things I am superstitious about

Very superstitious....writings on the waaallll.....Sorry, I had to!!  I'm going to have that song stuck in my head for weeks now!!  Anyway, as you've probably guessed by now, today's writing prompt is: Things I'm Superstitious About

//  If I wore a certain jersey/team shirt on game day and we won, then I have to wear the exact same thing for the next game.  If we lose then I'm not allowed to wear that shirt again that season, haha!  Good thing I have a few jerseys and a bunch of tee shirts!

//  If I have a series of really bad days when I am wearing the same necklace, I automatically take the necklace off and refuse to wear it for a while.  I'm kind of crazy

//  Sometimes I go into a creative spurt where I will draw/paint a lot of different portraits at once and I end up being pretty happy about all of them.  When these creative spurts happen I have to use the same pencil/paintbrush for every drawing because it just MUST be giving me some artistic power, right?!  Yeah, probably not..

//  When you see a shooting star you have to make a wish!  And don't tell anyone what it is, or it won't come true

//  Pulling out a gray/white hair will cause 10 more to grow in it's place.  My grandma has always said that, and now that I'm getting older I have some grays and I'm too scared to pull them...so I just dye it! haha

Do you do any of the same things??  Or am I just crazy?!  haha

BLOGTOBER | Who'd play you in a movie version of your life?

This is actually a post that I published back in July but I thought I would reshare it for the Blogtober Challenge....with a few changes!

Have you ever been watching a movie and wondered, if there was a movie about my life who would play me??  I have, and it's not like I have an overly exciting life or anything...maybe I just have a crazy imagination

ME- Mila Kunis
We don't really look alike but we seem like we have very similar personalities (from her movies).  In a lot of her movies she is sort of the tomboyish girly girl, if that makes any sense.  She has a sarcastic sense of humor and isn't afraid to make fun of herself.

MY HUSBAND - Jason Statham
Because, why not?!  I mean, look at him!  But seriously, I have always thought that my hubby resembles him.  He doesn't have the sexy accent though.....but he can fake it!  In all of his movies he has a walk like he means business and so does my husband, Chris.  They both also know martial arts!

MY MOM - Goldie Hawn
Not only does my mom already sort of resemble her but she LOVES her.  My mom has a bubbly, goofy personality when you get to know her....and she's also very found of the "bling". haha!  My mom is always complimented on her smile and that's one of the things that Goldie Hawn is known for!

MY BFF - Zooey Deschanel
My best friend Nikki, is a lot like Zooey Deschanel from The New Girl.  When she gets nervous and/or drinks a little too much, she can not get herself to stop talking.  She rambles and talks so fast that you can barely understand her. lol. She's always optimistic and friendly, and is super gorgeous but doesn't know it or act like it.  Besides, who would not want to be friends with Zooey Deschanel?!?!

Do you look like any celebrities??  Who do you think would be cast in a movie about your life?

BLOGTOBER | Favorite Book

Today is day #25 of the Blogtober Challenge and today's writing prompt is: Favorite Book.

This was probably the easiest post for me to write out of this whole challenge. haha!  My favorite book of all time is Pride and Prejudice.  I re-read it once a year, and I own the movie (the one with Keira Knightley).  I'm a little obsessed.

Not only am I a complete sucker when it comes to a great love story but I also really fell in love with the characters.  I loved Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy's witty banters but also how deeply he loved her.  And of course the moment she realizes she loves him too.  Soooo soo good!  What girl didn't dream of having her own "Mr. Darcy"?!

What is your favorite book of all time?  

BLOGTOBER | My pet peeves

When people talk over me or cut through what I'm saying.  I shouldn't have to continually repeat what I'm saying because you can't contain yourself. LOL!  So annoying!

The whole curvy girl vs. thin girl battle that's happening now.  I'm so sick of seeing memes all over Facebook about how curvy girls are better or about thigh gap.  Seriously?!  Who cares!  Everyone is their worst critic and will always think they have a ton of flaws, but we just need to be happy with how we are.  Skinny, curvy, whatever!  It doesn't matter!  If you aren't beautiful on the inside then none of it matters anyway.

People who cut in line.  Seriously, I waited in this line, what makes them feel like they are so special that they get to skip to the front?!

When people think it's okay to ask "When are you and your husband going to start trying for your second kid?".  Since when is it appropriate for you to ask if my husband and I are having sex or not.  I don't think that's any of your business.

When people try to tickle me.  It's not cute.  I will probably end up breaking your nose if you try.  I don't really like being touched by people I don't know, thanks!

Open-toed booties.  I just don't get it.  If it's too cold to wear flip flops then why would I want my toes hanging out of my boots?  I wear boots because they are warmer and I can wear my comfy fuzzy socks with no one knowing. lol

Do any of these things get under your skin?  What are some of your pet peeves?

BLOGTOBER | Dream vacation

Today is day #21 of the Blogtober Challenge and today's writing prompt is: What is your Dream vacation?  I know exactly where I would go if money was no issue and we had someone to watch the baby for a whole week....  the Ladera Resort in St. Lucia.

This place is beautiful!!  I am a beachy warm weather kind of gal, but I also love a good hike and rockclimbing...sooo pretty much this place would be heaven for me.  Take a look at the rooms:

Yeah, it's like a dream!  As if the hotel itself isn't amazing enough, they have a ton of activities to do there too.  Ziplining, horseback riding, glassboat tour, rainforest tour, etc.

BUT here is the problem, and why I say I would have to hit the lotto for this place to ever happen for us:  it would be almost $8,000 for 6 nights there!  AND that is WITH the promotion that they have going on right now where you buy 4 nights and get 2 free.  Yikes, right??  Also, that doesn't include airfare....uggghh!

Hey, a girl can dream, right??

Here is their website if you want to check it out for yourself... Ladera

BLOGTOBER | What makes you happy

• Acting like a complete goofball with my hubby and baby
• Strawberries - I have no idea why, but they've always been my "happy" food
• Time alone with my hubby
• The way my daughter says Mama
• Headache-free days
• Slobbery puppy kisses
• The smell of leaves in the Fall
• Shopping!!
• Having dance parties in the living room with my daughter
• Singing at the top of my lungs in the car - Sometimes you just have to!
• Sitting on my back patio with a cup of hot tea in my hand, a blanket in my lap, and snuggled up with my hubby
• When my daughter decides to take a nap and I get some quiet time to myself
• Snuggle time with my daughter
• Hiking/Rockclimbing
• Being outside

BLOGTOBER | I'm an expert at....

Today is already day #17 of the Blogtober Challenge!  I can't believe how fast this month is going!  They say time flies when you are having fun!  Today's writing prompt is: I'm an expert at.....

Procrastination! I will put something off until the last possible moment and then completely freak out about it and send myself into a panic attack.  I don't know why I do it to myself, but I do.  Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment! lol

source

source

source

source

I can't be alone in this!!  Is anyone else out there a huge procrastinator like me??

BLOGTOBER | Fall Fashion

Fall is my favorite time for fashion!  For those of you following me on Pinterest you probably already know, but I have an album named "Baby, it's cold outside" just for Fall/Winter fashion.  I'm OCD like that.

LEATHER:

source   |  source  |  source  |  source

PLAID:

source

OVERSIZED SCARVES:

source unknown  |  source  |  source  |  source

LAYERS:

 source unknown

COMFY SWEATERS/CARDIGANS:

source unknown  |  source unknown  |  source

BLOGTOBER | Favorite quote and why

So, last week was a really tough week for me.  Paige decided that she wanted to be a big grumpy butt most of the week, my headaches/migraines have been killing me, and probably one of the worst things ever....my cat is gone.  That is why I took a few days off last week.  I needed that time for myself.

If you remember from THIS POST, my cat was my best friend in the world, and he was my fur baby.  I know there are a lot of people out there that don't connect with animals as much as others do, so I don't expect you to understand.  But I feel like my heart has been crushed and I constantly have the tightness in my throat from crying nonstop.  

With all of that being said, I thought of this quote...

.... sometimes life can get really tough, but I've learned that you have to focus on all of the good things in your life to help you pull yourself through.  There is always something stressful happening, but it's all in how you look at it.  For me this quote means that even when something bad is happening, you still have so much good in your life to celebrate.  And in this case, to celebrate his life....I am so grateful that I got to have so many good years with my little guy.  Especially because I was only promised such a short time with him and he was with me for over 8 years.  I will always think about him and love him with all of my heart <3

Sorry this post was kind of a sad one....but some times it feels better just to write things down.  I'm definitely looking forward to seeing everyone else's inspirational quotes today too.  I promise I will be back to my cheery self tomorrow!  I'm looking forward to tomorrow's fall fashion post.  I LOVE Fall fashion.

BLOGTOBER | Favorite Fall Recipe

Hi everyone!!  It's almost halfway through the month already! Can you believe that?!  Crazy!  Today is day #13 of the Blogtober Challenge over at Helene In Between and The Daily Tay.  It is a month long challenge that gives you daily prompts to write about and link up every day.  Today's prompt is: Favorite Fall Recipe

I haven't gotten a chance to make it myself yet, but my friend had this AMAZING pumpkin dip at one of her parties and I begged her to give me the recipe.  She sent me the recipe via Pinterest and it led back to a lovely blog called Carolina Charm.  I am actually going to be making Thanksgiving dinner for the first time this year, so I am definitely going to make this so people have something to munch on before the whole meal is done.

source

Ingredients

- 15 oz can of pumpkin

- 5 oz box of instant vanilla pudding (just the powder, do not make the pudding)

- 16 oz container of cool whip

- small pumpkin

- 1/2 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

- 1/2 cinnamon

Directions

1. Mix pumpkin, dry pudding mix, cool whip, and pumpkin pie spice together (by hand) in a very large bowl

2. Chill for several hours before serving.  Meanwhile, carve your pumpkin!

3.  Fill Pumpkin with mix.  Sprinkle with cinnamon, and serve with fresh apple slices or vanilla wafers 

Have you ever had this pumpkin dip before??  What is your favorite Fall treat?

BLOGTOBER | Updated Fall Bucket List

Okay so here's the thing.....   I already actually posted my Fall Bucket list in September BUT I thought I would check off the things that I have already done to show you that I'm making progress!

That's not too bad so far, right?!  I've still got quite a few things I want to do.

We just went to the pumpkin patch yesterday, and it was SO COLD!  I had this whole eventful day planned, where we would go through the corn maze, let Paige ride a pony, and eat all of the amazing treats that they had at the farm.  Unfortunately that didn't get to happen.  Not only was it really cold but when we got to the pumpkin patch it POURED down ice cold rain.  Not a good time!  BUT we did get to ride the hay ride and pick out a couple pumpkins, so it wasn't all bad, I guess.

Have you picked out your pumpkins yet?  Is it already freezing where you are??

BLOGTOBER | Favorite photo posted on Instagram

Woohooooo!  It's the weekend!  Oh wait, I'm a stay-at-home mom.... hmmm.  Yayy, my husband is off so I have help!!!  haha!  Just kidding!  It's been a bit of a tough week.  Paige has decided that she no longer wants to take her super amazing 2 hour naps in the middle of the day anymore.  I could cry.  Maybe I'm delirious...?  Her nap time is usually when I accomplish things or just have some quiet "me" time.  I'm going to blame teething...just to make myself feel better and give myself a little hope that one day the amazing 2 hour nap will return.  Please?  I miss you...

Anyway,....  Today is day #4 of the Blogtober Challenge, and today's prompt is: What is your favorite photo you posted on Instagram?

I picked the first photo I ever got to take of my little girl, Paige.  I know, I know, I just spent the whole beginning of this post grumping about the whole no-nap situation, but I can't even begin to explain the feeling you get when they hand you your little one for the very first time.  I felt like I was watching it in the third person as everything was happening but as soon as they gave her to me, the most intense feeling of joy and pride overcame me.

She's already over a year and a half old and sometimes she can be a little terror. haha!  But other times just the way she looks at me makes my heart jump.  Love my crazy little kiddo <3