The Guy Behind the Blog #2

Hi everybody!  I took a little bit of a blogging break yesterday and the day before because I had a pretty killer migraine.  But hopefully I have it under control again and can catch up on some of the posts that I am behind on.  ANYWAY, enough of that!  Today I am bringing my husband back again to take over my blog for Betsy's "The Guy Behind the Blog" link up.  Every month she comes up with new questions for us to ask our guys, so you can get to know them a little bit better too.  I like this link up because I think it's interesting to learn more about my favorite blogger's lives.  I'm nosey like that.. lol!  This is only my second time linking up.  If you want, you can read the first one here.

1. Do you have a good luck charm or ritual? (like a lucky coin, or you always used to listen to a certain pump-up song when you played sports in high school or college?)
Chris: Julie bought me a ring when we first started dating, kind of like a promise ring. It's a silver band with lightning bolts engraved into it, because she knows I love watching thunderstorms. I really feel strange if I'm not wearing it and I think its definitely my good luck charm.

Me: Awww!!  That ring is almost seven years old and he still wears it every single day!

2. What is your favorite dish that your wife/fiance/girlfriend makes for you? do you have any fun memories of a time when she tried to cook and it totally flopped or does she get it right every time?

Chris: More often than not, it's me that "flops" making dinner.  It's simple, but I love it when she makes spaghetti or ziti.
Me: He's just being nice.  I've "flopped" plenty of times!  And he's a great cook.  He makes coconut shrimp drizzled in honey that are to die for!

3. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Chris: Spider-Man.  Duh!  Or Batman... ok, let's make them fight and whoever wins that's who I'll be!
Me: hahaha!!  I knew this answer was coming.  He's such a HUGE Spiderman fan.

4. Which of the five senses is your strongest?

Chris: Spider-sense.  Duh!  Er.. back to reality.  I'd say my sense of sight is pretty good.  "I can see for miles and miles!"  (That was a Who reference that nobody will understand but me.)
Me: He does have really great eyesight.  I'm pretty jealous about it actually.  I am hoping that my daughter's eyesight will take after his though

5. Would you ever run for president?
Chris: Bahahaha.. bah. Bahahahahahaha.  Wait... seriously!?  No.  I'm not that great of an actor.  I'd just tell people how it is and likely start a war because I'd just tell the truth!
Me: Yeah, I can honestly say that I would never want that job either.  No, thank you!

The Guy Behind the Blog

This is the very first time I am linking up at Heavens to Betsy for her "The Guy Behind the Blog" link up and I'm really excited about it!  I've always enjoyed reading these posts every month but always forgot to do my own.  But I scheduled this one ahead so I would remember. I'm OCD like that.  Anyway, meet my husband Chris.  We have been married for 5 years this July, and together for going on 7 years (and I've known him since I was 13!).  Man, time flies!  I think he's pretty amazing, so I hope you will too.

1. If you could write a book, what topic would you write about and why?
Chris:  I already have a large portion of data written for a fantasy book series with influences from Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Final Fantasy and Harry Potter.  Why?  Because I think I could combine those elements in a way that would appeal to many readers and inspire others.

2. What is one thing on your bucket list, or one thing that you'd like to do or accomplish in your lifetime?
Chris:  My bucket list is to travel the world and see all the sights I possibly can.  More simply, sky diving.
(Me: Oooo, I would love to go skydiving!  Let's do it!!  And travel the world?? Umm, yes please?!)

3. If you could look out your window and only see one view for the rest of your life, what would you want to see?
Chris:  My wife and daughter playing in the sunny back yard laughing and smiling.  Really.  That's all I want.
(Me: <3 <3 <3  Can you see why I love this man?!)

4. Imagine you're opening a shop.  what are you selling?
Chris:  Either a music store (because I'm a musician) or a gaming shop for dorks.  (Because I'm a huge dork!)  Or... maybe a store that has BOTH!  Boom!!  Best of both worlds.
(Me: He won't brag about himself but I will do it for him!  He is an amazing musician who taught himself how to play drums, guitar, bass, and piano!)

5. If you could have 50lbs of anything other than money, what would it be?
Chris:  Comic books.  That was easy!
(Me: hahaha!  I'm almost positive he already has more than that now!)

6. Time to brag on your girl...tell us one thing that makes you proud of your wife!
Chris:  Other than putting up with all my interests (band shows, dork games), I'm proud of her blog!  I am always amazed with how successful she has become and how many people care about her and what she writes here.

 (Me: Aww!  I told you!  Isn't he the greatest ever!? lol)

My Favorite Holiday Movies

I'm one of those crazy people that watches nothing but Christmas movies for the whole month of December.  I usually try to watch them while my husband is working so I don't drive him too crazy, but we have a rule that the 2 weeks before Christmas are fair game.  ABC Family is THE BEST for this too because they have soo many great Christmas movies.  I also own a bunch because I am basically a 5 year old kid in a 30 year old's body. haha!

My absolute favorite will always be A Miser Brother's Christmas.  It reminds me of when I was really little and looking forward to Christmas and Santa.  I love the old claymation movies.

My BIG list of Christmas movies:
A Christmas Carol
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
Frosty the Snowman
A Year Without a Santa Claus
A Miser Brother's Christmas
Muppet's Christmas Carol
Mickey's Christmas Carol
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas
Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas
Nightmare Before Christmas
Elf
Home Alone
Scrooged
The Santa Clause
The Polar Express
Miracle on 34th Street
It's a Wonderful Life
White Christmas
A Christmas Story
National Lampoon's Christmas
Prancer
Charlie Brown's Christmas
Jack Frost
Fred Claus
Jingle All the Way
Santa Paws
Arthur Christmas
Shrek the Halls
Deck the Halls
A Chipmunk Christmas
Love Actually
Four Christmas'
The Holiday
The Family Stone
The Family Man
Just Friends
Sleepless in Seattle
You've Got Mail
Eight Crazy Nights
Christmas With the Kranks
Serendipity
While You Were Sleeping
Home Alone
Die Hard
The Nutcracker
Rise of the Guardians
Unlikely Angel
Holiday in Handcuffs
The Mistle-Tones
Christmas Cupid
12 Dates of Christmas

What's your favorite Holiday movie?
What ones did I miss?  Let me know and I will add them...  and watch them because I'm a crazy person. lol!

Winter Fashion

I am one of those people that make no sense at all.  I HATE being cold, but I love Fall and Winter fashion.  I love all of the layering.  And there's nothing better than being wrapped in a warm cozy sweater....except for maybe laying on the beach....with a tropical drink in my hand...  haha!  I told you, I'm a warm weather kind of girl.

My 5 favorite things about Winter Fashion are:

1. Fair Isle Print

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2. Adorable Coats

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3. Lots of Layers

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4. Tall Boots

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5. Puffer Vests

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Here are some of my Winter looks so far!

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Do you enjoy Winter fashion?  What are your favorite fashion trends right now?

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

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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:

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PLAID:

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OVERSIZED SCARVES:

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LAYERS:

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COMFY SWEATERS/CARDIGANS:

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