just a tribute: to my emotional twin

I am excited to say I have found my emotional doppelganger! Just like me, Kristen Bell cries just as much when she is happy as when she is sad. Her reaction below reminds me a little bit of my reaction with my sisters engagement announcement. I'm surprised John didn't record any of my emotional meltdown!

Enjoy!



just a tribute: to katie and andy

When I first found out that my older sister Katie was engaged, I nearly had a heart attack. I must have experienced every emotion possible in a 30 minute time span, and boy was it exhausting. I went from angry to ecstatic, from ecstatic to sobbing, and from sobbing to laughing. Why was anger my first emotion experienced? I was convinced John had known about this and didn't tell me, however he and Andy confirmed that John was the same as me....out of the loop. I was then totally elated, jumping up and down and screaming like a little girl (living in an apartment, I'm sure all my neighbors were thrilled about this)! Then came the tears (and the one that confused John the most) and I don't know how to put this without me sounding completely lame, but I just wish I was with them to give them a hug. Finally, I started laughing. I laughed because I was happy, but most of all because I was embarrassed at my actions.

So cheers to my sister and new brother, Katie and Andy!!!

p.s. below are their engagement photos taken by yours truly!

just a tribute: to my january birch box

For those of you who don't know what a Birch Box is, it is a website where you pay a monthly subscription and have four to five hand-picked deluxe samples sent to your house. You can also fill out a beauty profile to have products picked and sent specifically for you!

I recently got my first Birch Box in the mail and have so far loved everything I have tried!

Here is what my January Birch Box looked like:

I was so excited when I got it in the mail! It is like reliving Christmas morning once a month!

I haven't tried my all- natural mini LaraBar yet, however I think they would be great to stash in my purse for those times I need to quench my hunger or satisfy my sweet tooth!



 Even though I am 24 I have started to invest in some expensive anti-aging eye creams, which is why it was so nice to have this little surprise in my box waiting for me! This VMH Hypoallergenic Re-Everything Eye Serum is great because it works triple time to get rid of those puffy eyes, dark circles and wrinkles!



To be honest this is probably the item I liked the least in my January Birch Box. However, in all fairness, I haven't really given it a good try because the sample they gave me happens to be in a bright and fluorescent Barbie pink!

I am excited to try this out, I just haven't had the chance because of my beautiful shellac nails that have held up so nicely :) But, I am excited about the beautiful taupe grey color that Zoya Feel Collection has provided!

I'm not a huge perfume wearer, I usually just stick to the daily use of deodorant to keep me fresh. However I find this Juicy Couture fragrance to be just the right amount of fruity and feminine and will be a great wear for any big events! 



just a tribute: to shellac nail polish

I recently went and got my nails done for the first time in awhile and after hearing rave reviews, decided to see if the $30.00 it costs for shellac is worth it. Three and a half weeks later I can tell you that it is worth every penny! I have never had a manicure done without the polish chipping at least 2 days later, let alone last 3 1/2 weeks.  Another reason shellac is worth every penny is because there is no drying time, yes, I repeat no drying time! They dry them as you go, so at the end of your appointment when it is time to pay, put on your coat, and dig through your purse for your keys, your nails wont get messed up! When trying to convince my mom that shellac nail polish really lasts, she proceeded to tell me I must not do enough dishes....typical mom response! Needless to say that I will definitely be going back to get them done again sooner rather then later.

Here are some of my favorite winter colors to try:

just a tribute: to new york

As I mentioned in a previous post, Skedouche sweaters were featured on The Jimmy Fallon Show. The best thing about this was that John and I were able to score two VIP tickets to the show! We went for 2 nights and stayed at The Standard where we had AMAZING view of the city!

We also managed to eat somewhere nice without a reservation (granted it was about the 5th restaurant we had walked into). On another high note, we discovered a new bottle of wine we both love... Cono Sur!

The next morning we woke up, had a delicious Starbucks brew and breakfast and headed over to ground zero. I was astonished by the progress they have made on the development of Freedom tower and then John reminded me that 9/11 did happen over 10 years ago (Isn't it crazy how much time has gone by).

Having worked up an appetite from all the walking around we took a cab to Katz's Deli. This is the main thing John wanted to do the whole trip. He had watched a show about the deli on the travel channel and their famous Pastrami sandwiches. He was very pleased with his decision to visit it!

I have to admit, I was a little hesitant to try it,but it was like butter melting in your mouth. I have never tasted meat so tender before in my life!

Finally it was time to head off the The Jimmy Fallon Show! He put on a great show with special guest Seth Meyers and also gave everyone in the audience special edition PS3's!

We couldn't take any pictures in the studio, so this will have to do!

After the show we walked around 30 Rock and Times Square. It is such an amazing place during the holiday season!

just a tribute: to nashville

Because I was so busy over the past few months I haven't had the opportunity to share any of my recent travels with you! First up on my list..... Nashville!

When my good friend Regina moved out to Nashville there was no question in my mind that I would be taking a girls trip out there to visit her! Luckily for me, Chelsea and Savino had the same idea as me.

The trip started out a little rough when our flight was delayed, making it so we wouldn't arrive into Nashville until about 1:00AM. Thankfully for Savino's dad and his frequent travel miles, he was able to book us a room free of charge (what a gentleman)! The next morning (While Savino was sleeping), Chelsea and I got up to meet Regina and take her to work for the day so we could use her car to go explore the "Music City"! First stop was the famous Pancake Pantry, where we enjoyed an amazing breakfast (but unfortunately didn't spot any celebs)!

Next stop on the list was The Country Music Hall of Fame! I have to admit I enjoy my country music, but I am definitely not as big as an enthusiast as Chelsea and Kristen who were in heaven at this spot! Upon arriving to the museum Chelsea HAD to get a picture with the sign, can you even spot her?

The rest of the day was also a huge success, we managed to all get a nice pair of authentic cowboy boots (which by the way might be the most comfortable pair of shoes I own) and have a nice dinner out. We ended the evening drinking wine and watching quality movies such as Step Up 3. The biggest surprise of the night was the I was the last one up. Anyone who knows me, knows that I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. Therefore I considered this night a personal victory :)

The next day was also one for the books! We had a delicious brunch, cooked by Clay, rounded out with delicious mimosas. Then went to Franklin, a small town right outside of Nashville that has amazing boutiques and restaurants. After a delicious oyster meal we went to our hotel in downtown Nashville to get ready for a night of debacle!

Let me just say that Nashville definitely held up to all my expectations and then some! If any of you have not had the chance to go, I would definitely recommend it!

just a tribute: to skedouche

I'M BAAACCKKK!!!

I apologize for my absence but in the span of two months I have been to New York City, Nashville, North Carolina, and Scottsdale. I have also been working 60-70 hour work weeks in between those trips in order to help out Skedouche and unfortunately I have had to put this blog on the back burner. But as I stated above...I'm Back!

Next, I would like to take this moment to congratulate my boyfriend John on all of Skedouche's successes in 2011 season!


Here are just a few:

• Having his sweaters appear (twice) on the Jimmy Fallon Show! http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/video/12-days-of-christmas-sweaters-day-12-122311/1375641 
• The Rosie O'Donnell dancers rocked the sweaters!  http://www.oprah.com/rosie/Rosie-Kicks-Off-Her-Holiday-Extravaganza-Video
• Skedouche sweaters were Barbra Walters favorite gift under$50.00 this year on the View! http://theview.abc.go.com/video/views-holiday-gift-guide-part-2?&clipId=4119510&cid=embedded
• Two of his sweaters were featured on NBCs hit show "Community" http://www.nbc.com/community/video/troy-and-abed-rap-christmas-infiltration/1372231

Congratulations John and Skedouche on a amazing 2011 season!

http://www.skedouche.com/