School Supplies

“Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies.”
– You’ve Got Mail

I used to love buying school supplies when I was in younger. From elementary school through college, I loved the fresh start – new notebooks with clean pages, fun pens and pencils – back to school shopping set the tone for the school year.

Its funny how even though I don’t get to go “Back to School,” the fall still seems like a time for renewal. My bedroom was always super clean on my first day of school. My outfits selected, freshly ironed and neatly hung on hangers. My backpack in perfect order – I knew where everything was.

Now I find myself trying to replicate that in my “grown-up” life and in our house – clean kitchen cabinets, delicious smelling candles and everything in its place. I love bringing out throw blankets and scarves that have been packed away since spring and flipping through fashion magazines to see what the trends are this season.  
 

Even more so this year, now that Joey and I have become our own family, I am so looking forward to embracing the next few months and making new traditions that we carry on for years to come. This is definitely a time of renewal for us and I am eager to see what all of this newness will bring.

Mr. & Mrs.

Well is took six and a half years but Joey and I finally tied the knot. In what now seems like a distant dream, we had an absolutely amazing wedding and reception, surrounded by so many family and friends.

So many people have asked me what my favorite part of the wedding was, and while there are so many things I loved, I have to say that walking down the aisle with my dad, and seeing all the people in the pews, seeing my bridesmaids, and then my soon to be husband….I think it was my favorite part of the wedding. It probably only lasted about a minute, but I can honestly say it was the best minute of my life, thus far.

I cannot wait to show off the photos!! (Patiently waiting on those from my photog……) I know that I am biased but our wedding party looked amazing – especially my bridesmaids! Stunning!

And then there was the reception. What a beautiful party! I hope everyone had as much fun as I did. It was a hot day but it was such a delight to look around at all of the hand fans going and see people with their lemonade in mason jars! I also loved the spiked Tro-Snow which totally demonstrates the creativity of our friends. As a “late night snack” Joey and I decided that Tropical Snow was a must-have at the wedding so our resourceful friends thought that adding a shot would be a nice addition!

We ended the night in the middle of a giant dance circle – which thanks to one of my super bridesmaids, was caught on camera (which I plan to post)! It was a dream! Thanks to all those who helped make it come true! 

Photos to come!!

 

Sometimes nude is better

Over the past few months, there have been a significant number of photos of Duchess Kate and her sister Pippa in nude hose. I for one, love this.

I'm not sure when it became a fashion faux pas to wear them in the U.S. I'm guessing when pale women began wearing a super tan color - thus pale arms and tan legs - not a good look. Or when women started wearing them with sandals - definite no-no. See photo below.

Regardless, I have always been a fan of nude hose because a.) who wants to wear bare legs in the winter? and b.) they just look nice. I'm hoping that the rest of the fashion focused world will catch on and wearing nude hose won't be so taboo.

If Kate can do it, then we probably should be doing it too.

Before or After

Every now and then - something happens that just leaves you at a loss for words...

One of those things happened to me this weekend. I was at a bachelorette party when one of the guests - who I don't know well - looked at me and said, "Does anyone ever tell you...." I cut her off with, "...that I look like Farah from Teen Mom?" I have been told this by several people.

"No," she said. "I was going to say Bristol Palin."

I responded with, "Before or after she rearranged her face."

The girl then went on to talk about how she looks gross now - but never answered my question. So I will hope she meant the better one - which ever that might be.

Pretty Little Liars

I know my television selections aren't overly mature but I can't help it - I get sucked in. 

Very much looking forward to this tonight!

BUCKLE UP, GIRLIES. NOTHING IS AS IT SEEMS. —A

Ramen noodles are the cure all for life

I know this might seem strange but I fully believe Ramen Noodles, the main staple of any college student’s diet - are a gift from the food gods. 

I know somewhere Martha Stewart and that guy from Top Chef are shaking his heads at me but let them disapprove. 

I know that Ramen – especially the original flavor – is a secret .29 cent cure for the following: food poisoning, a hangover, a bad mood, a cold night, when you are broke, a cold, the flu, strep throat – you name it. I have had all of the above and testify before you that a package of Ramen Noodles makes everything better.  

I would be lying if I told you that I don’t keep at least one package around for emergencies. 

Food Wars

EDITOR'S NOTE: I found this post that I never put up and thought I should share it even though it is old. Drafted sometime in March.

I have two funny stories that have to do with food.

Mr. Banana is not my friend.

I brought a banana to work on Wednesday. I am very picky about my banana consumption - meaning I don’t like them to be at all brown on the outside. In fact, I prefer them to be almost yellow-lime in color. Not sure why but it is what it is. Anyhow…I was opening said banana and a part of the inside of the peel flew off and hit me right in the face and left eye!

First of all – I was stunned. Who knew that could happen when you open a banana. To be honest, I thought someone threw something at me from another cubicle. I mean, if a monkey can open a banana without a problem, then I should too.

I went to the bathroom to try and fix the situation and there were banana pieces in my eye – which was also bloodshot and red by this time. Not to mention the pain I was experiencing every time I opened and closed it. I did the best I could with what I had at my disposal – water and a paper towel and headed back to my office.

The pain continued all day. And I’m pretty sure that the projectile banana peel scratched my cornea. You might be thinking – Geez…Ale really has issues with her eyes (See story about my first trip to the eye doctor.)

Or, maybe I should just wear those athletic glasses/goggle things nerdy kids wear in elementary school basketball…  

Only in Milwaukee

Last weekend, there was another giant sinkhole in Milwaukee – this time it was even closer to my house and it swallowed two cars. Sounds safe doesn’t it.

Anyhow, there is a near by restaurant called Stubby’s (not a typo) and to honor this event – which the restaurant is no doubt being negatively impacted by the sinkhole – they came up with this:

"Everything But the Kitchen Sink Hole Burger." It is a towering stack featuring, well, bacon, cheese, chili and a slew of other things - a house salad is in there with a chipotle ranch dressing. There are six different meats (pulled pork, a slice of meatloaf, a one-pound burger, two slices of bacon, one brat and beef brisket).

You can read the full article here: http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/lifestyle/118177294.html

Here is the thing – there are people out there who will eat this. Maybe that guy from the food network that eats all the big stuff will stop by. However, I know one thing for sure – I won’t be one of those people for two reasons. A. I don’t want to eat all that. And 2.) I don’t want to be swallowed up by another giant sinkhole on Milwaukee’s East Side.