Butterfly Kisses

Fashion Find!

2010-08-01T12:18:00.000-04:00

My friend Robin invited me to a party that sells My Thirty-One. This is the first time I've ever heard of the products and would have really liked to go but I have to work. Robin is hosting the party for a friend of hers who is trying to raise money to adopt a little girl. She already has two boys that she has adopted from Ethiopia. The products are really cute and trendy. They remind me a lot of Vera Bradley but for a fraction of the price! You can also personalize your own trendy stationary. Check it out!

If you like what you see, go to Kim's website and check out the other products My Thirty-One offers. Not only will you find great stuff for you, your family and friends but you'll be helping out a great cause!

Ciao!

YOUR Vote Is needed!

2010-07-26T16:09:00.000-04:00

What can I say? I have some amazingly creative friends! My friend Ashley is spending a month in Alaska while her husband is there on business and has taken some really amazing photos like this one...

You can see more gorgeous photos like this one documenting her Alaskan journey on her blog Dolce Vita! And while you're at it, don't forget to vote for Ashley on Shutterfly's Summer Freedom Contest. You can find her entry here. Thank you in advance on behalf of both me and Ashley! For a rookie photographer who just does it for fun, I think she deserves to win!

Ciao!

And Then There Was One...

2010-07-24T18:19:00.000-04:00

Some of you may know that this past Spring nine Guinea Hens wandered over to Dreamwalker Farm. They were one of our neighbor's Guinea Hens and they decided one day to pick up and leave and search for greener pastures. Those pastures happened to be ours. However, as time went by the Guinea Hens began to disappear one by one. We can only assume that foxes probably took care of them. But one has still managed to survive. We call her Gracie. And this is what I see out my back door every day...

Gracie often comes to my back door to admire her reflection. Of course, she thinks that she's seeing another Guinea Hen, but obviously she is really just looking at herself. In an attempt to get their attention, she spends a lot of time pecking at the back door. When she's not at the back door, she is admiring herself in the hub caps of our trailer. It's rather humorous... when it's not annoying! Today I decided to go outside and snap some pictures of Gracie...

It didn't take long before she was rather annoyed, or perhaps felt threatened, by my presence...

And then she started yelling at me...

Needless to say, it has been quite the experience having some foul around the house. It will be interesting to see how long she is able to avoid her prey... so far so good!

VOTE NOW!!

2010-07-20T19:37:00.000-04:00

Hey everyone, check out my friend Robin's fabulous nursery she and her husband, Bryan, created for beautiful Baby Jacob!

Robin has been named a finalist in a "Best Nursery" contest over at Sweet Charli's Boutique & Blog! Please head on over to the site and VOTE NOW!!! Don't waste any time! Robin deserves to win! :)

Ciao!

It Won't Be Soon Before Long...

2010-07-19T23:52:00.000-04:00

Wow, can't believe I went a whole month without posting... Whoops! Since I got home I've been ridiculously busy with working at the hospital, jumping back into Avon, wedding planning and, of course, catching up with family and friends. I humbly apologize to those of you who have been following for leaving you all hanging for the last month. However, I hope you all enjoyed reading about my amazing journey through the country of Italy. What an unbelievable adventure! But, I still have so much to SEE! Even in one month I couldn't cover everything! Northern and Central Italy ~ Absolutely breathtaking! Southern Italy ~ It won't be soon before long... and that's a promise!

So, now that I'm home... what's up next for me? Well, I still have a blissful six weeks before it's back into the grind of nursing school. Other than working at the hospital, I hope to spend lots of time with family and friends, hopefully take a couple trips to the beach and catch some rays by my in-laws' pool. Oh, and of course wedding fun - I need to fit it in while I still have the time to do it! I will definitely make sure to post more frequently with lots of fun summer pictures! Oh and... I have a super fab secret that I can't share just yet so I will just have to leave you all in suspense for now...

P.S. For those of you who noticed, my title definitely comes from one of my favorite Maroon 5 album titles. I just love them! And because I love you so much, check out the video of one of my favorite songs off that album via YouTube below! :) Ciao!

What Home Means To Me.

2010-06-18T05:21:00.001-04:00

A couple of months ago I was introduced to the website Pin Interest via Ashley at Oh What Fun and sfgirlbybay. The website sounded really neat and I loved the idea of sharing "What Home Means To Me" with everyone. For those of you who know me, you know that when I move into a new place the first thing I want to do is make it my own. Whether it was my dorm room in college or my very own apartment, I would stay up until all hours of the night getting things organized and decorated. In fact, the very day I moved into my last apartment, I had it set up and ready to go by 7 PM that night for an impromptu birthday party for the fiance! So, naturally the idea of creating a blog post all about this very topic was just perfect for me!

At first, I pictured myself thinking a bit more outside of the box. I didn't want to go room by room and just show you the things I would put in it. However, as I began to look for my next home with the fiance, I found myself getting excited over that very idea - the furniture, the artwork, the organizational tools, the bedding - all of it began to excite me and before I knew it I had pinned more than 35 pictures! So, without further ado, here is my literal translation of exactly "What Home Means To Me."

~The Living Room~

I see lots of throw pillows, artwork and a fabulous rug...

Photos via Target, Rita Zaudke, Veronica Tronoski and Bridget Davies.

~The Kitchen~

Space, lots of cabinets and a baker's rack - oh my!

Photos via Target and Elle Decor.

~Office/Man Cave/Music Room~

I see a desk, shelves, artwork for his interests and artwork for hers...

I actually envision this room to be not one but two, one for him and one for her...

For the sake of this blog entry, they are combined.

Photos via Target and KELLY G DESIGN.

~The Bedroom~

Ah, now we arrive to my favorite room... ;)

Artwork, sexy bedding, romance...

Photos via Target and Kohls.

~Backyard/Patio~

Last but not least, we have the great outdoors!

Photos via Target, Elle Decor, and Emily of Hello Self.

So I guess it's pretty obvious that I like Target, huh? Well, what can I say? They've got great stuff for affordable prices! Who can't love that??

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed taking a tour through my home. Please stop by my What Home Means To Me pinboard over on Pin Interest and find out more about what home means to me! As I continue to research homes and prepare to create my wedding registries, I will definitely be adding to my pinboard!

Thank you for stopping by Butterfly Kisses. Please head on over to Ashley's blog ASK on Monday, June 21st to see a completely different interpretation of "What Home Means To Me."

Roma.

2010-06-15T09:31:00.000-04:00

Two weekends ago I spent the weekend in Rome. What an unbelievable city! It's not like any American city you have ever seen! No tall skyscrapers. No grid-like street pattern. Much, much more than that. Lots of squares (or piazza's, as they're called over here). Lots of beautiful art and sculpture. And... LOTS of tourists! For as much as we see them in Philadelphia and New York it is a whole different experience to be a tourist in Rome. And, for as much as I love Italy, I should warn everyone that the Italians do NOT move out of the way for you. So, if you are stubborn and don't move out of the way for them, I recommend you bring some padding because they WILL hit you! Aside from that one negative aspect of Rome, the overall experience was simply breathtaking and I am so glad I got to see all the beauty, history art and architecture that this amazing city has to offer. Below you will find pictures documenting my travels! Enjoy! :)

Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps.

The Trevi Fountain.

The Pantheon.

A Palace.

The Coliseum and the Arch.

St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican.

My friend, Jon.

2010-06-02T08:35:00.000-04:00

Let me tell you about my friend, Jon. He is one of the kindest people I know. He's caring, loving and an all-around great person to be around. He is my confidant. He's trustworthy and good at giving advice and has seriously become one of my newest best friends. We both are in Nursing school together which is how we met. However, we actually graduated from the same high school 5 years apart. When we first met, we learned that we literally lived 5 minutes from each other and that we could carpool to school. And thus, a friendship was born. However, there is something that many people don't know about Jon and Jon would never admit this to anyone - he's an amazingly talented photographer. Now, don't get me wrong - his talent is raw. However, Jon has an eye for seeing beyond the basic photograph. Right now, we are studying together in Italy and whenever we go out to see beautiful new places we are always asking Jon to take the pictures because it gives them a totally professional look. Look below and you will see what I mean...

Now tell me these pictures aren't absolutely amazing! Jon has no formal training in photography. He just loves taking pictures and he has a nicer camera to do so. Jon is proof that a big part of doing something well is enjoying what you're doing and Jon obviously loves photography!

No words...

2010-06-02T08:03:00.002-04:00

This past weekend we visited the amazing city of Florence. There are absolutely no words to describe the beauty of this city. The architecture and artwork were absolutely amazing and the view from Piazza di Michelangelo was more breathtaking than words can describe. I'm not going to say too much about Florence because I know that my pictures will do the talking. I can't wait to revisit this amazing city!

The Duomo.

The Baptistry.

Museo Accademia - Home of the original statue of David.

Santa Croce - Burial place of Dante and Machiavelli among others.

Group picture in front of the Arno River.

This picture and many to follow depicts our amazing view from Piazza di Michelangelo.

The first bridge in the background is Ponte Vecchio - the oldest standing bridge in Florence.

And finally, our trip to Italy would not be complete without making a pit stop to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa. And, of course we all had to play the part of the ultimate tourist and "hold up the tower!"

This was a very successful first weekend away! We learned a lot, we did a lot of exploring and we came home with memories to last a lifetime! This weekend we are traveling to Rome and I can only expect it to be even better!

Learning My Way Around.

2010-05-27T15:50:00.000-04:00

So, my first week in Brescia, Italy has been non-stop and crazy. I never meant to keep from blogging for so long, but we have had such a crazy schedule that I just can't find time to sit down and write. This week we started our classes, we've gone exploring on our own with friends, we've visited museums and another high school and, of course, we've had homework! I'll share a few of my favorite pictures that depict the crazy, yet amazing first week here in Italy!

And if you think all these pictures are a lot in and of themselves then you have NO idea! We did 50 times more than this! It has been a crazy week! Yesterday, on top of everything we've already done, we had an afternoon off so we decided to take the train up to Verona. A couple of us had seen the film, "Letters to Juliet" before we left for Italy and they just had to see Verona! So, I tagged along. Well, you can only imagine what a fiasco it was getting there! They had the Fast Ticket machines there just like in the US so we didn't have to wait in the incredibly long line to get our tickets. However, it wouldn't let us purchase all of our round trip tickets at once and there were 11 of us! Needless to say, I ended up telling the rest of the group to go on ahead and jump on the train and Jon and I got left behind...

We decided we needed to capture this moment with a picture!

Luckily, there was an express train that would get us to Verona 20 minutes after our friends arrived there. It was a bit more money, but the trip was not going to be worth it if we couldn't get there as soon as possible! So, we purchased the tickets and waited patiently for the next train to show up. It was actually a very nice train! It was much nicer than what you would expect from Amtrak for sure! After a little craziness, we arrived in Verona.

It is a very small city and we pretty much saw everything in about 3 hours but it was a perfect trip for the afternoon. Pictured above is the Arena di Verona. There is one very similar in Rome. Perhaps you've heard of it? ;) While in Verona, we made our way through the streets to Juliet's house (of course!) The tunnel leading into the courtyard was decorated with love notes and letters. I, of course, left one...

We also got to view Juliet's balcony from the famous balcony scene in the play.

Apparently, it is a known fact in Verona, that if you touch the uncovered breast of Juliet's statue, that you will receive good luck. Well, I don't know about you, but I can always use a little extra luck!

And finally, before a nice dinner by the Arena, we visited Romeo's dwelling. It wasn't quite as exciting as Juliet's dwelling but at least we can say we've been there!

Overall it was an amazing week and I can't believe that I have 3 more left! This experience is nothing I could have ever dreamed of! This weekend we will be going to Florence. I will do my best to blog about it so that I don't go another whole week without writing again. Stay tuned for more Italian excitement!!

Viva Italia!

2010-05-21T18:21:00.001-04:00

So, after 36+ hours of traveling we finally arrived in Italy! I can hardly believe I'm actually here, in an apartment, and living here for a month! I would be remiss if I didn't say that I had my doubts throughout the traveling period. We encountered a lot of problems along the way and it definitely made me yearn for home and the people and places I know. However, I continued to push on with the rest of my brave group and now here we are! I'm living with my friend, Angie, and a girl I'm just getting to know, Kristin. I absolutely love that Angie and I are roomies and I really enjoy Kristin and think we're going to get along really well. Here are some pictures of our accomodations:

Of course my bed is the one with the Phillies blanket! ;)

Angie's bed.

Closets and storage.

Poor Kristin has to sleep in the living room.

Kitchen and dining room.

Our Ikea-esque kitchen!

After getting settled we completed our first night in Brescia by attempting dinner out on the town. Brescia is not your typical "tourist town" so many of the locals do not speak fluent English. Needless to say, it was a challenge but we conquered it together! I absolutely love these fabulous people!

Stay tuned... there is lots more to come!

Soulmate.

2010-05-15T10:53:00.002-04:00

Heard this song on my iPod yesterday as I was driving to work and it really spoke to me...

So true...

2010-05-14T12:41:00.001-04:00

(The Notebook Doodles)

~Sigh~

Extra Luggage.

2010-05-12T23:22:00.000-04:00

Do you think JD is trying to tell me something??

Meeting Jacob.

2010-05-11T20:44:00.000-04:00

My friend, Robin, and I have known each other since the 8th grade at Indian Crest Junior High School. I believe we met in German class. We didn't exactly hit it off at first, but we soon gained a respect for each other and formed a friendship. You see... I was (and still am) kind of the loud mouth type and Robin's a bit more conservative. Not exactly the equation for a good friendship... But somehow, we made our differences work for us. I wish I had a working scanner... I would post some really embarrassing photos of us. One day I'll make up for this transgression! Anyway... despite high school graduation, going off to college, marriage and careers we've managed to sustain our friendship even if we go years without seeing each other. We are the only two from our high school group who have truly had a surviving friendship. Around the same time that Robin and I met and became friends, Robin met Bryan (her husband). Again, Robin and Bryan managed to survive through high school graduations, college and the rest of life's changes. Robin and Bryan will be married 3 years tomorrow, May 12th. And exactly a week ago, they brought a new peanut into their little family, Jacob David. Born May 4, 2010 he is the cutest little thing I have ever seen. Below are some photos to document our meeting. Congratulations Robin and Bryan! He is absolutely beautiful and I look forward to watching him grow into an amazing young man!

Me holding Jacob. My left arm was getting tired... so out of shape!

Love this picture of me with Jake!

Robin, the proud mommy, with Jake.

A close up of the handsome boy! He's going to be a lady killer! ;)

What I'm reading.

2010-05-11T14:46:00.000-04:00

Today, I started reading this...

"The Smart Girl's Guide to the G-Spot" by Violet Blue.

I'm sure you're all thinking, "Gee, she's really been reading a lot of books about relationships and sex..." Well, Anthony and I have been going through some difficult times and we're trying to spice up our relationship. We actually got the idea to read this book from a book that I gave to him...

"10,000 Ways to Say I Love You" by Gregory J. P. Godek.

Ladies and gentleman, this book is what I commonly refer to as "The Bible". This book literally gives you 10,000 different ways in list form to show your significant other that you love them. Whether you're in a heterosexual relationship or a homosexual one, whether you're a guy or a girl, this book is for you. There are little things you can do and also larger scale things you can do. For example: #2 Sign your letters "Forever and a day..." as a small scale thing, or #17 "Take a gondola ride in Venice" as a more large scale thing. If there's one thing The Fiance has taught me, it's that he and I differ in a huge way - I expect him to think of these things on his own and he just doesn't. He wants to be told what I want and I just want him to know. This book is the best gift I could have ever given to him.

So, back to the book that started this blog post... One of the suggestions in "10,000 Ways to Say I Love You" was to purchase and read "The Smart Girl's Guide to the G-Spot". So... I've started today! I'll let you know what I think when I'm all done!

To be continued...

It should be said that...

2010-05-04T20:51:00.000-04:00

(Le Love)

Check out the PS22 Chorus!!!!

2010-04-30T17:28:00.002-04:00

Today I came across the blog for the PS22 Chorus by way of their YouTube videos. I actually originally heard of them thanks to Ithacappella who did this rendition of "Fireflies" with them.

P.S. Anthony's cousin, Jimmy, is the soloist! We members of the Colelli family are so proud! :)

If you thought that was pretty freaking awesome, refer to my links on the right and check out their blog! These kids are un-freakin-believable! If you don't check them out, you are seriously missing out!

Too. Funny.

2010-04-27T14:30:00.000-04:00

Okay, this was absolutely too funny not to post. The other day I was browsing Facebook and saw this video come up in my news feed. Anthony's cousin, Jimmy, is in an a cappella group up at Ithaca University called Ithacappella. At one of their performances, Ithacappella did a Broadway medley of sorts. This was the video captured by some audience members. Jimmy is the one singing "Popular" from the musical "Wicked". Enjoy!

If I could tell The Fiance one thing right now...

2010-04-27T10:28:00.000-04:00

(Le Love)

Marching for Babies.

2010-04-26T23:39:00.000-04:00

It was cold and very, very wet. But that didn't stop two members of Team Pete and members of the Gwynedd-Mercy College Student Nurses Association from marching for babies! This was my 4th year participating in the event. I started Team Pete in 2006 in honor of my dad who was born 3 months premature. Any baby who survives after being born premature is a miracle. But imagine if you were born 3 months premature in 1953??? Let's just say the odds were seriously against him! The doctors gave him a 50% chance of survival. After 6 weeks in an incubator, my grandparents were told they could take their baby boy home. If it weren't for my dad's survival, I would not be here. In addition to being the captain for Team Pete, I pitched the idea to our Student Nurses Association and they were all about it! We had 8 members come out and collectively they raised $850!! Way to go team! In addition, my team raised $1,520 (thanks mostly to my dad and his co-workers)! Despite the poor economy, we were still able to come out and raise a decent amount for the March of Dimes. It was definitely another successful year! Here's some pictures from the day:

GMC Student Nurses Association

Me and The Fiance representing Team Pete!

(Dad wasn't feeling well.)

Me and Jon

So, my dear readers, I'm interested to know - is there anything like this that you commit yourselves to each year? What is it? What's your story? Do you do a walk? Fundraise? I'm interested to hear what you like to support.

Saving the A, B, C's and Double D's.

2010-04-22T15:39:00.000-04:00

To me there is nothing more brave, strong and courageous than a person who is battling cancer. 2 1/2 years ago, I watched my 56 year old uncle fight pancreatic cancer that had metastasized to his liver. He first discovered something was terribly wrong when he spent his birthday in the hospital with severe abdominal pain. He soon came to find out that the "wrong" was cancer... cancer that had advanced and spread. His prognosis was not good - 6 months... maybe less. He had so much ahead of him... his son was getting married 6 months later. Would he live to make it? Would he stand beside his son on one of the most important days of his life? My uncle is one of the strongest people I've ever known. Not only did he live to stand beside his son on his wedding day, but he lived another 6 months to see his 57th birthday. However, around that same time the disease began to take a turn for the worst and my uncle's health began to decline. His goal was to live until Christmas and it wouldn't be like my uncle if he didn't do just that. My uncle finally succumbed to his battle with cancer December 25, 2007.

This week, I spent my Wednesday night at "Runway for Hope" a fashion show and dinner that was held at Presidential Caterer's in East Norriton, PA. The event, hosting over 500 women in the area, was held to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. All the women who were in the fashion show were survivors of breast cancer, or friends and family of survivors. The courage and strength of these women was overwhelming and nearly brought me to tears.

(Image)

All of these women in the photo are breast cancer survivors. The woman in the pink jacket, Joan Morello, has hosted this event for the last 8 years to raise awareness and raise money for breast cancer research. All proceeds were donated to the Fox Chase Cancer Center.

To add to the emotion of the night, Anthony's Aunt Sandy is an 8 year survivor of breast cancer. She was one of the survivors featured in the fashion show and the main reason why I attended the event with my mother-in-law. I'm so glad I was able to attend such an amazing event and be a part of such an important cause.

Aunt Sandy with Uncle Frank and their granddaughter, Rhianna, at Easter.

(Image)

My mother-in-law, me and Aunt Marie at "Runway for Hope".

Even though my uncle died from a different type of cancer, every time I help with a cause to raise money for cancer research or awareness, I feel like I'm doing it in memory of him. I feel like he is a big part of the reason why I decided to become a nurse. What happened to him, however horrible it was, empowered me to be the type of person who wanted to help people like him. I never thought my uncle wouldn't get to meet his grandchildren or walk his daughter down the isle. His life was cut so short. But I try not to mourn his loss anymore; I try to celebrate his life.

To read more about this event and watch videos recorded at the event, go to the website for the Times Herald.

So much history together.

2010-04-20T00:19:00.000-04:00

I know I haven't posted much in the past week or so but it's been very busy with tests and well, life in general! There is definitely a lot going on right now as I'm nearing the end of the semester.

However, I did stumble upon this as I was browsing one of my favorite blogs

notebook doodles.

This one goes out to The Fiance... as we do, indeed, have so much history together...

Do you have someone in your life that you feel this way about?

Doodles.

2010-04-12T17:44:00.000-04:00

The other day at work I had some downtime so I took out my pen and grabbed a pad of paper sitting on the table. I put my pen to the paper and let her rip! This was the fruits of my labor:

For those of you who know me well, I'm not much of an artist. In fact, other than musically, I would often argue that I have no artistic talent whatsoever! But, I was kind of impressed with the final product! I wish this picture hadn't come out so fuzzy, but you get the general idea! Not too shabby for a 10 minute doodle, don't ya think?

Giving Up Soda.

2010-04-12T17:38:00.000-04:00

About a week ago I came to the conclusion that I drink way too much soda! And by way too much, I mean 2 or 3 glasses of soda a day! Now, it is not up to me to tell other people how to live their lives. But the fact of the matter is, there is nothing healthy about soda! It's just a lot of sugar, syrup and fizz! So, except for the occasional Rum & Coke at the local bar, I'm done with soda! Instead, I've found some healthy alternatives that still give me some variety but also have nutritional value! Here are some of my faves:

Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice

Ocean Spray actually makes different flavors! My favorite? CranRasberry! Yum!

My affinity with Cranberry juice really started in college. I was dating a boy whose family lived nearby and we would often go over there for dinner. They really didn't keep soda in their fridge but they had a plethora of Cranberry juice flavors. I got used to drinking it all the time with dinner. It's really not so bad!

V8 Fusion

I'm not a huge V8 fan, but how can you not like a drink that combines a variety of fruits and vegetables and, better yet, tastes like a yummy fruit combination? V8 has lots of great flavors, but my favorite would have to be Strawberry Banana!

Fuze

Finally, it should be said that The Fiance works for Coca-Cola. So when I decided to give up that very drink that pays his paycheck, you'd think the walls around us would've caved in. Not so! He was happy to tell me that Coke was producing a healthier fruit drink - kind of along the same lines as Vitamin Water. They have a variety of different flavors as well as some "themes". For example, some are called Refresh (they help to restore Vitamins and Electrolytes) while others are called Slenderize (obviously, for use with weight loss - low calorie drink). They're really rather enjoyable. My favorite is Peach Mango.

It hasn't been easy to give up something I enjoy so much but I knew it was something I had to do. As they say, you are what you eat! This is so true! As a nursing student, I'm learning how important it is to be mindful of what you put in your body. It is, after all, your body's fuel!

We Are Family.

2010-04-06T19:33:00.005-04:00

Hello friends! How was your Easter? Mine was great!

My favorite part about any holiday is getting together with family.

I come from a rather small family that has shrunken quite a bit in recent years.

The Fiance, however, comes from a HUGE Italian family!

It's a very different dynamic from my own family but I absolutely LOVE it!

I wanted to share with you some of my favorite pictures from Easter

so that you could share in my family love and joy as well!

The best Junior Bridesmaid (and cousin) ever!! :)

Kisses from Mom! Cutest Ringbearer!! All smiles!! Most adorable Flower Girl!

*HUGS*

Mother-In-Law and Sister-In-Law!

Love him!!! <3 Sibling love!

Key to my heart.

2010-04-06T18:42:00.001-04:00

I have a new favorite Avon find!

I'm absolutely loving this Key to My Heart necklace

just in time for Mom's Day!

It's only $19.99! Or, $5.99 with any $15 purchase!

I already plan on adding to my mom's Pandora bracelet with a new charm,

but I'm thinking I might have to add this sweet necklace as well.

It's just too lovely to pass up, don't you think?

If you like this necklace as much as I do, you can get yours here

Live your dreams with confidence!

2010-04-04T00:49:00.000-04:00

(notebookdoodles)

I absolutely love, love, love this quote! And what makes it even better is that it is doodled so cleverly by a fellow blogger! I can't tell you how many times I've said this (in so many words) to my friends - especially one in particular who is also a nursing student just like me. It can be so hard to try and live up to the life that you have dreamt for yourself. My belief - you can do anything you put your mind to! So, my amazing readers, do as Henry David Thoreau says and don't give up on your dreams! The only thing standing between you and your dreams... is YOU!

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T00:30:00.002-04:00

So, today is the day that we (e.g. Christians) celebrate the amazing gift that Jesus gave us so that we could forever be forgiven for our sins. Pretty heavy stuff if you think about it!

On a lighter note... after what I'm sure will be an amazing church service, I will be celebrating with my in-law's at Aunt Bianca's house to have the most incredible authentic Italian food ever!

Ever since nursing school began, the holiday's are pretty much the only time I get to see our extended family so I'm definitely looking forward to a wonderful day! And because no blog is complete without a photo or two, I must share with you the totally fabulous eggs that my friend, Ashley (Oh What Fun!) and her sister-in-law dyed. They are truly talented girls!

(Oh What Fun!)

Mickey and Minnie here we come!

2010-04-02T11:24:00.000-04:00

Today The Fiance and I booked our honeymoon!

Drum roll please...

We are traveling to Disney World!!!

To some this might not seem like a very exciting destination

but we are totally stoked!

We were there in 2007 so we're not going to go to all the parks like we did then.

Our first priority is going to be rest, relaxation and enjoying each other!

However, we do have plans to visit the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

I'm really looking forward to heading back down there,

especially in June! The last time we went down it was in August

and it was sweltering!!!

Here is a preview of the beauty that is our destination...

I, for one, cannot wait to slip into that Jacuzzi tub ;) Teehee!

I will leave the rest up to your imaginations!

Marching for babies!

2010-04-01T18:55:00.003-04:00

Hello my lovely blog readers!

I'm writing to appeal to your softer sides.

Every year my family walks in the

March of Dimes March for Babies!

For those of you who are not familiar with the cause,

the March for Babies raises money to help fund research and

medical treatment so that premature babies can have a chance at life!

I started a family team 4 years ago after learning that

my father was born 3 months premature!

For those of you who have never been through it you can only imagine

how difficult it must be to not know from one day to the next if your child

is going to make it through the fight and live to see another day.

With that said, you can only imagine how difficult it was for my

grandparents back in the 1950's to know if

their child was going to make it!

My dad spent 6 weeks in an incubator but he made it.

I, for one, am so grateful for medical science and

what it has done for my family.

The possibilities are endless but we need the selflessness of others

in order to make those possibilities become a reality!

That's where you all come in!

If you have a minute, please stop on over to the Team Pete webpage

and consider giving a donation towards this amazing cause.

We realize that, in this economy, times are tough and

extra cash is hard to come by.

Please know that we are grateful for anything and $5 goes along way

towards helping us to reach our goals!

I want to thank you all in advance for any contributions you can give!

My deepest and heartful appreciation to you all!

<3 Jenna

(Team Pete at March for Babies 2007.)

Love conquers hate.

2010-04-01T13:07:00.000-04:00

So, for those of you who are fans of the Real World on MTV,

you may have watched this season in D.C. as Mike chose

to explore his sexuality and, furthermore, landed an internship

with the Human Rights Campaign to fight for equality.

In the second to last episode of the season,

Mike's boyfriend Tanner comes for a visit.

As part of Tanner's grand tour, Mike shows him around HRC

and in the background I caught a glimpse of this tee:

I immediately fell in love with its message.

So simple and yet so difficult for some people to embrace.

I applaud Mike for bringing equality issues into the forefront

and taking a huge leap in his own life to be himself!

I definitely plan on scraping together a few pennies

and adding this number to my wardrobe!

If you like this tee as much as I do, you can get your own here.

The cost is only $25 and the proceeds go to the mission of the HRC.

Won't you stand up for what you believe?

Giveaway!!

2010-03-31T13:54:00.000-04:00

Just found out about a totally cool contest being hosted by

a fellow blogger, Emily (Cupcakes and Cashmere).

Check out these cute wellies!

Six lucky entrants could win a pair of these in their favorite color!

Just click here to win a pair of your very own!

And while you're at it, stop by Emily's blog and give her a shout!

Love me.

2010-03-30T17:36:00.002-04:00

I'm in love with you...

I'm in love with love...

I'm in love with loving you!

JK + AC = Always and Forever!

(Le Love)

BlogLovin'!

2010-03-30T13:49:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone! I just got connected with BlogLovin'!

Click the link below to check it out!

Thanks to some of my fave blogs like

Cupcakes and Cashmere and The Bliss List

for introducing me to BlogLovin'!

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Weekend in the Capital!

2010-03-28T23:50:00.000-04:00

Among the many things keeping me busy, one of them is my school's chapter of the

Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania.

Currently, I am serving as the Secretary and Treasurer of our chapter.

You might say we're kind of rebuilding the organization from the ground up.

From what I can tell, there wasn't a whole lot happening when we took it over.

In an effort to build a stronger chapter, Nicole (el Presidente) and I spent the weekend

in our state's capital of Harrisburg to attend a leadership workshop.

Initially, I was a bit leery about the whole experience, but we actually learned

some really great stuff that we can take back to our chapter.

And, on top of it all, I ran into someone that I went to high school with and

who graduated with The Fiance! What a small world, wouldn't you say?

Here's a picture of various SNAP members from all over the state!

In the end, I had a really great time. I met a lot of great people and learned some great

tips and tricks for getting our club back in gear and on the map!

And, to top it all off, one of the girls came up with a great idea to see

Alice in Wonderland on IMAX in 3D!!!

What a crazy, fabulous idea!!!!

It ended up being a pretty awesome weekend after all! :)

Food Revolution!

2010-03-26T16:52:00.000-04:00

Nothing is more disheartening, then seeing a bunch of kids who are getting sick off their own school cafeteria food!!! (Among other things!) And by sick, I don't just mean the 24 hour stomach flu, either. I mean, chronically ill, organ failure type of sick! For that reason, I took a cue from my friend Ashley (Oh What Fun!) and signed Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Petition - and you should, too!

Simply click on the button to the left of my blog that looks like the picture below and become a part of this very important revolution!

Sneaky Peaky!

2010-03-15T21:04:00.000-04:00

Pssst! Hello there my lovely blog readers!

I have a special treat for you!

Today, the fiance and I got our proof for our

Save the Date!

It turned out soooooo good!

So, I've decided to offer you all a

first glance opportunity!

Can't wait to send these out to all

our friends and family this summer!!

Super Sequel!

2010-03-13T01:44:00.000-05:00

So, remember my totally cool find

Why Men Love Bitches

from a few days ago??

Well, I was perusing some of the pages on

Barnes and Noble's website and I found this...

So, for those of you who have already found that special someone

this little treasure teaches you ways to keep the flame burning in your relationship

and not compromise those things in a relationship (or in your own life)

that are important to YOU!

As much as I was interested in the first book I have to say,

as an engaged woman who is to be married in a little over a year,

this really caught my eye!

The first book offered information that could apply to anyone,

but this book is specifically for those who are headed towards the long-term!

So, if this applies to you - check it out!

Why Men Love Bitches.

2010-03-10T14:03:00.000-05:00

I was listening to Q102 on my way to school today

and they were talking about this book...

At first, one might be shocked and alarmed at this title.

However, the book focuses on women being themselves

in a relationship and being able to hold their own

not submitting to their guy's every whim and becoming a doormat.

The book discusses why a relationship has more potential

if a woman is strong, driven and has her own opinions.

Essentially, men are attracted to women who know what they want

and are not going to settle for anything less!

You can find this book at any of your favorite bookstores.

I love to go to Barnes and Noble and sip some coffee while

reading my favorite book. If you'd rather not leave the house,

shop their website!

PDA for Sale!

2010-03-03T15:02:00.000-05:00

At the start of this school year, I purchased an

HP iPAQ 111 Classic Handheld

through school to be used for my nursing software.

Shortly thereafter, I purchased a Blackberry and was able to

put all of my nursing software on there.

Thus, there was no longer a use for the PDA.

My solution? Sell it on E-Bay of course!

Hear are a few pictures of what I'm selling.

Don't waste any time! Auction ends March 13, 2010!

Emergency Room Secrets

2010-03-02T00:33:00.002-05:00

As many of you know, I am working my behind off at
school to become a nurse.

When I'm not studying, taking tests, in clinical or practicing

hundreds of NCLEX questions, I am working as a technician in the

Emergency Department. Prior to my experience in the ER, I really

took what the amazing staff does for granted. Today, I stumbled

upon Reader's Digest's article,
"15 Secrets the Emergency Room Staff Won't Tell You"
by Ginny Graves.
Here are some of the tidbits that real ER staff had to share:

--------------------------------

SAY THANK YOU
"In the ER, nurses provide most of the hands-on care. So be nice.”
—Donna Mason, RN

"Arriving by ambulance doesn’t mean you’ll get a red-carpet escort into the ER. You’ll get triaged like everyone else, and if you’re not that sick or injured, you’re going to wait.”
— Connie Meyer, RN, paramedic

(Side note from this blogger - Ambulances are EXPENSIVE! I recommend not using them unless you really need to!)

YES, WE KNOW YOU’RE WAITING … AND WAITING
"Waiting is good. It means you’re not going to die. The person you need to feel sorry for is the one who gets rushed into the ER and treated first."

WE NEED YOU TO COOPERATE
"When we say, ‘Put on this gown,’ we mean you should take off the clothes underneath so we can see the area that we need to examine. I once had a woman put the gown on over her clothes and her coat.”
—Allen Roberts, MD, emergency physician, Fort Worth, Texas

(Side note from me - I can SO relate to this... if I ask you to do something it's not because I'm trying to torture you. Didn't you come to me/us for help??????)

THE 411 ON 911
"Calling from a landline can save your life because we can pinpoint your location instantly. If you call from a cell phone, we waste a lot of time asking where you are or searching for you.”
—Arthur Hsieh, paramedic

(Me again! - This is important for EVERYONE to know!!)

----------------------------------------------

To see this FULL article, go here! And for 35 more secrets we ER staff don't tell you, go here!

And, because no blog is complete without a picture,

this one pretty much says it all!

Believe it or not, ER's do come with signs that let you know what services they offer.

Not all ER's are alike so make sure the one your going to is able to

give you the immediate and specific attention you require!

Sweet Emotion

2010-02-26T18:02:00.000-05:00

So at the risk of sounding like a "typical female" I must admit,

there is something about Olympic figure skating that

stirs up all kinds of emotions in me.

The artistry of the sport is like a ballroom dance or a beautiful song,

it tells a story.

And if the artist is truly talented,

they captivate your attention and draw you in.

Their up's and down's are your up's and down's.

Their struggles and triumphs are your struggles and triumphs.

Admittedly, some of the performances this week

nearly brought me to tears.

Take, for instance, Evan Lysacek:

Up until that fateful night, it was all about Evgeni Plushenko

and his chance to be just like the great Dick Button- 2 Gold Medals in a row...

An American figure skater had not captured the gold since Brian Boitano 22 years ago.

Skaters like Evan make us believe in, perhaps, the unbelievable.

And images like this, remind us why we're proud to be Americans:

However, as proud as I am to be an American,

I can look past that in support of others.

Riding on the coattails of an amazing men's victory, was women's figure skating.

And no one stirred up more emotion in me than the amazing Kim Yu-Na.

This young lady from the Republic of Korea is a celebrity in her country,

but nothing would change that more than a tremendous loss at this year's Olympic Games.

This girl carries the weight of her entire country on her shoulders,

so after an extremely successful performance her tears brought tears to my eyes as well.

But Kim Yu-Na was not the only woman's skater that brought tears to my eyes.

After the loss of her mother last Sunday, Joannie Rochette, skated the most

moving performance I have ever seen in my life.

You could feel the passion for her craft coursing through her and her

desire to skate the best she had ever skated - all for her mom.

After an almost flawless performance she sent up kisses

for the most important woman in her life that she'd loved and lost-

Without even knowing Joannie or her mother,

it was as if you could sense her presence in the rink.

It was an amazing moment.

Some would argue that there are bigger things going on in the world-

much bigger than some stupid athletic competition.

I could never disagree with that.

However, sometimes it's a stupid athletic competition

that can bring a divided world together.

It reminds us that there is kindness, camaraderie, and hope.

Sometimes, it is just what we need to believe-

believe in peace, believe in love, believe in brotherhood-

just believe.

So, to this year's Olympic figure skating medalists-

thanks for helping me to believe and for taking me on

your amazing journey!

Avon Loves

2010-02-18T16:32:00.000-05:00

It's been awhile... so it's time I filled you in

on what I'm totally loving about Avon!

First of all, you've gotta love when they

make it easy for you...

For those of us who are artistically impaired,

sometimes even doing our own make up can be a challenge.

With the True Color Eyeshadow Quad, Avon gives you all the tools you need

to give yourself that sweet day glow, or sass it up with a smoky eye for evening fun!

As for skin care...

Anew makes getting started super easy!

For just $17 you can get the Anew Skincare Starter Kit!

It includes cleanser, moisturizer and day/night eye cream.

And let's not forget about those pesky blemishes...

Clearskin offers a super concentrated formula to help keep your skin clear -

Invisible Blemish Treatment.

Now, on to the bling!

I'm totally digging this super cute combination -

Delicate and sweet - the perfect accessories for any occasion!

Add to that, this adorable bow ring -

The perfect way to jazz up a bland hand! *Wink*

And of course, every woman needs her accessories...

Check out these Nylon Tote Bags!

Buy 1 or get all 3! They come in varying sizes with

awesome bright-colored trim!

Finally, awhile back you may remember my blog

about my new love for loose-leaf tea!

So you can only imagine how excited I was

when I saw these in the latest Avon brochure...

How cute are these tea infusers??

The perfect addition to any tea lovers collection!

Like what you saw?? Want to see more??

Head on over to my Avon store and check out

all the neat things I have to offer!

Kitty Love

2010-02-18T15:52:00.000-05:00

Introducing one of many installments

about my furry critters.

This entry is about my big mama cat, Brandy.

You see, it took a long time for Brandy to warm up to us,

but after she did she became quite possessive of yours truly!

She now makes it nearly impossible for my first kitty, Kira,

to snuggle with me at night.

Brandy spends not just the evening,

but most of the day, snoozing on my bed.

The other day I decided to wash my sheets,

so I had to fight with Brandy to get off the bed.

I left my comforter at the foot of my bed,

but all that was on the bed was my mattress pad.

Brandy, deciding to take matters into her own hands

(or paws, for that matter)

did this...

Oh yes... she moved to where the comforter moved!

Definitely can't question her intelligence!

Here's a close-up of my big girl.

Brandy had lots of adventures yesterday.

After the bed debacle, she decided to pick a career...

Apparently, she wants to be just like her momma!

Obviously she's having a little trouble figuring out how to use my stethoscope,

but we'll work on that! She's not ready for patient care just yet!

I'm such a proud mom! *Grin*

Love is in the air!

2010-02-10T13:45:00.000-05:00

Any boy who does this for a girl...

deserves a chance to be heard... don't you think?

Well, Jenn sure thought so!

Introducing the newly engaged

Chance and Jenn!

Aren't they just adorable????

I am so happy for you both! And Chance, it should be said...

you've just taken one of the *hottest* girls off the market!

You should consider yourself a very lucky man!

One thing's for sure... Jenn picked a guy with great taste!

Check out her new *bling*

Who could resist saying yes to that????

Congratulations guys! I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!

*Muah!*

Happy Birthday to me!!!

2010-02-08T17:16:00.001-05:00

That's right, today is my birthday -

I'm the big 2-6!

The celebration officially started yesterday for me...

We went to Mike and Steph's for the Superbowl.

Today is also Steph's birthday.

(Our boys really know how to choose their women!)

It's been a tradition since Anthony and I have been together

for Steph and I to celebrate our birthday's together.

Yesterday could not have been a better day!

The four of us, along with Gideon and Ashley,

watched the superbowl and celebrated Steph's and my day of birth!

We had cake (mmmm!), exchanged presents and enjoyed our time together!

Today, my friends from school made me feel super special

with all their happy birthday's and a cake!

Friends and family adorned my Facebook page with birthday wishes.

And, to top it all off, Mom and Dad are taking me out

to Tex Mex for Mexican food tonight!

The only bad part about today -

my totally hard Adult Health test I had today.

Pray that my birthday luck will carry me through...

and grant me a passing grade!

Italia!

2010-02-01T22:34:00.002-05:00

This will be the beginning of many posts...

regarding my exciting trip to Italy this summer!

I can't even express how excited I am!

I will be spending a month in Brescia, Italy

with two good friends.

I will get to see the beautiful country that

my fiance's relatives are from...

well, except for the fact that they stem from Southern Italy,

not Northern Italy. But...

it's Italy nonetheless!

Let me give you a little taste of exactly where

my friends and I will be living during this exciting

Summer Adventure!!

This is our building!!

What's on the other side of that fabulous half-moon window,

you might ask?

Why, the boys' kitchen of course!!!

On the other side of those top floor windows, is the girls' pad I believe!

The entrance to our awesome pad!

The brand new, totally renovated kitchen!

Very Ikea-esque, wouldn't you say?

Simple... but very nice.

One of the bedrooms... sleeping and studying optional!?!?!

The living room... check out that sweet light coming through the window!!!

This is only a snapshot of what's to come! I couldn't be more excited!!

It's a bittersweet thing not being able to share such an amazing journey

with my husband-to-be...

One day I hope to be able to take him to this

beautiful land of his ancestors

and show him half the time I know I'm going to have!

Don't worry internet... there will definitely be many more pictures to look forward to!

Ashley's Etsy Shop!

2010-01-30T11:17:00.000-05:00

My friend, Ashley, is going into business for herself

with her new online store

Oh What Fun!

I have no doubt that this venture will be a huge success for her!

Here are a few samples of the crafty things she has to offer:

Vintage Deer Salt & Pepper Shakers

These Vintage Porcelain Shoes are just adorable!

The perfect find for the vintage art collector! :)

A beautiful Vintage Hand-Painted Tray.

Vintage Hand-Painted Porcelain Dishes.

I must say, they look exceptionally nice with Ashley's *bling* adorning them!

Don't waste any time! Check out Oh What Fun!

I have no doubt things will be going quickly!

15 Minutes of Fame!

2010-01-29T18:12:00.002-05:00

All of us, at one time or another, looks forward to having our

15 minutes of fame!!

Well, for one of our family members,

that dream is coming true!

On Wednesday, February 3rd the group

Ithacappella

will be featured on the hit TV show

American Idol!!

Anthony's cousin, Jimmy, is one of the members

of this fabulous singing group out of

Ithaca University!

Definitely check them out and definitely

tune in to American Idol on Wednesday!!

You don't want to miss this!

You can find more Ithacappella recordings on YouTube!

Blog Negligence

2010-01-29T17:56:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I can honestly say that, without a doubt, I have been

blog negligent!

I'm thinking that I have a pretty good excuse, though.

You see, I've been buried under piles of this -

And by this, I mean all of this...

I've also had to do lots of reading from this...

And this...

I'll spare you the image of exactly how thick this book really is!

I will do my best to be less negligent in the future for those of you who

actually follow this. But, I can't make any promises.

Nursing school takes up a lot of time!

However, it is an extremely rewarding profession,

so don't let the work come between you and the dream!

Happy Anniversary!!

2010-01-15T16:53:00.000-05:00

Today is officially Anthony's and my

4 Year Anniversary!

I can't believe that almost 5 years ago,

after being separated by 8 hours worth of distance,

that we would be reunited at Anthony's graduation from

Wingate University.

Now, we are engaged to be married and planning a wedding!

Anthony and I have been through a lot since high school...

but there is no doubt in my mind that we were meant to be together!

In 17 months we will tie the knot - I couldn't ask for a better future husband!

I love you, baby! Happy Anniversary! :)

School

2010-01-14T07:20:00.002-05:00

Today I get to be reunited with my friends

at Gwynedd-Mercy College where I

am going to nursing school! Yay!!!!

Who knew I could be so excited to

go back to school????

Turning a non-tea drinker into a tea drinker!

2010-01-12T13:39:00.001-05:00

Today I started my day out

a different way than I normally do.

Prior to Christmas, my friend Jon and I

made an awesome discovery at the King of Prussia Mall.

We found a store called Teavana - home of a plethora

of loose leaf tea!

My friend, Lindsay, had told me about it awhile back

but this was the first time I was actually able to check it out!

I ended up with this...

A mug of sorts used to steep my tea

and a little canister filled with my favorite flavor-

a combination of Matevana and Rooibus Chai...

essentially, Chocolate Chai! Yum!!!

The loose tea goes into the mug with

whatever amount of water you desire...

And you let it sit for a certain amount of time.

For my type of tea it takes about 5-6 minutes.

Then, you place the ultra cool mug contraption

on top of your mug of choice and it does this...

The loose tea stays in the mug contraption

and the rest goes in your mug! So cool!

Add your choice of sweetner to taste

(I like honey, myself)

and you have a yumalicious cup of your favorite tea!

So good!!

This book is the key to your Heaven on Earth...

It has all their delicious flavors and combinations.

Definitely get yourself over to KOP and check out their store

or go to their website.

Not a tea drinker now?? Teavana can change that!

My Avon finds!

2010-01-10T16:42:00.001-05:00

Here are some new items I am just loving from Avon!

Get ultra coverage, moisture and shine with

Avon's Smooth Velvet Lip Color!

Check out this all-in-one storage container by Curves!

You can store hot and cold items all in one easy to use, easy to transport container!

Then...

Gotta love a company who supports a cause!

100% of profits from the purchase of this tennis bracelet goes to the

Avon Breast Cancer Crusade!

And...

Reese Witherspoon is our spokesperson for the

Avon Empowerment Fund to Fight Violence Against Women!

100% of the profits from the purchase of this bracelet will go to the cause!

Now, let's talk about jewelry!

This watch is ultra feminine and chic!!!

And what girl doesn't like a little *sparkle* in her life??

With any $10 purchase from Campaign 2, you can get this necklace for just $5.99!

And finally...

For those mineral makeup lovers out there...

This entire start-up kit including everything seen above

- foundation, bronzer, blush and brush -

is only $25.00!!!

Now if that's not enough to make you want to hurry over to my

Avon store and check these out and more...

then I don't know what is!

A great read!

2010-01-10T16:18:00.000-05:00

I just finished a great read!

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

You definitely have to check this book out!

It will give you a whole new perspective on everything you

thought you knew about religion, masonry and the Bible!

There's no place like home...

2010-01-10T16:13:00.000-05:00

Dorothy definitely had it right! It was really nice to get away, but when all is said and done, there is definitely no place like home! Here are some picture of where we stayed...

We were Cottage 19!

Here's our little cottage... nestled in the woods and surrounded by remnants of the most recent snowfall.

The living room.

Flat screen TV above a gas fireplace!!

(Notice how even when we are vacationing I can't get away from ESPN!)

The Master Suite.

Sitting area.

Small kitchen area.

It actually reminded me a lot of living in a dorm room...

Our stash!

Notice the huge bag of Animal Crackers in the back...

I was waiting to see if the fiance' would eat the whole bag!

He didn't...

And finally...

We even got some mountain snow!!!

This completed our trip to the mountains without a doubt!

Photos of Woodfield Manor.

Where you are is where I want to be...

2010-01-05T11:33:00.003-05:00

Going to the Pocono's with my love for 5 days to celebrate our

4-year Anniversary!!

That's him! Isn't he handsome? *Giggle*

I can't believe how quickly time has flown! Almost 9 years ago we met here...

And in 17 months we will officially be tying the knot! I could just squeal with excitement! :)

Our official anniversary is January 15th... but we're starting the celebration a little early! ;) We are going to be staying here...

This is Woodfield Manor in Swiftwater, PA.

I will definitely blog some pictures when we get back! Until then... have a great week everyone!

Photos of Anthony and I courtesy of Isabel March Photography.

If only money grew on trees...

2010-01-03T12:18:00.002-05:00

Let's face it, times are tough right now and nursing school is expensive! So...

I sell Avon! :)

Part of this blog will serve to tell you all what I am loving about Avon right now and hopefully you will want to check it out, too! I got the idea from my friend, Ashley. You should definitely check out her blog here. She is super creative, super crafty and my inspiration for trying to find a way to get the word out to YOU about how awesome Avon is!

So, without further ado, here is what I am totally loving about Avon!

Take awesome color and shine and add in a moisturizer and you've got Avon Glazewear!

In your face Bare Minerals!! Avon's got the same stuff for half the price!

Our newest anti-aging skin care product - who doesn't wish they could turn back the clock every now and then??

Our Clearskin line is clinically proven to be just as effective as Proactiv - and half the price! Take THAT Proactiv!

Let's hear it for the boys! Avon's got great stuff for men, but their fragrances definitely have to be my fave! In addition to this one, you want to be sure to check out fragrances by NY Yankee Derek Jeter and Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey! For the ladies, we've got Reese Witherspoon!

Avon isn't just about makeup, skin care and fragrances. Their jewelry is tres chic!

And finally...

We've got great gifts from companies like The Sharper Image!

There is truly something for everyone! So don't waste any more time - check out my online store here!

29 Years!!

2010-01-03T11:14:00.000-05:00

Happy Anniversary

Mom & Dad!!

Couples like you are inspirations to all the young couples out there!

I love you!

She gave me butterfly kisses...

2010-01-03T01:37:00.000-05:00

It all started when I was a kid - I used to chase butterflies in the cornfield behind my house and enslave them... first with my butterfly net and then in a jar. Cruel, I know.

In college, my obsession with butterflies resurfaced...

This was my first tattoo. I was 19 years old. It was my dad's 50th birthday. My parents had just taken off for Iceland. A feeling I can't describe compelled me to get this butterfly forever imprinted on my body.

I found this picture online. Beautiful, whimsical, mysterious... perfect! My tattoo artist was able to give me exactly what I wanted and more. If I still lived in West Chester I wouldn't hesitate to go back.

And thus, the beginning of a beautiful relationship with butterflies...

Butterfly Kisses

Fashion Find!

YOUR Vote Is needed!

And Then There Was One...

VOTE NOW!!

It Won't Be Soon Before Long...

What Home Means To Me.

Roma.

My friend, Jon.

No words...

Learning My Way Around.

Viva Italia!

Soulmate.

So true...

Extra Luggage.

Meeting Jacob.

What I'm reading.

It should be said that...

Check out the PS22 Chorus!!!!

Too. Funny.

If I could tell The Fiance one thing right now...

Suggested Read.

Marching for Babies.

Saving the A, B, C's and Double D's.

So much history together.

Doodles.

Giving Up Soda.

We Are Family.

Key to my heart.

Live your dreams with confidence!

Happy Easter!

Mickey and Minnie here we come!

Marching for babies!

Love conquers hate.

Giveaway!!

Love me.

BlogLovin'!

Weekend in the Capital!

Food Revolution!

Sneaky Peaky!

Super Sequel!

Why Men Love Bitches.

PDA for Sale!

Emergency Room Secrets

Sweet Emotion

Avon Loves

Kitty Love

Love is in the air!

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Italia!

Ashley's Etsy Shop!

15 Minutes of Fame!

Blog Negligence

Happy Anniversary!!

School

Turning a non-tea drinker into a tea drinker!

My Avon finds!

A great read!

There's no place like home...

Where you are is where I want to be...

If only money grew on trees...

29 Years!!

She gave me butterfly kisses...