Beware: randomosity ahead!

Today was wonderful! Today was my 29th birthday and I'm embracing my last year in my 20s. Big sigh. It's a little sad! We started the day with church at 11am. My church is huge, if you're local, I go to Hope. I usually don't like big churches, but I just love Hope. It's so wonderful! My only complaint is the parking lot! They need people directing traffic in between services! Haha!

After church I met my parents at Chili's for lunch. I have loved that place since I worked there in college! I got the fajitas, which, I got for a reason. I knew I would have leftovers and I really wanted to try and make quesadillas with them for dinner on my new Griddler that I got for Christmas. I did, and they were delicious. Just like the quesadillas at Chili's! :)

After lunch I parted ways with my parents and headed out to run some errands. First up, the mall. I had to make an exchange at Aerie (love that store) and I wanted to run into Sephora to pick up a refill on my favorite Bare Minerals lip gloss and pick up my birthday gift from them! This month (does the gift change every month?) was Philosophy vanilla cake bubble bath/body wash. I was super impressed with the size of the bottle, but the scent was really weak.

After the mall I headed to Best Buy to look into buying a new camera and check out the prices on a remote start for my car. My parents got me a gift card to Best Buy so I could do one of these things, but I know I will end up doing both. I didn't end up buying today, as I am trying NOT to be an impulse buyer and I'm going to do my shopping around to get the best quality and deal on both.

After Best Buy I cleaned my car, it desperately needed it and I am a nerd and enjoy doing stuff like that. Then, I browsed at Half Price Books for a minute. Didn't find anything I had to have. After that I checked out TJ Maxx, but remembered why I don't like that place on the weekends. I would rather go when there was nobody there!

After that I headed home! Then a friend of mine stopped by to show me the car she's test driving for a few days. It's this huge GM Yukon! I cannot believe how big this thing is! It is so funny to see her driving it because she's so tiny and it's so big! It's beautiful though, it's a pearl white and loaded with everything you can think of. I don't want to know how much it is.... :/

I mentioned earlier that I am in the market for a new camera and that is because... I lost my camera. I don't know what happened to it. Last time I remember having it was two Fridays ago when I met some friends out for happy hour. The next morning I remember seeing my camera in my car in between the seat and thinking it must have fallen out of my purse. Now, I can't find it. Even when I cleaned out my car today, which I did in hopes of finding my camera wedged up underneath the seat or something. So.... I'm in the market for a new point and shoot. Any suggestions? A couple years ago I remember seeing a camera that had a screen on the front and the back so when you took pictures of yourself with friends you can see it. I can't find it anywhere though. Does anyone know what I am talking about? Or have any suggestions for a nice, quality, semi cheap point and shoot? (I'm willing to spend around $200-ish. Obvs, anything cheaper is good. But, I want it to last).

Lately, my skin has been rebelling on me. I have used Cetaphil moisturizing cream for about a year now and have loved it. But, lately my face is looking like a high school girls skin! At first I figured it was just normal and this stuff had to "work itself out of my skin" but I am beginning to doubt that. I started using a toner recently to see if that helped and it has, but my face feels so dry! So then I put moisturizer on and literally the next morning I have break outs. I'm going to switch to Oil of Olay, which is usually my summer moisturizer, and see what that does. Maybe the Cetaphil is just too heavy and clogging my pores.

What are your Sundays usually like? What daily skin regimen and products do you use? Do you have advice on a good point and shoot camera? Do you have a remote start on your car? If so, do you LOVE it?!

PS: I warned you. Randomosity. I know. You don't have to answer every question. But, if you do I will be your friend forever! ;) Haha, I'm in third grade...

Ignorance sure is bliss.

I don't usually like to blog about this stuff, but you know what? This is my corner of the internet world and I really need this sort of therapy to make me feel better right now.

So, on with it...

Yesterday my good friend S asked me about the possibility of fostering a dog and since my aunt has several foster dogs ALL THE TIME I knew we could easily find S a dog to take care of. So, in the span of about 3 hours we contacted my aunt, located a dog and headed out to the country to pick up the little guy. This is the fun part of my story... Now, on to the not-so-fun part of my story...

We met my aunt at a little restaurant in her small town, sat at the bar and had dinner and four a couple drinks along with some great conversation. My sister got off of work during that time and headed out there as well. So, the four of us were having a great time talking, laughing and sharing stories about our pets. Well, I happened to be talking to my sister, who was to my right, about something when I heard my aunt, who was to my immediate left, talking to my friend who was to my aunt's left about her degree.

I met S in college almost 10 years ago. We both went to ISU where S got a Bachelors of Science in Marketing and I got a Bachelors of Science in Fashion and Business. I heard my aunt asking S about where she went to college and just making small talk. Then I heard her asking what he degree was in, and she goes, and I quote, "You didn't get a degree in merchandising like this one did, did you?" and points towards me. At first I pretended not to hear her, but then I looked over at her and said, "What?" And, my aunt goes, "Your degree is in merchandising, you didn't get a Bachelor's, like S did."

I. was. pissed.

You probably had to be there, because as I go back and read what I wrote it sounds like a simple misunderstanding.

I corrected my aunt and said, "No my degree is a BS, it's the same as S's just a different area of study." She then starts exclaiming how she can't believe that, that degree is a BS and that she doesn't believe me and wants to see my diploma.

SAY WHAT?!

Then I was really pissed.

I don't usually get mad, but when I'm mad, I'm REALLY MAD.

I snapped, "Well, then do you want to pay the rest of the $25,000 I have in student loans? Do you REALLY think I went to school for FOUR years and got nothing out of it? Seriously? Also, how could I possibly be working on Master's if I didn't have a Bachelors?"

My sister starts tugging my sleeve to get me to stop talking but I was furious. I wanted to slap my aunt for continuing to challenge me after I explained her error. After a couple minutes though, I just turned my back to her and started ignoring her. I went to pay my tab, but my aunt had picked up the tab for all four of us. Which, only irritated me more. I can pay my own bill.

I know this seems silly, and it probably is, but for years I have felt inadequate. That, because I didn't get a degree in Finance or Business or Marketing or Advertising or any other silly label that I am not as smart. But, I took just as many Marketing/Advertising/Business/Accounting classes that everyone else did. I had the same gen eds as everyone else, my "area of study" was just as business related and required several areas of expertise that have helped me immensely, such as HR, PR, math and accounting, design and marketing principles.

I know a lot of my anger is stemming from my own insecurities, I get it. It has helped to write it out on here though. I knew it would. I was just so hurt, because she was basically making fun of me to MY good friend. It just reminded me of why I don't spend much time with her. She tears others down (her own family!) to make herself feel better. I worked hard for my degree and nobody can take it away, I know that.

I prayed about it last night, which helped a lot, and I'm putting it out on here, which will probably help as well. It's just still hurtful that not even your own family will brag about you like they should. Shouldn't she boast about her family, not tear them down...?

Ugh, do you have any family members that you just can't stand? (Don't we all?)

Breakfast and silly Valley girls

Yesterday on Twitter I was complaining about my endless appetite when I eat breakfast. Whenever I eat a "normal" breakfast, which to me, "normal" is anything more than a slice of bread. So, two slices of bread with peanut butter, a bowl of cereal with milk or a bowl of oatmeal mixed with yogurt. All of these are typical breakfasts for me.

I do not eat breakfast regularly. My schedule is not structured at all and some mornings I'm running around like a mad woman getting ready for the day. On those days, breakfast is the first thing to go. I always, always, always drink coffee (priorities?) but if I don't have time to eat, I don't really mind.

Well, on those days that I don't have time to eat, I have eaten less throughout the day and am not as hungry. I get it, I totally understand how metabolism works. I have a best friend that is a health and fitness freak and I have taken a couple nutrition classes in college. I get it. I totally understand that breakfast is important. Every time I have been on a diet I ate a sensible breakfast.... and I didn't lose weight.

So, I have a new solution. One that I feel will satisfy everyone, including myself.

Lara Bars.

I will eat a Lara Bar every morning for breakfast. They are all around 200 calories, have a decent amount of protein and carbs and are the perfect size for breakfast. Perfect for jump starting my metabolism while still tricking my appetite. It sounds strange and completely in my head (which it is) but it's working.

Last night I remembered that I was completely out of Lara Bars and realizing that HyVee had them on sale for a $1 each, I stopped by on my way home. All I needed was the bars so I hightailed it to the protein bar section and picked out 10 of my favorite flavors. Then, I made it to the front of the store, chose the checker with the shortest line and prepared to head home.

Not so fast... the girl checking me out had to comment. First, I have to describe what she looked like. She was obviously around 16 years old, but her skin was an orangey tan, that slightly resembled an oompa loompas skin and her eyes were rimmed in dark black, cat eye makeup, complete with drawn on eyebrows. It was awful.

She started checking my items (all 10 Lara Bars) and by the third one she goes, "You're buying all these candybars?!" complete with Valley girl accent.

"No, they're not candy bars. They're my breakfast every morning and I'm out," I say, as I force a polite smile.

All the while, I was thinking to myself, shouldn't it be against policy to comment on a person's purchases at a grocery store?

"Oh!" she exclaims. Then after the 4th item she scans, she snaps, "Are these all the same price??" I explain, "Yes, they're a $1 each."

She's still staring at me in confusion. Finally, an older employee stomps over, enters in six more items at a $1. Thank you.

This sort of transaction doesn't really surprise me, I had to train girls this age for six years and there really is only so much you can take. This one was by far the worst. I'm a little disappointed in HyVee for letting a girl like her be at checkout... she should really be somewhere else. Perhaps bagging? If she can keep her trap shut, anyway!

I was laughing to myself as I left the store though, she probably still thinks I was in there just buying candy bars. Oh... I wish. :)

Have you ever had your cashier at a grocery store comment on your purchases? Did it get on your nerves?

PS: In no way was I trying to offend any locals that actually go to Valley High school or went to VHS. Three of my best friends in the world went to Valley and although they look like Valley girls, they in no way, act like it. ;)

Here come the Match stories....

A couple of you have commented on how you're excited for my Match.com stories... well, here goes!

I'm trying not to take anything too seriously. Is it just me or do single girls (including myself) see a guy and picture everything down the road. Like, picture the wedding, the kids, the house... everything! I try so hard not to and in trying not to I end up doing it. I feel like I'm crazy and I'm not trying to do it, it just happens!

Friday night I was out with my good friend and her husband. Her husband has become a really close friend of her friends (and I just love it!) and he loves to give us single ladies dating advice. Friday night he lectured me about this bad habit of mine. He says I take everything way too seriously, so my goal this time around is to NOT do that. To just go with the flow!

Well, I have been on Match.com too many times to count now. If you include, the first time in South Carolina, I have been on it a total of five separate occasions. Four of those times have been in my hometown. Well, there's this guy whom I am going to nickname SD, who emails me every time I am back on the site. It's usually just a joking email asking me if I was in a relationship and what happened. It's kind of funny. The first few times it happened I just assumed he was a player and just used Match to pick up the girls since he has been on there for so long. Then... I took a moment to step back and realized... umm, he could be thinking the same thing about me! I have been on and off it for almost four years now, maybe I'm the one that doesn't look serious!

Well, we have been emailing a little more than usual this past week and I'm just not sure what to think. He seems like a great guy, but I'm not sure if I'm attracted to him. Plus, he doesn't list what he does for a living on his page. I suppose I could ask...

Anyway, I like how this has started off jokingly and very much like friends. Hopefully it stays that way. Either way, I think he would be a great guy friend and I'm trying very hard to have little to no expectations. Another guy friend would be great, so for now that is my only expectation!

(Although, if it does work out, it would make a great story of how we met, don't ya think?)

How did you and your significant other meet? Do you have a fun story? Did you take it seriously at first, imagining the wedding, house...etc? For you single ladies, am I alone or do you daydream like I do?

Shopping with ALPITC!

Someone should take away my debit card and freeze it in a bowl of ice, much like Becky did in the movie Confessions of a Shopaholic.

Seriously.

This morning as I was waking up in my hungover stupor I looked over at my Blackberry, looked past the missed BBM message, text message and missed call and to the email from NY & Company that said starting today through 17th take $50 off a $100 purchase. 50% off? Ok!

Now, I know these coupons are a dime a dozen at that store, but I have had my eye on their new argyle sweater vests and I had recently purchased some new white blouses from Victoria's Secret (they have my absolute fav blouses, that are bodysuits and stay tucked in!) and I love that layered look, but hate wearing two shirts and risk being hot all day. (which makes me miserable).

So, I headed to the website armed to use this coupon. Then I remembered their sizing is all kinds of funky and I didn't want to get the sweaters in an odd, ill-fitting size (or pay shipping) so I after I dropped off my good friend at her car (yeah, we all had too many adult beverages last night) I headed over to Jordan Creek Mall for a quick trip. Quick it was! In and out within 25 minutes and here's the goods to prove it...

The two sweater vests, which I think are adorable! I could have bought one in every color. Fortunately, I picked two (all new arrivals were B1G1 50%), the black/white and the lavender/gray (it looks pink in the picture, but it's a light lavender).

Then I spotted this pretty little tunic. I love stuff like this that I can wear year round so I knew I needed this one too!

You can't really tell in the picture but it has little silver studs all along the neckline. Very dainty, and pretty. I think this will look great with a cardigan, leggings and some cute boots.

Speaking of leggings...

I can always use another pair of black leggings. I wear leggings at least a few times a week, so my black ones are almost always in the dirty laundry. These were a little pricy for leggings at $20, but the material is great and I know they'll last a little longer than plain ol' cotton ones.

After this I still had a little bit more to go to get to $100, so I snatched up this cute little top..

I'm not sure if I will like the ruffles in the front, but I thought it might look cute under a cardigan, so we'll see! This one may be going back.

Then, because all new arrivals were B1G1 50% I had to pick a 6th item for half off! So, I chose this cute top. It was cheap and the sale made it cheaper, so I just couldn't resist not taking advantage.

I'm also not sure of this one. I haven't tried any of these things on, so once I have done that I might change my mind. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to wearing them! I'm also pretty excited that I found all six of these items for only $72! Steal!!

This is my last splurge. For reals... I am a poor, college student now and poor, college students do not shop as much as I have been shopping lately!

Hope you enjoyed shopping with ALPITC!

What have you splurged on recently? Do coupons suck you in like they do me?

The new love of my life!

I have been keeping something from you guys... I have to introduce you to the new love of my life...

Chocolate glazed donut coffee from Donut House.

Mmmmmm, this coffee tastes just like this:

I am not kidding! It is that good.

When I moved in with my sister one of the things I was looking forward to most (besides all that sisterly bonding time!) was her Keurig coffee maker!

If you aren't familiar with Keurig it is a single serving coffeemaker that brews coffee from individual servings of cups called k-cups. There are tons of different kinds of coffee, tea, hot chocolate... they have everything you would make with a normal coffee maker, if not more. If you're a coffee-lover like me, you need a Keurig!

My mom gave us a couple of chocolate glazed donut k-cups several months ago and I immediately fell Bed, Bath and Beyond and they come in a variety pack of k-cups, which includes several cups of decaf coffee. I don't need decaf! That would have been a waste of money! So, I took my search online.

Sold out at Keurig.com

Expensive on Amazon.

Sigh...

Then, finally I found it on Amazon for a reasonable price. $13 for a box of 24 k-cups (1 k-cup usually makes 2 cups of coffee). Sold!

With my Amazon Prime account I got it in 2 days with free shipping (thank you Amazon Prime!).

Mmmmm, this stuff is so good! If you have access to a Keurig you must try it! I promise, if you like flavored coffee (or donuts!) you will love this coffee!

Do you drink coffee? If so, how much coffee do you drink a day?

Gotta love productive days!

Can I offer a piece of advice to all you single ladies? Do not re-sign up for Match.com and then watch The Craigslist Killer later that day. Not a good idea. Just not good.

I realize I am not advertising sexual favors via Craigslist that ultimately attract psychos that will want to kill me, but it still had me all kinds of freaked out.

Ugh, but back to the obvious. Yes. I joined Match again. I honestly don't know why I put myself through this. It's mainly for my mother. This way when she asks if I am seeing anyone I can say I am trying. I really am. ;)

I'm actually quite content and very happy with where my life is going right now, so I figure if I do at least a little work it will all fall together. Great plan, right? I thought so.

Today was an awesome, productive day. One of those days where everything just fell together and a ton of errands got accomplished. I started the day with a trip downtown to turn in my stuff for my subbing license, get my fingerprints and background check started. Now, I am just waiting on my transcripts from ISU. (come one ISU, what's the dealio?!)

After that was squared away (clean record, quick trip) my sister and I grabbed some sushi for lunch at my favorite sushi place downtown, Miyabi 9. Seriously, in love with that place.

Then, we picked up one of my textbooks. The only book that was cheaper at the University Bookstore rather than online. Then we hit the mall. I've been meaning to hit up the semi-annual sale at Victoria's Secret for quite awhile so I stocked up. I really needed some new unmentionables.

Then, we headed about 20 minutes west of Des Moines to my grandmother's house to drop of five pairs of my dress pants that needed hemmed. You see, I am not short enough to require the "short" length, but I am not tall enough to handle the "regular" length so I have to have all my pants tailored. Literally, all of them. I hate it, but if I don't do it I will never wear the pants.

So, that was my day. Productive, yet fun and very relaxing. I love days like this.

What do you tend to do on your days off? Do you save all your errands for your day off or would you rather have a day with absolutely nothing on the to-do list?