It has been far too long...

My lovely friend Madalyn over at From These Lips has reminded me at least ten times this week how long it's been since I've blogged. Then today when she said, "U HAVE NOT BLOGGED SINCE MAY?!?!?!! shame on you" that is when I went fuck. So consider this my public message that I'm coming back. And to prove that I haven't been completely living in a hole the past 7 weeks, ouch. Here are 7 of my latest saved and favorited photos for your enjoyment. Missed you!

While forgetting I shattered my ankle skateboarding at 16, this photo reminded me incredibly how adorable tom boy babies are.

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Here is some sexy inspiration for you when trying to decide to workout or not. Yummm.

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Talk about a dream wall of goodness. Wanted.

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Such a blue-eyed beaut. Reminds me of Mickey Blue Eyes, the puppy we had in our family for such a short time before realizing our apartment has banned these cuties.

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A field of flowers. I could lie in one all day.

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One day, if I ever fit into a little kids size, ha! I'll pick this baby up.

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I am currently in succulent heaven. The grocery store nearest my apartment currently has a grip of these beauties for sale. Want, want, and more want.

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Goal #100: Go on a double date (Me, Danny, Alex & David)

This goal used to say, "Go to Disneyland (Me, Danny, Alex & David), but with ticket prices increasing and money-to-spend decreasing, we decided to revise this to a simple double date. One spontaneous Sunday I convinced this pack of awesome friends to go see Hunger Games, then my sister suggested we snag some dinner beforehand and the next thing ya know it, we realized we just planned the best DZP-double-date eva!

Never short of awesome attempts to document DZP fun.

Shout out to my sister for getting me hooked on the Hunger Games. That was the best series of non-chick-lit books I've ever read. As many of you avid-Hunger Game-readers may agree, the movie simply did not meet my expectations. *sad face* The whole movie felt rushed and underacted. I didn't feel the raw desperation that I felt so clearly throughout the books. That intense need to survive was completely lost in my opinion. I hope the rest of the movies are significantly better. I look forward to finding out.

Goal #32: Own all of Chelsea Handler's books (4/4)

At some point during almost every romantic comedy, the female lead suddenly trips and falls, stumbling helplessly over something ridiculous like a leaf, and then some Matthew McConaughey type either whips around the corner just in the nick of time to save her or is clumsily pulled down along with her. That event predictably leads to the magical moment of their first kiss. Please. I fall ALL the time. You know who comes and gets me? The bouncer.

- Chelsea Handler, My Horizontal Life 

I was waiting to blog this so I can take an actual picture of my actual books, but someone somewhere still has my Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me. So I decided I finally needed to let you know the following:

a. Another goal dusted.

b. Chelsea Handler is hilarious. And if you haven't figured it out yet, read these books.

c. Read these books.

Thanks! That is all.

My Dream Bookcase

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Oh how I wish...

Books, books and more books!

Never would I have thought one day that I would read this many books for pleasure and not by force. Growing up reading was always tedious, never fun and if I could get away without it - I would in a heartbeat! I'm so thankful I added this to my DZP list and found a new love for books and reading. And! Thanks to my girl Shans, I've been able to read a ton of awesome books. The two of us and some friends have our books circulating, it's kind of cool *proud grin*. Here are the latest completed books. . .

Can You Keep A Secret

*Thanks MMW*

Heart of the Matter

Rant: The Oral Biography of Buster Casey

*Thanks Shans*

My Uncle Oswald

*Thanks Shans*

Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me

Cocktails for Three

*Thanks Shans*

In My Shopping Cart...

I should have posted this a while ago, but it's never too late to share! Here are a few recent buys from holiday gift cards and sales:

AE Ruched Pocket T: these comfy, fabulous fitting T's are buy one get one half off! Love!

AE Deep V-Neck T: yet another buy one get one half off deal!

All About Us: here's a little something for Danny and I to fill out over the next couple months.  It's supposed to reveal something about our relationship... we will see!

Magazine Subscriptions: for a mere $11.00 each, I snagged myself 2 one-year subscriptions to some ass kicking magazines!

Did you buy any fun things with holiday gift cards, or during holiday sales? Share!

My Reading Journey Continues...

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Thanks to my DZP Goal #40: Read 10 new books, my affinity for reading is thriving.  Since my list, I finished off Sophie Kinsella's Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, and I'm nearly finished with Shopaholic Ties the Knot.  I know, girlie to the max - but witty and hilarious none the less.

I know there are quite a few more after - Shopaholic & Sister, Shopaholic & Baby and Mini Shopaholic but after this one I think I'm going to take a Shopaholic break. I think I might go riffle through some of my close friends bookcases for some good reads... ladies, get ready!

Pre-Order?

You can bet I'm kicking myself for not finding out about this tempting pre-order opp before I used my B&N Christmas gift cards!

I've read pretty much all her books... yes, all but one.  And I about die every time she mentions some outrageous lies that she tells her friends, family and other people who fall prey to her string of lies.  So you can bet I'm absolutely excited to read all about the stories of total foolishness so I can laugh hysterically all over again...

"My tendency to make up stories and lie compulsively for the sake of my own amusement takes up a good portion of my day and provides me with a peace of mind not easily attainable in this economic climate."--Chelsea Handler, from Chapter 10 of Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang

It's no lie: Chelsea Handler loves to smoke out "dumbassness," the condition people suffer from that allows them to fall prey to her brand of complete and utter nonsense. Friends, family, co-workers--they've all been tricked by Chelsea into believing stories of total foolishness and into behaving like total fools. Luckily, they've lived to tell the tales and, for the very first time, write about them.

May 2011, here we come!

Goal #40: Read 10 new books

I can't believe 10 books have come and gone so quickly.  Before I made this goal, I think I probably read  one, maybe two books in an entire year.  Which is pretty ridiculous for a woman my age, but between school books, homework and work - reading was the last vice I turned to during a lull moment.  Nowadays reading a book amongst the silence, or in a loud waiting room, coffee shop, where ever I may be waiting, reading has become my new escape.  Here is a recap of my 10 book journey:

 

The reading will not stop now, in fact I have a few books lined up in my queue (not entirely in this order):

• Shopaholic takes Manhattan, Sophia Kinsella
• The Heart of the Matter, Emily Giffin
• Love the one You're With, Emily Giffin
• Shopaholic Ties the Knot, Sophia Kinsella

I'm also looking into a lot of Nicholas Sparks reads.  I know, very girlie, but until I find another author that sparks my fancy I may just be focusing on my trifecta - Emily Giffin, Nicholas Sparks and Sophia Kinsella.

Goal #40: Read 10 new books (10/10)

The girls and I have started this hand-off of great books that we've all enjoyed, and this one came from Madalyn, which had made its way through some women in her family on to me.  My sister and I got hooked on Emily Giffin's writing years ago when her books Something Borrowed and Something Blue came out.  After finishing those in a heartbeat, for some reason I choose not to continue with her series - even though I had been recommending her books every time the topic came up!  So when I heard Madalyn got her hands on Baby Proof, I finally decided why not!  I know it's going to be fabulous.  And it was!  Now it will be off into the hands of Shans for another enjoyable read.

Here are just a few quotes that I really enjoyed:

When I meet someone I like being with more than I like being alone, I'll marry her.

Besides, what are friends for, Claudia - if they can't pick up the pieces a man has left behind?

Goal #40: Read 10 new books (9/10)

The Art of Racing in the Rain

I finished this book a few weeks ago and am finally sharing it with you.  It's a story I wasn't sure I wanted to read, but the clerk at the book store insisted.  And when someone insists, it becomes pretty convincing the book needs a read. 
The verdict: Fabulous.  I'm absolutely glad that I decided to read it.  A heartfelt story told by Enzo, the dog's perspective, is a true tale of loyalty, friendship, the unheard story of a pets affection towards its master and family, and the things we do for the ones we love.  I recommend this book 100% to anyone, but especially to those with a pet their own.

Goal #40: Read 10 new books (8/10)

After an afternoon at Borders I took home 4 new books, and this is the first off my list.  It took me only 4 occasions of reading to fly right threw it, and I loved it.  It was definitely a roller coaster of love, fear, sadness, tears and joy.  I recommend it.  But be prepared for tears at the end... goodness gracious!

Goal #40: Read 10 new books (7/10)

Thank you Shannybear for lending me yet another fabulous book!  Chelsea Handler is a super funny writer and divulges a little too many personal stories in her life, but I'm glad she does.  I started this book a while back, took a break for some odd reason, and when I came back to it I breezed right through.  If the title doesn't persuade you to take a peek, take my word for it - this is a funny read.

Goal #40: Read 10 new books (6/10)

This Chelsea Handler is absolutely hilarious!  I love the humor and honesty in this eclectic collection of one-night stands, very refreshing.  A friend of mine suggested that I read this puppy a long time ago and I never got around to doing it.  Then as I was strolling through Target this past weekend, I saw it... and while I was hoping to borrow it rather than purchase, I went ahead and grabbed it.  Now that I own it, I'm absolutely thrilled with my purchase decision.  This took me 2 nights to get through it, and I was laughing my butt off!  It is now making its way through my circle of friends!
Sharing is caring!!

Goal #40: Read 10 new books (5/10)

Half way done, woo-hoo!!  This was another suggestion from my girl Shans.  I saw the movie, and was a bit hesitant to take it on as a new read, but I am definitely pleased I did.  This read was absolutely better the film.

Goal #40: Read 10 new books (4/10)

Four down, six to go.  It's been a while since I posted a completed book for my DZP list, and to be honest this entire time I've been trying to get through a different book altogether.  Then I finally said To hell with this! and I started this book 2 nights ago.  The first night night I read about 50 pages, then last night I finished the rest of the book without putting it down once!  
MMW lent it to me to screen it for her because it seemed like a very sad story line - a mother finding a missing child's postcard with a photo of a young boy that looks like he could be her adopted son's twin brother.  But whoa! did the plot thicken... there was mystery, adventure, crime solving, romance, drama - there seriously needs to be a movie made from this book!  

Traveling Journal

I am someone who lives vicariously through my friend's traveling photo books.  Here's a journey journal for you travel bugs making your way throughout the country.  Buy one here and you can document your traveling days with checklists, pages for after thoughts and a nifty compartment so you can safely store any treasures you collect along your way.

In My Shopping Cart...

3 years worth of magazines and 1 book to help with my DZP list:

Marie Claire, 2-year Renewal - $7.00

Cosmopolitan, 1-year Renewal - $10.00

To get free shipping:

Heart of the Matter - $14.57

Thanks to Amazon - $31.57