L for Lovin' It

It’s finals week. I’ve been beyond stressed. If you follow me on Twitter, you already know it’s that kind of stress that completely paralyzes you, thus preventing you from actually completing the things you need to get done. It's totally my fault. I procrastinated and I am really too much of an overachiever at times.

By writing this post, I am procrastinating even more (I don't learn lessons sometimes...or maybe some habits are just hard to break.) and further delaying the inevitable: my Philosophy of Religion final. It’s the only thing I have left to do to complete the semester. It’s the only thing standing between me and two whole weeks of vacation from school and homework. Unfortunately, it’s a 3 hour essay exam, and I’ve already checked out for the semester. I have until midnight tonight to take it, so it’s going down tonight after dinner, whether or not I feel ready.

In the mean time, none of the things bouncing around in my head are themselves worthy of a full blog post, so I thought I’d give you a quick list of things I’m loving and things I’m hating loving not so much at the moment.

LOVING:

Dansko shoes. It took me a bit of work to figure out which European size I needed to accommodate my rather large, rather wide feet, but once I got it figured out, I fell in love. I am not the type of girl who falls in love with shoes. Seriously. Ask anyone who knows me. To me shoes serve an imporant function, but they are hardly worth loving. I most certainly am not accustomed to paying more than like $20 for a pair. However, in the past month, I’ve purchased three pairs of Danskos. My justifications for these purchases (not that I need to justify them) are as follows:

(1) I have a surplus of money now that I’m no longer wasting it on cigarettes, junk food, and fast food. I seriously just do not seem to spend money anymore. It’s mind boggling how much money I used to spend on cigarettes, lunch, and snacks every single day. Now, I allow myself to purchase lunch as a "treat" every week, but that's about all the money I spend.

(2) The shoes are very well made and sturdy, which means they should last at least a few years, which is something my Payless cheap shoe buying self isn’t used to. The price of one pair divided by the number of years I’d expect them to last (3-5) makes the price of each pair much more reasonable.

(3) I purchased the first pair at a greatly reduced price—they are a season or two old (a detail that doesn’t matter to me) and I found a fantastic online sale. I thought they were too small, so with the intention of returning them, I went to an actual shoe store to get sizing advice before reordering from online. There, I fell in love with and purchased the second pair. (Because I'm a sucker for shoes that make my giant feet look cute and small.) Days later I realized the first pair was actually a size large than the second, and thus were not in fact too small but just needed to be broken in. I therefore decided to keep the first pair. You’ll note that the first two pairs are more dressy type shoes; they’re meant for work. Of course, I needed a casual pair too, and the embroidered clogs were just too cute to resist.

Adele’s 21 Album. It’s so full of awesome. The girl can sing! Love, love, love, love, love this album. So much. It’s on continuous play in my car.

Fage Greek Yogurt. This yogurt rocks my socks off! It’s so rich and creamy that it almost seems too good to be true. A decadent indulgence, it’s become a staple in my diet (and Musicman’s too). Costco sells large tubs of the plain for a very reasonable price, so we stock up each week. I love the versatility of the plain—I’ve found about a gazillion ways to flavor it. My favorite, by far, is mixing a tablespoon of lemon curd into a cup of yogurt and letting it sit overnight. So freakin’ delicious! I never used to be a breakfast person, and now I look forward to breakfast every day. Because it’s packed with protein, the yogurt combined with some fruit and/or a bit of cereal for crunch keeps me full until lunch time.

Quinoa. Not only is it fun to say, but it's delicious and fun to eat too. There is something about the texture that I just love. Combined with blackbeans, corn, onion, and various seasonings (specifically cumin and cayenne), it makes a super delicious southwest-style salad. Yummmmmmmmmm!

Weight Watchers Points Plus Plan. I’m amazed at how well it’s working, and I truly don’t feel deprived at all. I still eat delicious pizza, cake, and cookies, but I’ve learned that moderation and planning are key. I’m finding that my tastes have changed too. For example, I now crave certain fruits and vegetables. I simply must get some fresh fruits and veggies in everyday or something feels off. (Though I do have to admit that tracking every single thing I eat gets tedious at times. The end result, however, is totally worth it.)

This semester is almost over. My two week "summer" vacation starts tomorrow, and though I have no grand plans, I couldn't be more thrilled. I swear this semester has been longer than any other over the past two years.

My husband. (Duh, right?!) I saved the best for last. What can I say? Musicman is amazing. He’s my rock, my inspiration, my head cheerleader, and my all around most favorite person in the whole wide world. I feel so fortunate to have found and married someone who is such a perfect match for me. Our marriage is more than just a partnership; we truly are best friends. I love that we are very like-minded, but different enough that we complement each other so well. He truly brings out the best in me, and I’m just loving having him by my side through this amazing journey we call life. I truly don't know if I'd have made it this far with school without his encouragement and support.

Loving NOT so much:

Asthma/Allergies. The ridiculous weather we’ve had in Minnesota (snowing and 40’s last week, 90 and humid yesterday) over the past month hasn’t helped, but I have been downright miserable more days than not over the past few weeks. I was forced to take a hiatus from running due to the fact that I just could not seem to breathe after a certain point. I’m sad. I miss C25K (kinda), and with how much time I’ve taken off, I feel like I’m going to have to start all over. If I ever manage to get the breathing thing under control, that is.

I had a physical last week and the doctor ran a bunch of tests, but I haven’t heard anything about results yet. She prescribed an inhaler that has yet to really make a difference, and she didn’t seem too concerned about the fact that I sometimes have trouble catching my breath after even the smallest amount of exertion—like carrying the laundry up the stairs. I’m frustrated and worried. What if it’s something serious like emphysema? I know I’m probably too young for that, but it wouldn’t entirely be surprising after all the years I smoked. I might need to seek a second opinion.Not being able to breathe is just not cool.

Work. More often than not, it is abundantly clear that this is just not the environment for me. How I’ve lasted at my company for 14 years, and in this job for about half of that time, is completely beyond me. Some days are so bad in terms of frustration and ridiculousness that I really question whether I can survive another few years here with my sanity intact.

Asshat Drivers. I think I may have mentioned before that I might possibly have a slight tinge of the road rage. It's one of the things Musicman loves about me. (No. Really. It is. He finds it Hilarious! Apparently I am a completely different person once I'm behind the wheel of a car.) Nothing gets my blood boiling faster than when Adele and I are belting out the performance of a lifetime in my car, and the beautiful moment is interrupted by my screams of “Way to go, douche!” “Learn to drive, twat waffle!” and “Die, asshat!” I cannot control this automatic response to the jackassery of the moronic drivers around me; it's hardcoded. I don't think it helps that people seem to assume that since I drive the cute, apparently feminine, VW Beetle that I don't mind being pushed around on the road. Yes! Go ahead and cut me off, because that totally makes my day. Said people quickly learn that they were incredibly wrong in their assumptions as the Bug's horn isn't as whimpy as one would think, and I use it often.

The Redesigned VW Beetle. I'm glad I got my Beetle when I did, because VW has totally ruined it! I read somewhere that one of their golas with the redesign was to make it more masculine. WHY?!? Why does everything in this world have to appeal to men? They've gone and completely ruined a classic because men needed a more manly car. Really?!? There weren't enough masculine options out there already?

Weather. It’s been an absolute roller-coaster of ridiculousness weather-wise here in Minnesota. Given how long the cold weather stuck around, I feared we’d end up skipping spring (one of my favorite seasons) and heading straight into the dog days of summer. And, it looks like that’s exactly what’s going to happen. It was 90 degrees and stiflingly humid when I walked out of work yesterday. In other words, disgusting. With my birthday coming up in a couple weeks, all I’m wishing for is some lovely spring-like weather to offer an easy transition into the summer heat and humidity.

Also? Sandal season is coming. I want to order some Dansko sandals, because I’m betting they’ll be just as great as the shoes. However, I cannot justify spending a couple hundred more dollars on shoes. Sadly, the sandals I already have will have to get me through one more summer. (Or at least the next month or so. Maybe then I can justify buying at least one pair of Dansko sandals.)

What about you, lovely reader? What are you loving? What are you loving not so much? Any tips on how I can change my procrastinating ways?

B for Beautiful Bloggers

This is long, long, long overdue, and I offer my deepest apologies to both Christine and Shana for taking so long to acknowledge this wonderful award they’ve bestowed upon me. The fantabulous and wonderful Christine (formerly of Raised Queer; now enjoying her new digs at Rat Faced Girl) and Shana (of Fumbling Towards Normalcy) have both passed along the Beautiful Blogger Award to me! It’s such an honor that two of my most favoritest* bloggers, and two of the awesomest* chicks I know, think I am worthy of such an award. Thanks, lovely ladies!!

* Not real words; I know.

(For the record, I do not think this is in any way related to the fact that these ladies were the winners of my chocolate giveaway awhile back. Even though chocolate is a proven aphrodisiac, I don’t think it made them fall so madly in love with my blog or me that they had no choice but to pass this award along to me. On the off chance that the chocolate was, in fact, the motivation behind honoring me in such a way, let’s just keep it to ourselves. Okay, ladies?)

The rules are that I have to tell you seven things about myself and pass this along to seven bloggers. Since I’ve done the “things” lists not once, not twice, but three times, this is a challenge, but I’m going to try to come up with seven interesting (or at least hopefully semi-interesting) things:

1. I am obsessed with lip balm. My favorite is Burt’s Bees, because I like the cool, tingling sensation of the peppermint oil. However, I also use EOS, Dr. Bronner’s, and Crazy Rumors. I have lip balm everywhere, always within easy reach: a few in my purse, one that sits on my computer keyboard at work, one on the nightstand next to the bed, and one on the end table next to “my end” of the couch. I apply lip balm every morning before I head out the door, every night right before I go to bed, and countless times throughout the day. I get anxious and hyper-focused on the dryness of my lips if I cannot find lip balm to remedy the situation. (I know; it sounds like an illness.)

NOTE: This is not an advertisement. I did not get compensated in any way to mention these brands. They're simply some of my favorites.

2. Gerbera Daisies are my most favorite flower. They are just so bright, happy, and fun! I really regret listening so much to my florist and carrying a white bouquet of flowers on my wedding day (to avoid anything detracting from the dress) instead of a big, fun, bright bouquet of Gerbera Daisies.

3. If I would’ve stayed with, and eventually married, my high school boyfriend, I’d be a preacher’s wife now. (Seriously. I would. He told me he would’ve married me.) First loves are called first loves for a reason, and I’m glad any romantic feelings I had for him, or dreams for a life together, died the day I broke up with him. To imagine myself as a preacher’s wife is hysterical. MusicMan roared with laughter after he met high school ex-boyfriend for the first time and I later explained that he’s a preacher now. Apparently my husband can’t imagine me as a preacher’s wife either, and I am not the slightest bit offended by that.

4. I like pizza. A lot. Well, good pizza anyway; none of that chain stuff like Pizza Hut or Domino’s or Papa John’s (though I’ll eat those if I’m absolutely desperate). One of my favorite topping combinations is pepperoni, mushroom, and sauerkraut. Sadly, not too many places around here include sauerkraut as an option anymore.

5. I really, really, really want another tattoo. I have plans to get a memorial tattoo for my sister, but I haven’t completely solidified what I want yet, so that will have to wait. For now, I present pictures of the tattoo on my right ankle/foot. I adore it! And that age old argument that the anti-tattoo crowd likes to use, “Will you still love it/will it still be appropriate when you’re old and wrinkly?” is rendered obsolete, because: (1) YES! I WILL! and (2) I will probably knit even more when I’m old and wrinkly, because I’ll have more free time. (SO THERE!)

 6. I hate talking on the phone. I’m not entirely sure why this is, or when it started for that matter, but sometimes I absolutely just dread the thought of carrying on a phone conversation. I talk on the phone at work, because it’s part of my job and I have to do it, but I try to avoid personal phone calls at all costs. Texting and emailing works just great for me.

7. I need blankets, or some kind of covering, in order to fall asleep. Even in the middle of summer, when it’s hot and sticky outside, I at least have to be covered with the bed sheet in order to fall asleep. I might stick my foot out from under the covers, if I’m feeling warm, but the rest of my body needs to be covered. If I have a blanket, I can fall asleep most anywhere. There are always blankets on my couch, and I cuddle up with them even in the middle of summer (having central air encourages blanket usage), which results in lots of couch napping.

I’m passing this award along to the following beautiful bloggers:

Yankee Girl @ Adventures of a Yankee Girl

Lora @ fever

Vic @ Freckles and Fudge

JMJE @ Making Stuff is Fun

Linda @ Crone and Bear It

KLZ @ Taming Insanity

Andrea @ Crazy With A Side of Awesome Sauce

Make sure you go and visit these bloggers and their wonderful blogs, because they’re all awesome and supremely entertaining! And definitely go visit Christine and Shana, the lovely ladies who passed this award to me, because they are seriously the coolest. I would have passed the award right back to them, but I was afraid that would blow up the internet the same way that a circular cell reference seems to blow up an Excel spreadsheet. (I know; that was like the nerdiest, most obscure reference.)

(And to the bloggers I’ve named above, if awards aren’t your thing, that’s cool. In other words, don’t stress about passing this along if you don’t want to.)

C for Chocolate Confessions (Giveaway Inside!)

I have a confession to make, lovely reader. I’ve been keeping a secret from you. I’m not going to try to make excuses for why, but I do want to apologize. I should’ve told you about this much sooner…

Back at the beginning of April, Jenny Mac at Let’s Have a Cocktail wrote a post that introduced me to Chocomize. Chocolate lover that I am, I was intrigued. Upon checking out the Chocomize website, I was blown away. I swear to you, lovely reader, I heard angels singing. If you love chocolate, or if you know someone who does, you simply must check out Chocomize.

The concept is simply genius: they sell chocolate bars that you can customize yourself. The process is simple and fun. First, you get to pick your chocolate base, and the whole spectrum is available: Dark (56.8% cocoa content), Milk (33.6% cocoa content), and White. After you’ve completed this step, the real fun begins. You get to choose the ingredients to create your dream candy bar, and you can select up to five decadent ingredients per bar.

The ingredients list is broken out into a few categories: Nuts & Seeds, Fruits, Herbs & Spices, Candy, Decorations, and Other. The options are nearly endless, guaranteeing that you will have a hard time making decisions. You will be amazed. There are, of course, the obvious ingredients one would think of combining with chocolate such as: almonds, peanuts, dried strawberries and cranberries, toffee pieces, and caramel pieces. Then, there are the more exotic ingredients: Edamame, Wasabi Peas, Goji Berries, Cayenne Pepper, Hot Curry Powder, and Beef Jerky to name just a few. The decorations are also fun and unique, ranging from edible plaques that have messages such as “Happy Birthday” to the more opulent 23-karat gold flakes and crystallized Violet petals.

Jenny Mac had a giveaway going on her blog, but I just couldn’t wait that long; especially considering the odds that I might not win. Music Man and I used the discount code she provided to order six bars of chocolate, four for me and two for him. I know; I sound like a complete glutton. When it comes to chocolate, I will freely admit that I am! I did it for you, lovely reader, in the name of research. I had to try each type of chocolate, and when I saw that they had an option for ordering from a menu of favorite popular flavors, I had to order at least one of those!

Also, did you know chocolate has health benefits? (I can justify anything. Oh yes, I can.) Well, it does. I’ve heard/read that fact in lots of places. I can’t think of any particular article or anything to link you to right this minute, but trust me on this. If you really don’t believe me, well: (1) why not?!?! I thought we had something, lovely reader! and (2) use your google-fu; you will find something about the health benefits of chocolate.

Oh, I almost completely forgot to mention another really cool thing! In addition to customizing your own chocolate, you get to pick a name for the bar. The creativity just doesn't quit! The name is actually printed on the candy bar packaging, which, by the way, is very cool. The bar is contained in a cellophane type bag that is resealable, which is inside a cardboard sheath with a large, enticing see through window that taunts you with the chocolately goodness inside. A label on the back lists ingredients and the name of your bar.

Now, the part you’ve been waiting for…I have to tell you about how the chocolate tasted! I have an obsession with the combination of dark chocolate, caramel, and sea salt lately, so that was the first bar I tried. (I named this one the Salty Dog.) It was incredible!!! The dark chocolate was everything dark chocolate should be: rich, sweet, and slightly bitter. Chocomize puts the selected ingredients on one side of the bar, and the other side is scored for easy portion control sharing. The caramel pieces and sea salt were spread generously, and fairly evenly, over the entire bar.

Music Man selected dark chocolate with cinnamon and cayenne pepper. I named his bar Hot and Spicy Chocolate, and it was amazing! If you haven’t tried cinnamon with chocolate, you’re totally missing out, and the cayenne added the expected kick while also enhancing the flavor of the dark chocolate.

I tried the milk chocolate next. I chose two milk chocolate bars: (1) Smore (one of the popular favorites), which had mini marshmallows and graham teddies and (2) my creation called Double Chocolate Strawberry, which included dried strawberries and dark chocolate chips. I love Smores, so I simply couldn’t pass up this non-messy version of a smore, and I'm glad I didn't...it was absolutely delicious! The strawberry chunks in the Double Chocolate Strawberry bar were huge, and again generously covered the bar; they tasted incredibly delicious combined with the milk chocolate and dark chocolate chips. The milk chocolate was perfect—smooth and sweet.

Finally, we tried the white chocolate. The bar I named Tropic Explosion had pineapple dices, mango dices, coconut flakes, and Macadamia nuts. Generally, I’m not a huge fan of white chocolate, but a true scientist sometimes has to make sacrifices in the name of research. The white chocolate is smooth and creamy; combined with the fruits and nuts I selected, it was very tasty. Music Man’s white chocolate with coconut flakes and diced lemon peel was also very good.

I enjoyed the chocolate and the experiences of customizing my own perfect candy bars so much that I will most definitely be ordering again. The four bars I had have lasted me over a month (see? I have self-restraint!), but they're now almost gone. I will be placing a new order as soon as I can decide which of the dozens of combinations I have floating around in my head I'd like to try next. Chocomize has definitely secured me as a repeat customer!

Have I made you hungry, lovely reader? Are you drooling?! If so, 

you’re going to be so excited about the news I’m about to share. In honor of my upcoming birthday, and to apologize for not revealing this secret sooner, I’m hosting my first blog giveaway! One lucky reader will win the chance to customize his or her own chocolate bars by winning a $10 gift card to Chocomize! The rules are simple:

1.     First Entry: You must be a follower of my blog. Let me know in the comment section that you are following.

2.    Next Entry: Go to Chocomize and take a look at the ingredient options, then come back and leave a comment telling me how you’d customize your bars if you won! (I have so many ideas for future orders already, but I’m nosey. Also, I think I can learn a lot about you, lovely reader, based on your chocolate preferences.)

The deadline is Sunday, May 23 (my twin brother’s birthday). I will use a random number generator to pick the winner. Good luck, lovely reader!!

Important Note: Chocomize did not compensate me in any way for this review. The gift certificate is coming out of my own pocket. I just get really excited when I fall in love with cool small businesses, and want to share the news of my discoveries with the world!