A Lil Love Story at a Butterfly House...

Did you know there is such a thing as a Butterfly House? It’s a place where butterflies roam free within the house, which means there are very strict rules. You can’t harm a butterfly under any circumstances! The tour guide will tell you to let the butterflies land on you or let them fly around as they please. If there is a problem you can tell the tour guide. Well this place & rule created a lil story I wanted to share with you about a particular day when a butterfly just wouldn’t leave a certain man’s camera.

I have been blessed in my life to have met all my grandparents & have an extra set. My cousin’s grandparents, Alex & Julia Nole, have always treated me like I was their granddaughter too. Unfortunately Julia passed away in the Spring 2004. We were all very sad of course & miss her terribly. Grandpa Nole more than ever. They had been married over 50 years. 

A butterfly named Julia...

Back to the story: Grandpa Nole & his son were at a Butterfly house a year or so ago in Houston, Texas. The tour guide gave out the directions and specified urgently to let these beautiful creatures do whatever they wanted within this greenhouse type place. However…One lil beautiful orange butterfly landed on Grandpa’s camera. AND his arm. AND his hand. AND his head. AND then his camera again. So eventually out of frustration he went to the tour guide and explained how the butterfly would not leave him alone. 

 

To which the tour guide laughing and smiling replied,

“Oh she must really like you, sir! That type of butterfly is called, “Julia”….”

Grandpa & Uncle Alex started to cry instantly. The tour guide puzzled asked them why they were crying & then they told him that his late wife’s name was in fact, Julia… The tour guide was stunned and amazed. What are the odds ya know?

Grandpa Nole with the Butterfly named Julia...

There are many unanswered questions in this world & many peculiar & wonderful things do happen. This is one of them. Who knows, maybe it was my other grandmother reaching out to her husband? If not…wow that’s one hell of a coincidence & a lovely story. =)

{Giveaway Winner of the Robots in Trouble Giveaway is: Meri! Email me your shipping info & what 2 you like soon!}

Shabby Apple Dress Giveaway to kick off the Week!! =)

Good Morning Everybody!! I'm still feeling under the weather today so why not kick off the week with a Giveaway from the Lovely dress company, Shabby Apple! You might have seen them on quite a few fashionista blogs! There dresses make you feel just like you could be on that red carpet because they are so beautiful!

Shabby Apple welcomes you to great dresses that make dressing simple. One of their mottos is "Fit to Flatter".

"Every woman deserves to feel beautiful in a dress, but not all of us look like runway models. Shabby Apple celebrates the short legs, curvy hips, straight waists and flat chests in all of us."

That sounds amazing to me! They also have accessories, jewelry, and girls' dresses too! Here is the link to their main website: Shabby Apple. Make sure to have a look around!

Well Shabby Apple has been awesome enough to let me choose a dress to Give Away to you today!! Whether it be for you or maybe a girlfriend, I have chosen this beautiful dress named Cortez!

The ruffled cap-sleeves and high ruffle collar and trim give a playful air to this classic silhouette. Done in navy blue cotton poplin and contrasted with gold metallic buttons, the dress has a slightly military-inspired (or conquistador-inspired) feel. But with a cinching sash at the waist and it’s ravishing ruffles, this dress maintains it’s attractive femininity.

Fit Notes:

This dress follows our FITS GENEROUSLY size chart. Elastic band is at natural waist. Skirt hits at knee. Sleeves do not cover shoulders completely.

Here are the Rules To Enter to Win this Beautiful Dress:

1. MUST be a follower of Melanie's Randomness & visit Shabby Apple & tell me your favorite dress!! (1 Entry)

2. Like Shabby Apple on Facebook: Here's the link: Like on Facebook! (2 Entries)

3. Follow me on Bloglovin! (1 Entry)

4. Follow me on Twitter! (1 Entry)

5. Tweet the following:

{Enter @MelsRandomness Shabby Apple Giveaway to win the beautiful Cortez Dress! http://tiny.cc/ydp7g}

(2 Entries)

{Please Leave a Separate Comment for Each!}

Everyone can join in on the fun!

{Giveaway Ends Next Monday March 7th!}

Also for visiting my site I have a Promo Code for you! Enter: melaniesrandomness10off at Shabby Apple for 10% of your purchase!!

ENJOY!!

I'll be back later with the Winner of my Troubled Robot Giveaway & another post!

What You Don't Want to Happen the Day of a Job Interview....

Hey Everybody this is going to be short because I'm sick as a dog. The change in weather from cold to warm back to freezing & monsoonish rain finally got the best of me. My head feels like it weighs a 1,000 pounds. At first I thought it was stress making me feel crappy but I have a cold & hopefully not the flu. Anywho...the agency interview...

I woke up yesterday to the discovery that my hair straightener was dying AFTER I've straightened half my hair. It just died on me mid-way. *Enter Panic Mode*. I thought I had an extra box of panty hose but I didn't. I get out my new black pumps that are now the most expensive pair of shoes I own for this interview & when I go outside I see that its raining...Shit I'm not getting them wet. So I run back upstairs to get sneakers. I almost couldn't find a blazer yesterday in the mall that actually fit (I need a diet) but I did find one eventually after 3 hours! I'm get to CVS and realize I forgot my $8 extra bucks & the only hair straightener there is 30+, so more money I had to spend AND forgot the credit card where I actually get cash back at drug stores so I didn't get the $1.20 I would have gotten on the purchase back. I get to work and I'm doing my hair in the bathroom & I realized I have the biggest zit ever on my face and I didn't have any windex. And then...And then...

The interview itself was the best part of the day. It went well & the lady said she should be able to place me easily. But all this other mess drove me nuts. This post is a mess but right now I'm a mess. I'm sorry I'm just sick. I'll talk to you all later.

You HAVE to Start Somewhere...

You have to put your lil playing piece on the gaming board and roll the die. I have my FIRST Interview tomorrow at 12:15pm for an agency. An agency however isn't the most guaranteed thing but it's a start. I'm going to put on my blazer, have my resume in hand, and walk in like I can land any job there. It's a free agency & she only has full-time positions with benefits so this should be a step in the right direction. Wish me luck!

I'll admit it tho, I'm really nervous. My stomach is doing mini flips right now. But I have to go. *Remember to breathe*

For almost anything you have to take that chance! I remember when I was sitting on the bar stool & a man asked me out after only talking to me for 15 or so minutes that I had to say, "Yes, I'll go out with you!". When I picked what a colleges I would have to go to I HAD to open that door and walk through. On this new job I have to answer that call and go for those interviews. No, sometimes is just not an answer.

Have you started anything new lately that you just HAD to put that first step in the door or make that call or make that commitment?

Hearing stories has always taught me something...I'd love to hear yours & learn. =)



I Think This Day Needs a lil Creme Brulee...

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On blogger have you noticed your always asked "What's your Favorite this & that?". Sometimes the subject will be desserts. I never know what to put because I like so many. But today, I realized my favorite dessert. A Vanilla flavored Creme Brulee. Maybe it's because I like using a french accent when I say it. lol. Lately I've been always ordering it for dessert too. If made right it is soo delicious.

A Creme Brulee is a custard with hardened caramel for the topping. It's usually served cold but I like it hot. When you spoon into it the topping is supposed to crumble and you eat a lil bit of it with the custard below. There can be many different flavored custards too so it's not just one type! There are few bakeries in my county that make it ohh so superbly. I'm going to get one later. =)

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I think in my time off that hopefully won't be too too long I'm going to try to learn how to make one myself. Right now I don't need to get anymore expensive habits so baking one myself might save some money eating it at a restaurant. It can't be that hard right? I need to find a good recipe ASAP!

Oh btw my mom's cupcake class is back!! It starts in the next 2 weeks so I will have some cupcake filled posts on Wednesday nights! Ooo can't wait for the icing & spring decorations on them!! 

I also will have another giveaway later this week for a dress from Shabby Apple. I may be down but I'm not out yet! Stay Tuned!

Have you ever had a Creme Brulee? Do you love it so?

Will Somone PLEASE Address the Pink Elephant in the Room? Now?

I felt like screaming that today alllll day at work.You know that feeling right? When no one is talking about what has happened or what inevitably will happen soon. It's unsettling and makes it impossible to concentrate. Sigh. However I held my head up high and asked the questions I needed know about my impending termination. The answers weren't great ones but I'm less in the dark then I was on Friday. BUT there is a mini light in the tunnel. I can go back on my father's health insurance for a lil bit because I'm under 26. Whew. Thank God for small favors...So now what?

I stared at my resume & asked "What do you want in your future job?" A paycheck would be nice but what do I want to go for? Engineering? Something to do with Math? Or go back to school? Or become an Social Media Strategist? I don't know. Before I can really dive into the work force I have to come to agreements & terms within myself.

I think I'm going to take me out to lunch & have a lil chat.  Sleeping with Harrison Ford & magically having my new boss get in a skiing accident like in Working Girl isn't going to happen so maybe I'll start from square one & succeed. Yeahh. I'll do it. I got tons of great people(you!) in my corner too! I'll use my head for business & discreetly use my bod for sin. lol.

Now back to those silly elephants. My other pink elephants that are lingering are my book that I'm writing, decorating my apartment in the last few touches, some friendships that HAVE to go, the leftover Chinese food in the fridge I'm scared to even touch, my wardrobe (I realized I have to get out of junior's section), and realizing that certain people in my life are here for the long haul & it's okay to fight. Is there a spray to cure these pink elephants? Let me know!

Here goes nothing! 

 

 

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

Just in case I might have posted my newest giveaway too late, I'm running a Sponsored Giveaway from "Robots in Trouble" Today!

You can pick (2) of these Adorable Items!!

 CLICK HERE TO ENTER!!

It's GIVEAWAY TIME!! "Robots in Trouble" GIVEAWAY!

Hey Everybody I got a special treat for all of you to lighten up these days! A GIVEAWAY from the lovely lady named Abby from the adorable up & coming Blog & Shop called "Robots in Trouble"! She sells cute original lil character Keyrings, Plushies, or Brooches made by hand. I personally love the penguin one. =)

So who is Abby? 

       About Robots in Trouble:

It started with one silly looking penguin that I named Kevin. It was made for Mr. Christopher Schaller (who I was going to abruptly marry in a couple of months. Gosh, don't you just love spontaneity?  because it was his favorite animal besides a panda.

I moved to Las Vegas with the four felt I had available. It was the colors black, white, yellow and pink. Good enough to make a peguin and a panda. One night while I was watching TV, it struck me that I wanted to express myself in some form of creativity. So, I grabbed the four remaining felt that I had, and began making a panda pouch for my poor cellphone that I often drop to the ground.

Little did I know, it was going to be the start of something new. Within three weeks after making the panda pouch, I was making this store into a reality.

Every you see in this store is handmade. And when I say handmade, I literally mean that it's made by hand. No sewing machines are included to make my cute little characters.

-Abby Schaller

I love design stories! 

{The Giveaway}

Abby is giving away (2) of items of your choosing!! Woohoo!! 

This lil guy is my fav!

Christopher the Penguin has a big heart and a fun animal to be with. All the other penguins love his company because of his genuine character. Made with eco friendly felt, and stitched carefully by hand.

{Here are the Giveaway Rules!}

1. Must be a Follower of Melanie's Randomness through Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin & tell me your favorite robot character from her SHOP! (1 Entry)
2. Become a Follower of Abby's blog, Robots in Trouble! (2 Entries)
3. Tweet about the giveaway! (1 Entry)
4. Make a Purchase from the shop, "Robots in Trouble!" (10 Entries)


{Giveaway ends Monday, February 28th}

Thank you Abby for sponsoring this Giveaway!! Even if you don't enter the giveaway make sure to pop by her blog & say Hi! =) Goodnight everyone!

I'll Follow You Into The Dark...

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Thank you everyone for your awesome words. It made me feel  lucky to have such good blogging friends like all of you. I was so upset I can't believe I wrote "Half" instead of "Have". Sorry about that. The news I got on Friday was initially a shock but now I'm more upset. But that's normal. I have to look at the positives & possibilities, but this weekend all I could dwell on was the lack of paycheck & my health insurance. BUT I do have mortgage insurance & I can collect unemployment if I don't get a job right away. I...this is definitely what growing up is; ups & downs. Being in the dark...

Inevitably my weekend got a lil fucked up. I haven't cried like this in months...probably since before I met CJ. I should have been more open & honest with him how upset I was. I think that's a problem us women do. We assume they see how upset we are & expect them to be magically sympathetic in every way we imagine in our head & when they aren't we get mad. I should told him that I just wanted him to say, "I'm Sorry for you, babe" and hold me while I cried. Eventually he scooped me into his arms & did just that. I think I feared having a fight too much that I just didn't speak my mind. I have to work on that. He sang, "I will Follow you into the Dark" by Deathcab for a cutie too. I love him so much, so so much.

11:11pm...Make a wish. I have to re-enter the job market after 4 years. I knew eventually I had to leave his company but not with such a strict deadline. I got too comfortable I think. I used to be a data analyst/adminstrative assistant type deal. I have a Bachelor's in Math & an Associate's degree in Engineering Science and job experience. It'll be okay. These next few weeks I have to try my best to push forward & write a damn good cover letter. I have to.

I just crashed on Friday night & I even talked gibberish in my sleep from stress. This is hard, very hard. I still have a month & a half left of work so I have to still have to put in my 110%. Sigh...this is going to be rough.

I do have a giveaway for later on Monday to lighten the mood. Thank you all again for such support & lovely thoughts. I needed them. Thank you truly. =)

Btw, Krysten of  After "I Do" is the Winner of my CSN STORES giveaway! Please email me when you get a chance. =)

I didn't expect this...not in a million years.

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Today I was told that my job will end on March 31st. Sigh. I jinxed it by saying I was so happy. I really hope this is a blessing in disguise. I have a month and a half left. This is just great...I'll be back I gotta put my head back on & get out of shock. Geez why did it have to happen now? 

"It's always something..." - Gildna Radner

If the Shoe Fits...Totally Wear IT!!

Somewhere deep in the back of my new closet there was a black box of shoes. I bought them in a lil boutique about a year ago in Ridgewood, New Jersey for a Huge amount of  $19 hehe. However the only time these shoes even saw a foot was when I tried them on that day a long time ago. They sat waiting for their princess to set them free. (Okay I think I entered the realm of cheesy on that line but I've been up for a very long while.) Alas the princess didn't come but I slayed the closet clutter dragon and will give them a chance to reign. Behold my pair of lil red shoes...(Please forgive for the picture quality I am getting a new camera very soon!)

I feel like a like a million bucks in these shoes. I know they aren't Louboutin's or Jimmy Choo's or any other big fashion name but when I wore them on Valentine's day I felt like a princess. There is something about wearing the right pair of shoes that can make a woman feel powerful & sexy. They actually don't hurt my feet & they are yearning to wear these pumps again...This weekend for sure will be that time.

These shoes are going to be my inspiration for this weekend's events. I have a Salsa Dancing lesson, a party, and a date with a very charming & handsome man named CJ. I'm going to try to continue the romantic vibe with my lil red shoes too. I wonder what unplanned adventures I might go on too this weekend...You never know? Here's hoping!

I Can’t Believe I Haven’t Seen these Movies!! I Need to Fix this ASAP!!

It’s dawned on me lately that there is tons of movies I HAVEN’T seen and they are the important ones that everyone should see at some point. For example, I’ve never seen “The Princess Bride”. I know, guilty as charged. *Hanging my head down low*. I’ve also never seen even a moment of “Breakfast with Tiffanys”, even though I bought it for my mom for Christmas. I guess these movies are just not on TV enough or I just missed them.

Now I’ve seen a lot of the usual “MUST SEE” movies: Edward Scissorhands, Clerks, Donnie Darko, Gone with the Wind, High Fidelity, Grease, When Harry Met Sally, Steel Magnolias, Sophie’s Choice, Westside Story, The Godfather Triology...etc.

BUT others like Empire Records, Amelie, Annie Hall, Rebel without a cause, From Here to Eternity, Dr. Zhivago, An Affair to Remember…have escaped my viewing pleasure.

I’ve decided that each week I’m going to watch a Classic movie that I haven’t seen. Whether it be recent or old-age cinema I need to see these films because I feel like I’m honestly missing out. This is where YOU come in:

What is your top 5 “MUST SEE” movies?

I’d love to hear.

What should I watch first?

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I might also do a poll on the my sidebar each week to pick next week’s Movie! I’m really excited about this so after I watch the movie I’ll do a small review in case you too haven’t seen it! Okay let’s get the movie rolling… Take 2: “ACTION”

There is No Going Back...I've Made the Changes...AND Got Off the Waiting Line...

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Hey Everyone! Thank you for all comments the past two days!! CJ loved the strawberries & I'm going to go Ikea over the weekend to work on my bare walls. I appreciated all your ideas & will put them to use! I also think I might have a ghost or a poltergeist or something in the new place but that'll be a future post. This one is about how far I've come and gone when I finally stopped just watching my life pass me by, stuck in that waiting line.

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I once had a Wiccan friend named Dawn tell me that I was a "Lady in Waiting" in one of my past lives. At the time when she told me that I couldn't comprehend why she would say that? I was the captain of the cheer leading squad in high school, I was the president of S.A.D.D (Students against destructive decisions), and I was in the top 10% of my class. I didn't have much of a social life but I felt like I was going somewhere. I would never imagine the waiting would soon start.

Waiting for the new guy, the new job, the new apartment, the new...the new life. Well the time has come the walrus said...to live my new life. I have the new guy and he is absolutely wonderful. CJ is all I could have ever wanted & asked for. He bought me a Keurig for Valentine's day & I'm actually at his place right now. He didn't want to me to leave because I was looked tired. He can be insanely considerate & wonderful at times. Through the struggle it was I forged through and actually got my apartment I always wanted. I'm paying less for my mortgage & common charges then if I rented. It's coming along and it's perfect for right now. My health is on a high note & I'm relieved. I'd like no more surgeries please. The job is easier said then done BUT I am putting myself out there on sites & applying to positions. It's a matter of time...and I'm used to waiting. I'm truly blessed right now & I'm so thankful that I got up and did something with my life. Ever so thankful.

I wonder what is going to be next?  The new job? A vacation to a place I've never been? Another opportunity knocking to go see a once in a lifetime performance? Sticking to my diet and having a more tone body? Who knows! I didn't think this year I'd see a Beatles Revival concert or see Green Day live or realize "Hey, I'm exactly where I want to be". That feeling is the best in the world. There is nowhere else that mind is wondering to except to the cute boy playing video games on the couch next to me. I'm happy right now on my journey and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Have You Recently Realized "Hey I'm happy & where I want to be?" Or are you still searching...

I feel like I searched for a million years...

 

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New HomeOwner Newsletter Issue #2: Padded cells

When you finally get to move into your new place & a lil time goes by you might notice that you have forgotten to do a few important things. You’ll remember to buy furniture, soap, linens, smoke detectors (Very important btw), hangers, BUT then you’ll sit on your couch and realize, 

“Oh crap, I forgot to put up paintings on my walls!! Yeesh it looks a lil bit like a Padded Cell, YIKES!” 

Yeah my walls are still bare. I live in a studio so that’s the non-window wall & non-open space. However I’m a lil lost as to what to do with it. I could put a cluster of prints above my desk & then one big picture above my bed or vise versa? My color scheme is primarily red & white so I don’t want to have a painting with a lot of colors be the pink elephant in the room. Maybe a black & white big photo over the bed & then a set of photo or storage cubes hung above the desk?  I’m not sure.

Any Ideas for my Naked Walls? I’m very open to suggestions!

Now what else have I learned? A few very important things.

 

1. Replace ALL fire alarms & carbon monoxide units or if they are new replace the batteries. The BEEP of the battery dying in the middle of the night will be so annoying you will have to fix it in the middle of the night or least get up to take it down. 

2. If you are moving out of your parent’s house to your own place RESIST the urge to buy ONLY junk food. Keep chips & dips in your home only when you are having company. Midnight cravings will hit.

3. ONE HOLIDAY AT A TIME! Stick to just Valentine’s Day, just Christmas, just Halloween, etc. Do NOT OVERLAP! I realized I still had a mini Christmas tree up the other day in February. I quickly took it down.  Storage containers are great for extra ornaments, skeletons, & shamrocks. =)

4. This one may seem simple but it’s easier said the done. TAKE THINGS OUT OF THE BOXES! That set of bowls in the bottom cupboard, take it out of the box; the coffee maker won’t work in the box so take it out…I think you get the picture. =) 

5. Cookbooks will become your new best friend not just that gift you got from that weird aunt that is just decoration for your coffee table.

1.       6. Oh yeah btw just give your boyfriend a drawer for extra clothes & a place to keep his toothbrush. Or girlfriend. They aren’t going to move in with you they just want to be a lil more comfortable. Don't have this unnecessary fight.

               

Those are just a few things that I’ve learned in the past few weeks. I have an interesting idea for this feature that I will ask next time. 

Stay tuned.

A Valentine's Day Treat!

Finally I this year I have an actual Valentine so I wanted to do something extra special for CJ. He's not really a sweets guy but he loves Chocolate Covered Strawberries and that just happens to be my specialty. =)

Ever since I learned how to melt the chocolate and hold the stem tight and just leave a lil bit of the redness still showing I've loved making chocolate covered strawberries! I have a small family and all of our birthdays tend to be around the same time so it's VERY easy to get sick of birthday cake. Chocolate covered strawberries became one our alternatives. It's so easy & fun to do! When CJ told me he liked them I jumped at the chance to make them. Oh Cj...I love him so much.

 Cj & me the day we became Boyfriend & Girlfriend <3

Sometimes your life just hands you a dream you didn't know you were searching for. He makes me feel like I'm the only girl in the world. The lil things he does to make me smile just warm my heart. I've never been more happy in any relationship I've been in. We've been dating almost 9 months and it's been several of the greatest months ever. I'm not sure what we are up to tomorrow but all I know is that the moment I get out of work I want to be in his arms and the next day and the next day after that...


I hope he likes the strawberries! Here are the photos of my Chocolate Covered strawberries for him! =)

 A box of treats for my Sweets. =)

I had to try one...Hmmm so good! =)

If I don't get post tomorrow I want to wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day! =)