Miss Independent...Well Are You Really Independent, My Dear?

Source

I have had the privilege for the past few weeks to be friends with the CEO of my father’s company’s daughter from Austria, Hannah, and Wow I’ve learned some interesting things. She deserves a post of her own because the subtle differences between U.S. and Europe are so awesome that I have to tell you. (i.e. Squirrels are still squirrels but they are  different colors there!) But amongst the weeks there is one issue that keeps coming up that opened a whole new door of misconception and different understanding. Being an independent woman. 

Now I don’t mean government differences and bans of this or that, I mean how you, personally view yourself. I know we all rocked out to Kelly Clarkson’s “Miss Independent” and Destiny Child’s “Independent Women” for Charlie’s Angel’s but are you really an independent woman? Hannah came here and if you asked her about herself she would say she was very independent and loves doing her own thing. But here in America, a foreign country to her, where things are so different like having to have a car to drive everywhere she’s had to give up her independence of living on her own in Vienna with mass transit at her fingertips always. When she returns home she is no longer going to live with her boyfriend but live with her grandmother so she again is losing that independence she once had. Also her college years are finishing up so in her “independent” decisions she is now dependent on the experiences to guide her. It’s a whole new ballgame.

She turned to me last Saturday and asked, “How do you do it? You have your own car, your own apartment, and a boyfriend with a good head on his shoulders…how did you get so lucky to be independent?” I know part of it is the cultural difference and that she isn’t home asking me this, but I really didn’t realize how much of an individual I am. Even tho my parents live a few condo doors up from me, my Mom still pays for my car insurance (I really need to change that), I’m still in the same town I grew up in, I guess I am a real-life independent woman who does what she wants, goes where she wants, and sees who and what she wants.

I asked a few of my friends what makes them feel like they are their own person and one said to me, “Well, Mel, you’re not an independent woman anymore because your in a relationship”. Ironically one of the things that Cj tells me he loves about me most is that I'm independent. But I'm drawing a blank. Others I've asked are like, "I guess your one but you still live near your parents." I don't think that has ANYTHING to do with who I am as a person. They don't buy me meals, they don't pick out my clothes...pick who I date or love or what I do with my Saturday nights. So why throw it my face? I'm at a loss...

What truly is a modern Independent Woman these days? 

I'd love to hear what you think?

Source

Short Love Story Film for Your Enjoyment!

I just came across this short movie that was shot entirely on a Nokia N8 cellphone. The short movie is called "Splitscreen: a love story".  Here is the link of the story. Yahoo: Low budget is no problem for cell phone filmmaker. The director was , JW Griffiths. It's really cute and very unique as well as beautiful. ENJOY!

Splitscreen: A Love Story from JW Griffiths on Vimeo.

Excuse me…Did someone turn up the Heat??

 

Wow it got hot all of a sudden here in NY…Whew! And not just hot, almost a 100 degrees hot…just what I needed. I love those hot days where there is not a lot of humidity and you can take a quick walk at lunch to enjoy the beautiful heat AND you can wear a new aqua dress you got for a steal 2 weeks ago in Mandees. Hehe. I’ve never been a dresses/skirt girl but yes the times they are a changing… I will never give up my primarily black wardrobe but a few bright & different colors have popped in there. You need to have that lil piece of flare in your life to make you smile, even if it’s just one button. Today wearing that dress made me smile all day long and I love the top of it!

Mid-week and already the weekend plans are arising and the to-do lists getting larger. I wish this hot beautiful weather would switch with the rain heading straight for us. I wish there was a real Weather Man so I could marry him and feed him sweets so he’d be in a good mood each day so we’d all have sun & fun. Oh well…

Thankfully the air conditioning is on full blast. My mind keeps wandering to the future summer months and how much I wish I could go on vacation. I lost my job back in March and immediately got a new one, so the I’m basically chained to my desk until next April. People keep asking me why I got a new job so soon like it was a bad thing and inquiring why I didn’t take a break and live off of unemployment for a while but honestly falling into complete panic mode about my condo & health insurance made me act fast without wasting anytime. Sheer luck helped too. I used a job agency and walked in the right day where an opening had just surfaced. I see myself as so lucky to have a job and so grateful. I will have two personal days up for grabs come August but it’s going to be a long summer.   

Cj, on the other hand, has 4 weeks vacation but he’s worked in the same place for 6 years. He deserves it and really should take a vacation. He’s juggling three positions and is really feeling the crunch of it. I’ve tried to not be an extra stress on him lately and be as agreeable as possible to help him out but it’s not working. He is reaching a boiling point and I think I’m literally going to have to force him to take time off of work because he is turning into a stressed & agitated workaholic. We were going to plan on going somewhere but that’s out so he really should use his time and relax. I don’t know what else to say to him about it. He’s explaining to me how tired he is and I keep telling him use his time off when things get slower, but it’s almost like he feels guilty for using the time he earned. Who knows…that man can be such a mystery to me sometimes.... 

One more day down…two to go to the weekend. Can't Wait...

Source

 Do you have any exciting plans for this summer? 

I’d love to hear…

Miss Melanie...How are You Today?

Source

This week is still in its beginning stages but I can feel the weight of all the other 6 days. This is going to be a week of pure adrenaline, Red Bull, determination, and loss of sanity I know it. It would be just a tad bit easier if it was one thing each day...but I guess that wouldn't be any fun now would it?

Tuesday: 

I return to my Writer's Group after almost a year of absence. I have bits and pieces of my zombie novel to share but I'm still a lil embarressed about my non-commitment. Hopefully it'll change with this new leaf.

Wednesday:

1.) On Sunday my Condo is having it's annual Tag Sale and I actually get to sell stuff in it. I can't wait to get rid of some of my hoarded treasures. Well...not all my treasures. I have to go back into the abyss of my old bedroom at my parent's house and gut it for sale items.

2.) My aunt is coming to get the small fridge from my new place so I can finally clean my kitchen fully. 

Thursday:

1.) It's my Grandmother's 87th birthday. I'm definitely going to see her and bring some cake and flowers. I'm so lucky to have my grandmother's still with me. I love both of them very much.

2.) I'm going to try help my friend Erin ice some cupcakes for her nephew's birthday on Saturday. She wants to learn how to decorate them. I'm going to try and fit it all in.

Friday:

1.) After work I'm going to meet up with CJ's family for a Ladies' Night. I want to see Bridesmaids but I honestly think there is too much sex in it and that would be AWKWARD as all hell to have that happen again. First movie I went to see with them was borderline porn. They had no idea and neither did I. I hope they ask me first what they are seeing.

2.) Then maybe chill with my boyfriend? 

Saturday:

1.) CJ's Mom's Church is having a Tag Sale. I definitely want to go that before 1pm.

2.) My best friend Erin's nephew is having his 4th birthday party. Ooo this reminds me I have to get some more goodies for him.

3.) My friend Kate is having her 28th birthday party at 7pm. Melting Pot was far too expensive so she is having it an Italian Restaurant. I'm happy of her decision because money has been tight.

Sunday:

And then my Condo Tag Sale. Yeah seriously can you jam one more thing into this week?

What makes this all cuter is that it's supposed to rain all week. Why do I stretch myself so thin? I guess this is my ADHD. I feel awesome when I've done a million things in a day but it does all catch up to me eventually. I'm going to go to bed a lil early tonight to prepare. 

Any Advice to tackle this week? I'd love to hear...

"Making a wish it all works out great!"

Source

The Scars of Your Love, Remind me of us...

 Source

I hate it when you totally love a new song, but then when you really start listening to the lyrics it strikes a nerve of a bad memory. I absolutely adore Adele’s new song, “Rolling in the Deep” because it hits the nail right on the head. I can’t tell you how many times in my life I’ve whispered to myself “We almost had it all” about a past relationship. Well fucked-up friendship is a better word I think for the Mess, my Brown-Eyed Mr. Big , and me  because I was never a girlfriend just a side character that knew all the dirty lil secrets.  At times I was the secret but even that was unknown to me. I was such a stupid kid back then & I have to hang my head in brief shame over it and that guy…he is just an asshole and the sad part is…he damn well knows he’s one . 

~ You had my heart inside of your hands, but you played it to the beat…~ 

When you purposely try to remember a date on the calendar for 4 years it’s a lil hard to forget it & Facebook has to send you those not so friendly reminders of things. Today last year I wished this guy a happy birthday. I wasn’t even talking to him at the time but I thought why the hell not. STILL I was like maybe… It was so stupid because I was so done with him. What did I want in that text? For him to be like “Oh I miss you yada yada, we should chill yada yada” and then the spiral of hell would return?  More nights of crying, more nights of now I think emotional abuse because NO ONE one should ever be told, “You don’t phase me anymore” or “You could walk away right now and I wouldn’t care”, and more days & nights not adding up to shit, not even a valuable friendship? 

  Source

Thankfully none of that ever happened. Due to that foolish decision of texting him I realized what the hell was I doing wanting that mess back in my life and went out to meet someone new. LITERALLY that next weekend I met my current boyfriend CJ and when he asked me out I blurted out yes without question. The best thing I did in my life was say yes to CJ. After about 30 minutes he knew he had to ask me out and get to know me. My life has changed for the better since that day, I believe it’s May 15^th when I first met CJ, I pretty much can’t even think about my life without him. Him and I have it all…better than it ever would have been with the Mess. A million times better.  ~"Turn my sorrow into treasured gold"... That is EXACTLY what happened when I met CJ....

 Source

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. That mess of a friendship was insane because I kept thinking somehow it would work out differently. Maybe if I stayed for one more convention, one more Walmart trip, one more rendezvous in the park, or one more emotional scar…The best decision I ever made was to watch his car turn the other way in my rear view mirror of my car. CJ tells me that these ex experiences make people who they are but I'm welcoming the fading of the ex memories into that void of nothingness. It can stay there as long as possible...

I'm going to go call CJ now and tell him how much I love him. He hurt his wrist the other day and I'm hoping it feels better. I can't wait to see him later...can't wait...=)

Lyrics & Title are from Adele: "Rolling in the Deep"

If it Makes You Happy...It can't be that Bad...

 

Source

So I got a question...When Is the next full moon because today was an absolutely CRAZY DAY!! Work was insane, I broke the washing machine, I messed up my couponing selections at the super market, and there is a piece of my hair that won't come down. It was insanity. The Energizer bunny took over and I tried to cram it all in, which has left me frazzled. Thankfully there is wine...Just one glass and I feel better...

In lieu of the craziness my brain decided to take a mini vacation tonight so I took some pictures of things that made me smile today.

A Hot Apple Pie Candle...hmmm...my kitchen smells delcious!

I sent CJ my usual Good Morning text and I got this response from him:

"I love how you text me every morning. U have a good day. I love you."

<3

My "M" mug from Anthropologie. <3

 I left the flowers up on a shelf and then they dried themselves. Even wilted they are still beautiful!

 I found a Mama's & the Pappa's 60's Album at a thrift store recently in pretty good condition for $1.50. I had to get a frame for it! =)

My Next Project: Mastering Cake Pops. I now have the mold...I can't wait to make them!! =)

Okay, I have to get some sleep. My mind is mush...See you Tomorrow!

Dear Friday, Did You Really Have to Include the High-Speed Chase??

Source

Hello Everyone! What a week! What a successful week!! The new job is coming along better than I could ever have hoped for. The people are so nice and there is tons of layers to the company. I had an extremely bad case of A.D.D. in my last job because tasks were a lil restricted & very on the surface of the company. Not in the new place! I'm still in training and will be for a while but they will be giving me a lil piece of everything. YEAH!! =)

Now I am in NO WAY a fashionistaa or even an outfit blogger, BUT I had to take a picture of my outfit today. The dress is casual at the job but because I'm still new I'm trying to make some good impressions so I've been dressing a lil more business-like. This morning I was inspired by the sunset to wear some lighter colors instead of my usual black, gray, & red.  Somehow in the dark of the morning I pulled out 3 blue pieces and it all came together. I started with the lightest blue and got darker as I added the layers. I think it works!

The two bottom shirts are from Kmart & the cardigan is from the GAP. When you need to buy alot of clothes on a budget I've found it's easier to have some nice pieces & some practical less expensive ones you will put in the washing machine alot. I loved wearing it all today!

I was on a total high note up until lunch. It's funny how shit loves to hit the fan. I was minding my own business leaving a rummage store when it happened. I was talking to my Mom on the phone when I see a car speed up the hill where I was parked. A lil behind him was a cop. The guy skids around the corner away from the cop and of course the cop with the sirens blaring tries to catch him. Thinking nothing of it I get in my car & drive up the hill away from the lil chase when I notice in front of me another cop car. My mom starts screaming at me to pull to the shoulder. I do and proceed to watch 4 MORE POLICE CARS speed past me. So who is never going to go out to lunch again? *Raising my Hand*

It was pretty scary & I found out I was in a bad area so I'm going to stay more near work. Thankfully it's Friday. I just want to relax. Can't wait to shut my eyes! I'll be visiting you guys soon!! =)

Ms. Melanie, How Are You Today?

Source

My boss asks me that every morning, but this morning I hesitated because I just have way too much to talk about. I nodded and said, “I’m alright, just trying to keep dry”. Total lie. It’s raining outside today and it’s got my mind all over the place in every which way possible. I often put up a quiet facade at work so they don’t start asking me a bazillion questions. It’s easier that way. But here…I’m going to let it all out…

~ I’ve lost my motivation to come to my old job. The new job is lingering sweetly in my almost future and I’m craving it to no end. The boys won’t shut up lately about March Madness and it’s times like these where I’m very glad I’m leaving. Very Very glad.

~I’m embracing the joys of having me own place. I haven’t been sleeping well so I re-arranged my furniture and put all my Valentine’s Day stuff away (Gotta remember ONLY ONE holiday out at a time) and cleaned my kitchen joyously while watching True Blood Season 1 last night. I’ve never been more content with cleaning…That’s odd for my pack-rat self. I think I’m growing out of the “My Room is Messy because I’m Rebelling Phase”. Kickass!

~I want a tattoo. CJ actually has 4 tattoos of dragons and frankly I’m jealous. Hehe. I’m thinking it’ll be a butterfly because this part of my life has been all about change and I need to remember change is good…Very good. Maybe on my back down by my hip. I have to find out if I’m allergic to the dye they use…Must do this soon!!

~I’ve been going to the gym now for the past week and a half almost religiously and have barely lost any weight ON THE SCALE. It has actually gone up…BUT my Mom and everyone around me have said they can tell I’ve lost weight and my clothes are totally looser. Hmmm…I think me and that scale are going to have to have a talk! I guess I’m just losing inches, but I guess that’s a good thing?

~I’ve been scrambling to get some professional attire clothing for the new job. They said it’s mainly casual but the one girl near my age was dressed business causal so I’m going to copy her lead. Nice work pants and non-cleavage shirts. Kmart actually is having a huge $3.99 clearance event and I got some pleated pants for a steal.

~Tomorrow I’m heading in New York City for St. Patrick’s Day fun and in the next few weeks I’m heading to the Ninja Restaurant in Manhattan. I hope it’s all fun!

Source

So much to do…So little time…Thank God for Coffee and Red Bull! =)

How Are All of You Doing Today?

Out for the Night So Let Me Try Out This J.Crew Look....

The latest thing that everybody is talking about is this girl with the side pony tail in  J.Crew catalog and I was thinking to myself, "I really need a change this morning" so why not try just that. I naturally have very curly hair so it was a bit of a process to get to this point and my hair is way too long so I made it a real side pony tail. Here's my lil morning project:

Me sans make-up and all curls.

Halfway through the straightening process. I wonder what my job would say if I went to work like this? hehe. 

I love the winter because my hair straightens so nicely. 

Gotta make sure it poofs on the top!

Adding some make-up...

And Viola! My version of the J.Crew look!

I like it very much but I think I'm going to stick to my old hair style for going out today and switch back to the J.Crew look for tonight! I used my Revlon hair straightener. It used to take me hours to straighten my hair but now even with its length it's only about 20 minutes. =)

I'm off to try to start the weekend with my new Hair-do! I'm going to a Home Show tomorrow to see about some deals for the condo! I hope everyone has a great weekend and if you are doing your Valentine's Day early, have a very wonderful lovely evening. =)

Don't forget to enter my $55 CSN stores giftcard GIVEAWAY too! Click to Enter

What If I Go After My Dream Job? The 25 Club...

I wish it was to be Disney World's Jessica Rabbit but I don't think they have her walking around. Do they? Hmmm I imagine that red dress isn't exactly PG. I wish tho I could be an actress. That is my dream job. I know I know I went to school for Engineering & Mathematics however I always have had that dream of being on the big screen. I used to be in my ex's short comedy skits a long time ago but I doubt that will ever see the outside of his computer.

Last year I went to a modeling agency to see if maybe just maybe I could get a bid for something. I was very disappointed that it wound up being a scam. Thankfully I didn't put any money up for it. If I ever want to do it I'm going to have to be careful. Craigslist isn't always the most honest of places either to look for like a casting call or something but you never know. I'm so close to NYC that I really should take advantage of it. hmmm...this might be a pipe dream but who knows. I'm going to keep my eyes open for that one in a million chance.

In reality tho I should have started years & years ago & be born to movie star parents because that's like THE way to get into show bizz. I'm a lil old for it even at 25 to start. It's okay tho. I can still dream.

However I got curious how many famous stars today are actually ONLY 25 YEARS OLD! Here's what I came up with:

Carey Mulligan

Amanda Seyfried

Kiera Knightley

Raven Symone

Michelle Trachtenberg

Kaley Cuoco

I was shocked that Raven Symone is only 25 & Michelle Trachtenberg. They have been around FOREVER! Did you know these famous ladies were so young?

I gotta finish my work day but I thought it was really cool how much they have all done in so few years. Good for them. Maybe I'll be a star one day...hmmm dreaming...

We Interrupt this Program to Bring You Some Kickass Messages!

Source

Ohh when I go to dreamland tonight it is going to be a happy sleep. I know I was supposed to write about a few other things today but I just had such a great day that I HAD to write about it!

Firstly it was Pay Day!! Yeah! My mortgage hasn't started yet so I can still enjoy actually have some money in my bank account. February 1st I start my budget hardcore. Oh yeah...I have a lil time left to buy some things.

Well at work I got a mini treat because I discovered that I won Diana over at Express-O's Heart Necklace Giveaway from Fox House!

I can't wait to get this necklace! It's beautiful! I love the clasp & it's so different! Thanks Diana for running the giveaway! Your a sweetheart!

Then I went to my parent's house for a minute & found out my Mom found me an Record Album Frame. Yes I do collect Old records but only special ones...like the Soundtrack from "The Graduate" with Dustin Hoffman.

 

It has all the Simon & Garfunkel songs from the movie, especially "Mrs. Robinson". How I got this you might ask? PURE FLUKE! I found it at a garage sale for a $1 about 3 years. It's a lil raggedy on the edges but it gives it more character I think. Now I gotta figure out where to hang it? =)

I finally too got my mirror hung up with Cj's help but NOW it's actually hanging straight. I got the mirror from Ikea. What do you think?

To conclude this awesome day I went to Ac Moore to pick up some stickers when low & behold  I found  a print I had been looking for in every Home Goods I could I find. The problem with Home Goods is that NO STORE HAS THE SAME THINGS! I saw this print once & I didn't buy it because I thought it was expensive. When I changed my mind & decided to go back for it, of course it wasn't there. But in Ac Moore I found it.

 

I think it goes perfectly with my Red Motif! =) I love how her dress is flowing. It's the Couture Magazine cover from September 1960. I love it. I'm so glad to have it!

Ah Today Ruled! Tomorrow I'll be back to my posts I promised to do! See you later!