Life Made Simple

"Halloween is Cool!"

2011-09-30T22:25:00.001-04:00

With Halloween being less than a month away, I figured it was time to finally bust out the "spooky" movies! My number one pick? Halloweentown, of course!

If you're questioning my age, think again. Halloweentown is probably one of the best Halloween movies...aside from Hocus Pocus, that is!

And no, it has nothing to do with the fact that both movies are Disney movies! I'm not a fan of horror movies, so these two frequent the list of holiday classics. Plus, how do you turn down the Cromwells and the Sanderson Sisters?!

In addition to movies, it is time to start thinking about costumes. I've been searching for creative costumes for the past week with very little success for something different. I have a few ideas up my sleeve, but generally dressing up is a specialty of mine (thank you Greek life!), so it's unnerving I can't decide!

Some of my favorite past costumes


Tool Academy vs. Charm School Greek life social (Team Matsuflex!)


My friend's "TuTu" 22nd birthday

Great Gatsby Event

Army Girls (and a very special Christian Ponder... go Vikings!)

Clearly dressing up is one of my favorite pastimes. By these photos you could probably assume that I spent more time shopping for events and socials than school.. and it's hard to disagree!

Day of Play

2011-09-28T11:06:00.000-04:00

This morning I woke up bright and early, and by bright and early I mean 8:30, to head to the gym. (Shocker!) I decided it would be a great idea to have my butt handed to me in kickboxing.

Let me preface this by saying at the beginning of the summer I went to kickboxing classes religiously. However, my schedule lately has not allowed for this sort of torture, and I've had to find other means.

Anyway, 45 minutes later, I was dead. I mean can't feel the arms, legs, heiny, abs, dead. I guess this is what happens when you go on a two month kickboxing hiatus, and I LOVE it. See ya next week, torture!

Now, I'm going to go enjoy the rest of my day off at Universal and try to get over my extreme fear of heights. I love roller coasters because they're over so quickly, but the Dr. Doom ride has always paralyzed me with fear. With the help of a few overly enthusiastic friends it's time to tackle the challenge... or go hide in a corner.

Relaxing Weekend

2011-09-25T19:21:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, my friend, Siedah, and I traveled about two hours south to Vero Beach, Florida to the Disney resort. It was by far one of the most relaxing, much needed weekends that I have had in quite some time.

We arrived Friday afternoon, and immediately went to a local hot spot, Riverside Cafe, after check-in. Riverside was a small restaurant right on the water that served one mean margarita. :) It was the perfect way to start the vacation!

Saturday morning we woke up bright and early, and rented beach cruisers to find breakfast. Cast members kept assuring us it was a far ride, but we were ready for the challenge. Luckily, it was only about a five mile ride to the nearest cafe, Coco's at the Village Shops.

The menu hit the spot, and we each ordered the mini frittatas. YUM! The frittatas gave us the push we needed to complete our five miles back to the hotel without feeling too heavy, and held us over til lunch by the pool.

Sausage and mushroom frittata on a wheat English muffin

The beach and pool was the perfect combo to relaxation. We may have been the only single girls in the whole hotel, but we definitely had a great time lounging, swimming and people watching!

After getting a very deep, dark tan, the clouds rolled in and we decided to shop, eat, and drink! We didn't shop and eat anywhere special, but it was definitely needed!! And after speaking with a few locals, we were told to make our way over to the Driftwood Resort, where apparently none of the buildings were built with blue prints. This "unique" resort was home to a very local bar, where we found ourselves spending less time than we thought. However, next door was the Costa d' Esta, aka a very posh, Miami-eque hotel owned by the Gloria Estefan! The hotel was absolutely beautiful, and we somehow managed to get a tour. Yay, hospitality!

Out front of Costa d' Esta

This morning, I was sad to depart the hotel, but ready to get back as I have a busy week ahead!

Beach!!

2011-09-23T13:15:00.000-04:00

Guess who's going on vacation today?!

Forgive the makeup-less face, it's vaca day!

THIS GIRL!

I'm stoked for it to finally be the day! Disney + Beach = Best vacation ever! ...Now let's just hope that the weather holds up, as stupid Ophelia is off the coast. Grrr.

Anyhow, the next few weeks are going to be full of mini vacations and fun... and I can't wait!

Next Week - Epcot Food and Wine Festival Preview
First Week in October - Friends are coming to visit! Yay!
Oct 16 - Tallahassee Trip! Friends, family, and celebrating my birthday!
Oct 20 - Sugarland concert!

HHN and Cupcakes

2011-09-22T23:07:00.000-04:00

One of the perks of my job is having a Universal Studios ID badge.

So what? Well, the preview of Halloween Horror Nights 21 was last night! Unfortunately, I had to work late last night, and only made it through three houses (The Thing, Holidays of Horror, and Saws N Scream). The houses we hit were definitely great, especially Saws N Scream (yes, I did scream)! The event had great reviews, even for a dress rehearsal!

This morning was a bit lazy after a late night, yet I woke up ready to bake some cupcakes. A few weeks ago I promised a friend I would find a way to bake her lactose-free cupcakes for her birthday, and bake I did!

Red Velvet Oreo Surprise

I may not be the best baker, but I promise the taste is ten times better than how they look!

To make the cupcakes, I used a box of red velvet mix, and placed an oreo on top the batter before placing it in the oven. Once completely cooled, I piped the cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and oreo crumbs!

Good News for UF Students!

2011-09-17T15:27:00.000-04:00

Good for you, Gators! Florida State fans can no longer mock you for being the "ugliest" students in the state, as they have in the past. Facebook groups, Tweets, snarly comments, and the like have been the source of this silly rivalry, both on and off the football field.

According to a Newsweek Magazine article, both FSU and UF have been rated for having "Most Beautiful" students (source: Orlando Sentinel). However, I do have to boast as FSU (once again) leads as they are listed as #4, and UF following #5.

I know what you're really wondering... What does this mean? Well, nothing. This is just another thing for the rival school to fight about, in addition to football, of course!

What else is on the list? Both schools are top "Lovely Campus" contenders (no surprise there!) and University of Florida ranked second in the nation for being "Least Rigorous." I have to admit, this one really surprised me. UF is known in Florida for being the most difficult public school to get in to, yet the have the "least rigorous" academia? Hmm, something's not ~~write~~ right there! :)

In football news, the Gators are taking on the Tennessee Vols. Great, your first "real" game. However, my #5 Seminoles are up against the #1 Oklahoma Sooners. While I may not agree with Lee Corso's pick, I do expect a great game!

GO 'NOLES!

I Just Felt Like Ruh-ning!

2011-09-13T21:13:00.001-04:00

And ~~run~~ jog I did! Somehow I powered through those 4.5 miles, like a champ. I told myself from the first step to take my time and go slow, and, well, run at least four miles. Generally I run a bit faster and cover less mileage, so this was a big step (pun intended) for me!

Of course, now my knee is hating me and my reckless decisions. Darn.

Aside from my bum knee, the other thing I hate about running is how my appetite grows. A lot. You'd think burning so many calories would instantly trim your figure, but I notice myself gaining weight when I concentrate on cardio (in comparison to a variety of cardio, weights and pilates).

For dinner I tried my best to keep things healthy, yet filling, so I made a salad (with onions, shredded parm, and green peppers) and added brown rice to the mix. I topped my creation with a lime dressing that is to die for. Seriously, it'll change your life.

Meet my addiction!

P.S. You need to watch this new video that is taking social media by storm. You'd think that the Disney fan in me might be offended by this inappropriately dubbed video, but I find it hilarious! Bonjour, Girl!

Please share if you have any videos that top this! Bloggers like to laugh too :)

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Fall!

2011-09-07T20:25:00.001-04:00

While my deju vu sense has completely taken over, so has the feeling of fall. It may be the fact that I feel like I should be back in school, it may be "the weather is perfect in Tally" status updates... OR it just may be that the Halloween decorations are up in Magic Kingdom!

Don't we look photoshopped in?

I knew the time was coming close, but my friend, Meghan, and I literally screamed when we stepped off of the monorail last week! The fall months bring many great things to Central Florida; The Food and Wine Festival, Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party, Halloween Horror Nights, MY BIRTHDAY, and most importantly, nice weather!

While I am a HUGE fan of warm weather, weather under 85 degrees truly makes me giddy. How could you not be thrilled about trading in your bikini for boots?! (On a side note, I'm definitely going to be busting that bathing suit out in two weeks as I'm heading to the beach for the weekend! Would you be even a bit surprised if I said I'm staying at a Disney beach resort? Yeah, I didn't think so. :))

With so many things to look forward to in the next month alone, my nerves have finally began to settle, especially since I have figured out my next life goal... grad school! Tonight I went to UCF's grad school fair and think I have found the next best step. So with that being said, MBA program here I come!

Day Off!

2011-09-06T20:56:00.000-04:00

With my new crazy schedule, it is very rare for me to encounter a day off. This week, I have two. I must have done something really special to deserve such a treat!

In addition to my day off, today was also a day of deja vu. A year ago today, I moved into Patterson Court, met five new best friends, and began to embark on a new journey, I came to know and love as working with the Walt Disney World company. While the internship lasted only a brief period of time, it was so special and created many memories I now cherish.

My roommates and I on our first day!

Well today was probably the best lazy day off ever, as it was spent at the gym, cooking and crafting. For those of you who are unaware, both current and alumna sorority girls love crafting. Surprise, I'm no different. I find crafting unusually calming, especially when listening to my favorite Pandora station, Wicked. :)

A few weeks ago I Stumbled Upon two very cool jewelry ideas that I just had to try. While I may not be new to jewelry making, I'm definitely no pro! I'm actually too embarrassed of the bracelet, I don't even want to post a photo, but you can get the step-by-step directions here. I fully intended on making both of my pieces garnet and gold (for my 'Noles!), but I was afraid they would turn out more gawdy rather than dainty, so I ended up using the same color scheme as the directions for both the bracelet and the necklace.

The final product!

I'm definitely wearing this to work tomorrow!

If you spot any great DIY jewelry finds, please share!

P.S. Check out my cousin, Eric's, blog, Around the World in 90 Days! It is featured on TravelPod.com and it is definitely amazing! He truly went "Around the World in 90 Days" and it captures his tales and adventures from the U.S. to South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and even Australia. My mom and I agree this is the best version of Eat, Pray, Love (I like to call it Food, Peace and Love! HA!) we've ever seen!

La Nouba!

2011-09-02T22:12:00.000-04:00

What to know what's (or rather, who) is awesome? Me. Why? Because I snagged some free tickets to La Nouba at Downtown Disney!

Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba

I cashed the tickets in this evening and just assumed they would be "nosebleed" seats. Well, I was wrong. Try SECOND row. My "plus one," aka my younger brother, and I couldn't have been more thrilled. This was the perfect way to celebrate his big 17th birthday next week!

Can't you see the excitement on his face?

While I had seen the show before (about four years ago), I definitely noticed differences, especially with our amazing seats.

The performers spoke to one another when timing the tricks.
I knew the musical instruments were played live, but I didn't notice the singing. They were fantastic!
The costumes! They were so intricate, and the perfect bodies that wore them were even better! :)
There were two new acts, the juggling and jump roping


Still in shock after the show

Like the nerd I am, I actually did a project on La Nouba about three years ago in a college theater class. If you weren't aware, the concept of the show originated in Canada, but the name, La Nouba, is based off of the French phrase, "faire la nouba," meaning to party. And a party it is! The show is a combination of acrobatics, dancing, music, trapeze, juggling and so much more! I think it is safe to assume that the fan favorite is the diabolo act, where three young girls perform with these toy-like items and include a variety of gymnastics at a high skill level.

The show was absolutely amazing and I highly suggest it to all, both locals and tourists. If you are anything like me, your mouth will literally hang open during the majority of the show and you'll be disappointed at the end... but only because you would crave for more!

La Nouba in a nutshell!

Work, Work all Week Long

2011-08-30T09:35:00.000-04:00

AND weekend! Ever since I added a part-time internship to my schedule, I've been pulling seven day work weeks. It sounds bad, but it really isn't. On my days off from my full time job, I head to internship world, where I feel like I'm making a difference.I'm pretty sure that everyone would agree that that is the best feeling ever!

Through it all, I've decided that being unsocial is just not going to happen. I was worried at first that my social life, or any free time in general, would go down the drain, but my hopes are high! For example, I am heading to my favorite place in the world after work on Thursday! Yippeeee!! (And for those of you who aren't sure? That would be Walt Disney World. :))

Somehow, by the grace of God, I found myself with an actual vaca this coming weekend! Saturday and Sunday? Let's play! My brothers and I are planning a trip to Tampa to go to Busch Gardens and attempt the new cheetah roller coaster. I've heard great things and I can't wait to check it out myself!

P.S. Speaking of vacations, I might be taking my first "big kid" one soon! My friend and I are planning a beach trip before the weather prohibits us. I know what you're thinking, "You live in Florida, you can go all year long!" Well, not so much. Even during the 80 degree weather, the water is freezing!

Growing Up

2011-08-17T21:23:00.002-04:00

While this week I suffered through work Hell, I strangely enjoyed it! Working 16 hours in one day might make me crazy but it's all in good fun and two jobs! Best part? I have an interview for a non profit internship tomorrow.

The weird part is I was reading about my zodiac sign a few days ago and it said I thrive on the thought of being successful and compliments (among a bunch of other very true things!). I'd say an interview is a pretty great compliment!!

From the Bubba Gump restaurant

Heaven and Hell

2011-08-12T13:43:00.002-04:00

Let me just preface this by saying I am very content with my appearance. I may sometimes have snarky thoughts, but overall, I'm happy. In high school I was on the crew team and worked out literally three hours a day, six days a week, nine months out of the year. Now, I work out about an hour a day, still six days a week. I never have and will never be a size two because I have an ass from here to Timbuktu, and "hips that don't lie." Don't let me fool you, I'm not at all complaining, as those are my favorite body parts!!

Anyway, as I was saying... I'm not in awful shape, but I'm by no means a marathon runner or triathlete. Today was supposed to be my off day, but for some God forsaken reason, I thought it would be fun to nearly kill myself. In doing so, I went to the gym early to get in some cardio before what I thought was a weights class (like Body Pump). Well I was far from right. This class was more like boot camp, aka the most difficult workout I've done since high school.

I'm currently on antibiotics that make me want to vomit, so running countless laps, suicides and walking lunges, just wasn't fun. Oh, and to make matters worse, the class started by jumping rope 25 times, run 1 lap, jumping rope 50 times, 2 laps, jumping rope 75 times, 3 laps, jumping rope 100 times, then running 4 laps. Luckily the running wasn't a problem, but jumping rope?! Who does that? I know it's the miracle workout, but I never mastered it and looked like a fool. By the end of the class I felt like the fat kid in gym class that was picked last for dodgeball. :)

Even though that workout well.. sucked, it was also the best decision I made today. I now get to spend the rest of my day off lounging by the pool and preparing for a feast tonight. My family is celebrating my dad's birthday and going to this new Brazilian steakhouse (Churrascaria at Latin Quarter) that is known for being awesome at an awesome price ($37 hollaaa!). All you can eat pork, chicken, steak, lamb and sushi sounds like a meat induced coma heaven!

Bad Day Blues

2011-08-09T23:00:00.000-04:00

So here's my super duper awesome secret to cure bad days... CHOCOLATE MILK! Yeah, I know, it's awesome (like me :)). But seriously, just like Elle Woods would say, "It has endorphins which makes you happy, and happy people don't kill their husbands!" ..or anything else dumb for that matter!

So here's how you create the perfect chocolate milk.

Find a clean glass (not plastic)
Retrieve chocolate syrup and milk from refrigerator (I suggest Hershey's syrup and organic skim milk.)
Measure one tablespoon of chocolate syrup (or free pour) into glass. The more chocolate, the happier you'll be!
Fill remaining amount of glass with milk.
Stir. I highly suggest stirring with a straw, as I have noticed that using a spoon/fork/knife/any type of flatware will make your milk taste like metal. Ewwie! (Yes, I also like to quote I Now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry)
Relax and enjoy!

There are two things I have noticed since I started my job, and they completely boggle my mind. First of all, foreigners like to drink not only hot chocolate but also warm milk at all times of the year. Umm, hello it's 97 degrees out, how about a beer or ice water?! Second, when making chocolate milk, they don't even use milk! Foreigners use half and half. I'm not sure if it's the language barrier and they don't know that it's not whole milk or what, but that's nasty!

I hope my ~~not so~~ secret drink will assist you on your rough days as it has helped me!

How do you cope with a stressful, aggravating day?

My Life is a Country Song

2011-08-08T20:06:00.000-04:00

Don't judge me for listening to country music! I listen to literally every type of music... except that screaming "music." Country, rock, jazz, pop, rap/hip hop, show tunes. Yeah, I love it all!

Anyhow, those of you who also listen to country music probably agree that is most like real life. There is a lot about love, life, family, friends, and having fun! There are so many "feel good" songs that it's hard not to "Let the Music be your Guide!" (Sorry, yet again another Disney reference :))

So here we go, my list of favorite country songs to follow every step in life:

Lookin' for a Good Time by Lady Antebellum - best fell good song. The title pretty much explains it all. The lyrics, the upbeat tone, how could you not have a smile worn upon your face every time you hear this?!
Alright by Darius Rucker - best "I love you" song. This once-Hootie-and-the-Blowfish-singer can sure kick ass! His songs have been nonstop chart toppers and all around great songs. Alright is no different. Yes, it is not slow and drawn out, it is much more up beat.. almost pop. But seriously, it is pretty much every young couple's life and I hope mine follows sequence.
Fishing in the Dark by Nitty Gritty Band - best I'm a Rebellious teenager song (as well as FSU Alpha Chi Omega's "former" theme song). You and me go fishing in the dark, says it all!
Five O'clock Somewhere by Alan Jackson ft. Jimmy Buffet - best happy hour song. Nothing says, "You're fun, I'm fun, let's have a margarita" like this classic. Pour me something tall and strong, Mr. Buffet!
Let's Make Love by Faith Hill and her hot hubby Tim McGraw - best anniversary/lasting love song. This song is so sweet! It's nice to see and hear about a famous couple that truly loves each other, through good times and bad. While I might not be singing this time anytime soon, I hope others will!
Kerosene by Miranda Lambert - best I hate you song. Love's all fine and dandy, but we need to have music to put us through those pain-in-the-you-know-what times too. This song is great because it doesn't make you feel sad, but rather, powerful. The upbeat track almost helps a rough break up, so you are ready to face the world again! Thanks for the support, Mrs. Shelton!
There Goes my Life by Kenny Chesney - best "that just happened" song. This song brings about the, "Oh crap" moments in life. Yes, they do happen, and most of the time they are quite unexpected. Luckily, Kenny Chesney reminds us that life will be okay, and we will prevail!
Barefoot Blue Jean Night by Jake Owen - best I love summer song. Obviously this superlative is kind of lame, but if you are Life Made Simple blog follower, it is no surprise how much I love this song! Let's just reminisce a few months back to when I got to see this song sung live... oh yeah!
You Lie by The Band Perry - best "you really suck" song. This is a notch above just the "I don't like you." This song proves that the opposite sex (or same, if you feel that way.. Life Made Simple doesn't judge!) is never perfect. They fight with us, they lie, and then we break up. See ya never!

Current favorite? Knee Deep by Zac Brown Band ft. Jimmy Buffet (can you tell I love him?!). This new summer song is amazing. Spending time at the beach (or lake) is the best way to spend a day off, whether with friends, family or alone. No matter how hot it is, being outside in the water is the only way to spend a summer day!

Clearly I'm only touching the surface of the vast amount of country songs, I feel bad leaving out some of my all time favorite artists, Sugar Land (of whom I'm seeing in October!), Keith Urban and Brad Paisley. These artists never deserve second place, but how many "I love you" and "I hate you" songs do you need?

What is your favorite country song? What does it mean to you and how has it impacted your life?

Movie Review: Friends with Benefits

2011-08-06T19:10:00.001-04:00

Give me a break with the lack of make-up/horrible hair, I just got off of work!

I found out that you can be cheap and get those kid boxes. Popcorn, Cherry Coke, and gummies never tasted so good!

Friends with Benefits. The title pretty much explains it all... well the plot at least. Get ready for some humor, cursing, lots of sex scenes, a bit of sob, and most importantly having "Closing Time" by Semisonic stuck in your head for hours.

"I've got to stop buying into this Hollywood cliche of true love. Shut up Katherine Heigl, you stupid liar!" By far my favorite quote. Why? Because this is SO true. Movies make love seem like the greatest gift on the earth. I don't believe it is, I think it's work. It might be great and fulfilling, but still a lot of work! Thanks for being a hypocrite, Mila Kunis!

I'm going to pull the Snow White card (helllooo Disney classic!) and just dance around my house singing "Some day my prince will commeeee!"

Happiest of Hours

2011-08-05T11:47:00.000-04:00

Last night my friend and I went to City Walk to indulge in happy hour. A little drink and a little food never hurt anyone!

Our first stop was Pat O'Briens where we had a bit of this...

Dueling Pianos!

And a bit of this...

HURRICANES!

We also dabbled into their signature Blacken Chicken Mac N Cheese. So good!

We then made our way over to Latin Quarter, as I always rave about their black bean soup. I'm very picky about black bean soup, and they make it the best! They also make very good empanadas :)

Drinks and decadence was so worth it! My mind might appreciate the break, but my body is hating me for the high amount in caloric intake. But hey, you need some things to look forward to on your days off!!

P.S. Ladies - Latin Quarter hosts Ladies Night every Thursday!! This means FREE house wines, draft beers and wells from 10 PM til midnight!

Summer Show Update

2011-08-03T23:24:00.001-04:00

Because my life right now is far from interesting, I figure why not update this summer's awfully awesome television shows. While I wish Glee and Grey's Anatomy were on 12 months a year, it is nice to have a break with some trashy reality tv (i.e. Teen Mom and The Bachelorette) mixed in with some teenage fun (i.e. Switched at Birth and Pretty Little Liars).

The OCD in me is going to make this as list like as possible, starting on Sunday at the earliest show. If you think this is bad, you should see my closet!

Color coordination at it's finest. ROY G BIV would be proud.

Sunday:

Keeping up with the Kardashians. I'm going to be completely honest, I used to love this show, but this season I guarantee 75% of the viewers are only interested in seeing how Kim was proposed to. In the mean time, I'll just laugh at Bruce and Kris.
Real Housewives of New Jersey. Pre-season I was Teresa's biggest fan, I even have her cook book! But this season getting into that fight with her brother was the dumbest thing should could have ever done. "Why?" you ask. Well clearly she's a hypocrite. She's really not all about family as she claims, but hey, it is what it is. Team Gorga!

Monday:

The Bachelorette. Don't even get me started. Ashley annoyed the bajesus out of me! I'm just glad this season is over and Bachelor Pad can now start. Oh, and please send Ben my way. Or Constantine. They look like identical twins to me! :)
Secret Life of the American Teenager. I know, I know, this show is for children. Who ever said I have to grow up?
Switched at Birth. Many people agree that this show should be knocked off of my list, but I can't let it go. Plus, the signing intrigues me!
Secret Homecoming. This is one reality show that brings me to tears within minutes. Because I have an uncle currently over seas (serving in the US Army), and have had a close friend pass away (he was in the Marine Corps), this show has my heart. I think it is so so special what this show is about and how it surprises the friends and family of these brave soldiers. USA!
Teen Mom. This show is so awful it's not even funny! This past episode really made me laugh, as Farrah was upset her teachers thought she was a "bitch", Amber was called a poor mother, Caitlyn has to grow up, and Macy once again moved. Well DUH! It's a good thing their children are so darn cute!

Tuesday:

Pretty Little Liars. Who doesn't love this show?! Last summer my friends and I would take turns making dinner and watch it like one big, happy family... or Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily? My friend even googled who "A" is, and to see if the series is following the books.I got a secret, can ya keep it?
The Little Couple. How precious are Dr. Jen and Bill? I'm rooting for these two in their quest for their perfect "little" family!

So it's clear to see that I spend my time rather poorly, as it seems like I do nothing but watch television. I promise that I really don't watch that much TV, I actually record many of the shows or watch them online as my work schedule doesn't permit any sort of normalcy.

What is your favorite summer television show? What show are you most looking forward to coming back/starting this fall?

Longest Day EVER

2011-08-02T09:01:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was probably one of the longest days of my life. It started with a lovely little trip to the doctor for that obnoxious yearly physical. I am probably the biggest baby when it comes to visiting the doctor (as you can see here). But I promise I have good reasons! Not only did I have the dreaded physical, but my doctor also completes the lady physical anddd blood work. Did I cry? Almost. I did get to lay down while they did blood work and that helped a TON, as I usually pass out. Oh, and apparently I need a tetanus shot. Guess who put their foot down and said this doctor trip was traumatizing enough? This girl. See ya again September first!

From the doctor, I decided to try to feel better and work out my frustrations. Luckily there is a YMCA literally down the street from the doctor and I made it just in time for a spin class. Awesome? You betcha. I woke up today actually feeling sore, I love it!

After a few other fun errands, I also picked up my monogrammed wine glass! Overall it turned out great, I just wish I had a bit more time to perfect it. :) Thanks again Groupon and All Fired Up!

See the resemblance?

Today is going to be a lazy day until I have to go in for work, but tomorrow I'm going to see Friends With Benefits. I've heard great things, especially how funny it is. I don't think you could go wrong with Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake pairing up as the new dynamic duo. Whomever casted those two did it very strategically, as it is no surprise women of all ages flock to Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis has many males' hearts!

Let the Memories Begin at the Place Where Dreams Come True!

2011-07-31T20:07:00.000-04:00

It's no surprise that I love going to the Walt Disney World theme parks, but three parks in ten hours is a bit insane! My insanity was lead by my cousin and his adorable two little boys. :)

Because they were staying on property, we were able to get in to Hollywood Studios an hour early yesterday. This put us at a huge advantage for riding the Toy Story Mania! ride. People tend to be a bit nuts and actually run to the ride as the wait time is so long and the fast passes run out. Luckily for us, the wait time claimed to be 70 minutes but in reality was only about 25. Score!

After Hollywood Studios, we made our way over to Animal Kingdom (my favorite!) to ride the safari. I'm not sure why, but I love this ride! And in all honesty, I don't even really like animals. I guess Disney just does a great job at making this "ride" seem less like a ride and more like a real safari. Jambo!

This little guy was so close!

While I wish we could have stayed to check out the next Lion King show (absolutely amazing!), we had to make our way over to the iconic Magic Kingdom.

We were very excited because my cousin's son, Tyler, has finally gotten to the age (and height) where he is old enough to ride the "big kid" rides, so we immediately made our way to Frontier Land to ride Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. Both had me laughing the entire time, and it was great to see Tyler, even at a young age, loving every minute of it!

From there we rode Pirates and then the Haunted Mansion. I know these rides are both so old, but I swear I find something new every time. This time, I noticed that in the room where the ghosts are "dancing" in the Haunted Mansion, they are coming out of a coffin. I know, it's silly, but all in the name "magic!"

Parker after riding Pirates

Right before I made my way home, my cousin, Tim, suggested we tour the Hall of Presidents. I've been through the exhibit many times, but never actually stayed for the show. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised! Every single past president (including our current president) is presented animatronically. It was really cool to see how technology has led us to create such things, especially because they were able to move more than just their arms, President Abraham Lincoln was able to stand up!

While Disney was a day of busy fun, I was more than ready to have a very lazy day off. Today I did nothing but lay out by the pool, watch movies, and make a killer veggie flat bread pizza! :) This is how I prefer to spend my days off!

Oh Holy Day!

2011-07-28T23:27:00.000-04:00

Today started out rough. Let's just leave it at that.

Then, I went to work. You know you're in the right field when going to work turns your day around! To make it even better, we had a "team outing" at a local restaurant, City Fire. Insert-never-ending-list-of-adjectives-here.

Some of the girls after our amazing meal!

Between the bleu cheese chips and cheesy goodness, my mouth began to water, almost drooling status. Oh and did I mention that the "cheesy goodness" was sheep cheese? Because it was. And I liked it. A lot.

I highly recommend City Fire to those looking for a more upscale American-Fusion style restaurant. They take the "I love BBQ" to a new level aka Pork Shank. On a serious note, every item we tried was absolutely amazing. I truly have nothing but great things to say about this restaurant, and it doesn't hurt that we got to eat "FO FREEEE!" (Think Adam Sandler in Bedtime Stories.) Oh, and two glasses of vino made it even better, how could it not?!

During our meal, two very fun questions arose. If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be? And what is your dream job?

Needless to say I didn't even hesitate on the first question. First I said McSteamy, but after a moment's thought I said Kid Rock. I know, I know, it's weird that I love him so much. But I do, and you should too. Not only is the music a fun mixture of county, rock and hip hop, but he seems like the ultimate (legal) badass. Kid Rock - this is your formal invitation to party! I know you want to!

Can you believe I made my mom take me to his concert in high school?!

Question number two was also a no brainer. My dream job is to live the life Samantha Brown does, sans TV. Samantha Brown is one of the main reasons I began a career in hospitality, and I will be forever jealous of her. I don't think I would be as great on TV as her, because I like to say silly things, like "heiny" or "butthead." I'll stick to the sarcastic writing as that (thank God) can be edited. The one thing I would do differently in comparison to Samantha Brown would be to include all aspects of the vacation in my writings, such as the food outlets and entertainment. Basically I would love to travel, write about it, and make you jealous of my trips.

I am saying good night via Avril Lavigne as I have to be up again in six hours for a work. (I'll try remind myself then how much I love my job!) This songs makes me want to get up, throw on a pair of skinny jeans and black Converse and jump around with my arms flailing above my head. I know you like that picture!!

Day in the Life of Watson

2011-07-28T09:06:00.001-04:00

I know many bloggers follow this post about their pets. My little man wanted a day in the spotlight too, he told me.

I look sexy, even after a bath

Still being a puppy, he has a ton of energy to pose for pictures.

I love my best friend, Bear. I love cuddling with him even more!

I'm such a diva and yes, I wake up looking this good.

I cheer for my mom's alma mater! Go Noles!

I'm smart. I know how to "High Five"


I love to go for walks, but they make me tired.

It's clear to see my pup, Watson, is pretty awesome. He's a cute ball of fur with a huge helping of love (ask my dad, he's Watson's favorite!). He might be a pain in the heiny sometimes (especially chewing my brand new purse), but aren't we all?!

The Year of Many Firsts

2011-07-27T22:39:00.000-04:00

This year one of my New Years Resolutions was to try new things. New things clearly has a wide range, but especially food and activities.

Some of my many firsts:

Trying lobster. I know this sounds silly, but I personally hate seafood! The thought of a poor fish innocently swimming one day, then on my plate the next creeps me out. I have to admit, I didn't hate it!
Attend an FSU baseball game. This past spring I created a "bucket list" of items to be completed during my final semester at FSU. I somehow managed to complete all but one!
A variety of concerts (from Britney Spears to Jake Owen to Benny Benassi).
Graduate college. Obviously this can't really be done more than once, unless you continue your higher education, but still exciting nonetheless.
Go to a gay bar. Yup, you read that right. Yesterday was my friend's birthday and his suggestion to go to Mister Sister's was definitely one to remember. I knew to expect "fabulous" but my expectations were blown out of the water from the moment we were greeted at the door by a drag queen. While I consider myself more liberal in this ever-going discussion, even I was surprised by some of the things that went on.

I know the sign is hard to read, but the "M" in Mister is made by two mens' legs!

Why yes, those are two men sporting undies dancing on the bar

Meet the "Evil Witch" from Snow White, performed as "a dedication to Disney Cast Members"

It may appear a bit over the top, and it definitely was! The clothes were wild. The music was amazing (best dance music ever!). The drinks were cheap. And the men were hot. I think these reasons alone are enough for anyone to head over to Mister Sister's! Let the judgments go, and more importantly, have fun!

Monogramming Wine Glasses

2011-07-26T17:26:00.000-04:00

Being involved in Greek Life automatically makes you an arts and crafts pro. Big/Little week, initiation, homecoming, dance marathon, etc. There are so many times where paint takes over the town.

It's no surprise that this summer has me missing college, especially with the fall semester drawing near. The best way to bring back my hopeful craftiness is to relive it! A few weeks ago, my friend, Brittny, and I purchased groupons at a place, All Fired Up, a pottery painting place. All Fired Up is unique in comparison to others as it is not only family friendly, but alcohol as well (perfect for parties!). I'm not the best painter, so we decided sober painting was the best route, and I'm glad we did!

I chose a wine glass (appropriate, right?), while Brittny painted a large coffee mug. From the moment we bought our Groupons, I knew I wanted to paint monogram to mimic my Tervis Tumbler.

I take this baby EVERYWHERE!

I loved the brown and teal look, but didn't want to leave the wine glass white, I figured that would be too boring. Of course I had to make it complicated and paint the monogram first, but hey, nothing's ever easy!

Almost done!

While I consider myself a perfectionist, I didn't want my glass to appear that way. Of course I wanted it to look nice, so I could be proud of it, but I wanted it to look like I made it, not like it was purchased. I liked the look of parts of the white glass showing, and the peach lines not being perfectly straight. I hope once fired it looks as good as I imagined!

The final product

I highly suggest giving All Fired Up a try! It was a great time, and a huge stress reliever! And don't worry if you're not so crafty, they have tons of stencils and stamps!

After painting the pottery version, I'm thinking about painting regular glass wine glasses. I think it would be a very cool, and original, gift. If you have any ideas, let me know! I've already found a really cool website that demonstrates wine etching (check it out here!). The etching allows for portion control, monograms or other fun designs. Cheers to cute wine glasses!

Alexa Strong

2011-07-24T15:23:00.000-04:00

Have you ever had one of those days where you felt like you could rule the world? I had one the other night after completing (what I thought was) a nearly impossible task for a picky guest. I consider my job far beyond a simple concierge, more like a "wish granter" where I can make the impossible, possible! Clearly many of my day to day duties are simple tasks, but helping others is what I strive to do.

I know what you're thinking, "how does 'conquering the workforce' have anything to do with 'Alexa Strong?'" Well, growing up in Orlando, far from my extended family (1100 miles to be exact), my immediate family became very close to friends we made through school and church. These friends practically became family as we spent many weekends, holidays, and even vacations together. Growing up with these amazing friends has been such a blessing because I know that no matter where I in the world I end up settling, I can call any one of these people and have them at my side (even if it is just through email/text/social media).

For my graduation, my friend's mom (they have been great family friends ever since I was in 3rd grade...going on 14 years!) made an amazing scrapbook full of my college memories. The scrapbook has tons of pictures from all of my quests, inspiring yet humorous quotes, and her own little personal touches.

My two favorite things!

This scrapbook lead me to think about something not too pleasant, but important nonetheless. If my house caught fire, what would be the one thing I grab? Well I couldn't pick just one, but considering the items I chose were both scrapbooks, let's call it a draw. While most possessions can be replaced, photos cannot. The two most influential details in my life thus far, being college and the Disney College Program, would hardly be forgotten, yet impossible to replace. It might be dumb to admit, but sometimes when I'm having a rough day these pages bring tears to my eyes as it's hard to believe they're over. At least I have these scrapbooks to relive them!


My irreplaceable items

Coming full circle to the "Alexa Strong" was written in a quote by my friend's mom. She explained that strength is one of the most important things needed to succeed in life, and the only way I can proceed to do this is being "strong.. Alexa strong."