Our First Date

So I guess you could say I'm new around here, and I anticipate lots of new readers heading this way. Due to this I figured I should reintroduce myself. I mean, if you've never been around here before this is basically like our first date! Right? Well, let's pretend that's true, because I found a funny list of questions to ask on first date, and I'm answering them right here for you! I didn't answer all of them because, well, I didn't like all of them. I do make the rules around here!

Can you fight a bear?
I have to be honest with you right now, I really feel like I could. I mean I'm pretty tough, so I don't think it would be a problem. You know, if it came down to it.

Who was your best friend in 2nd grade?
This girl named Sami. We were bffs from like pre-school to fourth grade. We're not friends anymore but I do follow her on instagram. She has a couple babies now.

What are five things you do with a pencil besides write?
1- erase. 2- put your hair up. Well, I can't. But some people can. 3-tap it on your desk to annoy the people around you. 4- use it for nail polish art (more on this later??!!) 5- Stab someone

In 60 seconds, tell me as many things you can do with a brick as you can.
Omg. Pressure. Okay, build houses. build walls. Build a school. Build one of those really cool exposed walls like Monica has in her apartment. Put it in your purse and then ask people to hand you your purse so that they'll be like "WHOA, what do you have in here, A BRICK??!!" and then you can be like "Well, actuallyyyy..." Ummm, build something else? Phew, times up.

What is the best compliment you ever recieved?
"I can tell you really care about your job" or "I can tell you really care about the people you work with."

What do you wish more of your friends would do with you?
Likeee, just make plans in general. I have flaky friends. And swim. Why do adults just want to lay next  to the water? I wanna be in it! Let's play Marco Polo!

Would you like me to bring you doughnuts?
Why yes, yes I would.

If you could have a meal made specifically for you right now, what would you get?
Well, this is hard because I just gorged myself with Chipotle a little bit ago (side note, if you want very large scoops at Chipotle go 5 mins before closing. Pro tip.). But, okay probably some avocado/ sweet potato/ cream cheese sushi and one of those smoothies I read about at work today (diced pinapple and coconut sorbet +ice blended together. Sounds amazing.)

Do you like Raisinets?
Duh. Although I prefer vanilla yogurt covered raisins. Nom nom nom.

If a witch were to cast a spell on you turning you into an inanimate object what would you prefer to be?
I think I would want to be a purse. A designer purse, obvi, because if someone has a designer purse they're probably taking good care of me. And then I can still travel and see the world. If you were a bookshelf or something you'd always be staring at the same damn thing.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I see myself married to Samuel, of course. I see us having two little babes and owning a beautiful house hopefully in the Harrisburg, PA area. I also hope to be pursuing my doctorate at that point, if that's something I decide to do.

So, what would you ask on a first date? Also, feel free to use my blog prompt! let me know in the comments so I can check it out; I don't want to be the only one talking on this date.

Oh Target

Okay, I think we all know how what Target can do to you. You walk in for some toothpaste and bananas, you walk out with 7 bags and never even made it to the produce aisle. What is it about Target that just sucks you in and makes you forget all common sense when it comes to throwing things in your basket? Well, I decided to dissect a trip to Target; maybe I can figure out what went went wrong...

I pull into the parking lot, grab the first spot I see, and walk into heaven the store. Before I can even grab a basket I see Starbucks... It's fine, I'll just get an iced coffee, that's cheap(er). Oh, but I didn't have lunch today. You should never shop on an empty stomach; that is what makes you buy things you don't need. Okay, an Oprah Chai Tea (shut up, I deserve it), a cheese Danish, and just add this gourmet gum- the proceeds help give shelter to the homeless! And NOW, I am ready to shop.

Via

First stop: the toiletries section. All I need is some make-up remover. That is it, nothing else. Wait, I've never seen this nail polish before! You can never have too many shade of coral, right? Into the basket it goes. And now, what did I come for? RIGHT! Makeup remover. That should be right over... Is that coconut shampoo?! I am so sick of that Paul Mitchell stuff- like how long can one bottle last? I should get this. And am I almost out of shaving cream? No, Amanda, you bought some last week. Get out of the toiletries section before you go buy everything.

I swing over to the food and throw some snacks in my basket. The ice cream is on sale so I grab some. I throw some freezer meals in my basket and I get some eggs- you can never have enough eggs. I mean, this stuff is food. This is a need. I tell myself not to feel bad as I toss a few more things into my overflowing basket.  I should really pop over to the home goods section, too. Maybe they have something really cute on clearance. If it's not on clearance, though, I won't buy it. I mean, except this beach towel. And that picture frame. I grab a couple more things and then make a quick sweep through the stationary. I grab a couple things... a funny cat book? Need that. And this gold stapler. When I can't fit anymore I head to checkout.

Via

I have to walk through the clothes to get to the registers. I'm not actually looking for clothes, but the fastest route is through the clothes, that's all. Hey, look! They restocked my favorite racerback tanks! This striped one would go perfectly with my new shorts. I'll grab a pink one, too. They go great with leggings, plus you really can't beat $8. I should get an orange one, too! No, Amanda, put that one back. You do not need three (more) tank tops. Okay, pink and stripes. Good job, girlfriend.

Before I leave Target I have to stop in the dollar section. I really did want a little basket for the bar. That's what, $3? And how much damage can I really do in a dollar section? Don't answer that.. So anyways, off I go! I need this and this and that... I need to check out.

I walk to the nearest register, throw my things on the belt, and make small talk with the cashier as she rings up my things. And my total is... $45,526.32. But, Target gives a five cent discount for bringing reusable bags (which I always do), so I'll chalk this up as a win!

I trudge out to the parking lot, put my groceries in the car, and... wait, I forgot my makeup remover! Back into Target I go...

A Grateful Heart

Okay, three days back on the blogging train and I already missed a post. Seriously?! But, I have an excuse. Our internet was out Thursday and Friday... again. I swear the AT&T people have been at my house more than I have in the last month (Okay, I'm exaggerating, but they have been here FOUR times!). I had a post drafted up for Friday and everything! Oh well, I'm just glad its back and hopefully here to stay! We switched to something that supposed to be super fast and cool, so we shall see.

Anyways, that's enough about my internet woes. Today I am linking up with Emily over at Ember Grey to talk about the things I am grateful for. I think it's so important to remember your blessings every so often and reflect on the things you are grateful for in your life. I've always always believed that everyone has something to be happy about, as long as you think hard enough.

...for the two sweet kittens curled up at my feet. They make me smile every single day and I just love them oh so much!

...for my beautiful roommate who had a yummy dinner in the oven when I got home from work today. I highly recommend getting a roommate who likes to cook!

...that, even though I never want to get anything wedding related checked off my to-do list, I am planning a beautiful wedding and get to spend the rest of my life married to the most amazing man.

...like extremely grateful, that even though I'm not making much money at the moment and am constantly stressed about my spending, I still feel secure every time I check my bank account. I'm also grateful that my mom taught me how to save and be frugal!

...for my Lilly agenda- it seriously keeps me sane these days. My schedule is so hectic!

Via

What are you guys grateful for this week?

Introducing... Leo!

It's no secret around here that I've been dreaming of getting my own cat. Even if you are brand spanking new here the first word in my blog title is "Cats." And if you aren't new, I've only mentioned it about a thousand times that I really really really wanted my own little kitten. Well, back in November I was finally in a place to get one, and Sam agreed that I could. So off to the shelter I went!

When I saw Leo's sweet face and watched him launch himself off the table to attack a picture hanging on the wall, I knew he was mine. Well, in hindsight that incident, and the way he climbed on top of my head and started chewing on my hair, should have been an indicator that he was going to give me a run for my money. But seriously... that face!

Since getting him in November he's become the best little buddy ever. He greets me at the door when I get home and immediately demands a cuddle sesh, he cries and cries when I leave, he even brings me his toys and drops them in the shower while I'm bathing. What more could I ask for?! But obviously, it's not all sunshine and roses. Actually he's kind of a demon. He LOVES to knock things over. "Oh, is that a glass of water there? Let me push that onto the floor for you." "You didn't want to keep your deodorant, did you? Because I knocked it into the trashcan" "You're looking for your favorite necklace? I believe I batted that under the fridge with all my other toys." But hey, everyone has their flaws!

Besides destroying everything, Leo loves to play with ice cubes and these crinkly plastic balls I got at PetCo, he loves to snuggle with me and always sleeps by my feet at night, he helps with all household tasks- especially sweeping and making the bed, and he makes me smile every single day. Sam is still learning to love him, but I can't imagine my life without him.

What are your pet's names? What do they do that drives you nuts?

I'm Baaa-aaack

Whoa, who is this blogger? She must be new. Nope, not new, but I haven't been around here in quite a while. In fact, I don't think any of the people I used to follow are even a part of blogging world anymore. Well, except Kelli, who also reappeared recently! Honestly, I'd love to get a fresh start on this thing, but I figured if I didn't just blog it would never happen. There's been so much going on in my life lately that I wish I'd been documenting so I decided to just stop procrastinating- I can always redesign later. 

So what's new? I got the kitten I've always dreamed about, I killed it with my living room decor, I quit my dead-end job on a whim, and perhaps most excitingly, the love of my life asked me to marry him! But hey, I guess we can talk about all those things later. Really I should just introduce myself. Here we go again...

I'm Amanda, a twenty-something engaged lady and LDR alumna living in North Carolina. My life is a work in progress, but I'm happier than I've been in a long time- sometimes you just have to follow your heart. When I'm not working or cleaning up things that were broken by my rambunctious little kitten, I like to kayak, craft, do Zumba, and read as many books as I can get my hands on. I'm an ex-sorority girl but a forever Phi Mu. I'm passionate, strong-willed, and too sarcastic for my own good. 

I am so excited to get this blog up and running again. I'm not sure what direction I'm gonna take right now; I know I want to blog a lot about my wedding and I'm sure I'll blog a lot about my life, too. I'm excited to get to know you guys and for you to get to know me all over again!  

Talk to you soon!