I will

go to the gym 3x a week
finish decorating the house
plan my dinner party
book more Stella & Dot shows
finish my aunt's photo archive project
find time to scrapbook
learn how to use that sewing machine without breaking it!
thank my husband for taking care of dinner 
focus on work and find new opportunities


Just a little to do list for myself.
Oh yeah I will get some sleep zzzzz

Husband Blog

My husband is considering starting a blog. It would be (mostly) about food and learning to cook. I suggested it be focused on something like husbands that cook. Any thoughts? Suggestions?

Movies I have to watch if they are on

• Back to the Future I and II (I like III but I'm capable of not watching it)
• Castaway
• Clueless
• Wizard of Oz
• Godfather I 
• Almost Famous
• Pretty Woman
• Meet the Parents
• Office Space

I'm sure there's more but these are just a few that come to mind. 

When I say I have to watch, it's not necessarily because they are my favorite, but they are just a type of movie that I enjoy watching on the spur of the moment. I can also do other things while they are on. I think Castaway might be on TV the most out of all of these.

I have made FIRE!

Taking it to a new level

I'm a woman who is a sucker for anything pretty, sparkles, twinkles, shines, you get the idea. The girl who did my makeup for my wedding posted something on facebook about being a "stylist" for Stella & Dot, a company I had never heard of before. I checked out the page and low and behold it was fabulous JEWELRYl pretty, sparkly, shiny jewelry. It immediately reminded me of my favorite store Anthropologie and I told her to put me down for hosting a "trunk show." 

 

I had a Sunday brunch and my friends and family came over and we tried on jewelry, ate fresh, yummy breads and chit chatted. Little did I know I was about to walk away with $265 of free jewelry. I couldn't believe it, as if having parties and hanging out with the girls doesn't make me happy enough but then I got free jewelry. It was love at first site, I signed up to be a stylist a week later.

This is definitely taking my hobbies to a new level. I fill my spare time with scrapbooking, photography and the occasional charity work but now I'm essentially running a business. This is some commitment...to myself. And yes, I am a business owner because that is how the United States is going to tax me, so you know its for real.

Oh yeah, Tina Fey was wearing Stella & Dot jewelry on last week's new episode of 30 Rock. I don't really believe in signs but if I did, that would be one.

Pathetic

Was August really my last post?? Sadly, I'm reporting I quit the 365 project. I did pretty well at taking a picture everyday but it was just too frustrating. My "mentor" tried to get me to make the 6 month mark but I was sick 2 days in a row and never left the house and decided to officially quit. It was relatively liberating.

Bowling for Boobies was fantastic! Thank you so much to everyone that enduring my begging and harassment. I raised $777.52 and the whole event raised I believe over $11,000 for the charity. We came in second place. Oh yeah more importantly I bowled a TWENTY FIVE. I didn't play that badly on my 30th birthday.

I'm looking into beginning a new venture soon with Stella & Dot. I'm hosting a party for stylist next week and might attend an informational session. I've been looking for something like this to do on the side for quite sometime so :fingers crossed: that I like the company and what it offers.

Busted

Corey, Dana and I will be Bowling for Boobies for the Busted Foundation! I definitely needed something new to satisfy my OCD for list-making and organizing. Thank you to Mom, Mom-in-Law, Erin, Debra and Andrew for your donations on Day 1 :) We're planning on some additional fund raising events at FD Subs and possibly the Firkin. Team Waldron has definitely spent enough money there over the years maybe they can help us give back ;)

Check out my page and share with friends and family, thanks!
http://www.firstgiving.com/monicahaley

Oh yeah team name suggestions are welcome!

Addicted

Summer has been busy! In addition to the weddings 

and being a co-maid of honor which means organizing a bridal shower

and going go down the shore and eating delicious Surf Taco and playing with the nephew

I have been addicted to stupid Foursquare and getting mayorships and badges!

I need to get my scrapbooking act back together and then I should have some creative posts soon. In the meantime I'll be watching Big Brother and Jersey Shore and checking in places.

Can I check into my own blog?

365 Calendar Update

Keeping up with the 360 calendar has been fun, a challenge and easy all rolled into one. I started May 23rd and so far I have not forgotten to take a picture each day so I think I'm getting into the habit.

If you feel like taking a peek at what I've been up to (please do) here's my ShutterCal Calendar.

Some of my favorite activities include:
Lauren's Bridal Shower
Meeting baby Elizabeth
Pomme Frites
Zane Lamprey
Rafting
Jim Jeffries


In the meantime Corey's got me involved in some 4 day detox, hence the visit to the Trenton Farmers Market. So far I survived Day 1. We'll see how long I last...

Trenton Bike Tour

I never wrote about the Trenton Bike Tour. It was awesome, 200 people showed and everyone I met was super nice. I had a great time even though it is NOT EASY biking 15 miles up/down hill on a beach cruiser. I took no pictures of my self. I looked like a major tool wearing a 15 year old helmet with the foam fell apart on my forehead.

Mill Hill Neighborhood

Lorenzo's (where we got engaged) near the Train Station

Court House

Ebay

I sold my first item on ebay ever woohoo! Bye, bye old Crumpler bag you were cute but not practical. We had some good times while you kept sliding to the front and getting in my way while I tried to take pictures. Sorry I sold you out for $30. (Not really, cha-ching!)

Hello, kick ass new camera back pack with your cool dividers and tripod strap, courtesy of Alison!

 

Pow Pow

I shot a gun. Yup. 

A group of us went from work to Shore Shot Pistol Range, five of us were newbies. Just being outside made me so nervous I could hear the shots being fired. When we got in, there were guns everywhere, it was crazy. We signed waivers. then the very nice safety ranger went through the motions of handling the gun (which was a glock 34 9mm). He showed us ladies first and then showed the guys. Then we got our ear and eye protection and went inside the shooting area. Not many people were in there and then someone shot a gun and I must have jumped a foot in there air and of course the ranger goes, "Ok you first!"


He showed us how to load the magazine, hold the gun, put the magazine in the gun and then slide the thingy to put the bullet in the barrel (I'm still not up on the terminology sorry). Then how to aim and I shot. I couldn't believe how forceful it was! My first shot, not so great and I continued with the 4 left in there. Then everyone had their turn and on my second try I realized how to aim properly and I did pretty well after that.

Turns out the safety ranger was motivated to volunteer when a woman he knew was home alone and an intruder broke in. She owned a gun and had it in the intruder's face and fired but nothing happened because she didn't know how to use it properly. The man got control of the gun and proceeded to beat her with it. I couldn't decide at first whether or not to share that information but because the story made me feel like I bettered myself by going to the range, I decided I should. 

I really did appreciate the experience and the ranger volunteering his time and I'm glad I did it but I was still relieved when we left the building. 

Waking up 30

Waking up 30's looks an awful lot like waking up 20's

The Final Countdown

Eeeeek, the final countdown to 30! Five more full days of my twenties left...SIGH. At least I have a few things to look forward to this week such as the Phillies game that include Roy Halladay Bobblehead giveaways, we might go to the gun range with work people (more about that later), Trenton Historical Bike Tour and then my birthday celebrations that include "classy" bowling and then heading to House of Brews.

Future Posts to look forward to:

• Runamuck 5K - This happened Saturday, May 15th at Washington Crossings Park. Hopefully, the waterproof disposable cam pics will come out and then I'll post.

• Gun Range - For the record I have NEVER fired a gun and am somewhat terrified by the whole idea. We'll see what happens Wednesday. 

365 Project

On my 30th birthday I'll be starting a 365 project and I'll be using Shuttercal. In case you haven't heard, a 365 project (and it goes by many names) is when you take a picture every day for one year. Shuttercal also has a cool shoebox thing you can purchase at the end.  

I'm excited and nervous to start.  What if I start thinking my life is too lame or boring? What if I forget my camera and something awesome happens? (Although with a cell phone I should be able to always make do.) 

Wish me luck! 

Say buh-bye cold temps

Just so you can better appreciate the warm weather that has arrived I'll let you check out some Vermont pictures.

action shot

brrr but beautiful

I was stuck on a flat trail, so I started taking pictures.

Mad Skillz

Enjoy my mad scrapbooking skillz.

 

Camping

 

Homecoming

 

Sweet Sixteen (check out the sweet cake I cut out.)

 

Scarlet Knights

Trenton Goodwill

I'm going to have to pay a visit to this Goodwill. Stacy found a sweet "treasure" chest there.

You can find me here

 

Stacy came to scrapbook and went home with a dresser

Despite a bad dream that my hosting of our scrapbook meeting was a nightmare, the day went very well. We ate, we scrapbooked, we laughed. 

And well for some, they scored a dresser/bench at the Goodwill store on the way over. I didn't get a picture but maybe she'll post on on Paper Cuts Like Us.

Busy Bees

 

4 days until

I host a scrapbook meeting aka Paper Cuts!! (I'm cheating a little by not cooking but catering from FD Subs I think is the only way to go.)

If it ain't broke... I'll break it

This is what ooooold butter fingers did when she tried to change the bobbin. I thought I fixed it and then metal parts came flying out of it.

Too cold to sew

It finally happened, I turned on the sewing machine (a year later after I received it mind you).  I decided I can sew a straight hem at least for a couple inches and I tried out sewing a blind hem.

Came out pretttty good if I do say so myself :)

What hem?

Here's my colorful scrap fabric from M. Avery Designs and Crate and Barrel Outlet. I don't even need to make anything I just like having it laying around in my sewing room aka the freezing cold basement.

Google "Sexy Apron"

I can't forget to mention the fabulous gift we gave the birthday girl.  Since she wants to enter her 30's a well-rounded woman she's picked up cooking lately and what would be more appropriate than a sexy apron. Below is what you find when you google "sexy aprons"

 

Carolyn's Kitchen sells these adorable aprons (beautiful, sweet friend wearing the apron not included.)

 

Oh this purse? I made it.

I made it out to Hoboken last weekend for one of my girlfriend's 30th birthday. I know what you're thinking, fancy dinner with cocktails then shots and dancing on bars to say goodbye to our 20's...but it wasn't quite like that. There was a surpise organized and it was at M. Avery Designs in Hoboken and we were making our own purses. That's right I had to sew something. 

(She was defintely surprised!)

We got to pick out which bag we wanted to make from several different patterns and we could also choose what fabrics we wanted from a large selection.

 

(black & white checkered on the outside and blue & white stripes on the inside)

 

They let us bring wine and we had cheese,crackers and grapes

I didn't give the owner my camera to take the group picture so you'll have to wait to see all of us and our finished products. I'll leave you with a picture of a newly anointed seamstress.

Classic Grant

 

Tommy's and my nephew decided to show up early! Welcome to the family little Grant :)

Alison's Vase

Alison requested a vase for Christmas and of course I was more than thrilled to oblige. I ordered precut tiles from Ebay and I strayed from my usual color pallet (which I hope she liked.) The tiles were Van Gogh copper and Van Gogh green. They are called Van Gogh because of the pattern on the tile.

I spend most of Sarah's 30th birthday making it. Thanks for not being able to drink Sarah or I don't know when I would have finished it!

 

What happened to December?

Time has been flying by these past few weeks! It's a Christmas miracle I've finished all my shopping THREE whole days before Christmas, this has never happened in all my shopping years. Although we were still waiting on 3 gifts in the mail up until the day before, that snowstorm in Philly I think caused some delays, eek!

The office holiday party at the Witherspoon Grill Restaurant in Princeton was fabulous. The food was great and everyone had a great time. Since I'm the one that organized it (not that organizing consists of much more than finding a place and making a reservation but whatever) I'm always nervous on how it will work out.

Somehow we pulled off Secret Santa at work. It doesn't sound difficult but when it's participants are comprised of 90% men it's not so easy. I did come home with Monster #2 though :) 

Next post coming up are projects I swear!