Happy Halloween!!

This Halloween Mr. Stilettos and I will be President Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe. We are going down to the city to celebrate with some friends after we greet our trick or treaters! I can’t decide which I’m more excited about…I actually think it might be giving out candy! You see, this is our first Halloween at our home so we are looking forward to meeting more of the families in our neighborhood. You better believe I worked hard on our candy bags that we are giving out! I’ll make sure to post pictures on Monday!

On my way home from work tonight I think I’m going to treat us to a hot caramel apple cider from Starbucks. Yes, they are loaded in calories but I like to think that they will be making my skin a little thicker tonight as we party in the streets in 40 degree weather! So, to continue my favorite Friday tradition…I’m adding this tasty drink to my list!

Enjoy your Halloween!! What are you going to do tonight?! Got a costume ready?!

Salon Comfort

First of all, to those ladies who commented on my “Undergrad…Grad?” post…Thank you!! I appreciate your feedback!

To build on the topic regarding what I want to do in the future…

Growing up I was always fascinated with hair and makeup. My mom put my sister and I in little pageants when we were in elementary and middle school and I would just sit and watch the stylist team do every girls hair and makeup. I loved it and my poor younger sister became my model to work on! I must say, I’m pretty darn good after all of the practice I have had on her over the years! In high school I started doing other peoples hair and makeup and the word just kind of spread. Now that things have settled down with the wedding I decided to start a little side business.

My idea is that I would go to a customers house and do their hair and makeup. My target area is teenage girls who have homecoming or proms to attend but I am open to other ages and events as well.  Girls love getting ready together and my services would allow them to do that. I would provide teenage friendly appetizers and drinks for them to enjoy while they were pampered. The thought of someone coming to do my hair and makeup (and throw my friends a party!!) in the comfort of my own home is so appealing to me but my question is does everyone else feel the same? Would you rather be pampered at a salon?

There are two main reasons that I would further my business degree. One, for my personal satisfaction of adding another accomplishment to my list. Two, for more money and a greater position at the company I am currently working at. Let’s get something straight – I love this job. I have great hours, work with wonderful people and my job is rewarding and challenging. BUT, it is not my dream job. My dream job would be raising our family from home while doing the hair/party planning thing on the side. I know I would be good at it but I would never see the salary I’m used to! OH the decisions!!! What’s a girl to do?!

So far I have had two inquiries about doing hair/makeup. Both of them are just individual services – not a group party, which is fine but I need to focus on building my teenage network if I want this business to go anywhere. So…that is what I will be doing this winter in preparation for prom season! Stay tuned

Hammer Time

No, I did not ruin any stilettos in the remodeling of this room!

Domestic Diva’s gotta have experience in a little bit of everything right?

Undergrad…Grad?

My junior year of college I started working full time after I was presented with a position that was too good to turn down. As a result, it pushed back my undergrad completion a semester so I still have yet to walk across the stage. I decided to take the fall semester off to enjoy being a newlywed which was such a good idea!! I thank myself every day! But now, it is time to register for the rest of my classes that I will be taking in the spring and I have my eyes set on a June graduation!

Of course one degree never feels like enough. Now it seems like every position inquires about your desire to complete a masters program. I have my eyes set on one that I think I would really enjoy but like running…the thought of how long it will take me to reach my accomplishment is so exaughsting! It will have taken me four years and a semester to reach my undergrad…the thought of adding 12 more classes makes my head spin!

My other concern is our family plan. If I was to take two classes a semester it would set my sights on a 2011 graduation (if all went as planned!) and that is cutting it really close to when we want to start our family. I do not want my child raised by someone else so we are planning on having me stay at home or working no more than 24 hours a week. I’m crossing my fingers that my parents move back to the area (they moved an hour away) so we will have the extra help. My concern is I do not want to go through all of the effort of getting a masters when I might not even use it…this is such a big dilehma for me!! I am constantly struggling with the idea!! In my mind family comes first and I am not willing to push off our family plan but I would also love to have that higher education checked off my life accomplishments…

Hmmm…What do you think?

Jewelry Giveaway

Attention all jewelry fanatics!! Check out Make Mine a Mojito’s 100th post giveaway!!

Kicking off the Stilettos

Sometimes I kick off my stilettos after work and put on my running shoes. Yes, I run. Do I enjoy it? Hmm…

I really struggle with running. I want to keep in shape and I know that running is the best all over body toner and it feels sooo good after you have just run – but it is so hard to motivate myself! I always see long distance runners and think what the heck makes them want to do that?! I mean, can’t they just run 5 miles and still be in shape?! I have so much respect for them and I wish I had that type of motivation – I just don’t yet.

One of my best girlfriends just ran the 1/2 Baltimore Marathon. I am so proud of her and I can feel something inside of me saying, “You can do it too!” but….ehhh I can also hear myself saying back “why the hell would you want to do that?!” It is going to take so much time and training and its not going to be enjoyable during the winter months!

This morning I put on my running shoes before work and headed to the gym. It did not feel good waking up at 6 but once I was up I just had all of this energy! I think I just found a way to make running easier!! This morning it was so much more enjoyable to run!! I just hopped on that treadmill and before I knew it 30 minutes had gone by!! Yes, I only run about 3 miles right now – and clearly they are 10 minute miles. But, I suppose I have to start somewhere. In high school our field hockey team would run 4.5 miles cross country everyday before practice and then after we were finished we would have a timed mile on the track! I want that body and energy back!! If I could do that then…which was only five years ago…I can certainly do it now.

I’m going to keep going to the gym in the morning and my marathon girlfriend has promised to build me a training schedule. I’m going to give it a try…and pray for a warmer winter!! Not only will I be gaining an accomplishment if I am able to do this, I’ll be sharing a great memory with my girlfriend.

Ugg-ly

I am fully aware that half of the planet seems to have a pair of Uggs but I just can’t help myself…they are just sooo comfortable! I’m not saying you have to have the real thing – this domestic diva proudly strutted a knockoff pair from Payless for two whole years! I wore those things everywhere – and I mean everywhere!

I promised myself that once we bought our house and our wedding was over I would proudly buy my first real pair. Can I tell that there is a difference between Mr. Payless and Mr. Uggs? Honestly, yes! They are so much more comfortable, warmer and I feel that I have a lot more support in them. The only downside is they really are not that attractive…Mr. Stilettos tells me how goofy they look everytime I wear them around. I just remind him of how comfortable they are and how warm they make me feel. (He is very thankful for this because I am a person who is always complaining about being cold!)

So, I am adding Uggs to my favorite friday list and I think you should too!

Creative Cocktails

As the holiday season approaches I know we are not the only ones who have started to see our mailbox fill up with festive cocktail party invitations. It seems like every time we go to a party there is a new drink that has just been introduced to my favorites list! The problem is…half the time I forget what exactly they made it out of! Problem solved!! The Bar is a fabulous site that lists all types of drinks and what exactly goes into them. They will even make personalized cocktail labels for you!! How awesome! So go ahead, check it out and find that amazing drink you had at your last social outing!

Ohhh to be in Paradise again…

Monster Mash

I love this time of the year. Everything that has to do with pumpkins, corn stalks, candy corn, hay stacks and Halloween candy just makes me so giddy. This past weekend we took my youngest BIL and SIL to the pumpkin patch. They have this deal where you carry as many pumpkins as you can for fifteen feet for $20. Totally a bargain and I can say we Mr. Stilettos proudly came out with 10 pumpkins! I can not wait to start carving this week!

I must also admit that if Martha Stewart announced she was looking for a assistant I would drop EVERYTHING and run to NY! I just love party planning, decorating, cooking, baking – anything domestic I must say I love. Ok…minus the cleaning up part!

Anyways, is your inner domestic diva urging you to throw a Halloween party this year? Go over to Simply Stated and check out their oh so cute monster mash madness! I know they will inspire you!