HEY! Do you remember me? Once upon a time, I had a blog, and then apparently dropped off the face of the earth. WELL, I'm back to brief you on everything I haven't been doing for the past 11 days! For being the shortest month of the year, I feel as though it has been the LONGEST one to get through, what's up with that!? It still isn't over! That's okay though, I'm a winter lover and will take these days any day! I left off talking about my ski trip to Vermont, oh Vermont, I love you...
For Valentine's day (ya know, almost two weeks ago), L and I kept it simple this year and indulged in some heart shaped pancakes, and then went crazy with some heart and lobster shaped sugar cookies. I once again used my absolute favorite sugar cookie recipe which calls for...

Ingredients: 1 cup granulated white sugar 1 cup butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract 1 egg 3 cups all-purpose flour 2 Teaspoons baking powder.
Directions: 1 - Preheat oven to 350 F 2 - Mix the butter and sugar together until it is creamy 3 - Beat in the egg, vanilla extract and almond extract 4 - In a separate bowl, combine the baking powder and flour. Slowly add to the wet ingredients while still mixing. 5 - Divide the dough into two batches. Roll one dough ball out (about 1/4 inch thick) onto floured parchment paper. 6 - Punch out your cookies using your favorite cookie cutters and then place on a cookie sheet with parchment paper. 7 - Bake 6 - 8 minutes and let cool completely before frosting and decorating. 

We did our own number with the frosting by mixing together powdered sugar, vanilla, food coloring and milk. 
I think Boston might be done getting dumped on with snow. Aside from the random snow hour that we get every here and there, it's starting to warm up and people are beginning to dig their cars out of the piles!

I just finished up day 24 of P90X3, and it definitely has me feeling stronger than ever. The first two weeks, I was eating whatever I wanted and wasn't feeling/seeing much progress. I'm now following the 21 Day Fix nutrition plan and have noticed a huge difference. It's all about portion control, and since your actual workout is only about 30% of the effort, and nutrition is the rest it has really helped me out! Basically the nutrition plan I have been following requires less carbs, and more protein. I am waiting on the edge of my seat for my Shakeology to arrive! I have all these fun recipes to try out like Shakeology balls or these Shakeology bites ... and they're good for you too!! I'll continue to post updates as I work through the program!!

 What's your weekend looking like!!?

We're Spoiled

We're getting spoiled over here in New England! Every week we are getting dumped on with several feet of snow allowing us to indulge in all of those fun arctic shenanigans that NE is known for. There is snow that is taller than me... I'm 5'7", people!

As I type I am on a train ride back into Boston from Vermont to get back into my daily jive and work, even though Boston is strongly suggesting that people stay OUT of the city so that they can attempt to clean the streets. They're working hard, they really are... there is just no more space to put the snow except for the river which is a big no no. Monday and Tuesday had everything cancelled once again which was absolutely fine with me as I was slope side with my beloved family, eating up this amazing snowstorm. We had our annual ski trip at Okemo mountain where we ate, slept and dreamed snow. The first day of skiing was FAH-reezing, the second day was right during the storm so we had tons of fluffy, clean snow that we shredded up, and the third was a bright, sunny and fair weather ski day. More to come.  

Other than the snow, us New Englanders also have the beautiful Pats victory to celebrate. I was biting my nails during the fourth quarter, but was proud to see them pull it off, as expected! The parade was pushed back a day to last Wednesday and they had the ducks out with the team to celebrate. Props to some of these Pats fans... they were out at 5 in the morning scoping out a place to camp out for the parade. In the snow. In the cold. 

How super accurate is this chart? I know that it's spot on with myself and my two sisters. I'll give you a hint... I'm a middle child!

I started my p90X a week ago so I've been staying busy with that. It probably wasn't the smartest idea starting it right before we went to the ski house and pigged out all day and night, but I started and I'm feeling sore and that's all that matters. My least favorite workout thus far is the yoga (mainly because I can't do ANY of the poses), and my favorite has got to be the agility. Combined with the soreness from P90X AND the amazing leg workout from skiing, I'm unable to move... it's great!
I hope everyone has a great Valentines Day tomorrow! I'll be stopping by with an Okemo post!

Thursday Thoughts

via 
 

This week flew by in the blink of a second! I don't know if it was the snow days, or easy work days... but I can't believe it's Thursday! Here's to Thursday and everything I'm thinking about right now!

 + With the several inches feet of snow on the ground, I'm thinking that I'm going to have to go scoop a pile of snow off of the roof deck to make this delicious treat.

+ I've been putting it off for the past 6 months, but I've finally started investing some time and money into putting some frames on the wall like this or this.

+ I'm already over our navy blue nightstands from Target. I'm eying these guys from Wayfair. EXCEPT... I'm going to avoid that close to $300 price tag per nightstand and attempt to build them myself (In two or three years when I have a garage or workshop of some sort)!

+ My favorite pallet project of the week goes to this accent wall! I want it!!

+ I want to buy these magnets made of my Instagram pictures, but I have no idea what I'd stick them to? Maybe frame out a sheet of metal and hang it on the wall to stick them to?

+ I started following Naomi's blog (Love Taza) and I absolutely love it and her life. Family of 5 living in a 2 BR NYC apartment doing all things awesome, loving life. Not to mention, all of the pictures she uses on the blog and that are on Instagram are flawless. Oh yea... that's where I got the magnetic inspiration from too! ^ 

+ I saw the Super Bowl commercial for Go Daddy, which made me sad cry while the one for Budweiser once again had me happy crying. I'm pretty sure they pulled the Go Daddy one.

It's Supposed to Snow

I woke up this morning to choppers buzzing above the area only to remember that today was the Pats rally at City Hall Plaza. Had I had my face on and the energy and motivation to venture on a 5 minute walk over, I would have loved to go see Tom Brady being worshipped by thousands of Bostonians, however my lazy arse had errands to run and an apartment to clean. #solame

We're supposed to be getting some snow tonight and tomorrow, so I ran around today dropping stuff off at the post office, picking up groceries and doing my laundry. All of this productive activity made me anxious to clean, so I deep cleaned the apartment, took some updated pictures of the place (cause they're the same from the first month that we moved in over 6 months ago) and then threw some cookies in the oven. I'm starting to get excited for Valentine's Day! Heart shaped everything my friends. 

With this blizzard that is supposed to be hitting the Northeast tonight, I have already received emails from NSTAR (my electric company), my landlord, both my jobs are closed for tomorrow, MBTA service is closed for tomorrow as is my Physics class, and the shelves were cleared at CVS. I guess this storm is going to be something.

...because this is the most snow that we have had thus far...
In other news, my face has been glued to Lifetime movies these days. They're so cheesy, but they suck you in so bad. I watched four the other day, in a row. You know what I could have been doing that night? I could've been eating at Bricco where JLaw was the other day. Why do I always miss out on this kind of stuff!?
Oh, and I once again walked into my vain cat staring at herself in the mirror. This show is all about her.

We're all snuggled up noshing on cookies and hot cocoa waiting for a blizzard... this city needs some snow!

Lately...

I found myself missing the blog this week, as I haven't had the chance to spend much, if any time unwinding on here. So without further adieu, I give you a brain dump for Friday. L tried to feed our precious angel spam earlier this week, and as you can tell... she was not a fan. This spiraled into a series of unfortunate events which ended up with her getting sick. I then, unknowingly put a pile of my clothes on her sleeping ottoman, and she let me know what was up by taking number two's where she shouldn't be. After four days of pulling my hair out and going crazy from constantly cleaning and scrubbing I put two and two together and discovered that I had made her mad and she was teaching me a lesson... lesson learned. Note to self... don't takeover "her" spots. 

I had another Christmas party on Tuesday. A little late, I know... but it was so wonderful to have the crew all together and happy with a drink in hand! We celebrated at "Causeway", located right across from the garden and reserved the entire top floor for our crazy souls. We had a gift exchange in which I excitedly walked away with some Ulta goods and cash while others walked away with booze and blow up dolls. These cats are crazy, I tell ya. What a crew!

Like every other person and their mother, L and I went to see American Sniper, and were left beside ourselves. I was the one secretly trying to hide my tears in the theater. Even though we went on a Wednesday night, the show was still practically sold out! The movie was intense and very moving, and I barely recognized Bradley Cooper who had put on 40 pounds in 6 weeks for the part... unbelievable.

 via

L, being the financial advisor that he will someday be, talked me into opening a brokerage account and investing. Yikes. I have to say... I'm a huge scaredy cat when it comes to playing with my money like that. I don't know the slightest thing about stocks and investments and was on the verge of tears when I saw the money transferred out of my savings. The mutual fund that L had me put my money in will probably stay there for at least a year, and if I lose a single penny I'll be crying (as of today it was up $35! ...but he said that it will probably go back down, lots of fluctuating). I'm not good at this whole risk taking thing with money. I'm hoping it does well.... as it is my house fund!

I may or may not need to invest in this book.
After working out nearly dying in front my laptop yesterday at home using two wine bottles as dumb bells for day 1 of Jillian's 30 day shred, it came to my attention that it was time to revamp my workout regime so I went ahead and purchased P90x3 yesterday! I'm terrible... absolutely TERRIBLE with the whole working out thing. I've been making a monthly donation to my gym since July, and plan on canceling my membership today. Honestly, my lazy butt hasn't made it out to Government Center lately (a whopping 10 minute walk), and there's no sense in paying for a membership I don't use. The gym that I am currently a member of is like a Planet Fitness so believe me, I'm not investing much... however, the only thing I ever do when I am was there was mess around on the elliptical for an hour so I don't think I'll be missing much. What I'm most excited about with P90x3 is the 30 minute workouts! This girl does not have time for those 60 and 90 minute ones. I'm hoping that with the shorter workouts, I'll be more motivated to do them knowing that they're only 30 minutes, AND it's even something that I can do in the mornings before work. (HAAAA --- okay, someone please reference me back to this post in a month. I'm not exactly famous for working out). Anyways, if I actually stick with it and make it more than a week and hopefully the full 90 days, I'll try to post before and afters/updates! Wish me luck!

Getting toned is the ultimate goal here, so if these guys can do it... so can I!
AND... not to get too involved in sports politics... but we're going to the Super Bowl!!! Deflated balls or not! When it comes to deflate-gate I think it's safe to say, we (and I think I can speak for every Pats fan and New Englander out there) really don't give a f%$! If there are consequences, so be it... we would have won regardless, and are just proud to see another great team represent us. This game against the Seahawks is going to be a good one, both teams are tough and will bring their A game to the Super Bowl!

via

Have a wonderful Friday friends, and an even better weekend!!

Recap November Goals

 

  Here's what was supposed to happen this past month!

ONE//

+ Stay true to my push up routine.

I only got to day 12 :(

TWO//

+ Order an extra bureau for the bedroom and get rid of the desk. 

Done and done!

THREE//

+ Do all of my Christmas shopping!

I wanted it all done by December 1st. I'm about 80% done with the shopping, and 45% done with the wrapping... getting there!

FOUR//

+ Save

Eh... still working on that goal! November and December are hard for me... but I'm getting there!

FIVE//

+ Have a wonderful and fun Thanksgiving!

Absolutely! We went to Pittsburgh to celebrate my grandparents 50th anniversary and visit family!

  Check in tomorrow for my December goals!

Mr. Craig and his list!

Hi my name is Kaylie, and I'm addicted to Craigslist.

I have used Craigslist to find apartments, jobs, and most recently.. furniture!

 I HAVE BOUGHT:

Wing Back Chair - $40

Originally - $200

Transportation Cost - $Zilch
I paid $40.00

 Long story short, this guy ended up on the street for trash pick up after a bad paint job done by yours truly.

IKEA Floor Mirror - $100

Craigslist - $40

Transportation - $27.00 (Zipcar)
I paid $67.00

IKEA Floor Lamp - $40

Craigslist - Free

Transportation - $4.20 (MBTA)
I paid $4.20

IKEA Brimnes Dresser (2) - $110 each ($220 for both)
Craigslist - $90
Transportation - Free
I paid $90.00

Overall items that I have bought from Craigslist I have spent: $201.20
Overall amount that I saved not going to the retailers: $358.80


 I SOLD:

Target 9 cube organizer -$40
Craigslist - $25
Transportation - Free/Pick up
I lost $15.00

Wooden Desk - We got it for free
Craigslist - $40 (+ the sweet lady wanted to give us an extra $40 to help her carry it up the stairs, we only took $20)
Transportation - $8.40 (MBTA) to get to Brighton and back to help her move it
We made $51.60

5' x 8' Rug - It was gifted to me
Craigslist - $50
Transportation - Free! The lady picked it up!
We made $50.00

 

Overall amount I have made selling items on Craigslist: $86.60

Total amount spent and returned: ($201.20 - 86.60) = $114.60!

Not bad considering that you're factoring in big pieces of furniture including 2 bureaus, a desk, lamps, a rug, a chair, floor mirror, and an organizer! 

Any other Craigslist junkies out there!?

Such an easy way to find fun pieces for so much less!

Fiddle Leaf Fig Love

This may sound like the most ridiculous post ever (because it is)... but this is the story about a girl who bought a baby Fiddle Leaf Fig.    I originally wanted to start with a big 6ft one, but figured I had absolutely no way of getting one of those home safely. So plan B was to buy a baby one, have it shipped to me, and grow it myself! Fun times. Well, it just arrived about a week ago, and thus far it is adorable.   I'm no plant master, but from the articles that I've read, they say that in order to keep it alive... keep it in indirect sunlight, only water it when the soil is dry to the touch, etc., etc...  

  ...and here's a ridiculous picture of me showing you how big it is.  

Although the picture is misleading, the plant is currently about 1 ft. tall, and has 14 leaves.

I'm ready for this sucker to grow!

Update: Me, being an idiot poured fruit juice into the pot to see what would happen. A leaf fell off.

Update (04.28.15): My tree is down to 8 leaves. sigh. It survived the winter, however when I tried to repot it, all of the leaves turned yellow and about 5 of them fell off. 

  .

Real Talk: Why do I blog?

I started blogging over a year ago, 19 months to be exact.  I don't remember the exact reason as to why I started one, but I know that I wanted an outlet for my creative juices, and a place to reference back to. I have been reading blogs for slightly longer than I have had my own and enjoyed the inspiration and ideas that other bloggers had to share. While Life As You Live It does not exactly have one set theme, I'd like to think that it can be classified as a lifestyle blog thanks to its eclectic subjects that revolve around home interiors, projects, and day to day adventures that I experience.
When I started this blog I was living at home with my parents in rural Ohio. Plain and simple, life was easy. Now, I'm living it up on my own (well, with L) in the North End of Boston. A LOT has changed. I work almost everyday to support my new, and slightly more expensive lifestyle, I have developed a better taste in interior decor and fashion, and am also balancing a diversified plate of day to day activities. I wouldn't change it for the world, however sometimes I find blogging take a back seat during a busy week or month. I certainly would not classify myself as a full time blogger, however I am working hard to generate more posts per week to share a little more about what goes on around here.
The main reasons that I blog are to keep track of life so that I can look back and see what happened (it's like a big diary), and to also share and promote personal favorites that I love and feel others will appreciate as well. While being behind the screen has certainly led me to spending a little more money (all those links from other blogs!), I too have been introduced to a handful of good, quality products that I may not have been able to find elsewhere.
Where am I going with this post? I just wanted to wrap an arm around you and say thank you! Thanks for following along and providing your support, input and comments. It makes my day.  

Top 5 Blogs I Can't Get Enough Of

I try to keep my my blog roll at a reasonable number so that I am able to read and enjoy my favorites blogs.

Here are some of my top favorites that I read religiously and have been following for years!

 ----

Young House Love

Sherry and John created Young House Love to highlight the transformation of their very first house over seven years ago. Today, they still continue to share house remodel projects, while also working on their second book and raising their two kids, Clara and Teddy. They post regularly and are constantly sharing inspiration photos and ideas as well as day in the life posts.

----

Style Me Swanky

Megan brings a classy element to her blog and focus's her posts on trendy fashion finds, beauty, and her newlywed life in South Carolina. She's constantly introducing her readers to new leads, makeup tutorials, and every couple of posts we get a cameo appearance of her cat, Winston!

----

Little Baby Garvin   

  Jess caters her blog to all those fun loving, day in the life readers out there. She hilarious and completely real about her day to day adventures and misadventures of raising her two little girls. She's also more commonly known for her fun chalkboard art and design work that you may have seen around Pinterest.
----   iHeart Organizing   

  Being Type A myself, Jen's blog is right up my alley. She shares great tips and advice as to how she personally organizes her home and keeps her family of 5 on track 24/7. Whether it's DIY projects, organizing projects, or painting projects, she sure to have something that everyone loves.
----   Peanut Butter Runner   

  Jen's blog is tailored around her busy life as a yoga teacher, personal trainer, and fitness instructor as well as cooking amazing meals and writing a book on the side. I don't know how she has time to fit everything into her day, however I enjoy reading her insight on workouts, food and life!    ----   What are your some of your favorites?  

Liebster Award!

I was recently nominated for a Liebster award from Pints of Life!  

If you don't know already, this is a fun way to meet and start reading other blogs!  Thanks for the nomination Allie! So let's get crackin'!  

THE RULES--

1] Each blogger should answer the questions the tagger has set for them.

2] Choose 11 new bloggers to pass the award onto and link them in your post.

3] Choose 11 new questions for the chosen bloggers.

4] Go back to their blogs, and tell them about the nomination.

5] Each blogger should post 11 random facts about themselves.

These are MY questions and MY answers!

1] WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE CELEBRITY?

Jennifer Aniston - she is so classy and chic, yet very personable and funny. She keeps her private life to herself and apparently never ages!

2] DD OR STARBUCKS?

Dunks! I'm not much of a coffee drinker so DD had me at "Coolatta"

3] YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME? 

I have about a dozen that I could replay over and over without getting tired of, but Elf ranks pretty high on the list. I'm such a Christmas junkie - 116 more days!

4] WHAT IS YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE?

I'm terrified of submerged items in bodies of water like buoys, ropes, pool drains ehhh I'm freaking myself out just typing about it!

5] NAME BRAND OR KNOCK OFF?

I'm a true believer in quality over quantity. If I have to invest a few extra doll hairs to get a good quality product that I KNOW is going to last me for awhile, then I'm doing it!

6] ONE TV SHOW YOU WISH YOU BRING BACK?

Friends!! Oh how I miss Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey!  

7] 3 WORDS YOUR BEST FRIEND WOULD DESCRIBE YOU AS?

Go-getter, type A, and fun! I think? I don't know! You'd have to ask them!!

8] BEER OR VODKA?

Vodka! Cape Codders and Screwdrivers come my way. Yum!

9] WHAT/WHERE WAS YOUR FAVORITE VACATION?

In the United States, it would definitely be my most recent trip to Bar Harbor, Maine. I'm still obsessing over it. Those views!!

10] IF YOU COULD DUET WITH ONE SINGER, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT SONG?

Ha, if only I could sing... 

It would definitely be some kind of majestic song sung alongside... I have no clue. Sorry.

11] WHAT IS ONE THING YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT?

I cannot live without... my cat. THERE! I said it! Crazy cat lady alert.

11 Facts about me:

1] Mexican food is my favorite!

2] Interior decor is my passion.

3] I cannot do anything in the morning until the bed is made.

4] I have been with my high school sweetie for almost 5 years.

5] I have no idea what I want to do/be when I grow up but I'm only a few classes away from a BS in Biology.

6] I moved to Boston (from Ohio) to play house in the city, and I lurve it! I didn't move here to go to school, I didn't move here to find a job. I just moved here, to move here. Best decision and most expensive one yet!

7] A group of friends and myself go to the same pub next door weekly because that's what makes us, US. If we miss our Vito's date, it's bad news!

8] I just recently took my MA real estate classes, and am very close to obtaining my license.

9] I do not eat meat, except for bacon. If that makes sense!?

10] I have only every met one other girl that spelled her name the same as mine, KAYLIE. She was one of my guests from when I was a server at Applebee's in Ohio years ago!

11] I have yet to go to a Sox, Bruins, Pats or Celtics game ...and I've been here for a year, what is wrong with me!?

My Nominee's:

1] Home Sweet Ruby

2] Prepping Parties

3] With Love, Leslie

4] Prescription for Preppy

5] Champagne and Suburbs

6] A southern Twenty-Five

7] Sequins and Sea Breezes

8] Home of Malones

9] Champagne and Suitcases

10] Hello, Teddi

11] Life's A Beach

MY Questions for YOU:

1] If you had to pick one place to live for the rest of your life, where would it be?

2] Cat or Dog?

3] Where do you find yourself on a Friday night?

4] Why and when did you start your blog?

5] What would you tell 18 year old you?

6] Favorite post? Why?

7] If you could only visit 5 websites a day, which would they be?

8] What is your most frequented phone application?

9] Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

10] Where is your happy place?

11] Soda or Pop?

Can't wait to read what you ladies write!

 

View from my Lens

  Lately...    In love with this princess.

Flew out to Ohio.

While in Ohio, helped mom rip up and replace the carpet.

 Did Ohio things.

Celebrated the nuptials of some longtime friends.

Got fancy with this winner.

Rodeo watching in Cowtown, New Jersey. It's a place.

Caught up with some family from the Netherlands!

Scoped out the location of our new apartment. Very, very excited!

Started taking real estate classes. Be jealous of that cassette player.

Began the painful process of packing.

Ventured down into the basement of my most recent apartment to discover we all had huge storage boxes down there --one week before we move. fabulous.

Ate my weight in chocolate at Max Brenner.

...three times in one week...

Continued to go sleepless nights while shoving the past year into boxes.

Scored a killer deal on some Ikea Brimnes bureaus. Getting them all cleaned up for the new abode.

Finally all packed up!

Feeling thankful for professional movers.

Shed a tear as I locked up and left my very first apartment.

  Looking forward to the new adventures at the new and very upgraded apartment. Move in day is set for August 7th, in the meantime I am soaking up every ounce of sun that Myrtle Beach is giving me. Unfortunately, that's not much this week.   P.S. Happy 1 year Bostanniversary to us!! August 1st marked one, full happy year of living in the city of champions!!