So close, yet so far.

Good Morning, Wednesday. I'm not entirely sure I am ready for you just yet but here you are.  I can only hope you won't be too crazy. Maybe go a little easy on me for at least a few hours? However, after peeking outside I know that isn't exactly the case. I have a solid six inches of snow to clean off of my car before I can get anywhere. If getting married would promise I never had to clean my car off again, I would say sign me up. Not to say I can't take care of myself but my goodness do I hate cleaning off my car. Wednesday also drags along four days of work keeping me from now and Vacation. I'm ready for Vacation. Be good to me, Wednesday.

Tuesday brought a snow day, Chipotle, Christmas movies and my some quality time with this beauty.



 

I love Christmas trees. Tuesday also brought the publication of my Thought Catalog article here. I was super excited and my family was really supportive of it which always feels great! So I am off to eat something and dream about being knee deep in the water somewhere opposed to knee deep in the snow in Massachusetts.

XOXO

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Weekend Shenanigans.

Want to hear a secret? Of course you do, everyone loves secrets. Anyways, when I have had one or two  three or four adult beverages, my friends tend to call me "Shenanigans." As you can imagine I can sometimes get myself into interesting situations, never trouble, but who does't like to have fun? This weekend doesn't really contain drunken tricks though. Sorry to disappoint.

Moving on.

Saturday my parents and I went to the Pops to see their Christmas show. For those of you not from Boston, they are a symphony orchestra accompanied by an adult choir. Basically for two hours you sit and listen to all of your holiday favorites. Yes please. The only issue is I always have choreography dancing through my head, therefore there isn't much relaxing and listening, as much as twitching and listening. Sorry not sorry. On the same page, apparently Dad's don't like it when you ignore their phone calls because the choreography in your head is just too good to be interrupted. I'm not sorry about that either. Anyways a few pictures from Saturday

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Okay the first is of a Red Sox pitcher from the 2007 World Series team, Hideki Okajima, doing his best to conduct the orchestra. For those of you wondering- yes, the Sox have won three titles in 9 years. To the right, a picture of the crazy snow storm outside the window of my favorite restaurant on the harbor. That picture is awful but when Santa brings me my new iPhone 5S for Christmas I will be equipped to provide you with much better pictures.

Sunday I attended a cute production of the Nutcracker. While the production itself was small and somewhat unorganized it was definitely endearing and the kids definitely worked hard for the end result. Besides, some of the mishaps were the best part! My outfit for this shindig was actually my favorite part, I broke the rules of fashion and wore white jeans. I'm obviously a rebel, duh.



 

I was going for the J.crew model look. Success? Probably not but a girl can dream. The bottom picture was my first ever selfie posted to instagram. So.damn. scary. If you would like to be my friend on Instagram and make my Christmas- @smurphy58. Possibly twitter and make me even happier? @pearls_sass. All are welcome, but really.

Alright and finally we are left with today, Monday. I know not really the weekend but work with me here. I would like to introduce you all to the little man who has completely and totally stolen my heart, CJ.



 

Try to tell me he isn't the most precious baby you have ever laid eyes on and I will tell you you're the biggest liar ever. I met him today and fell head over heels in love. I should mention that on my first attempt to meet him I texted my cousin and received "This is the wrong number but thanks for calling my children adorable hahaha." AWKWARD. I couldn't make this shit up people. These are just the unfortunate events that plague spice up my life.

This was my weekend. Tonight? Tea and both The Santa Clause 1 & 2. Anyone else think Charlie is awkwardly old in the second one and Lucy is too old to be a new character? Whatever, these are some of my favorites and that isn't going to change.

XOXO

 

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Favorite things Friday!

Good Morning, Friday! It is so nice to see you again. Really, I have been waiting for you all week and you are finally here. A little more wonderful news? Sure! I have today off. Which means I have super-important-top-secret Christmas missions to complete. I would shed some light on said missions but you just never know who's lurking around these parts.

How about just a tiny bit more good news? Just kidding. This is Fantastic news! My cousin, had a studly little bundle of cuddles last night! At five pounds and three ounces, he was born at 10:03 pm. The weirdo that I am can't stop thinking about the poor kid in middle school when the thing is "well, what time were you born? Are you actually even (insert some awkward pre-pubescent age here) yet?" Then my little stud muffin is going to be all upset because he will have to answer with a no and some late-night hour. Well you know what CJ? (whoops- that's his name. CJ. I mean technically Camden James but how cute is CJ!?) I say, all day is your birthday, hell, if you want a birthday week? You are technically a Murphy, so you are entitled to that.

I digress.

Without further ado, my list of the items that got me through this week! I should point out that I am leaving out a couple items, but I mean, how much can you mention wine in one blog? Meh, don't answer that. I don't want to know the answer I know I already do it too much. Judge me.

ONE.// Starbucks Peppermint Mocha- This is a great edition to any day. If you haven't tried any Starbs holiday drinks, you're missing out. Pick one up for a smile from the inside out. LOL, I could be a hallmark card.



 

TWO.// For the cold nights? Hot Chocolate with Molly's Irish Cream. Talk about a cup of holiday cheer. Big girl hot chocolate for me any day. Try this too and thank me later. Paired perfect with this big girl holiday cheer? My next favorite.



 

THREE.// ELF. Buddy the elf, what's your favorite color? I just love to smile, smiling is my favorite. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.  Yep, that's all.



 

FOUR.// Longchamp Le pliage bag. I recently broke out the big guns for Christmas shopping, I needed fashionable storage space for all of my money (joke), presents and all of the other shit I seem to collect. Hey, I am only human. A girl at that.



FIVE.// My laptop. She's the best, so dependable and always there to listen to me. She has helped discover a few things this week. My favorite blog: Erin's Two Thirds Hazel.  My favorite dance of the week: MDC Stay. (Note their age- 14. This is when dancer friends curl up in a ball and wonder what went wrong for their own dance careers.)

Hoping you all enjoy a wonderful Friday! I am off to start my top secret holiday shopping!

XOXO

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Wine Down Wednesday.

Do you ever have those days (or weeks) where nothing seems to go right? Where the world is conspiring against you and you feel like a tower of cards just waiting to collapse? Well, tonight I collapsed. I cried way harder and uglier than any girl should but am feeling much better now. I am now "wining" down in bed with Nashville and some Merlot. In order to keep myself sane I am going to talk myself into everything that is okay. Care to come along for the ride?

Oh. First. I lost my favorite Tiffany ring in the snow yesterday and have officially cried over it five times in 24 hours. My parents bought me that ring for my sixteenth birthday and I have worn it everyday for the last four and a half years. Heartbroken doesn't begin to describe it. Go ahead call me dramatic- I don't care. Losing my ring is NOT okay.

ONE.// It's okay that I was trying to eat healthy this week and immediately ran for the bottle of wine after my breakdown.

TWO.// It's okay that my Dad is complaining I haven't provided an adequate wish list for Christmas and then shot down the two items I really really wanted. He's just trying to make me happy. I think.

THREE.// It's okay that it is going to snow this weekend. You live in New England, Shannon. Deal with it.

FOUR.// It's okay that I look at engagement rings like it's my job. I am no where close to marriage but a girl can dream right? In case my future husband is reading - I like Tiffany & CO.

FIVE.// It's okay that I wore my pajamas to work today and did nothing more than brush my teeth. Nope, I did not brush my hair today and I'm not sorry. I was sad and feeling sick. Appreciate me.

SIX.// It's okay that I spent way too much money via Amazon.com today. Christmas presents make people smile and that is my favorite.

SEVEN.// It's okay that nothing I am getting for Christmas this year is a surprise. I am blessed enough to receive anything at all and that is what is important.

EIGHT.// It's okay that girls from high school have been so nasty to me. I know I am better because I don't say nasty things to or about people.

Thanks for listening assuming you made it this far. If it is? Bless you. Have a great rest of your week!

XOXO

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Rules For Surviving Hometown Holidays.

The holidays are upon us. In just a few short weeks hometowns will be littered with college students home for break. If you are anything like me there will be the group of kids you can't wait to spend time/exchange stories with, and the group you hope you don't run into. It's funny because in my first year out of high school running into or going out with any of the kids I graduated with was such a treat. Two years later I have realized a few things. 1. If they weren't nice to me in high school, I sure as hell don't have to be nice to them now.  2. If they act as though they are better than me, they haven't left high school yet. And 3. If something makes me uncomfortable, I no longer have to pretend everything is peachy in fear of losing my friends.

Due to the impending excitement and doom that is the holidays at home. Here is a small list of rules I compiled to make those awkward encounters more bearable.

• At least for the month that everyone is home- wear makeup. I don't mean full coverage, smokey eye and lipstick makeup. C'mon you know as well as I do our old classmates are going to judge where we are in life based somewhat on appearance. bitches. I also know that I feel pretty uncomfortable when I run into a classmate at Target with no makeup, un-brushed hair, an over-sized sweatshirt and men's sweatpants.


• Be friendly. So you run into someone you weren't close with? Maybe that girl that sat next to you in math class sophomore year who told people she didn't like you because you were friends with her boyfriend at one point or another. The group of kids that made up the football team and still think they're hot shit. Or the class president for all four years of high school who will undoubtedly be leader of the free world in no time. We say- "Hey! How are you doing? Any plans for after school? It was nice to see you. Happy Holidays!" Everyone likes nice people and everyone likes to feel like someone cares about how they are doing. The happy, friendly girls always win in the end.


• If you are of age and at a bar, do not drink away your awkward thoughts. I mean sure, if you are out with friends have one too many drinks. Do you, girl. If you are at a bar and it is one of those unofficial high school reunion type situations, do NOT be the sloppy one. Not a good look. Of course, I do remember a long-weekend reunion my freshman year of college in which I couldn't get out of bed for an entire day. Whoops!


• Remember: Just because you aren't at Harvard planning on a law degree does not make you less successful. Be confident in how far you have come and what you want out of life. There is no one definition of success.

Enjoy the holidays and make sure you are safe! No drinking and driving and have  lots of fun.I suggest being friendly to everyone you come across. However, that bitch that used to push you in the hall- well, wouldn't it be a shame if someone were to accidentally spill a drink on her cute little blouse. Eat, drink and be thankful for the life you were given. Good luck!

XOXO

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