Gloating About Zingerman's

Warning: I will be doing some major gloating in this post. Thank you.

I can't contain my excitement. I just made the hugest score in office baked goods history. The legal department gets TONS of goods sent from vendors during the holidays. I try to avoid that department until after the holidays. By then, all the really tempting stuff is usually gone. HOWEVER, this year they received a whole slew of Zingerman's Bakehouse items.

Here in Wisconsin, people do not know what Zingerman's is. The legend that is Zingerman's pretty much is reserved for those in Michigan and those who have once travelled to the Ann Arbor area. My 3 year stint living in Ann Arbor leaves me craving after these delicious morsels of delight.

I will be taking home Black Magic Brownies and a Hot Cocoa Cake. (I didn't want to get too greedy and take everything!)

If you ever get to Ann Arbor, I seriously urge you to get a sandwich at Zingerman's Deli. Even though the line wraps around the corner most days- the wait is worth it. My favorite is the 'Menage a Turkey'. If you want something fancier, try Zingerman's Roadhouse. The Tart Cherry soda is fantastic. For baked goods- Zingerman's Bakehouse.

Anthropologie- 50% Off Sale

My absolute favorite store, Anthropologie, has marked down all their sale items an extra 50% off! Both in stores and online. Online sells out quickly- so if you are looking for something, I'd move on it right now.

However, if you have a store near by, there is a better chance that you will be able to find the items you are looking for in your size. There is NO code needed for the website. The 50% comes off in your bag automatically. I recently purchased 2 tops, a parfume and a sleep set for less than $35 total. That is almost unheard of from this store!! I have to admit that the sweatshirt was 'damaged' and severely marked down. By damaged, there was a mark on the front that came out with a little soap and water. They have some of the CUTEST stuff.

Holiday Brain

Today is the first day of Hanukkah. We are only a mere 4+ days away from Christmas. My brain is fully into holiday mode. I am singing Christmas carols (except for at home where Roo has banned any holiday music.) We have, however, compromised on this subject. I will do without holiday music at home, but reserve the right to have consta-carols playing on both the 24th and the 25th. I think I won out on that deal. I get 25 minutes in My car every morning and evening commuting, so I get my fill each day.

I have only one present left to get, and it is a handmade gift basket with perishables. That will be taken care of on Thursday or Friday. 2 presents have shown up under the tree. One is in a rather medium sized box, the other in a small box that barely fits a bow on top. I'm excited for the small one. Wouldn't you be, too??

This holiday season has brought a lot of joy and hope for me. I hope it has done the same for you. As we struggle with shopping lists and invitations, compounded by December's bad weather (less this year than most- I mean, no snow in Wisconsin in December?? Unheard of!), it is good to be reminded that there are people in our lives who are worth this aggravation, and people to whom we are worth the same.

This is my holiday wish for you: peace of mind, prosperity through the year, happiness that multiplies, health for you and yours, fun around every corner, energy to chase your dreams, joy to fill your holidays!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah.

Peace, joy and love- always.

Classic Movies

Recently Roo and I have started to dabble in watching some classic films together. It's been really great. (He spoils me... I know...) Most have less gore and violence, which is really appealing for the snuggly winter weather and holiday season.

We've already watched Sabrina (my favorite) and recently checked out Breakfast at Tiffany's from our local library. A super FREE way to 'rent' movies. Screw Redbox, Blockbuster kiosks, etc... The public library is where it's at!!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what movies are "Have to Watch" classics? I'm really open to suggestions as my list of titles is rather short right now.

Dear Younger Self...

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One of my favorite groups on facebook posted a thread today where you were to write to your younger self. I didn't post my response there, I thought it would be a great thing to blog about. Hopefully it will inspire YOU to add a comment about what you would tell your younger self.



Dear Younger Self,

In 7th grade you will be at the peak of your running career. Stick with it, and you will be a runner for life. Don't turn down your recruitment to the cross country team. He's cute and 'cool', but he is not and never will be 'the one' or 'the one that got away'. Guys aren't that important. GO TO THE GYM WITH SHONDA. Don't work so hard, pick one job and really let school be your 'full time' job. Drinking isn't that cool or fun.

You will have a good career, you will have a good relationship. You life will turn out, even though your 'plan' goes off track. It's actually better this way- you learn a lot more in the process. If you never go through the toughest times, you won't ever appreciate the good.

Friends come and go. Friendships fall apart, but you will always care for them and that says more about you than you will ever know.

Love yourself. Things aren't everything. You will get everything you want in life.

Love, Me

Being Yourself

It's hard for me to come to the realization that some people feel that they are constantly under scrutiny to be like other people. That people outside of the circumstances one is in will tell you how they think you should handle a situation. However, they are not in it and they won't be able to tell you the true answer of how they would manage those circumstances. That because this person or that person doesn't understand why you do the things you do or say the things you say. If you start to agree with them that means you are wrong and they are right. The reality of the situation is that you don't know enough about who you are to trust yourself enough if this is happening. In the process you will never truly find happiness or love or anything besides that feeling of never quite being enough.

I urge everyone to make decisions based on your standards and not someone elses. By allowing other people to make decisions on situations that they are not intimately involved in, you will most certainly lose- and lose yourself in the process.

Be Kind.

MN

I rarely make it out of state anymore. This past Thanksgiving I took a little road trip up to Minnesota to visit one of my very best friends from college. We had a blast!

Friday evening we attended a cocktail party that was quite swanky. They took some beautiful (and fun!) portraits that turned out awesome. Here's mine.

Saturday we shopped IKEA and the MOA. It was a long day of shopping, but I found a pair of sunglasses that are indiscernible from the $100 ones that I craved for only a mere $6. Plus, they have darker lenses- which is a huge bonus for me.

Saturday night we went to Chino Latino. It was my first time. The food was great, but we could have made some better choices. My friend ate the Habanero Hell Poppers. They came with a warning.

After dinner, we had our fortune cookies. What Latin-Asain fusion resturant would go with out those. Check out our fortunes. YIKES!

Then we headed out to the bar where we had some great conversation and plenty to drink. The left overs from dinner came in real handy at the end of the night. I am craving an empanada as I type this.

Thanks to Shonda, Jennifer and Minnesota for the great weekend!