Dye Job

I've had the itch to color my hair for oooh... 3 years maybe? Once we got engaged I stopped coloring my hair so it would be it's natural color and healthy for the wedding but now that we're married I'm ready to go back to damaged hair. Yeah, think so.

Since watching the new season of Idol, I've kind of become obsessed with Jennifer Lopez and her fabulous hair. I'm pretty much wanting her hair color. What do you guys think? And don't worry, you're opinions won't hurt my feelings. It's pretty much 10-1 with the 1 being me, the only person pro-dying my hair.

It's Complicated

If you haven't watched the move "It's Complicated" with Meryl Streep, please go right now and watch it. It's such a great movie. There's a scene where Meryl Streep and Steve Martin smoke some pot, get really high, and have me in hysterics on the couch! I've never smoked before, but the scene makes me so curious because they are just so damn funny! But it'll never happen. Just to clarify! LOL I've seen the movie a few times now, but on Friday night I watched a rerun of it on HBO or something and ever since then I can't get the house and the food in the movie out of my head. To. Die. For.

These are a few pictures of the kitchen Meryl Streep has:

I absolutely love everything about this kitchen.

Michael could never get me out of the kitchen if I could have all this.

This is the family room off of the kitchen.

Everything about these pictures scream ME.

Because I LOVE to cook my dream is to one day have a kitchen like that. I personally think the heart of the home is the kitchen... and because of my addiction/love of food... think a lot of happiness stems from the kitchen too. Once we have kids, dinner at the kitchen table as a family will be a must. No sitting on the couch with TV trays. Nope. That won't fly in Mama Byrne's house. It's okay for right now, because Michael loves it... but once their are chitlins running around it won't happen anymore.

Speaking of food... Oh Em Gee. The FOOD in the movie! I can't tell what half of it is. But everything looks absolutely delish. The sweets, fresh bread, salads... YUMMO! Oh, and how about every single last thing in her crazy amazing bakery!

I will be making two things for sure from the movie. Croque Monsieur, which is the French ham and cheese goodness she made for Steve Martin for dinner, and the layered chocolate cake she made for dinner when Alec Baldwin stands her up but she eats with Steve Martin because they have the "munchies." Just need to find the perfect recipes first and it's a done deal. And maybe one day, I'll try and recreate the entire table spread of food she has when the whole family eats together.

Ok, it's 8:00, dinner is only half cooked... and now I'm starving!

Cyas!

2011 Travel Plans

So today I was in total planning mode. Probably because I'm really excited about getting to go back to Atlanta at the end of February. I miss my family, my friends, the restaurants and the nightlife A Lot. BUT I have to say, I'm really adjusting/loving Florida. The weather spoils you so quickly so THAT my friends, is the only thing I'm not missing in Atlanta. Especially with the frigid temps and snow it's been getting.

Any who. After Atlanta pre-planning, I got to planning pretty much the rest of my travel year. Typical for me, I don't travel without my planner, and can get carried away with planning the rest of my life. Sometimes I think I'm crazy for wanting to leave the house when I don't have to because with Michael's profession we have a minimum of 29 races a year, which equals 29 cities to travel to, 29 hotel rooms, and 29 roundtrip flights. BUT with that said, usually it's just in and out for the race and I don't get to see much. So this is what my year is looking like so far:

In May, we have the Vegas Supercross which I always make a trip out of. It's become one of my most favorite cities. But only for a few days. Then it just gets too much for a person to handle. We'll be there for 4 nights. I'm sure I'll blog closer to date about the shows and restaurants I'll be looking forward to going to. I haven't done enough research just yet.

In June I think I'm going to take Michael to Miami for his birthday. We have friends that live there so looking forward to going and hanging out at the beach! I hear some of the beaches are interesting for people watching which I know I'll love.

Then come the end of July the whole famdamily (mom, pop, bro and hubby) are going to Switzerland to visit my aunts and cousins. Looking forward to that because Michael has only met 1 of my aunts and cousins on my mommy's side.

In September we will be going on our honeymoon to celebrate our 1 year anniversary. Destination is still to be decided but it's either going to be Hawaii or the Caribbean, I know that much. We could have done it sooner but I figured saving it for our 1 year is perfect.

November we get to go to Hilton Head for my cousin Vince's wedding on 11-11-11! So excited for him and his fiance. I've only met her once but she seems really sweet and a lot of fun! We are really looking forward to that. I love HHI, just hoping it's not going to be to cold!

And what I decided on the spur of the moment, literally with no thought involved, I booked a 4 night getaway to Puerto Rico in December. Don't ask why - well, actually I can tell you why - I was on Marriott.com when a little box scrolled by with a gorgeous looking hotel so I clicked on it. Saw it was Puerto Rico, picked a weekend, checked the rate and booked it. No thought behind it just did it. I used my mom's discount for our room so it is SUPER cheap and if we use miles to buy our plane tickets... well, it'll be one the cheapest trips ever! Here's the hotel. Wonder how Michael's gonna feel about that?

It's a lot to fit into one year, I know, but with a little bit of baby fever I've decided that I have so much I want to do with Michael before it's not just us for the next 18 or so years.

For your listening pleasure!

30 Day Blog Challege: Day 30

It took me more like 45 days to finish the challenge... oh well.

Day 30: A Picture

Out of thousands of pictures to choose from, I decided to go with this one. It was our "save the date" photo for our magnets. It took us like 6 hours to get it right. It was cold and I remember telling myself I was out of my mind (Get outta your mind! - love that song) for trying to pull this off. But the end result was amazing, thanks to Michael's former employee/close friend/photographer-extraordinaire Cameron Baird. Kid's got skillz.

I was just so over-the-moon happy when he was finished editing and sent me the final product! A bad ass picture. Something we'll have to look at forever!

And a side note... Cameron is basically the reason Michael and I met! I met him the night before I met Michael, Cameron was out partying and offered to buy the girl's and I drinks. Then the next night he met up with us again and this time had Michael and a few other friends with him too.

30 Day Blog Challege: Day 29

Day 29: 3 Wishes

Man, where's a genie in a bottle when you need one?! Kinda of hard to narrow it down to JUST three... so I guess I'll just make them appropriate for how I'm feeling today.

1) Pittsburgh Steeler win the Superbowl.

2) Michael is back to 100% (NOW) and killin' it when he starts back racing.

3) A gazillion dollar shopping spree.

I need to get out more...

Since we've moved to Florida and I know all of 5 people here, I've found I'm watching a lot more TV than I ever have. And I'm worried my taste in TV is beginning to kill brain cells.

To save face I call them my "guilty pleasures." For instance, as I type I'm sucked into Jersey Shore. I'm kind of a late bloomer watching it though, I didn't start until this new season so I'm 2 episodes in. Still getting acclimated with all their GTL's, t-shirt times and such. It's one of those train wrecks you just can't help but watch but you feel bad/stupid for doing so.

How can you just not laugh at Snookie? She's just so weird! LOL

Before Jersey Shore tonight I got to see the newest episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. I haven't been that big into Real Housewives, I watched Atlanta just because it was Atlanta, but I started watching Beverly Hills because I met Taylor before in Vegas. She's friends with some of my best friends and even though I don't know her... I just have to watch. So far, the season has been really entertaining. Lots of drama that keeps me sucked in. And I get to drool over their homes, clothes, shoes, fab restaurants they eat in and perfect plastic bodies. Poor Camille, everyone bashes her but for some reason, and it could quite possibly be because she's another one of those train wrecks, I'm really drawn to her and intrigued. And Lisa and Giggy could quite possibly be the two cutest things on TV so that's another reason I watch. She cracks me up.

Another new show I've been watching is a BET sitcom called "The Game." I'm still trying to decide if I'm in love with it or not so we'll see. But it's definitely not getting nominated for any Golden Globes anytime soon I can tell you that.

Then there's always the Bachelor. It's borderline trash TV these days because the girls are just getting crazy ridiculous. Initially I liked Michelle, and Emily was coming in a close 2nd. But after this weeks episode, Michael and I both are team Emily. She's seems like such a sweetheart and the officiant that married Michael and I is close with the Hendricks, so I'm pulling for her because of our 7 degrees of Kevin Bacon.

30 Day Blog Challege: Day 28

Day 28: Something that stresses me out

There's a lot of things that stress me out. I really can't just "let it go." I swear I've probably lost years off my life because of it...

Is something that stresses you out and something that really works your nerves the same thing? If so, I could be here for dayz listing them.

But one thing I can admit without pissing anyone off or revealing anything to personal that stresses me out is things not going as planned. It really stresses me out when I've planned and envisioned something to go one way and then it either totally backfires or someone else chimes in and changes it up. Especially if I've invested a lot of time/money/planning into it. Maybe that's also called control-freak which I admit I can be, but whatevs.

I hope I'm not the only one out there that let's this get to me.

30 Day Blog Challege: Day 27

Day 27: Our Pets

I don't think I could take enough pictures of our dogs. Personally, Michael and I think they are the absolute most adorable irreplaceable dogs in the world. It's crazy how much we love them and how happy they make us. Like seriously. It's ridiculous. You probably noticed that though because I've referenced them a million times previously.

Nina (the black one) is our little baby girl. She just turned 4. She's a daddy's girl and is the more playful of the two. Zeus or "The Zeus" as his collar says is our big, strong, Very Lazy boy. He barks with his mouth closed and sleeps 20 hours of the day. He is definitely momma's little boy. Zeus will be 6 (oh em gee) on the 31st. His chinny chin chin is already all white :(

They really love each other. Since Nina grew up with Zeus she pretty much can't live without him... she even cries if he's way under the covers in bed and she's on top and can't find him. He, on the other hand, could probably live without her.

Nina's morning ritual is to wake Daddy up for potty by holding his head down with her paws and licking him to death.

This is a normal thing. Catching Zeus is funny positions asleep. He's so damn cute.

30 Day Blog Challege: Day 26

Day 26: Picture of my family

Here is our BIG family, included are our closest friends, on our wedding day. Moms, dads, and brothers and sisters!

Of course, this is our small immediate family! Michael and I with our "kids" Zeus and Nina.

30 Day Blog Challege: Day 25

Okay... can't sleep... I'll catch up with one more...

Day 25: Put your iPod on shuffle and list the first 10 songs

1 "Boys Boys Boys" Lady Gaga

2 "Shoot Me Down" Lil Wayne & D. Smith

3 "Knocked Up" Kings of Leon

4 "All I Want to Do" Sugarland

5 "Can't Believe It" T-Fain & Lil Wayne

6 "Haunted" Taylor Swift

7 "Shots" Lil Jon & LMFAO

8 "Winterland" The Andrews Sisters

9 "Decode" Paramore

10 "Please Don't Leave Me" P!nk

If you can't tell... I'll pretty much listen to just about anything. I draw the line with screamo-grundgy-scary music though.

Prayers in Toowoomba

So many of you don't know this, but where all the flooding is going on in Australia (Toowoomba, QLD) is where my husband's family and friends live :(

This picture was taken by our best friend Damo from the lot of his car dealership. So many people, including people we know, have lost so much. It is so devastating.

Thankfully those nearest and dearest to us are okay. Michael's mom and dad are safe and so are our friends... just very soggy. Obviously though, business is at a hault for Damo's family dealership... and the grocery store Michael's mom works at in under 3-4 feet of water.

Mother nature sure does know how to do damage, doesn't she? All the while... my mom and dad are dealing with inches of snow in Georgia and have been stuck in their house for going on 2 days now too!

Just praying everyone stays put and stays safe until this crazy weather is gone!

Picking up where I left off...

Going 30 days in a row with the blog challenge was an epic fail. I'll finish it out... but to damn tired/mentally exhausted today to play catch up. So here's where I left off.

Day 24: Something I've Learned

Money doesn't buy happiness.

There's a lot I could say I've learned in 25 years on this earth. And I know there's a hell of a lot more I still have to learn and figure out. But this is one thing I have definitely learned most recently.

SO many people strive to work hard at their jobs, make a lot of money and have a false sense of happiness when they get there. It isn't until it's taken away even just a little that you realize you can be completely happy without all of it too. At least that's my personal experience.

30 Day Blog Challege: Day 23

Day 23: Favorite Vacation

Hmmm... My favorite vacation...

I'd like to be able to say that my first time going to Australia with Michael is my favorite vacation because I LOVED seeing the wild kangaroos, petting a koala, Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, and going to Surfers Paradise.... but... Michael had just had surgery on his ACL, MCL and meniscus (5 days before we flew there) and was on crutches the whole time so that's definitely not a favorite memory. Because of our hectic schedule we don't get to getaway that often but in 2008 we managed to sneak away to Hilton Head Island for 3 days, healthy, and it was blissful! So nice to be able to enjoy drinks with tiny umbrellas in them on the beach with my lova. Ordered breakfast in bed every morning, rode beach cruisers and took walks on the beach at night. Yeah, so far that's my favorite vacation even if it only lasted 3 days. We milked it for every minute.

Lunch somewhere on my "Favorite Vacation"... and I see hush puppies... YUM

Of course Spring Break 2006 will go down in the books as an all-time great girls trip. I met Michael during SB06! And consumed a mighty-fine amount of alcohol which leaves finer details foggy but that's another reason why it will forever be one of the best and most memorable trips of my life!

Just a few short hours before I met my husband! Crazy to think!

And I can't forget about "Work Break 2008" Heather, Vanessa and I went to a random destination... Delray Beach. We were completely surprised with the white sand beach and really pretty blue water. Although it pretty much was deserted when we arrived, sweet tea vodka joined the party and made for some interesting nights... leap-frogging down Main Street and climbing hotel resort trees. That. Just. Happened.

Work Break 2009

Haha good times.

Happy news!

Michael is pin free in his right wrist and already got some movement going!!! WOOOOHOOO!!! Hoping he'll be back in action in no time! Had surgery to get the hardware out this morning and everything went awesome. Playing nurse at home for the rest of the night. Cooking him a yummy dinner courtesy of Barefoot Contessa.

30 Day Blog Challege: Day 22

Day 22: My Favorite City

Hmmm... this one is a toughy. So many awesome places to choose from... I'm going to have to be biased though and say A-T-L-HO! Good shopping, GREAT restaurants, places to go, things to do, a big airport, celeb sightings all the time, you get all the newest and greatest rap and r&b before anyone else, but most importantly amazing people! southern hospitality! and Chic-fil-a's everywhere! Yes, currently going through Chic-fil-a withdrawals. There isn't a delicious chicken biscuit for a good 30 minutes from our house now. Is that even legal?!

I've never been to NYC but if I had, it probably would have been a good contender, but considering I'm still a NYC virgin it can't be my favorite city.

Obviously if we're talking sports-city, nothing beats Pittsburgh. Duh! Home of MY Steelers (the all-time greatest and winningest football team EVER) and Pittsburgh Penguins. It also holds some things near and dear to my heart like the New Brighton Hot Dog Shoppe, Papa Dukes, and a fantastic assortment of fine Italian pastries and cookies. And my family, double duh! Buuuttt... it snows. Alot. So that right there is 3 strikes.

I decided not to include a real vacation destination because I have to save that one for tomorrow!

30 Day Blog Challege: Day 21

Day 21: Picture of Myself

Here's one for laughs! Pretty darn cute if I say so myself :)

30 Day Blog Challege: Day 20

Day 20: Nicknames

1) Dani (Some people don't know that my real name is Danielle)

2) D (Mainly used by my mom and dad, brother and BFF Heather)

3) D'Itri (My last name and usually was called this by high school guy friends)

4) Bagascia (An inside joke with my cousin Jennifer... and not a happy translation... in fairness, what I called her didn't translate happy either LOL)

5) D-Squared (short lived nickname)

30 Day Blog Challege: Day 14 - 19

Really????! I really let it slide 5 days?! (Technically 6, but today is not over yet and I'm a sick puppy on the couch so there are a few more hours to blog today's topic!)

Day 14: A picture you love

Totally a biased soccer mom, but my dogs are the best dogs in the world. I love them SO much. They really are the children I don't have and make our lives whole. A dog's love is unconditional and it amazes me everyday. Michael and I still can't believe how frickin happy our little kids make us!

Day 15: Bible Verse

It didn't take long for me to think of this verse. But it did make me wonder if my answer was to "run of the mill" which it probably is. And kind of led me to a revelation that I need to be more familiar with the Bible and His word. Might need to add that to my resolutions.

1 Cor 13:4-13

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Day 16: Dream House

My dream house is an actual house. And calling it a dream house would be an understatement. If by some chance this dream would ever come true it would probably be short lived because I'd die and go to Heaven.

It's call the Salutations House on West Island, Glen Clove, Long Island, NY. You may have seen it in the Harrison Ford movie "Sabrina" or a few others. You can't tell, but it's on the beach. And well, amazing.

Day 17: Something I'm looking forward to

1) I'm looking forward to seeing Michael kick butt when he comes back from his injury in a few weeks.

2) I'm looking forward to finally going on a honeymoon this year.

3) I'm looking forward to family vacations with both of our families!

4) I'm looking forward to spending a lot of time with my friends in Florida and all of their growing families!! So many babies coming!

Day 18: Something you regret

I try not to regret much because everything happens for a reason. But if I had to say one thing it would probably be taking my grandparents for granted when I had them. Mind you I was young, but I still could have tried harder. Now, I cherish every moment I have with my grandma Ellie, the only grandparent I still have with me.

Day 19: Something you miss

Something I've been missing lately is my early 20's body... and my tan!!! How did they disappear so quickly?! Hopefully, this year I'll get both back LOL!

Venting, getting personal and being informative.

Ok. So I'm sure a lot of women out there talk about getting breast implants or want them. Seems like a pretty awesome thing right? It can be. Once I was of legal silicone age, I buckled and got bigger boobs. It's not a secret, I'm not ashamed to admit it... it's pretty obvious considering I was flat-chested intil the day I turned 22.

Do I love having them? Most of the time.

Do I have regrets? Sometimes.

Why sometimes, you ask? Here's an example:

I'm sick as a dog stuck on the couch today and the UPS man rings the doorbell. YAY! Presents! So, I open up my box from Nordstrom expecting to put my new tank-top on and love it! But... once it's on... yep, I hate it.

Once again, I dismissed the fact my chest doesn't look anything remotely like the chest on the model wearing the top. It's officially another let down because of bigger boobs. Desperate to make it work, I even tried pulling a scarf out of my closet to accessorize/distract from the obvious (that my 34D's were popping out) and tried to make it work. But it was a most definite fail.

So sometimes ladies, all of you out there wishing your cup size was bigger, they aren't always that great and they won't always make you happier. They limit what you can wear, sometimes make you feel pregnant and/or smutty and can just be a big pain in the bootay. Just something to think about.

Don't get me wrong... am I way happier in a bathing suit now? Hell yea. But how often is that? Not as often as when I just want to be cute and casual.

World of Harry Potter (some blurry) Pics

On our way to Universal!

Hogwarts, here we come... or so we thought!

It went from daylight to darkness before we could get in. Welcome to Hogsmeade!

Outside of Olivanders... the only thing we didn't wait in line for. Because I was out numbered.

Walking into Hogwarts for the "Forbidden Journey" ride. Wait time was 90 mins, yes waited in line 90 more minutes. And the ride even broke down while we were waiting... but it was worth the wait. Heads up for the future: if you get motion sick, this ride is not for you. Even Michael felt queezy. But walking through Hogwarts before getting on the ride is AMAZING, talking pictures and all! Didn't have my camera though because you're not allowed bags inside.

I was pumped to go inside of Honeydukes! I was good though... didn't buy any candy.

Downtown Hogsmeade

I know it's dark, so if you can't tell... it's the Hogwarts Express!

We contemplated getting some Butterbeer on the way out... but it's a cold drink and considering I couldn't feel my fingertips, we passed. We'll get it next time!

Recap!

Spending time with my family over Christmas was awesome. It was great having them down for our first married Christmas!

They arrived Thursday afternoon, just in time to watch the Steeler game as a whole family = awesome. Steeler's won 27-3 so it was a perfect way to begin the Christmas celebrations!

Friday was my brother's birthday a.k.a. Christmas Eve. My mom and I ran some last minute errands that morning then came back to get ready for Christmas Eve/Mick's birthday dinner. Usually, Italians will do a huge feast mainly of seafood and fish, but because my brother isn't a fan of creatures that swim and my dad has some health restrictions these days, I cooked my spin on a penne arriabiata (adding some sweet chili sauce and sun dried tomatoes) which is one of my brother's fav dishes of mine and my mom cooked linguine with clam sauce to keep in the Italian tradition.

Christmas day was nice too. Not good because my mom and dad both started coming down with something but we got to celebrate it together and we all got spoilt with presents so that's always an upside! Michael got me SO many goodies. A new Michael Kors watch, Frye boots, a sweater, a Dogearred necklace, Juicy scarf, baking stuff, and awesome stocking stuffers! My family got me the silver TOMS I wanted, Juicy mittens, clothes and a Target gift card! My Brother was pumped on his new True Religion jeans and a laptop, my Mom loved her Ann Taylor stuff and iPad, Dad loved all his Steelers gear and universal remote, and Michael got spoiled with a shiatsu back massager, shoes, Ugg slippers, clothes, Apple TV, the new Madden game, a new lap timer for at the track, Laker's gear and lots more.

I finally learned how to cook my grandma's recipe for Italian wedding soup. And, oh boy, it was yummy! Still enjoying the leftovers right now! MmmmmMmm!

For Christmas dinner we had the wedding soup, sauteed broccoli, sweet potato casserole (I personally think mine is WAY better than Ruth Chris'), baked ham with pineapple and for dessert lots and lots of cookies.

Our first married Christmas

The day before my family left we decided it was now or never to take my brother to Islands of Adventure to see the World of Harry Potter. O. M. G. Did we pick the worst/busiest day of the year to go. My dad still wasn't feeling up to par so opted to say home, and I was so glad he did when we were already 2 hours deep into waiting in line just to get into Hogsmeade. I mean, seriously, us and thousands of others spent our day just waiting and waiting. Looking back, we were nuts. Luckily we did 2 rides before hand so the day wasn't absolutely wasted. Spiderman was awesome and so was Shrek 4D.

After the brutal, and I'm not exaggerating with brutal, 4 hours (freezing our bums off) waiting in line we finally got in. No joke, it's like you step right into the frickin' movie. It was awesome. I wouldn't say totally worth the wait... but it'll be a memory we'll never forget. The wuss in me even had enough guts to go on the "Dragon Challenge" roller coaster for Michael's sake. I guess I owed it to him to not make him ride it alone after waiting in line that long. Cried the whole time.

Will post more pics tomorrow when I catch up on the Blog Challenge. I'm sick - that's my excuse!