It's that time of the month friends! So grab your boyfriend, husband, cat, dog, or turkey to answer some of these questions with Becca, Samantha, and I! If you're new here here's the rules. 

• Grab some form of a male 
• Ask them these questions
• Put them on the blog with the button
• Link up
• Comment on other blogs

So with out further ado here is the bear behind the blog answering some festive questions! 


1. What food do you look forward to most at Thanksgiving dinner?I look forward to the pulled pork barebeque. My dad’s friend knows how to smoke it really well, and I always look forward to eating it.
Girlfriend Note: His favorite pie is pecan pie and his mom and I are making him two kind of pecan pie because he's spoiled and loved.

2. Do you ever go shopping on Black Friday?Noooo. I went last year, but that was to a Walmart and it was the worst decision ever. I stay at home and wait for Cyber Monday.
Girlfriend Note: Black Friday is a scary concept....one time I got a concussion. It was not a fun experience. 

3. What’s your favorite Thanksgiving tradition?Seeing my sister, and watching the Tech – Georgia game that Saturday. It’s always a family tradition to turn off the tv audio and listen to the game on the radio.
Girlfriend Note: Last year I watched the game with is parents and it got emotional....David's dad really gets into Georgia Tech football.

4. Do you travel for the Thanksgiving holiday or do you stay close to home?We stay home and Rachael comes to us.
Girlfriend Note: Everyone is anxiously waiting for her arrival home, we are ready to annoy her with hugs and tons of catching up. I also have a buddy to eat shamelessly with. 

5. What are you most thankful for this year?I’m thankful for the wonderful year I’ve had with my loving girlfriend…and World of Warcraft.
Girlfriend Note: And his momma and his PS4 to play Little Big Planet with me!!! 

It's the holiday season, friends. I don't know about you but I love me some holiday drinks from starbucks and I also love me some fattening hearty dishes of mac & cheese (along with other foods of course). However, since I am doing weight watchers I am attempting to be more creative with my food choices. Since a peppermint mocha has 9 points in a grande and I am too terrified to look up the points in an egg nog latte. I decided that egg nog lattes can be my weekend treat, but, I digress. I started getting creative, since I don't like drinking black coffee (I will if I am super desperate) but usually I like a little flavor to my coffee. So, after trying countless sugar free creamers that didn't meet my standards. I started to get a little creative. Eventually after tons of failed coffees and a couple of tweaks I am about to share with you my super perfected  SUPAH SKINNY Peppermint Mocha.

Step one: Pick out a cute mug or travel mug.
Step two: Pick out your favorite coffee.
Step three: Measure out one half of the Silk Almond milk container. One container gives you two skinny peppermint Mochas (one for breakfast and one as a mid day pick me up!)
Step four: Put the 1/2 cup of almond milk into the mug
Step five: Measure out 2 table spoons of sugar free peppermint (you can get it at starbucks or at the World Market). If you like things extra pepperminty you can add more, its super delicious either way.
Step six: Combine the peppermint into the almond milk.
Step seven: Pour the coffee into the cup and stir!

Then, TA DA, you have made yourself a magical yummy treat that in Weight Watchers world will only cost you 3 points for two cups. If you like to indulge in holiday treats all the time but don't like the side affects of your pants not buttoning. This is your drink!

I want to point out that I did try coffee creamer countless times but it really adds up and is not good for you, especially if you are counting points. When you use the dark chocolate almond milk you are essentially making yourself a home made latte. I am on to you Starbucks.

NOTE: If you would like to make it a hot chocolate as a treat I am sure it would also be magically delicious.

xoxo
Keep Calm and Carry On
Melissa

So while November is currently in progress, I feel like it's never too late to set some goals for the month of November!! So I have sat down and I did a ton of thinking about what I want to accomplish this month.

PERSONAL: 

• Update resume and work on drafting a new cover letter 
• Do a wardrobe cleanse (I have a habit of hoarding old clothes that I will never fit into or wear again) 
• De-clutter my desk
• Keep my excel budget doc up to date (meaning put in all transactions right after I make them)
• Start saving up for Christmas gifts
• Craft something that can be considered a DIY
• Celebrate Becca's birthday!!
• work out 2 times a week...a girl has to start somewhere...right?

BLOG:

• Post 4 times a week 
• Draft some posts up in advance (so I am not writing them on my lunch breaks, like right now)
• Plan the holiday #atlbloggermeetup event 
• Sponsor 3 blogs 
• Start drafting ideas of when I should start offering sponsorships! 

RANDOM: 

• Find this vest....I need it in time for the #atlbloggermeetup 

• Learn some new eye makeup looks that I can do with my Vice 3 pallet.

So that's all I got for the remainder of November! I am determined to accomplish all of them by December 1st. 

Keep Calm and Carry On 

xoxo
Melissa

I’m so basic, you already know. - I feel like I need to scream this on the top of my lungs right now. I am getting a so sick of people saying how everything is “basic”. Oh, you like ugg boots and leggings? You’re basic.  You like the sound that leaves make when you step on them in the fall while you sip on your Pumpkin Spice Latte? You’re basic.  You like jamming out to Taylor Swift in the morning while you get ready for the work day with some coffee? You’re basic and now, being basic has conjured up a negative connotation. Apparently if I am basic that means something negative like “you are so un-original” “you should be more creative” “how dare you like the same thing as so many other people”. But then basic even takes a more negative turn, it has progressed into “if you are basic then you are a shallow person who has no other interests, has no grounding to the world, you might be a little ditzy, you are most likely high maintenance, and you have no perspective of how other people see the world”. I promise you I am not just making this up, after so many conversations with people I have heard a combination of all of those statements. Which makes no sense to me, we are all people, we all like different things. And just because someone likes designer things and Starbucks doesn’t always mean they are high maintenance and shallow.

Yes, I am basic, to an extent. I would like to argue that we are all a little basic, but I don’t want to get off on a tangent. I love being basic though, I love my ugg boots, they are cute moose feet that hug my feet with warm fur and goodness. I love my leggings and sweaters because they look good on my body type, plus riding boots are oddly comfortable if you find the right pair. I am not going to lie, its a known fact that I love Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Tory Burch. If you know me, you know that I have over 7 phone cases and I love the ones Kate Spade makes. I personally have always loved the sound that leaves make when they get to the state where they crunch, I love going out of my way to step on them. If it has the word PUMPKIN in it, I am going to get a little crazy and buy it all. Pumpkin greek yogurt? Yes, I will take all of it please. I love the Holiday cups from Starbucks, they are only around for a short amount of time, can’t you let a girl enjoy them?

So, as I sit here sipping on my Starbucks thinking about Instagramming it, in my yoga pants, oversized t-shirt and a top knot. I am going to just end on this note: Being basic isn’t bad and it doens’t make you unoriginal or shallow it simply means that you like what other people like. And that is not a bad thing, in fact, that just means you relate to a lot of people in the world because apparently most everything can be seen as basic. I guess what I am saying is don’t let all the negative Nancy’s come into your “basic” world and sham you for liking what you like, and wearing what you wear. If you want to Instagram that red cup from Starbucks DO IT. And do it as many times as you like. If you want to filter fall leaves photos to make them prettier DO IT. Don’t let some hater come into your life and decide for you what you want to like and do. Wear those ugg boots or riding boots with leggings with pride. If you want to take a selfie because you look on point. DO IT.  Don’t let the negative people define you and what you like. Life is way too short to have someone who can’t appreciate cute Instagram pictures and ugg boots. You like what you like and there is nothing wrong with that. If someone calls you basic just tell them that they may see you as basic but in reality you’re a basic unicorn and they can’t see the unicorn because they are too close minded. So walk away and say bye felicia to all the haters who can’t understand the glory of being basic.

xox

Keep Calm and Carry On

Melissa

On Sunday The Atlanta Blogger network got together for a fun event that was graciously hosted by GlowDry Blowout Bar in Buckhead. It was an event that is totally write home about. There were muffins, mimosas, and fun!

 So, what usually happens when a bunch of bloggers get together?

We make a photobooth and take tons of photos with props. I was personally in love with the giraffe ears. I might have worn them for the entire event, and not by accident. 

GlowDry was the PERFECT place to host our meetup. The interior design had me oooing and ahhing. Tons of navy and white with a huge statement chandelier that had my heart. 

No, your eyes are not deceiving you that is a unicorn. And my pet unicorn for the day. Becca brought a My Little Pony prop to the booth and I freaked out (because it was a unicorn). I wanted to carry around the unicorn with my giraffe ears all afternoon long. 

-photo from the Atanta Blogger Netowork-

There were tons of great sponsors. My favorite part of the swag bag was tied between the Glow Dry tank top and the InkSpot Workshop "Work hard, Play hard" print. I have been living in my Glow Dry T-shirt. Everytime I put it on I think "glow girl glow". I don't even know if thats a real thing for them but I like how it sounds. 

Many thanks to GlowDry for hosting this great event. I can't wait to go back and receive some services! Rumor has it they are offering bang trims and hair trims, count me in! 

xoxo 

Keep Calm and Carry On 

Melissa