It's a "Merry" Life

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Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:52:02 -0500

Romney for President pass it on

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 20:50:42 -0500

"The harder the struggle, the more glorious the triumph. Self-realization demands very great..."

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 22:32:51 -0400

“The harder the struggle, the more glorious the triumph. Self-realization demands very great...

It’s a Merry Life, Weekly Edition #1: Etsy.com - Typically I...

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 17:39:00 -0400

It’s a Merry Life, Weekly Edition

#1: Etsy.com - Typically I purchase birthday cards for my friends and family at Papyrus because their cards are the BEST. However, I’ve decided from now on to purchase cards from Etsy because the cards on Etsy are unique, handmade, and promote small businesses. I purchased some birthday cards from these shops: DeLuce Design, Jason Burian, Rachael And Sarina, and GGgreetings.

#2: Martha Stewart Home Office - I needed a binder to store my teachers edition of Kaplan’s SAT Prep so I strolled into Staples. On a mission to find something preppy and colorful I was disappointed in the available selection. But on my way out of the store a display of the Martha Stewart Home Office collection caught my eye with their lovely shade of blue. After a closer look I realized the binder was of really high quality, so I purchased it. Hopefully my volunteers and students enjoy my new binder as much as I do.

#3: Nashville - Turns out not only do I enjoy listening to country music but I may enjoy watching a new drama dedicated entirely to country music. One of the main characters, Juliette Barnes, is played Hayden Panettiere from Heroes. The first episode looked to be promising so I added it as a favorite on my Hulu account. Watch Nashville Wednesdays on ABC at 10PM.

#4: Oyster Bay Oyster Festival - This is something that my friend Jon, his mom, and I look forward to every year. There are countless food vendors with all of the seafood you can imagine, not to mention raw oysters! You’ll also find live entertainment and a variety of arts and crafts vendors. For more details visit here.

#5: Coffee Meets Bagel - You’re thinking “omg yet another dating website!” Me too… Except this one is easy and convenient. It links with your Facebook profile to match you with your friends friends. Each day you’re given a new coffee or bagel and some details about that person. You then decide to “like” or “pass:. If you both “pass”, no worries but if you both “like” then you’ll be provided with the others contact information to set up a date. Easy-Peasy-Lemon-Squeezy! Disclaimer: I have yet to like a profile so I’m not sure how well the last part works. If you’re interested in Coffee Meets Bagel and need an invite just message me.

xoxo, Samantha

It’s a Merry Life Epic Fail of the Week In an effort to...

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 17:01:53 -0400

It’s a Merry Life Epic Fail of the Week

In an effort to incorporate more “clean” foods into my diet I purchased some Annie’s Homegrown Organic Chocolate Chipper Granola Bars. I chose them because they boasted no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or high-fructose corn syrup and I was really excited, at least until I got home and tried them.

I’m not going to say they are the worst thing I’ve ever eaten but they’re no where near the best. The flavor just wasn’t there and I didn’t recognize anything close to a chocolate chip in the bar. These also had a “stale” taste and texture. I offered them to my roommate who equally as unimpressed. I think I’ll just stick to my Annie’s Homegrown Cheddar Bunnies, Mmm!

Last week I found this delicious recipe on Pinterest for a...

Sun, 14 Oct 2012 16:52:21 -0400

Last week I found this delicious recipe on Pinterest for a Banana Oatmeal Smoothie. Only problem is that I don’t own a blender. I found the following three on Bedbathandbeyond.com (I have a 20% off coupon :)) and just don’t know which one to buy.

Does anyone have any experience with blenders and have one they would recommend?

1 - Vitamix® TurboBlend 4500 Blender, $379

2 - Omega B2400 64-Ounce 2-HP Variable Speed Blender, $349

3 - Blendtec® Tabletop Total Blender - Black, $399

Banana Oatmeal Smoothie Recipe

2 Whole Bananas

2 Cups Ice

1/3 Cup Yogurt (preferably Greek yogurt flavored with honey)

1/2 Cup Cooked Oatmeal

1/2 Cup Almonds

Blend for 30 seconds. 380 Calories.

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Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:38:24 -0400

Brain fitness: 7 Ways to work smarter

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:34:24 -0400

Brain fitness: 7 Ways to work smarter: Guilty as charged, I’ve been known to doodle during...

Field Trip to the Intrepid! A few months back many NYer’s...

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 16:15:27 -0400

Field Trip to the Intrepid!

A few months back many NYer’s flocked to the Hudson to witness a truly rare event, the Space Shuttle Enterprise fly around our wonderful island before making it’s home at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum. I was one of those NYer’s standing along the Hudson on that cool windy day and have been planning to visit ever since. Check out these amazing photos my best friend Jen and I took this morning on the Intrepid.

With cold weather imminent in NYC’s near future it’s...

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 21:07:45 -0400

With cold weather imminent in NYC’s near future it’s probably a good idea to just bite the bullet and invest in a new winter coat. This year I’m looking for a winter coat with a hood. I have naturally curly and unfortunately frizzy hair. I spend a decent amount of time in the morning styling my it and the last thing I want is precipitation undoing all of my effort. The obvious answer would be to just invest in an umbrella, but what about those days were it’s just a mist or light flurries? A hood would really come in handy! These are two jackets that I found on victoriassecret.com, what do you think?

Hooded Duffle Toggle Coat (in blue), $134 on SALE

Hooded Peacoat (in black), $118 on SALE

Eight Benefits of High Intensity Interval Training

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 14:20:31 -0400

Eight Benefits of High Intensity Interval Training: 1) Efficient 2) Burn more fat 3) Healthier...

Three Bird Nest Headbands, headbands, and more headbands!!...

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 17:30:00 -0400

Three Bird Nest

Headbands, headbands, and more headbands!! Queen B (Blaire Waldorf, duh) may soon be a thing of the past but I can carry on her legacy and look fabulous in these extravagant headbands that I found on Etsy. The shop designer, Alicia, even used the signature “xoxo Alicia” in her profile. FATE!

Knitted Bow Headband LARGE Bow Ear Warmer Vanilla Latte - $38

Sadly, I searched and searched but was unable to find a new bag...

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 23:25:00 -0400

Sadly, I searched and searched but was unable to find a new bag that really caught my attention. Like any natural born female I decided to focus my shopping impulse toward something else, dresses! Christmas and NYE are just around the corner (where did the time go??), which gives me the perfect excuse to dress up and spend a little extra on that perfect dress.

Potential NYE Dresses:

Cluster Bead Silk Dress by Parker, $352

Cut-A-Rug Pixel Sequin Dress by Trina Turk, $358

Jane Ravenna Jacquard Dress by Shoshanna, $395

Potential Christmas Dresses:

Bryn Laminated Coutour Buffalo Check Como Dress by Milly Bryn, $595

Geo Beaded Graffiti Art Print Frock Dress by Milly Bryn, $495

Janine San Marco Tweed Combo Dress by Shoshanna, $365

You tell me… Which ones do you like?

It’s a Merry Life, Weekly Edition #1: Revenge - I stumbled...

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 20:26:02 -0400

It’s a Merry Life, Weekly Edition

#1: Revenge - I stumbled upon this while trying to enjoy a lazy Saturday (it was raining) and have become so obsessed that I watched the entire Season 1 just in time for the start of Season 2! Now that Gossip Girl is in their last season I’m glad to have a new go to show, yay!

#2: Tuscan White Bean and Prosciutto Salad - This salad from Le Pain Quotidien is the perfect hearty salad for the Fall months. But what really makes it deserving of it’s #2 spot? It’s only 420 calories! Ingredients include: Arugla, white beans, tomato, scallion, pesto, prosciutto, shaved parmesan, and homemade croutons.

#3: Sperry Top-sider Angelfish in Black / Houndstooth - Any girl that went to college in the South has a couple pairs of Sperrys packed away in her closet, and I’m no exception. Over the last couple of years Sperry has expanded their collection from the traditional tan angelfish loafers to a variety of more daring color schemes. The black/houndstooth pair was calling my name and I just couldn’t say no. Could you?

#4: Dating a Royal - Blues and my skin tone are like oil and water, they just don’t mix. But I saw this lovely little number at the nail salon and dared to give it a try. I’m glad that I did. I may not be able to pull off navy or a pastel version but this vibrant royal blue by OPI is perfect.

#5: Look out for next post… I need help choosing a new purse for the season :)

xoxo, Samantha

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Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:44:38 -0400

Richest & poorest cities in America

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:52:46 -0400

Richest & poorest cities in America: Median income is 61K, one of the highest in the nation…...

Sparkology.com Today I came across a dating website that claims...

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:49:00 -0400

Sparkology.com

Today I came across a dating website that claims to be a…”quality-driven, transparent service that lets responsible young professional singles meet each other without the grime and games on other dating websites.”

Membership is by invite only. All members are college educated young professionals.

I’ve tried other sites and have always been creeped out by some of the messages that I receive BUT I’m excited to give this one a try.

If anyone is looking for any invite just ask and I’ll send one along.

xoxo, Samantha

Halloween Costume Help, Part II Yikes, I found these cute ones...

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 17:26:00 -0400

Halloween Costume Help, Part II

Yikes, I found these cute ones also. What to be? What to be? Please look at my previous post and this one and let me know which idea you like best.

xoxo, Samantha

Halloween Costume Help I’m going to my friend Sam’s...

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:55:00 -0400

Halloween Costume Help

I’m going to my friend Sam’s Halloween party in DC and need to decide on a costume soon or I’ll end up the only loser at the party without one. Nooooooo!

Which of the four pictured costume ideas do you like most? Please send links with other ideas!

xoxo, Samantha

It’s A Merry Life, Weekly Edition Earlier today I...

Mon, 24 Sep 2012 23:28:00 -0400

It’s A Merry Life, Weekly Edition

Earlier today I discovered (probably a little late) that my favorite show, Gossip Girl, is set to begin their Sixth and FINAL Season. Yikes, my heart is literally aching. Rather than sorrowing in my misery I am opting to share some of my guilty (or not so guilty depending on how you look at it) pleasures from this past week.

#1: soap.com - My “drug store” list started to get out of hand and the thought of having to walk to the store and carry everything home was hindering me from actually getting anywhere with it. This morning at 7AM I decided I had to do something about it. Here is how my purchase went: Free shipping because I spent more than $35, 20% off with coupon code SOAPAFF (saw it on a subway ad), manufacturer’s coupons automatically applied at checkout for additional savings, wait for it… The best part of my entire experience is that I placed my order at 7AM this morning and when I returned home this evening at 9PM there was my soap.com box waiting for me. SOLD! Soap.com just found themselves a customer for life.

#2: Fitbit Ultra - Had this device for a couple weeks and finally decided to put it to the test. During the day I wear it on my bra as suggested, then in the evening I wear it on the wristband it came with. Not only does it monitor my steps, stairs, distance walked, calories burned, and activity level, but it also monitors my sleep efficiency. To my astonishment wearing it certainly makes me more aware of my activity and sleep habits. Since using it I’ve tried to hit a minimum of 10K steps a day, and try get 6 1/2 hours of sleep, a tremendous improvement from the 5 it calculated I was getting when I began using the device.

#3: Aroma Chai Latte - Not only have I found their service far better than that of Starbucks, but their Chai Latte is to die for! I’m a self proclaimed chai expert, so take my word on it!

#4: Yorganic Spicy Chicken Bowl - All natural ingredients; sprouts, mushrooms, cucumber, chicken, brown rice, and spicy sauce. Mmm mmm GOOD!

#5: Origins - I have combination skin and find that rotating my skin care according to the seasons works best. Two weeks ago I switched over to my Fall/Winter moisturizer (Origins A Perfect World SPF 25) and my skin is loving me for it.

It’s a Merry Life Honorable Mentions:

iOS 6 - Love the programmable “Do Not Disturb” feature!

Southampton Pumpkin Ale - Just when I thought I couldn’t get enough of the Southampton Toasted Lager they throw some Pumpkin Ale my way. It was love at first taste!

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Sadly I didn’t read this in High School like most students but it sure does make a good subway read!

xoxo, Samantha