December Wrap-up and On To January

Since we last met, I:

• #9 Wrote a letter to an old friend.
• #19 Bought something on Etsy. 
• #61 Made 2 new holiday recipes.
• Bible: Been slacken! It's a new year, looking forward to getting back into it.

Continuing on with my "Drink List", this month I tried:
Caramel Macchiato and Iced Caramel Macchiato: Both so very good - my problem is that the caramel all hangs out at the bottom! But, I did add a few Splendas and it was delish!  3 Stars
Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino: I love all things frappuccino. Ironically, I am not a fan of the hot drink, but this was outstanding! 3 Stars
I also repeated a few favorites :)

My goals for January: 

• #66 Send 10 Postcards via Postcrossing.com
• #79 Read 2 Political books
• #98 Answer the "50 Questions that will free your mind"
• Start my 365 photo challenge
• Continue to read the Bible
• Continue with my drink list

Thanks for following along!

#19 Buy Something on Etsy

I love Etsy. So why haven't I bought more things there? Because I can never make up my mind! So, I started small, and since one of my challenges is to send 10 postcards via post crossing.com, I decided to head to Etsy to score some great vintage cards. 

If you haven't been on Etsy, it is a gold mind for handmade and vintage items. You must check it out if you have not already. I would love to sell something on Etsy and I am looking into selling food items. I know, add something else to my plate right? Well, big score for me on these cards, and I know there is a whole lot more to dig into. 

#19. Done. 

#9 Write a Letter to an Old Friend

This was fun. Too many times we seem to let life pass by without reaching out to old friends. I am guilty of this one too many times. I know. Most of us are, but it's no excuse. I remember when I was younger, it was the best feeling to get something in the mail - especially a letter. I thought I would recreate that for one of my best college friends. Over the years, you move away and lose touch, but don't let too much time pass by before you really stop and tell people you care about them. 

#9. Done.

November Wrap-up and on to December

It is amazing how quickly time flies! 


Since we last met, I:

• #18 Made a wish on 11/11/11 at 11:11. I suppose if I told you what it was, it wouldn't come true right?
• #52 Went to a book signing. 
• #97 Went to California!
• Cooking: Made Chocolate Souffle, chocolate ice cream, and fudge.
• Bible: Been slackin!

Continuing on with my "Drink List", this month I tried:
Gingerbread Latte: This was surprisingly good - considering I don't like gingerbread all that much. Slight gingerbread taste in the background.  2 Stars
Mocha Frappuccino: I love all things frappuccino. 3 Stars

My goals for December: 

• #9 Write a letter to an old friend
• #19 Buy Something on Etsy
• #61 Make 2 New Holiday Recipes
• #99 Write Myself an Email via www.futureme.org
• Continue to read the Bible
• Continue with my drink list

Thanks for following along!

Watched: 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'

Number 33 on the AFI movie list is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I thought this movie was brilliant. From the very beginning, I was drawn in with the characters. Jack Nicholson was so great in this role (but when is he not?) and the supporting cast of characters was very intriguing. I see why this made the top movie list, although I think 33 is too high - that being said, I haven't seen most of the 32 above it, so I'll reserve judgement. I don't want to ruin it for anyone who has not seen it - which I highly recommend - but the ending really surprised me. This movie would be great for a college film class, although I am sure many curricula already use it. Fabulous movie and very entertaining.

 #33 on the movie list. Done.

August Wrap-up and on to September

Since we last met, I:

• Became an MBA graduate!! (#1)
• Cooking: Made Hush Puppies, Peach Pie, Fortune Cookies, Swedish Meatballs and Crepes
• Bible: Read Numbers
• Movie List: Watched The Graduate (#17)

Continuing on with my "Drink List", this month I tried:
Caramel Brulee Frappuccino: This was pretty good, I don't remember it being that memorable though.  2 Stars
Tazo Passion Brewed Tea: Awesome. I drink this one at home too, but they always seem to taste better when you go out! 3 Stars
My goals for September: 

• #93: Tackle a couple of movies on the movie list
• #9: Write a letter to an old friend
• #45: Make Soap
• Continue to read the Bible
• Continue with my drink list

Thanks for following along!

Watched: 'The Graduate'

You know the movie. 1967. Dustin Hoffman. The intriguing Mrs. Robinson. I am not really sure why I had never seen this movie before. I had not even seen parts. My husband can tell you that I am the queen of "Oh I have seen that movie...well, parts of it". I hadn't even seen a sliver of The Graduate. My husband - shocked. "That's a classic" he says. "Who hasn't seen The Graduate?" Well, I hadn't. Until now.

Thanks to the American Film Institute's List of the Top 100 Movies of All Time, I have now realized that dream. I am one step closer to seeing the top 100 movies ever made. Awesome.

So what did I think? I thought it was really good. I even thought it was funny at times. Dustin Hoffman gave a great performance (and he looked so young didn't he?). It was not what I thought it was going to be -- You know when you have an "idea" of how things are but when you actually experience them, you were way off? That is how I felt about this movie. But I liked it non the less.

Would I recommend it? Sure would. It is one of those classic movies I would say you should watch just to say you watched it, yet come out liking it at the same time.

#17 on the movie list. Done.

#1 Become an MBA Graduate!

So, if you have been around, you'll notice that my posts have gotten a little farther apart. That is mainly for two reasons. I have been working hard updating and networking with my main (cooking) blog, Mangoes and Chutney. Secondly, I have been working towards finishing my MBA.

I am happy to say that Mangoes and Chutney is almost where I want it to be...feel free to check it out! I have also officially graduated with a Masters in Business Administration!! Whoo hoo!!! That is number one on my list and probably the most important to me. Needless to say, it is over and I am so happy and proud. #1 down (literally)! Follow along for the rest!

#1. Done.

June Wrap-Up and on to July

Since we last met, I:

• Went a month without buying anything not a necessity (#55)
• Cooking: Made a Key Lime Pie, Graham Crackers and Lemon Pie
• Bible: Read Leviticus

Continuing on with my "Drink List", this month I tried:
Strawberry Viviano Smoothie: This was okay. It tasted more like a protein shake than a refreshing fruit shake. They do put protein powder in it, so that would explain it. If I want a refreshing shake, I'll just go to Smoothie King. Makes me nervous to try the chocolate and orange flavors. I would not go out of my way to get it again, but it was not bad. 2 Stars
White Mocha Frappuccino: This taste just like a white mocha latte (go figure). Very good, but a little sweet. I would get this again, but not as often as some of their other frozen blends. 3 Stars
Iced Coffee: This was okay. Didn't blow me away but it wasn't bad. If I want a cold coffee drink though, I would steer towards the frappuccinos. 2 stars
Chai Creme Frappuccino: Mmm, this was really good. Think Chai tea, blended with cream and frozen. A real treat. 3 stars


My goals for June: 

• #93: Tackle a couple of movies on the movie list
• #19: Buy Something from Etsy
• #29: Make Some 4th of July Cupcakes

Thanks for following along!

#55 Go one month without buying anything that is not a necessity

Looks like I made it! 

As hard as this challenge was, it was also very eye-opening. You wouldn't believe the little things you spend money on each month that are really unnecessary! Comparing last month to this month, there was over $200 that was just here and there purchases that were not needed. This challenge, I think will continue to be an ongoing one. Not completely cutting everything out (because you still have to have fun right?) but it will definitely cause me to look more at what I am spending. 

So, what kind of things do you purchase on a whim?
Things to ask:

• Do I want it? (Usually yes)
• Do I need it? (Usually no)

Evaluate your financial situation and if it is a time to spend.

Speaking of saving: I can add $10 more to by Louboutin savings (#83)! Cha-ching!

 
#55. Done.