Spring Break 2011... Great Success

This spring break was COMPLETELY different that last year’s, but sooo much more productive.

Last year was the typical college spring break. Panama City beach with all my closest friends; beach all day, clubs all night, somewhat intoxicated the majority of the time.

This spring break, I went to Charleston, S.C. for the first few days to get my beach time in and wandered the city, which is ten times better than I thought. Everything was historical, palm trees everywhere, awesome weather, every designer store you could imagine and beautiful beaches.

It was hard to leave, but Charlotte, N.C. was my next stop.

Charleston was awesome, but Charlotte is my new favorite city. It’s clean, young, fun, and it’s officially my new place of residence as of May 2011!!!!

Impulsive? Maybe. But TOTALLY worth it.

How could you not want to live here?

I found an apartment with a $30,000 pool, fitness center, car wash, “man cave” movie room, balcony, and awesome neighbors... and it’s much cheaper than what I’m paying for the shit hole I live in now.

On top of that, I got offered a job while looking for an apartment. Although it’s not my first choice, it’s a great job and it will pay my rent for now, so it works for me!

PEACE OUT MORGANTOWN... you won’t be missed too much.

Oh how I love my red, red wine

Did you ever hear the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”?
Well, I love fruit and all, but I’d much rather prefer the research-proven, “a glass of wine a day keeps the doctor away."


Thanks to the research I did for a persuasive speech I’m doing, everyone, women especially, could benefit A LOT from just one 4 oz. glass of wine a day…
Here’s why.


Pros - Helps to:
1. Regulate diabetes by reducing the body’s resistance to insulin
2. Reduce degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease
3. Prevent blood clots by thinning out your blood
4. Prevent blood vessel inflammation
5. Improve cardiovascular health à can reduce risk of heart disease by 40%
6. Reduce risk of certain cancers from the antioxidants in red grapes
7. Boost your body’s defenses against infections
8. Prevent kidney stones, ulcers, etc.
9. Maintain lower body mass than those who indulge occasionally
10. Relax you like CRAZZZYYY


***BUT don’t drink more than the suggested amount because it could have reverse effects of all the benefits I just listed and increase medical problems, even something as minor as migraines (which many of you may already know how this aftermath of drinking too much wine feels like ;)


So with moderation, my dream of a healthy kind of drinking has actually come true!

You Did WHAT!?

I would love to talk about the NCAA tournament, but I don’t want to jinx my team before we even get started. SO. I’m going to talk about an experience that I had recently that I NEVER thought I would get talked into doing.

It’s not anything life-changing, but it was something that I always had a huge stereotype about that was completely broken. Well. Here it is… I went to a rave!!!

With my love for colors, dancing, and music, I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before!

Now, I’m not and have never been into doing drugs or getting so wasted that you forget what you did the night before (which were all my stereotypes of what goes on at a rave), but I would consider this more of a fantasy party. IT WAS NOT REAL LIFE.

Picture this.

A really nice, upscale hotel with an indoor water park, d.j. included and open all night long. Awesome music of all types coming from several banquet rooms, with light shows and people dancing everywhere. No fighting, no crying, nobody trashing anything. Just a ton of colored lights, insane music, and people who just want to have a good time.

For one night, I went completely out of my element. No drugs needed and a new appreciation for techno and lightshows, I’d say this “rave” was a pretty successful adventure! This was never on my bucket list, but it deserves a massive CHECK!

A Girl's Gotta Eat

For a busy girl (who LOVES to eat) or anyone for that matter, finding time to make something quick and having it actually be good for you never seems to work out. I’ve never been one of those health freaks, nor even a health-conscious person. Thanks to growing up in an Italian family, I rarely know what the hell is even in what I eat. Unfortunately, my Nana made me only appreciate flavorful food, whether it clogs your arteries or not.

Little did I know, my favorite meal in the world happens to contain many stress relieving ingredients and it’s pretty good for you!!!

Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1942,152183-238195,00.html
Content Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.

BROCCOLI AND SHRIMP ALFREDO!

8 oz. fettuccine noodles (carbs in your meal helps the release of insulin) 

Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1745,135177-249195,00.html
Content Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.

1-2 cups of shrimp (shrimp contains tryptophan and selenium to help you stay cool, and the cholesterol in shrimp is actually good for you!)

1 bunch of broccoli, cut up (broccoli contains potassium and helps strengthen your immune system)

In your Alfredo sauce, add:

1 cup of milk (helps you to relax, but also makes you sleep more soundly)

1 cup basil and spinach (both help to relax your muscles, blood vessels and nerves)

Also add some garlic, parsley and pepper for taste ... I have no clue if you’ll get any nutritional value out of these ingredients, but us Italians add these to everything!

You’re welcome in advance ;)

Woooosahhhhhhhh....

Every busy girl, or guy, needs some down time, some relaxation and to just CHILL. Here are my top ten ways to unwind.. Without yelling, crying, or needing to take a whole bottle of Xanax.

10. TAKE A NAP!!
To those of you who “don’t have time”.. stop lieing to yourself! Replace the hour that you‘d usually be stalking someone on Facebook and SLEEP!

9. Be Lazy
Girls: Call an old friend. Not the friend who's nothing but drama or only talks about how miserable their life is, but the friend that always puts you in a good mood.
Guys: Since talking isn’t your strong suit, play a video game! You all love them, even if you claim otherwise, so call a friend on those weird little headsets and start blowing shit up!

8. Spa day!!!!
Spa days can be expensive, if you do the works (hair, massage, nails,  facial, etc.). If you have that kind of money.. GO FOR IT. But, the best way to relax and take your mind off the world is a longggg relaxing massage. If you can't even afford that.. bribe the significant other. ;)

7.  Listen to calm, relaxing music.
I’m not saying listen to a CD of ocean sounds or Bethoveen, but try Colbie Callait, Michael Buble, Jack Johnson or my favortie, Bob Marley.
.. all of these bring a whole new meaning to “chill” music.

6. Party on the Patio.
Whether you’re a college student or 90-years-old, hanging out on the porch is relaxing. You can watch the sunset, cook out or play beer pong. No matter how you spend your time, it’s relaxing to hang out with some friends and good ol’ mother nature.

5. Go shopping.
I am really strict with my money (because I don’t have much of it) but, whether it’s a boat or a hat, it can make you feel good to splurge a little and at least ACT like you have enough money to pay your bills. Just make sure you don't spend too much because it will stress you out even more.

4. Take a yoga class.
Wooooosahhhhh people. Yoga or pilates is for girls AND GUYS, and can be the most relaxing thing you’ll ever experience… and it can make you much more flexible for future festivities.

3. Have a night out.
Girls: Get dolled up, call your friends and have a girls night.. Dresses, martinis, the whole nine yards
Guys: Hit up a happy hour.. No this doesn’t mean get as shitfaced as possible in a short amount of time.. It means grab some wings, some cold beers and watch whatever sport you're betting on that time of year (haha).

2. Game night
Not pong or football.. I’m talkin’ Trouble or Pictionary. Take it old school and find some friends that don’t mind acting like they’re in fifth grade again.

1. Laugh.. A lot!!!
It doesn’t cost any money and everyone is capable of it..
Girls: Tune into an episode of Chelsea Lately, aka my idol
Guys: Dane Cook or Kat Williams are personally my two favorites..
Whoever you prefer, just make it someone who will have you on the verge of peeing your pants.. For example..

Well, there it is. Choose one a week to calm yourself down for the rest of the week, or unwind from the week before. No more bitching and moaning.. You have officially been granted the right to relax and the tools to help you do it.

Follow me on twitter HERE!

Cupid, Clothes and Community

Last Thursday, I managed to start my random bucket list right with a big check... I MODELED! 

Not for a company, or posing while a creepy photographer takes my picture for a "modeling portfolio" album like you may see on many girls' Facebooks, but for a good cause. 

A student organization that I'm in called PRSSA (Public Relations Student Society of America) held a fashion show called "Cupid, Clothes and Community" to raise money for the local Boys and Girls Club. It was only $5 at the door and everyone was welcome. Many students contributed and about 20 models (or students who never modeled in their lives, including myself) volunteered their time to go get fittings at four different stores, including Altered Ego, Gap, Maurices and Coni and Franc, then strut their stuff on the runway Thursday night.

I would like to take credit for being generous with my time, but what girl wouldn't want to be decked out in crazy clothes, awesome shoes and expensive jewelry on a random day? Not to mention, seeing the little kids in the front row of the audience, cheering for every one of us made me feel a lot better about risking my life to try to walk in 6" heels.

So, NO. I'm not even close to being a model, but it sure as hell felt great to try something new and know that all the profits went to a great cause, while making all the V-Day haters realize that Cupid isn't that bad.

KDKA Channel 5 News

Ps. I'm the one in the black skirt and white top.. my only claim to fame ;)

Some other links...
Daily Athenaeum 
Assciated Press 

The beginning of a new beginning...

For starters.. I am 22, a senior in college, working full time, you get the picture. I enjoy my major and I saved all the fun classes until my last semester for a reason - sleeping in, being lazy, not having any work, living it up.

Well... exactly the opposite happened.

I'm taking less credits than I've ever taken, but have more work than ever before. My job working in sports is what I call, the shit, but because it's technically an internship, I only get paid for half the hours that I actually work. I'm also in three organizations that take up all my spare time during the week, so basically I am overachieving to the point where I don't have time to do anything else.

Don't get me wrong, I still go out, have fun and laugh CONSTANTLY, but I have so much going on that I need a blog to remind me that staying busy or going to a bar doesn't mean I'm living it up... With that said, I'm making this a random bucket list and I can't wait to share my ridiculous and completely random experiences with everyone :)

Here's to the beginning of the randomness