Quarter Century Baby!

I'm pretty transparent around these parts, but in honor of my 25th birthday, here are 25 things that make me, Me.

Me on the left and my cousin Amanda on the right at our FIRST birthday!

1. I believe in The Secret. I read the book when I was a sophomore in college about 4 times, and have been a believer ever since. The gist it, if you haven't read it, is that positive thoughts bring positive outcomes. So, the way I see it, even if the "magic" part isn't your thing, or happens to be fake, isn't it better to live more positively anyways? I forced Joel to read the book and now we both are converted! I highly recommend the book - it's an easy read and was a game changer for us. 

2. I am 50% Irish and 50% Italian, and I love to play up either card depending on my company. I always love to tell people my heritage because it seems like everyone is becoming more and more of a mutt - including my future Children, thanks to Joel ;)

3. I never take off my engagement ring. I shower, sweat, and sleep in it. Honestly, the only time I take it off is to clean it - which I try to do every other month with windex and an old toothbrush.

4. I light candles every single day, normally around 5pm, but sometimes earlier if I feel like I need it. My parents always had candles burning at our house growing up, and it just makes my house feel more like a home. 

5. I'm obsessed with flying Virgin America. It's kind of like the SoulCycle of airlines. You pay a little extra for a fancier experience and you always see celebs.

6. I find the traffic to be worse in Chicago than it is in L.A.

7. I feel very lucky to have found Joel at such a young age. I like that he knows everything about me and he is really my best friend in the entire world.

8. I have met seriously amazing friends online/this blog. Even when this blog seems like a pain in the ass and a waste of time, I just have to remember that, and I realize it's here for a purpose.

9. Twenty five random things about me is getting really hard to accomplish!

10. I decided to give up wine until I get married. I drink a lot of it, and I'm hoping cutting it out of my diet will help these last sticky ten pounds fall of. I'm still allowing tequila and champagne, so do not fret!

11. I get car sick - especially in the back seat or in taxi's

12. Lately, after a night out with friends and a few cocktails, I wake up in the morning sick to my stomach with anxiety that I said something that came off too harshly - or inappropriate. I have to talk myself down all the time, reminding myself that I'm likely the only person who remembered it, but it's not a fun feeling.

13. I love to read inspirational quotes & sayings

14. I love my sisters - and I'm finally understanding all of the year my parents told us that the three of us were all we have in life to count on. We are three very different girls, but there is no one else in the world that wants the best for each other the way we do. I can't wait to see how these little girls lives unfold, and I am a better person for knowing them.


15. Most days I think I want to have kids sooner than later

16. I grieve the loss of my Aunt Peggy every single day of my life. I still have not been able to wrap my mind around the fact that someone so healthy and vibrant and full of life could be taken from this earth so fast.

17. I want to burn the candles, use the fancy china, and take the damn vacation because life is SO short.

18. I read www.TinyBuddha.com every day

19. My parents, my sisters, and I all have the share the same computer password

20. I like to have a cup of tea after dinnertime - especially at restaurants

21. The older I get, the more I hate to shop. I find it to be an annoying process - and I'm never satisfied with anything that I find. I also really don't like shelling out tons of cash, and yet, I have expensive taste.

22. My twenty-fourth year has been my favorite to date.


23.  But my 21st  birthday party was the most phone. It was a weekend full of inappropriate college antics, and I love thinking back to that weekend.


24. I hate cucumbers

25. I am so thankful for the COUNTLESS blessings I have in my life. My family, my fiance, my house, my friends, my health, my job, my dog, my cousins, the list could go on and on......I could cry at how much goodness I have in my life.

 I can only hope that all of these things continue in this next year of my life and that you too are lucky to have these in your life as well.

xoxo,