Perfume Maniac???

Just the other day, Tommy asked me if I could move my perfume from the bathroom because it had completely taken over the bathroom cabinet. Apparently, he was pulling something out of the cabinet and stuff just started to fall out onto the counter. I guess those mirrored doors with the shelves behind it are really for medicine and frequently used bathroom items. Who knew??

So I gathered up all my perfume bottles and migrated them to the bedroom. I couldn’t put them on my dresser, which would be ideal because I have a TV, DVD player, and my AppleTV on the dresser. Think “electronics= heat source” and heat is not good for perfume. So I moved them to my nightstand shelf. All 13 bottles. Yes, that’s right, I said 13. And that’s not to mention some of the smaller bottles of perfume I have in a little storage box. So, I probably have near 20 bottles of perfume! Who does that? I wouldn’t even know how long it would take to use up all the 13 full sized bottles. Oh and if we’re counting smelly stuff, I even have the Victoria’s Secret and Bath and Body works body sprays!!! That’s a lot of smelly stuff! I was kind of shocked when I looked at the bottles all lined up together. It really didn’t look like much when

I decided that maybe I should purge some of my perfumes. I mean how long can perfume really last and still smell good? There has to be a statute of limitations. I mean I even have the old-school-everyone-had Exclamation from the Early 90s. I looked it up: it actually came out in ’88!!! So who knows how long I’ve had that!!! I can’t even tell you the last time I used it.

So I Googled “How long can perfume last?” The answer across numerous sites: it can be last between 3 to 5 years depending on how it’s stored. Some more expensive ones can last a little longer. Hummmm well, that eliminates over half of the perfumes I currently have! As a lot of them are a few years old. Goodness!! Time for an early spring cleaning.
There is one bottle I know I won’t be able to dispose of. It’s my White Diamond by Elizabeth Taylor. I know you can find it anywhere, but this bottle is special. It’s the perfume my aunt Connie used to wear. It’s also the last gift I think she gave me. She passed away from breast cancer in 2001. It was her signature perfume. She LOVED it. I’m sure she had like 10 bottles on hand!  Come to think of it, she always did have a lot of perfumes… Maybe that’s where I got my perfume-love from.

Other things I found out about perfume in my search:

• Perfume, if properly stored, can last for three to five years. To guarantee this life span, store your bottles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
• Spoiled perfume -Perfumes that have overstayed their welcome will have darkened in color and smell of alcohol. The scent will smell rancid once applied to the skin but will fade quickly. That's when it's time to toss it in the garbage.
• Solid perfumes which come in sticks or pots that is rubbed on the wrists and neck are a long-lasting fragrance and a good alternative for perfume lovers like me that keep them for a long time.

Anyone else have a perfume addiction?? Or any really good smelling perfumes I should try?? What's your favorite perfume?

<3- Vynuss

Wedding Planning Wednesday!!!

Today, while I was in class tonight on break, I did a little surfing of the web. Of course it included Wedding planning!!! :)  So I'm calling today Wedding Planning Wednesday!!! My colors are Espresso/Chocolate Brown, Pink (of course), and Tiffany blue (because I can't talk all the boys into wearing pink!!!) So Dessy group and Pantone have partnered up and brought us PANTONE WEDDING!!! :)
This is my preliminary sketch board.  I've put together some pictures I thought looked really great together using the colors I loved off of the Dessy website.  I'll have to look into more detail as to the style of dress and what the actual colors look like, and then adjust to what I'd really like.  This is all the fun part!!!  I didn't really know much about Dessy dresses, but I'm definitely going to take a better look into their gowns!!



Today, Krystal and I did some exchanging of pictures of bridesmaid's dresses.  Seems like we're definitely on the same page.  She has to be- It's my wedding! :)  It's really great that she knows my style and what I have in mind, though.  We were looking at Alfred Angelo dresses.  I've worked with Alfred Angelo gowns and dresses before and I know the quality of them and I know they're pretty reasonably priced.  I don't want my girls to spend a fortune.  The other thing I love about Alfred Angelo bridesmaids dresses is that you can do alot of different color combinations.
One of my favorites is: (I've included the different variations)

Another style I liked (in chiffon):

What do you guys think???

The pink in the picture looks a little dark, but we'll have to see what it looks like in real life.  I think we're going to plan a BM dress shopping trip in the very near future... Anyone want to join??? :)

Also regarding wedding plans, we've signed the contract and put our deposit down on our wedding venue. You'll see a picture of the venue (Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center- Norfolk, VA) in the picture above, uploaded to the sketchboard and also below.  So it's officially a done deal!  :)   Wooooo Hooooo!!! So excited!!!

XOXO- Vynuss

Pink Post Its!!!

So, Bethany over at Maryland Pink and Green found these really cute post it notes.

I thought it was just too cute! I use pink post its at work already... and now for my blog too!!! :)

Enjoy!! Some of my favorite Marilyn Monroe quotes...

You can make your own notes here.

T-minus 1 month!

Oh no!! The BIG 3-OH!!!

It’s now the 1 month countdown to my 30th birthday! Lately, it seems that all my friends around me is turning 30, so it’s definitely hard to ignore that I too am turning 30 this year.  In fact Tommy and I just got back from Poquoson celebrating Joey's 30th birthday! It was only a couple years back that I was dreading turning 30. Today, I’m actually excited to turn 30. I’m excited to leave my 20s in the past! Oh the things you learn and experience in your 20s!!! I truly believe the 20s are when you try to figure out who you are and what you want. My 20s were spent wasted on stupid men boys. I followed boys around, and neglected ME, and what I really wanted in life. I sacrificed my happiness and my pursuits. I listened to people telling me “No” and not believing in “Yes”.

Now, I’m just about to hit 30, and I’m more confident in my life. I’ve got a honest to goodness fiancé who loves me to death. He’s wonderful and has really changed me, whether or not he even knows it. He’s made me realize that I SHOULD be treated well. That I can love AND be loved. That I CAN do whatever it is I think I can do. He supports me in so much of my “Eh, it’s nothing” hobbies and thoughts. It’s such a great feeling. It’s great to know that someone, the someone I am going to spend the rest of my life with, loves and supports me.

I'm just feeling so very blessed for all the wonderful things that are happening in my life.  I may not have a ton of friends, but the ones I do have now are less likely to let me down.  I've learned to surround myself with more positive people and those that are good for my well being.  I don't have the time or energy to exert on Negative Nellies or Debbie Downers.  True friends, I've learned are those that are honest with you and themselves, and are there for you as much as you are for them.  It's a two way street. I look at my life even just a year ago and see a difference.  One thing I've also learned in my late 20s is that everyone isn't going to react the same way that I would react.  I can't always expect everyone to always do what I would do.  People will disappoint you, but YOU get to choose how to react to that disappointment.  You can't make people feel a certain way;  It's ultimately their choice how they react to you.  There are friends that I care and worry about, and I hope that they are doing well, but exerting energy to worry about them when they aren't honest with me is exhausting.  So, they know me and know that I'd be there for them, it's up to them.  


I look back at the things I've not accomplished and it's disappointing.  Like not finishing school when I should have.  Like gaining weight.  Like not buying a house.  But why dwell in the past.  It's about looking into the future and the things I HAVE accomplished.  I've gone back to school, in process of getting my degree.  I'm working on losing weight.  I'm getting married this year, to the love of my life!! :)  I've regained who I am.  I've traveled the world in the past few years.  There's a ton of things I HAVE accomplished that I'm happy about. And there's more that I can continue to accomplish...
I'm ready for the next chapter!!!! C'mon 30s!!!! :)

Matron of Honor

Ladies and Gentlemen...

Announcing, my Matron of Honor.

Krystal L. Tarleton!

Yesterday, I went to lunch with my Matron of Honor.  It was a normal day and a normal lunch. Pho!!! :)Since it  was nothing out of the ordinary, she had no idea I was going to ask her to be my MOH. :)  She came into the restaurant a little miffed, so I let her vent.  I was dying to tell her... and I have been dying since November to ask her, but I waited patiently for her to finish her story.  And she calmed down. (All the while, I'm now thinking how my little present would probably just make her day!!)
So then I told her I had something for her.  I took the present and card and put them in an old 7Eleven bag that I had in my car so she wouldn't see her gift when she got to the table. :)  I contemplated which to give her first, the gift or the card? So, because I LOVE presents, I gave her the gift first.
It was a tiffany blue box wrapped with chocolate satin brown ribbon with a tag saying "Will you be my Maid of Honor?"  Inside, there was a crystal "diamond" paperweight sitting on white satin.  So it was kind of like a mini-proposal... Hahaha! :)

Then I gave her the card... I don't want to describe the card too much because, it's the same card I'm going to give my bridesmaids when I ask them. All I can say is it's Lilly Pulitzer!!! :) And you know how I LOVE me some Lilly! :) I'm sure I'll post them in a later blog.
Well of course she said "YES!!" She almost cried, and I did too. I think it was perfect! I'm super SUPER SUPER excited to have her as my MOH.  She's family, she's always going to be around. We grew up like sisters, (even though she's technically my cousin once removed). She's going to be an awesome MOH, and I know she's going to have a lot of fun with it.  Uh Oh should I be scared???

Haiti and how you can HELP

Pic fromWashington Post

One week ago, Hatians experienced a devistating disaster.   Unless you've been hiding in a cave somewhere with no interaction with people, the world wide web, radio, or television, you should have seen the news on this earthquake.  I find myself watching news report after news report of the relief efforts.  Stories of survival and stories of death.  I sit glued to the television with tears in my eyes for those who have suffered pain, fractures, broken bones, cuts, etc for 6+ days without food and water under tons of rubble.  And then I think about the hours I might go without food and feel like I'm starving. Definitley puts things into perspective.  I just watched a report about the many survivors who have compound factures or various injuries and wounds that now after 6 days have become infected.  They now have to have amputations.  Can you imagine??? There was a little girl only about 5 who needed her leg amputated.  Her mom cried in pain that her baby has to have her leg amputated.  Many, man, Hatians will have to have amputations... that is IF they can get the surgery in time, otherwise they'll die from the infection.

What can you or I do?  Well, there are many ways that regular people like us are helping. You don't have to be a famous person like Wyclef or Bill Clinton to help. You don't have to donate a fortune. Any little bit helps.
The Red Cross is accepting donations.  You can text "HAITI" to 90999 to dontate $10 to the Red Cross to help aid in the Relief efforts. The $10 will be added to you mobile phone bill.  As of a few hours ago today, Red Cross text donations passed $21 million... CNN
Also starting today, at participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada, customers will be able to make donations, with no purchase necessary, to benefit the Red Cross Haitian Relief efforts. The Starbucks Foundation will join your support by donating $1 million U.S. to the American Red Cross.
You can donate to Habitat for Humanity.  Many Hatians lost their homes, they're going to need new homes built... Dontate online or call 1-800-HABITAT.
Doctors Without Borders are accepting donations to ensure that their medical teams can react to the Haiti disaster and other humanitarian crises all over the world. Your donation via their website will be noted as going to the Emergency Relief Fund.

There are a bunch of other ways to help.  Just make sure you research it's with a reputable charity/ company.  Many times scammers will take situations like these and human goodwill and take advantage of people so they can profit.

Help Haiti. Help Humanity. Do something good. Do what YOU can do today.

The Lone Dancer

I just love it when people feel the music and start to dance.  The other night, the boys and I went out to a bar to hang out and have a few drinks.  The DJ hadn't started spinning yet, and there was an odd character pacing the floor.  He was literally pacing circles around the empty dance floor.  We were somewhat concerned.  He looked a little sketchy. We weren't sure what he was doing. 
Then it happened. The music started to go, the bass was pumping... and the guy started two stepping and bobbing his head. He was waiting for the music to start! This went on for a song or two, then he started to get a lil fancier with the feet and hands...  It was great.  He was feeling the music.  The bar started to get more and more crowded and still he was the only one on the dance floor. A couple times you could see a hot chick come and talk to him, probably to congratulate him for doing what he loves.  After they'd finish talking to him he'd go back to his dance  moves.  There were even people laughing, or trying not to laugh.  He reminded me of the guy from the movie, Hangover.  When he goes, "Are you guys ready to let the dogs out? You know like who let the dogs out? whooo?? whoooo??"
It was hilarious, yet you've got to give a guy credit for doing what he loves.

Pho Real!!!!

Anyone ever have Pho? It's pronounced "Fuh" .  It's tasty.  It's my comfort food.  It's a Vietnamese staple dish. It's just a very aromatic beef noodle soup using various spices included star anise, cinnamon, coriander,  cloves, cardamom, and ginger.  You then garnish the dish with various herbs such as Thai Basil, mints, cilantro, and green onions..  Most people eat it with bean sprouts... I despise bean sprouts.. I won't touch them.  Then you also add a sweet sauce called hoisin sauce and a spicy sauce called siracha. In areas like Northern Virginia, where I live currently, you can find Pho restaurants that range from "cafeteria style" to full restaurant style.  They are like 7Elevens; you can find them on just about every block.
Today, I made a nice big pot of Pho. It was amazing.  I made it today because Tommy's Brother, Kevin, and his friend came up from Poquoson today; and I know Kevin loves Pho.  In fact I promised him I'd make him some Pho.  It's so much more fun making it at home and eating with family and friends. The worst part for Tommy is that he smells the Pho cooking all day, and it makes him so very hungry.  The picture below from left to right is Joel, Kevin, and Tommy. (Joel struggled with the chopsticks a bit, but despite that his bowl was eventually empty! )
Now, we've all got pho-'d coma.  :)

Tavern on the Green

Oh no! I'm so heartbroken today.  I just found out that one of the great landmark restaurants in New York City is closed - Tavern on the Green.   This place was legendary! It's the first restaurant allowed in Central Park.  Tommy and I were lucky enough to have had the chance to dine there.  It was a magical place.  We celebrated my birthday there last year.  It was one of the places I had always wanted to go to.  Our table wasn't quite ready when we arrived, (we got to the restaurant about a half hour early) so we walked around the restaurant and saw the sights and sounds.  We walked around the gardens and saw all the neat topiary plants: the King Kong, the swans, the bunny, and the marble grand pianos.

 Being in February, it was chilly out, so we did the quick tourist thing and took some pictures and rushed back inside where it was warm.  He's always teasing me, "Stop taking pictures of the parking lot, Wang" (It's a quote from Caddyshack) haha.   So we decided to go to the bar and have a drink or two.  The most beautiful stained glass I've seen was hanging right over the bar. I had to take another picture!!! I just loved the colors and the lady with the lion. 

We had a couple drinks before being escorted to our table.  The restaurant was packed!!! Every table was full!  There were couples having a nice dinner to larger groups having a celebration!  There was even a Wedding reception happening in the beautiful Crystal room.  :)  Not too long after our bottle of wine was delivered to the table, a photographer came to our table to take a souvenir picture of us.  We thought that was cheesy, but now, I wish I had gotten the picture. :)  We ordered dinner and all I can remember was how amazing the food was and what amazing conversation Tommy and I had that night. I truly was a magical place for us.  I am sad to know that the restaurant is closed and that virtually everything will be auctioned off... including the emerald chandelier and the topiaries. The restaurant has been leased to another restaurant owner Dean Poll and he said that he will spend $25m in renovations.  The original family, the LeRoys are trying to keep the name. Warner LeRoy was the son of the producer of the Wizard of Oz. I don't think it'll be the same, but let's hope the renovations keep some of the magic that is the Tavern on the Green.

Some interesting info:
he Tavern on the Green, once America’s largest restaurant, opened in 1934 as the first restaurant to open in Central Park. 
The Tavern became New York’s highest-grossing restaurant, with 2008 takings of $33 million — second in the United States only to the Tao Las Vegas restaurant and nightclub.

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year to all... in fact, Happy New Decade!!! :)  It seems like 10 years have gone by soooo quickly. 10 years ago, i was only 19, looking forward to my 21st birthday.  Today, I'm looking forward to my 30th birthday! It was only a couple years ago that I was dreading hitting 30.  Thirty was "old".  Today, I've embraced the fact that there's nothing I can do about aging.  I can only accept it and make the best of it. :)  Helllloooooooo 30!!! 2010 is going to be a GREAT year!!!

A new year always brings new year's resolutions. What are mine? Well this year, I've vowed to make more time for myself.  I am such a people pleaser that I have trouble putting myself first.  So, no more unneccessary working till 7:00 PM when I am should leave at 5:00PM; because if I don't get work done today, it will still be there tomorrow.  And there will always be something there for work- tomorrow. 

Also in my New Year Resolution:
New Mantra: "It's okay."
It's okay if I don't get to this today. It's okay if I missed a work out.  It's okay if I get a B instead of an A.  It's okay if Tommy doesn't swirl the candle and instead blows it out. It's okay if I cheat once in a while and buy cake mix instead of making my cakes from scratch when I'm short on time.  It's okay if everything is not perfect. It's okay because everything is not always a big deal.  :)  Everything IS okay.