Work Holiday Exchange

My team at work decided to do a $5 stocking stuffer exchange within the group.  There are 9 total of us, so everyone needed to by 8 gifts.  When the limit is that small, most of the gifts end up being gag or joke gifts.  For example, I got my boss a mini Nerf gun so she could "shoot us when we get out of line" and the girl in my office who is always cold hand warmers.  There were a lot of dollar store and discount store gifts.  Mine came from Kmart.

Out of the 8 gifts, 6 of mine had to do with running or coffee!  I think my team is trying to tell me something :)

I got:
- Runner's World Boxed Daily Calendar
- iPhone running arm band
- Soothing Aloe socks (for after my long runs)
- 2 (yes, 2) gift cards to Dunkin Donuts
- a set of giant (20 oz) coffee mugs (I am constantly spilling my coffee so my coworker figured just give me a bigger mug)
- Hand cream (I am constantly borrowing everyone's)
- A set of 3 really pretty notebooks

All in all, a great grouping!  Seems my team knows me pretty well!

Two for Tuesday

Happy Tuesday everyone.  My thoughts are with those who are effected by the horrible events of Friday.  Hug your loved ones.  Everyday you can.

I can't believe Christmas is only 1 week away - I have so much still to do!  I did about 4+ hours of shopping over the weekend and I still do not have it all done.  It was a mad house, I would have thought they were giving it away (although my receipts clearly said differently).

Anyways, just a couple of things that are running through my head -

Someone sent us a box of Milk Bar cookies.  Milk Bar is a dessert bar in the East Village that is part of the Momofuko restaurant group.  They make the most amazing and crazy desserts.  We went cousins Meghan and Cody where visiting - we got an absurd amount of food.  In fact, I even brought some to their wedding in Texas.  I froze them and carried them on the flight with me - the things we do for the people we love!  Compost cookies are my favorite and they were included in the box :)

I recently got a Roku player.  It's an internet ready device for streaming.  I don't have cable in my bedroom and it's always slightly annoyed me.  I don't want to pay for cable (it's like and extra $15 bucks a month) just for when I am getting ready for bed, but sometimes I get sucked into watching things on my TV.  It streams Netflix and Hulu so I can still catch up on DVR items!

Two for Tuesday

Happy Tuesday everyone!  Is anyone else's weather being completely unseasonal?  It doesn't really feel like Christmas to me.  Still have a lot of shopping to do!

*****

This weekend my mom came into town and we went to see The Nutcracker (New York City Ballet) at Lincoln Center.  I spent the first 14 years of my life studying ballet and I always loved the Nutcracker.  I didn't have the body type (or flexibility) to continue on in ballet (despite really wanting too) but it didn't diminish my love of ballet.  I had a tape of the Nutcracker from like PBS or something and I watched it so much, I wore it out!  Seeing the Nutcracker this weekend reminded me how much I love dance and miss it.  I think I am going to make it one of my New Years resolution to go more often.

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you might remember a post from July where I basically drooled over the MZ Wallace Ava Tote (don't remember - see here).  Per my earlier post, I absolutely love these bags.  I use one of my 5 everyday.  They are durable, professional and super cute!  They are great for work, travel, errand running - basically anything!

I've been waiting patiently for my Ava tote to go on sale and it hadn't, until last week when a store in Murrary Hill had them 20% off.  I have been saving a little bit and this made me able to buy it!  I am so happy!

Today's Conversation

I got an email this morning that there is a new Zombie Run 5k coming to Philadelphia.  It's a 5K where you are literally chased by other runners dressed as Zombies.  

Maybe something is wrong with me, but I immediately think to myself - this sounds like fun, who can I get to do it with me?

I promptly forward it to my friend Kasey who lives in Philly.  Here's how our conversation went:

Me: I think we should do this.
Kasey: I am not sure how I feel about this.  I do not like to run fast, and I do not like being scared....

I don't know what it says about me, but I think it sounds like fun!  I'm hoping I can convince her... it's only a 5k.

Interested?  More information here

Two for Tuesday

There's been no shortage of new kitchen gadgets in my apartment lately, but I am still wanting two others!  These ones are a little more expensive so hoping to get them for either Christmas or my birthday (hint, hint).

I am totally wanting a Keurig, but with a tiny kitchen I have limited space available.  This is the Keurig Mini Plus Brewer - it's nice and tiny and I think will fit perfectly in my kitchen.  I have coffee maker already, but it's a lot bigger and is a typical filter brewer.  It makes delicious coffee and is working perfectly, but it's a pain in the a** to clean everyday and make a new pot.  This one would be so much quicker and I could still use my bigger one on the weekends when I need more then 1 cup!

I am also wanting a SodaStream Maker!  The one above is the Genesis version.  It's nice and small (and red - are you starting to get a sense of my color scheme in my kitchen?).  I don't drink a lot of soda, so it'd be nice to be able to make it when I do want it.  I do like to drink flavored sparkling water (which this makes as well), but hate lugging bottles from the grocery store home.  This would save me the trouble!

Does anyone have either?  What do you want for Christmas?

I'm alive - just a slacker!

Sorry for the break in posts! Between the 2 half's back to back and Thanksgiving, I got thrown off and then since last week I've had such a bad cold I can't bring myself to blog after work.  Hopefully I will be kicking the cold soon and will be back to blogging normally!  I am hoping to at least get a Two for Tuesday up later tonight.

Hope everyone is well and had a great Thanksgiving!