Versatile Blogger Free-For-All

Hey All!

So Amber @ A Little Pink In The Cornfields tagged me for the Versatile Blogger Award - I am flattered and oh so happy to accept!

The rules are simple. Tell 7 Versatile (Read: Random) things about yourself and pass on to 15 other bloggers. I'm kind of gonna break the rules because I don't have time to link up to 15 other bloggers so consider this a free-for-all and play along if you want to / are in need of a Tuesday writing prompt.

So here we go:

1. My favorite place to shop for clothes right now is NY & Co. I am loving their fall collection and can't wait to throw some money at them this season! I also like to shop at Macys, Bebe, H&M, and Forever 21 but you know - I just kind of like to shop in general so there might be other spots too!

2. I am TERRIFIED to drive in the snow. I was in a bad accident in 2007 and now can't even fathom driving in snowy or icy conditions - it makes for a very tense Dec-Feb.

3. I am thinking about joining a fall dance class or even a pole dancing for fitness class in the coming weeks. I am itching to become involved in more activities this fall- I think its the pre-programmed "back-to-school" feeling I get this time each year.

4. I am thinking its time to consider some career options. Some crazy things are happening with my company that at this point do not seem to be for the best- I am opening the job search file- whether anything will come of that- I know not.

5. I watch re-runs of Boy Meets World every morning while I get ready for work

6. My go-to karaoke songs are: Criminal by Fiona Apple andDid I Shave My Legs For This by Deanna Carter

7. The things I'm looking most forward to about fall are: My home decorations, Ren fest, Bengals games, new clothes (I'm too skinny for last year's fall clothes so I have an excuse!) Halloween, The new fall season of TV, snuggly sweaters and blankets, and my knee high boots!

Sorry for the no-tag but if you want to play along please do!

Much Love Always!

And The Award Goes To Me!

The Fabulous Life of Jules was having a free-for-all of the Happy Award so I thought since I have nothing notable to write about today I would snag it up for a prompt. Thanks Jules for giving me something to write about!

The Rules for the Happy 101 Award
I will list ten (10) things that make me happy and try to do at least one of those things today! Then I am going to list ten (10) bloggers that brighten my day. Then those people are supposed to pass it on. Easy! Fun! Let’s get started!

Ten (10) Things That Make Me Happy

1. Freshly washed sheets on my bed. I love the clean feel and the fresh smell of fabric softener. Clean laundry is probably one of my favorite smells ever!

2. Reading a really good book that I just can't tear myself away from. I haven't had one of those in awhile so I'm certainly taking recommendations!

3. Cooking and Baking (when I have the time - not usually on nights I'm rushed from work). I love to try new recipes and have people test my creations.

4. Pink stuff. I know that sounds silly but my mood level just elevates when I'm surrounded by lots of girly, frilly pink things. Yesterday while at Target Ben and I were perusing the Valentines decorations and I squealed every time we passed an end cap full of pink goodies. PS - GO TO TARGET for your Valentines Decor! So cute!!!

5. Back rubs. I trade household chores with Ben to get them. Fabulous.

6. Cosmetics. I love cosmetics and bath things. Unfortunately this happens to be one area that I consider myself a snob in. While I will shop at drug stores for a few items I fully believe in the quality of dept. store brands. My personal faves? Glad you asked: Smashbox, Clarins (their skin care is to die for) MAC, and Lorac. I've also been known to dapple in Stila (lip glazes) Nars (blush) Vincent Longo (lip vinyl), and Dior (Tinted Moisturizers)

7. Date days and nights with Bennyboo. While I can fully appreciate a day spent at home I'm more an out on the town kind of girl. Doesn't have to be fancy - breakfast and a matinee is fine by me!

8. Sushi. I don't get it very often but I love it. Same goes with Indian food, Japanese food and pretty much any type of food that's not fully Americanized. None of these places are very close to my home/work and Ben doesn't like them very well so I usually only get to eat there when I have a date with my mom!

9. Candles. I love candles and as I've mentioned before, Yankee has my heart. Take not gals Semi Annual Sale happening now! Also happening at Vicky C's, Bath and Body Works and White Barn Candle Co.

10. Ice Cream: I like ice cream better in the winter than in the summer- wierd quirk of mine huh? All time favorite Homemade Brands Cookies n Cream, followed by Choc, chip cookie dough, and Graters Black Rasberry Chip!

Ok gals- I'm going to put myself to the challenge today - not only am I going to try to do one of these things today - I'm going to go for all of them!

Feel free to grab this award if you want to - I'm off to make some happy!

Snatched Awards

So a couple of fantastic ladies whose blogs I read on a regular basis were sharing their awards in a free-for-all fashion so I decided to snatch them up for myself and invite you all to snatch them from me!

I snagged this first award from Aishlea over at Excursions of the Spurgins. Aishlea has a very cute blog where she shares life as a (relatively) newly wed lady. If you haven't yet - hop over and check her out!

When she accepted her award; Aishlea answered these questions so I thought I would too:

1. What one thing wouldn't you want to live without?

Other than friends and family I would definitely have to say face and body moisturizer. I can't stand to have dry skin. I always carry lotion with me - that's just how I roll.

2. Beach, Mountains, or Farm? If you had a choice, where would you live?

Beach. Farms smell - Mountain air gives me allergies. I want the sand between my toes and the sun bronzing my skin!

3. What is your least favorite household chore?

Yard work and dishes. I miss having a dishwasher!

4. Who do people say you remind them of?

Brooke Hogan and Bridget Marquardt

5. What is your all-time favorite movie?

Tough. I have a major tie between tons of movies: Dirty Dancing, Fried Green Tomatoes, Grease, Clueless, Legally Blonde, The Wedding Planner, Dazed and Confused...are right on top!

6. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn how to do something?

I can put mascara on with no mirror and crack an egg with one hand. I also print ridiculously neat.

7. What first attracted you to your spouse?

Well Ben and I first met in middle school. When I had a crush on him in 8th grade (for like a month) it was his hair and pretty eyes. When we actually started dating 6 years later it was his sense of humor and how I could just talk to him intelligently about anything and everything!

8. What is something about you that you know irritates others?

Set ridiculously high expectations that can't be met and end up projecting my dissapointments on others/anal retentiveness and a desire to always present myself and my work flawlessly- whether I am/it is or not.

9. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?

I am both. Sometimes silent and sometimes loud. I laugh really hard at cats doing funny things (judge me if you want). I laughed the hardest recently when Meg, her sister, niece, and I were entering her venue for the wedding. We were standing in the lobby at the elevator and another wedding was taking place on the main floor. One handsome man from the other wedding was standing at their guest book in a military dress blues. As we waited for the elevator with arms loaded full of stuff - I felt my pants start to slide down my butt. I told the girls I was losing my pants but with all our arms full there was nothing anyone could do. So my pants just hit the ground. Luckily I was wearing a thigh lenght trench that was buttoned up so no one saw anything. The man was so polite though and never looked as we laughed but he did say: "Best wedding ever" as he signed the guest book and rejoined his wedding!

10. What is your favorite place to shop?

Macys, Sephora, Vicky C's, New York and Co. Target, TJ Maxx

My second snagged award comes from Leslie over at A Blonde Ambition.

Leslie's blog is one of my newest favorites- so definitely stop over there to check her out!

For this award I am to share 5 of my current obsessions:

Dark Nails: Planning to have my nails filled in the next couple of days and instead of the usual french mani am planning to do a deep burgundy or purple - bordering on black. I used to have Lincoln Park After Dark by OPI a few years ago and am thinking of going that route again.

Deep, dramatic lips. Nuff said.

Iced Tea. Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring. I don't really like hot beverages so iced tea is an all the time kind of drink for moi. I sweeten mine with Splenda!

Toothbrushes on the go - get rid of garlic breath in a snap!

ABC Fall Line Up. Its ruining/improving my life simultaneously. DWTS, The Middle, Modern Family, Cougar Town, Eastwick, Flashfoward, Greys Anatomy, Desperate. My DVR is in overload!

Well, that's it for me for tonight. I'm pooped! Thanks for the free-for-all ladies! I plan to give you shout outs in my side bar as well. As for the rest of yas- snag em if you want em!

Much Love!

Miss Amber Lane

Kreativ Blogger Award

I've been waiting quite awhile for someone to bestow this cute award on me so imagine my delight and surprise when A Blonde Ambition left me a love note letting me know that she selected me as one of her lucky recipients!

The rules of this award state that I must let you in on 7 little secrets about moi in order to accept. Its going to be a challenge coming up with even more juicy little tid-bits that you don't already know but I'm going to give it a shot:

1. You may or may not have already gathered this about me if you've been a follower for awhile but in high school I was a: cheerleader, flute player, vocalist, show choir nerd, newspaper staff member, thespian society member, drama club loser, creative writing publication writer, mellaphone player, softball second base(wo)man, colorguard flagging, A+ Spanish student, overachiever and I'm so proud to say I had my hands in all of that at one point or another- it made me impossible to type cast or clique! I had friends in all areas!

2. I'm actually a pretty stellar singer (if I do say so myself) I've performed in multiple foreign countries and at pro sporting events...but these days just like to knock em' dead at karaoke.

3. I have major girl crushes on: Christina Aguilera, Pink, Bridget Marquardt, Ellen Degeneres, Scarlet Johanson, and Drew Barrymore. I think all of these women are amazing in their field (ok well I just think Bridget and I would be bffs) and are incredibly talented and beautiful!

4. I can't do a non-girl push up to save my life- that's one thing The 30 Day Shred taught me!

5. I'm a major contradiction of myself these days. Some days I feel like little susie homemaker with dinner on the table at 6:30 sharp and a coupon clipping, recipe trading, Bree Vandekamp imitating existance that strives for perfection. Other days I long for my life to imitate the pin-ups of days gone by with a home dripping with satin and leopard fabrics, a lover that sends me roses, and an unmistakible magnetism that makes men and women fall at my red lacquered toes- while still other days I feel like a working woman at her best- stopping at Starbucks before a jam-packed work day that has me dragging my tired ass home well after dark. I guess that's what being at a quarter century does to you.

6. I am ridiculously resistant to anything that is "All The Rage" for just a few examples I avoid at all costs: Twilight, Harry Potter, Coffee (yeah my Starbucks runs are for Green Tea), Gossip Girl, Taylor Swift, American Idol, and the Bachelor. Would I like some of these things if I tried them? I'm sure. I'm just not going to try them.

7. When I was a teen I began reading V.C Andrews novels starting with The Flowers in the Attic Series. In her 4th novel in the series she created a teenage character who always matched from the inside out. Meaning her underpants always matched her outfits. As a teenager I thought that sounded like the epitome of put-togetherness therefore I strived for that. To this day I still dress this way - not always but I guarantee you if I have panties the same color as my shirt I'm going to have them on. Sadly enough in elementary school I used to worry that someday for some reason I would be seen in my underwear in class and that I should always have cute, matching ones on- therfore now I usually do. Sad. I know.

Ok....

Now, I get to give this award to 7 other bloggers! Here are the rules for passing the torch below:

1-Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2-Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3-Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4-Name 7 things about yourself that people may not know.
5-Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6-Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7-Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they've been nominated.

Now here are 7 fantabulous blogs that you can enjoy! There are so many more out there that I love and read daily. Give these ladies some love:

1. The Un Bride
2. Kell
3. Michelle
4. Somewhere in Between
5. Liana
6. Memphis Mama
7. Rachel Ann

Some of you ladies may have already received this award- if so I don't expect you to rewrite but you could always give me a little shout out - if ya want to! ( :

In other news:

Friday night =

Shredding day 3 ( yes I skipped yesterday) and today it was so much easier- I don't feel like death after a 20 minute workout. Yay!

Making the chicken, red potato, green bean dish featured at Kelly's Korner a week ago for Show Us Your Life (I loved it- Ben thought it was a bit too lemony- next time I plan to go half on the lemons)

Catching up on DVRd: Dancing With the Stars, Eastwick (I recommend it), and Project Runway

Blogging

And being damn happy that tomorrow is shopping and time with Boo as opposed to working. More Yay!

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!

Much Love!

Miss Amber Lane

PS: Sending my love to one of my besties: Miss Rachel Ann down in Louisiana. She's got a heavy case of the blues - so I send kisses!

How Rude Of Me

By the way...

The Honest Scrap Award was given to me by Nelle over at Lady Tells All.

In my semi- working state I completely forgot to credit her.

Thanks Nelle!

Honest Scrap

The rules for this award are to tell your readers 10 things about you that are true, that they might not know. Then you have to tag 10 other bloggers to do the same.

1. I'm of Cuban descent my dad's mom was born and raised in Cuba. Unfortunately I know very little about that part of my heritage as my father was not an active part of my life and then passed away during my senior year in high school.

2. I secretly love work days when my boss is not present: such as today!

3. I used to say everything that I thought without censorship. I've since learned to keep the majority to myself and let everyone else talk themselves into a mess while I mentally make all the snide comments that I want. Its hard to feel remorse for things no one ever knew you were thinking!

4. I am so ready to move from where Ben and I live now and into a bigger place. Problem is that we don't want to rent anymore after this so the next move will be into a home that we buy. Problem is, Ben is still laid off and my credit is still bulking up from the wreck that it was in college....in short- we're stuck.

5. I long to be crafty and put my handiworks to good use either for sale or just around my home for decoration. The problem is that I have absolutely no patience and need instant gratification so most of my projects turn out crappy.

6. I have a deep down conviction that I am meant for big things - at some point in my life I am completely convinced that I will gain some type of noteriety for something. Just don't know what. Mayhaps I will write an epic novel someday... riiiight.

7. I'm SERIOUSLY considering fleeing the work place to go to the pool or at the very least go home and do laundry - I would rather be anywhere but here right now.

8. I'm bored with the state of things right now. Its been two years since I've been out of school and I kind of miss it - especially things like creative writing classes and musicals and clubs ... I need to figure out a way to get involved now - out of school.

9. I desperately need a pedicure right now ---DESPERATELY

10. I'm obsessed with things that smell good: laundry detergent, soaps, candles, carpet fresh, sachets, etc. etc. etc. and buy them in excess....I especially love all things Yankee.

I'm at work and really can't tag anyone right now - so if you're reading this and it sounds fun consider yourself tagged!

Tag! I'm It

Kace over at Calling Him Krew tagged me so here I am!

The Rules:

* List Six Unimportant Things That Make You Happy

* Mention and link to the person who tagged you

* Tag six of your favorite bloggers to play along{and comment on their blog to let them know they’ve been tagged}

So On To My "Unimportant" happy things (though if they make me happy- they must be pretty important!)

1. Sleep Masks: I probably have about 20 of them and I just love em'. They are perfect for mid-day naps (Ha! Like I ever get those!) and hang overs. A complete neccessity on airplanes - and they make me feel just a touch glamorous - old Hollywood style!

2. Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper Potato Chips: I hate potato chips - never eat them but a friend of ours brought this chips over during a Bengals game once and I was hooked...although I must admit I try very hard not to but them --- lest I eat them!

3. Labeling Things: There is just something about well organized spaces with labels that send a little electric shiver down my spine. Last night Boo and I were watching a rerun of Wife Swap and one of the wifes was a pro- organizer her home was binned and labled to death-

Ben said, "That lady is nuts"

I said, "That must be what Heaven will be like!"

4. Lotion: I have bottle after bottle after tube after pot of lotion and I just keep getting more- they have shimmer, they have sheen, their matte, they smell like coconut, flowers, perfume, and soap and I'm incredibly generous when lotioning up- no dry skin in Amber Lane's world!

5. Cold Rooms, Warm Blankets: In the dead of summer I sleep with the air cranked up, the overhead fan on and the biggest, thickest comforter you can imagine. I sleep sweet in cold rooms with warm blankets- that's just me!

6. DVDs with commentary: I love to rewatch my fave movies/tv seasons with the commentary on - I feel like I'm being let in on exclusive secrets!

Ok I tag these fab femmes:

Rachel Ann

Nelle

Liana

Memphis Mama

Katy

Kell

Have fun!

Awards and Hard Candy

Sarcastically Optimistic is having a free-for-all with the awards that she's been given so I have taken it upon myself to award.....erm....myself! (Yay Me!) I mean I'm not a total cow- she did say they were for any and everyone...so without further ado. My awards:

To accept this award I must list 5 sexy things about myself- which of course I can do in a snap (wink- wink).

1. I can kick anyone's ass at Dr. Mario...yep that's right old school Nintendo style- if you don't think that's sexy ask my Bennyboo who LOVES to brag to his friends that I have mad gaming skills.
2. I'm not afraid to be who I am and ask forgiveness from no one (except God sometimes of course for my many indiscretions ( : )
3. I'm accomplished, successful, and independent yet have no problems asking for help or for the expertise of others...baby can't be good at everything
4. I mean I suppose I have to mention some physical attributes as well amongst my best I would have to say: eyes, hair, skin (lately I've been told I have a great complexion ...mostly from my lovely senior ladies at work) and of course....boobies.
5. I'm open about sex and have an adventurous, realistic view on the matter- I also don't take any of it too seriously- I have no problems appreciating other women's sex appeal and appreciating that we're all allowed to have our fetishes and none of them (well mostly none) make any of us freaks- I'm a bit of a Samantha minus the infidelity.

---

Now before you consider me too vain I present myself the second award:



To have this honor bestowed upon me I most list 10 things that are NOT so cute about me:
Here Goes:

1. My car- as organized and clean as I am in my regular life I can not say the same of my car. I spend about an hour and a half in my car a day just in travel to and from work- I eat, drink, live, breathe inside that car and I've got the crumbs and litter to prove it...yucky.
2. I throw tantrums- sometimes I throw things and say things just to get people mad at me and by people I mean my mom and Ben...the two I love most in life and unfortunately they suffer my wrath like none other.
3. You can take this as you will: I frequently don't wash my hands in public bathrooms.... I think they are so dirty so I always carry hand sanitizer in my purse and use that instead I always wonder what other ladies think of me when I walk out without touching the sink- I promise- I sanitize but the perception that I don't---not cute.
4. I reuse disposable water bottles way longer than those in the know say you should
5. I have a big brown mole on the back of neck- Ben says its not cute...maybe its cancer
6. I fight cat hair on my clothes by carrying a lint roller in my purse- doesn't work- cat hair wins
7. Sometimes I drool in my sleep
8. I can be the slightest bit vain at times but not in a snotty way- I'm just particular about how I present myself to the world- I think sometimes my more casual dressing, not so makeup-ified friends get annoyed with that
9. The bottoms of my feet- SO not cute- even pedicures don't help
10. My chin- I hate it- I've been told its distinguishing...I think its just big

Tada!

I only have 8 "declared" followers so I tag all of you who are "followers" of Miss Amber Lane.

This Means:

Ms. Angel
Kell
Liana
Katy
Patronus Incognitus
Shasta
Ellegant
Shawtee

If you are reading but are not following...quit lurking and jump on the bandwagon! I'm really quite nice and I need the ego boost to push me along on this journey!

In other news work today was a beast but at least it went by quickly- tomorrow should be a hairy scary day I'm just going to grin a bare it- maybe more on that depending on how it goes.
Oh and did I mention I got a raise last week? Yup a whopping 3%. Oh well...its money!

After work I met Ben at home and we headed to Target for neccessities: Pine Sol, Kitty food, ink cartridge, bunny ears headband, you know the usual.

The dinner at IHop.

I needed a desk container for file folders so I popped into TJ max where I did find a hot pink faux python container just the right size for files. I also stumbled upon a huge selection of Hard Candy makeup. While I usually don't seek out Hard Candy fo my makeup; finding eye shadow quads for $4.00 is reason enough to buy one in every color family:

Old Skool

Pixie

(Not pictures: Sonic)

I also snagged this teeny compact with eyeshadows, glosses, concealer, blush, mascara, and mini eyeliner perfect for carrying in my purse for makeup emergencies.

The colors are in actuality much better than this picture shows.

Then we came home- I applied my tooth whitening trays and began blogging away. Now I'm off to watch at least one DVR'd show before nighty night time. I'm pooped. Is it Friday yet?

Goodnight!

Miss Amber Lane

Tonight I'm Feeling: Sleepy, Sore Throat-y, Content