Another Mango Tango Please!

As I sat on the plane to Cancun, all I could imagine was myself lying on the beach, relaxing, drinking a margarita. 

Well, I definitely relaxed, and I laid on a beach, but since I didn't really enjoy the very strong margarita...I drank many many many other fruity drinks including Mango Tango, Dirty Monkey, Midori Sour, Mojito, and many many more that I don't know the name of because the servers surprised us with it.

Over the course of 5 days, I managed to get myself into as much trouble as I could get away with, and considering I was there over New Years, that wasn't as hard as I expected.

We started out eating at the grille by the pool, and learned quickly that the servers would not bring us just one of what we ordered but probably 3 or 4, and we wouldn't care because we were all-inclusive.

We started out the trip getting ready and going to a nice Italian dinner (and we should have expected what we had considering we were in Mexico) and soon also learned that they really liked flaun-like food.

We snorkeled and kayaked through a sonata in the Riviera Maya. As another learning experience...I learned that my friend Kristen and I think that we can kayak, but we can't. We got our kayak completely stuck horizontal across the river as other kayaks were trying to get past us in both directions. 

On New Years, we celebrated a Mexican Resort New Years, dancing until 2:30 in the morning to Mexican music..

and also making lots of drunk friends at 2:30 in the morning and drinking the worst Amaretto Sours...

Not to mention double fisting champagne and cocktails at midnight so I couldn't do the rediculously complicated toast..

And the wonderful weather and sun I woke up to every morning as I enjoyed my morning cappucino

I mostly enjoyed goofing around with my friends for 5 days in Mexico...

And the massage I got at the end to fix any back problems that could have come about from the (maybe) too much fun I had.

A Very Jewish Christmas

Along with most other Jews, on this wonderful holiday I spent my time eating Chinese food. I started out with a wonderful wonton soup and triple delight on Christmas eve after spending a grueling 6 hours working at a very empty LOFT. The next morning I headed to Falls Church, VA where I ventured along with my brother, my mom, her boyfriend, and another family to Peking Gourmet Inn, where we fed ourselves well with peking duck and lots of other delicious Chinese treats. I don't think I ate for the rest of the day.

Peking Gourmet Inn 

PS the line to get in was out the door as we were leaving...that's how good it is

Also lots of celebrities have eaten there

The carving of the duck...

I then proceeded to watch a movie, as the only stores open were Walgreens, CVS, and Burger King. All and all it was a restful enjoyable day and in the car I finished reading one book and went on to another...

I would say an overall success!

My Bookshelf..

So for Chanukah, my dad bought me a kindle and a cute case for it! YAY! But unfortunately I had gotten about 4 books from the public library before and now I can't find free versions of these books for the kindle since they are newer, yet I can't bring myself to buy them since I have free versions sitting on my "bookshelf" (otherwise known as wherever in my room I decided to store them). 

My new kindle in its box and ready for me to open!

My solution: read the hardcopy books and then go for the kindle (especially excited to read it in Cancun)

Here are the books that I believe I will be happy reading for pleasure this winter break:

1. Ender's Shadow (Book 6 of Orson Scott Card's Ender Series) I know that it is science fiction, but I have been getting into these books lately...less on the sci-fi side and more on the dystopian future side. If you have read Ender's Game though, this is a great sequel from the little guy's point of view..

2. Uglies : Recommended by a friend I am excited to read this dystopian society book about a girl who wants to get her surgery to become pretty but has to convince her friend to come back to society in order to get it...we will see..it could be interesting

3. Hunger Games Series: I have already read it (all three books in 4 1/2 days but it is so good that I might just read it again on my kindle. If you haven't read it...read it now! The movie comes out in March for the first one and I couldn't be more excited. Oh how I love Peeta and Gale...

4. Blue Bloods: A series about the rich and powerful vampires of Manhattan..it's not the best quality of books but gives me a fix for True Blood for now..I have read the first book and just downloaded the second one, Masquerade, from the public library database

5. I need to find some Jodi Piccoult or Nicholas Sparks book to throw myself into that can just be my emotional chick flick book of the season...why not?

I have already read these but if you haven't read the Sookie Stackhouse Series (the books which True Blood is based off of) then pick them up immediately. So much better than Twilight will ever be and much better than the TV show...let's just say if you like Eric..you will love these books! 

I hope I have enough time to do the other things I wanted to do while on break..hopefully this reading thing doesn't take up too much time...maybe I'll still buy a cursive handwriting book to do on the plane to Cancun? Because that won't weird out the guy sitting next to me...oh wait! That's my friend Kristen! haha

Visit with my Sister and Mr. A-Z

So this weekend has been a busy one! Especially if you include Monday as well. 

On Saturday I worked at the lovely LOFT from 12:30-6:30, and it was quite busy thanks to the busy shoppers who are buying lots of gifts for their family and friends. 

On Sunday, my mom and I went to visit my sister in Arlington, as we don't get to see her that often and everyone always needs a girls day every once in a while. We went The Liberty Tavern for a wonderful Sunday brunch, where my mom ordered us all mimosas and a grand buffet of all the possible brunch items you can think of and more. The bartender noted to one of the customers that the orange juice was for color not flavor--the perfect way to make a mimosa. My favorite part of the meal was the delicious white pizza with caramelized onions, ham, and pears as well as the applewood smoked bacon. 

As that was our only meal for the day, the three of us decided that the rest of the afternoon would be best spent at Loehmann's, our safehaven for shopping in NOVA. We spent a good 3 hours shopping there, each of us getting only a few, precious items. As I have been ruining shoes for a good 2 semesters at UVA without rain boots, I finally decided to get some, as well as a cute Free People shirt. My mom and I then headed home tired and full from a great day with my sister.

On Monday, after spending the morning with my best friend Stacey, my other best friend Elyssa came to Richmond from Norfolk to go to a Jason Mraz concert benefiting SPARC. 

Elyssa and I before the concert started getting our smiles on

Elyssa being goofy...again..

It was downtown and was awesome. Although, Mr. A-Z really did need a haircut, his voice was phenomenal and we snacked on pretzel M&Ms while watching some talent...I need to find a husband that can serenade me like that!

This morning, Elyssa and I then went to Boychik's Deli with my dad for a delicious breakfast of eggs, hash browns, and bagels. We then ventured to Costco where I purchased a new camera :) Lots of pictures to come from that one..trust me on that

Elyssa then had to leave to go celebrate Chanukah with her family, as I did with mine. So my dad and I spent the evening cooking potato latkes and pork tenderloin...ironic? 

Happy First Night of Chanukah!!

Fall Semester Overview

So this semester really has flown by, and there has never been a dull moment.

Here are some of the highlights from the past 4 months!

I started out the semester with my ZTA sisters getting ready for the first football game

Tailgated with my best friend Kristen and her friend from home Sara

Roadtripped down to UNC-Chapel Hill...

And met lots of new friends

Went to some interesting concerts...as a study break for orgo

Tried to stay at a UVA football game for more than 25 minutes

But tailgated instead..

Celebrated my best friend Kristen's 21st!

And took shots at midnight!

Got to hang out with my best friend and one of my favorite people in the world!

and see one of the best shows I have ever seen with her and my dad

Raised money for breast cancer research and awareness by selling pearls on the lawn

And bought a few myself....

Got to hang out with a friend that I have known practically since birth at a UVA football game!

Hung out with friends and their younger siblings..as he pretends to be a prospective student

Celebrated a great Halloween as the different flavors of Burnetts

And got to party with my roomies for next year! 

(Here's to hoping we find a 4th!)

Trick or treated on the lawn with lots of adorable kids in costumes

And went apple picking/eating with some of my favorite sisters

In addition to all these things, I enjoyed a great Parent's Formal with my sister and my mom and celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family! 

Here's to a wonderful holiday break and a great spring semester!

Thanks to everyone for making my fall semester so special!

Perfect Winter Outfit with a Pop of Color

Perfect Winter Outfit with a Pop of Color by arielleffron featuring a funnel neck coat

TIBI extra long sleeve shirt
$275 - tibi.com

Funnel neck coat
$100 - alloy.com

Paige Denim mid rise jeans
$116 - zappos.com

H M metal jewelry
£3.49 - hm.com

18k jewelry
$45 - maxandchloe.com

What I Am Looking Forward To Over Break...

I get to go home to Richmond in 2 days!! I am so excited to play with my puppy and celebrate the holidays with my family (and there is always the plus that I don't have to study for finals anymore). I have compiled a bunch of things that I am looking forward to for break until I have to come back in January for spring semester and sorority recruitment.

I am most excited for my trip to CANCUN! I am going with one of my best friends Kristen, my mom, and another family that I have known my entire life. We are staying in an all-inclusive resort called Hacienda Tres Rios and staying there over New Years! I am so excited to just soak up the sun and celebrate New Years in Mexico this year! I also get a 30-min massage included in the package and unlimited drinks...the life I live...(Although I am basically going to have to devote the next 2 weeks to working out and eating almost nothing so that I look good for the beach)

I am also so ready to play with my puppies that I haven't seen since Thanksgiving. I just want to cuddle with them and play with the one thing that will always love me! My beagle and my coton!

I want to make these Santa hat brownies :)

Aren't they jus so adorable?! I wish they made blue strawberries
so that I could make them Chanukah colored..

Even though the recipe tells you a whole recipe for frosting and whatnot..I am just probably going to be lazy and use my favorite Ghiradelli box recipe, buy some amazing Ukrops frosting, and cut the strawberries! So excited!!! (I hope they turn out okay)

I also get to work this winter break at LOFT at Short Pump, which I don't know if I am that excited for it but I am excited for the money that I will get paid so I can buy a couple of things that I want such as:

- A new camera (Either going for the Canon sx230hs - compact zoom or a rugged Tough camera so I can take it anywhere...still deciding)

- Some new perfume (I really want Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb)

- A kindle (I read wayyyyy too much)

I am hoping to go to NY to visit my cousins this winter break right around Christmas so hopefully it will work out and I won't have to work at LOFT too much. I love visiting my cousins up there and it doesn't seem like I get to see them as much as I would like..and we always have so much fun! My brother and sister are going up there so I might as well join in!

I am excited to do some crafts this break..my room at school needs an overhaul on one of the walls (otherwise known as there is nothing on it) so Kylene and I are going to get some crafts over break and when we get back decorate it! I am so excited to go to Ben Franklin Crafts (which I feel like is only in Richmond) and Hobby Lobby to buy lots of decorations so our room is pretty for sratty recruitment! 

I also am making the name tags for the second round of our recruitment for ZTA. This is all kind of my way of easing my brain into taking 4 science classes next semester and nothing artsy fartsy.

I am really excited to do no work..After taking 2 exams yesterday (one at 9am and one at 2pm) I have realized that I deserve a break plus some...I have 2 more to go and then I am done for months!

I kind of want to relearn cursive handwriting..I think I am going to buy one of those books at barnes and noble and reteach my hand how to do it so when I write something, it looks more eloquent...therefore sounds better :)

I also might pick up my violin when I am home and see how bad I have gotten; see if its possible for me to be decent again. I haven't played in 3 1/2 years and I just want to fiddle a little...maybe play some Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

So here's to a great winter break and getting through these last 2 finals so that I can get to go home and do whatever I feel like!