Hate Losing, But I'll Take Silver

Today, I competed in my first ever Halloween costume contest at work.  If you read my blog yesterday then you already know that my Halloween costume was super last minute.  I really wanted to partake in the contest, especially since my company was offering vacation hours to those that won, but unfortunately this week has been a bit cray, so my preparation was VERY limited.  So, that’s why when I came across the idea of being an iron chef I was sold!  All I needed was an apron, some spatulas, and an iron – things I currently have in my apartment.  To top off the costume (and hopefully add some bonus points), I decided to bake some delicious Halloween sugar cookies.  There’s always a “secret ingredient” thrown in the mix on the show Iron Chef, so I decided to do this as well, and had the costume judges and my co-workers guess what the secret ingredient was in the cookies.  I added a candy corn to the cookies, and BAM there’s the “secret ingredient”. 

So at 12:00 all costume participants lined up and did a parade, one by one, for those not participating and for the judges.  We even skyped in our colleagues who are working remotely today.  There were some really great costumes – two people dressed up as North West (Kimye’s baby), one person as a furloughed employee, another as a leprechaun (the owner of our company is from Ireland, so very appropriate), and there was even some crayons.  The winner of the competition was a Washington Redskins sack of potatoes.  She donned a Redskins jersey and helmet and attached redskin potatoes to her costume! My iron chef costume came in second, thanks to the attached iron and the delish cookies, and tied for third was the leprechaun and the 1980’s skier. 

The competition was really fun and a nice break in the day!  We even enjoyed some cookies and Halloween candies and treats after the competition.  If you are like me and in desperate need of a costume – an Iron Chef is the way to go!

No Tricks, Just Treats

Tomorrows Halloween, and if you are anything like me, then you haven’t purchased your costume yet or candy for the many trick-or-treaters that probably won’t even stop by your house or apartment – I mean we all need candy on hand just in case they stop by riiiggghhhttt??  

Let me start by mentioning that I actually really don’t like Halloween.  Sure, as a kid I loved it.  I loved dressing up as genie, an ice skater, a hippie, and Minnie mouse.  I loved running to each house throughout the neighborhood stuffing my bag with candy.  And I especially loved trading in all but three of my favorite pieces of candy to get a present (it used to take my brother and I SO LONG to decide which three pieces we wanted to keep).  But now as an adult I am really indifferent about this Holiday.  I love the decorations, the cute pumpkin cookies, and the cute and creative costumes people come up with, but what I don’t like is having to figure out my costume.  I’m not the girl that buys the slutty cheerleaders outfit or dresses up as Miley during the VMA’s (side note: I’ve actually always liked the flight attendants outfit but just can’t get myself to buy it).  Last year I was Tom Cruise in Risky Business – super original right?!  Unfortunately, I think my body is composed of about 20% creativity, so ideas don’t always just pop into my head.  But this year I’m determined to be different – even if I have to use the internet for some inspiration – because my company is doing a Halloween costume contest tomorrow at work and the winner gets a full day off from work – A FULL DAY!!! 

If you’re panicking because you do not know what costume to wear tomorrow or what candy to buy, then please take some of my suggestions below!  

Creative Costume Ideas

LOVE this costume idea and was actually thinking about being this for Halloween- 50 Shades of Grey, just some painters strips and grey hair spray=genius!

Dunkin' Donuts...love the inner tube donuts

Facing a Fork in the Road? A black tee, some white tape, and a fork are all you need

 

Self Portait- Such a cute idea! And you only need to buy one thing

Love this idea for a couples costume- Kim K and Kanye

 My Top 5 Favorite Chocolate Treats

M&M's took it up a level when they started stuffing them with peanut butter

Chocolate + Peanut Butter combo is my all time fav..slightly melted and I'm in heaven

Butta Makes it Betta Ya'll...except when it gets stuck in my teeth

My Oreo obsession started at an early age

How can you not LOVE a snickers! The commercials are true..sometimes you need a Snickers

My Top 5 Favorite Candy- Non Chocolate

Pouring a bag of Skittles in my mouth is one of my favorite past times- can you taste the rainbow?!

My favs in order: pink, red, yellow, orange

Air heads are such a delicious treat. I love the mystery flavor

Had to put Candy Corn- It's straight sugar, but mixed in with popcorn, goldfish (my Friday night), or pretzels it's 10 times better!

Love sour gummy worms, and swedish fish, and strawberry tape

 My Least Favorite Candies

Hate laffy taffy- the flavor is so fake and the texture is just not for me

Who actually chooses a Three Musketeers bar??? No one wants that filling

Never buy a candy that names itself after what it is....DUMB!

All We Do is Win, Win, Win

This past Friday the @MNTGreenMachine team played in our softball league playoffs.  If you’re not familiar with our team, then let me start out by saying we’re kind of amazing and we won last season.  The league is co-ed and we play double headers every Friday night.  Some might say when we walk up to the dugout (sometimes right at game time) that we are scruffy looking and easily beatable.  WELLLLL after an undefeated season, I beg to differ.  Some teams gave us a run for our money, but we ended up beating everyone by 8 runs or more. The best part about our team is that not only are the boys good (often times a given) but our girls are just as good – so good that we rack up RBIs and can play infield and outfield positions.  This works to our advantage because on defense we have to have at least three girls on the field and for every two guy batters, one girl has to bat. 

Our first game on Friday was at 7:30pm.  Even though it was freezing outside, our team was ready to play.  Note to mention:  since we like to have fun during these games and not take things too seriously, the @MntGreenMachine house brings a Gatorade jug full of some alcoholic concoction.  Oddly enough, some people on our team actually play better once they have a few drinks in them.  Friday’s brew was hot apple cider, and in the freezing temps it was greatly appreciated.  So if we won our first game, then we played another one right after for the championship.  Needless to say, we won the first one!  Also to note I had to RBI’s which is very exciting for me considering those don’t come too often.

During our first game, another team shows up on the sideline – about 30 minutes before the scheduled championship game (more time to stretch I guess?)  I ask the umpire if that’s the team that we play in the championship game, and he said “Yup, unfortunately”.  Now the reason he semi rolled his eyes is because no one likes this team (and by no one I mean the @MntGreenMachine and that umpire).  They are cocky, intense (it’s just co-ed softball guys, RELAX), and aggressive (and not in a sports manner, just aggressive period). During our first game against them one guy went as far as to scream at the ump for making what appeared to be a great call.  Another guy’s nickname on the team is “Hollywood”, so when he stepped up to the plate I naturally thought he was going to smash it out of the park…but to my surprise he grounded out to second…

Our team likes to win don’t get me wrong, but we also play because it’s really fun and we like to have a good time.  That was our attitude going into the second game…with a splash of intensity for wanting to beat this team really bad.  SURPRISE after 7 innings we won!! It wasn’t easy though – the game was pretty close and they made some great plays but our bats were alive that night! I even threw my first batter out -- from catcher to first base.  Now, I know what it feels like to be like my brother or dad.   It felt really great to beat that team, and it felt even better taking our team picture with our keg trophy in front of them.  Only thing that was missing that night was PR who is still recovering from ACL surgery.  

Team Championship Photo- please note team mascot and gold keg trophy

Team Mascot Cleveland and I

Conor, why can't I see your arms?  How are you even holding her?

Last Season's Championship Photo

Ann Taylor Got a Face Lift

Have you been to Ann Taylor lately? Shopped the website? Received their daily emails? If you haven’t I suggest doing so ASAP! Ever since Kate Hudson started modeling and co-designing for them, their inventory has become amazeballs.  I used to think of Ann Taylor as a store with just clothes you buy to wear to work – the standard pencil skirts and white button downs…but now, they’re on a new level of interest for me.  Leather and leopard are staples in the store, and their shoes are stepping in the right direction (pun intended).  Ann Taylor might be a bit pricey, but I think a purchase is worth it for two reasons: 

1. The quality is above average.  My dad used to say it’s ok to spend a little more on something if it ends up lasting longer.  Leather has transitioned through 3 seasons now, so why not give that leather skirt a try?!

2. A lot pieces in Ann Taylor are transitional.  I’ve found three tops that I’m dying over that I could totally wear to work or out for drinks with girlfriends. When you can wear an article of clothing or a pair of shoes with several outfits, then it’s worth a splurge!  More bang for your buck

If you can’t make it to Ann Taylor or you don’t have time to browse their website, don’t worry – here’s a little list of a few of my favs!

This top would look so cute with pants, a skirt, or jeans!

LOVE this shirt!! I mean does this not scream after work holiday party?! The fabric is to die

This striped shirt does not come with a black button down underneath, so not sure why it's like that. Tried it on in store- soft and silky and adorable with black leggings or black leather skirt

I'm in pretty desperate need of a new grey sweater, so when I saw this leather lined one I fell in love! It's listed under jackets but I think it's more sweater'ish

CONFESSION- I tried this jacket on in the store, walked around the entire store with it on, and almost refused to take it off..until the sales associate asked if I was finding everything ok..at $200 it's a bit steep, but LOOK AT THE LAPEL!!! Totally worth it

Love classic white button downs- so great for work wear, pairs nicely with denim, looks polished with a pencil skirt...add a jeweled neckline and I'm sold

Ok this too screams holiday party and I absolutely love it...hints of shimmery gold make my heart melt

If you know me, you know my leather and leggings obsession...combined, these might be the only pants I'll ever need

Such a cute loafer!! Worth $98? Not really, but on sale, definitely!

BOOTS!!!! This is why I love cold weather..to wear these beautys!

Tortoise + diamonds= jewelry heaven