Roses: Sincere Love & Passion.

I used to hate flowers. I know, I know... how does any girl hate flowers? But when you never received them, what's there to like about them? Of course they're beautiful, but when you see other girls receiving flowers, and you're left with nothing... it causes you to see flowers as something negative and associate it with pain. That is, until, I had the kind of boyfriend that did buy flowers... Sal gave me 6 dozen on our first Valentine's Day together to be exact. I still wasn't too big of a fan of flowers at that time, but they were a big deal to me. They meant something more... so I ended up preserving 1 from each dozen [flip the flowers upside down, tie together with string or ribbon, and spray with hair spray] and while the colors have faded, the flowers have stayed together and I'll have them forever.

During the first few years we were together he would give me flowers for all sorts of occasions, from anniversaries, birthdays, and celebrations. It was sweet really, but he started to realize that I couldn't take care of the flowers and they would be dead within hours. I must not have a green thumb, although the bamboo plant I have IS still alive [do those just last forever? ha]. Anyways, after awhile he didn't buy me flowers for much of anything, and to be honest, I didn't mind it. Until that nagging feeling came back, that feeling when you look around and see everyone else has what you want, especially from your boyfriend. Instead of giving me real flowers on my graduation, he bought me a two cartons of ice cream and two boxes of snow caps, as well as two huge fake roses, and then again on our anniversary [aside from our trip to Niagara Falls] he brought me a carton of my favorite ice cream ... now I love ice cream and all, and he knows that, but there are just some days when a girl needs flowers, am I right?

Roses, red roses specifically, represent Sincere Love & Respect, Courage & Passion - what girl doesn't want red roses from the man she loves? 

I talked with Sal about this, and he hadn't thought that I even wanted them anymore, and thought ice cream would make me much happier [which it did for the few minutes it took for me to devour it]! In all honesty, I wasn't mad or upset about not receiving flowers, it's nicer to be surprised with them, instead of knowing that an important date is coming up and expecting them.

On Valentine's Day, I was in court for jury duty, as well as the days after, and I also had work, so I wasn't home for most of the week during the day, and Sal also had work, so we knew we weren't going to see each other. Thankfully we were able to go to dinner during the weekend, and I wasn't expecting anything else because he honestly shows me his love each and every day of the year. And then a knock came at the door, and I had in my hands 1/2 dozen red roses in a vase wrapped with a red bow, and they could not have been any more beautiful than they were - such vibrant shades of red, it was hard to look away. You could see instantly why they represent sincere love and passion. 

Flowers, especially red roses, are always wanted, not always needed, but definitely loved when surprised. 

TIU Secret Santa

I signed up for Tone It Up Secret Santa last month, and I was fortunate enough to be paired with two people from the U.S (one that would send me something, and one that I would send something to). It was fun being able to connect with even more Tone It Up girls, and to surprise them with a little gift during the holidays. The website the individual used to start TIU Secret Santa is Elfster, and it was great because you were able to communicate with the person you were paired with anonymously, and get to know more about them and what they like.

I was paired with Julia and I was able to find out that she loves trying new things, traveling, crafting, and accessories! So in the end I bought her a Smash journal with tons of extras to help her create a TIU memory book, a race book, a recipe book, a travel book - anything she wanted! I also was able to find a few beauty products that I thought she might like to try including nail polish, a [green] workout headband, chap stick, and of course, a makeup travel bag, which I thought might just be the cutest accessory! She told me she loved everything, once she had finally gotten it, after Christmas, from the mail room in her apartment building!

The person who had me was Amy! She didn't even need to ask me any questions, she knew exactly what I wanted and needed just by following my wish list on Elfster, and by seeing plenty of my posts on Instagram and Twitter! It's great knowing my Tone It Up sisters are reading what I post. I feel like some of these ladies know me better than some of my friends!

She gave me a copy of the latest Self magazine, The Happiness Project (which I had been wanting to read!), Tone It Up's first DVD - One Day Fat Blast (also something I had been wanting!), lotion, a Luna bar, and tea! Not only did she get me these amazing gifts for Christmas, but she also threw in a little something for my birthday (December 22nd), but I was told that I couldn't open it until that day - I loved that! So it sat on my desk for a couple of days, until I woke up that morning, and tore threw the pretty wrapping paper! It was a Starbucks giftcard to treat myself! How thoughtful, seriously Amy, I can't thank you enough! I love everything and am so grateful to be a part of this amazing team. 

Have you ever participated in an online Secret Santa? Did you happen to participate in TIU Secret Santa? What was your favorite present that you received?

Mom's Surprise 50th Birthday Party

My mom turned the big 5-0 on October 24th. She kept mentioning how no one wanted to do anything for her birthday and was really upset about it. Meanwhile, I had been planning a surprise party for her since September. Since I don't know the addresses of many of her friends, I created a private Facebook event. I was extremely nervous for the whole month. Not only did I have to study for an exam, but I had to pull off this surprise. It was important to me that my mom had a birthday that she'd always remember. I couldn't believe it, but there were about 30 people that RSVP'd that they'd be there - 30!? My dad and I went to a local restaurant/bar and reserved an area for the night and it was set. We even made sure that we went out on her actual birthday, on Wednesday, to throw her off. Her one friend invited some of my mom's friends and we went out for dinner and drinks. We even facetimed my brother TWICE that day, because she was upset he wasn't coming home from school - once when she opened her birthday present (yes, we even got her a birthday present too) and again when we were out to dinner, it got quite emotional. Little did she know that he'd be making a surprise appearance later in the week. It was great though, and she really thought that was it for her birthday celebrations. 

That Friday I took my mom out shopping for an outfit. I thought it'd be great to finally be able to spend time together. We went to the mall and immediately ate lunch. We needed fuel before we walked around the mall looking for THE perfect outfit. Even though it was a little early, we decided to have some sangria with lunch to start the celebrations. I told her that Sal and I wanted to take her out for dinner, with my father too of course! 

After our California Pizza Kitchen lunch, we did end up finding the perfect outfit, at Express. Afterwards she got a cappuccino and I refueled with some water. She told me she wasn't feeling well and wanted to go home to sleep; she even suggested just ordering pizza at home, but I was not about to let this surprise party become a failure. I've gotten pretty good at throwing surprise parties - okay, this is only my second one... but they were both successful! 

We headed home, but decided to stop at the grocery store to gather supplies and food for Hurricane Sandy. We wanted to be prepared early in case we lost power or got stuck in the house. We stocked up on batteries, flashlights, and tons of sandwich meat and cheese. We quickly put the things away and began getting ready for the night. I told everyone to be at the restaurant at 7:30pm and I told them I'd be bringing my mom around 8:00pm. Sal picked us up and drove, letting us out right at the door. We hopped out and I walked in as if nothing was special. 

My mom's face says it all... she had absolutely no idea. 

While everyone shouted 'surprise' and 'happy birthday,' we made our way around thanking everyone for coming and saying hello. I honestly couldn't believe how many people had showed up, just for my mom.

She was even more shocked and emotional when she saw my brother sitting there with a smirk on his face. 

So the surprise was a success, and the more friends and loved ones she saw, the happier she got. 

She kept thanking my brother and I, and we just smiled at each other. Knowing that we pulled off the ultimate surprise, because she honestly thought no one was going to do anything big for her - I mean how crazy is that - no party for your 50th!?

My dad ordered pizzas, since they're known for their pizzas, and buckets of beer for everyone. Sal even walked over to the pizza place he used to work at, and made mussels, especially for my mom and dad.

My brother and I had ordered a cake at Baskin Robbins, a specially made cake, just for my mom with chocolate chip mint ice cream, her favorite, and vanilla cake. It had to be one of the best cakes I've ever had, aside from the cookie dough one at Coldstones! 

The party went well into the night, and as people started leaving, we could tell that everyone had a good time, my mom especially. I snapped as many pictures as I could to document the entire night. 

I'm so thankful to everyone that helped me pull it off, and I'm so happy that my mom had a great, memorable time. 

Happy 50th Birthday Momma, and many more! I love you.

A Surprise Date

Imagine, after almost 5 years, a boy can still surprise you and make your heart beat faster than you ever thought possible. Sal decided he was going take me somewhere for our weekly (well almost weekly) date night; however, this time it was going to be a surprise. He told me after work that he'd be picking me up and taking me somewhere. It was a Wednesday night, and I had the slightest inkling as to what we were going to be doing. He knew I knew, especially when we headed Parkway South. Every Wednesday during the summer, Seaside has fireworks on the beach, where spectators can gather on the boardwalk to watch. 

We've seen them once or twice during summers past, so I was extremely excited to see them this year, since we hadn't gone down the shore once together. It was cold, so I threw on a sweatshirt jacket, and we headed to the boardwalk - with the biggest smiles on our faces. We decided to grab a bite to eat while we waited for the fireworks to start. Little did we know, that when it rains, they call off the fireworks. It had rained all day, and continued drizzling into the evening. 

We were slightly disappointed, but we weren't going to drive back home yet. Instead, we decided to make the most of it while we were there. After a delicious dinner, we decided to play a few games, and by me I mean Sal, that is until we reached the stand where they had "beer pong." You had to throw ping pong balls into liquid filled cups in order to win. I ended up winning that one, as well as the water shooting game. We won a few prizes, and it was adorable watching him try his hardest to win me a prize. Even though I ended up beating him and winning my own prizes, it was cute watching him try! 

We also entered in a raffle to win a couple of kayaks, because, hey you never know! 

Driving home that night, I couldn't help but smile. It really is the simple things in life with the one you love that makes you happy. 

Little Surprises

Sal felt awful that he couldn't make it to my first graduation, since he had taken off for my second graduation and we were going on vacation just a few weeks after that. Of course I was upset, but I understood. I'm actually glad he didn't come because it was miserable in the rain! I still wanted to see him though, but with him working nights it's a bit difficult to see him during the week.

When I got home that day, he said he had a surprise for me and that when I wake up it'll be there. I couldn't sleep after he told me that and I was bursting with excitement!

That next morning I woke up to find this...

Seriously, how adorable is he? A box filled with two pints of cookie dough ice cream, my favorite, and snowcaps, topped off with a cute little note. According to him, he knows me better than I know myself, but I'd like to think that he's just a good listener!

It's the little things, like this, that make me smile.