Under the Sea....

Who knew Long Island housed an aquarium? I for one, only found out within the passed year and am thrilled I finally got to visit..

Early this month my mama drove on up from Ohio for the weekend! Needless to say....it was a ::doozie::

Though I am absolutely delayed in posting- I figured I would share my recommendation with everyone else and give you all a glimpse of what I encountered on my visit!

That being said- here is a small collage of our visit to ATLANTIS - the Long Island, [ RIVERHEAD, NY] Aquarium!

You can dive with the sharks (too scary for me), pet sting rays and sand sharks, play with sea lions and hold starfish....All of the above- I was too squeamish to do on my own! I held a starfish but only after the staff member placed it in my hand! Yet the 5 year olds down the line from me were ready to dive -right- in... If only I was still that brave! hahaha!

I fully intend to contact this organization about volunteering! They have an entire segment of their building dedicated to the rehabilitation of these rescued animals and can use all of the help and donations people can provide.

They have training programs, butterfly exhibits, shark and sting ray pods where baby sharks and stingrays grow in their little birth pouches and even birds!

If you're interested in planning a little adventure- I highly recommend it! Check out their website here: Atlantis! 

When is Shark Week?

Learn more about Atlantis Rescue Center

Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation


The weekend of my adventure also brought a trip to the very tip of the northern shore of long island. I literally took an iPhone screen shot to document how far we had driven! Plus, we found close to 100 winery/farms on Sound Avenue! Summer & grape season cannot come soon enough!

Love Wine?? Live on/ Near/ Planning Visit to Long Island???
Check out LI Wine Country.....Here!

Dreaming of strawberry wine....

Tmd

Playing Catch Up...

I cannot believe we are already in 2013! So much for the world ending 12/21/2012. Guess those Mayan's weren't right after all.....

Anywho- I have been missing in action since this summer. There was just so much going on!!

My last post- I think was in July ::GASP::. Since then, my puppies had their 2nd and 3rd Birthdays: for which I made a doggy birthday cake & had a party with my friend Heather & her dog Jacob! I was in my cousin's beautiful wedding , went on a family vacation, had my 1st floor neighbors evolve into my biggest nightmare, went to Ohio for Christmas, found a new apartment & spent 16 hours on New Years EVE moving into- that-new apartment. I got to see a movie with my younger brothers back in Ohio- who I have not gotten to spend alot of time with in for.ev.er!

So....first things first...

Kevin and Melissa's Wedding: August 17, 2012, Weymouth Country Club, Medina, Ohio.


This did not all start out so wonderfully. I had a Mystic Tan done before I left NY for Ohio. Now this isn't my first rodeo and I knew what to expect with Mystic. Stand akwardly and place your foot on each numbered space. Not rocket science. I had them add a bronze boost for extra color to last through my vacation. For whatever reason- this color and bronze boost didnt take to my ENTIRE left arm. I found myself asking my boyfriend several times on our drive to Ohio, "Does my arm look weird? Do I have color?"...The fact I had to ask was proof enough something wasn't right...

Fortunately, once I got to Ohio, my sister in law was able to point me in the direction of a tanning salon that did actual AIRBRUSH tanning. So I stripped down to my skivvies and woman-d up to have the airbrush done.. It wasn't so bad and the color I got came out great! I felt a little too tan, but the photos came out nicely and my color lasted partially through my vacation...And this was all the same day as the rehearsal dinner! 


The weather was perfect despite the weather report claiming it would thunderstorm for weeks before the actual wedding.The skies had a few fluffy white clouds and the breeze was perfect as we stood in the warm sun!


Melissa opted for two different bridesmaid dress-COLORS. Some of us wore pink, while others wore green. She decided to have each of us wear the opposite colored shoes. This was all custom done by Catan's Fashion in Strongsville, Ohio and they did WONDERFULLY. We were like cute little flowers!

Immediately after the wedding, we left for our family vacation in Cherry Grove [North Myrtle Beach] South Carolina! With my airbrush tan just right- I was ready to go! 









This was a great time with family & we got to enjoy the company of our family from England---a group of people we see far too little of! Currently saving in my Paris Piggy for a big Europe Trip for my 30th Birthday with Mom.. Watch out  Haven & Family- HERE WE COME:)










We had lots of laughs with my cousins and relatives. 

I went jet skiing again (second time) and was far too traumatized from my first experience to enjoy it. Im pretty sure I cried atleast 80% of the time and was shaking 100% of the time. I saw a giant snake and the supervisors told me they had never "seen anyone attacked by a croc." Like why in the WORLD would you tell that to someone who is already - OBVIOUSLY- apprehensive about going in the water.
Ugh- never again! I feel no sense of freedom flying along the water with creatures that are at the top of their watery-food chain stalking below me! Ah!! No Thank You!!

Moving on to--October* My puppies BiRthDay pArtY!

 Kane turned 3 on October 1st and Lily turned 2 on October 5th. Anyone who knows me~ knows that I am a nut for my pets. Birthday cakes, clothes, brushing their teeth (which YES, all pet owners should do or it will eventually cost you more money down the line when their teeth are rotting out!Point made?)


I will happily be sharing this Puppy-Friendly (although completely human-worthy) cake recipe that I made for the cakes! Swap the frostings and you're GOLDEN*


Ohio for Christmas was wonderful. We actually had snow in Ohio, unlike what I would've seen in New York! Needless to say- I was happy to have a white Christmas=] I also got to see my sister-in-law who is 7 months pregnant and due at the end of February. I cannot wait for my newphews arrival!!


Also while in Ohio I got to go see "Rise of the Guardians" with my two younger brothers- Eric and Corey.
We don't get to spend alot of time together now that I am living in New York, so it was nice to spend a few hours just hanging around.

This movie is now on the top of my yearly-Christmas-movie MUST watch list! Right next to the "Polar Express" and "The Grinch" (both animated and live versions).

Right before the previews started we decided to capture a quick pic of the three of us with our groovy 3D glasses on... Love you guys!

I don't have any photos from New Years Eve considering I was a sweaty mess as we moved my things to my new apartment. At the stroke of midnight, I was shoved in the backseat of my parents SUV with a doggy in my lap, two cats in a carrier next to me and my guitar that kept hitting me in the head... I'm sure you can visualize this all well enough that a picture wouldn't even be necessary! =]


Keep an eye out for my next few posts... Holiday Gift Baskets that will drive you wild, a Weight Watchers Warm Honey & Cinnamon Cheesecake & of course all my new resolutions & favorites for the coming year!


For Now~*
TMD

Christmas in July

Typically I spend Thanksgiving or Christmas in Ohio but this year- I decided to take an early trip too! Call it my Christmas in July, if you will.

My cousin Kevin Rothacker fights for Strong Style in Independence, Ohio and was scheduled to fight in the Pro-fight for NAAFS. The fight was arranged to take place at Geneva-on-the-Lake in Geneva, Ohio.

First event of the day[before the fight]..... Hit the Wineries!

Giovanni and I at the Winery

It was humid, but the wine was great and so was the Pesto & Tomato flatbread pizza I ordered- Yum!!

Following two wineries- it was time to head over to the outdoor arena and meet up with our family to support Kevin to his big win!

Melissa(Kevins wifey-to-be) opted to join my brother Shawn on his new motorcycle.. Gio and I decided to speed up really quickly to snap a shot!

Shawn and Melissa

Once we arrived, we met up with family and Melissa started hustlin' her freshly made 'Rothacker' shirts! lol

They looked adorable on everyone!



Melissa, Nicole, Mom and Deb!

We watched a few of the amateur fights and waited patiently for the pro-fights to begin.. Just as the clouds and thunder began to roll in...=/ 

As the skies turned black it started to pour and hundreds of people ran for cover in the nearest bar. On a pleasant note: the cover band inside was thrilled to have such a large audience and we were all very happy to be somewhat dry.

As a result, the NAAFS postponed the fights to August 27,2011..... Since I won't be able to make it- best of luck to Kev.. Kill em ;)

Hope everyone has enjoyed this July... I can't believe that it is almost over..

<3 Eyelash Kisses!

A Quarter of a Century......

Happy Birthday to my brother Joey~ who turned the big 2-5 today!



New Years Eve[2011!]

____________________________________________



Midtown Madness

This weekend I had family come up from Ohio~ two of which had never been to New York before. After arriving at 4pm Friday Afternoon, we decided to grab some dinner at Bravo!Nader in Huntington Village and catch a movie. We ended up seeing "Bad Teacher" with Cameron Diaz. It was hysterical! I would absolutely see it again.

Justin Timberlakes character was so over the top at times I could not control my laughter. He was like an innocent nerd-closet freak and it was great!

:Sympatico-Erotico: See the movie and you will TOTALLY get that!

Anywho.... Saturday we went over to the Deer Park outlet mall where I LOADED UP on all things Bath and Body Works, checked out the Juicy Couture and Betsy Johnstore stores and a few other decent sales.

That evening, we had gotten tickets to see a little off-broadway comedy musical at the Ha! Comedy Club off of 46th and 7th Avenue.

It was filled with adult woman humor about sex, love,lust,marriage,divorce,menopause,babies,eating,NOTeating,being bitchy and celebrating all things woman!

My younger cousins were there for the show, but I think it was a little too adult for them. However, Mom and I laughed our butts off!

If it travels- it is definitely something you and your girlfriends should go see! (Bachelorette parties!!!!!)



mark. It's a Long Story Dress ($34) at http://tdavis9542.mymarkstore.com/
mark. eyeshadow in Whisper and Java($5 each), mark. Glowdacious Illuminating powder in Shimmied Up($12), mark. No Place to Run eyeliner in Jet Set($8) & mark. Make it Big Lash Plumping Mascara($7.50) in Raven.



Nicole and I on the LIRR into Penn Station



Myself and Teresa on the LIRR train

 After the show, we decided to partake in a bit of tourism & showed my younger cousins around Times Square and 42nd Street. We went to the Barbie Dream House inside of the giant Toys R' Us, followed by a trip to the M&M store & Ripley's Believe it or Not. We also made a pitstop at FOREVER 21 and I found some adorable jewelry and a summer hat that were all to die for..






Retro Owl Necklace, Forever 21 ($3)



Owl Peeper Earrings from Forever 21



I have a small obsession with Owl jewelry:)





Summer Hat from Forever 21 ($10.80)

Seeing as the top of my head ALWAYS gets sunburned when I go to the beach, park, etc. I got this abnoxiously large hat and I love it! 

#1 reason to go and not to go to Manhattan:

Great deals----Great deals then lead to excessive money spending!!



Who else loses their self control to a good sale???

<3Eyelash Kisses