2019 in Review/Goals for 2020

I've been away from blogging for quite some time, but I think its time I try it again. For my reentry into blogger here are some of my highlights of 2019:

Books: I managed to read 53 books with a goal of 60. The top three books I read were The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon, Girl Logic by Iliza Shlesinger, and Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren.

Concerts/Music: I didn't go to many concerts this year, but the best by far was Justin Timberlake in Jan. Truth Hurts by Lizzo was a banger, and Bad Guy by Billie Eilish made me turn up the volume.

TV/Movies: I feel like I didn't see all that many movies in 2019, and have a lot of catching up to do. Joker was amazing, intense and made you think. Booksmart was hilarious and well written. TV wise I binged all of Game of Thrones and Schitts Creek, and thoroughly enjoyed Modern Love, Shrill, The Handmaids Tale, This is Us, and Big Mouth.

Trips: I went to Charlotte 2x (St. Patrick's Day and halfway to St. Patrick's Day), Baltimore 2x (Dad's bday and June), Michigan 2x (Houghton Lake in August and Christmas), St. Petersburg FL (beach trip), Nashville, Charleston, and New Orleans.

Relationships: Went on a fair amount of dates, shed some tears,  had some great, but more often than not, mediocre sex, but at the end of it all I'm still single.

Other: The end of 2019 found me with a new job (yay!), new roommate (meh), and Jessi and family moving to New Orleans (mixed feelings here). Overall I'd say it was a good year, looking forward to 2020!


Goals for 2020

• Read 60 books 
• Travel somewhere I need a passport
• Meet someone with whom I can have a healthy, mutual relationship
• Switch up my living situation, perhaps buy?
• Write a book
• See a movie a month
• More concerts- ideally a festival

Lots of feels this morning...

I feel resentful towards A. The only reason I was looking at jobs in Florida was because he wanted to move there. Once I found the VB job I was super excited about it, and ready for a change, but then it didn't work out and I got stuck scrambling for my next move. Yes, it's my fault for proactively telling landlords I MIGHT be moving, but then ever since then it's been a sense of me being on my own. If you are in a relationship you should be a TEAM, and supportive of one another. I feel like I've been making all these decisions as if I'm a single person, with no regard to how it affects him. And if that's the case why the hell are we together? Its giving me the push I need to make a change, but it's upending my life while his stays the same. 

I had been planning to go to Spain in September, have been saving money for over a year. Now that has to be put on hold- bc I'm starting a new job and/or will need to use that money towards a car, moving, etc. Leaving my current job, where I have a ton of security, make good money, have a ton of vacation time, is scary. I'm not second guessing myself- the idea of staying here through the fall/for another lacrosse season fills me with dread- but knowing that I'm most likely going to to take a cut in salary/benefits  and likely not be able to go to Spain/have the financial stability I'm used to is frustrating.

And then of course I ride my bike past the homeless shelter on the way to work, and I start to feel guilty feeling this way. I have a job, and/or can find another, I have savings, people who support me, I'm luckier than a lot of people out there. But I still can't seem to shake this feeling.

Lives Matter.

I'm sad. I'm sad that there continue to be deaths of black men while in custody of the police. I'm sad that these instances cause violent protests, and mistrust of the police. I'm sad that the city that I love is in the spotlight for the death of Freddie Gray. I'm sad for Gray's family for losing someone they love. I'm sad for Ferguson, MO and Michael Brown, and Charleston, SC and Walter Scott. I'm sad that it's 2015 and there are still racial tensions in the United States.

But I'm also proud. I'm proud of those protesters who are stopping traffic to get their voices heard. I'm proud of the police men and women who continue to do their jobs while getting spit on, yelled at, and constantly having their lives in danger. I'm scared for them all too. For the people who go against the grain and speak up for what they believe in, the fear of retribution is there. Just ask Martin Luther King or Malcolm X.

Black lives matter. White lives matter. Men's lives matter, women's lives matter, children's lives matters, Muslims, Christians, Jewish, Hindu, Gay, Transgender- HUMAN lives matter. Plan and simple, everyone on this planet deserves to be treated with respect. Whether it be because of race or religion, gender or sexuality, people should not lose their lives for it.

Finance Challenge

I am terrible with money. Well, maybe not terrible, but definitely not great. I do my best to save, but anything outside of what gets immediately deposited into my savings account I will spend. Quickly. I can't help myself, I like to eat out, I like to shop and I like to buy things for people. The good thing is I do have a savings account so not like Im broke, but i still could do better.

However I am great with challenges. I am stubborn and like to prove people wrong, so saying I can't do something, or challenging me to something is ideal. I'm currently wrapping up the 31 day writing challenge, am in the middle of a healthy living challenge and about to start a squat challenge today. Not to say I'm perfect at them (I tend to slip up on occasion) but they inspire me to be greater and to do great.

That is why I think I need to find a finance challenge, or set one up for myself. One year I put aside every $5 bill that crossed my path, I managed to save $300! I think if I had to document every thing I spent I would be less likely to see my credit card bill slowly creeping up.  I need to treat my credit as if it were my real bank account. If I can create a habit of checking my finances and being mindful of what I spend I won't feel like I am always struggling to keep up. I think this would help my state of mind and help me to be less anxious and more happy.

Not sure yet what it will entail but plan to think on this and decide soon.

Expectations v Needs

I receive a variety of e-newsletters everyday, but one of my favorites comes from Refinery29. It's a good mix of news, fashion, finance, and celebrity gossip, and is written well. Today they featured a Q&A with this guy Kevin Lynch who only used AirBnB for an entire year while traveling for work in China.  (Here is his instagram account- YearBnB) Lynch made a statement that really stood out to me:

"Too often, we focus only on our expectations rather than our needs. This week, the lock on the front door was really difficult to open. Now, I could send a tweet expressing my dismay over the lock, post a status update about my terrible, terrible day, or send off a missive to Airbnb wondering why they would possibly allow this BS in their community. Or, I could fidget with the lock for a few more minutes until the front door opens. My expectation is that a front-door lock should be easy, and it wasn't. But, my need was for the front door to open, and it did."

How often do we get caught up in what EXPECT, instead of what we truly only need. I love his example of the door lock, because it's a testament to the powers of patience. There is never any reason to let a simple thing like a jammed door lock get the best of your day, it's a waste of energy and emotions. So many times we as a society take for granted what we have when so many others suffer from lack of need.

I constantly am in a battle with my roommate over the thermometer. She likes it set to 64, I hate to be cold so bump it up to 68 (or 70, depending on my mood). Sometimes I get internally grumbly about these things, but what is the point? I live in a great house with working heat. I have extra clothes I can put on if I'm cold. There are so many other people out there who are homeless and ride the bus around the city just to fill their need for warmth. I should focus on how lucky I am that my basic needs are met, instead of expecting more, more, more.

What situations do you often find yourself in where you let your expectations get the best of your needs?

Just Start

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon Gretchen Rubin and her Happiness project. I signed up for her "21 Days to a stronger Relationship" newsletter and am currently reading her book "Happiness at home". I have a lot more to say about her books and being Happy-could write a post or two-but this post comes out of something I read this evening on her blog.

She recently had a Q&A with author/journalist Bridget Schulte, who wrote the book "Overwhelmed: Work, Love and Play When No One Has the Time." When asked what advice she'd give her 18 year old self, Schulte had this to say:

"One of the most powerful strategies for changing behavior, changing the way we think and use time was this: Just Start.  Sometimes we overthink things. And sometimes, the brilliant Udaya Patnaik of the design firm, Jump Associates, told me, it’s easier to act ourselves into a new way of thinking, than it is to think ourselves into a new way of acting."

This really stood out to me. As someone who has wanted to write a book for years, I still have yet to complete a single chapter. I'm ashamed to say it. I've set goals for myself, I've outlined half a book on notecards, and yet nothing. I feel like I do Coach T a disservice by saying I even took one of her webinars and STILL didn't follow through!

I'm not sure why I'm holding myself back. Am I scared the book will suck? not get published? I know I'd be my biggest critic. I'm a voracious reader, and half the stuff I read I know I could do better. (not to sound conceited) I've had amazing ideas for book concepts over the years, and not followed through. Over the weekend I read this YA series that had a similar concept to something I came up with years ago. It wasn't written exactly how I would have gone about it, but that fact that it is published, and a trilogy nonetheless, is so irksome to me. 

So here I go. I'm done holding back, done being scared, done putting it off. My new goal for the writing challenge is to work on my book for at least 30 minutes a day. Hopefully some days it will be more, but I am making the promise to myself to Just Start. 

I AM an Author, and Authors write.

31 Day Writing Challenge

Writing is my best outlet, yet sometimes I neglect to do it. When I keep everything bottled up I start to feel the pressure build up, like a coke can that's been placed in the freezer. it might explode, but it might not, either way you shouldn't leave it in there for too long. That's how I feel when I don't write. Sometimes my feelings, negative or positive, will go away, but sometimes it eats away at me until I lose it.

That's why I've decided to participate in a 31 day writing challenge for the month of March. Hopefully it will encourage me to express myself more often in the best way for me. Whether it be a quick handwritten journal entry, a blog, a letter to someone, or getting my ass in gear with writing my novel(s), my goal is to get (back) in the habit of writing. My mental health will benefit greatly, as will my bank account if I get a book published!

The first 3 days I was on vacation and wrote quick handwritten journal entries. Today I made a list of blog topics that have been swimming in my head for a while. The plan is to flesh them out and make them into thorough posts. I may not update this blog everyday, but it will be one of my many writing outlets for this month, and hopefully more regularly going forward. 

Thoughts on being 30

I told a guy at the bar last night that I was 27. It's not that I am ashamed of being 30, or that I didn't want him to know, I just wanted to test a theory.

See, ever since I've turned 30 I feel like I've turned back time. I seem to mostly attract 25 year old guys, whereas I used to always pull older guys.  Any time I tell these younger guys I'm 30 they immediately tell me I don't look it. I don't know if that's because they really don't think I look 30, or they are trying to be kind.

But what does 30 look like anyway? And what is wrong with being/looking 30? People have this weird hang up about 30, and it needs to end. It's 2013, 30 is not the end all, be all. People get married later, have children later, 30 should not be the marker year any longer. Everyone should start being positive about 30, instead of dreading it like the plague.

I was blessed with good genes that apparently regress my looks with age. When I was 20 people mistook me for 30, and now it's the other way around. I personally think I look better than I did 10 years ago, though that could be the fact I can afford quality makeup now and know how to apply it. So if this is what 30 looks like, then everyone should be so lucky!

I personally love 30, and did not dread turning it at all. It's fun to be 30, and it sounds kind of sexy to say it. 30>20 by far, and even better than 25. I live on my own, have an awesome dog, love my job which is comfortable enough to afford me a couple vacations a year, am more confident, and am in the best shape of my life (despite now having to ice my knees after most vigorous exercise).  Honestly my life isn't much different then 30 than it was at 25.

So the guy i told I was 27? Immediately told me he didn't think I was a day over 24. So maybe he was being truthful, or maybe he was just trying to say anything that would take me home with him. Either way, being in your thirties rock and I plan to continue to embrace these years.

2012 in Review

So last year for the first time I set yearly and monthly goals for myself. I wrote them out on poster board which I then glued (yes, glued) to the back of my closet door so I saw them every day. Let's review how I did...

Read 85 books -I managed to read 77 books, which is still pretty amazing. My favorites would have to be all 3 of Gillian Flynn's books- Gone Girl, Sharp Objects and Dark Places.

Run in at least 5Ks/races- One goal I did meet! This year I set a 5k PR of 28:13, which isn't fast by any means but great for me. I ran 4 5Ks, the Baltimore Marathon Relay and an 8k.

Travel! Places I hope to see include Europe, the Caribbean and Vegas- Alas, I did not make it to any of these places. :sad face: I did however take a 10 day trip to Northern Cali, plus the usual visits to Mi.

Donate $200 to charities/foundations- I exceeded this goal, so proud of myself for that.

Blog once a week (so far not meeting this yet, ha!)- Not so much. BUT now that I have an iPad I should have no excuse not to write.

Write 52 Thank You/Thinking of you Notes- Nope.

See 1 movie at the theatre a month- I made it to 14 movies, though seeing 4 movies at the MFF definitely helped this goal. 

Try one new restaurant a month- Close, but not quite as I only made it to 10 new places.

Write 25,000 words on my novel- Epic Fail.

Find myself in a relationship that is healthy, fun and passionate- Epic Fail once again. I don't think I even went on one proper date. There was the Hershey park disaster with crazy Shane who I dated for 4 weeks or so, but that's the closest I came to seeing someone.

Take Kyle to the 2013 Winter Classic- This one is nullified as the NHL season did not happen. 

Adopt A Family

Every year at work for Christmas we adopt a family (shout out to Crick for organizing this!) It's extremely rewarding, and nice to know you are helping out people who otherwise wouldn't have the Christmas that most all of us here will experience. It's always fun, and easier, to get families with little kids, any toy will make them happy. However, this year we were given a family with 2 teenage boys, which makes things more difficult, and also makes you think more about their possible scenarios.

When you adopt a family, it's best to assume that they have nothing, and need everything. From toilet paper to jackets, and everything in between, they will be helped by any contribution. But in this day in age, and in America, how likely is it that people live the bare minimum? The chance of these families having a bigger tv then me, but no heat, is high. The lifestyle that is expected of Americans in general is ridiculous. It's hard to "Keep up with the Jones" when you struggle to put food on the table, but many make that the priority instead of paying the important bills.

But what if that isn't the case? What if this truly is a family who wears the same clothes every day, and sleeps on the floor with no pillows. It's hard to know what to get teenage boys who typically are into sports, entertainment, music, video games, and girls. DVDs could be an easy gift to give, but is it insulting to give that if they don't have a television and/or DVD player? And consider the fact that a teenage boy in Baltimore City is most likely a grown man, or better, living life in adult situations, what then?

No matter what, the family is in a situation that requires them to seek out help, and I'm glad that we as an office do so. I know I personally appreciate anything that helps me save a buck or two, whether it be soap in my stocking or a bag of my favorite cookies.  And whether the family is grateful for what they receive, or turn around and sell their gifts for cash, it's nice to know that we helped out in some shape or form.  So maybe it's best to envision them as a good/nice family who is simply struggling to make ends meet instead of other scenerios, because really, isn't that what everyone really is deep down?

Pumpkin Project: Eddy's Pumpkin Ice Cream

So I've been a bit of a slacker on the pumpkin project this week. Not that I have not had anything pumpkin, but both were repeats (Corner Bakery's Pumpkin Whoopie Pie and a Pumpkin Pie bagel from Panera). Lucky for me, Jenn at Cupcake Crusaders was happy to send along her review of Eddy's Pumpkin Ice Cream.

Eddy's Pumpkin Ice Cream

Hi! I’m Jenn, from the Cupcake Crusaders. When I heard that Between a Breath and a Blink was blogging about seasonal pumpkin items, I wanted in. I’m OBSESSED with fall flavors, but surprisingly I’m not a big pumpkin pie fan. That doesn’t mean I don’t love pumpkin flavored things, though. Coffee, cupcakes, cookies, beer, soup…I want it all. While scanning the ice cream selection for my weekly quart, I spotted Edy’s Limited Edition Pumpkin Ice Cream. At first I thought, “I don’t know about that…” but then figured that if I drink pumpkin spiced lattes, how could ice cream be anything but good? Curiosity got the best of me, and I added it to my basket.

I tried the ice cream 4 different ways: plain, with Limited Edition Candy Corn Oreos, topped with chocolate chips and walnuts, and drizzled with caramel. The ice cream by itself has an interesting contrast between the warmth of the spice and the coolness from the temperature. I preferred it with some extra sweetness, so my favorites complements were the Candy Corn Oreos and drizzled in caramel.

All-in-all this ice cream might not be for everyone. My husband, who does like pumpkin pie and loves ice cream, didn’t enjoy it as much as he enjoys other ice cream flavors. But, since it’s limited and seasonal, I think it’s worth letting your taste buds give it a try.

Photos: 

Pumpkin Project: Boheme Cafe's Pumpkin Muffin

I am a HUGE fan of cornbread, so when I discovered how yummy Boheme Cafe's was, I became hooked. I try not to go too often, but enough that they know exactly what I want when I peek my head through the door. This morning I took the cashier by surprise by simply asking if they had anything pumpkin, which happened to be a muffin. I must say, if they hadn't had anything I had plans to go pick up a whoopee pumpkin pie from The Corner Bakery again, just can't resist those!

Pumpkin Muffin from Boheme Cafe

This muffin was actually pretty good, though I'm not certain it was pumpkin-y enough to be considered pumpkin. The flavor wasn't really spice or pumpkin,  but I still enjoyed it. It wasn't cooked all the way through which is okay by me, I like my cookies/cake/brownies on the undercooked side. There was just  alight dusting of powdered sugar on the top which was satisfactory. 

There was something about it that I couldn't quite put my finger, but then it came to me. I'd found a recipe on Pinterest for pumpkin muffins, using only pumpkin puree and cake mix, and bought ingredients to make them the other day. I imagine this is what they will taste like, but won't be able to say for certain until later in the week.

Photos: 

Ranking:

Bucket List, First published Dec 2011

So a few months ago I started constructing a bucket list for the hell of it. I might have been bored, or feeling silly, but it is what it is. Anywho, here is the start of my list. Some of the things are ridiculous (as are to be expected) and some are genuine. Obviously this will be an ongoing post, updating as I think of new things and crossing things out as they are accomplished (ha!)

• Eat Spaghetti with Giant's pitcher Brian Wilson**
• Meet Hugh Hefner and/or visit the Playboy Mansion
• Attend a Red Carpet Event- Emmys, Tonys, Oscars, Victoria Secret Show
• Serve on the jury of a high profile case
• Walk on hot coals
• Learn "it's the end of the world as we know it" by REM by heart
• Visit Hawaii
• Stay overnight in an extremely haunted building
• Fall in love and be loved in return equally
• Running of the Bulls (not sure I would actually run, more just observe!)
• Sex with a gigolo
• Go to a Madonna concert
• Ride in a hot air balloon

**Update: I went to San Francisco July 2012 and tried my damnedest to meet up Brian Wilson (meaning I constantly harassed him via Twitter, ha). Unfortunately I did not get the opportunity to meet him, let alone eat spaghetti with him, but that is still the plan eventually.

Pumpkin Project: Pumpkin Mini Bundt Cake

Today we've got a guest review for the Pumpkin Project. The ladies at Cupcake Crusaders were kind enough to allow me a spot on their blog, so I wanted to return the favor! Plus they have been passing along suggestions of pumpkin items to try, without them I may never had tried the glorious whoopee pumpkin pie from The Corner Bakery. 

Today Stacy is reviewing a mini bunt cake from Au Bon Pain, and Jenn is on deck to review Edy's Pumpkin Ice Cream. Be sure to check out their fantastic cupcake blog as well!

Pumpkin Mini Bundt Cake from Au Bon Pain

Hi everyone! I'm Stacy from the Cupcake Crusaders. I'm very happy that Between and Breath and a Blink has let me join in her quest to taste all things pumpkin this fall. I recently found myself in an Au Bon Pain (which doesn't happen often… if ever) to get my coffee fix, when I noticed a sign advertising pumpkin cake. I immediately thought of Between a Breath and a Blink's pumpkin quest and knew I had to try it. After scouring all the baked goods and finding nothing, I decided to ask for some help. Lucky for me, they had some in the back that were frozen, but assured me that it would thaw quickly. I often do this with cupcakes so know that freezing is the best way to keep cake moist (when it's not baked fresh daily). After letting it thaw back at the office, it was time to dive in. I was really surprised that the cake was actually moist and light. The flavor seemed to lean a little more towards the "spice" side than "pumpkin," but since I don't discriminate when it comes to fall flavors, it was fine with me. Of course, being a Cupcake Crusader, I was missing the frosting on top, but still, this was a very tasty afternoon treat (unlike the vanilla cupcake I also purchased… but that's another story...)

Photos: 

Pumpkin Project: Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Creme Blend

For the record, I didn't even mean to get anything pumpkin today. I went to B&N in the Inner Harbor with the sole intention of getting a stuffed pretzel before my soccer game. However I'd been hearing all the amazing things about Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte and felt like it'd be wrong to not give it a try, for the sake of this blog of course. I don't often drink coffee/lattes though, and especially try to avoid caffeine this late in the day, so went with the Pumpkin Blended Creme instead, which is basically a frappachino without the coffee aspect. 

Pumpkin Spice Creme Blend from Starbucks

This surely is the epitome of liquid cocaine, holy smokes. Though really that can be said for any of the Starbucks creme blends (big fan of hazelnut myself). It is the absolute, perfect version of pumpkin pie in liquid form, you can't get any better. Seriously, out of this world. The only way to make it better? Add alcohol. I'd suggest Kahlua or Baileys, something along the lines of a pumpkin mud slide. Pumpkin Mudslide, hm...

Afterword: This is a bit on the sweet side (I suppose having coffee in it would have helped in that aspect) so I'm putting 1/3 of it in the freezer for tomorrow.

Photos: 

Ranking:

Pumpkin Project: Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

So I have to say upfront, I forgot to take a photo of this. And then once I remembered there were only 2 bites left and I didn't want to stop eating it. THAT GOOD. But I most certainly will be getting more (maybe even today on my way home from work), so will add photos later.

Also I know my blogger friends at Cupcake Crusaders are also reviewing this (they tipped me off) so once their review is posted I'll link to it.

Pumpkin Whoopie Pie from The Corner Bakery

This was beyond amazing. I want 3 more right this very second. I usually try to savor the pumpkin treat as I blog so I can make sure I get it just right, but I couldn't help devouring this immediately. The cake was the perfect spice/pumpkin combo of just the right density/moistness. and the frosting middle- OMG. It was the typical whoopee pie frosting (can't really describe it correctly) but this was a cinnamon version. I want a bowlful of it this instance. 

I feel like I'm not giving a good review (and I'm not), but that just means I am required to do better next time. And if that doesn't suffice then multiple times while it's available. All I can say is go buy this now people! 

Photos: 

U/A at this time. 

Ranking:

Pumpkin Project: IcedGems Cupcake

I hate to admit it but I've never had a cupcake from IcedGems Cupcake Truck before *GASP* Pretty amazing considering how much I love cupcakes, and the fact I always stand 5 feet from the truck at WTMD's First Thursdays. But when I saw this morning that they had Pumpkin cupcakes and would be 5 blocks from my office, I knew I had to indulge.

IcedGems Pumpkin Cupcake with Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting

First off, the moment I pulled the cupcake from the bag it smelled like pumpkin pie, LOVE. The cake was dense but still moist, with a noticeable pumpkin taste that wasn't too overwhelming. I liked that it was more pumpkin then spice, especially since I think some people/places tend to be heavy handed on the nutmeg. It kind of reminded me of the Panera pumpkin muffin, but better.

I had the option of cream cheese or cinnamon buttercream frosting with the cupcake. The cupcake dude (who was kinda cute btw) suggested the buttercream as the best option. I'm more of a cream cheese frosting girl but couldn't resist the cinnamon, so that's what I went with. If I was thinking at the time (and had more then $4 in cash) I would have bought both cream cheese and buttercream frosted cupcakes, but that just means I'll have to go back again soon!

The cinnamon buttercream frosting was really good, but not amazing. It had just the right amount of cinnamon, but when eaten alone I could easily pick out the powdered sugar taste. However, paired with the cake it made the perfect combo! It was really hard for me to take my time eating the 2nd half of this to give it my best review, instead of wolfing it down like I wanted.

Ideally I would have liked a cinnamon cream cheese frosting on this, which is reflected in my rating for this cupcake. Overall I would recommend the IcedGems pumpkin cupcake, and I look forward to trying their other flavors!

Photos:

Ranking:

Pumpkin Project: the Bagel edition

So I went to Panera this morning with the intent to buy a simple bagel (cinnamon crunch, plain). However, I discovered they have a new seasonal bagel and with this blog in mind figured I had better indulge. Boy am I glad I did!!

Panera Pumpkin Pie Bagel with NY Style Cheesecake Cream Cheese

This bagel is AMAZING. Seriously to die for. Not the best selection for breakfast food but a good indulgence every once in a while. The bagel itself tastes just like pumpkin pie, there are bits of pumpkin mix within the dough which makes it   tasty on it's own. The top has the same cinnamon crusty bits as the cinnamon crunch bagel, which is what sells it for me.

Pair it with the cream cheese and it's a slice of heaven. There are only a few things I can eat by the spoonful- peanut butter, nutella, brownie mix...ok maybe more then a few, but I could have eaten this cream cheese with a spoon. It tastes more like a frosting then a cream cheese, as it errs on the sweet side, but not too sweet that you can't put it on your bagel. I usually only use half the CC provided on my bagel, but I used every last bit today (as you can see in the photos). 

I don't get bagels all that often, so not as if it'd be a regular addition to my breakfast repertoire, but I certainly will have one more of these before they go away for the season. 

Photos:

Rating:

Let the Great Pumpkin Fun begin!

As much as I am a huge fan of summer ( not going to lie, I worship the sun) I love everything about fall- Football, the smell of burning leaves, halloween, apples, pumpkins... the list goes on and on. I talk every year about going pumpkin picking, or for a hayride, sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. 

But today I got my first pumpkin cupcake of the season and had an epiphany. I am going to taste test every pumpkin cupcake and/or cookie in Baltimore possible and rate it here for you fine folks that read my blog. (Which, at this point is probably no one since I post so sporadically!) So while trying to hold onto good eating habits I'll have to sacrifice some for the sake of this project.

I'd already had the idea to have a pumpkin beer taste test party, so the results from that will come at a later date. For your entertainment, the first pumpkin cupcake review happens here:


Pumpkin Cupcake from the B&N Starbucks, via The Cheesecake Factory

The cake was billed as pumpkin, but it tasted more like a ginger/spice cake. Not bad by any means, but I was looking for more of a stand out pumpkin flavor. The cake itself was kind of dense, whereas I prefer my cupcakes to be light and moist. The frosting, cinnamon cream cheese, was the highlight. I prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor, but for those that like a more subtle cinnamon taste this would hit the spot. The one downfall was the lack of frosting, I enjoy a larger cake to frosting ratio. 

Photos:

Rating:

Things that are annoying me today

So just wanted to take a second to touch on 2 issues that are irritating me today: people hating on Nabisco/Oreos and the uproar over Lupul and racy photos.

#1- So Oreo posted a photo an oreo cookie with rainbow frosting in honor of Pride Day and the comments were horrific. I can't even begin to explain how crude and disgusting they were (see for yourself) It's just amazing to me that people can be so hateful, especially those that bring God and the Bible into the picture. It says in the Bible "God says to not judge others as only he shall judge us" and the basis of religion in love and acceptance. If it is not hurting or affecting you, why must you care so much?? Homophobia needs to end now.

#2- Twitter was abuzz last night and today regarding Joffrey Lupul's request to Princess_Sass for dirty/nude photos. Now, please do not tell me that people have not attempted to get dirty photos online before, especially if you have the clout of celebrity or athlete status of which to do so. The thing that gets me is the epic proportions to which it was blown. Why does everyone care so much?? First of all- PS was in the wrong to tweet about his request. If you are going to start tweeting at him with the promise of photos-and deliver- why the need to call him out publicly about it. Let it be what it is. Many of us have sent or received dirty photos, you simply enjoy and destroy. Use your common sense and be discreet about it. Unless you are trying to blackmail someone (which I do not condone at all!) keep it to yourself. They are both of age, and he wasn't posting her photos up all over the internet. Let it rest people.

Princess Sass- power to you girl for sleeping with hot hockey players, but be kind and don't throw them under the bus.

Lupul- remember you are a well known athlete and make sure you can trust random chicks from online.

That's enough for now. I'm about to go eat an Oreo and hit on hotties online. Don't worry guys, I'm one of the discreet ones.