Summer. Summer. Summer.

It's totally official.
I handed in my last final, and it's all done. My freshman year of college is over. Wow. I still can't get over that this year is done, it flew by in the blink of an eye. I am now on summer vacation and I am ready to take out some time to see old friends, spend time to myself, work crazy hours but most importantly, have the most fun I can.

I am looking forward to having all my friends come home from college, and catching up and spending time with them. I also know that I will be picking up extra hours at work, which always gets ten times more fun in the summer. All the summer staff comes back and we just have a ball working like crazies together. I am just really hoping that summer 2013 brings me lots of happy memories, good times, great friendships and lots of laughs.

I am currently in the process of making a bucket list for the summer. I will be consulting with a few of my friends and making some lists together so that we can do somethings as a group. I can't wait until the real summer weather kicks in so we can have sunny days on the beach and warm nights at the drive-in.

What are you guys looking forward to this summer?!

My blog wears deodorant, I swear!

I have come to the realization that I just must be a stinky blogger, because as hard as I try, nothing really becomes successful of it. The fact of the matter is, I usually want to stay far away from my blog as possible, too! 

Sometimes I just feel this exorbitant amount of pressure to make this million dollar posts, have thousands of followers, hundreds of comments and be an all around Internet supah-stah. (There's my Rhode Island accent coming out there) But, I have come to realize that I really just need to blog for myself, to get my thoughts, ideas, rambles and all the other nonsense that clutters my brain down on some space. And hey, if other people decide to agree with my silliness and want to hop along the crazy train and follow me, then so be it! 

While that's all easy to say, and that's well and good, it's hard to really think like that. As I sit in my room, staring at a blank screen, wanting to post something of worth I get put back into these ruts where I just want to quit all over again. Now, I know quitting is not the answer. Quitters never win, and I like winning, so that's just out of the question. It is probably just hard for me because I am different than all the other amazing people who blog in the world, and that I follow on the daily. I don't have this really exciting life. I don't wear yoga pants to work, or run around having all kinds of shenanigans; I lead a pretty normal life. I am trying to embrace that for all it's worth and really try and get out there and be the blogger that I know I can be, gosh-darn-it. I am settling into what I want to be, and that will be a work in progress, but hopefully I can get where I am going, whether it be by plane, train or automobile. 

Then there is all these extra things that bloggers do that I don't want to conform to. Bloggers usually make their blogs their lives, which I don't want to do. Most people that I love to read have their Twitter and Instagram linked hand-in-hand with their blogs. I am not about changing my Twitter username to @lovealwaysmarissa and posting all these blog updates. That's just not me. I don't have time for it, and I literally would be so ADHD with it, I wouldn't even know what the heck I was doing. I don't want people to be following my blog, but be following me, as a person, if they like me - really like me. I am not going to be making a Twitter or Instagram for my blog, but my followers are more than welcome to follow my personal accounts that I make for the use of my friends and family. I am who I am, and I am not afraid for anyone to see it. My family and friends know I blog sometimes, and they even read it. Heck, even kids I went to high school with told me that they ever catch up with me every now and again, and I think that's totally awesome. I am not into hiding what I am saying or keeping my online life a secret, because I am just a very open person. I am who I am, Sam I am! I know I am taking this whole blogging approach differently than most people do, but I am just doing this the best way I see fit for me. 

So, just keep on trucking with me as I am getting this all together.

Oh, hello there.

Allow me to re-introduce myself to all of my wonderful followers.

Hello, I am Marissa and you are now reading Love Always, Marissa.

I guess you could say that I am doing a lot of changing lately, which I feel like I say on a constant basis, and I am kind of sorry about that. I do change a lot, honestly, I change every minute of the day. I believe in always feeling fresh and being the best version of yourself, and I think that change is a great way to do that. I have been changing, changing, changing, and please just bear with me as I am going all crazy bananas over here. 

I was beginning to get into a slump with life, and with blogging. I didn't know what I was doing, what I should be doing and where I want to go. Not that all of a sudden I got answers to all of those questions, because I didn't. But, I did get a clearer picture of what I want to do (at least for now) and where I would like to go (at the moment). 

Starting fresh with a clean new slate of a blog is very exciting to me! I can't wait to share all of my ideas, my adventures and just crazy antics with all of you guys who join me here on the daily, or on the occasions I actually post. Yes, I am going to try and get better and posting more frequently, sorry sorry!

In conclusion of this whole introduction, (jeepers, what kind of English major am I, saying stuff like this?!) thanks for sticking with me and I hope that you can enjoy the blog and it's new direction. 

Weekend Shenanigans: Fries, Baptisms & Cake.

Happy Monday!
Wait. Should "happy" and "Monday" really be used in the same sentence?
Probably not, but I am going to do it anyway.

This weekend has been...enlightening, to say the least. I learned some lessons, heard some things I didn't want to hear, experience somethings that I will never forget and rekindled friendships. I mean, it's not all bad things, right?

Photo One // I got an e-mail on Friday telling me that I made the cast of a play I auditioned for this past week. I made the show along with one of my good friends, so I am just really excited to be back in the theater game and doing what I absolutely love. The show rehearsals will be this summer and we will perform in September. I am so excited to be working with such a prestigious theater company and talented cast members.

Photo Two // I hung out with some long lost friends on Saturday night and we went out and got icecream, then we had a quick McDonald's craving, so we went and satisfied that. We spent the rest of the night just sitting in my car talking and laughing about the silliest things. It was great to spend a care-free night with them.

Photo Three // I got water baptized on Sunday morning at my church. It was probably one of the best things that I have ever experienced. I literally feel so amazing and I feel like such a different person. I am so blessed to have been able to experience it and be surrounded by all the loving and amazing people in my church and my family.

Photo Four // In honor of my baptism my mom made me her world famous carrot cake, that I probably haven't had since I was 10. Needless to say, I attacked that thing as soon as she pulled it out of the fridge. 

Sorry I haven't been on here a whole bunch.

I really stink at this whole internet-blog thingamajig. 

But, I have some really great material coming up in the future.

I promise!

Tales from a Cougar.

Rawr. 

Hello my friends! Sorry I have been super MIA lately. I have been getting busy with the end of semester jazz and getting ready for exams. But, I have had some time this weekend to go back to my old high school and see some of my old friends in their Spring production. It was so great to be back at my high school and walk through the halls and see all the little baby faces that I love and missed. It was just nice to be back home, I guess. Especially in the auditorium. 

Now, being back at high school, this got me thinking of all the crazy and silly things I was like or did back when I was in high school. Which, *cue the post title* Tales of a Cougar comes in. The mascot for my high school was, indeed, a cougar. So, I thought it all fit.

So, let's go with the embarrassing moments, shall we?!

I didn't wear make-up my Freshman and a good part of my Sophomore year. I honestly don't even know what I was thinking when I was going into high school. I mean, I wouldn't really question it. I wanted to marry a Jonas Brothers and also attend Camp Rock. As you can see, I made questionable life choices.

I had my first real crush as a Freshman. He was a senior, I was a little Freshman. I tried everything to get his attention, he took every chance he could to ignore me. I was in love love love with this kid, no joke. My friends and I even had a special nickname for him and everything. I did a play with him and for some strange reason I just really, really, really liked him. I eventually got over it when he graduated. And I sent him a Facebook message telling him I liked him.  I was moderately heartbroken. Don't worry, there is a plus side - he turned out to not like girls. Cool, right?

I used hot rollers to curl my hair. Don't ask me why, but I did. I woke up early every morning to turn them on to heat up, and then I would go back to bed for a half hour, I would wake up again and go and roll my hair, and then I would go out to school. 

When I didn't curl my hair, I flat ironed it until there was no hair left. I needed to have pin straight hair. I needed, needed, needed it! It was the thing back then, and I just wanted to fit in. Little did my baby Freshman self know that I almost always missed a section in the back that turned out to be wavy and my chubby-baby-fat face looked huge when I straightened my hair.

Well, that's where I am going to end today. 

Maybe you will get a part two some day.

Yeah, someday. 

Help, I've fallen and I don't know who I am.

I am currently having an identity crisis.
Well not really me. But, my blog.

The more I look around the amazing blogs that I follow religiously, or come across on a daily basis, the more I begin to realize that I don't really have a blogger niche, as you fancy Internet people like to call it. I can't really put my blog into a category of anything.

I am not a fashion blogger, but I do enjoy clothes and what people wear.
I am not a foody blogger, but I do love to eat out and try new foods.
I am not a fitness blogger, but I do like to keep myself moderately healthy.
I am not a wife/mommy blogger because, I mean, I am 19 and I can barely get guys to talk to me.
I am not a Christian blogger, but I am a Christian.

I am just in the middle of a blogger identity crisis. But, this is what I can tell you.
I like to post about my life and the sometimes fun things that I do on rare occasions. I like to post pictures that I take from my phone, though I have a Nikon camera and should really use it. I like to post about clothes and fashion, but I am not calling myself an expert, I am just an observer. I like to share music that I like. I like to post about my faith and my church, because it's a big part of my life.

With all of that being said, what does that make me?
Am I really a lifestyle blogger? What the heck does that even mean?

You know what. I am just going to be a Marissa blogger.
I am me, and I don't know where I would place myself, but I am just going to post and write about whatever I want because this is my little corner in my own little chair.Judge me, as you will.

End pointless post.

Take a chill pill, Marissa. Okay, Brain.

Looks like it's Monday again.

And here I am, like always, with no interesting weekend stories.

Big shock over here, I know.

It's actually kind of funny because things have been hitting me this week. Like the simple fact that in just about three weeks I will be done with my second semester of college, done with finals, done with my first year of college and on summer vacation. Mi scusi, but where did the time go? I will get into the swing of working more hours and spending more time doing things that I love, which includes getting my team prepared and ready for National Fine Arts in Orlando in the beginning of August. I feel like I need to put on a seat belt with all the things that are going to be full-steam ahead in the coming weeks and months. 

But, I am trying to keep calm (and carry on) and muddle through the last few papers, presentations and tests the semester throws at me, all while I am trying to keep my butt in shape, getting ready for new tight uniforms at work bathing suit season. 

So, how do I relax, you may be asking yourself. 

Because, I would be asking that question if I were reading a post like this. 

How I Relax 

You know. I like to just grab my private jet and head to a tropical beach in Bermuda and just set up my little beach chair and pink sun hat and catch some waves and soak up the sun all while my boyfriend, Adam Levine, is sitting near by strumming on his guitar writing a song about how beautiful I am.

Ha. Gotchya. Cause, I know that all sounds terribly believable.

How I REALLY Relax

• Listening to Italian music: I grew up listening to Italian music because my dad always played it and my Nana also loved it, so I also picked up a love for musica di italiana. I love Andrea Bocelli and Il Divo. I have a whole playlist on my Spotify with songs I love that immediately keep me calm and relaxed that's all Italian.
• Scrolling through Pinterest: I don't know why, but there is something just so relaxing about reading inspirational quotes, finding new recipes and laughing at e-cards. I find myself scrolling endlessly at night on my iPhone while I am trying to go to sleep. And then I get excited about a new chocolate cake recipe I want to try. Yes, Pinterest gets me excited. 
• Blogging: There is nothing more captivating than blogging, to me at least. I can literally lose myself while I am writing a blog post, or reading up on other people's blogs.It takes me away from my world and puts me into my own brain, if I am writing for my blog, or let's me see what's going on in other people's lives to distract me from my own. Ha. 

How do you relax and take yourself away from the world?

I am a dashboard drummer.

It's Friday, which means it's a wonderful day to drive around with the windows down, sipping on a nice iced coffee, jamming out to some pretty rad tunes. Don't you agree?

It's been a while since I shared some of my music preferences with you, so I thought today would be a good day to let you know what songs I will be singing loudly in my car, in case you drive by a car with an annoying blonde girl screaming at the top of her lungs, you can proudly say that you know that looney tune, and that looney tune is me. So, let's see what's playing...

1. Next To Me - Okay, so I totally thought that this was Beyonce, not even gunna lie. I am not ashamed to say it. This is just a totally rad song. It plays on the radio at least five times a day, so take a minute out and have a little jam session.

2. Pusher Love Girl - I hated JT's new stuff. I wanted to hate and not like it. Then one day I listened to the album and I died and wanted to slap myself because I didn't listen to it sooner. This song is my all time favorite off the album. Just love love love.

3. Sure Be Cool If You Did - I love Blake Shelton. The end.

4. Done - When I heard them perform this on the ACM's, I just immediately fell in love with the song. It's a great peppy, spunky, fun country song.

5. Heart Attack - I am not afraid to admit it, I love Demi Lovato. Her voice is spectacular and just, I wish I had her voice box. I heard this song a few weeks ago and I wasn't too keen on the song, just because of the silly lyrics, but it's so catchy and I began singing it all day long.


Speaking of music...
Now, it's that time of week to link up with the fabulicious Whitney.
Have a good weekend, see you around these parts on Monday!

Best friends say whaaaaaat?!

Let's cue the fun, shall we?

I saw this little link-up over at From Mrs. to Mama and thought that it was a seriously awesome idea and I just needed to participate. Basically you have your loved ones (spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, parents, siblings, friends, family, etc...) say what they think about you. I decided to enlist the help of my closest friends, because I figured that they know me best and will tell you like it is. I probably should have reconsidered that, huh? Just kidding! I have awesome friends and I was totally flattered by the things they said. Maj blushy face happening over here.

So, let's see what those crazy friends of mine had to say about yours truly.

Rachel, my cousin who is more like my sister.

Check out Rachel's photography!

Rachel says...

"There are really no accurate words to describe how much this girl means to me. She has got to be one of the most caring, loving, artistic, bubbly girls I know.There have been so many times that I see her love shine through for others and myself and I do not know what I would do without her.She has been one of the strongest people in my life and always so supportive!" 

Felicia, my best friend since seventh grade.

Felicia says...

"She's always smiling. You can't help but smile when you're around her because she literally radiates positive energy and it's contagious. She's extremely giving. This girl is the type of person that will constantly give and give and give, even when her tank is on empty. She puts others before her constantly and always looks out for them. She's real. She knows how to listen and be supportive. She knows what it means to be a good friend and knows just what to say and do to make her friends feel loved." 

Johnna, my longest reigning best friend from sixth grade.

Johnna says...

"You're outgoing and spirited because you're very fun and helpful and make other people feel welcome. You're also passionate because you give your 100% when you love something and I would say you're kind of an underdog because sometimes you're not taken as serious or you are passed over." 

Lindsey, my best friend since our junior year in high school. My long distance bestie.

Lindsey says...

"When I think of you I think of a great friend, one who takes art seriously, and one who respects religion. Also, you remind me of innocence. I look at your face and I literally see the face of innocence."

Michele, my co-worker for the past three years and bestie for the past year. 

Michele says....

"I'd say you 're really outgoing, genuinely friendly, blonde, pretty, give someone the shirt of your back kind of person. I'd also say that you're my closest friend at work and that you're funny and silly, and you get my sense of humor unlike a lot of people."

Aren't my friends just the sweetest?
Yes, I paid them all to say such nice things about me.
Who really wants to know the truth? Kidding.

Growing up with Marissa.

When I grow up...a question that myself, along with the Pussycat Dolls have pondered.
When I was young I always thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I changed my career, my house and my wedding on a daily basis. To be totally honest, I can't even say that I still don't think about my future, even though I am half way to grown up-ness.

But, let's say I lived in a world where Walt Disney was creating a movie of my life.
This is what it would be like.


Once upon a time...

Taylor Swift says things will change.

I have been on a big change kick.
And no, I don't mean collecting all my pennies and taking them to Coinstar.
I mean real change.

I get sick of things very easily. I always want to update things and keep everything fresh and new. I have been taking a lot of steps to change the things that I know need changing but I always thought were too hard.  For me, it's easy to change my iPhone case, the wallpaper on my computer, the handbag that I carry, the nail polish that I wear, etc. I do those kinds of little changes, and I do them often. But to change big things, like things that will actually make a huge difference, I find a  hard time doing that. I just need to accustom myself to change. But, how does one do that? By actually changing.

I am currently in the process of re-doing my bedroom. I have had the same color walls since I was 10. I am going to be 19 in July. I want to strip away the old me, the immature me, the stupid me and welcome a new, mature and responsible me. Can a coat of paint really do that? Well, for me, it's a start. It's a big change that I am committing to. Will things work out, let's sure hope so! But you see, for me, that's something big. I am starting somewhere, now I need to get to the other things.

I have been on an emotional roller coaster for a while just about my life, my friends and relationships with people. I have decided to really personally evaluate all of them and just figure out which ones are really worth and it, and which ones I need to let go. It's hard, yes, but it's something that I have been putting off and it needs to be done. I am also changing my feelings. I am one to hold onto feelings or things that happen to me. I need to stop that. It's a horrid habit. (Yes, I quoted the Parent Trap) I am learning how to be a better friend and how to see if people are being good friends to me. Man, is this a scary reality. But, again, it's a change that has to be made.

I had a talk with a friend of mine lately and he told me that: "It's never easy. Life is full of possibilities and let-downs, so you have to take the good with the bad and just enjoy yourself. And most of all, be happy with yourself." Well said, good friend. Which leads me to the last slide in my presentation of change which ends with making myself happy. I am making good, positive and though out changes that will help me be a better, happier, healthier, stronger and more confident person with each passing day. I need to be happy, first and foremost.

Taylor Swift said that things will change.
Yes, Taylor, I can feel it now. And it feels good.

Weekend Shenanigans: The continuous boring life of Marissa.

It's Monday again.

In blogger world we talk about the awesome things we did over the weekend while we took time off from our blogs. But, in my universe, I work all weekend and don't do anything fun. So, there's that. But, I will share my Instagram photos with you anyway because...I have space in this blog post to fill!

photo one // I went on a Target spree with my cousin on Friday night. We raided through the clearance racks and found some things that we mutually liked and I performed a fashion show. I loved this skirt so much because a) it was Prabual Gurung, b) it fit and made me look like I had a itty-bitty waist and c) was only $8. Yup, you heard it right, $8! Score on my part.

photo two // I like to bake cookies. At 10 PM. On Friday nights. Is that okay with you?

photo three // My Sunday OOTD.

photo four // Ripped apart my entire bedroom on Sunday. The painter is coming over today to start working on my room. Fresh coat of paint and fixing some dents and holes in the walls. My room will be pretty and wonderful by the end of the week. Stay tuned for updates!

photo five // I went up to work today to join my co-worker Michele while she had her lunch break which turned into us going in the bakery next door and her buying me a dirty vanilla chai and a brownie. Can you say best friend ever award?

photo six // Sunday family dinner. Complete with cinnamon buns and Diet Coke.

I can only hope that your weekend was as thrilling and riveting as mine.
Now if you excuse me, I am going to go and dance over the fact that the Spring semester is almost over!

Focus on the good. Forget the bad. Let's also forget the ugly.

Well, it's Friday and who really has time to think of creative blog posts. So...I found this over on Whitney's blog and then she sent me to Erin's blog and now I bring it to my blog. It's just a bloggy idea train leading from awesomelicious person, to awesomelicious person to then, me, average person.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

The Good:

• I am a really good friend. I can say that without feeling conceited because I stinkin' know I am a good friend. Not only do my friends tell me that, but I just know. I care a lot for people and I am always thinking about the loved ones in my life. I always want to make them feel loved and special. 
• I am a hard worker. I work to the best of my ability no matter what the task is. I work like a beast when I am at work whether it be lifting, carrying or moving things, or just waiting on customers. When I have school work to do I always do my best - when I am motivated, obviously.
• I can write like a boss. You may not see it a ton on my blog, unless you find my natural narrative-writing voice to be amazing. But when it comes to academic papers and things of that nature, I am your girl. I can pretend like I read an entire book and write a four page essay on it. I am really good at making myself sound smart. 

The Bad:

• I never stick to anything long term. I know that sounds awful, but it's pretty true. I start to exercise and diet and then I eventually fall off the wagon for a few weeks after a glazed donut walks across my path. Which leads us into...
• I have no willpower. Food is my weakness. Food is also the way to my heart. If I see anything chocolate, sugar coated or salty, I will eat it. And eat, eat, eat....
• I am addicted to my iPhone. It's a serious problem. It is always glued to my hand. I always find something new to do, download, play or check. I am forever on social media and I use my phone for absolutely everything. Hi, my name is Marissa and I am an iPhone addict.
• I am socially awkward. I don't know why because I am very outgoing. It's just that in some situations I try too hard or don't try enough and things just don't work out. 

The Ugly:

• I am a very jealous person. It's not crazy, but I just sometimes feel jealous like when my friends have plans without me and things like that. 
• I tear myself down. I don't really think I am a wonderful person or see the things about me that people tell me about. So I usually just ignore or don't believe people when they tell me good things about myself. I rather not think about myself. 
• I compare myself to other people. Self explanatory, really. 

And, I am going to end today with linking up with the Whitney for #backthatazzup Friday!

This song brings me right back to my 8th grade formal.
Oh boy, really awkward times in my life.

But this song still makes me white girl rock out.

Have a good weekend!

Motivation? Use it in a sentence.

Do you ever lose your motivation? Like, to do absolutely anything?
I am currently at that point and it kind of stinks, I am not gunna lie to you. I feel like I am running into a wall, and I have been running into that said wall for such a long time now where I have given up breaking through it and just flopped on the floor and started napping. Yup, that's pretty much where I am in a nutshell.

I know, Jiggy, I feel you.

This semester is coming to an end and so much pressure for next year and frankly for the rest of my life are all hitting me now. Maybe I am crazy but I don't know what I want to do with my life. I always tell people that the things that I am good at are things that don't pay the bills. I am good at writing, theater, singing off key in the car, baking cupcakes and a bunch of other useless things. I just feel like I am going to college to get a degree in something just to say that I went to so-and-so college and graduated with this piece of paper. Say I actually major in English or Theater. What in God's name am I going to do with that when I walk across that stage? Who really stinkin' knows. I don't even stinkin' know, and that makes me nervous.

I have been trying to brainstorm things that I wouldn't mind doing for a job. I currently cashier and that's not such a bad gig, but I wouldn't want to work there for the rest of my life. I think about the things I enjoy in my life that I could actually find a job in. I love theater so I thought about working at the local theater in the city. Maybe I could work in the box office or sell food at the concessions? I would technically be in a place that I love not necessarily doing what I want, but I would be in a place that could maybe help me get somewhere I could be happy with. I can't really think of too many things that could give me a job that I would enjoy. But then, I think about other people. There are people who are happy being waiters or baristas. I am sure they didn't wake up one morning and say they wanted to wait on people for a living, but they do it and they are enjoying what they do. Yes, I do know some very happy waiters. There are even people without jobs who are happy.

I guess what I am really getting at here is that I am so overwhelmed with the rest of my life.
I don't know what I am doing, where I am going or how I am going to get there once I figure out where I am going.
Maybe I can ask Siri.

My hillbilly bone is showing.

If there is one thing that blogging has made me love more is country music.

I always liked country music and I always appreciated it, but now I have come to really love it and listen to it a lot more than I used to. So, taking my love for country music and pairing that with my other passionate love for awards shows, then you can just see where this post is going. Yes, that's right: my thoughts on the ACM's.

 

Let's start with talking about the fashion for the night, shall we?

I am not claiming to be a fashion expert, and I frankly don't really care who wore what and all that jazz, I just state my opinions on what I thought looked good and what I liked. I will not be going all negative Nelly up in this post because if country music taught me anything, it's to be nice to people and love yourself - unless they break your heart, then you break out your gunpowder and lead.

 

 Let's take a look at what my favorite country gals were wearing!

 

Carrie Underwood is always flawless, period. I love the colors in her dress and the earrings she paired with it are perfect. Carrie can pretty much do anything with her hair and make it look amazing, but I am loving the pinned up back with little loose curls around her face. I just wish her bangs weren't so in her face. Just hairspray those puppies over and so we can see her eyes better.

 

My twinnie, Taylor Swift can do absolutely no wrong in my book. I love when she wears her bangs and her hair straight, which is something that I have been doing more lately ;) I also think that Taylor always looks very well put together. Her dress is beautiful, I love all the stones on the top, and I think her choice of small earrings is perfect. Her makeup is always on point and gorgeous. Jeepers, Taylor, stop making the rest of us look bad!

 

Moving on to the actual show.....

 



Can we just take a solid minute to appreciate the fact that these two adorable men were hosting the show all night long? I mean, I have loved Blake Shelton ever since I heard "Hillbilly Bone" and saw him on The Voice. Then this blogging community made me realize that Luke Bryan is one attractive individual aswell. After falling in love with both of this country boys, I was just in fangirling-swoony heaven all night long. Just look at how handsom they both are - even with Blake making this silly face.

My favorite performance of the night was obviously my homegirl Carrie with her song "Two Black Cadillacs". This song has been my jam for a while now and I just love the actual music video for it, so I was super excited to see her perform it and I wasn't surprised in the least bit when two cars drove out on stage from the wings. Love your effort and showmanship, Carrie! She also looked totally fabulicious again, I must say. Lovin' the dark lipstick, girl!

 

Among many other of my favorite performances was Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift & Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert and The Band Perry.

 

Also, congratu-flipping-lations to Miranda Lambert who killed it and won three different awards! Especially song of the year which she won with her adorable hubby Blakey-pie.

How stinkin' cute are these two?!

 

Well, I am done being country for the day.

I am going to dust off my cowboy boots and go for a ride in my dad's pick-up truck.



Weekend Shenanigans: Dramas, Dunkin & Future Trips!

My weekend was spent in Agawam, MA with the youth group from my church as they competed in the Fine Arts Festival. As I mentioned before, I am the drama director/coordinator for my church, especially the teens and young adults. So, I had two of the teens, who are actually good friends of mine, competing at the festival performing a drama duo that I wrote and directed. I was able to go on the trip because I was their director and I was made a leader for the trip. I had a room of four girls that I had to take care of - and by take care of I mean make sure they woke up in the morning, they weren't fussy, I loved them.

We left for Agawam around 4 PM on Friday, and arrived at 6:30 PM. Our youth pastor, Pastor Dave, ordered pizza and we all ate and everyone began to get into a panic frenzy which resulted in everyone coming into the hotel room that my girls and I were staying in (because it was the biggest room, holla!) to practice all of their stuff. It ranged from songwriting, vocal ensembles, dances and dramas. Things started to wind down around 11:30 PM and my room probably didn't fall asleep until 1 AM.

We were supposed to be up, packed and fed by 8 AM that morning because we had to head to festival. See photo one. None of the leaders had the opportunity to eat breakfast because we were making sure our teens were in order and so were the rooms before we left, so Pastor Dave let us leave during the orientation of the festival to grab some Dunkin. See photo three. We clearly have a problem. We headed back to the festival and spent the day running around from performance to performance and grabbing a few naps on some church pews during our down time. See photo six. We eventually got ready for the ceremony at 6:30 PM which was when they would announce the winners. I was all kinds of nervous hoping my team made it to the national level. See photo four. They had a few bumps in the road, so I was about ready to toss up the french fries I had for lunch waiting to hear the results. Long story short... WE ARE COMPETING AT NATIONALS IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA! When they were announced I immediately stood to my feet along with the rest of our youth group and I screamed and then fell back into my chair and started bawling my eyes out. I was so happy and proud in that moment. Ahh! Among my team a handful of our other teens made it and we will be heading down to good ole Floriday in August to duke it out with churches from all over the country.

Fun Fact: Angela (Angie) Miller from American Idol used to compete in Fine Arts Festival and they actually called her last night and she spoke to us on the phone and prayed for all of the teens that were competing and will advance. I thought it was really sweet of her. She even tweeted about how she was missing this year's festival.

 

How was your weekend?

 

I feel good. So good.

Yes, I feel good. So good. 'Cause I got you.

I have been pretty down lately. From the school semester coming to a close and having to pick my classes for the Fall already, just getting off holiday hours from Easter at work, stressing about my duo that will be competing with a script I wrote them and all of the many other things that make my brain a jumbled mess. I have been letting things get to me, and I not totally sure why. After a long talk with a good friend of mine about a certain area of my life that has been keeping me very down in the dumps, she gave me some simple advice: just make yourself happy.

In the moment I wanted to ignore everything she was saying because I really didn't want to positive and happy about things because I genuinely felt negative and unhappy. But, after sitting on what she told me, I started to think about all the reasons that I should be happy and the things that do make me happy. Heck, I am actually one easily happy person, you know that?

 

What are some of the things that make you happy?

Dang you, blogger world!

Happy Thursday!

Before I scurry away and start my weekend early, I decided that I will leave you with an interesting post before you hear from me, for real, again on Monday. Why am I gone for so long? I will tell you, don't you worry! I am actually going away with the youth group from my church for Friday and Saturday because they are competing in a competition that we call Fine Arts. I have a duo competing in the drama division so I am going along for the ride to support them. You will hear all about our adventures when I return.

things blogging made me love

 

Luke Bryan

 

I always liked country music. Heck, I owned every single one of Carrie Underwood's CD's. But, this dang blogging world made me want to listen to country music all day long. 

I stole Cinderella's other glass slipper.

Over the weekend I had a realization: My life isn't a Disney movie.

I know that this is probably a really big shock to all of you. Heck, it was even a shock to me! But, indeed the statement is true. I am no Belle, Princess Jasmine, Cinderella or Ariel, my life was not written and produced by Walt Disney and company, and there is no Prince trying to find or rescue me. I know all girls really want that kind of life, and some girls have it, but some girls don't. I started to think about and I thought to myself, why did I think that my life was a fairytale?

I will admit, I am a control freak. I need control of everything. I am not like, OCD or anything like that, but I like to keep order and have things the way I want. Is that a lot to ask? I am one of those people who plan out a certain situtation before it happens and when it doesn't go perfectly I become a mess of emotions. (this example may or may not have happened this weekend) I like to have things planned and know exactly what's happening all the time. I have a love/hate relationships with surprise. Not knowing how things are going to happen give me a headache. If I had a superpower I would want to be able to read people's minds so I knew absolutely everything. Does that make me crazy? I don't really know, but I will be sure to ask Cee Lo about it. But anyways, with all of this being said: why did I think that my extreme control over everything would eventually end up in a picture perfect ending?

Then it hit me. I am no Cinderella, no sir. I am Marissa. I am my own Disney Princess. The situations in my life won't always be perfect. The situations in my head may not always happen as planned and the way I want things to turn out may be different. And now, I am totally okay with that. Because I finally realized that I will have a picture perfect ending, but it will be tailored to my own life. I may not have a knight in shining armor, but I will gladly take a nice guy in faded Levi's and work boots who drives a truck, let's say. I won't get Cinderella's ending, but I will get my own ending. I will have a wonderful story book ending that fits my life perfectly because, I am like no one else.

I may not have a glass slipper, but I do have cheetah heels.
Maybe if I leave that on some steps a handsome man will find me.

In conclusion: I am a Disney Princess.
Look out for my movie in the year 2030....after I pitch my idea to Disney.

Weekend Shenanigans: Girls' night, baking & Easter.

Good morning and happy April, friends!

 

Oh man, am I totally not a fan of this Monday for multiple reasons. First of all, I personally believe that all Mondays that follow a Sunday holiday should be an official day of rest where everyone can take off school, work and all responsibilites and just take the day to sleep and watch movies all day. And that is exactly what would happen if I were President. Vote for me in the next election. Second reason why I am in a very no bueno mood today is the fact that I feel like garbage. I have had a headache all weekend and then on Saturday I had a little stomach ache and now after all that eating on Easter - and I mean all - I woke up this morning and just want to barf all over everyone and pound my head against a wall until I can no longer feel my headache.

 

But, all of the valid reasons listed above are not going to stop me from posting about weekend - which technically for me started on Thursday.

 

photo one // Went out for a night in the city with Felicia. We went to one of the restaurants associated with my work and hung out, had some calamari and pizza, which were all completely delicious.

photo two // Selfie Central. That is what I looked like on Thursday night when we went out.

photo three // After dinner we went over to a little pastry/bake shop near the restaurant. We grabbed some coffee and a slice of cake a piece and continued to talk and catch up.

photo four // After working a nine hour day at work on Good Friday I decided to come home and bake up a storm for my co-workers. They absolutely loved me the next day. You're welcome.

photo five // Easter Sunday service at my church.

photo six // Ruby is the only person that will willingly cuddle with me, so I decided to take her up on that offer. She is so snuggly.

photo seven // Sweet bread, ricotta pie, pasteria (rice pie) and ricotta tort. This is what dessert time looks like at our house on Easter.

photo eight // Spent the night playing Phase 10 and eating all the yummy desserts with my cousins and grandfather.

photo nine // The night ended with this little fluffy ball falling asleep in the middle of the room while my cousins and I watched re-runs of The Voice.

How was your Easter weekends?

Celebrate.

I hope that you all have a great day with your family and friends!

But, let's not forget the real reason why we are celebrating today: because Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again on the third day! Isn't that just spectacular?! I mean, He loved us all so much that He died, just so that we could live and be forgiven and not have to worry about anything. That's a pretty stinkin' awesome kind of love right there.

See you around these parts tomorrow so you can catch up with me and my Weekend Shenanigans with Sami.

Happy Easter!

 

Easter is my favorite, just like link-ups.

I have been spending a lot of time on Pinterest lately because I find myself getting bored very easy. But also, because I have the app on the home screen of my phone and sometimes scrolling through Pinterest inbetween customers at work keeps me smiling, even though I want to hit all of them with a loaf of ciabatta. Did I just say that?

I also love holidays, and Easter is one of my favorites. So, I am very excited with the holiday fast approaching because it's just a happy holiday. The weather gets nicer, I can wear a dress to church and the food surrounding the holiday is also extremely yummy to my tummy.

Combining my reoccuring love for Pinterest and my love for the Easter season, I bring to you my favorite Easter pins - I totally apologize in advance that this is all food. Actually, no. Sorry I'm not sorry.

   

Source: iheartnaptime.net via Marissa on Pinterest

Source: makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com via Marissa on Pinterest

Source: couponingncooking.com via Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks on Pinterest

Don't these all look so stinkin' yummy? I could barely help myself from liking and pinning all of these recipes. Looks like I just may have another Friday night of baking ahead of me this week. Awe, I spoil my co-workers!

 

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I am also taking today to do another cool link-up:



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I will see you all around these parts tomorrow! Have a happy hump day.

 

 

Was that in my thought bubble?

I think alot. How 'bout you?

I also talk alot, do you too?

 

Sorry, I thought that was going to be like Dr. Suess and sound cute. But, I don't think that I really accomplished that the way I wanted to. Oh well. Life goes on.

 

Today I was inspired by the conversations that I have with...myself. I love the conversations that I have inside my head. No one really understands me like I do, so I decided that I would share some of the things that me, myself and Irene and I talk about on the regular. Hopefully you can find this amusing and not want to commit me to the looney bin just yet.

 

To get my thoughts rolling, I decided to enlist a friend and ask her what she thought the topic of my thoughts should be and she said: men. Well, I immediately started to feel my cheeks blush and my awkwardness come out to play. I will tell you about the thoughts I either a) have about men or b) have when I am around men. Let's see how this is going to go down.

 



At Work:
Oh, hello attractive customer. Yes, I will throw that garbage away for you even though that is not my job and the garbage is only a step and a half away from you. Gosh, you are lucky that you are a cutie. No, wait. Don't leave! Okay, your sandwhich probably is more important than standing at the counter talking to me.

Waiter, waiter! Don't go to her, I can change your twenty into a ten, five and five ones...even though I just opened and it will wipe out my drawer. I don't even care. You're attractive and I will help you with anything.

Ew. You sit around at the coffee bar for four hours a day. Do you even have a job? You wear cheaply looking suits and then try to talk to any girl that walks by you? Do you not get the hint that they don't like you because in that suit you look like the tin man from the Wizard of Oz? Just, ew.

Sorry, I don't respond to the term of endearment, 'mami'. Call me sweetheart or princess and that's a different story.

With People I Like:
Alright, good! You are like ten feet away from me. This give me the opportunity to check my hair and make sure I have nothing in my teeth. Dangit! You moved. Stay out of my line of vision so you don't see me doing this. That's embarassing.

Maybe if I bat my eyelashes. No, no. That only works in movies. I will look like I have an awkward twitch. Just smile, Marissa. Smile and hope there is nothing in your teeth.

Let me buy you everything in the entire world so then maybe there is a slight possible chance that you will love me. LET ME LOVE YOU.

I am just going to casually walk by and hope that he looks up. When he looks up I will pull the 'Oh, hey, I didn't know you were in this area' face. Or shyly wave. Yeah, that's what I'll do.

Random Thoughts:
Well, hellllooooooo! ;)

I bet he has a super attractive girl....oh, boyfriend. He is attractive and has an attractive boyfriend. Awesome.

Oh. Okay. That's fine. Yeah, just side-hug me and tell me that I am adorable. Because I think it's so cute when totally friend-zone me and treat me like your little sister. Oh man, please go on!

Yuuuup. I just exist. Walk right past me and onto the girl next to me. Totes fine. I will just be standing here, chillin'. Chillin' like a villian, ya know.


Well, I hope you guys enjoyed my awkward and random thoughts about men.
Do you ever think of any of the things that I think of? Please share and let me know I am not alone.

Weekend Shenanigans: Baking, Heels & Marilyn.

It's Monday again. I apologize from the bottom of my little Marissa heart for not being so ever-present around these parts lately. I have been lacking inspiration and trying to get my bloggy mojo back, because I just haven't been feeling it lately. But, after a few days of reading, researching and looking at my life, I think I finally have some material and fun posts ahead for you nice people who stop by here and read what I have to say.

But, because it's like bloggy law that on a Monday you need to re-cap your weekend, I will follow such invisible law. Which also means it's time to link it on up with Sami over at Sami's Shenanigans. I can't say that this weekend was all that exciting, but it was a good one.

photo one // Lonely Friday nights call for baking, right? I baked for a little bit, made myself a little dinner and spent the remainder of my night watching 'Four Weddings'. I brought those lovely little brownies stuffed with Oreos to work on Saturday. My co-workers loved them, obviously! Sometimes you can just brighten a persons day when you hand them a little treat.

photo two // After a long day at work on Saturday, I only felt that it was necessary to go to Target and spend a laege sum of money on these heels that I have been eyeing for what seems to be forever. The five inch heels make my already tall self look like a gosh-dang skyscraper, and I am not complaining. First awesome purchase with my tax refund money.

photo three // Came home from said shopping trip with a little mocha latte and snuggled up in bed and watched "My Week with Marilyn". If you haven't seen it, go watch it. Such a fabulous film.

photo four // These litle suckers - nutella filled chocolate eggs - will be the death of me. My work got these bad boys shipped in last week and I have been staring at them for a while, so I just had to try a few, right? I mean, I need to be able to tell my customers if they are good or not!

photo five // Here is my OOTD from Sunday: mint jeans from Charolette Russe, peach shirt from Charolette Russe, white blazer from American Eagle, teal pearls from Forever 21.

photo six // Had a nice leisurely breakfast with mom after church. A little cheese danish and a nice, tall glass of milk. Nothing beats a little pastry on a fresh Spring morning.

Hope your weekend was a great one. See you back here soon.

Currently...

Sometimes I just sit here and stare at a blank post, trying to grab at straws of ideas. Some days I get something, other days I steal some ideas and then on those other days, I decided to talk about my totally boring and average life. Today just happens to be one of those days, I hope you don't mind.

 

 

 

If you don't follow me on Instagram, you didn't see the photo I posted of the totally yummy zeppoles we were giving away at work on Tuesday in honor of St. Joseph's Day. If you have absolutely no idea what I am talking about, it's okay, half of the Italians don't even know what it means either. Basically, its just a day to eat yummy cream filled pastries, and eat many of them, because the day only comes around once a year. So, mangia!

 

Inbetween working, and eating zeppoles, I have been sticking to my new "spring cleaning" resolution by eating healthier. (I swear to you, I only had one zeppole) I have been eating healthier, and working out everyday. I have been feeling better and with my new eating schedule, I have been feeling less hungry all the time. Way to go, me! Now, let's hope this whole new kick in the pants really works.

 

And inbetween all that jazz listed above, I have also been writing a script, well a skit, for the teens ar my church. They are competing in this competition we call Fine Arts and I am their director. I wrote the script and they have been working on learning some if it on their own. I had my first practice with them this week and I so confident and ready for them to compete - I know they are going to kick it out of the park. Me being their director means that I get to get away from work for a weekend to go and "direct and guide" them when they go to compete. Halle-stinking-lujah. This girls need a little break from all the raviolis and the crazies. And the crazy raviolis.

 

I hope that you all are doing fine and dandy.

 



Do I really have to clean that?!

Well, well, well. I hate to break it to all of you. But, it's finally Spring!

I couldn't be more excited about this because Spring is just one step closer to Summer, and I love Summer. It's just so carefree and I am so relaxed and not getting all stressed and crazy. The only time I am going crazy is at work, and even work doesn't stress me out in the summer because everyone is just having fun. Alright Spring, we're gunna let you finish, but I am pretty sure everyone wants Summer.

 

With Spring being in the air, I decided that I would embrace it with a bear hug and take on the task of Spring cleaning. I was never a big clean freak like my mom, but when I am on a kick, I am on a kick for a good while. I started at the begining of this week to start to not only clean out the obvious things, like the messy drawers, but also other things that could need a little refreshing.

 

                                                          Source: all-things-bright-and-beyootiful.tumblr.com via Delaney on Pinterest

1. The Hiding Places | I am forever shoving random things in places where I can't see them. I am hoping on cleaning out all the little hiding places I have to shove things and start to throw away things. My gosh, I hate throwing things away. I swear that I am a secret hoarder. I really do need to throw that old movie stub from last summer because it doesn't have any value anymore. Time to clean and organize all of colorful pens, markers and random notebooks that I continue to buy from Target.

 

2. The Wardrobe | I have been craving new clothes for the longest time. It's totally not helping that I had already gotten rid of so many winter clothes that I feel like I have been wearing the same thing for a month. I am going to go through all of my Winter and Spring clothes and all of my shoes. Once I can comb through all of that nonsense, I am going to treat myself with some new clothes, shoes and if I think that I have been a really good girl, maybe some jewelry - but only if it's on sale!

 

3. The iPhone of Wonders | Remember how I just mentioned that I am a secret hoarder and hate to throw things away? I also hate to hit the little red 'delete' button on my iPhone. I hate deleting any photos or things because I feel like at some point down the road I am going to be hitting myself upside the head because I deleted that picture I took of my shoes that one time, last month. I really need to bite the bullet and just delete somethings unless they are super important. This is going to be a hard one, I can tell you that right now.

 

4. The Laptop Creature | Again, much like the iPhone, I really need to just delete things off of my laptop or just organize everything into folders and re-name all of my documents. Because currently half of them have names like "fasnjgtangsg4fagfa5gag" and that's just not working for me.

 

5. The Tummy | I need to clean out the crapola. I am not going to say that I am fat, but I just really want to tone up and get back into shape. I am super motivated into excercising again and eating healthy. Who said that I can't spring clean out my body?

 

Are you going to do any Spring cleaning?



Weekend Shenanigans: Green, Shamrocks & Kiddos.

Oh, hi there. I must have taken a trip and fallen off the face of the blog-o-sphere. Sorry about the small comercial break, but I am back on this Monday and ready for the regularly scheduled programing that happens around these parts.

 

I would take this opportunity to tell you all about my amazing Spring Break. But, that said Spring Break was non-existant. I had one day off that week, and I worked my butt off the rest of the days. So, you can say that last week was merely uneventful. I am guessing that you expected that from me though, right? I lead a boring life: why do I blog? My friends, I ask myself that same question all the time.

 

But, there is good news! Today is Monday, which means I can link-up and tell you all about my weekend and the the things I actually did do on this moderately interesting weekend. Note: I used the word moderately.

 

 

photo one // Friday night I went out to dinner with my parents and grandfather. I was utterly exhausted and not hungry, so I decided to make my clam chowduh smile. Yes, I said chowduh, it's a New England thing.

 

photo two // My dad, being the best man on the planet, stopped and got me a shamrock shake from McDonalds. Oh my goodness. If you have never had one, then you are not living and need to wait until next St. Patty's Day and scoop one up immediately. I always forget how wonderful they are until I have one again.

 

photo three // Being a mostly Irish girl working in a place filled with Italians can be slightly intimidating. I decided to embrace my Irish heritage and all of it's green glory and wear my green Converse to work on Saturday. I wasn't working Sunday, so I decided to deck out a day early. All of my fellow Irishmen complimented them.

 

photo four // Sunday morning as I was emptying the pockets of my Northface, I found this litle slip tucked away. It was a list of the pasta that I needed to unload from the truck the day before at work. I just can't get away from that place, it even follows me home.

 

photo five // As most girls do when they are alone in their car, I took a selfie. I was rocking my yellow and green for St. Patty's Day along with my leather jacket, clearance aisle Target sunglasses and a little Coral Crush lipstick by Revlon.

 

photo six // I went to the bakery with my mom for a little something for breakfast. Boy, do I love a good bakery pastry. My mom and I walked out of their with a piece each.

 

photo seven // Happy St. Patty's day from my favorite little man, Cameron! Isn't he a ham?

 

photo eight // I went to my baby cousin Annabelle's 1st birthday on Sunday afternoon. She is just the cutest stinking thing. She was totally loving shoving her face into her little cake, along with a little help from her daddy.

 

photo nine // I was fortunate enough to get a hold of the little princess, before she fell asleep, that is. I got my hands on and played with her for a little while until she started to get those heavy eyelids and was whisked away to a nap.

 

 

Hope you all had a great day enjoying being Irish, whether it be all year 'round, or just for the day.