Art Supplies

Paul and I are lucky enough to have a second bedroom in our apartment. It's a really nice size room but since no one lives in there...except for my shoes, it can sometimes look a little dull. As I was looking for ways to spruce it up (on a pretty tight budget) I came across the website Land of Nod. You all might know them already since they are the little sister of Crate and Barrel and have some seriously cute bedding for any size bed. But guys, they also have really great art! And for pretty reasonable prices. Here are a few of my favorites.How do you pick art for your house? When I was little I desperately wanted my parents to have professional pictures of us all around the house like I would see in other homes. They never went for it, instead opting for art. Some of it I have really come to love....except for the tapestry in Rachaels room. I hate you.

What do you think? What do you hang on your walls? Where do you buy art?

Cheap Thrills- Melissa's Pick

Image Seen Here

The latest and greatest Cheap Thrill comes from my friend Melissa. I was introduced to her through my dear friend Erica and I am so glad that I have had a chance to get to know Melissa. From getting robbed in Spain (we were fine, my new phone wasn't) to dancing down on the Jersey Shore, Melissa has kept me laughing the whole time. But beyond funny, Melissa is incredible smart, driven and always looks amazing. When she sent over her Cheap Thrill pick of rollerball perfume from Sephora, it was like a light bulb went off in my brain and I couldn't wait to share. In Melissas own words "I like to switch up my perfume often (when the seasons change or after a big life event like moving, breaking up with someone, etc) and this is a cheap way to do it!"

For today's Cheap Thrill, you get to pick any scent from the Sephora Rollerball selection. Just leave a comment of either your signature scent or which perfume you would like. Winner will be picked on Friday at 5pm.

Good Luck!

Cheap Thrills Barbaras Pick

So honestly, when I started blogging this week, I had no intention of making it fitness focused around these parts. But once it started, I decided to roll with it, using posting as my own motivation (sorry for the mildly selfish thoughts) and get to business. With that said, it was also time for another Cheap Thrill and I had been itching to use this one anyway. Barbara is my old roommate of over 10 years. She can make me laugh within 10 seconds of talking to her, is one of the hardest working people I know and once signed up with me on the family plan at the Brooklyn YMCA so we could score the deal.

As a dance major in college, fitness and living a healthy lifestyle has always been a part of Barbara's life. When she emailed me that her cheap thrill was Balega Hidden Comfort Socks, I wanted to know why. I thought I would share what she wrote back. "They are super cushy - aka the hidden comfort - on the bottom which I just think is a nice touch. It makes my feet feel respected when I run, not to mention cozy. Also, they have the little tab in the back so they don't fall down into your shoes, a big prob for us skinny heeled sistas."

Barbara once was in Cape Cod and training for a crazy run with our friend Amy. They ran from the house 3.5 miles to the best bar around and then back to the house. I would like to think that it was how comfortable the socks were that stopped her from going into the Beachcomber for a Goombay Smash.

So you guys know the drill. Leave a comment with the words "Sock It To Me" and anyone other workout gear that you love, always appreciated. A winner will be pick on Friday at 5pm.

Cheap Thrill - Emma's Pick

Bagels from Zabars

Today’s Cheap Thrill comes from my oldest and dearest friend Emma. First of all, today is my homegirl’s birthday. Happy Birthday Emma! You totally rock! We love you! Seriously, Emma and I have known each other since we were 4 years old.We went to every school together including college which makes her the most perfect person for trying to figure out someone who looks familiar (Hillside? Kenyon? Nishuane?). She also is under the radar hilarious, an amazing cook and the perfect person to ask what you should read next. Emma also picked one of my most favorite cheap thrills. One that I totally get down with too. A bagel with butter.   It’s that simple and yet that amazing at the same time. So today, for the Cheap Thrill Give Away, I will be sending the winner a half dozen of Zabars FamousBagels. These babies can ship anywhere, so for all you non-New Yorkers who might not know that amazingness of bagels on the daily, don’t worry—this is your chance (New Yorkers are still encouraged to get down with this—the Upper West Side might as well be New Jersey for those in Brooklyn). In the comments, let me know what you put on your bagel. Winner will be randomly selected on Monday. Bagel me!  

Happy Birthday Emma! There is no one else I would rather wait in line with to meet Pioneer Woman!

are you feeling lucky?

Image of a much younger Nicolas Cage from Rotten Tomatoes

Tonights Powerball jackpot is a whopping $550 million buck-a-roos. I bought a few tickets for myself and also joined my office pool. When the pot get this big, it is hard not to dream about what I would do with all the winnings. Remember that movie It Could Happen To You with Nicolas Cage, Bridget Fonda and Rosie Perez? He doesn't have enough money to tip the waitress so he offers to share his money should his lottery ticket win. Spoiler alert...he wins.

I was once with a group of friends who all were given scratch off tickets. My friend Babara misread her ticket and thought (and screamed for about 3 minutes) that she won $500.00. Turned out she didn't but it was worth the laugh.

Do you guys buy lottery tickets? Do you think they are a total waste or a cheap thrill? Ever win big?

Cheap Thrill Project- Sara E Pick!

Seen (and will be purchased on) Anthropologie

This weeks Cheap Thrill comes from Sara Elsasser. Let me back up by saying that Sara and I have known each other our entires lives. My life was almost cut short when I walked into her grandparents pool before knowing how to swim but that is another story. Sara is indescribable but if i had to try, I would have to say incredibly smart, fun, the type of person you pray is on your team and can not only make the best of almost nearly every situation, but in fact makes it better. She also has really nice hair. Seriously, it is always shiny. So when she sent me her pick for these amazingly new cute ponytail holders, it seemed like a perfect fit. Plus she let me know that they don't crease your hair and looks nice on your wrist in a pinch. I am sold. 

to win your own set of these super cute hair bands (a set of 5) , leave a comment of how you would rock them. a random winner will be picked on tuesday.
Again, the Cheap Thrill Project isn't sponsored. It was just a way for me to pass on really cool information from my friends to yours of the best of the best out there. Pass it on! 

Cheap Thrill Project. Maya Nailed It

I think its time for something fun.

For those who don't know, Maya is my older sister. But a sister isn't enough of a word to describe her. maya is a smart, funny, amazing mom and even better friend.  And she almost always has her nails done. you know why? It's because Maya's cheap thrill is getting a manicure. Having nice nails is the cherry on top. Even in play clothes, when your nails are done, you look nice. So today, for the inaugural Cheap Thrill, I am giving away a $20.00 Gift Card to SpaFinder.com so that you can go get your nails did anywhere you want. 

Seen on Thank God I'm A Girl

To enter, leave a comment with the words CHEAP THRILL. If you want to add your favorite nail color too, that would be even better.  Winner will be selected at random on Wednesday. 

PS-- None of my Cheap Thrill Project is sponsored. It is just something fun from me to you. Pass it on to your friends!

Cheap Thrills- The Project

One of my more popular posts has been my Cheap Thrill suggestion about my favorite Revlon Just Bitten Lip Balms. I got emails, texts and even a phone call from friends and sisters about them which made me think. I know a fair amount of really impressive, cool, stylish, smart, funny (you get the point, I admire these people in all ways) women. And so I sent out an email asking them what their cheap thrills were. The only parameter was that it had be under $15.00.  I have compiled a list of their thoughts and am now ready to share with you, my readers. And here is the fun part. With each cheap thrill, I will give it away to one of you, drawing a name from the comments section of each Cheap thrill post. So stay tuned. Cheap thrills to come.