So. I love my cats…. In case you couldn’t already tell… Like I am pretty sure even those on Mars know that Aly LOVES her fur-babies, although,… Read more “#OfficeCats every office should have them!”
Category: Uncategorized
Friendly PSA… Pinterest tells all. the. LIES
So, you get engaged! YAY!! You set a date! DOUBLE YAY! You plan the entire wedding… TRIPLE YAY!! Your Fiancé agrees to do engagement pictures and you finalize your awesome photographer! Check. Mate. I WIN!
You do TONS of research on the most reliable source for outfit planning… Pinterest. DUH.
You decide where to have the pictures and find the “perfect dress” from LuLu’s (which is the greatest site for dresses… seriously, don’t let my poor choices affect your great fashion!)… You get your hair and makeup done by the ever fabulous Glow Girls and your picture day has the best weather Boston has seen all spring!
Your man dresses in the color coordination you’ve planned, and you set out for a funfilled day of photos in the city!
You take pics in all the traditional poses you’ve sent the photographer from pinterest. You spend the day holding hands and “casually” walking down the pathways in Beacon Hill, you avoid the protests in the city, find the most adorable little streets that depicts Boston in all its glory, you realize that kissing in public is pretty freaking awkward and your guy has the most soulful eyes… which I can honestly say I’ve never spent all that much time staring into!
You get your photos the next day (because your photographer is awesome) and you realize 2 things… One. You made the right decision in picking your photographer, because your photos are gorgeous and Two. that you REALLY MESSED UP in your outfit choice…
FLOWY DRESSES ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND!
WHY. DIDN’T. ANYONE. TELL. ME…………
Ok, Fine, Lesson learned… in all fairness the results were pretty adorable and we got some pretty perfect pics for the purpose of the shoot – the save the dates….
Forever I will keep in mind and share for the greater good the following…. DO NOT WEAR FLOWY DRESSES TO A PHOTO SHOOT. YOU WILL LOOK LIKE A BIG PURPLE GRAPE AND WILL HATE YOURSELF COME PROOFING TIME.
On the upside… I’m pretty sure it has finally given me the push over the edge of motivation I needed to get back to the gym!!
Summary:
MAJOR PSA: Flowy Dresses are NOT for Photo Shoots!
Pinterest Poses: Not cute unless you’re like MODEL hot
Photo Shoots: Awakward AF…
Results: Adorbs
Check out how cute we are!!!! More to Follow!
But WHAT IS a wedding diet…
Ok. So. I’ve become that girl… I’ve become that girl I loved to talk to but secretly hated… I’ve become that girl who is so insanely in… Read more “But WHAT IS a wedding diet…”
Now I’m a decorator!
In previous posts‘ I’ve mention my recently developed addiction to HGTV. Mainly Property Brothers, Fixer Upper and Flip or Flop. I love seeing the old outdated homes and how they transform them into new, modern and beautiful spaces.
This addiction and the fact that I find organizing and cleaning relaxing has prompted me to purge, clean and organize. I’ve given about 4 bags to friends and co-workers to which they reply “Seriously MORE?”
As the holidays got closer, I began the process of making my holiday gift list to send off to A and my family. I usually ask for clothes or designer bags, jewelry or shoes… However, this year, realizing I have MORE clothing and shoes than I need (and continue to buy more, despite the fact that I shouldn’t be), I asked for new furniture for my office! Which I felt was a VERY mature decision and realized I might ACTUALLY be turning into an adult! Now, if only I could stop shopping… I’m working on it… Its a process…
We’ve now lived in this apartment 3 full years and are nearly half way through our 4th. I decided it was time to make my home office/ girl from a space that I could be proud of! I spend so much time in here and I wanted to be able to find peace and tranquility when I walked in everyday.
I also wanted a place that I could have my girlfriends over for coffee on the weekends or wine nights, instead of going out to a coffee shop, shopping or to a bar (which inevitably involves spending a lot more money) whenever I want to see a friend!… I realized I could save A LOT of money, if I had a more comfortable space to get together with friends… I refused to invite people over to sit on a mattress and I would never kick A out of our living room!
My current home office / glam girl room, is a hodgepodge of furniture. I am grateful for the furniture as I didn’t have to buy much of it and it served its purpose! I have A’s old desk from his room growing up, target cube furniture, an old Turtle Tank Table that I am using as a make up vanity, a target coffee / side table from my first apartment FIVE years ago and A’s parents old mattress… that I HAD TO HAVE, begging A and his dad to maneuver it into my converted Attic of an upstairs office!
From my HGTV obsession, I’ve gotten all sorts of design ideas for how I want my Glam Room / Office to look! Gray, Chic, Modern, Glass!
After doing an immense amount of research, reading reviews, making listings, finding things I liked better and pinterest searching “Glam Office”, I FINALLY found the pieces I wanted to make my Glam Girl Room! I sent out the list to A & my parents, and about a week ago, I received the first piece to my transformation, Phase 1! My GORGEOUS new desk, courtesy of the mama and the papa!
This box was 75 lbs and was delivered to my front steps… I live on the second floor. A wasn’t home, and I HAD to get it into the house, I just couldn’t wait. What did I do you ask? I squatted… Bear hug lifted and carried the HUGE box up the stairs to my house. I didn’t injure myself, may or may not have been extremely winded, but hey! I did it! From there I opened the box and took out all the pieces to individually carry them upstairs! Then of course it BUILT THE THING ALL BY MY SELF!!!! #GirlBoss – I FREAKING LOVE MY NEW DESK!!!!
To really appreciate the new desk, you have to compare it to the old. The new, open, modern look really lightens up the whole room!
But phase 1 of the transformation didn’t stop there. I needed a way to organize the shelves and cubes to make sure everything looked neat and tidy!
HELLO TARGET!
I don’t know what it is about bin organization, but it makes me SO happy!
Today to complete phase 1.. I hung pictures that have been sitting in my desk for 5 months!
Additionally, I’ve cleaned out most of the unnecessary clutter and the next step will be to remove the mattress and put it into the land of clutter (the spare room)…
I am immensely happy with how this room is coming together and LOVE seeing my vision come to reality!
Here are the next pieces to be added! Plus some furry pillows in red for a POP of color!! Eventually I will add a new vanity to the mix, but that will be down the road!
God, I’d hate to be that Turkey!
Summary of the story? I am Thankful I am not the turkey on the table, but that the turkey sacrificed its life to be the center piece of this delicious meal!
Today, I called my grandparents to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving, since I won’t see them and wanted to make sure I was able to catch up with them before the holiday. (I know what you’re thinking… I am the best granddaughter ever… Its really hard being SO perfect and the golden child!)
Naturally they all asked “How are you?” To which I answered honestly, truthfully and surprisingly, “REALLY AMAZING.” It made me think, for the first time in my life, I can honestly say I am truly happy and mostly content. I have an awful lot to be thankful for and thought it would be nice to express this gratitude on the eve of the day of we give thanks!
I think sometimes we forget how much we have to be thankful for, we get caught up in the nuances and minor catastrophes of our every day lives that we don’t always see the big picture and how much we actually have to be grateful for! I encourage, and implore you, as I have here, to take a moment and think about that you’re thankful for… Its OK if its in-between the turkey and the apple pie or after your 3rd mimosa, just making sure you do it. It is humbling and a nice reminder of all you have…Count your blessings on this day, because it is, after all, the reason the Turkey gave its life!
I am thankful for:
- I am thankful my very handsome, smart and patient Boyfriend, who loves me and is the rock I need to stabilize my rather chaotic existence.
- I am thankful for my Parents, for mainly giving me life, but for also everything else under the sun and for always being there for me and for being my best friends!
- I am thankful my Sisters who are the craziest people I know, and are absolutely, smart, beautiful and incredible! I wouldn’t be me without their crazy asses.
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BUT WHY ARE THEY SO CUTE???? #KittenGoals #Blessed I am thankful my adorable and insanely fluffy fur babies, without whom life would be incredibly boring
- I am thankful for the addition this year of Dash to our family. We didn’t know it, but he was what was missing from our little family!
- I am thankful my Grandparents who I am very fortunate to have 2 sets of and who are incredibly strong guiding forces in my life
- I am thankful my incredibly generous In-Laws, being 150 miles from my own parents, I am very grateful to them so close by, should I need a “parent”.
- I am thankful my Close Girlfriends who I can always count on to enable my crazy
- I am thankful for my Close Girlfriends who I can always count on to defuse my crazy
- I am thankful for The Loreali to my Rory
- I am thankful for My Aunts, Uncles and Cousins
- I am thankful that fact that Gilmore Girls is coming back for 6 hours of Stars Hallow greatness!
- I am thankful that I am able to work / do a job I love and build something incredible with my family and boyfriend. I am so proud of where we are today and how far we’ve come! It is truly special what we’ve built and the best is yet to come!
- I am thankful for the fact that Greys Anatomy is on its 13th Season and STILL going strong!
- I am thankful that there are regular Harry Potter Marathons on Freeform (ABC Family)
- I am thankful for Netflix and that Binge watching is a socially acceptable thing and encouraged
- I am thankful for the foliage and living in beautiful New England
- I am thankful that Tequila is “Good for you”
- I am thankful that I found a workout plan that works for me and I LOVE doing!!
- I am thankful pizza is LIFE as are cheeseburgers and Tacos… #TacoLife
- I am thankful for my beautiful, warm home
- I am thankful to be able to live in the greatest city on earth (one that I definitely don’t take advantage of…)
- I am thankful to be able to give awesome holiday gifts this season to my loved ones and to have the ability to work and earn and pay my bills as well!
- I am thankful for my bed and cuddly kitten in said bed
- I am thankful for my life
- I am thankful for my loves
- I am thankful.
What’re you thankful for???
Messy Bun, Gettin Stuff Done!
New Favorite Boost / Training Manual…. #GirlBoss by Sophia Amoruso
Past 3 days: 4 loads of Laundry (folded and put away), Clean House, Dishes done each day, worked a double (day job and night job on Tuesday), successfully completed a major project, kept up with all other responsibilities and client care, and Didn’t Lock any Cats in the CLOSET!
#GirlBossInTraining #Adulting #IGotThis #GettinItDone
I aspire to be a #GirlBoss. I aspire to be strong. I aspire to be confident in my convictions. I aspire to be able to convey a message without coming off as a bitch. I aspire to run a company. I aspire to be a #WomanWhoWorks, balancing home, work & life. I aspire to do it all and have it all!
Being a woman in business is hard. You have to be strong, but not too strong, You have to act look like a butterfly and sting like a bee, you have to be tough, but not too tough, you stick to your guns, but not fire them, you have to command the room, but raising your voice can make others think you’re “getting emotional”… Basically you have to find that happy medium of steadfast, firm, friendly, direct and ALWAYS. I repeat. ALWAYS. keep. your. emotions. in. check.
When a man is steadfast, strong, direct or firm, he is held in high regard and respected… When a woman does it? She is a bitch, feisty, shrill and “just being emotional”… To add insult and injury to all of that, if the woman is young, its a complete game changer…
“Oh, she is just young…”, “She’s just trying to make her voice heard”, “She doesn’t know how to communicate, shes too naive.” “What a bitch!”
I am 27 years old, I am a woman, I am a girlfriend, daughter, sister, friend, I have a part-time job, I have a house that requires cleaning, cats that require feeding and laundry that needs to be done. My man friend has this weird desire to wear clean clothes…. Whatever… I am a director in my company and hold a job where I wear MANY hats and a lot on my plate, I get mad, I get frustrated, I am young, I am naive, and I am still learning. Sometimes I do get stressed, sometimes I get overwhelmed, sometimes I have trouble balancing it all, sometimes I cry, sometimes life gets too hard and sometimes I get accidentally drunk on a Monday Night…. Shit Happens, ok?
As I was writing this past paragraph, this song kept playing (I’m a Bitch, By Meredith Brooks) in my head… It is officially my new theme song! “I’m a Bitch, I’m a Lover, I’m a Cat Mother, I’m a Child, I’m a Sinner, I’m a Saint… I don not feel ashamed!” Take me as I am!!
One of my many blessing in life is that I went to work for my father, right out of college, and since then nearly 6 years later, we have built something incredible! I am incredibly grateful to have a wonderful mentor and 
guiding force in him; because I am young and I am still learning, I am working on controlling my emotions, I am trying to make my voice heard and sometimes I do come off as a bitch… But my BIGGEST Pet Peeve is when it is used as an excuse for my behavior. Which is why I continue to learn, grow and work at better having control of all things.
I LOVE my job, I love working and building something with my family, I love my customers, I love learning about different businesses and helping them grow and most importantly I truly LOVE learning more about being a woman in business!
Over the last 5 years, I have learned and grown so much, but I still have so much to learn. I need to learn how to communicate better with the different departments and I need to learn how to make things happen so that it works for all, instead of a few.
Over the last 5 months, we’ve engaged with a new CRM system, that has completely changed how I operated. It has automated emails, sent reminders and allowed me to have all the data I need on a customer at the click of a button. I had dreams of the ability to enter information once and have it populate in multiple areas / fields. I had visions and aspirations of achieving a more streamlined administrative process, one which I knew could be achieved. No more excel spreadsheets for this girl!
My most recent project, along with many others has been to streamline our lead generation and order entry process. This project hasn’t just been a labor of love, but of fierce determination and stubbornness. It has taken MANY hours, countless emails, several arguments (with only myself and with others), a kick ass team and huge amount of
brain power.
This project reached about 95% completion today, after 3 FULL days of testing and brainstorming, many conversations that had many different workflow variations, several ideas and determination… today the whole system FINALLY WORKED! I may have done a celebratory dance in my home office, the cats participated… it was awesome…. But this achievement didn’t come without a lesson.
I learned that in order to get things done properly, you need to use the resources and brain power available to you. I learned you cannot make rash demands or implementation, because what I think will work, may not work for the rest of my team or the organization. I learned it is important to look for a solution that will benefit the entire organization and make everyone’s life easier. I learned arguing won’t get me anywhere, but finding solutions and looking for alternatives will.. I learned that I have come very far in terms of growth and personal development, but I still have a ways to go.
So as I continue to grow as a woman, and Girl Boss, I will continue to have aspirations and goals. I will continue to fight through and learn so that someday I can be a kick ass #GirlBoss!
Love Always,
#GirlBoss in Training
2 Jewish Girls Walk into a Target…
True Story… I am newly OBSESSED with HGTV… I can’t say why, because I honestly don’t know. I find it oddly soothing watching people demo houses and completely transform them from shabby to chic or for run down to beautiful. While I don’t have a creative bone in my body, I like to pretend I do and look forward to when himself and I buy a house and I can start over when it comes to decorating my office and home…
#AlyDoesJuryDuty
I’m coming to you LIVE from the Jurors Pool room, in the basement of the Framingham District Court. *Cough, Cough, sniffle, sniffle, HACK* – sounds that surround… Read more “#AlyDoesJuryDuty”
Giant Douche or a Turd Sandwich…
If you watch South Park then you know what the title refer to…. If you don’t watch South Park then you are servery missing out on the greatest show of all time. (Click the link to find out more about the 20th Season Episode Premiere I am referring to!)
Basically the premise is that its Presidential Election time and its between a Giant Douche and a Turd Sandwich… Both suck, clearly, and the kids can’t understand why “every 4 years, we have to choose between a Giant Douche and a Turd Sandwich”…
I can’t help but think about this episode and the titles of the candidates every time I think about the current presidential election.
The world is a scary place right now, and our country seems even scarier… We have riots in the streets going on for days, our law enforcement is NOT respected, we’re on the cusp of a SECOND Civil War and to top it all off, home grown ISIS terrorists keep popping up like a bad game of whack-a-mole.
Basically our once great nation, is going to complete shit and the people who are running for the highest office in the WORLD are being made to look / making each other look like complete jackasses…
All politics aside… what happened to respect for authority?
What happened to respect for those who hold or run for office?
What happened to respect for each other and the opinions one has?
This election, more than any I can remember, has brought out the ABSOLUTE worst in people.
Me, Personally, I am voting for Trump. I PERSONALLY, like what he has to say and think he is what our country needs to be turned around. I think he is a excellent business man and at the end of the day our country is a business that is failing (and in the red) miserably. I think that for myself and my man friend, we pay an obscene amount for GOOD health insurance… I think that for working 2 jobs, I take home very little, because taxes are so god damn high… I think that we need someone outside of the establishment to make ACTUAL change. I think that 4-8 years with Hillary Clinton would be more of the same and basically another round of Obama… Which clearly hasn’t been working… I think that the narrative that he will get us “blown up” or that he will be trigger happy is complete b.s.. He will have more “Political” Advisers and oh, that little thing called CONGRESS…. to keep him in line. 
Personally, I believe Benghazi was a horrific tragedy, that could have been avoided and if you haven’t seen 13 Hours, you need to…… I think Hillary’s actions during the trials and the way she conducted herself in front of and to the victims families was deplorable. Her email scandal is shady A.F. and more than that, I do not want to have my future daughters (god-willing) grow up knowing that this woman who was our FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT, stood by her husband during the most publicly humiliating and famous Presidential cheating scandal of the common day. If you haven’t read the book The Residence, you absolutely should… If sheds some incredible insight into the height of the cheating scandal!
Granted I agree we as a nation probably could have produced 2 BETTER candidates for the highest office in the world…. But this is what we’re dealt…. So deal with it…
But my PERSONAL opinion, does not need to change yours. You want to vote for Hillary? Sure go for it… You think Trump sucks, you loathe him? You think he is despicable, a moron, a liar? Ok, you’re entitled to your own opinion… I don’t have to agree with it because its just that… Its YOURS… It isn’t my job to change it…
My absolute favorite are the posts about people moving to Canada once the election happens… Really…. Are you really going to uproot your entire life, and file paper work to get a Visa, to move to Canada, for 4-8 years? Really? Are you really going to actually do that???? NO… So SHUT UP! You’re going to tough it out for the next 4-8 years, just like EVERY OTHER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION!
So many people think it is their personal job to change other peoples mind… MANY friends of mine, post content opposing the other side… and then argue with people who post to the contrary… This election has brought out such an ugly side of people, that I find myself unfollowing or unfriending because I just don’t want to see it anymore…What makes me even more disgusted are the arguments that take place on someones post between STRANGERS!
WHY DO YOU NEED TO ARGUE YOUR POINT TO A COMPLETE STRANGER??? ARE YOU THAT BORED??? Go pack to move to Canada, go take a walk, go work-out, go play with your kids, dog, spouse, etc… STOP BEING A TROLL!
Politics and Friendship do not mix. Which is why I keep my mouth shut (most of the time) and keep my opinions to myself… After the debate last night the narraitve has gotten out of hand and I felt the need to express myself…
Now… Can we all just put our differences aside, respect one another and fshow some love, kindness, and gratitude for all that we have… especially each other?
Kindness and Love…. That is what I am voting for….
XOXO – Be kind to one another…. We’re all we’ve got!
You’re Not Fat! You’re Just Fluffy!
Progress is as Progress Does… Or something like that….
As the original purpose behind the creation of this blog, I am on a path towards consistency when making healthy choices; as it applies to both my nutrition and fitness.
Starting this journey in April of 2016, roughly 6 months ago, I began with the Whole 30. This was an eye-opening experience and taught me a several things about myself.
- I DO NOT need to Drink every night (I just like to)
- I CAN survive without Dairy, Carbs, Sugar, Gluten, Soy, ETC…
- I LOVE Almond Milk and Nut based flours and breads… Not only are they delicious (and you can’t tell a true difference) but they don’t make you feel bloated or gross.
- I DO NOT need Wine… I enjoy it, but I enjoy my face not being bloated MUCH more!
- I can do ANYTHING for 20 days (because I didn’t make it a full 30… The weather got nice)
- I CAN live Paleo – It just isn’t conducive for my NON-COOKING lifestyle… I have a tendency to burn down the house…
- I Do NOT enjoy being limited and restricted on my foods.
- I MUST Eat breakfast EVERY DAY to not get Hangry…
- Almond Milk tastes better with coffee than regular milk.
- (Just to round out an even 10) I am Strong, I am Determined and Food DOES NOT Control me.
Ok… So now here is how the summer went…
- I enjoyed the fuck out of my summer! I worked my ass off… BOTH JOBS…
- I ate a TON of food
- I lived 60/40 Clean and Unclean…
- I drank A LOT of Tequila…. It was awesome!
- I ATE a lot of TACOS – because Tacos are life and if that’s wrong, I don’t want to be right….
- I hung with friends, family and man-friend
- Celebrated Summer, Love and Happiness
- I Drank MORE Tequila
- I made NEW Friends
- I truly loved life!
But it sure took its toll on my weight… towards the end of summer, I was EXTREMELY close to where I was when i started this whole ordeal… NOT OK!
Knowing that living Paleo isn’t really the key to success, given the fact that I don’t (not allowed) cook and the confines of a budget…And continuously doing rounds of “Whole 30” isn’t really me, since I need a lifestyle, not a 30 day reset. I made a decision that to date has stuck for 3 weeks (longer than any other plan)… I am simply cutting out fried foods… Its easy, effective and can be done without much thought.
The other major decision I made was to quit the Gym (after going consistently for 2 months) and join Synergy! Synergy has completely changed my life and how I look at working out!
Synergy is small group training sessions (no more than 5 people per group) with a personal trainer. During the hour workout, you do 3 – 9 minute segments of cardio and 3 – 9 minute segments of strength and weight training. ITS FUCKING HARD! Going 3 times (on average) each week, for 3 weeks, I began to see results…
When taking my stats with the owner after 3 weeks of sessions we had the following conversation!
A: So I’m down 4 lbs, 3% in Body Fat, and 1% BMI…
BB: That’s FANTASTIC!
A: That seems pretty quick to see those kind of results!
BB: Yes, those are amazing! Did you change anything else?
A: No, I cut out fried foods, but that’s about it…
BB: Well, it’s clearly working… Stick with it!
A: Can you measure my waist? I put on a pair of jeans that didn’t fit this past winter and they fit comfortably!
BB: Aly, I am getting 36″ are you sure I am at your belly button?
A: Yes…
BB: Well, you’re down THREE INCHES in your waist! I don’t know how that happened so quick, but that is amazing!
A *Internally Jumps For Joy*
I find working out at Synergy challenging, fun, rewarding, difficult and motivational! The workouts are challenging and sometimes I send death glares towards the trainer, but thankfully there are always modifications, for when I feel like I am going to die. The trainers are friendly, fun and engaging… never do you feel pressured or put down if you can’t complete the set! They encourage you and push you so you can achieve your goals! The best part is you are consistently doing something new, so the hour goes by quickly and by the end you feel tired, sore, happy and energized all that the same time. It’s quickly becoming my favorite way to start the day…
Side Note: Monday, I DID NOT feel well! I had worked over the weekend 20 out of the 48 hours, then worked all day Monday. I was tired, burnt out, feeling sick and utterly exhausted… But if you’re going to cancel you need to do so at the latest, 3 hours before your session… And of course I didn’t… So I had to make the decision… Lose the session and continue to feel terrible, or go workout, feel terrible, but have accomplished something.
- I went… My heart wasn’t in it… I didn’t smile throughout the session like I normally do… But I DID IT… I struggled (it also was a really hard workout), but I finished and was able to say at LEAST I GOT THERE!
I am sleeping better than I have in years, because I am so tired by the end of the day!
The biggest plus of all…? Aside from the numeric results… I am seeing Non-Scale Victories as well. Like the fact that I am getting less winded doing every day activities… Like carrying the laundry up the stairs… I feel significantly stronger and while I still get tired, I am powering through my workouts. Oh and the little fact that MY CLOTHING IS FITTING BETTER!!!!!!
Today, I tried on a Large in Jeggings based on the size chart. Today I am returning those jeggings in exchange of a MEDIUM because the Large was just TOO BAGGY…. What a problem to have!
In addition to all the health benefits I am seeing, I want to eat healthier too, because I just FEEL GOOD!
Today I made a BIG salad for the week: Romaine Lettuce, Feta Cheese, Tomatoes and Cucumbers.
Then Cooked chicken breast to go on the salad for lunch this week…
Of Course I had help in the kitchen.. and by help I mean supervisors…
I will NEVER be alone ever again, with these little furballs.
So there you have it… I have found something (for now) that works for me, that I can keep up with and is TRULY helping me achieve my goals and see results. The trainers and owner at Synergy hold me accountable and the tracking helps me stay on the path…
Go out and find what works for you…
xoxo