Hallelujah, it's the weekend.

As soon as Monday comes around the internal countdown to the weekend begins.  Weekends are the ish.  There is such joy in resting your head on your comfy pillow knowing you don't have to wake up and face rush hour traffic.  It is just lovely.  Lovely I tell you.  This weekend I realized that I have been totally slacking on the pictures here.  Well, real pictures with the real me (does that make sense?).  Here are two of the outfits I wore this weekend.  The first outfit was worn to a dinner date with my lover.  Too bad I didn't realize it was a little windy out (I kinda was freezing my butt off).  Dinner at 32 East in Delray Beach was uh-mazing.  Try the swordfish, it is like a food orgasm in your mouth.  No lies.  The second outfit was from earlier today.  The husband was going to the Harley Davidson store and asked if I wanted to join.  I couldn't give up the opportunity to see a bunch of gnarly bikers up close and personal (yes, I busted out the word gnarly).  I felt like it was the best opportunity to strut around with my chucks and my cute Cookie Monster t-shirt.  Because lets face it, who doesn't love the Monster?  Exactly.  There are days where casual is the way to go.  Today was one of those days.  I was even complimented at how adorable my shirt was, score!  

If you like what you see you can also follow me on Instagram.  User name: RBarbie.
I hope your weekend was fabulous, darlings!

xoxo

A special thanks to my husband who with such patience became my photographer. 

I love you!

For the bookworm.

"Part of me wanted to run away from him screaming, Fire! A more reckless part was tempted to see how close I could get without... combusting."
-Nora Grey

A SACRED OATH
A FALLEN ANGEL
A FORBIDDEN LOVE

This past summer I started reading three different supernatural series.  It started with the "Beautiful Creatures" series (which I've recommended once before) that led me to the "Hush, Hush" series which ultimately led me to the "Fallen" series (busy little bookworm).  Reading is exhilarating.  It transports me to different times and places without ever leaving the warmth of my cozy couch (comfiness does amazing things for me).  Which is why I realized that since I am yet to start a "Book Club" (which I REALLY want to do) I could give all my suggestions to you.  

Okay, "Hush, Hush". Oh, where to begin.  Like I mentioned before I started the series this past summer.  I read one book after the other.  It was like I was starving and devouring my favorite pizza (I kid you not).  Every single moment I could spare I read.  Until I realized that the last book "Finale" would only come out in October.  I nearly had a heart attack.  Um, it was only June and I had to wait till October to find out what happens next? WHAT?  Needless to say I was b-u-m-m-e-d.  Though I desperately want to divulge all the reasons why I love this series, I don't want to spoil it.  I also didn't want the series to end, ever.  Which is why it took me so long to start the last novel.  A part of me knew that once I reached the very last page it would all be over, forever (until they come out with a movie version and ruin it completely).  And, to me, the ending of a book is depressing.  I become emotionally attached to the characters.  All I want to do is wear black and mourn.  So, I did something I have NEVER done before.  I read one chapter a day, sometimes two (hardest thing I've ever done).  I told myself that I would relish every moment I had left with Patch.  This Friday when I read the last page and set my I-pad down I instantaneously felt a void.  Yes, i am quite aware of how crazy this may sound (unless you are a book worm like me, which in that case you totally understand, support group, maybe?).  Yet, there is nothing I'd rather do than read, okay, maybe I like to eat a lot too. 

So, if you like forbidden love, you like all things supernatural and cheesy is your middle name, this is the series for you.  There were moments where Patch (one of the main characters) put Edward Cullen to shame.  Edward Cullen who? 

To fill that empty space I've taken the suggestion of a friend and have started "City of Bones" which is part of the Mortal Instrument's series.  I read the first chapter last night at like almost one in the morning.  As I get a little further into the novel I will be sure to give an update.  Now, get your tush off that couch and start reading "Hush, Hush", I'd love to hear your thoughts.  

xoxo

A Griswold family kinda Christmas.

"Hallelujah, holy shit, where's the Tylenol."
-Clark Griswold

These last couple of days have been well, interesting, to say the least.  I hope you and yours had a fabulous Christmas.  Our Christmas?  Well, it was a Griswold family kind of Christmas.  In the words of the husband, "All that was missing was an explosion".  And, with all honesty he is not exaggerating.  I will spare you the details.  Santa was generous this year (he always is) and hopefully the same goes for you!  Even though my Christmas was filled with all the insanity you can possibly conjure up, it makes for a good laugh.  The kind of laugh where you giggle not to cry, seriously.  We always have next year, right? Right. I am trying not to dwell on what was and am content with what is.  Next year I will be playing hostess for a change.  And trust me family, if you think I'm bossy now, you have no idea what will be waiting for you Christmas of 2013.  Consider this a warning.
xoxo

'Twas the Nightmare before Christmas...

"Once again, we come to the Holiday Season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice."
-Dave Barry

'Twas the nightmare before Christmas and all through the month I was pulling my hair out it's not even a joke.  The holiday season is most definitely NOT all about sugar plums, candy canes and gum drops.  Pessimist you say?  No, not at all.  I'm real, honey.  Sorry to break it to you but Santa, um, he doesn't exist.  Remember Christmas of '94, that wasn't Mr.Claus stuffing your stocking with that "Dear Diary".  It was actually your overweight uncle Sal who owed your father a favor (you couldn't smell his Calvin Klein "Obsession" cologne?  Well, smack my bum and call me Rudolph!  Back to my original topic.  The holidays are nightmarish.  Christmas has been so sensationalized that its meaning has been lost.  Amongst the pine and the peppermint all that we have left are greedy, selfish and angry little elves.  Try shopping a couple days before "THE" day.  Screaming, shouting, pushing and shoving.  That last bottle of lotion that your friend Suzie doesn't need, well, you almost punched that 10 year old in the face for it.  Stop and reflect.  Suzie still has some of that lotion left over from last year, because, quite frankly, smelling like Vanilla Bean Noel all year round is just not okay.  Not okay.  Wearing your candy cane scented Chapstick, totally okay.  Instead of spending this time enjoying the presence of your family and friends we run around like a chicken with its head cut off looking for the best bargain.  Yes, giving and receiving gifts are awesome.  Yet, this is where all the stress stems from.  Is my brother going to like this?  Will my sister fit into that?  HOW MUCH HAVE I SPENT?  Oh my goodness, I guess I won't eat lunch for a week!  And, holiday fiestas?  Ugh, a headache in the making.  Hi sweet co-worker, I'm fine and the weather is great, please, stop asking me what I am going to wear to the Christmas party.  I don't know and if I did I wouldn't tell you.  And to those of you who over do it on the decorations (you know exactly who you are) listen up.  When it looks like an elf from the North Pole has puked Christmas all over every inch of your house, well, you've gone too far.  Too far.  Drop that little clothes hanger reindeer you made in the 3rd grade!  Your tree does not need another ornament.  It actually needs to have some removed, like now.  This year try something different.  Take your head out of that box of ribbons and bows, throw them up in the air, and relax.  The moment you sit down to enjoy your Christmas or Christmas Eve dinner (whichever you celebrate) all the craziness will not matter.  Your brother may not like his gift.  That shirt may not fit your sister. And, your friend may hate the scent of that over-the-top candle you bought her.  But, that is what the gift receipt is all about.  Just don't accidentally throw them away (like I do every-single-year).  And, if you want to indulge in those cute little bell shaped sugar cookies, do so, if you haven't heard stress kills.  Now, if you happen to see me at the mall during the week before Christmas just turn and walk the other way.  It's nothing personal, trust me.  But, crowded malls does not a cheery Renata make.  It's almost the homestretch fellow Christmas lovers, may the force be with you!
xoxo

So, this Christmas.  Take a step back.  Enjoy the moment and breathe.

Beautiful Creatures.

“Sixteen moons, Sixteen years
Sixteen of your deepest fears
Sixteen times you dreamed my tears
Falling, Falling through the years”

-Beautiful Creatures

This Christmas season fill a friend's stocking with the "Beautiful Creatures" series.  Now that "Twilight" is officially over it is time we move on.  Buy yourself a box of kleenex and have a good cry.  Okay, are we done?  So, moving on (I mean it), m-o-v-i-n-g o-n.  Here is another series to fill the empty void (or obsess, whatever).  Because, the whole vampire thing, well, I'm kinda over it.  I was always more of a witch, black cauldrons, black cats, pointy hats, brooms and spells kinda girl (hey, now, no judgement).  And, this series is full of that.  Well, minus the black cauldron and pointy hat thing.  It has casters and incubus' and spell casting galore.  Whoa, let me reel in the cheesy.  Oh, and they have a movie coming out next year (which I know won't be as great as the book, it never is).  However, Emmy Rossum (we know I love her) is going to be in it which makes it an automatic must see.  I started the series over the summer and it became my June obsesh.  If you aren't a fan of fantasy and fairy tales, well, this series may not be for you.  It is also a refreshing outlook on the whole forbidden love story.  Why do you ask?  "Beautiful Creatures" is written in the male perspective.  Yes, a male narrator (I needed that).  Because the only thing I'm more over than vampires, are whiny, naive, and helpless girl narrators.  I mean, enough already.  I get it, you're in love, something or someone is standing in your way, there is someone who wants to kill you, yada yada yada, put a cork in it.  So, if you are making a pitiful attempt to drown your "Twilight" sorrows head over to the book store, take out your iPad, kindle, or nook and purchase this series.  I can't promise you'll absolutely adore it (like I did) but it does make for an interesting read.  Let me know how it goes!
xoxo