adventures Archives - Page 22 of 29

Foxy Lady

My long time bestie, Meg, owns a house on the water in Pasadena, MD and I could not resist the opportunity for a photo op on this sunny day. During my holiday break, Meg and I spent the night before making homemade pizza with friends and dancing the night away in Baltimore for another friend’s birthday. The hubs and I stayed the night at her house, and we woke up in the morning to this beautiful view. Thanks for having us Meg; we love you!

Outfit Photos by: Zack Notes

All other photos taken by me.

Fox Sweater: Old Navy (unfortunately sold out) – cute alternatives at ASOS, ModCloth, Dorothy Perkins and Peter Jensen / Red Coat: Tulle via Nordstrom / Chambray Button Down: GAP / Black Skinny Jeans: ZARA / Shoes: Nine West / Watch: Betsey Johnson / Buckle Bracelet: Wanderlust + Co. / Bow Bracelet: BaubleBar / Lip: Lancome Luxe

Don’t you just love this cute little fox? I had to have this adorable sweater, even though they didn’t have my size. A nice British tourist in the store convinced me that it would might “look cute a bit baggy,” and that was all I needed to hear before swooping it up.

My holiday break has been fantastic. I can’t believe we have survived the “end of the world,” had an amazing Christmas, a fabulous family wedding, and that we are now into 2013. Big thanks to my boss for giving me one more day off today to get my life together in NYC before going back to the office. Here’s to unpacking, organization, and a work out for today to kick off the new year. And if I get everything done today, then maybe I will treat myself to a little Les Mis tonight? We shall see.

XO,

Gina

2012: A Year in Review

Ringing in the New Year in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica!

Hiking in the Cloud Forest in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Valentine’s Day Surprise at the Mary Poppins Show! I dressed just like her without even knowing.

Celebrating Zack’s 31st at crazy Mehenata Bulgarian Bar

14 inch hair chop! Bye Bye. Thanks Nikki!

Sweetlife Festival at Merriweather in MD featuring Avicii…AMAZING.

Seeing Emily Blunt and Jason Segal at the premiere of 5 Year Engagement at the Tribeca Film Festival

SKYDIVING!!! Thanks to my amazing husband – he surprised me on our one year anniversary with this bucket list item.

Dad FINALLY visits us in NY. With Zack, Mom, and cousins at their pasta shop in Brooklyn

Virginia Beach trip with friends for Shirin and Shahrum’s wedding

Testudo came to Zach and Jessica’s wedding! Go Terps!

Happy Birthday to ME! Love my new camera!

Girl’s Weekend in OC for Katie’s Bachelorette – Seacrets is crazy!

Dewey Summer Send off on Labor Day Weekend

A Naval Academy Wedding for Megan and JoJo

Visionary Art Museum Wedding for MaryBeth and James

Trip to Montauk for Mike and Abby’s Big Day

Katie & Adam tie the knot at Sagamore Farms

racejohn — Running with Patrick and Melissa for my late dear friend John Petrovick. “Inside all of us is HOPE.”

racejohn2 — Thanks to Gabbi for helping to raise money for John’s cause.

Camping trip with Erin and Rai to French Creek

End of the season pic with my JV High School Girls Soccer Team

ASHS 10 Year High School Reunion – man time flies

All my girls at the 5th Annual Pollard Potluck

poodiewedding — Alex and Seamus get married to end the year!

It may seem like a lot of photos, but this is just a small snippet of what took place in 2012. There were so many more fun memories of this past year. There were also some sad moments as well. I have learned a lot this past year, and I know that I am truly thankful for the family and friends that I have. I am incredibly lucky for the support and love that I have received this past year, and I hope I was able to return the favor to all of you as well.

I wish you all a Happy New Year’s Eve. Please stay safe tonight.

Bring on 2013!

XO,

Gina

Seven Fishes

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian Christmas celebration. The dinner features seven different types of seafood and commemorates the wait, or vigil, for the midnight birth of the baby Jesus. The most famous dish that Southern Italians are known for is baccala, or codfish. Italians today also incorporate many other different types of seafood into their meal.

My family has been celebrating this tradition since before I can even remember. What used to be a feast at my Grandparent’s house for many years has now moved to my Aunt and Uncle’s due to spacial reasons. The family keeps growing! Christmas Eve is a night that my cousins and I look forward to all year long. It’s a time where the whole family is together, we drink delicious drinks, eat the best meal of the year, share gifts, and take our annual family photos.

This year was no different. We shared many laughs, pumpkin martinis, cherry bomb spritzers, pesto rockfish, breaded baccala, escargot, clams, mussels, shrimp (ok so we had six, not seven, but close enough!), broccoli, garlic bread, the amazing corn pudding, brie, homemade cookies, awkward family photos, presents, and silliness.

I always hate departure time, but I was able to end the night knowing that we would be seeing everyone in less than a week for a family wedding before the new year! Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Buon Natale!

Cheers

Your Favorite Holiday Things

Thanks to all of those who sent in your favorite holidays things! I loved getting them! We all have our own traditions and things that make the holidays special for us, and I appreciate the little peek into how you celebrate the season.

From Justin – @justin_goldberg

Favorite Holiday Treat:

Amazeballs – cooked by his wife, Jessica of The Quest to Be Cookie Queen

From Angela – @acguaragna29

Favorite 2012 Holiday Present:

Finley

Favorite Movie:

Love Actually

Favorite Christmas Album:

The Carpenters

Favorite Cooks:

Grandma & Aunt Marie for Christmas Eve Seven Fishes Italian Dinner

From Zigi – @zigisitch of ZiGiSituations

Favorite Place to Shop:

Macy’s Windows + Bryant Park w/ the fam

From Olivia – @PressTerp

Favorite Holiday Tradition:

Decorating my trees…big and small!

Thanks again to all those who participated and sent in your holiday favorites!

Today I am headed to my aunt and uncle’s house to celebrate Christmas Eve Italian style – the Seven Fishes dinner. Clams, rockfish, codfish, shrimp, escargot, and whatever else today’s dinner will bring. It’s one of my favorite days of the year where all of my crazy family gets together to celebrate, eat good food, drink yummy cocktails, sing songs, share gifts, and eat Grandma’s delicious homemade cookies.

Happy Christmas Eve everyone! Hope you have a fantastic day!

XO,

Gina

I’m Still Here

I’m still here. It’s 12.21.12, and I’m still here.

I realize the day is not over yet. I realize a little “knock knock” on some wood might do me some good here. And should I not be here later today, I suppose I should say my farewells. Although it’s been a short stint here at popcorn and pandas, it has been a fun one. I will miss all of you dearly, and wish you all a happy parting from this world if we are indeed ending our time here today.

But as for now, I am still here. And I still have bucket list items to complete, Christmas to celebrate, a 90’s Christmas mix album to listen to (thanks awesome co-worker!), family to see, friends to hang out with, photos to take, a wedding to attend, and a new year to ring in.

I have packing to do and a trip to Maryland to take. I have bagels and manicottis to pick up to bring home to the family (you are welcome Dad). I have some birthdays to celebrate, a wine and pizza night with friends on the books, and a nephew puppy to shower with snuggles. I don’t know about you…but I’m not quite ready. I still have too much to do.

So I am going to stay optimistic about the fact that I am still here. The truth is, we never know how long we may have on this Earth. Forget the Mayans and their predictions about today, but we aren’t guaranteed anything in life. Including life itself. So today I am thankful that I am still here.

And while I am still here, I will take this moment to reiterate how important it is to make the most of what you have. Make the best of your time here. Do what makes you happy in life. Your time is precious and should not be wasted. You never know when your world will end.

But right now, you are still here.

Happy Friday and Happy Holidays to all!

XO,

Gina

The Lady is a Vamp

Photos by: Zack Notes

Dress: H&M / Tights: Duane Reade / Shoes: ALDO – other black booties I like here, here, and here / Necklace & Bracelet: Gifts from family members / Panda Ring: nOir / Watch: Betsey Johnson / Lip: Kat Von D Homegirl / Eyes: MAC Knight Divine all over lid with Carbon in crease

Taking a little walk on the dark side with this vampy look from H&M. I’ve worn this a few times on nights out on the town in NYC, DC, and AC. Unfortunately, it’s tough to get photos on nights out due to poor lighting (and my dislike of the flash).

Only a couple more days in the Big Apple until it’s time to head to Maryland for the holidays. Today we are having our office Christmas luncheon at a surprise location. I have 100% finished my shopping and wrapping, so I can now focus on the packing. Looking forward to a little holiday retreat as well as a wedding before the new year!

Wishing everyone well!

Gina

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

HOLIDAY FAVORITES

Favorite Laugh:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv4Hpz-GI3g]

Favorite Movie:

Favorite Family Photo:

guaragnafamilyphoto — Yes, this is my crazy Italian fam – Courtesy of Misa*Me Photography

Favorite Holiday Look:

polyvore holiday look — New Year’s Eve??? – Photo courtesy of Polyvore

Favorite Sweet Treat:

cookies — Grandma Sally G’s Italian Christmas Eve Cookies – a family favorite!

What are some of your holiday favorites? E-mail or tweet me your favorite holiday things by Friday, and I will feature them in an upcoming post!

Email: gina (dot) notes26 (at) gmail (dot) com – wrote the address this way, so I can’t get spammed FYI

Twitter Handle: @popcornpandas

Can’t wait to see your favorites!

XO,

Gina

Feeling the Holiday Spirit

Red Cable Knit Sweater: Gap – similar here / Oxford Blouse: Express / Bow Tie: ASOS – similar with studs / Black Skinnies: ZARA / Black Suede Pumps: Cynthia Rowley / Watch: Coach / Bracelet: Bridesmaid Gift / Ring: Forever 21 / Pearl Earrings: Birthday Gift / Lip: MAC Venomous Villains Cruella de Vil Heartless

Photos by: Zack Notes

With the celebration of Chanukah last week, and Christmas only 8 days away, I am really starting to feel the holiday spirit! (if you couldn’t already tell by the red sweater and the bow) My holiday shopping is almost complete, and this week will be dedicated to wrapping and packing. I am currently trying to decide which Christmas movie favorite I am going to watch while doing so. Some contenders on the list are Love Actually and Elf, but I am open to suggestions, so fire away! Christmas tunes are blasting at the office, and we have our office luncheon scheduled for this Thursday. What are you doing to celebrate the season?

Happy Monday all!

XO,

Gina

{3} Lately…

Lately I’ve been…

reading Just finished Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn this week. Holy intensity! I would definitely recommend. Also read the December issue of Health magazine. Hoping I actually listen to what I read and start eating a bit healthier and getting back into my work out ways. I’ve been a slacker. Back to the reading…trying to decide the next book to open…I think I am going to go back to the Harry Potter series now that I got the last four books from my sister-in-law. Nothing like a little magic around Christmastime.

writing Still writing my Christmas cards! Luckily, I was able to get most of them out this week. However, I miscounted how many I needed, so those of you at the beginning of the alphabet (I went backwards this year) might be a bit delayed! Oops!

listening Cazzette’s Beam Me Up. Nothing like a little alien take-over causing a city to erupt in dancing. This one’s for you Charles.

thinking About the Christmas shopping that I still have left to do.

smelling Christmas Cookie candle by Yankee Candle. Also loving the Warm Woolen Mittens scent.

wishing That my tummy would stop hurting! Stayed home from work yesterday mehhh.

hoping That the bridesmaid dress I pick up tomorrow for my cousin’s wedding fits me like a glove. Naturally being of my short stature, I needed some alterations. 😉

wearing Lots of layers. Although it hasn’t been incredibly cold so far this winter, I am forever frozen, and layers are a must in this city. Today I’m wearing black leggings with a blue tank. Black and white sweater overtop, with another multicolored sweater wrap over that. Topped off with my bright yellow winter coat and Steve Madden boots.

loving That the sun is shining right now! A lot better than the rain we have had as of late. Also loving that we are having some visitors this weekend. And a maid is coming to clean before they get here, so I don’t have to tear my hair out. Loving loving loving.

wanting World peace. Yes, that would be nice.

needing Constant reapplication of hand cream. The cold weather seems to dry my hands up so quickly! Right now I am using Simply Clean from ULTA.

feeling You ever have one of those moments when you just want to cry and you don’t really know why? Well that was me yesterday. Maybe it was a combo of being sick, stressed, hormones, who knows. But just broke down. Sad panda! For no obvious reason. I think it was just one of those days. Luckily, today I am in much better spirits, and looking forward to seeing friends this weekend.

clicking Through all the advertising trades this morning for news in the ad world.

What have you been up to lately?

Happy Friday!

Love,

Gina

***I was inspired by Tina of Like Ordinary Life to create this post, and she was inspired by Lauren of siddathornton, who started The Sunday Currently.