Tequila and Sunshine in the City

It's not what you think, and for that I'm sorry. I'm a grade A tease. If I was going to give you an all inclusive girls weekend in the city.....welllll lets just say it wouldn't make it past my own god damn hands. But, we can all dream right? At least thats what I think pinterest is for. Today, I wanted to introduce to you two really awesome ladies in land of blog. The cliche line here is that although bloggers are so different, you can really see the similarities between them just from chatting. Meet your new bait. And by bait I mean people to stalk on social media. Because I'm guilty of that when reading about someone on someone else's blog. A is Alexes from Lexe in the City and L is Liv from Tequila and Inkpens. Go wild. Read a little. Stalk a lot, and learn some. 

1. How do you like your cereal?

A: Crunchy, but I hate milk!!! So I add lots of peanut butter to it. 

L: I like my cereal with 2% milk, but still as dry/crunchy as possible. So I eat cheerios at lightning speed. Except for life cereal, which must be as soggy as possible. I just lost all my followers I'm so gross.

R: Ok, so this is a super personal question. Meaning, everyone ALWAYS judges my answer. I like ALL cereal super de duper soggy. Like, gross soggy. I let it sit there for like more than 5 minutes. I hate the times I eat cereal and its crunchy. Not for me. 

I mean, If I'm being picky I'd rather not eat cereal. Oops.

2. If you could be in any romantic movie, what would it be, who would you play, and why? 

A: Easy,  I love The Great Gatsby and The Notebook.  I would play Rachel McAdams so I could kiss Ryan and play Carrie Mulligan so I could also kiss Leo lol ... Don't tell my husband lol 

L: OH MY GOD. How can I pick just one!? I'm a true sucker for movies like The Notebook and The Lucky One, but I would want to be Hannah in Crazy, Stupid, Love because I'm obsessed lately and RYAN GOSLING IN THAT MOVIE HELLO. And Hannah got her shit together before focusing all her attention on a dude. Also it's just more realistic than Nicholas Sparks.

R:  I mean I'm a grandma and obsessed with Nights in Rodanthe so i totes wouldn't mind being the old people trapped in nowheresville Carolina and be forced to spend time with each other and obviously fall in love because if we didn't, it wouldn't be a love story. Probably a thriller/horror movie. Like think about the plot minus love, it would be quite frightening.

3. In your eyes, what is a post you will always feel good about publishing?

A: Post that are real, raw, and truthful. I pride my blog off giving my readers my good and my bad.

L: A post I will always feel good about publishing is my "Quarter Life Crisis" post because I will one day look back at it and fondly remember when I was a struggling 20-something. No but seriously, it really helps to have an outlet for those kinds of things, and what better way to find myself than through blogging??

R: I'm really happy I was able to share with blog land the time I went to Poland and visited concentration camps. I know a lot of bloggers aren't jewish or know minimal about the jewish religion so I think it was awesome to get fab feedback for something I care about so much.

4. Your dream job (besides full time blogger, obv) would be... 

A: A singer!!!! I came out of the womb singing lol. Music is what makes my world. It's speak to me and it's something that I can always count on. 

L: My dream job would be to review concerts for a living. I've literally ALWAYS wanted to do that.

R: If you've never read my about me page, which I will assume you haven't so I can write this...I would LOVE to work for Miss Universe Organization in their PR department. Dream come true. 

5. During the summer we can find you...?

A: Well last summer it was inside my office without a tan, but since we are moving back to California In two-ish month, you can find me at the beach surfing or hanging by the pool!

L: During the summer you can find me at every outdoor concert I can get my hands on a ticket for, at Kennywood, or sipping margaritas at my favorite bars with outdoor seating.

R: Either yelling at kids at a day camp, sitting with my boyfriend the fan and some netflix to relax, and even at the beach getting that lobster tan brewing ;) Also phillies games in terrible back sweat weather? IM SO THERE.

(c/o @alexes_lauren)

6.What is the best blogging tip you could ever give?

A: Be yourself. Always. And don't blog just to blog. 

L: Best blogging tip I could give is REACH OUT! It's so fun to connect with other bloggers and you never know what opportunities you'll find!

R: Make blog friends. You'll never regret it for a second.

Awkfest 2k13

Who runs the blog world? Erin, I suppose is the answer to both. Not only is she my favorite person to sponsor but THE FIRST blog I've ever followed (way back when).  Speaking of way back when, thanks to this beautiful rockstar of a lady, I decided to follow in her footsteps and tell you all about the big 2k13 for me. Too much has happened in just 12 months, yet it seems like it was centuries ago. I'm talking like the days of Salem Witch Trials stuff.


January: I made my first EVER blog post. I decided to start blogging because I was bored with too much time on my hands during winter break, and my boyfo at the time was M.I.A in college sports land. I blogged only 4 times (which is hilarious because thats what I do AND MORE in a week) during the month of January and thankfully things that are still relevant in my life (i.e Carrie Diaries/Mindy Kaling/Finding my happiness) In real life, I got to see old friends and be a bum. And brought in the New Year with bofo at the time and his posse. Cool shit, I know.

February: Celebrated my first Valentines day in a relationship. I was so excited, I basically craft-vommed everywhere. I loved my fun gifts and celebrating with the guy I thought was forever mine (What is this, Taylor Swift sadness takeover?) and enjoyed hibernated from the cold weather. Sandy Cheeks style. I also went through formal sorority recruitment to find out, that wasn't the life for me. Oh and I also drank too much beer out of frat kegs. Basically, February was madness. The end.

March: Warmer weather, Track formal, and the first I love you. I get this post isn't about my past relationship, but it made up 80% of my 2013. (read: Can you tell why I'm ready for 2014 to blow my mind!?) I also was ready for a change, and turned my good ole head of hair back to brunette. At this point, I decided I wasn't happy with my college decision and wanted to look into transferring. #WHYRACHELWHY. In March, I decided to buy Blog Inc and dive head first into blogging. YAY.

April: After talking to my parents about a much needed trip away from real life, I was off to Michigan to visit an old friend. I was so excited to go yet nothing more exciting than trips for food really happened. The struggle was real. A week later (what was school?) I was off to Boston for my cousins BEAUTIFUL wedding (+ got to see my best friend, too!)

May: Bye bye school, hello full time blogging. I started blog designing, DIYing, and preparing to shake it for my man Luke ;) I also ate a ton of peanut butter ice cream, watched/started my relationship with netflix, and enjoyed the first of my summer at the beach. I also decided then that I would be changing schools in the fall.

June: I loved June at the time, but looking back I could have done without. I became a normal (whatever that means) at blogging which was probably the best part of it all. I celebrated my one year at the Phillies game (in beautiful weather), as well as jammed my petite heart out to Lukey-poo until my voice was no more. A few weeks later I was back at it again, except this time, singing my drunken heart out to every Dave Matthews Band song possible with a great group of people by my side.

July: If I just started with Segway would that suffice? I rode a segway for a three day job, I met my blog bestie, Lauren and fell in love instantly. I traveled to DC to double date the shit out of it afor the night with Lauren +beaus. I had the time of my life in just a quick span of 24 hours, and met someone I know will be in my life for  awhile! Did I mention I took ten giant grandpa steps in the right direction and changed my blog name to Sunshine and Sinatra then? Crazy stuff, I can't even.

August: Best yet worst month. Only way to describe it.
Bests because...birthday celebrations, I met Miss USA and died like ten times and went to Miss Universe land every time, I celebrated my 100th post, went to school, made the best chocolate covered gummy bears in existence, and teamed up with Kensie Clothing to try out my first giveaway on le blog!
Worst because...BREAKUPS. Breakups suck. We don't even need to touch on this stupid waste of my life besides the fact I was a dramatic little girl about it and decided to post this. A post that is outrageous yet one of my posts with the most comments in ever.

September: Started school and loved every second *It's going to be easy she thought. Try it they said, it will be fun* NO YOU LIED. I had my first *outing* with a dude as a single girl. Vomskis to the max. I also decided to download the tind. We all know it goes downhill from here...

October: Celebrated the celebration out of pageant weekend. #NotSorry. As well as tried out the whole "meeting guys from tinder in real life" situation...which soon turned into a problem.

November: Probably my favorite month of all 2k13 months there are (That would be 12...ding ding ding...we have a winnter!). I went to Canada (Hiya, Noah!) and was as legal as us human species can be. I got to play with the slot machines that are surrounded by grandmas who don't do much else with their lives as well as order beers on beers with meals. Solid. Before Canada, I was able to meet my soon-to-be/now other half, Rachael! Then two weeks later it was off to florida to enjoy the warm weather stand in weather that felt like I was just at home anyway. Did I mention I met my future boyfriend? AND he kissed me on the cheek?

December: Here we are. I can't believe a year has gone by because it honestly feels as if I've been stuck in this year since 'Nam and before.  Currently loving: Beyonce's new album, trying to learn how to save money, and going on some dates with cute guys.

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Shout out to Noor's for being awesome. Always.
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4Ft teddy's and some birthday shenans

It's beyond me that I turned on some Christmas music in august when writing this post. Merry August 7th! 7-3=4. My birthday was three days ago! 19 yo. Putting on them big girl panties. I can legally buy tobacco in the dirty Jers. because obviously that is what I'm doing. (read: NOT). I bet your reading this and thinking gah this girls blog I follow, she is a child compared to me! Sorry! You are not old. I'm just young. Think of me like you think of the grandma's and grandpa's on facebook. Appreciated but sometimes not necessary. Couldn't even tell you what I'm saying right now. I miss the days of being home ALL day staring at my computer refreshing blogger, waiting for a new post to stalk. Now that I have my last minute camp day job before heading to school, I have zilch (0) blog relaxing time. 

Back to the birthday shenans. It wasn't stellar but turned out in the end to rock my world. 

I didn't get the presents I wanted but I did get a tiffany necklace (nothing too glammy. thank gosh, so not me), and a BirchBox subscription (hi sister because I know you will eventually read this). Also B's present? L-O-L. Like actually I'm confused but its cute. and It's large. and it's sitting on my bed. Awkwardly far enough away from me that it doesn't a) take up my bed and b) creep me out in the middle of the night. 

A four foot giant teddy bear. Literally what. Thats all I have been saying. 

The card made me all warm and giggly inside though because he actually thinks its cute that I sleep with his clothes as blanket. I am a child. #Notsorry. Also shout out to the error in the message. Ten points to gryffindor if you figure it out. Aka everyone gets a point because it is easy-peasy to detect! B's mom told me she suggested a monogram travel bag. I don't know why he didn't listen to her but alrighty B, you do you. Also he gave me chocolate covered gummy bears in THE MORNING (breakfast) on the way to Miss USA (post to come friday). He knows how much I love chocolate covered gummy bears. Especially for b-fast. Super nutritious right? Aren't gummy bears like, their own food group? ;)

Cue awkward #ootd. My mirror selfies just weren't havin it on my birthday. Sup to my monogram necklace, Joyce Leslie lace shorts, and American Apparel Leotard. 

A face you've never seen before on my blog I'm assuming, right?

Icky photos but love my big sister and our boyfriends. (She stole the good side. Grrrr)

Go check out her fancy shmancy blog and buy some affordable yet WAY trendy post cards. 

So happy I got to celebrate it with my family.

And ended my birthday with some friendly's ice cream. Heck yes.

And then Monday I got to meet Miss USA....dream.come.true. 

Check back on Friday's post!!!!!

The posts you've all been waiting for (Ok..maybe just me)

Although it was a few hours short of 2 full days, it was still an amazing time and we did so much!

So happy I got to experience my first blog date!

Tuesday: B and I woke up early to take our three hour trek to DC. It went pretty quickly actually. Maybe because I was playing some Luke Bryan? I'm gonna go with yes. A few minutes outside of downtown DC, we passed a gas station. We totally forgot we had to pump gas, which neither of us have done without someone else before so we decided to skip. Keep on driving and we hit another one so we decided to stop. I WISH I TOOK A PICTURE. We were standing there waiting for someone else to pay with cash until we realized we had to go inside and pay. We did. yet B paid for a different numbered pump. UM WHAT! So he had to drive around to the right one and then we got it from there. Quite an experience. #TeamWork

As soon as we got to our hotel, we walked over to the Washington monument where Lauren and boyfriend were waiting for us! IT WAS SO EXCITING. We walked over to the WWII memorial where we took our first blogger pic. Kind of a really big deal. 

After doing all the typical touristy stuff (Lincoln memorial, etc)(1) we tried to head over to the Jefferson Monument until we realized the distance and we were like errrr better not. So illegally J-walked(2) a bit and off to Georgetown(3) we went!

          1.                                                      2.                                                3.

After lunch in Georgetown, we sat near the water front where Lauren's boy fed his left over pizza crust to the ducks. (See: her instagram). Later that night at dinner we met up with my two roommates from a travel trip I went on. It was so perfect how they were both around! They bought me a birthday drink and we got some complimentary warm icky saki. Also, never trust Yelp. It looked like a nice place according to them but it was seriously in the DC ghetto. Awkward......Still sorry about that one. Later we all headed out for some froyo & Lauren and boyfriends checked out some places at night! It was the such a perfect day.

Wednesday: After a late wake up, some starbucks, and stopping at a CVS to buy blister bandaids (seriously super ouch with a side of gross), we headed off to the National Archives and some other museums and then said our goodbyes :(. Then B and I were off to see Capitol Hill and the newseum, which was AWESOME. I highly recommend it if you're ever in town! We would have been there for hours but 1. we were exhausted and ready to head home and 2. it closed at 5! We finally found the closest burrito place (cue Qudoba) and headed on outta durrrrr.

Being that I wanted to sleep forever but I can never sleep during car rides, I was delusional singing some rap songs almost the whole entire ride. I don't really think B wants to ever hear me sing again. I got so bored I asked to play 20 questions. Ya know not the one younging teenagers play to get to know someone better (Barf and awkward). I stumped B with a 'supermarket' and he stumped me with a jaguar. Like really?! It was fun and took up the last leg of our drive home. As soon as I got home, I passed out and then realized my life was going to become boring again. Bad ending, I know. TAKE ME BACK. Reality can sometimes be no fun!

Check out todays bloghop where I am a co-host!

If you'd like to co-host in the future please email Breanna here!!

Tales From The Nook | A Worker At Home

The Freckled Fox | With All Our Hearts | Sunshine and Sinatra

//RULES//

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

+Frankly the only rule I care much about is to visit at least 2 or 3 other links and follow them :)

I want you guys to connect and make some friends that you might not have found otherwise.

+It's always an added bonus if you care to follow me as well as all the co-hosts because well we want to be your friend too! 

+If you feel like it please share the button below on your page so others can join in too! 

<div align="center"> <a href="http://mybeautifulcrazylifex33.blogspot.com" title="My Beautiful Crazy Life"><img src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb375/breanna6218/Screenshot2013-02-13at92814PM_zps2082735a.jpg" alt="My Beautiful Crazy Life" style="border:none;" /></a></div> GRAB A BUTTON & SHARE THIS HOP WITH YOUR FRIENDS :) Hope you have a great time hopping!

To speed up your wednesday

Bored at work? Have day off? At the doctors office? Just want to surf the blogworld and waste time? 

Stay for a while!

Today I am in DC with Lauren, my blog bestie and our wonderful boyfriends. (As if you haven't seen a variation of this line anywhere in my blog before...)

Go 'head, log into instagram and stalk/like some pictures I've posted! 

To keep you entertained...go blog stalking. Mine to be exact. 

Here are some of my personal favorite posts I've written!

About pageants: Miss USA 2013 | Alyssa Campanella

About B: 11 Months | Story of Us | Boyfriend-Shmoyfriend (Favorite post I've ever written)

DIY: Polka Dot Sneakers | Monogram Beach Tote

Random: Mindy Kaling | Candy Crush

If this doesn't entertain you....feel free to hit up my pinterest!

P.S Do you live in the North East of the U.S? Join North East Bloggers Network!

Why you should befriend a blogger

O-M-G. I know I'm a sucker for stupid Bravo TV but did any of you catch last nights Princesses: Long Island? It's so dumb but I had my dad hooked. He thought it was stupid and hilarious and couldn't turn away. So heres a gif that was literally too funny, yet not from last nights episode.

For starters, if you are the boyfriend/siblings/parents&family/besties, prepare for your face to be searchable somehow on google images. Always make sure you look your best because you never know when your blog friend will use it. And you might never know if your friend doesn't tell you she runs a blog. So basically just look real good together all the time. Or not. Eh, you choose. 

For shits and gigs.

(Hello Dark haired men!)

They also expose (some) of your life. Like your name. and your relation to said blogger. and fun facts about your dog (if applicable), or why you are a great boyfriend. We know our limits but isn't it fun to share about bits of our lives? And have people that care? Yeaaaaa. I think so.

They can promote your products or business! Likeeeeeee I am for my real life friend Jenna at Ripped Jeans and Vinyl! She is seriously the definition of hipster. And I want to be her because she has the best fashion taste. Jenna is new to blogging but go stop by and say hello! 

**She also has stellar music taste**

heeeellooo sockbun twinnies

They can get free things for you from give-aways...or even just find out about great products online from ALL the resources that are available to them at their fingertips. No exaggeration. Still have yet to win a give away...but I have the rest of my life ahead of me. Real deep, right?

They know their ish (most of the time) about graphic design/html. I promise it will help you in one way or another. Don't forget it! You're forgetting. Don't.

They have friends across the country/globe. Do you?

Shout out to Lauren in Virginia (who I'm meeting TOMORROW(!!!)), Carrie in Lousiana, and Lauren in Texas.

SO:

..if you are a real life friend and don't tell me you read my blog HI you rock yet I'm not too sure how I feel about this. Since ya know I dont promote my baby of a blog to ya.

..if you just don't have a blog but read my crazy life blog anyway...MAKE ONE. It will distract you from Candy Crush I swear. 

..if you are a bloggie friend, say hello! I don't bite. Unless I haven't had my Iced Coffee fix for the day yet. Then it's debatable. ;) 

**

Off to DC with Lauren and Boyfriends tomorrow! So excited #Blogdate

+Have any great DC must-see's? Email me!

Remember when..

Before I start this post, I want to share my excitement with you guys. Because you totally care. But you should. Why, you ask? I am meeting Lauren from Lights in the Sky. FINGERS CROSSED. I am so excited, we've been emailing back and forth about my roadtrip to DC with B and then she was like ohhh hey I don't live far away. Hello blogger meet-up! / Potential double date with our boyfriends who think were probably going to get cat-fished. Ohhhh boys. GET READY FOR PICTURES. Kidding, you have like three weeks to prepare yourself. 

With my recent computer struggs (see: twitter), I have been annoyed fed up with electronics. Like don't you just remember the days when Skip-its and polly pockets were the ish? Or what about instant messenger with dial up? Or even the sims? I mean I now have the patience for ANY of them but it's fun to reminisce on products that people really don't use anymore but when they think about it they're like woaaaaaaah memories, for lack of a better expression. 

1. Blackberrys/BBM. BBM was probably cooler than imessaging is. Sorry not sorry. Only if you had a blackberry could you make it onto my list of 'peeps'. Peeps right? Yeah I probably said that on the regular, too. Also you could update your status and picture, which mine was defffffffiniatley updated always. #SelfiePrincess over here. Except I remember for a fact this picture was my icon for a while.

Yep. Went to sleep-away camp. Also had braces. Hawwwwt. 

2.Away Messages. YES YES YES. I totally used to make people's away messages/buddy profiles because I guess I've always liked to design things? (See: #3) I made sure my away messages always lined up with some bolds, italics, etc. Want a good laugh and to relive your away message days? Check out Your away message.

iM a GENiE iN a B0TTLE U G0TTA RUB ME THE RiGHT WAY<3
— your away message (@YourAwayMessage) July 10, 2013

3. Myspace. You had to have one. You weren't cool if you didn't. Really. I mean I even did, and best part was I wasn't allowed to have one. I also designed myspace layouts on another account other than my personal. We all filled out those dreadful to look back on surveys answering questions like, "who was the last person you kissed? Would you kiss them again?", "What color are your eyes?", and "If you were stranded on an island what three things would you bring with you?" Obviously my bestie, my Beyonce Crazy in Love CD, and my cellie*TXT IT.  Yeah, this just needs to end. The Myspace era was a bad time for me. #Childhood

4. Jelly Wallets. If you have one now....shout out to you because I am judging you. I got one in the fourth grade from my boyfriend at the time. We're still decent friends. I also used to tell him I was planning our family out on the sims. Wow, Psycho girlfriend starting at a young age. Am I right???

This is us at my sweet 16. We were immitating the emojis we used when ending our AIM convos. 

5. Not even just rolly-backpacks. BUT CLEAR ONES. I had one in the second grade, and it was reeeeeally awesome. However, looking back, if I used that now I'd be embarrassed like between lady products/money/and everything else I do not want to get stolen, I guess that is why the clear-bag-trend has faded away.

Speaking of throwin' it back, here's a great picture of me thinking I could potentially end up on tumblr as one of those hipsters. Or something. CYA!

DwnInLndn M.I.A

You're confused. Thinking to yourself, "I don't know who Sunshine and Sinatra is." But you do!

Somebody please tell him who the eff I is. I am Nicki Minaj Rachel, I mack them dudes up back coupes up, and chuck the deuce up

Why the name change?

Well...

1. I like sunshine. and Frank Sinatra. A lot. Both of them make me very very very happy. So why not?

2. I had doubts about DwnInLndn. People would either ask me why I'm stuck in the 6th grade and decided to title something without most vowels, or ask me if I've ever been to London. The answer would be no. Sorry to disappoint. I wish though. I had the title of DwnInLndn because I was obsessed with London aaaaaaaand that was my tumblr name. Oopsies. 

WELCOME TO SUNSHINE AND SINATRA.

Stick around for a while. My posts are still subpar and sometimes less than exciting, I swear.

Make sure to follow me on bloglovin now, too!!!!!

Public or Private?

Somethings, without a doubt should be kept private. But my question for you is, do you tell your "real" friends about your blog? What about your parents/boyfriend/3rd cousin that lives in another country?

For me, very few of my friends know. I either told them because they told me they wanted to blog, or it just so happened to come up in conversation. A good amount of my close friends know I blog, but when it comes up in conversation I just want to run away and hide....

That super awkward moment when I freak out because I get such a nice email from a new blog friend aka Lauren and freak out a bit only to realize the group of friends I'm sitting next to have zero clue as to why I'm so happy to receive a friendly email and can't wait to respond.

Obvi, I shouldn't be embarrassed it's my life. Wait but sometimes my life can be a bit embarrassing.

Like that time the other week when I was walking out of a local building I always go to (sort of like a YMCA) and was walking out with my friend. Someone waved to her and I totally forgot they were friends but I looked at her and she waved. So I obviously waved back, thinking I was important. Sike...wasn't for me at all. 

YEP. still think about it. probably will for the rest of my life.

Ultimately, I want to know if many of you guys keep your blog life private or public!