What Makes NYC Recessionista Happy {Guest Post}

Happy Summer Solstice, y'all!


I'm Alison from over at NYC Recessionista ... and I am so happy to be here for some guest-blogging duties while Kristina and Brian are off enjoying their honeymoon. I really hope they are having a fabulous time!  Honeymoons should be filled with relaxation, cocktails with lunch, dessert every night, laughter, adventures, and quality time with each other.


To be honest, I wish I was somewhere other than NYC right now with this approaching heat wave. I know I will probably sound like a crazy person when I say this, but summer has got to be my least favorite season of all. Between the heat and humidity and the way it radiates off the buildings, the smelly subways and garbage ... I will stop there though, because this post is supposed to be about things that make me happy!


Well, there is nothing that makes me happier than fall. On what is sure to be one of the hottest days of the year, let's daydream about autumn, shall we?

"There is a time of year in New York when, even before the first leaf falls, you can feel the seasons click. The air is crisp, the summer is gone. And for the first night in a long time, you need a blanket on your bed."

-Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

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Source: tumblr.com via NYC on Pinterest

At this time of year, I absolutely long for fall and everything about it that I love:

Beautifully Colored Leaves

Cozy Sweaters

Apple Cider

Scarves

Hay Rides

Leather Boots

Pumpkin Picking

Chunky Tights

The Crisp Air

The Smell of Cinnamon

My Wedding Anniversary

Gaining an Hour of Sleep

The list goes on and on ... 

What's your favorite season? 

My Happiness! {Guest Post}

Hey There!

I'm Victoria {mom to Bean, fiance to Muffin}. I blog over at One.Crafty.Momma. (I'd love if you'd stop by and visit)

I'm taking over Kristina's blog today to tell you a little bit about what makes me happy, and help Kristina with her Healing Through Happiness! 

I'm in the middle of planning our wedding - which is about the most stressful thing ever - and raising a pre-schooler at the same time. Bean has had his bike for over a year. He just wasn't "getting it" and I got super frustrated! So, we put the bike up for a while and the other day when he asked to try, I got it out of the garage with a little hesitation. 

He put his helmet on. 

Got on his bike.

And....started riding it. 

I was SHOCKED!! I couldn't believe it. I grabbed the camera and started taking pictures in between sobs. 

My baby... is growing up. And while I was sad, I am so proud of how big he is getting. He's so smart, and funny, and talented.

So there's my Happy. What's yours?!

Thanks Kristina for letting me come over and share my happy! 

I hope you're having a blaaaaaaast on your honeymoon!

<3 Victoria 

Healing Through Happiness

Yesterday was a tough one even though I got a good report from the doctor. I've been cleared to go back to work today and away on Sunday. He wants me to take it easy and work up my activity level. I'm looking forward to getting back to work to see the kids but I'm really not looking forward to the questions and the looks of pity on others. Lately, when people apologize I find myself in the throws of a breakdown. I'll just remind myself to take some deep breathes!

However, yesterday I got home and received this amazing gift basket from Stephanie and her husband Mathew. Thank god for this blog world and my blog friends. Being a part of it has really had a part in saving my sanity lately.

This basket of sunshine was beautiful and the card they picked out was so perfect. 

It was filled with bright yellows and oranges!

I lit that yummy candle and my house still smells awesome! 

I can't thank them enough or emphasize how loved I felt when I received it. 

Oh and something else;

We got our wedding disk. Looking at our professional shots brings me back to that wonderful day. 

Here are just a few favorites.

I hope everyone does something fun and happy this weekend!

 I'll miss you all when I'm away. 

Check back for some guest posts and some scheduled goodies. 

Enjoy. 

Healing through Happiness

So I will admit it has been a little down and depressing here at Pretty Rambles. I am working on myself day by day and minute by minute. Instead of having a pity party for one I am asking my readers and friends to share with me things that make you happy.

Please feel free to email me anything that makes you happy....

Pictures, Stories, Links to posts!

Anything you'd like; your children, pet-babies, husbands/wives, shopping/sales and fun experiences, ANYTHING!

It could be recent or old, little or big.

I think sharing our happiest moments will be a great healer.

I'm going to schedule some happy moment posts while we are on our honeymoon.
(With everything going on I forgot to ask for some guest posts.)

Hopefully we will make some more happy memories while we are away.

This is one of my happiest days. 

A week before we closed on our home. 

Our first "dating" anniversary in the same spot of our first date.

Even with all the happy moments we have shared since I still think this is one of those days that will always live in my memory as the happiest.

The smiles, the anticipation of our new life together, the wine. 

It was a good day. 

Email me your stories:

Kristinaj2380@yahoo.com

Music, Talks and Target

I don't have much creativity lately yet I sit on the couch doing not much of anything. My doctor doesn't want me back at work until at least Friday. Most of my days consist of watching mindless tv, drinking coffee and catching up on some new and old blog favorites. I've also tried healing through some music. I've been listening to Ed Sheeran. His voice is very soothing. This one in particular has been on repeat.

 I ventured out yesterday. It was only to Target for an hour. It was exhausting! I needed some new clothes. I'm afraid most of pretty summer outfits I had picked out for our honeymoon (yes, we have decided to go. Thank you for the words of encouragement!) won't fit or maybe a little to uncomfortable. My tummy is still bruised, swollen and full of stitches so the likelihood of wearing shorts isn't the greatest. I'm stocked up on sundresses.  I was also able to chat with my sister in law who has experienced her own tragic event. It was good. She reminded me to look at my nephew anytime I have doubts or a lapse in faith. She said we may not have all the answers now but someday everything will make sense.

Yesterday was a good day.

Empty

We are supposed to depart on our honeymoon in less than a week. 

I don't want to go anymore. 

I feel terrible. 

I feel sad. 

Emotionally and physically hurt

I can't see myself having any fun while I'm there.

I can't see myself having much fun at all. 

For goodness sake I can't go an hour with out crying.
Yesterday I tried getting back to normal.
 I really am trying!
 I painted my nails and even tried to pack a suitcase.
(We didn't buy honeymoon insurance so we have got to go.)

This is the last picture we took together before everything started to unravel. 

We were both very happy. We had fun with friends, visited local wineries, laughed and enjoyed one another. All with horrendous turmoil about to develop in my body. 

I can't wait for the time when we feel like that again.
Carefree and HAPPY

Dear god I wish it was sooner rather than later because I don't know how people recover from stuff like this and get back to the people they always were.

I find myself wanting to blog a lot about my feelings.
It's hard for me to talk about it because I get emotional and I don't like to cry in front of people.
I don't like to be vulnerable.
Also, I don't know anyone who has gone through anything like this.
People don't know what to say or do.
The supportive emails and comments I have received from new friends who are reading my posts.
Their strength gives me hope.

On The Mend...

My body is healing and so is my heart. Yesterday the baby that was growing in my fallopian tube was removed to save my life. I arrived at the hospital very early and was prepped for the first surgery of the day. As I laid in the hospital bed waiting for the nurse it was the loneliest experience of my life. They had my mom and husband wait in the waiting room. I had the loveliest nurse who sat with me and comforted me as I cried. She reminded me I needed time to heal. My doctor reminded us what was at stake during surgery. For the first time I could see the anxiety and fear in my husbands face, absolutely heart wrenching.

As they wheeled me in to the OR all I could think of was the terrible things that could happen during surgery. They next thing I knew I was barely awake, crying and telling the nurse my belly hurt. It was all over and I could hear my doctor say everything went great and they were able to save my tube. I didn't know if I had just dreamed it so I asked my nurse and Brian later on. Brian told me once he heard the words he was immediately relieved but I still see the stress and sadness on his face. I am so glad my mom and Brian were there to comfort one another yesterday. 

Recovery went better than I expected but I guess morphine and percocets will do that to you. I tried to stay as positive as possible. Remembered all of your prayers, well wishes, messages and loving emails as I  went through recovery. I am in a lot of pain but I know the physical pain will get better. Although yesterday I felt relieved today I feel the sadness of what has truly happened. My new friend Casey emailed me a loving message saying she finds comfort knowing that our little ones are in heaven and waiting for us. I try and find comfort in that. I hope that my little one and my aunt have found one another and they are watching over us.

As I recover I will try my hardest to get back to real life. Hoping the sorrow and the pity with fade from other's faces when I tell them. I just want to smile again.

My family and I thank you all for your prayers, well wishes and positive vibes. I have looked at your comments and emails and it has filled my heart with so much comfort and love.
-K

Simply the BEST get well card from my nephew. 

He said it was a happy rainbow fish because I had a boo-boo in my belly. 

The Kind of Post You Never Want to Write...

Hey friends,

I couldn't ask for more kind and generous people who have contacted me and said so many kind things this week. It warms my heart to know so many wonderful friends are out there in this blog world thinking, praying and sending lots of positive vibes my way. There are really no words to antidote to make the pain go away but I find such comfort in the kind words and actions of others.

With that being said I am in need of some more of those prayers and vibes. After a week of pain and 8 doctor appointments, sonograms and blood work later I was diagnosed today with an ectopic pregnancy. It can also be called a tubal pregnancy. My egg is growing in my fallopian tubes. This pregnancy can not grow to term and I will need surgery tomorrow morning to save my fallopian tube. I don't know if I can express the  fear and pain  I have been going through today. Hearing the words "life threatening condition" is not something you hear every day or want to ever hear. I just wish I could have went in today to get it over with. I'm glad this  ordeal is almost over although it doesn't make me feel any better about what is happening. I still have all the feelings of guilt and shame.

I have a terrible fear of surgery and I really am afraid of what will happen tomorrow. I have only had 2 simple surgeries in my life and I really hope tomorrow goes smooth like they both did. I'm hoping I will be released tomorrow after surgery. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Thank you once again my friends.
-K

Source: brillianthues.tumblr.com via Lucía on Pinterest

...

It pains me to type this. I guess its just a way of making me feel better. I can't really explain why I feel the need to blog about this. I think I just need too.
Last week this happened....

I hadn't been feeling well and I was late. I thought I was sick. Several years pre cancer cells were found at an annual appointment so I rushed to my doctor and we found this out. A few short days later at an ultra sound we were told there was no viable baby in my womb and I was in the midst of a 6 week miscarriage. The roller coaster of emotions has taken a toll on me. Each twinge of pain in my stomach and my back I am reminded of how my body is failing me. I have never in my life felt like more of a failure than I do right now. I can't eat or sleep. As a sit here typing I feel as if the whole world is moving and I'm standing still watching it go by. This is our first month of marriage. We should be happy! We should be enjoying being newlyweds not coping with the sadness of a miscarriage. How could we have been so careless to let this happen? I'm so angry with myself!

We were not trying to have a baby. Honest that doctor's appointment was a complete shock. I don't even think I was excited. I regret that every second. Why did I feel that way? Why wasn't I immediately ecstatic? Why wasn't I thrilled like Brian was? Why does it hurt so much? Why can't I stop crying? Why do I have so much guilt? How long will I feel this way? So many questions I can't answer and I never will. Will this grief ever leave? When will I feel happy again?

I woke up at 4am today; the day after I heard the words. And for one brief second I thought this all didn't happen and everything was ok, but it happened. I had a miscarriage? I cried for 3 hours in our bathroom. I've been up for 8 hours and its not even lunch time. My boss is away so I have to be at work. It is just the loneliest place and the loneliest feeling.

I have only let Brian and my best friend's know at this point so its weird how I feel I can post for any stranger to read. Sometimes I find it easier to express things though this blog.

I wrote this a day a day after to try and make sense of the hurt I was feeling. This was my reasoning behind my little break. I couldn't bare to read or see any pregnancy posts or nursery pictures. I realized I had to get it out. I was in need of some support. Its about 5 days later and emotionally I am doing a bit better.  Emotionally I am feeling better. Trying to get back to normal. Physically I feel terrible. I'm feeling very icky, tired and weak. 

A Little Break

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Katherine on Pinterest

Hey friends, 

There are some things going on in our little world. Nothing I can really blog about; maybe someday? I think I need some time away from everything for a while, including blogging. I don't really feel like I'm up to it at this point. Hoping you will all understand cause I could really use some support...

Thanks guys, 

K

Oh How Pinteresting...

Happy Wednesday friends. Yesterday was a rough one. Isn't it a shame after such a great 3 day weekend Tuesday had to be so rotten.  Once today is over we are so much closer to the weekend!!!

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(His sign says "God Hates No One")

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Must create this for my bedroom!

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Have a great day friends....
Linking up with Michelle....

Hello Summer

HELLO SUMMER!
It's been a while but its really nice to see you...

Source: tumblr.com via Laurrie on Pinterest

Sunscreen

Source: Uploaded by user via Melissa on Pinterest

Tinted skin

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Beach Towels

Bright Colors

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Sand between your toes

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Salt Water

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Coronas with Lime 

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I swear I love everything about summer. I am so happy its here. I have already broken out the bathing suits (dreaded), gotten a little sunburn! Can't wait to enjoy every second of it!!!

What about all of you?
Do you love summer as much as I do?
What are your favorites?

Fifty Shades Darker and Shades Better...

Either you love them or you hate them. I just happen to really love them. I know the writing isn't classic literature and the characters aren't the greatest but I  have found myself reading. I don't read much and I know I really should so I'm just going to keep reading the so called "lady porn"

What my weekend looked like. 

Fifty Shades Darker is the second in the Shades of Grey trilogy. Its erotic, hot and steamy.  I found there to be a lot of character development in this book. Yes, there is a lot more than just the S word. Dare I call it a LOVE story?!?!?! When reading the first I couldn't wait for the next juicy sex pages but it was a breathe of fresh air to get a little more than that in Darker.The one thing I'm not a huge fan of  I'm more than halfway finished and would definitely recommend this on to anyone that was unsure of the first.

Source: Uploaded by user via Susanna on Pinterest

Happy Holiday Weekend everyone! 

Enjoy yourselves and BE SAFE!!! 

DIY Wedding Baskets...

I absolutely love small, personal touches at weddings. I tried to throw in as many as I could on our special day. Our bathroom baskets were a simple little project my mom and I enjoyed doing together. 

Found this poem at Project Wedding

So happy you're here sharing our special day. 

But just in case something should go astray:

Please help yourself to the contents within

Mouthwash, hand lotion or ibuprofen

Use what you need, and just leave the rest. 

For it may be useful to some other guest.

Repair the damage that may have been done. 

Then quick Hurry back and join in the fun. 

We filled the baskets with:

Tylenol

Mints

Gum

Socks

Nail Glue

Wisps

Tissues

Shout wipes

Bush

Comb

Needle and thread

Chap stick

Nail polish remover

Lint roller

Socks 

Bobby pins

Deodorant

Most of the items were purchased at Harmon, $99 Store and on sale at CVS so it is a budget friendly project too. 

These were so awesome some one actually stole the basket out of the guy's bathroom. 

OHP

Happy Wednesday....

This week has been pretty craptastic. The weather stinks. I'm awaiting audit at work which is just very stressful. Just having one of those blah weeks. With that being said we are halfway there! The rainy holiday weekend is calling my name! Anyways, lets get to the pinning...

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