The Weekender - negative degrees but we still party

Why do we do this to ourselves?

Negative degrees but we still go party

The weekend began with Carson and I going downtown because we just really enjoy freezing our butts off going to the bars....YOLO? After we decided to freeze our butts off we got hungry so we had to go get food, which in the morning we realized we shouldn't have eaten. Nothing worse than waking up hungover with omelette taste in your mouth.

The rest of the weekend was spent at home, thank goodness because I needed to relax and sleep. I don't know how to explain how sick of this whole cold/snow I am. Yes I know I live in Cleveland I shouldn't be complaining...blah, blah blah. Well I'm still complaining. I started trying to figure Twitter out again ( I don't know why but I am). I got so excited when I saw that Channing Tatum is following me on Twitter...till I realized that this isn't Channing Tatum's real account, it's some weirdo trying to act all cool...no no not cool, don't get my hopes up. I have a huge bruise on my arm and I have no idea where it's from. And it's a sock bun kind of day.

How was your weekend?

Do you wake up with random bruises?

Are you sick of the snow/cold?

Do you like sock buns?

5 On Friday!

I'm not sure if you know 

this or not but it's Friday!!

And it's time for 5 on Friday

with Christina & Darci...

here we go!!

one...Florida. I traveled to Orlando for work on Tuesday and it was amazing! Since I am still fairly new to blogging I'm sure a lot of you don't know that I love airplanes, airports and flying so this trip was right up my alley. You can read all about my first work trip here.

two...My mom and I had a heart to heart about a woman she knows and her daughter that is in her early 20's, doesn't have a job, sleeps till 3 PM, has a daughter that she doesn't take care of and just sitting on government assistance. Don't get me wrong, there are people that really need the help of the government but you're telling me that I work 45 hours a week so my tax dollars can go to this girl!? Go get a job girl and quiet wasting my money.

three...My poor car. Those of you who know me know that I adore my car. Well these last few days its been taking a beating from all of the darn potholes  sinkholes in Cleveland. My gosh, can someone fix these before I really get stuck in one!? I hit two really big potholes  sinkholes on Monday and since then my tires felt weird so Costco Tire Center came to the rescue. Well kind of...I went to them since my tires are from them. Thank you Costco Tire Center

source via 

four...No gym again. Since this week was so busy with traveling I haven't made it to the gym but today is the day. I will go to the gym and run my heart out! I have to get back at it, who's with me to make February this best fit month!?

five...Tonight is girls night out! You know the other 4 girls night out weren't enough, I need to go out tonight too because it's going to be like negative 5 degrees but who cares it's the weekend! Don't worry it makes sense in my head...kinda of...not really...but I'm only young once. YOLO.

What are your plans for the weekend?

How do you feel about these darn potholes?

Give me feedback on what I posted :) 

Happies & Crappies [1]

This is my first link up for Happies & Crappies with Stephanie from The Vintage Modern Wife. This link up basically has you look back at your week for the Happiness and the Crappiness (if that's even a word) that has happened. So here we:

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The Happy:

-  I went to Florida! While it wasn't for pleasure, it was still really nice to get out of this insane cold and snow that Cleveland is getting. I don't know about you guys, but I am beyond sick of the negative temperatures and the snow. You can read my post about my first work trip here. I was so excited to get to Orlando and out of this mess!

-  This week I also wrote my first list of Tips. This has been a goal of mine since the new year. My blog is all about the odds and ends of my life, my thoughts, My Guy moving back home (hopefully soon, fingers crossed) and I also wanted people to learn something from me. So I took my first work trip as the perfect opportunity to put together the 10 Tips for Work Travel!

- Well the only other good thing is that it is finally Friday! Finally, finally, FINALLY FRIDAY! As you can tell by the picture I am kind of excited! Oh and being at the office alone also has its perks, even though it's really quiet. 

The Crappy

- This weather. Need I say more!? If you live in Cleveland or anywhere north of like Georgia I'm sure you feel like me....over this crappy weather. Let me show you how cold it was this morning coming to work:

- I think that's the only crappy I have...other than not being in Florida anymore but that goes hand in hand with this crappy weather. 

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Check out Stephanie's blog to link up! 

What are your happies & crappies of the week?

10 Tips for Work Travel

10 Tips for Work Travel 

I, myself, am new to the whole "corporate world" and traveling for work. I actually just got back from my first travel for work trip, you can read about it here. I kept a close watch on what other people were doing, saying, wearing, eating...everything so I could get a better idea of what is expected. So I came up with the list below, now remember this is from my experience and I am no way an expert.

1. Dress professionally. I put this as the first tip because it is very important to look your best. Most of the time you will be meeting new people. Pack as neatly as you can so your clothes don't get wrinkled, if they do then iron them before you put them on. 
2. If your company provides you with a company credit card do not take advantage of it. While you should (if your company allows it) charge your airport parking, meals, transportation, hotel and so on to your card, you should not purchase things above what you would purchase with your personal credit card. 
3. Someone is always watching. While you might not believe me on this, it is true. After all work business is over, most people will go to dinner or to the bar and this is where you want to be extra careful of how you present yourself. 
4. Be conscious of how much you are drinking. It is unprofessional and inappropriate to get out of control drunk while on a work trip. If there is an employee of senior status or executive level drinking a lot and getting out of control, do not join in. They have years of experience under their belt that you don't. 
5. Put your cell phone away. While at dinner, a bar, in a meeting or socializing with co-workers during company events do not use your phone for personal use. This is considered rude and you are giving off the vibe that you do not care about the conversation happening around you. 
6. Always give a firm handshake. This goes without saying, just because you aren't at a formal business meeting that does not mean that you don't shake someones hand that you meet. Remember, you are traveling for work not for pleasure. 
7. Do not be late. And by this I mean don't be late for breakfast, to a meeting, for lunch and for any informal meeting. While traveling for work, you are still in fact working. If you wouldn't be late for a formal meeting then do not be late for an informal meeting. 
8. Be aware of your actions at the airport. This goes hand in hand with number 3, there are always a lot of people around at airports and you never know who works for the same company as you. While you are traveling, you are still representing your company. Be courteous to everyone you come in contact with and never bash your company, fellow employees or customers to strangers or talking loudly on the phone. 
9. Be prepared. There is nothing more embarrassing then arriving to your meeting without a pen, something to write on, business cards or anything else you may need during the presentation. 
10. Leave significant others at home. It may be tempting to has your wife/girlfriend/boyfriend/husband to come along for your work trip when traveling to touristy destinations. Again remember you are going to be traveling for work not for pleasure. Your focus needs to be on your fellow teammates or business partners to build a better business relationship.

First Work Trip

As any of you know, I started my first big girl job only a few weeks ago. One of my favorite things to do is travel, hence the name Boarding Together, so when I was asked to step into this position I knew it would involve some traveling. The company I work for flies over 400 employees to Orlando for a week of meetings and team building. I've worked for the company for almost two years and this was the first time I was able to go since I am finally of full time status.

Talk about a short and sweet trip! Flew from Cleveland on Tuesday at noon, arrived in Orlando at 4:20, then flew out of Orlando the next day at 6 PM. My flights were good expect for sitting next to a gentleman that smelled like BO, cigarettes and terrible cologne. I swear there is nothing worse than being confined in a little area next to someone that smells terrible. This trip was much needed so I could meet the guys I am going to be working with and to break the ice between everyone. I swear this company does it right, every time. I have never been disappointed at any work event by how they treat their employees.

Upon arrival to Orlando, I was notified that they have arranged transportation for me to get to the hotel. Let me explain to you this transportation...a man in a suit waited for me, walked me over to a private area where all the Cadillacs were. The car he picked me up in was a brand new black Cadillac SUV with tinted windows and all, talk about feeling like a rock star! We stayed at the Hilton Disney, we basically took over all of their conference rooms, most of their hotel rooms, the bars, everything was consumed by us. The picture on the bottom left is a list of meetings for just one day, everyday was just jam packed with meetings.

Everyone received a really nice notebook to write down notes which was a nice little touch. We all broke out for more meetings throughout the day and then all gathered back together for lunch. The food at this hotel was pretty good and there was a lot of variety which I'm sure everyone enjoyed. We had different team building events and signed to dedicate to our teams and our success. At night we had a more relaxed dinner, with open bar and lots of great conversations. It is really good to see people of out their "work mode" and more on a personal level.

Unfortunately I had to come back to Cleveland a few days earlier than everyone else, so I wasn't too happy about having to leave. The flight back to Cleveland was good, felt short since I kept reading my book. Landing in Cleveland was a "back to reality" moment, the snow and the cold really made hit home. All in all, it was a really good first work trip and what a good place to go! I will admit that being a part of this team really motivates me to do more and become better. Seeing people get congratulated on retiring from this company after 40 plus years of work is a true inspiration.

Have you traveled for work?

Where did you go?

Do you enjoy traveling?

The Weekender - Face meet ice

Walking into work this morning was a balancing act. While I was walking, I saw a man slip and fall in the parking lot since more than half of it was covered in ice. And of course like the mentally judgmental person that I am, I laughed a little to myself. And then it happened...I almost slipped. I guess that's what they call karma, right. If only I would not laughed about the guy falling, I probably wouldn't have lost my balance and almost slipped too. Lesson learned Alisia, lesson learned.

Cheers to the weekend!

Friday night was the most relaxing night I've had in a long time. All I did was eat, drink and sleep. Yes I was in bed by 9 PM on a Friday, no do not judge me. 

Saturday I did some shopping and returning while barring the cold and rain. I had a bunch of stuff to return to Victoria Secret, and by a bunch of stuff I mean 5 shirts I had purchased online and I was so disappointed by when I received them. Let me explain, I purchased 6 shirts online and 5 of them were returned. When did Victoria Secret change their manufactures? They made a big mistake, the material was absolutely terrible. 

I found a new store called Mademoiselle in Westlake...what a great find! This little boutique is owned by one very sweet woman and the clothes/dresses/accessories she sells are out of this world! Pictured above is the small ring I purchased from Mademoiselle, talk about ah-mazing! The decor, clothes and atmosphere at this little boutique was so inviting and a place I will definitely return to. 

My makeup for Saturday night was very neutral plus a pop of color from my lipstick. Whenever I wear bold lipsticks, I try to stick to a neutral face and casual hair...no need to walk around looking like a clown. My lipstick was Maybelline Mauve Me. The whole look was complete with a black button down, black skinny pants and nude booties.

As always, my little dancing partner and I spent our Saturday night dancing the night away at Drop Bar. While the DJ was not playing the music we like, actually I'm just trying to be nice....he was terrible, our friend Ana joined us out! I swear there are no nicer & sweeter girls than these two. You know how typically pretty girls are caddy and mean, well these two prove that statement otherwise. 

I am an avid watcher of the Weather Channel, and let me tell you it was not supposed to snow in Cleveland on Saturday night. I know the picture above is amazing, magical actually, but driving home (pictured below) wasn't so amazing or magical or anything positive other than slow and scary. 

I know it looks like I live in the middle of nowhere America, but I swear I live in a "normal" American suburb (depending on what your definition of "normal" is). Let me explain Avon to you very quickly... football players, stay at home moms, luxury cars, hillbilly's, preppy kids, up and coming, big houses, small houses, no sidewalks....you get the point, like any other American suburb. 

Nothing better than waking up to this view in the backyard on a Sunday morning. I love the way the trees look in the back with the snow...this is my definition of winter magic. Don't judge the random Christmas decoration I forgot to take down or the messy morning room table. Just enjoy the beauty that nature has to offer. 

Tell me about your weekend.

Do you still go out when its snowing and cold? 

What is your go to look?

Do you have dancing buddies?

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend?

Life According to My iPhone

• Last week was started with some wine, soup and dessert at Rocky River Wine Bar with Lavi. We can never go wrong at a little wine bar with some wine in hand. I am definitely lucky that my friends like wine are much as I do. The soup, carrot and pumpkin, was ok...not fantastic but not the worst I've had. And let me tell you, the dessert was ah-mazing!
• I loved my nails last week! Viorica painted them for me last weekend before we went out and they looked amazing. Love the simple color with the glitter tips. 
• I started feeling a little under the weather mid last week. There is nothing worse than being stressed out because of a new job and then feeling sick. On my way to work, I stopped at Giant Eagle and bought some cold medicines and vitamin C. I started feeling better the next day, note to self...start taking vitamin C and medicine as soon as you have symptoms. 
• The drive to work has been very snowy lately. I love the snow because I think it's magical but I don't like drivers who don't know how to drive in the snow. Slamming on your breaks while doing 60 mph on snow is never a good idea. 
• At work we have a Keurig, which I adore! There is nothing better than making some coffee as soon as I get to work. Now the creamers we have, I'm not so in love with...correction....they are terrible. Therefore, I decided to buy a small creamer to keep at work in the fridge. 
• My Guy sure knows what I love! He sent me a picture of the sign above (Lord, give me coffee to change..). He knows I love my coffee and I adore my wine, I am currently looking to see where I can find that sign for our future apartment together. 
• Oh My Gosh! When I saw a quote from my restaurant review on Press Wine Bar's website I almost died! I few months back I wrote a review on one of my favorite wine bars in Cleveland, Press Wine Bar (read review here). There is a link to my blog from their website which takes you directly to the post. I am still on cloud 9 about this quote! 
• And I wish I had a picture about my frustrations at work last week. There is nothing more time consuming than people who waste my time! If you know what you want, then tell me don't make me e-mail you and contact you a million times to get an answer from you. Quit wasting my time if you have nothing better to do with yours. So far, I've learned how to keep comments to myself and to just smile when I really just want to slap someone silly. 
• Oh and of course I didn't make it to the gym lately. Why do I always come up with some excuse as why I don't have the time?! Come on Alisia, get it together.

How is your life going? Can your iPhone tell your life story?