Sometimes it's the cliches that hit home with me the most {a letter}.

Why hello there Friday, it's very nice to see you.

Did you know that there are only 3 more of you until I'm Jobless?

And only 4 more of you until I'm homeless?

And only 7 more of you until I see you again in Spain?

Yeah. Think about that. I know I am.

This week hasn't been the easiest on my emotions, dear Friday, which is why I'm pretty excited to see you. It's like this week, Aunt Flo came to town x100. But let me tell you...That wasn't the case and I can't blame it on her.

Anyway...the important thing to remember here is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Things are really ramping up here for this life changing event!

I just placed my beloved Tiffany's jewelry on eBay last night and within hours, someone bid on it!

The Dizzle also honed in on his wonderful photography skills and put this bad boy on Craigslist. I have high hopes for it to sell soon, dear Friday!

Once this is gone, we're basically living in an empty apartment for the next few weeks.
But that's okay because we have a mattress in the living room (yeah, that still hasn't been moved), a laptop complete with Netflix, and some Fudgsicles in the freezer!

What more could we want, really?

I say this because, yesterday, The Dizzle sent me this article written by a 90-year-old man on 45 life lessons.

Some of them were super cliche like, "When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer." Or, "Life is too short not to enjoy it."

But you know what, Friday? Something about those uber cliche sayings made me feel better about this week. It made me focus on what's important right here and right now and to stop worrying about the small, insignificant things that were making me stressed or lose focus of the bigger picture.

Anyway, that's all, Friday. Glad to see you. Thanks for listening.

xoxo

Me

That time I cried at Rubios, Moore Pink Please, and a Victoria's Secret Giveaway.

Longest blog title ever, I know.
But boy, is this a jam packed post or what?!
You're in for a treat.
{Try and stay with me here.}

...

First of all,

Thank you for being so very supportive of me and this crazy journey of mine.
I appreciate it so very much.

And know this: Any friend that encourages you to keep drinking more is a friend for life.

It's been quite the roller coaster.

Case in point:

Today The Dizzle and I went to Rubios for lunch and we were talking about how we have only one month left in San Diego and then it's time to say our goodbyes.

And that's when the tears came. Out of nowhere!

I haven't really thought much about having to say goodbye to friends and family because I haven't wanted to think about it.

Because when I do, I end up crying at a Rubios on my bean and cheese burrito.
And no one needs to see that.

So anyway...Point is, I'm sure this isn't the first or the last time I'll be thanking you all.

NOW.

On to the fun part!

I'd like to introduce you to Lissy.
We did a fun little interview so you guys could get to know her a little more.
She's super sweet and super fun.
Aaaannnnndddddd super generous because she's giving one of my lovely readers a Victoria's Secret giftcard!
Holla!

Enjoy!

...
Hello Ladies!

My name is Lisette (Lissy) Moore and I blog over at Moore Pink Please.

I blog about pretty much everything. 

I have an amazing husband and the cutest little man who makes it easier to write about our family adventures/trials.

I am a huge fan of Michelle, so when she asked me to guest post I was pretty darn excited! 

...

To just write whatever comes to mind. 

Never try to sugar coat your writing for other people. 

This is your life, so write about it and don't worry about blogging "cliques".

I mainly blog about my marriage, my son, my two fur babies, and my day to day life. 

I want my blog to be a way for me to spill my thoughts and to also be a way to remember all the amazing things that life has to offer.

I recently left a job because of an awful boss.

{Check the story out here} 

So now... I wake up around 7am, grab the cellular device and catch up on some stuff, 

turn cartoons on, 

take the dogs out to pee (which can take ages!),

get Elijah up and ready for school, 

drop him off (hopefully no kicking and screaming), 

come back to the house, 

let the dogs play outside, 

go for a run or hit the gym, 

clean the house, 

blog or work on the blog, 

pick up the baybay, 

and start cooking and getting dinner ready for the hubbs to come home. 

Not too exciting. Being a housewife is not for me and I am def looking forward to getting back on the job scene.

Well let's just say don't do the "hanky panky" when your grandma is in town? 

About 5 years ago my hubbys grandma was in town and we fell asleep pretty nakey (hmm not sure why..losers) with the door unlocked and little ms. grandma would have gone into cardiac arrest if she would have seen what we had fallen asleep like! I hid on the floor and hubbs put a blanket on and it all worked out but definately embarrassing and really really scary. She totally would have made us go to church the next morning for sure hahahaha! 

God Forbid you "do it" before marriage, right grandma Moore?

For some reason I always get compared to Selena Gomez. 

I feel we look nothing alike and I am def not a Wizard or like Justin Beiber, so I'm not too sure what her and I have in common besides being Latin, singing, and being a brunette. 

She has the most amazing hair!

Hawaii. It was amazing! 

The water is crystal clear, the tanning is ahhmazzing, and Coconut everything is to die for.

I am really fun! 

I hope that this will come out in my writing. 

I like to live life to the fullest.

I hope you ladies will follow me on my journey through life the way I see it :)

...

Now on to the giveaway for a $15 Victoria's Secret gift card!

Pretty nifty, eh??

To Enter (Leave a comment for each):

1) Be a follower via GFC of Mish Lovin' Life

2) Be a follower via GFC of Moore Pink Please

Additional Entries (leave a comment for each):

1) Follow @mrstorinmoore on Instagram

2) Follow any of my other links

...

Now go show her some Blog Love!!!

xoxo

A tad overwhelmed and such.

I'm sure it could be the fact that I'm about to travel the world with only a suitcase full of all my belongings. And well, where does one even begin to decide what gets taken and what must go??

Also, knowing me, I have a list of a bajillion things that need to be done before we leave San Diego next month, let alone leave the country a few short weeks after that!

Let me tell you how bi-polar dramatic emotional I've been lately too.

One moment I'm so super ecstatic about what's ahead, the next moment I'm a stress case trying to plan for something that I have no idea how to plan for, and then before you know it, I'm getting all nostalgic and crying over a Louis Vuitton bag I sold.

All the while, poor Dizzle gets to be front row and center to all my shenanigans, bless his heart.

...

Want to know something else?

I am somehow 7 pounds heavier since my marathon days.

Trust me on this. My hips don't lie.

I finally dusted off the ol' scale and weighed myself.

Then I almost choked on my chicken fried somethin' or other after seeing those numbers!

{Just kidding. I don't eat chicken fried somethin' or others since my KFC debacle.

But I'm sure it was something equally fried and equally fatty.}

But you wanna know my excuses?

Excuse #1: 
"We'll be walking so much all over Europe that I'm sure we'll burn off all this extra fat!"

{nom nom nom, chew chew chew, burp, sigh}

Excuse #2:
"Of course we should drink another bottle of wine. We'll need to learn how to be wine connoisseurs by the time we reach Italy!"

Excuse #3:
"My man is half Black. He's got to be alllll about these bodacious curves of mine."
{Okay, I sort of just came up with Excuse #3 right now. But I'm sure it's true. Right? Right?!}

On top of that, all I'm hearing these days is Paleo this, Paleo that,
and lordy, I just can't keep up!

So I am going to just keep on keepin' on. 
Because isn't that what we end up doing anyway?

I have every intention of walking to Panera for a salad tonight.
And afterwards, I have every intention of enjoying another bottle of wine.

...

Thanks for listening, friends.
Have yourselves a happy hump day.
xoxo

All the single ladies! All the single ladies!

Just kidding...in fact, I don't think they're single at all.

But I would love to introduce you to 3 new lovely ladies that I have 'known' for quite some time on this here blog of mine.

They're great at connecting and they're great at making you feel uber awesome.

Annnndddd basically I wish they were my real life friends so I could pack them all in my suitcase to travel around the world with me!

But alas, that is not possible. 

So for now, I just have to blog stalk.

Without further ado, please check them out and leave them some love! :)

xoxo

BLOG / INSTAGRAM / TWITTER / FACEBOOK

BLOG / BLOG LOVIN' / TWITTER / FACEBOOK

BLOG / INSTAGRAM

The Dizzle picked the winners...Literally.

Last night, after dinner and in-between Netflix documentaries, I decided to do things the old fashioned way. I wrote out all of your entries, ripped them up, threw them in an old vase, and had The Dizzle pick two lucky winners.

Aaaannnddd that will be the last time I ever do that.

This is why Rafflecopter and Random.org were invented.

And this is direct proof that I possibly have too much time on my hands.

{Please note: Slumber Party mattress is still intact in the living room}

...

Congrats to Katy K. for set #1

 And congrats to Kiana B. for set #2!

Email me at: michelleelizabethlim@gmail.com with your addresses!

...

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo

Slumber Party

So they claim it's Fall now, eh?

Then tell me why it's still hot as balls outside??

Now don't get me wrong. I'm a Summer baby through and through.

I can have sun all day aayyy day.

Except when it's bedtime and your room feels like a sauna.

That's when things don't go so well. 

And for some reason, even with the A/C on, it hasn't been flowing through the bedroom all that well.

So last night, as I'm sprawled out on the bed in my underwear, doing my usual dramatic complaining of how hot it is, all of a sudden The Dizzle throws the pillows aside, nudges me off the bed mattress, grabs it with his hulk-like grip and pulls it into the living room.

Right underneath the cool air blast of the A/C.

I was in air conditioning heaven.

We had ourselves a little slumber party there in that crowded little living room, complete with popcorn and wine.

To which I then promptly fell fast asleep at 9:45pm.

Slept like a baby, I did.

I highly suggest everyone has living room slumber parties.

And unless The HulkDizzle moves that back in the room today, I think we just may have a repeat of last night.

P.S. I am aware it looks like a bomb blew up in there. We're moving, remember?? ;)

...

Hope you all had splendid weekends!

Oh, and if you haven't already, make sure to enter for this because I think I'll be drawing the winners tonight!

...

xoxo

Friday Mentions

{via Instagram: @mishlove}

The Dizzle is at the mechanic this morning, picking up his car! {hopefully}

We rode the trolley together this morning.

Let's just hope that will be the last time we ride the trolley.

...

Four weeks from today and I am free! {from work}

I am counting down the weeks days.

...

I'm selfishly recruiting travel advice and friends over at Whiskey Tango Foxtrot today.

...

The Dizzle wrote his very first blog post yesterday over on the travel blog.

And it kind of melted my heart just a little bit.

...

Don't forget to enter for these ridiculously cute illustrations I'm giving away!

...

Do me a favor and have yourself a really great weekend, will ya? :)

xoxo

This public transportation business ain't no joke

So remember how I told you all that last week V Dizzle's car broke down and had us stranded in the KFC parking lot for 3 hours?

Well what I didn't tell you is that just ONE HOUR prior to that conundrum, 

I had sold my car.

Big deal for us! 

So what did we do? Go to KFC to celebrate....yeah....

Perfect timing, huh?

So here we are, one week later, and still car-less.

How have I been getting to work, you might ask?

Why, by the lovely public transportation system here in San Diego: The Trolley.

And my, how lovely it has been!

I mean, just look at these people! Don't they look so happy??

The girl on the top left was alternating from complete silence to hysterically laughing every 10 seconds.

I don't know what it was, but I wish I could have been let in on the joke!

The guy on the top right was really enjoying that beautiful scenic view Downtown has to offer.

Just look at him. You can tell by his eyes the pure joy he's feeling.

The lady on the bottom right? It's hard to tell now, but she was...well, having a ball. I promise.

And that guy on the bottom left? The one with the Rubik's Cube?

I mean, how could you bring back a toy from the 80's and not be having the time of your life?

Exactly.

So you see, it's really been no inconvenience at all being car-less.

I could keep myself entertained for hours on this dear trolley.

I love the 15 minute walks to and from the trolley station every morning and evening!

Working up a nice sweaty back and a few blisters along the way really builds character I hear.

In fact, I hope The Dizzle doesn't get his car back today!

The shop can keep it forever!

....

xoxo

P.S. Thank you ALL so so much for your amazing support yesterday after we shared our big news. We couldn't be more excited and we're literally counting down the days! You guys rock and I'm so excited that you all want to follow along! And also many thanks for checking out our new travel blog! :) :) We're excited to write all about our travels. But don't worry. This blog is my home and will not be abandoned!

I guess the cat is out of the bag! BIG NEWS REVEALED!

So I had every intention of announcing this big news of mine tomorrow.

Reason being...I hadn't yet announced this news at work and the big day was going to be Friday!

{And trust me, it has been extremely difficult not talking about this on my blog!!!}

But, lucky you, somehow this news got leaked early at work and now it's safe to confirm any rumors!

But first, here are the results of all your guesses:

So you thought I got engaged, huh?

Nope!

And only a mere 14 of you thought I was preggers, eh?

Good call. Motherhood is not on this agenda of mine!

So...

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls...

I am proud to announce that:

Yep! You heard me!

We're getting out of here!

Sayanara! Finito! So Long Suckas!

So... Here are the facts:

1. We're selling everything, and I mean everything, except for a suitcase each.

2. We purchased one way tickets and have no plans on when we'll be back.

3. We leave the country November 18.

4. First 80 days have been booked and paid:
SPAIN - 30 days, ITALY - 20 days, THAILAND - 30 days.

5. After that...who the eff knows.

It sounds crazy. It sounds random. It sounds spontaneous.

It sounds so UNLIKE me.

But, after our trip to Korea last May, we got that itch. That travel itch.
We figured this: We don't have kids and we don't have a mortgage.
So one day we decided why the hell not.

It's been crazy and I can't wait to finally be able to talk about this exciting thing that's about to happen.

If any of you are interested, we started up a travel blog called Filling in the Dots.
Feel free to read more on how we came to this decision and places we've booked so far. :)

Otherwise, I'll definitely be keeping you all posted! :)

Yee-haw!!

xoxo

Coco Draws Illustrations - 2 Winner Giveaway! {CLOSED}

In the event that a few things are changing over in these parts of mine 

{and I know, I promise to tell you all more by Friday}, 

I am having a special giveaway today!

...

When the Roomie and I first moved Downtown together, I purchased 6 of the cutest illustrations!

{The Etsy shop is named Coco Draws and she's pretty awesome.}

I thought they were a cute and creative way to portray a few of my favorite things.

But now I have a new Roomie...aka my Man Lover...and well, these need to go to a new home. :)

So anyway, I have 6 of these illustrations.

They are all 8x10 and they are all in plain black frames.

I am going to give one set of 3 to one person.

And the other set of 3 to another.

Set 1:

Set 2:

To Enter:

1) Must be one of my readers via GFC

2) Comment below on if you prefer Set 1 or Set 2

(US residents only please. Because I'm cheap like that.)

Additional Entries (Leave a comment for each)

*Follow any of my other links*

*Tweet about it*

I'll pick the winners next week!

...

xoxo

The Big News is coming, I promise...but first.

I'd like to introduce you to 3 lovely ladies.

I thought it'd be fun to ask them a few things so you can get to know them a little better.

Because finding cool new blogs is always a good thing, right?

Right.

Also, anything to distract you from actually doing work or being productive on any given day is always a win/win.

So....Enjoy!

BLOG / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / DESIGN

BLOG / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM  

BLOG / TWITTER / FACEBOOK / BLOG LOVIN'

...

Now go show them some love!!!

xoxo

STRANDED at KFC for 3 HOURS.

A lot of you saw via Instagram my unfortunate incident that happened at the KFC the other night.

It was so unfortunate that several of you wanted to vomit, much like myself.

It was also so unfortunate, that I'll have to share the picture again.

Ready? Set. Go.

This, my friends, was at the bottom of our KFC bucket.

Just sitting there.

Unattached to anything else.

Let me just say that it definitely ruined my KFC experience. For Life.

Let me also say that KFC is not a place that I go to regularly {or ever}.

We just so happened to see a KFC commercial, got sucked in to its advertisement, then somehow ended up there, ordering the 8pc chicken meal, complete with mashed potatoes and mac 'n cheese.

It wasn't our finest moment.

Anyway, the point of this post is not to say how disgusting KFC is (and it really is disgusting),

or to say that I regret not keeping this disturbing spine for purposes that could potentially make me a millionaire (and I really do), but this is to tell the story of how we were stranded there for 3 hours after this horrific find.

...

As we were leaving the KFC, we got in to The Dizzle's whip to head home.

Except home, we did not go.

He tried to start the engine, and instead of doing just that, the engine made a very sad and angry noise.

We looked at each other and stared for a few seconds.

Then he tried again.

Nada.

Except this time, the engine starting spewing some very concerning smoke at us.

So The Dizz got on his mobile and dialed up the mechanic that happened to work on his car earlier that day, who did a routine oil change and such.

The mechanic, who we shall call Carlos, told my Dizzle that he would personally come down to the KFC on Market and 32nd to take a look.

Surprisingly, he knew just the KFC we were talking about.

45 minutes later, Carlos arrives.

He tinkers around for a bit and tells us this:

"Blah blah blah, engine, blah blah blah."

Clearly. I don't speak Car.

I think he could tell that by the dumbfounded looks on our face.

So he graciously offers to drive us to Auto Zone for the part he thinks we need.

People, there really are good ones left in this world!

So anyway, we get back to the car, Carlos tinkers around some more.

Then he tells The Dizz to try once more.

And it goes a little something like this:

"errr.errr.rrr.rr....errrrr.errr.r..rrrr.."

{I should probably get a job in sound effects, it's so lifelike.}

But basically, it didn't work.

And basically, Carlos had to go.

Why he didn't want to stay at the KFC parking lot with us...no one will know.

So there we were.

Back to square one.

We called AAA, tow truck came and whisked the car away.

Conclusion:

His car will be in the shop until Thursday.

Something about a head gasket.

$930 bill.

...

I hate you, KFC.

Big News. Big. Huge.

Even Betsey Johnson is excited.

So I've got some big news.

Some life changing news.

And I couldn't be more excited about it.

But I thought it might be fun to see what YOU thought it was.

So I have placed a poll over on the right side bar.

------------------------------------------------>

Go! Guess!

I shall reveal this wonderful and exciting news next week!

...

I know, I'm cruel.

xoxo

I just need to be a sexy French Maid

{He made me smile with "Moving In Together" flowers. He made me wary with a 6:30am run}

After I announced The Dizzle and I moving in together, I found it pretty hilarious that about 99% of the tips and advice I got was to help prepare me for what I like to call: The Man Slob.

I got several warnings for the following situations:

Toilet seat will be left up.

Clothes will be left on the floor.

He will not do the dishes.

He won't put things back in the right place.

...

Friends, the reason why I laugh is because you all should be warning him about me.

For basically all of those things.

Except the toilet.

I think I can manage to pee with the seat down. We'll see.

Anyway, after Monday's post, The Dizzle wanted to make sure it was made very clear 

"who the clean one is in this relationship."

Okay, okay, it's him! He's so gosh darn CLEAN!

I don't know what his mother did, but boy did she raise him right!

He hangs up his wet towels.

He cleans dirty dishes (the same night after cooking!).

He puts that dang toilet seat down after every pee sesh.

He makes the bed every.single.morning.

He does the laundry and then, get this, puts his clothes away!

Not 2 weeks later. But THAT DAY!

I'm astounded! I'm impressed!

But mostly, I'm anxiety ridden.

Why?

Because I was a spoiled rotten child who had cleaning ladies come to my home every Friday to pick up after my spoiled rotten behind.

I'm not proud of this fact.

But truth be told, I really am trying.

And you're darn right I like to make it known every time I do something positive:

"Look honey, I'm hanging up my towel!"

"Boo! Did you see that I made the bed?!"

"Look at me! I'm putting the dishes away AND 

I didn't leave the dishwasher door wide open for you to trip on!"

It's those little affirmations I get from him that keep me going.

In fact, if he could get some sort of gold star chart going, that would make me pretty happy...

Anyway, if I could be less like this:

And more like this:

Then I think the two of us as roommates will be juuuusssstttt fine.

You feelin' me?

...

xoxo

2 Month Ad Giveaway and Guest Post by Melissa!

Happy Hump Day, ya'll.

Exciting things are happening today.
For the first time ever, I am having a guest blogger!
I know, it's pretty amazing.
And not only that, but Melissa is giving away 2 months free of ad space on her blog!
So read, enjoy, and go show her some love!

xoxo

...

Hey Friends!  My name is Melissa and I blog over at Forever and A Day.  

I could go on and on about myself; how I live in Los Angeles (the best city IMO) with my husband (who works for Disney and has better hair than I do... seriously he could be an herbal essence hair model), how I love going to new restaurants and bars, hiking in Malibu, reading pretty much any book I can get my hands on, oh and of course blogging... but I'm not.  I'm going to talk about who's REALLY "lovin' life" these days and those people, my friends, would be our cats.  

Yup, cats.  Plural.  

You know how some women can't go to a mall without bringing home a new outfit or a killer pair of shoes?  That's exactly how I am, but replace mall with animal shelter / pet store and outfit with feline.  

That kind of explains how in the middle of this fabulous L.A. life that I'm currently living, I ended up in an apartment with 5 cats.  

Like a good sample sale or an enticing happy hour, I just couldn't help myself, I had to help them.  

I know I'm crazy, but I've been like this my entire life.  Over the past 25 years, I've taken in cats, dogs, hamsters, lizards, guinea pigs, and rabbits.  I "adopted" a bat at Carlsbad Caverns (and named him Carl, obviously) and manatee from Florida (named Manny, duh.)  

Our home has always been a halfway house of sorts for animals, some we keep forever, some we just help find a home when no one else can/ will.  

But these kitties of ours mine?  They have it pretty good.  

I mean check out Olivia up there.  She gets kisses every day whether she wants them or not.  THAT my friends, is the face of a happy cat.  

Sunshine gets regular kitty therapy sessions from Tim.  

 Their days are spent sleeping all day, while I toil around the house.  Note Stormy sleeping in a bag of laundry.  

Diego uses my pants as a pillow.  

And Dharma, aka Moo Moo is always well fed.  (She prefers the broccoli cheddar soup.)  

It must be good to be a cat.  

But really it's pretty good to be you guys too, because today I'm giving away two months, TWO!, of medium ad space on my blog!  

And just in case the crazy cat pictures weren't enough to entice you to come say hi, here's some other fun things I blog about.  

Tim and I recently had our wedding featured in The Knot magazine and online, so I bombarded my readers with wedding pictures.  

We go to Disneyland a lot and I'm writing a series about the best places for adults to have fun at The Disneyland Resort.  Drinking in The Tiki Room?  Kinda.  

We travel a lot, and I love to photograph the heck out of our vacations, like this one to Big Sur.  

Oh yeah, and we have the world's cutest nephew, Max.  

There's a lot going on over at Forever and A Day.  Come on over and say hi and share your thoughts with me on my favorite topics like apartment living, marriage, and fashion.  

I hope to meet you soon!

...

Thanks for your rockin' post, Melissa! :)

Now go forth and enter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway