Rent The Runway

I'm warning ya'll upfront, tihs is a ridiculously girly post.

I've been a member of "Rent the Runway" for awhile now. The idea is that instead of paying hundreds of dollars for a dress for a special occasion you can rent it for a fraction of the cost. even though I have been a member for awhile, I've never actually used the site. I am the biggest bargain shopper ever. I never pay full price for anything, and I'm not a label snob, so I can usually find a dress for less than the cost of a rental.

Today in my inbox I had a special offer though. Rent the Runway is giving me a $50 credit for my birthday! I jumped on the website and started to sort through the dresses. I knew I didn't really want to spend anything out of pocket.

I found the Hampton Harbor Dress, which I think is lovely. It also looks comfotable enough to sit around in the backyard in, which is the birthday plan.

The Hampton Harbor Dress

The problem with the Hampton Harbor Dress is that I'll end up having to spend $15 extra out of pocket. Now, I know $15 isn't a lot of money, but keep in mind I had intended to spend $0 before the coupon.

I also found the Aztec dress. I like it too, but not nearly as much.

The Aztec Dress

The Aztec Dress would cost me $5 out of pocket. I feel like $5 is more justifiable of an expense.

A third option would be to head off to Burlington Coat Factory, Marshalls, Ross, or TJ Maxx and spend $25 or less on a dress I get to KEEP.

A fourth option would be to wear one of the 85 dresses already hanging in my closet. This option is boring, and for the time being I'm going to pretend it doesn't exist. :)

This is where ya'll come in! I need advice! Which dress (if any) do you think I should choose? Has anyone used Rent the Runway before? Did you like it?

Help!

Love,

Tina Marie

Reverse Bucket List

After writing down my Thirty Before Thirty bucket list this week I started thinking about all the amazing things I have done in my life. I've led a pretty phenomenal life thusfar. It was actually kind of difficult to get thirty things to do in one list that would be financially achievable in a 16 month time span. I ended up looking at a lot of other people's lists to see what was on them. There were a few popular things that stood out, that I'm proud to say I have already accomplished. So, here is the Reverse Bucket List, a list of things I've already accomplished:

Tina's Reverse Bucket List

1. Go on vacation with only your girlfriends. - I actually do this one yearly, it's just another benefit of being in a sorority.

2. Sew something and wear it- I think I accomplished this when I was 12. I have always loved to sew, and while I'm not a seamstress by any means, I've definitely made a few skirts in my day.

3. Jump off a cliff - ummm- you just have to read this story to see that not only did I do that, I did it in spectacular fashion

4. Visit another country - while I still haven't been to Europe, I have been to Mexico, twice, on vacation. It was grand.

5. See the Mayan ruins - I went to Chichen Itza lat year. It was completely amazing.

6. Throw a dinner party - It amazes me that people haven't cooked dinner for their friends.

7. Have a conversation in another language. - Everyone knows that my Spanish speaking skills are atrocious, but I still do it. It came in very handy while in Mexico.

8. Go to Mardi Gras - Yep, lived it for 4 years.

9. Go to Spring Break in a Spring Break location - South Padre Island 2005!

10. Take an art class - Art was nearly my minor in college, this is a total check.

11. Go on a road trip - I drove from New Orleans to South Bend Indiana when I was in college. Also Annie and I went to South Carolina on a whim one weekend when we lived together.

12. Go to Las Vegas - Thanks to my friend Becky for having her bachelorette party there this past August. I seriously LOVE Vegas and can't wait to go back.

13. Buy a homeless person a meal - My dad used to do this all the time when I was little, so I started doing it too. Of course, now I live in Arlington, and there aren't homeless people.

14. See a Broadway show - I saw Promises, Promises on Broadway last year with Theo and Tamsin. It was awesome...Plus, Kristin Chenowith is a Gamma Phi Beta.

15. See the Cherry Blossoms Bloom in DC - I was actually surprised that this was on so many people's lists. It honestly wouldn't have even crossed my mind. My favorite birthday ever was spent walking among the cherry blossoms though.

16. Read the Bible - I did this when I was much younger, I could probably stand to do it again now that I'm a bit older and wiser, but still, it counts.

17. Shoot a gun - I'm pretty sure I first shot a gun when I was like 10 years old.

18. Go vegetarian for a month- I did this when I was 16. I did it for lent. Yeah, I like meat, I have no desire to relive that experience.

19. Get a Tattoo- I have 2. I guess I can never be buried in a Jewish cemetery.

20. Attend a music festival - I lived in both Austin and New Orleans, so I have been to Jazzfest and SXSW.

21. Grow my fingernails out - Okay, this really wasn't on a lot of other people's lists, but I have finally accomplished this. I had been a nail biter for 27 years, and this past year I kicked the habit. Yay me!

22. Go on a cruise - Again thanks to my fabulous Gamma Phi Beta sisters, I accomplished this 2 years ago.

23. Karaoke - I've done it, and I've hated it. I can't sing. At. All.

24. Go speed dating- I have a friend who is a host fro speed dating events. He asked me to come to one where they needed more girls. I went, but it was a total bust. I'm glad I did it, cause I was curious, but had I paid for it, I would have been upset.

25. Learn CPR- I was certified by the Red Cross when I was like 12. Did no one else have to take that class? Bueller?

26. Be financially dependent on only myself - I feel like this is a goal an 19 year old would set, not a 29 year old. Still, it was on a lot of bucket lists.

27. Start my own business - I did this! I can't believe I haven't held a 9-5 job in over a year!

28. Watch the sun rise - Ever spend a Mardi Gras in New Orleans? I promise you will see the sun rise.

29. Purchase my own car - I didn't spend a million dollars on it, but my car is paid for my all my own money.

30. Go to dinner/a movie alone - I didn't even know this was a thing. Am I the only one who does this on a regular basis?

So those are just some of the awesome things I have accomplished in my 28+ years on this planet. I'm super proud of myself, but I also can't wait to get started on the things I haven't done.

Go me!

Love,

Tina Marie

Thirty Before Thirty

Yep, I know it's cliche, but with my impending move I have decided to take a look at what I really want to accomplish before I am 30. It was actually really hard to come up with 30 things. I'm attributing that to the fact that I have accomplished quite a lot already in my life, and also with the fact that I wanted to make the list accomplishable. Truly I want to visit all the continents, and swim with sharks, and do about a million other things that would quickly rack up my VISA bill. While there is some travel on the list, I think it's all stuff I'll be able to fit in the next 16 months. So without further ado...

Tina's 30 before 30 List

1. Get my catering business started in New Orleans.

2. Go skydiving.

3. Go to Disneyland/ Disneyworld.

4. Dip my toes in the pacific ocean.

5. Be a size 10 or smaller on my 30th birthday (unless I medically cant be).

6. Run a 5K, no walking allowed.

7. Visit another foreign country.

8. Write and illustrate a children's book.

9. See either the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade or watch the ball drop in Times Square.

10. See the Grand Canyon up close and personal.

11. Finally legally change my name on my driver's license and all official documents.

12. Read at least half of the "100 Classic Book Collection".

13. Attend a game at Cowboys Stadium.

14. Go to High tea at the Ritz or some other fancy hotel.

15. Learn to drive a stick.

16. Make a full size quilt.

17. Write down all my family recipes and make a book, with pictures. 18. Teach a class/seminar/ workshop.

19. Roth IRA (private goal)

20. Learn 10 new recipes by heart from different world cuisines (no southern/ Texan/ or Mexican food).

21. Do the polar bear plunge somewhere.

22. Blog twice a week for a year.

23. Take a class in something I have no idea how to do (non exercise).

24. Successfully debone a chicken (harder than it sounds).

25. Paint something and enter it in an art exhibit/ competition.

26. Get a concealed carry permit.

27. Save for and purchase a DSLR camera.

28. Get a family photo taken professionally.

29. Spend an entire day at a spa (mani-pedi-facial-massage).

30. Have a fabulous 30th Birthday party in Vegas (or someplace equally as fabulous).

Arrr, Shiver Me Timbers

A few weeks ago my good friend Tamsin had a birthday. She had heard mention of a pirate boat cruise out of Baltimore, MD. It was intriguing, but Baltimore is sooooo far (like an hour-ish away). A few of us suggested that we make our own pirate cruise. So one fateful Saturday night we dressed up as pirates and boarded a Potomac boat cruise out of Georgetown. The cost was $14, plus drinks. It was totally awesome. Everyone stared and some people even posed for pictures with us.

The Anna's in their pirate finest on the boat.

After the boat trip was over we headed over to Adams Morgan to continue the party. We stopped off at Millie and Al's, Dan's Cafe, and Peyote. We of course had jumbo slice, and a fantastic time was had by all.

Me at Millie and Al's posing for the camera.

I suppose the point of my post, is that just because something isn't offered in your neighborhood doesn't mean you can't make it happen. Just grab a couple of your closest, most outlandish, friends and make fools of yourself. I guarantee a good time.

Arr, Ye Matey

A few weeks ago my good friend Tamsin hada birthday. She had heard mention of a pirate boat cruise out of Baltimore, MD. It was intriuging, but Baltimore is sooooo far (like an hour-ish away). A few of us suggested that we make our own pirate cruise. So one fateful Saturday night we dressed up as pirates and boarded a Potomac boat cruise out of Georgetown. The cost was $14, plus drinks. It was totally awesome. Everyone stared and some people even posed for pictures with us.

The Anna's in their pirate finest on the boat.

After the boat trip was over we headed over to Adams Morgan to continue the party. We stopped off at Millie and Al's, Dan's Cafe, and Peyote. We of course had jumbo slice, and a fantastic time was had by all.

Me at Millie and Al's posing for the camera.

I suppose the point of my post, is that just because something isn't offered in your neighborhood doesn't mean you can't make it happen. Just grab a couple of your closest, most outlandish, friends and make fools of yourself. I guarantee a good time.