#NoFilter

Saturday isn't over yet. I still have time to post so I can continue with the Blog[everyday in Oc]tober14 thing. (See what I did there?) What was I talking about? Oh yeah Insta Blogtober - your favorite photo posted on Instagram.

One of the best things about Instagram (aside from the fact that you can use pictures to make your life seem a lot more interesting than it is) is that you can make almost any photo look great by adding a filter, or five, to it. You can kick our blemishes, make the room seem brighter, or make yourself look like you're in a film noir. I had a really really difficult time picking one out of my 811 Instagram photos so I picked two.

The reason these are my favorites is that I didn't even need to add a filter - there was no light adjustment, no saturation boosting, no contrast toggled. They're just pure and beautiful shots. One is sunrise and the other, sunset. The serene early morning and the smooth transition to night - the bookends of the day.

I think this will go down in (blog) history as one of my favorite posts.

Last Week on Instagram

I was looking through my IG pictures from last week and realized that even though this weather sucks, it’s making for some really awesome photos. I mean mother nature must be going through menopause or something because she can’t decide between being a 20 degree winter wonderland or sitting at 55 degrees and thundering like the sky will fall down. It’s gotta be the change. Or maybe just climate change. Who knows? All I know is that I’m ready to wear flip flops and the bathing suits I just bought at Target on Friday night. Wow, ramble much?
What was I talking about? Oh yeah, my awesome phonetography (I may have made that up) skillz. Here are some really nice pictures that only looked good because I’m good at tapping my phone screen (no, it’s not because of Flappy Bird).
Although it’s pretty, I want Winter to end…like yesterday

This one is where I pretend to be artistic while preparing to paint my nails because Jordan wanted to know #widn. Her pic was her adorable nephews so I think she wins.

A nice lady in the lane next to us waited to pull up until I got my shot. I’ve never seen anything like it #nofilter #hashbrowns

I went to the Phantoms game with Sarah on Friday. They lost, but I’m totally used to my teams losing (looking at you Sixers…and Temple…and pretty much every other Philly team). It was a really fun game despite the fact that there were a zillion brats kids who probably should have been on leashes.
On Monday, my friend Sadie called me and asked if I wanted to go sit in on a rehearsal for our old high school choir. So we did. It was nostalgic and awesome and apparently we’re legends now. They were learning a song we had performed for a competition so of course we more more than happy to help out.

And then there was this. Remember when I said I didn’t graduate and I ordered my senior portraits so that I could feel like it was official? Well, they finally came in the mail. TADA!

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!

Instagram makes me feel like a better photographer than I am. Please tell me I’m not the only one who feels this way!

 

Have a great weekend, everyone! Just an warning: I'll be live-tweeting the Oscars on Sunday night. And if Frozen doesn't win best animated feature, I'm out. So in honor of my new favorite movie, I'm linking up with Miss Yoga Pants for #backthatazzup Friday.

 

 

Undergrad Gratitude

Welcome back for another week of Gratitude on my blog. Glad you could make it! This week I'm grateful for finishing my last essay as an undergrad and finding the time to blog. I'm also grateful for...

ONE this little bird ornament from Target. It makes me smile and I wouldn't be opposed to someone buying it for me

TWO pups that look like Gandalf

THREE that I take the train early enough to see the sunrise every morning

  

FOUR days like today where everything is right with the world

Remember that thankfulness is not only for Thanksgiving. I wanna know what you're thankful for! Let me know in the comments.

XO - Monny

Thanksgiving Gratitude

Guess what day it is. GUESS WHAT DAY IT IS! Not, only is it HUMPDAY, but it's also the last day of school for the week. *Cue Handel's Messiah Hallelujah Chorus* Today is also National Gluttony Day Eve. Yes, tomorrow we will celebrate everything we're thankful for by stuffing our faces with too much food and cheering on whichever team is beating the Cowboys.

Well, I should probably get back to the actual topic of this post so I can prepare for tomorrow's festivities. I try to do a gratitude post once a week with Steph at Insert Classy Here so this just going to follow the same format it always has.

ONE I'm thankful that Kristo can make a good casserole, even when he can't handle the Pillsbury Croissants.

TWO I'm grateful for countdown widgets that make me even more excited for vacation (the day after finals!) and to get my Bachelor's of Arts in Speech Language Hearing Sciences after four and a half lifetimes years of hard work.

THREE I'm grateful for books that change my life and help me bond with my friends. I'm even more grateful that they sometimes get turned into movies that take everything from my head and put it on the big screen.

FOUR I'm grateful that I'm not the only one who hates rude shoppers at the grocery store.

FIVE I'm thankful that my dad tries to keep up with the times, even though he doesn't understand that you can't ask someone to "take a selfie of me."

SIX I'm thankful that tea can get me through assignments that are due in 3 hours almost anything.

SEVEN I'm thankful for sunrises past when I'm stuck with a dreary Monday morning.

I'm thankful that I have a loving family and friends and that we have more than enough delicious food to go around.

Lastly, I'm so thankful for all of you who read and comment on this little blog of mine every day and for my fellow bloggers who have become my faraway friends!

I hope you all have an awesome holiday and eat lots of your favorite carbs! Travel safe and I'll see you next week.

XO - Monny

Gratitude: week 9

Happy Friday!

I love that it's Friday, but I just can't seem to get my shiz together. Like how I'm wearing one Gryffindor sock and one purple leopard print sock. And had to reheat my tea water...twice. I'm also finishing my gratitude post FROM WEDNESDAY. Jeez Monica. Here we go.

I'm grateful for warm sweaters when it's freezing (see also: a rainy 60 degrees) outside.I'm grateful that I'm only working 3-8 tonight so I CAN DO STUFF.I'm also grateful that my midterm math grade is an A. This has never happened before. I'm navigating uncharted territory.

Now onto the photographical Instagram portion of this post.

ONE: I'm grateful for manicures that stand the test of manual labor. If you ever get the chance, use Healthy Hoof high-gloss protectant. Yes, it's for horses. Yes, I put it on my fingers. Yes, it's a miracle worker.

TWO: I'm grateful that I got to spend 17 years of my life knowing this woman. My godmother had the biggest heart out of anyone I've ever known. She would help anyone in need and she taught me the meaning of the word "laughter." I miss her every day, but I'm grateful that she instilled all her kindness and love in her kids who are the best friends I could ever ask for.

THREE: I'm grateful that I can cook a damn good meal without burning the house down working too hard.

FOUR: I'm grateful for rainy days that I can watch from the inside.

FIVE: I'm grateful for Fall, even though I hate the cold.

SIX: I'm grateful that my boyfriend attempted to smile when I shoved a camera in his face.

SEVEN:...and that he's accomplishing everything that he wants to before graduating.

EIGHT: I'm grateful that I got my assignment done without stressing too much and that I got to bed at a reasonable time on Wednesday night.

What are you grateful this week?

XO - Monny

Two Awards Walk Into a Blog (Instagratitude: week 8)

I really need to get over this Humpday hump. I had a post 90% finished for posting today, then I left my memory card at home. Since I refuse to post a weekend recap without pics to go with it, I'll be posting it tomorrow. Also, I burnt the roof of my mouth on pizza last night so eating this bagel hurts like a mother. Now for the good stuff. FLYERS HOCKEY STARTS TONIGHT. And Nashville is on. Woo!

My Gratitude post is gonna be teeny tiny small today because I've only racked up 3 pictures since last Wednesday, but that's okay because I've been nominated for 2 Sunshine Awards.

ONE: I'm grateful for bubble tea in general, but the bubble tea from the Vietnamese place on campus has these cute (creepy?) pictures on their cups. Look how happy this baby centaur goat is stabbing that crab to death with a shovel.

TWO: I'm grateful I finally finished my rough draft. I rewarded myself with a beer after class.

THREE: I'm grateful that my dad is a heavy sleeper so that he doesn't wake up while I'm taking pics like these and I'm grateful he doesn't have an Instagram to see the multiple pics I've posted like this.

The Last Rose of Summer (Gratitude: week 7)

Happy HUMP DAAAAAY!

I’m linking up with Erika from Chimerikal and the always awesome Steph G for this week’s Gratitude post. It’s been a busy week so far, but I’m trucking through in anticipation of Celtic Fest 2013 this weekend. I can’t wait to hang out with my family and listen to some awesome pub (see also: bagpipe) music while drinking a pint or two.

This week I’m grateful for the fact that I have a 97.5% I have in my clinical management class and that it’s finally starting to feel like Fall (Please refer to Ashten’s entire post about it). Bring on the pumpkin everything.

Here are some more things that I’m grateful for this week.

ONE: Dress clothes that are also comfortable. I love dressing up and looking nice, but I hate when I have to be uncomfortable to do it. Hello, flowy dress, stretchy leggings, and flats.

TWO: Finding pretty bits of nature when everything else is dying.

THREE: Caterpillars on the way to night class. How can you not smile at this little fuzz creature?

FOUR: Shows that cause side-splitting laughter that turns into crying. Seriously, go find this show in a city near you.

FIVE: Inspiration in the form of a phone wallpaper. Everytime I look at my phone, I smile.

Hope you're having a fantabulous week!

XO - Monny

Gratitude : week 6

Happy FRIDAY (Friday, gotta get down on Friday) Blogland!

I've gone at least 2 weeks without linking up with Steph for Gratitude, so I'm smushing it all into this one post. Don't worry, I didn't stop being grateful for things, I just got lazy.

There are so many things to be grateful for.

ONE: Spontaneous dinner and drinks at the Irish Pub with the boyfriend.

TWO: Finally having a minute to start a book I've had for almost a year. One chapter in and it's just as good as I expected.

THREE: Pumpkin coffee season!

FOUR: Bewley's breakfast tea to wake me up (straight from Ireland Wegman's).

FIVE: Starting the search for grad schools.

SIX: Last minute road trips with Peggy and Dad!

SEVEN: Finally having a picture of Me and Kim after being friends for 2 and a half years.

EIGHT: and discovering different gardens every Monday at Temple Ambler with Kim.

NINE: Finding inspiration in the most unlikely places.

Last, but not least, I'm thankful that there are throwbacks songs like this to start off my weekend.

XO - Monny

Gratitude: week 5

This week has been crazy, with getting ready for school to start and failing trying to get back into the swing of things, I haven't been posting to Instagram with my usual enthusiasm. Also, this post is a day late (blame the interwebz). Better late than never, amirite?

I love doing this prompt every week or so because it helps me to appreciate the little things in my life. Even when I think I don't have much to be grateful for, I can look back and realize I'm being a spoiled brat and quit it.

One. Old school diners with soda fountains and wall postings being snarky...and bacon pancakes. BACON. PANCAKES.

Two. Grateful for the fact that I'm actually really good at painting my own nails. It saves me a ton of money, not having to get a manicure every 2 weeks.

Three. My sister and I can look like idiots and still have the best time. Also grateful for 25 cent mustaches from gumball machines. HOLLA.

Four. After 5 and a half years, this guy still likes me no matter how many times I make this face/yell at him. True love.

Five. Friends who stick around for 16+ years no matter how often we see each other.

Six. Late night trips to the diner with my favorites and for bread pudding, which never fails to disappoint.

Find your peace of mind.

XO - Monny

Gratitude: week 4

Every time I look through my pics for Insta-gratitude, I realize that I post really weird/random shiz. Anyway, here is everything I'm grateful for this week as shown through Instagram photos.

One: Irish heritage and the chorus of angel voices that is Celtic Woman. And tea....lots of tea.

Two: Almost edible pasta dinner that cost less than $2 dollars. Desperate college cooking for the win!

Three: 4gLTE internet on my phone for when the home Virgin Mobile internet shits the bed(which is often).

Four: Happy I still have my toes even though the Pillsbury dough boy has it out for me.

Five: Booboo bunny for the next time the Pillsbury crescent rolls jump out of the fridge

Six: Buffalo bites and hard cider

Seven: No students were injured.

Eight: Ice cream with a fork is still better than no ice cream.

Nine: 80 oz. of my one true love Ranch!!!

Linking up with Steph for Insta-Gratitude. You can follow my Instagram posts here.

XO - Monny

Gratitude: week 3

I'm grateful for some weird shiz this week. Looking back through my Instagram pics between now and last Wednesday, all I see are pics from Gettysburg(which I'm saving for their own post) and selfies. Am I that vain? Don't answer that - I already know.

This week, I'm thankful that everyone made my birthday extra special by celebrating with me for 4 days straight and I'm grateful that my extended family has never failed to make my friends feel like they're part of the family.

I'm grateful that I finally got my new contacts so I don't have to look like a hipster for the rest of the summer. And so I can wear my sunnies!!!

Lastly I'm thankful that I live in a state with so much history, no matter where I go. Ten minutes from home and I'm in the birth place of  our nation. If we drive another 2 and a half hours, we're on the fields of the largest battle ever fought in North America. I don't know about you, but I think that's the bomb-diggs.(The fact that Morgan Freeman narrated the intro video to Gettysburg just made everything more epic.) I'm also grateful that they still have good beer in the middle of nowhere.

I'm also thankful that old fashioned candy stores carry everything from my childhood and sell it for super cheap. Yay for Pez and PopRocks!

Linking up with Steph!

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” --Marcel Proust

XO - Monny

Gratitude : week 2

ow, I can't believe I've been too tired to even sit down at my computer. I was actually gonna write this post Tuesday and put myself ahead of the game, but then I started to feel like crapola so it was a no-go. I really hope I'm not getting that grimy virus that seems to be turning into a country-wide thing.
Anywho, I still feel like crap, even though it was a pretty decent week. So here it is - my weekly Gratitude.

Okay first up, I just found this pic from last weekend so I "#latergram[ed] it. I'm grateful for the fact that the littlest things can entertain and inspire me. The ceiling work in NY Penn Station is pretty bo$$.

I'm grateful that I woke up at 5 am for no reason and saw that the sky deserved to be captured. I still can't believe I managed to drag my ass out of bed, but I'm so glad I did. It's perfect and the colors are gorgeous.

I'm grateful that I have friends like blogless Sarah who understand my nerdiness and GoT references, and who also like to tell me they love me out of the blue(and IN CAPS).

I'm grateful that some places still make real calzones that could feed me a whole family for only $8.

Lastly, I'm grateful that brother is here. Some kids he graduated with went wading in the creek near us and out of the three that went in, only one came out. I'm thankful that our community showed instant support and that so many came out to help with the search effort. I'm grateful that they found the boys' bodies so that their families can have some closure. I know that their lives will never be the same. Hopefully this tragedy will continue to show these kids to think before they do something, and that nature is more powerful than we will ever be. I pray that these families find strength for the rough time they are about to face, and that it never happens to anyone else in this town.

I didn't know these boys personally, but they've already touched my life and showed me that there is so much to be grateful for today and every day.

Tell your family and friends that you love them while they are here. "Life is too short."

*RIP Perry Krewson and Dan Tadrzynski*

XO - Monny