Five Things on Friday

1. After years of getting maybe a trim every 9-12 months, I finally took the plunge and got a hurr cut shorter than usual. I had ombre hair done in June 2013 and it was time for a change! I know it's not a huge change and to some of you it is probably still long, but I am used to Rapunzel hair. I even got side bangs that I'm still not so sure about. I usually just pin them up, gonna have to get that fixed. I miss my long hair some days, but holy moly it's so quick doing my hair in the mornings now! Loving that.

2. I am realizing more and more how much I want need to travel. I've literally only vacationed to these spots my entire life: Disney World at 15 in Orlando. NYC in 2012 with my sister Maddie, and LA in 2013 also with Maddie. We finally got a Southwest CC and have been racking up points and I want to fly away somewhere!!! Any suggestions for a reeeally fun getaway??

NYC 2012

LA 2013

3. Hi my name is Amanda (Hi, Amandaaaa), and I am addicted to Snapchat. I literally send snaps in the morning, throughout the day, sometimes I even have texting conversations via snapchat with my sister. Who am I!? My friends now know my deepest darkest secret.... I rap pretty well. ;) I don't know what it is... when I'm in my car on the way to work, the first thing I want to do is turn up some gangsta beats. Lil Wayne is my fav to rap to. Also, Snoop Dogg and I go wayyyy back.

{add me on snapchizzle: amandamarie61}

BIFFLE <3
 Don't mind that my head is three times the size of his.
He has a tiny head! Also, he was wearing a trenchcoat in 100 degree weather. 

4. Pretty sure you need to check out what Scottie sent to our niece the other night. Huxley seriously is the coolest dog ever, but I had no idea he was an asian boston terrier! Haha I have probably watched this a hundred times and it is still hilarious. #YouBeGoodGirl!




 5. Lately I've come to realize that I am the worst Italian girl ever. I hate olives, eggplant, mushrooms, not the biggest fan of pasta... who am I? Even weirder? I am obsessed with dirty martinis, and I love me some mexi-marts, but I always give away my olives because I hate them. I feel like I make up for it though with my passion for all things wine. Wino for life.

And that, my friends, is five totally random things. I figured this would be fun to do for my linkup today with Casey  for fresh face Friday since I'm "new" in the blogging world again, and of course can't forget to linkup for #backthatazzupfriday with Whitney!! Since we've been on the subject of Lil Wayne, here's one of my favs by him. Enjoy and have a fabulous #turntup weekend y'all! 

Speed Date Linkup

I don't know about y'all, but the gloominess in the weather has made it so hard to wake up! I usually jam to Spirit radio (Contemporary Christian Music) on the way to work, but today I was wanting to mix things up and turned on the hip hop station... have y'all heard this "Cake" song by Rihanna & Chris Brown? (Listen & tell me you don't start dancing) It's so repetitive and the lyrics are raunchy... but I LOVE IT! I probably looked like a weirdo at 730am club dancing in my car while also applying makeup in traffic... hehe I have to say though, Rihanna Station on Pandora is my favorite for running, working out, and jamming out! Her new song, "Where have you been" is amazeballs. Listen!

Anyway, today I'm linking up with This Little Momma who did a linkup yesterday called "Speed Dating" where we write a post with random 'get-to-know-yous' and check out other bloggers who do the same!

About Amanda from Maggiano Takes Austin...

I was born in Austin, TX in 1988- but only lived here about 2 months before moving. Never moved back until I was in 11th grade and went to McNeil HS.

I am one of 5 kids, and each one of us were born in the capital of a state (weird right!?) Baton Rouge, LA, OKC, Austin, TX! 3 were in Baton Rouge (Which is where I'm from.... GEAUX TIGERS!)

I went to a Catholic Private School until 7th grade, and I loved it! I was actually a Soloist for our Choir & performed a Whitney Houston/Mariah Carey song as a lead in a play, and was actually good! (Do I sing now? Umm only when I drink :-) or in the shower...)

I have the cutest Boston Terrier you've ever seen named Huxley. So full of adventure, so smart, so sweet, he means more to me than the world - and I spoil him like you wouldn't even imagine. Click here for more videos, pictures, and Huxley's story.

I have been dating this sexy stud for 5 years (on June 1!!) and it keeps getting better and better. We met when I was his trainer @ Dave and Busters (we were servers at the time), and we have been through some bumpy times, but I have never been happier and more complete in my life. Love you, babe!

Scott lost his mother to a heart attack a few months before he met me, so I never got to meet her - but I hear all the time from him and his dad how much I am like her and it just warms my heart. I am trying to get her old cookbook to start making her recipes because she was an amazing baker, and that part of cooking I lack a bit. Her name was Ruthie Owens, and I can forsee me naming my first daughter after her. Such a beautiful and graceful woman.

I also lost a parent recenly, about a year and a half ago, my Dad passed away after a short 6 week diagnosis of Esophageal Cancer. You can read more about that here. He was my best friend, and sometimes it still hurts that I can't talk to him 5 times a day like I used to whether I went and bugged him at his house or he called me all the time to see how my day was going. He was my biggest fan and supporter, and he still is and I feel him every day with me. 

My Dad also taught me how to cook growing up. I'm more of a savory than sweets kind of girl, so I don't bake as much as I throw some amazing recipes together in the kitchen. Scott is very thankful for this :-). To check out some of my recipes just click here.

When I'm in my car, I'm almost always listening to Christian Music. I would say that along with Hip Hop, Texas Country, and any Indy/Rock/Classic Rock is my taste in music. I can't pick a favorite, it really depends on my mood. Scottie and I are dancers. You will always find us on the dance floor whether we're two steppin' or straight up pop, lockin, and droppin it!

Growing up I was one girl with three brothers, and finally at 10 years old, I got a little sister I had always wanted! Maddie will be staying with in Austin (my whole family lives in Louisiana) for the next 3 weeks. I cannot wait to see what trouble we get into!! We have sooo much FUN, I really let my wild-side completely immature and dorkyness come out. Why not!? She will tell you how many times growing up when we shared a room I'd lock the door and turn on Lil Jon's "To the windowwwwws" and throw dance parties when she was like um... 3? :) Now I embarrass myself in front of her to embarrass her and I get such a kick out of it! Like overly dramatically singing Adele songs with the windows rolled down in traffic. Oh the fun....

 

 

I am 85% Italian and 15% Irish - My family comes from Sicily, Italy and and some of my dad's family is also from Ireland. I am told I have small bits of Welsh and Scottish too, but not much.

I have dreamed of being a nurse my whole life. I am pursuing an RN degree, but it is obviously taking a while and I haven't taken very many classes. Not so easy to school when you have to pay for it all. I've thought about taking out loans, but I would rather take my time and not be in debt. Not to mention still havin to keep a full-time job and pay those bills! But I am determined that I will be an RN in the future.

Most people see the usual birthmark on my face because it's a mole/dark next to my eye. I love it! What people don't notice, is the second one next to my OTHER eye! It's a lot lighter, and on the other side of my eye than the other.

My uncle is a famous music producer and I've always been so jealous - he created a lot of the songs for Sex and the City movies and also travels everywhere! He has a place in LA, Paris, France, New Orleans, New York, etc. So cool!

It is MUCH easier for me and prettier to write in cursive.

I am a sagittarius born on December 8... I fit the profile perfectly. It is the bow and arrow of the archer... It is a mutable sign, meaning being able to adapt to changes very well, also very positive and extroverted - very much into travel, meeting new people, and philosophy. I love being a December baby - it's far enough from Christmas that I always still got to demand 2 presents ;-).

I am an expert at guitar hero. Yeah you heard that right, betches!!

I have never been WEST of Lubbock, TX... and just finally recently went more North than Oklahoma when I took a drama-tour trip to NYC with my Mom and Sister. I need to TRAVEL. My main places I want to go is to tour Europe, and to go to California, Alaska, Chicago, Boston, and Las Vegasssss baby.

I am the biggest joke for italian and here is why: I cannot stand - Eggplant, Mushrooms, Olives, OR Italian Sausage... which are italian staples... guess I'll replace those with my Irish Beer-Drinking abilities :)

So there you have it! Some randoms about me.... do this linkup so I can read more about you!!

ABCs

What a fun/great idea to get to know your favorite bloggers a little better! I got this from Mrs. Ruthie Hart herself & Mrs. Heather from Finding Beauty in the Ordinary and you can find theirs [here & here]

Age and/or Anniversary: 23 & (dating anniversary: June 1.. 5 years this year!) 

Bedsize: Queen, will get a King when we get a house
Chocolate: Yes please! :)

Dessert: I am not a fan of sweets (I know, who am I!?) but I will eat Cheesecake or Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream  

Ethnic background: Mostly Italian with Irish and Scottish
Fear: Roaches! But for real, afraid of walking to my car at night I'm always weird about it - I watch too much SVU Law & Order haha 
Graduation from high school and/or college: 2007 (HS) & Degree in Progress for College (Studying for RN)

Hometown: Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Instruments I play: Used to play Piano, Clarinet, and Sing (not good at any of those now I dont think lol)

Job title: Business IT Solutions Consultant @ Dell Computers
Live: Austin, Texas

Middle name:  Marie

Natural hair color: Medium Brown

Overnight hospital stays:  Not since I was a baby (back then it was a ton for Bronchitis every Christmas til I was about 5 yrs old)

Pastime:  Cooking, Dog Park w/ Huxley, Going to lakes, DVR Shows, & I am making it a goal to become a crafter! I'm so bad at it.
Quote:  Anything from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Right or left handed: Right

Siblings: Oh lawdy. 1 brother Jeff, 44, 1 brother Chris, 35, 1 brother Nick, 20, 1 brother Colin, 11, 1 sister Maddie, 13 (thank goodness after all those brothers!!!) :P

 

T.V. Show:  Smash, the Voice, Law and Order SVU, Family Guy, One Tree Hill[obsession], Parks & Rec
Underwear:  DUH
Vacation spot I love: I love anything near water! Rivers, lakehouses, ocean, etc. Or Italy - I want to spend a month there!Weather right now: 72 Clouudy & Humid
X-Rays:  No broken bones [knock on wood] but XRay on my teeth recently! Brace-face, yo! 

Yummy meal I make:  Favorite meal for us lately is my amazing Buffalo Chicken Tacos! Quick, delish, easy! 

Zoo Animal:  Penguins & Tigers (random right?)

So do we have anything in common!? If you haven't done these ABCs you should so we can all learn about you too! :)

Who are you? From A-Z

Since I am still with no camera *tear*, today I thought I would take advantage of this little game I saw on beautiful Amy Rene's blog, "Crazy, Random Happenstances." <<-- her blog is so cute! (and she has a giveaway going on right now!)

This is a great little "get to know you"game.. so here is the A-Z's of me!!


source

 A. Age: 22
B. Bed size: We have a Queen size bed right now but I am hoping we can get a King size once we have a bigger place or a house.
C. Chore that you hate: Dishes if they haven't been rinsed already and cleaning the bathtub. It's so awkward moving around!! lol
D. Dogs: Oh you better go check out little Huxley right now. :-) hehe! Our cute little 13 wk old Boston Terrier.
E. Essential start to your day: Walking Hux in the morning, breakfast with either coffee or diet coke, and a shower!
F. Favorite color: Shades of green, burgundy reds for home decorating and some purple
G. Gold or Silver: I have always been a White Gold or Silver kind of gal, but I've just started wearing a little gold and I like it!
H. Height: 5' 5"
I. Instruments you play: I used to play the piano as a hobby and clarinet in school, but I can't play jack anymore lol. I sing!?
J. Job title: Business Sales Consultant/Account Manager for Small Businesses... exciting I know!
K. Kids: None yet! Not for a few years.
L. Live: Austin, Texas baby!
M. Mother’s name: Margaret, but she goes by Ellen to family (middle name) and "Mama" to me.
N. Nicknames: Let's see.. Panda (my little brother Colin and my friend Olivia call me that) Amanhigh (umm.. that was back in high school don't know where that came from eek! haha my girl friend Krista still calls me that...) and my coworkers call me "Maggio!" or "Maggiano!" <--which is part of my blog title :-)
O. Overnight hospital stays: None for me since I was a baby! I used to get bronchitis as a baby every single December until I was about 5 which is also my birthday month.. I'd be there for weeks. Now I am never sick!..... *knock on wood*
P. Pet peeves: Slow drivers, people that drink out of the milk jug, people that don't wash their hands after using the restroom, people that aren't grateful or are snobby. List could go on...
Q. Quote from a movie: One of my all time favs: "Janice, I apologize to you if I don't seem real eager to jump into a forced awkward intimate situation that people like to call dating. I don't like the feeling. You're sitting there, you're wondering do I have food on my face, am I eating, am I talking too much, are they talking enough, am I interested I'm not really interested, should I play like I'm interested but I'm not that interested but I think she might be interested but do I want to be interested but now she's not interested? So all of the sudden I'm getting, I'm starting to get interested... And when am I supposed to kiss her? Do I have to wait for the door cause then it's awkward, it's like well goodnight. Do you do like that ass-out hug? Where you like, you hug each other like this and your ass sticks out cause you're trying not to get too close or do you just go right in and kiss them on the lips or don't kiss them at all? It's very difficult trying to read the situation. And all the while you're just really wondering are we gonna get hopped up enough to make some bad decisions? Perhaps play a little game called "just the tip". Just for a second, just to see how it feels."
-Wedding Crashers
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: I have 1 sister Maddie (13yrs), and 4 brothers (crazy!) there is Jeff and Chris (40 and 34), they were my dad's kids before he married my mom, and then Nick who is 20, and then my little step brother Colin... you can see them on the Who's Who page!
T. Time you wake up: Usually 8am on weekdays, but my work schedule is changing to 7am starting Monday so it WILL be 5:30am (eek!) and as late as I can on weekends, but that ends up being about 9am lol.
U. Underwear: Private!! Actually, depends on the day... I hate panty lines, though. And that's all I'll say there. **taking that exact answer from Amy haha**
V. Vegetable you hate: Omg I can't stand Eggplant, Asperagus, Mushrooms, or Olives. Dude you don't even have to tell me - I'm a disgrace to my Italian origin. haha
W. What makes you run late: Me! Not only do I procrastinate a lot, but I'm pretty sure I procrastinate procrastinating. I am organized, but lazy. For some odd reason I work better under pressure so I tend to always still be JUST on time and always meet my deadlines by the deadline lol!
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Dental, and my Neck as I got hurt in high school and damaged some vertebrae in my neck and upper back.
Y. Yummy food that you make: Duh everything! You can see all my masterpieces right here.
Z. Zoo animal: Tigers and Pengiuns! I'm an LSU tiger and have loved tigers all my life, but pengiuns melt my heart with their cuteness!!


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 I recommend everyone to do this! It was fun and hopefully you know me a little better :-).