I passed my board exam!

Hello ladies and gent's,

I am officially a Lactation Consultant! I found out this morning at work that I passed the IBLCE boards!

I am now just waiting to hear back from my boss that I have a PRN position at the hospital!!!

Now time to celebrate!

Rachel :)

Everything about fall

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur have past by quickly...it helped being in the choir. There are no new years resolutions to the Jewish new year. What I'm trying to do is be a better person. Rabbi Holzman and I are back on for my conversion, and I will be going to the Mikvah (ritual bath) this November or December!

Life for me felt like I have been in limbo since I took the IBLCE exam, and finally it's all coming back together, we find out about our results in 10 days...October 28th!

I had my interview for a PRN Lactation Consultant position last Thursday, I have worked my butt off since I took this exam to really show my colleagues that I am made to be there. I have kept good relationships with my mentors, and I think all I really have to depend on to get this job is by passing my exam. I also got offered a position in Childbirth Education at Sibley to teach the prenatal breastfeeding class. Sunday I taught at the Ritz Carlton for our Childbirth Educ. Spa weekend. Loved it! And it was my first time teaching, this will be such a great little added extra to my week.

Amazing view from the 24th floor

yummy dessert bar

I would love to be able to afford to travel and stay in amazing places that offer food included :)

It was luxurious while it lasted

In Search of a Wine Rack

Mr. B and I have been in search of the perfect wine rack. We would like it to be artsy, but we really enjoy having a good stock in house, so we may have to go ahead with a larger one. 


A few posts back I was debating buying a red cabinet for our kitchen, we did. And it fits perfectly, we are planning on adding 2 shelves above and thought maybe we could host an artsy rack there, and a more utility one in our dining room.


The basic key is that you want to have your wine bottles laying is some way so that the cork doesn't get dry, this affect gives you that "corked" taste to the wine. So by laying them on their sides, slanted or even upside down, is ideal for long periods of time.


I came along these today:

From Umbra is the Cru wine rack

CB2 by Crate and Barrel has contemporary basic wine racks or compared to this gem, very eclectic ones

Dining Rooms Direct I would love this one if it were horizontal between my cabinet and shelves in the kitchen 

Wine Store Solutions I'm not saying I like this for me, but I do like the play on shapes that is going on in this post. 

Not Martha

Thanks to Not Martha I wish I still celebrated Christmas so that I could create this cool Christmas decoration!

Anthropologie

Oh how I have a love/hate relationship with Anthropologie. I love their clothes but hate the hike in prices. Today I spent the day enjoying my day off and stopped by Anthro for some fall fashion.

I tried on a comfy long sleeve blue knit top, love it, price was $68, OMG is that crazy? I couldn't do it, even for how much I loved it!

I did end up spending $390 on 4 items, 4 items, you heard me yikes! I knew I was going to be returning half of it tomorrow, my husband has a good fashion sense and I figured I'd let him do the choosing (which is a lot of fun). I ended up keeping mustard skinny chinos, and a cream poncho sweater....LOVE them.

I can not wait till the air cools off a bit. I usually keep holding on to my last bit of warm weather, but this year I can't wait to feel the crisp coolness, but still be able to wear sandals, all I want is to wear long sleeves or mix in my new sweater.

Next summer I know I want to buy a pair of Salt Water sandals.

source: the hipster mom

I Love my Mom!

The best thing about being out of the "Roost" is my new best relationship with my Mom. She's fun, adventerous, full of wisdom and guidance. The best person to go to when feeling like you need some good advice on relationships and advice. With my newly married status, she has definatly come in handy to calm my nerves.

The best gift to life is having a mother daughter relationship, because you will always have a friend.

She recently gave me the best advice:

"Rachel whenever you feel sensitive over something, you will easily get defensive if Mr. B doesn't see where you are coming from. Men are different they are so unlike women when it comes to emotions. He's not your savior, just learn to approach things differently so he can understand your feelings without fighting."

This is the BEST.

I love you Mom.

I'm glad you and Dad are back in town from vacation!

Friday we went on a double date into Clarendon, VA. A fun town full of hip restaurants and bars, a few shops, bakeries. We decided to eat at Liberty Tavern, one our recent favorites, Mom and Dad loved the atmosphere second best to their food!

4 day weekend

Wednesday I spent most of the day cooking lunch to cater for a party to show how much we appreciated our fellow LC's hard work, and wish her a farewell going into her new job at a different hospital. I made a wonderful menu...

Thursday morning, I felt like crap the night before my throat was achy and burning, my ears hurt, nose clogged. I bit my tongue and headed into the hospital any way. Only to add to everything I burned my tongue on the hot mint tea I got to soothe my throat. I continued to feel bad, only did one bra fitting (while wearing a mask, gee it was uncomfortable not only to see the patients concerned faces, but how sweaty your face gets from them). 

I ended up going to employee health, did a rapid strep test (that took forever to find out the results of negative), and an approval of "You need to go home." It's so easy for them to say this, yes it was awkward seeing patients, but it's hard to get coverage mid August. When everyone is on vacation or ready for fall to begin and don't want to cover more shifts. I cover pretty much everyone's shifts and empty ones. I'm not complaining I love helping out, but when will someone cover for me...seems like never. Am I too giving and willing? 

Aside from that question, I was happy to be going home. Although I missed my well cooked meal, and coworkers that came to visit. I was happy to go back to bed. 

Today (Friday) rolled through, this morning I went to the Doctor, knowing nothing could really be a quick fix, but it's nice knowing it's more than just a cold, but sucks that it's a viral infection...just waiting for things to pass through and out of my system stinks. By this evening I was ready to at least go for a cafe run for some tea (even though I have plenty at home). Just to get out of the house would have been nice. When I got home from the doctors' I made a wonderful crock pot chicken.

 And waited till Mr. B got home, which he surprisingly left work early at 2. But I was napping, we enjoyed a nice quiet dinner by candle light and played 2 games of 500 Rummy, then he got to watch his preseason Redskins game while I searched the internet. 

The most exciting thing that happened this week is that the RN told me I had lost 8lbs in 6 weeks. I hadn't done anything special, I'm getting back into my routine at the gym (taking the IBLCE exam has really knocked me off of my schedule). But now I'm motivated and really happy at this good news, and feeling good.

So instead of a two day weekend, even though I'm sick still, I've enjoyed my well needed rest.

Guess What....

It's World Breastfeeding Week! August 1-7th, go ahead....your baby will thank you!

Speaking of breastfeeding, I took my Lactation Consultant Boards last Monday. And I don't find out till October...wahhh. I work at a Hospital in DC as a Breastfeeding Educ. in the mean time. Doing bra fittings and pump rentals/sales in their rooms. 

What is everyone's favorite nursing tank, bra, hands free bustier....and even pump?

A Year's Worth of Makeup

A must watch, it's really gross when the make-up starts clumping. Thank goodness I only put on mascara and lip gloss just a few times a week. I wish they would have shown the removal, or how long it took.

I survived

July 25th, 2011 has been quite the eventful day.

First I took my IBLCE exam aka to be a Lactation Consultant! I was the hardest test I have ever taken. The morning session was made of 75 multiple choice questions, and the afternoon session was a 100 multiple choice questions related to 100 pictures. No one comes out of that room knowing how they did...and the worst part is you have to now wait until Oct. 28th to find out if you passed or not. Great.

Second my brother-in-law is coming home from his 7 week trip in Jordan, his flight arrives at 8pm (which will be 3am for him), so we plan on celebrating tomorrow. I can't wait to see pictures and hear all about his marvelous adventures.

Third my co-worker went into labor last night, so instead of taking the IBLCE exam with me she had a beautiful baby girl named Amelia! Congratulations to her and her happy husband! We are all thrilled to hear the good news.

Fourth my cousin Cara, had her baby girl today too! What a wonderful ending to a stressful day!

And now after a celebratoring dinner at Lebanaese Taverna, I am ready to plop on the couch in my PJ's (at 7pm) and watch a long awaited movie (I haven't watch TV/movie in weeks).

Now that I have all of this freedom, I'm looking forward to not studying, and getting crafty or enjoying writing to you...my audience whoever it is who may be reading.

Thanks,

Rachel!

NYC here we come

Our 1 year anniversary isn't until November 7th, but we need ideas on where to stay what to do, where to eat...you get the point. Also I will be finding out that I passed (yes I am much more in a positive mind set since my last post about this exam) around Oct. 30th.

So this weekend will be a great celebration all around. We tend to like non-touristy things...but we do want to see a play and go to the park.

So please help us out!

source: nyc go green tours

RidicuList: No Comment

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This Video of Anderson Cooper covering Courtney Stodden, 16 and Doug Hutchison, 51. It's very funny, and brilliant.

You gotta check this one out!

Kitchen Storage

Mr. B and I are trying to figure out new ways to add a shelf, or side board for storage under our kitchen window. The main reason is so I can have my herbs get sunlight in the winter and stay warm inside.
I'm not to keen on the idea of having something bulking under a window, but the hubs found this sweet DIY desk from design sponge this morning (while at work).

He is so sweet that way. 

I do love the simplicity, as well the color, we could easily put our linens here for a fun splash. 

Last night we also found this cabinet from JC Penny. We usually go with Ikea furniture but they haven't had any good storage cabinets in their catalog.

Mr. B likes it in red, I just get the feeling it's too country for what we are looking for.

Any thoughts?

Thinking of you, Steph

So I was looking on Max Wanger's photography page, as I clicked on shop, there is a Love shirt. That  would complement my friend Stephanie very well.

She is a speech language pathologist, and she talks with her hands. Literally...she signs as she talks. I love that about her. It even makes me smile thinking about it.

Summer Sensation: Caftans

Inspired by Joanna Goddard's post about caftans, I went on to do some summer fashion research of my own and have found these beautiful caftans (some more affordable than others, but they are all inspiring).

From Anthropologie

 

If I were to buy any of these I think I'd have to go with this the spectrum caftan (right), I love color in my wardrobe. I can definatly picture myself with a large hat walking in Isle Verde next time I visit Puerto Rico.

From Victoria's Secret

 

I love the tie dyed caftan dress, all of these are listed to be beach cover ups















These two beauties are from EmersonMade

I love this chic short caftan, perfect for a hot day with the hubs

The longer flowing caftans, are still growing on me, their beautiful, it just seems like you'd have to have the perfect body type to wear it.

Do you own one already- how do you like it?

Alex Goose

So I met him my Junior year at Westfield High School. We had psychology together with Mrs. Sciabica. And how I had such a school girl crush on him. He even gave me a chance, but it was late and I was already at a friends house when he asked me to the movies (I was wearing coveralls...because I didn't think he would have asked me out), I shouldn't have gone...I should have waited till another day to wear something cute. We went to see Love Actually (my favorite all time movie). I think my outfit ruined it.
But he did buy my ticket which was very sweet, I told him he shouldn't have and he said "it's the right thing to do," (damn his momma raised him right)!

Then of course the movie ran into my curfew, and my mother was going crazy with calling me up. I first tried to ignore it, but then I finally had to take the call...she was spitting fire across the line. I "manned" up and told her this was very important and that I'm safe and she will see me soon...

I can't quite remember what happened after this, it's a bit fuzzy.....

Did we kiss, as he walked me back to my car?

Did he walk me back to my car (this sounds familiar).

Did my mom get so pissed I just had to tell him I had to leave then and there?

Any who now he is an up and coming music producer, you can check him out here at his  music page, or here shows his design. He's also a talented graphic designer/ photographer.

Today I emailed him, to be honest I'm not quite sure why, but I think I just wanted to tell him it's cool to see him come all that way. I really enjoy listening to his tracks, and just felt the need to say hey. Hopefully he won't email me back asking who I am, that would be embarrassing to say hey "I'm that girl you took to the movies in the farmer outfit."

It is fun to be able to say I dated him back in the day. I'm not looking to be a groupie or anything like that, just a supportive friend from home.

IBLCE exam aka D-Day

D-Day is almost here. This Monday, July 25th I will be sitting for the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners exam. To become a Lactation Consultant.

Since cramming this last week and a half, I feel no better, I feel like I'm going to fail....I do have positive thoughts wandering around my head as well but, I just hope I don't and that is what has been bothering me the past few days...I wish myself good luck and peace of mind when taking the exam. I'm definatly feeling pre-test jitters...hey it's my life right now that I have been working towards for almost two years...and it's all coming down to one day.

That second hardest thing to think is- I won't find out my results for 3, yes 3 months...are they crazy? How can I live with myself for 3 months not knowing anything.

Well all I can say is I'm ready to jump.

Spring in Colorado: Collage of Nature

I enjoyed taking a collection of macro shots, I've decided to put about 6 of my favorites into small frames and decorate our half bath, and our office.

I really hope you enjoy this post! These pictures are dear to me. 

Spring in Colorado: Fort Collins Brew Tour

When we got back into Fort Collins we knew we definatly had to rent bikes from the Bike Library (for free). First we went to the famous Pizza Chasba. After lunch we made our way through town to our first Destination: Fort Collins Brewery they recently moved to a new location and added a restaurant. 

We got two flights of beer for the four of us. 

Next stop was O'Dells Brewery...another flight of beer. They gave you two chips that you could spend towards their merchandise and get $5 off for each chip you used or you could just give them back and they give that money to charity. Of course we had to give them back.

Last we went to New Belgium Brewery (we had done the tour of their brewery earlier this week). The nice thing about New Belgium is that they don't charge for tastings, and each person gets 5 chips each to try beers. 

Their Somersault ale is a great addition for their summer seasonal, it goes down nice and smooth, with a hint of apricot, my second favorite is Mother Ship Whit, it's an organic wheat beer robust with flavor, definatly great with food or by itself.

The dark beer is Sarah's Beet beer, everyone wanted to try it, when seeing it in someone's hands. But with your first sip you knew you had wasted your chip. It was very frothy and a bit grainy. I love pickled beets but this was a horrible mix. But I'm glad to see they are very creative in trying new things.

Heading back to the town square I was luckily not drunk enough to snap a few pictures of us on our bikes (using my iphone).