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| Photo: Banana Republic |
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| Photo: Banana Republic |
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Banana Republic Milly Collection Launches Tomorrow
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Happy Birthday Daddy
Today is my my dad's birthday. He is not only my dad but one of my best friends in the entire world. My mom and sister aptly named us Freak and Geek, after we started calling them Mom and Dom a few years back, and the moniker has stuck. We are two peas in a pod, obsessed with baseball, history, reading and essentially everything nerdy.
I realized a few weeks ago that I am becoming more and more like my dad and I don't mind it a bit. We always knew we had similar temperaments, but when I was flying to Tampa I found myself infatuated with the cloud formations (something only my meteorologist hobbyist father would love like me).
I am seriously daddy's little girl and I know it, but that dosen't mean I have any plans in changing our relationship. Back in college by dad and I started a goal to visit every major league park together. We are almost two-thirds of the way there and I love planning our trips to new remote parks. He even bought us All Star Game tickets for this year to knock Citi Field off our list.
Basically, I just wanted to give my dad one hell of a birthday shout out today. He taught me everything from how to run the perfect pickle in softball to every last remote baseball rule out there to how to ski without fear and live everyday to the fullest. He never seems to take any day for granted and I strive to emulate him and his approach to life everyday.
I love you daddy. Happy Birthday.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Maxi Love
I've always been tall and all legs, so for most of my life I have shied away from maxi skirts and dresses because they always seem a little too short on me. But since the creation of tall lines by some of my favorite brands and my new best friend, my MASSIVE knee brace, I have been reevaluating my position on the maxi skirt.
Rocking this sexy number for the foreseeable future makes me consider ways in which I can cover my brace without interfering with walking but also making me feel as normal as possible; a great maxi skirt or dress seems to be a great option for both work and play since my only other options are sundresses and shorts. I have a few maxi dresses already in my closet, but prior to surgery I was able to pick up an adorable french blue maxi skirt from Anthropologie and a great Coral Red maxi dress from Victoria's Secret. Looking forward to disguising my injury, even if its just a bit.
Rocking this sexy number for the foreseeable future makes me consider ways in which I can cover my brace without interfering with walking but also making me feel as normal as possible; a great maxi skirt or dress seems to be a great option for both work and play since my only other options are sundresses and shorts. I have a few maxi dresses already in my closet, but prior to surgery I was able to pick up an adorable french blue maxi skirt from Anthropologie and a great Coral Red maxi dress from Victoria's Secret. Looking forward to disguising my injury, even if its just a bit.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Can't get enough dots!
Polka dots and stripes have been dominating my favorite patterns for spring and summer lately. There is something so refreshing about an outfit covered in polka dots to make you smile. You can do just a little or a lot but just make sure the silhouettes are in grown up shapes to keep you from looking to childish. Polka dots can also give an outfit a retro feel. While retro is fun, make sure your shapes are modern and new to keep the outfit current.
1. River Island Black and White Skater Skirt ($27) This skirt reminds me a lot of the TOPSHOP dress showin in number 8. It would be perfect paired with a chambray shirt or heathered v-neck tshirt.
2. Wallis Polka Dot Print Dress ($56) A more formal option, this dress is perfect for coctkails or the office. I love the belt it comes with the help define a more formal waist.
3. Keds Taylor Swift's Champion Paw Dot ($50) Taylor Swift's collaboration with Keds has produced some pretty cute kicks. I'm loving these in navy!
4. Kate Spade Mod Spot Picture Dot Scarf ($98) I love this Kate Spade scarf. It also comes in the reverse colors for a lighter version. The fabric is super light so its a perfect option for Fall and Spring or even a cool summer night.
5. GUESS Neodan Polka-Dot Pump ($99) These GUESS pumps are a great alternative to the Kate Spade polka dot pumps. The linen makes them very summer appropriate and the nude and white color combination makes them easy to pair with almost any outfit.
6. Izabel London Polka Dot Dress ($37) I love the green of this dress. While the shape with the ruffles and polka dots makes the dress a little more retro feeling than some of the other pieces, but with cool heels and modern hair, you can keep this piece fresh.
7. Kate Spade New York Kick Polka Dot Canvas Lace-Up Sneakers ($75) I love that like Taylor Swift, Kate Spade is also doing a collaboration with Keds. I like that these sneakers are modified with a pointer toe so they are not the typical Keds sneaker.
8. TOPSHOP Polka Dot Skater Dress (as seen on Princess Kate) I love this dress. It comes in both a maternity and regular style. Princess Kate looked beautiful in it at six months pregnant. This clearly is a dress that has a lot of versatility.
9. J.Crew Factory Polka Dot Popover ($70) Love J.Crew popover tops. They look great with shorts. This polka dot piece would be perfect with bright shorts. Gives a shorts style a little more formality and dressiness. Loves.
1. River Island Black and White Skater Skirt ($27) This skirt reminds me a lot of the TOPSHOP dress showin in number 8. It would be perfect paired with a chambray shirt or heathered v-neck tshirt.
2. Wallis Polka Dot Print Dress ($56) A more formal option, this dress is perfect for coctkails or the office. I love the belt it comes with the help define a more formal waist.
3. Keds Taylor Swift's Champion Paw Dot ($50) Taylor Swift's collaboration with Keds has produced some pretty cute kicks. I'm loving these in navy!
4. Kate Spade Mod Spot Picture Dot Scarf ($98) I love this Kate Spade scarf. It also comes in the reverse colors for a lighter version. The fabric is super light so its a perfect option for Fall and Spring or even a cool summer night.
5. GUESS Neodan Polka-Dot Pump ($99) These GUESS pumps are a great alternative to the Kate Spade polka dot pumps. The linen makes them very summer appropriate and the nude and white color combination makes them easy to pair with almost any outfit.
6. Izabel London Polka Dot Dress ($37) I love the green of this dress. While the shape with the ruffles and polka dots makes the dress a little more retro feeling than some of the other pieces, but with cool heels and modern hair, you can keep this piece fresh.
7. Kate Spade New York Kick Polka Dot Canvas Lace-Up Sneakers ($75) I love that like Taylor Swift, Kate Spade is also doing a collaboration with Keds. I like that these sneakers are modified with a pointer toe so they are not the typical Keds sneaker.
8. TOPSHOP Polka Dot Skater Dress (as seen on Princess Kate) I love this dress. It comes in both a maternity and regular style. Princess Kate looked beautiful in it at six months pregnant. This clearly is a dress that has a lot of versatility.
9. J.Crew Factory Polka Dot Popover ($70) Love J.Crew popover tops. They look great with shorts. This polka dot piece would be perfect with bright shorts. Gives a shorts style a little more formality and dressiness. Loves.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Happy Mother's Day
I love my mom. She taught me how important it is to be a planner and spontaneous simultaneously, fun loving while remaining responsible, always outspoken for what is just, and never anything but 100% myself.
She also made sure I knew how to tell the difference between a white and red wine glass and to drink my wine out of the appropriate one, how to appreciate a good wine as well as a good beer, throw a great party and dance my ass off (the secret is to dance like no one is watching and not give a damn about what anyone else thinks).
Most importantly she taught me never to take myself or life too seriously and try not to let life stress me out but roll with the punches. I am lucky to say that she is more than a mom but a great friend and I always look forward to her visits. I mean, who else can say her mom taught her a few curse words along the way (but what French mother doesn't do that for her kids?)
Much love to my Maman!
I also need to give a shout out to my newest mom, my mother in law, who has been a huge cheerleader for me this past year and with my mom living so far away (3000 miles), its nice to have mom just an hour away. Thanks to both my moms for all the love!
Love you both! Happy Mother's Day to my moms, grandmas and all the other mommas in the family!
Most importantly she taught me never to take myself or life too seriously and try not to let life stress me out but roll with the punches. I am lucky to say that she is more than a mom but a great friend and I always look forward to her visits. I mean, who else can say her mom taught her a few curse words along the way (but what French mother doesn't do that for her kids?)
Much love to my Maman!
I also need to give a shout out to my newest mom, my mother in law, who has been a huge cheerleader for me this past year and with my mom living so far away (3000 miles), its nice to have mom just an hour away. Thanks to both my moms for all the love!
Love you both! Happy Mother's Day to my moms, grandmas and all the other mommas in the family!
A good pair of slippers makes all the difference
Seriously, there is nothing like a good pair of slippers to make you feel like home. Not only do your feet feel a thousand times better in them walking around your hotel room floor but they instantly make you feel all cozy and warm inside. Since I have started to travel extensively for work, I have made sure to make room for them in my suitcase no matter what. The best kinds are the ones that have sheepskin insides. They may be a little bulkier but my feet thank me every minute I am in my room.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Keeping Occupied on the Road
Business trips can be tough. You are living out of a hotel and completely out of your normal routine. When I am home I keep a pretty normal routine of work, gym, softball, tennis or basketball with friends, then dinner and relaxing with the husband before bed (whether it be TV/book/blogging/any combo of those), but on the road you are missing a lot of your home comforts like your husband, friends, kitchen, complete wardrobe, gym membership, DVR, etc. I cannot wait to cook myself dinner for the first time in over a month! I ran out of restaurants in this town over 2 weeks ago!
So what are some tips I have learned about keeping yourself occupied in your hotel room on business trips? Well first off, if you are going to be staying at a hotel for any extended period of time see if they will upgrade you to a suite, the extra space and living room furniture outside of your bed make a huge difference in not feeling so cramped. Seriously, it can't hurt to ask. I did and got bumped to a great king suite.
I am about to be gold status with Hilton rewards after this trip and National Executive status after just two of these trips out here. These companies respect loyalty and if you can stay with the same hotel and car chains, do it, the rewards make it totally worth it!
1. Give yourself a mani-pedi. Sometimes its nice to do something as simple as a DIY mani-pedi. After a particularly long day in the field, I headed over to Walgreen's and picked up Essie Chinchilly and Butler Please and headed back to my room for a much needed mani-pedi. It was an instant perk up!
2. Workout. Nothing is better at keeping your mood elevated and helping you keep an even sleep schedule than regular workouts, but we all know that working out on the road is next to impossible. Good news is that with all the great smart phone apps these days, it's much easier to workout on the road than ever before. I love the Nike Training Club app. It has been one of my go to's when I am having a particularly sluggish day.
3. Find a new show or movie you've been wanting to check out. Use Hulu or Netflix to discover a show or movie you've been wanting to check out. I've been exhausting my HuluPlus account since I've been out here.
4. Blog. I know this is funny here since I've been so bad about blogging, but honestly its a great release and a great way to connect with the outside world. You don't realize how disconnected you become from not only friends and family but the world in general when you are isolated. I am working on a Naval Base and have zero access to cell phone reception or Internet during the day and by the time I am done work, all I want to do is crash. I'm excited to catch up with my friends, family, favorite blogs and sports teams when this is all done. (Or if blogging isn't your thing, try a new hobby. Learn to knit or start a Rosetta Stone Language class on your computer, anything to keep your mind active, but not focused on work 24/7.)
5. Online Shop. Sometimes you go on trips where there is some legitimate shopping nearby. Unfortunately this trip was not the case. But I have been able to peruse some awesome new online shops and snag some great deals while I've been out here. Working overtime has some perks for my shopping habit :)
6. Read a good book. Even better, read a good book poolside. Enough said.
So what are some tips I have learned about keeping yourself occupied in your hotel room on business trips? Well first off, if you are going to be staying at a hotel for any extended period of time see if they will upgrade you to a suite, the extra space and living room furniture outside of your bed make a huge difference in not feeling so cramped. Seriously, it can't hurt to ask. I did and got bumped to a great king suite.
I am about to be gold status with Hilton rewards after this trip and National Executive status after just two of these trips out here. These companies respect loyalty and if you can stay with the same hotel and car chains, do it, the rewards make it totally worth it!
1. Give yourself a mani-pedi. Sometimes its nice to do something as simple as a DIY mani-pedi. After a particularly long day in the field, I headed over to Walgreen's and picked up Essie Chinchilly and Butler Please and headed back to my room for a much needed mani-pedi. It was an instant perk up!
2. Workout. Nothing is better at keeping your mood elevated and helping you keep an even sleep schedule than regular workouts, but we all know that working out on the road is next to impossible. Good news is that with all the great smart phone apps these days, it's much easier to workout on the road than ever before. I love the Nike Training Club app. It has been one of my go to's when I am having a particularly sluggish day.
3. Find a new show or movie you've been wanting to check out. Use Hulu or Netflix to discover a show or movie you've been wanting to check out. I've been exhausting my HuluPlus account since I've been out here.
4. Blog. I know this is funny here since I've been so bad about blogging, but honestly its a great release and a great way to connect with the outside world. You don't realize how disconnected you become from not only friends and family but the world in general when you are isolated. I am working on a Naval Base and have zero access to cell phone reception or Internet during the day and by the time I am done work, all I want to do is crash. I'm excited to catch up with my friends, family, favorite blogs and sports teams when this is all done. (Or if blogging isn't your thing, try a new hobby. Learn to knit or start a Rosetta Stone Language class on your computer, anything to keep your mind active, but not focused on work 24/7.)
5. Online Shop. Sometimes you go on trips where there is some legitimate shopping nearby. Unfortunately this trip was not the case. But I have been able to peruse some awesome new online shops and snag some great deals while I've been out here. Working overtime has some perks for my shopping habit :)
6. Read a good book. Even better, read a good book poolside. Enough said.
Monday, May 6, 2013
What's On My Kindle? - April 2013
What's Been on my Kindle? - April 2013
The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy
I know, I know. I am still reading this book, but let me say this book is quite the epic novel, while still finding a way to be a page turner. It also comprises of multiple books in one saga. As of April, I had gotten through the first two sagas and am onto the third. Hopefully by the end of May I will know where all the members of the Forsyte family end their stories.
So what else have I been reading while on the road? Well since I have been working at minimum 10 hour days the past month (more like 12-16 hour days on average), I usually am asleep before I get through 2 pages of my book, hence the very slow reading pace. But while supplementing the Forsytes I have been spending my time in the desert enjoying some trashy magazines, spending over an hour a night doing physical therapy (booo) and watching a ton of Hulu plus on my MacBook. All these activities really dig into my blog writing time.
Honestly I don't know what is happening in the real world I think. I do know that my addiction to TV is alive and well, but I wish I could keep my eyes open to read more than a few pages of my book, but after hours of tech manuals during the day, reading is not high on my priority list.
The good news is that my current business trip tour is coming to an end this week. After this week, I am off to Tampa for work for a few days then headed home for some much needed rest (and surgery on my knee!) Good news for all of you is that long hours and days where I cannot move means lots of time to blog!!! I've missed the blogosphere! Hope to be back to regular daily blog posts soon!
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