August Instagram Round Up

Today I am adding a new monthly feature, my favorite Instagram shots each month. For more Instagram shots, follow me here!

Celebrating Hailey and Brendan! The Talls! 

My new fitness motivator, the FitBit

Post Ice Bucket Challenge

My new favorite statement earrings from Loren Hope on my J.Crew tray

Night dancing with Kellie and Leilani

Beach day with my bestie, Kellie

Laura's Bridal Shower

At Seawheeze Pavilion

Drag Queen Cheering Squad

Course in Stanley Park

Race view

Capilano Park

Dan and I at Capilano Bridge

Gift Guide: Hostess Flowers

Gift Guide: Hostess Flowers by preppy-lizzy featuring colored flower pots

Domestic Herb Garden / Boskke colored flower pot / New Growth Designs pink artificial flower / Ethan Allen hydrangea floral arrangement / Home decor

I think it is always a nice gesture to bring a little gift to a friend or family member who is hosting you for the evening, weekend, etc. While a bottle of wine or pack of microbrew beers can be thoughtful, sometimes the best gift is something living. I am a huge fan of bringing flowers over, but I also really love the idea of a pot of succulents for those who have more of a brown thumb or even a small herb garden pot for the friend who fancies themselves a chef. Hostess flowers can take many forms. Be creative and think of the person you are gifting to.

Hey, It's Ok

I have been a Glamour subscriber for years now and one of my favorite monthly features, is the Hey, It's OK segment. I have been wanting to make my own list in homage to the many Glamour features that have made me smile or giggle, so here goes nothing!

Hey, It's OK by preppy-lizzy on Polyvore

Get Set, Go!

Last Saturday I participated in my first race outside my area, the Lululemon Seawheeze Half Marathon in Vancouver, British Columbia. My husband, Dan, and mother-in-law, Peggy, made the trip along with me to be my cheering section and I could not have been more appreciative. Considering this race was only about 100 days after my second knee surgery (I had booked everything including flights, weeks before I found out I was going back under the knife), I knew from the start that I would be race walking instead of running. Still 13.1 miles or 20.1 km at an average speed of 15 min/miles is a lot on a knee still rehabbing.

Ready to go race morning

I arrived in Vancouver early Friday morning and headed straight to the convention center to hit the Seawheeze Showcase Store and to pick up my race packet. What was shocking was that by the time I got to the store (just 3 hours after it opened) there was almost nothing left. While there were tons of cute patterns, Lulu way under ordered for size 10 and 12, and therefore we were left with very few options. A few of us hung out around the racks waiting for any items to come back from the fitting room. That was the only way I was able to sang a few pieces.

My haul from the Seawheeze store

My fans arrived that evening and met me at our hotel. Since Dan had a fantasy football draft, mom and I headed out for dinner and some explorations. We made it an early night though since we would be up early the next morning.

Saturday morning we were off around 6am and arrived with plenty of time for me to get into my corral. The race started at 7am, but they staged the corrals so I didn't cross the start line until 7:30. This was definitely the latest race I have ever participated in and I have to admit it would be nicer if it started an hour earlier. It was warm in Vancouver on Saturday, upwards of 80 degrees, so an extra hour before the sun was up would have made a huge difference.

Waiting for the start

Ready to pound the pavement

The race was beautiful since most of it was along the water and Lulu made sure to have entertainment and fans lined up along the course cheering you. Hands down, my favorite were the drag queens who you saw at kilometer 7 and again at kilometer 12. Those ladies were the perfect boost along the way.

I am happy to report that I was able to finish the race keeping a 15 min/mile average pace. I was starting to limp around kilometer 16 and was pretty much dragging myself across the finish line, but it was worth it. After a quick check up at the medical tent, it was determined that I strained my ACL but didn't damage it, so RICE (Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate) is still in order.

Dan snapping pics from afar.

RICE post race

After the race, we headed back for a rest and change and then were back on the town for drinks in Gastown and dinner off Granville. The next morning, we headed to Yaletown for brunch, which was to die for, and then grabbed the shuttle bus to the Capilano Suspension Bridge. A definite tourist spot, the bridge was really cool and it was nice to escape into the woods while still being in Vancouver. We were then off to the airport and home.

Dan and I at brunch in Yaletown

Totem poll mother and daughter

Dan and I on the Treetop Walk

Capilano Suspension Bridge

It had been on my bucket list for a while to compete in a race outside SoCal, so I was pretty excited to cross that goal off my list. The race was really fun and the weekend was great. I don't know if I would return again for another go, as the course seems pretty standard, but I am really glad I can say I did it once! Check out my Instagram to see more photos from the weekend!

Wednesday Wishes: J.Crew New Arrivals

Wednesday Wishes by preppy-lizzy featuring polishing gold jewelry

J Crew fit flare dress / J Crew elephant print top / J Crew hooded coat / J.Crew stretch capri pants / J.Crew calf hair shoes / J.Crew Drawstring travel bags / J Crew polishing gold jewelry / Schoolboy blazer in houndstooth : blazers | J.Crew / Pleated chevron skirt : new arrivals | J.Crew / Polka-dot flannel shirt : shirts & tops | J.Crew

I have been swooning over the most recent new arrivals from J.Crew. Here are my favorite 10 pieces that were just released. Have you checked out J.Crew lately. Swoon!

SCBS Monthly Link Up: My Summer Essential

Summer Essential: Sunglasses by preppy-lizzy featuring a ray ban aviator

Ray Ban ray ban wayfarer / Ray Ban ray ban aviator / Kate Spade retro sunglasses / Henri Bendel sunglasses / Ray Ban ray ban wayfarer / Wayfarer sunglasses / Wayfarer sunglasses

Today's SoCal Blogger Society Monthly Link Up is all about my favorite summer essential, which is of course sunglasses! I love how easy it is to mix up your look with different pairs of sunglasses, and have to say there are just hands down my favorite accessory. Depending on the day and my mood, I pick my look. I have hot pink wayfarers and Lilly Pulitzer patterned wayfarers that I love for athletic endeavors outside, especially playing first base during softball games. I like tortoise shell styles for the running errands and days at the office because they are sophisticated and not to trendy. Finally for beach days or weekends out I love my pink mirrored aviators. I also have a pair of folding wayfarers that are prescription for reading and driving. They are great on the beach. They live in my car because they take up so little space! What is your summer essential?

 

Staying in Touch

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My friends like to joke with me that I should go by the glue instead of my name. They laugh and all say that we wouldn't see each other nearly enough if I didn't work at keeping us all together. In a generation that has us living all over the world, keeping in touch is essential to keeping friendships alive.

While some of my best friends live down the road, others are in New York, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, Washington D.C., Baltimore and more. These ladies (and gents) are my rocks who keep me sane and I could not imagine my life without any of them in it.

We are lucky to live in an era where keeping in touch is easier than ever before. The digital world allows us to keep in touch via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, email, texts and calls. These are the folks that I have group threads that go back years, who I could call any time of day and we can talk for hours, who think nothing of planning cross country trips to see one another, who have email chains that date back to college.

It is essential to continually find ways to connect and try to plan out time to see one another when work and life allows, outside of weddings and on the back ends of other trips. My two best friends from high school and I have a Christmas Eve brunch every year in NYC. It has become an essential part of my Christmas holiday.  My three besties from my sorority, ChiO, and I share a group text thread and email thread for years and work our best to see each other for a girls trip whenever we can all find a date that works. One of my closest gal pals and I share a hotel room for SWE National Conference every year. These traditions make it easy to ensure that we see each other throughout the year.

Still it is so important to stay connected between the visits. This is where my love of stationary comes in so handy. I love to get snail mail. I think it could never be overrated and it is such a sweet sign of friendship to your friends. In fact, I have given note cards as part of Christmas and Hanukkah gifts to my girlfriends for years. I love getting note cards back from them using the cards and its nice to return to the age of summer camp and pen pals. My suggestion, write someone you love a card every week. It is the ultimate surprise!

Love Love Loving by preppy-lizzy on Polyvore

Classic Monogram Bordered Note Cards / kate spade new york Stationary Set, Hello Darling/Ciao Bella / kate spade new york Tickled Pink Card Set / kate spade new york How The Devil Are You Card Set / Set of One Dozen "Just A Note" Cards with Envelopes / tickled pink card set - kate spade new york

On Your Mark

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So as this is posting, I am getting ready for the Lululemon SeaWheeze Half Marathon. I got to Vancouver yesterday and got all checked in and ready to run. I was even able to snag some sweet swag at the Showcase Store, although I wish Lululemon would show some more love to their size 12 athletes! Seriously, we workout too!

Since I am still in recovery from the knee surgeries, I am gonna be walking this one, but I had booked it before I was back under the knife, so I figure it was worth trying! Fingers crossed and more to come about the race next week!!!

Last Year's Race via

Pinterest Hairstyle - The Braided Bun

via Pinterest

This month's Pinterest hairstyle is all about the updo. It's still summer so an updo is still my favorite choice for everyday, both for work and play. This is a style that is a bit undone will still appearing put together. It is also a fresh change from the sock bun and ballerina buns, which are two of my consistent go-tos, especially on days where I don't wash my hair. What is also great about this style is that its doable for multiple lengths. Enjoy!

Currently... August Edition

Currently... by preppy-lizzy featuring stone earrings

Stone earrings / The Cuckoo's Calling (A Cormoran Strike Novel) - Kindle edition by... / Amazon.com: Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1: Various...

Reading: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galibraith is the first of the Cormoran Strike series. Written by J.K. Rowling under her pen name of Robet Galibraith, the story has Cormoran investigating the death of famous model, Lula Landry. Each chapter brings along not only more about the suspicions surrounding her supposed suicide, but more about Cormoran's back story as well. I am really enjoying it and looking forward to the next one, recently out.

Eating: I am a Mexican food junkie. Every Monday night after working out I nosh on a grilled chicken tostada salad from Cafe Rio and it's heaven. It's a great way to get tons of protein between the chicken and black beans and its absolutely full of flavor.

Listening: Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 is a huge part of what makes Guardians of the Galaxy so great. This soundtrack is perfect for anytime of day: rocking out in the shower, singing through traffic or pounding the pavement on a run. You can't help but smile while listening.

Watching: Sons of Anarchy. Dan and I are finally catching up on the show as it goes into its final season so no spoilers please! We were turned onto the show by our friends whose twin boys played Thomas during seasons 5 and 6. We are currently on season 4 and catching a few episodes each night. So we hope to be caught up soon! 

Craving: These Loren Hope earrings. Available at Tuckernuck, these earrings are dynamite. I love the color combos and think I could pair them with so many different looks. Right now I am all about a statement earring and bangles with either a delicate chain or no necklace at all. Statement earrings always look fantastic with an updo or a simple ponytail.

Dreaming: The Lululemon Seawheeze Half Marathon is this weekend! I am off to Vancouver with Dan and my mother in law for the big race. I had registered and bought flights before I got hurt again, so I'll be walking the race this year, but at least I am able to participate! I am so excited for yoga, a 13.1 mile walk/jog along the water, snagging some exclusive Lulu gear and exploring Vancouver with two of my biggest fans!

Wednesday Wishes... Lake House Getaway

Wednesday Wishes... Lakehouse Getaway by preppy-lizzy featuring outdoor furniture

Striped top / AG Adriano Goldschmied cut off shorts / Cutout bathing suit / Sperry Top-Sider sperry top sider shoes / Ethan Allen outdoor furniture / Stainless Steel Cooler / Tovolo kitchen gadgets tool

This week's Wednesday Wishes is dedicated to the perfect Lake House Getaway. With summer winding down, I'm dreaming of an old fashioned lake house weekend retreat, complete with canoes, cold beer, homemade popsicles, floating down a river and a rope swing into the lake.

When I think of a lake house weekend I think of cutoff jean shorts, a simple black one piece suit and my favorite Shep Shirt from Vineyard Vines along with a pair of Sperry Top-Siders. And of course sparklers to celebrate one hell of a weekend!

Orange Dream

This post was sponsored by Brandbacker and Valentia Skincare, but all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands and companies that make Headbands & Bagels possible!

For the last week I have had the opportunity to try Valentia Skincare's Even Glow Vitamin C Serum. This serum contains 20% vitamin C and smells like a burst of orange goodness every time you put it on. I have been using it twice a day, both in the mornings and evenings after washing my face and I have to say I have definitely noticed some benefits even in addition to my regular routine that my dermatologist set out for me.

No makeup selfies!

While the smell is what makes me smile, it is a great way to wake up your face daily, I have to admit that I have seen some positive results. I have been working for a dermatologist for a long time and my skin has not flared up in a long time, but the serum was able to draw out those last blackheads that were stubbornly holding on in my cheek. I also have some acne scars and discoloration spots that I have noticed fading more quickly than usual.

In addition to helping with my scar marks and drawing out the last few blackheads, I have to say that my skin feels firmer and the serum is also super calming on my skin after exposing it to the sun all day. After a long day at the beach on Saturday, my face was more sun kissed than I would have hoped for and the serum was very soothing.

In addition to Vitamin C, the serum contains green tea extract, which aids with swelling, organic rose hip seed oil and organic sea buckthorn oil, which aid with moisture, resistem, which aid with skin cell regeneration, and hyaluronic acid, which promotes a dewy glow.

You can get your own bottle via Amazon here and learn more about Valentia Skincare and their other products here. I am totally loving that burst of orange goodness each day!

Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway. The winner has been notified and will be getting their prize shortly! Thanks to everyone who entered for continuing to be a loyal reader. And stay tuned for more giveaways in the future! Headbands & Bagels loves all the love and support!!

#10ThingsILove in Summer

For the last few seasons I have shared a #10ThingsILove post after I first saw it on Twitter.  Now I like to share my list each season. I encourage you all to make your own list each season too, it's a fun experiment to see how it changes ever season! Without further ado, my #10ThingsILove for Summer!

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10. Real Housewives

The summer is for Real Housewives. I first started watching Real Housewives with New York when it premiered years ago. And while I have watched many of them over the years, my favorites are still New York along with Orange County and New Jersey. I am currently catching up on New Jersey history thanks to Hulu posting all the past seasons.

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9. The Gym

I cannot explain how great it feels to be back in the gym. Working with a trainer each Monday, Pilates Tuesday and Thursday (and sometimes Saturday), Softball Wednesday and Thursday and long walks and jogs whenever I can get them in. This is one of the most difficult moves for me in pilates, but I am getting better every time!

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8. Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy
Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy is my favorite beer hands down. Perfect ice cold on a hot summer day and insanely refreshing after a long day at the office, there is no better beer in my mind. I love that the brand is considering making Summer Shandy available year round. I say yea to that!

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7. J.Crew

J.Crew has been rocking it all summer long. Each style guide that arrives every month makes me smile and swoon even more. Every time new arrivals hit the docks, I find at least a handful of items to lust after! 

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6. Iced French Roast Coffee

I am an ice coffee addict. Each and every morning I get my fix of caffeine iced style. I love that Starbucks now has the clover which lets you pick the beans you want for your coffee and is fresh brewed just for you. I love dark roasts, especially French Roast, so to have a fresh brewed French Roast Iced Coffee is heaven for me each morning!

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5. Summer Movies

Doesn't it always seem like a bunch of big movies all come out at the exact same time after waiting months with what feels like no movie options? Right now I feel like there are so many movies I could run out to see, including another shot at Guardians. 

4. Dancing
Hands down my favorite workout mostly because you get to do it with your friends and you don't feel it til the next day. It's also a great way to work off those weekend calories! With all our weddings this summer, dancing our faces off has been a great way to hold off gaining weight while still allowing yourself to splurge.

3. Sloshball

It is the tenth and final sloshball. I cannot wait for this annual Labor Day party that our friend Donato hosts. Since it's the last one ever, it's going to be quite the event! Kickball and beer? What could be a better combination!

2. Summer Weddings

Dan and I have 8 weddings in 2014 with 4 of them this summer. Summer weddings are a great excuse to see friends and family that live near and far away. We just celebrated the wedding of Dan's good college buddy Brendan this August and earlier in July we celebrated my cousin, Melissa's wedding. Still up our friends John and Lindsey and Dan's cousin, Jimmy!

1. Europe

Could Europe be any more beautiful then it is in the summer. This is my favorite photo that I took in Amsterdam and I feel like it says it all. It's beyond picture perfect, it's painting perfect. Our three week tour of Europe was just what I needed to recharge my batteries and take my day to day life by storm. Europe reminds you how young the US really is and how much we have to learn from their centuries of culture and experience.

So that's my #10ThingsILove List for Summer, what would make yours?

Plateaus

Is there anything more frustrating then reaching a plateau on your weight loss journey? With a clean bill of health finally after what feels like 2 years battling left knee injuries, two surgeries and hours upon hours of rehab, I'm thrilled to finally be active again. I took the step to join Weight Watchers online to help boost my weight loss as well as continuing working with a trainer on Monday nights, going to pilates two to three times a week and trying to cook more at home. There are the little things I've added too, like going for walks every hour or so at work to keep moving. It's honestly amazing how easily the day can slip away from you when working at a desk.

Still, no matter how focused we are on our goals, there is always a plateau point or two that come and just try to drag you down. I am in one of those right now. I am super proud of the 15 pounds I have shed since June, but I know I still have a ways to go (30 lbs more is my goal) and I seem to be hovering around this weight for a few weeks now. Frustration is setting in. Mind you we have been traveling a ton (I did not diet in Europe) and my schedule has not been consistent (I'm hoping this gets better as we get into fall), but it's still frustrating.

I consider myself a fairly confident person when it comes to my body image, but we all have those days that we just don't love ourselves necessarily. I think since getting married, I have loved myself more than before because I get that surge in confidence every time my husbands smiles at me, but this weight loss isn't about how I look in the mirror, but more about making sure I never have another knee surgery.

So as I face this current plateau, I remind myself that I am 33% of the way there and I am doing this for me and my knees, not for anyone else. I just need to power through this plateau and know that its just a speed bump on this journey.

#TallandMrsTall

Last weekend, Dan and I were off to Cranberry, PA outside Pittsburgh for the wedding of his great friend Brendan, aka Tall and his lovely bride, Hailey, now nicknamed Mrs. Tall. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with all of Dan's college buddies and their wonderful wives and girlfriends. I like to refer to us all as the Ladies of PSU.

Dan and I at the ceremony. I wore a Tadashi Shoji dress. 

It was a really quick trip, only about 36 hours long, but it was great. And the best part, this was just the first bite, we are all reconvening next month for the wedding of another couple of the group, John and Lindsey.

It was a night full of dancing, candy and some killer cupcake tower! Here are a few of my favorites from the weekend.

The boys. Tom, Shea, John, Slop, Hawk, Dan and Miller

The ladies: Ting, Lindsey, Kelsey, Me and Laura

A modern day twins. John and Dan.

At dusk at the reception.

The whole gang (minus a few folks)

One kick ass dancing partner and NYE buddy!

It was the night of the Selfie

These were the last two to get hitched. Happy 1st Anniversary!

Gotta take one every time.

The beautiful bride

Penn State Dance Train

Congrats to Tall and Mrs. Tall!