Happy Anniversary to H&B

Happy Blogiversary by preppy-lizzy on Polyvore

Headbands & Bagels turned two years old today. I feel like I have grown a lot with my blog over the last two years, developing partnerships with some great organizations and companies, refining the blog design and look and creating features for my content. What hasn't changed is my love of my blog as a creative outlet from my daily engineering job. While it is still that outlet for me, I've learned to just be myself and do what makes me happy. I've also learned that my blog can be a great wishlist for me, but I don't need to be featuring new products or items I've bought. I can be on a budget and still blog about beautiful things. I am hoping to continue to grow as my blog gets older not only by making wonderful new friends but also through workshops, groups and good old trial and error. Thank you for sticking with me over the years and I hope you all continue to enjoy reading Headbands & Bagels. If you have a topic you would like to see on the blog, don't hesitate to ask!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween! by preppy-lizzy featuring halloween home decor

Enjoy a day of candy, parties and maybe a fun cocktail or two! It's Halloween!!

Instagram Round Up

The end of October is upon us and it is time for another Instagram Round Up. Don't worry all my Halloween shots will make it to next month!

Enjoying the glow of candlelight.

Navy blue chevron for work.

Stripes and pops of red.

Digitized houndstooth.

Tons of leg room on my way to Phoenix.

Taking notes during a development session at the conference.

 

A sweet inspirational thank you from Jo Miller.

How I spent some of my sick day.

Getting my sweat on.

Thanks Simon Malls for a fun day!

Kellie and I on a fun day out.

Our temporary tattoos

My two.

Transformers at the SWE Conference.

Fruit tarts from Bottega Louie

Rocking my new tee from My Sister's Tee

Brunch with Wash U SWE Students, Past and Present.

SWE members and Chi Os!

The Shopping Block

This post is part of a relationship with Simon Malls. No compensation was received for this post.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend The Shopping Block sponsored by Simon Malls at the Brea Mall. I took my trusty photographer and best friend, Kellie, along for the ride and I have to admit we had a really fun time.

Simon Malls put on another great event, this time with Refinery 29, to create The Shopping Block. We were able to take photos in the photobooth, make our own tote bags, get our makeup done and have some sweet temporary tattoos put on. The Block also featured a number of Los Angeles based designers and boutiques that you could shop at right there.

Simon also provided the bloggers with a really nice reception area where we could collect our thoughts and have a snack, while Brea Mall put together a really nice gift bag with gifts from a number of their stores.

After the event, Kellie and I hit Nordstrom and then grabbed a bite at Lazy Dog Café. Thanks, Simon Malls, Refinery 29 and the Brea Mall for a great day!

SCBS Monthly Link Up: Favorite Natural and Organic Items

What I'm Loving by preppy-lizzy featuring Burt's Bees

Burt s Bees burts bees facial cleanser / Burt s Bees face care / Burt s Bees lip care/ Lip care / Burt s Bees body moisturizer / Body moisturizer / Burt s Bees beauty product / Burt s Bees beauty product / Burts Bees Kissable Colour Cool Target Australia

Today's link up is all about our favorite natural and organic items. One of my favorite beauty brands prides it self on being natural and great for you. Burt's Bees makes some of my favorite beauty products on the market and they always make a great gift for friends or hostesses.

Not only do they make great lip products, but also wonderful products for face and hands, moms and babies. What are some of your favorite natural beauty products?

Engineering Gals Unite

Last week was the Society of Women Engineering National Conference, which took place in Los Angeles. It was a different experience to take a local business trip, but enjoyable nonetheless. Like last year, my girlfriend from college, Erika, was my roommate. I also served as my companies lead again this year, so there was a lot of running around all week.

Autobots at the Career Fair.

I love attending SWE every year, but unfortunately I was unable to attend as many sessions as I would have liked this year. Still, it was another success and we were able to cap the week off with our annual brunch with the SWE Wash U students for an alumnae/student mentoring session.

Fun with Wash U!

Til next year in Nashville! Already can't wait!!

Color Therapy: Ruby Red

Color Therapy by preppy-lizzy featuring a red coat

Ted Baker cap sleeve floral dress / Diane Von Furstenberg shirts top / Coast red coat / New Balance low top / Tory Burch leather mini bag / NARS Cosmetics lips makeup

Red is one of the those colors that just makes you feel powerful. Whether its a swipe of red lipstick, a killer bag, awesome gym sneaks or a great piece of clothing, I always feel my mood boost when I put on some red. What is our power color?

Get in Shape on Your Lunch Break

Get Fit At Work by preppy-lizzy featuring a glass water bottle

Sometimes it's hard to make it to the gym. Especially when you are tackling a major deadline or project at work. There are still ways to combat the bulge during these times, especially since they always seem to align with food being served at meetings.

1. Take a fitness break, not a lunch break. Make exercise part of your daily routine.

2. Power walk to lunch. Going to grab a bite? Walk to a local location instead of taking wheels.

3. Hit the office stairs. Run the stairs at lunch.

4. Do an office circuit. Set up a workout circuit in your office. Do a plank, dips off your desk and jumping jacks.

5. Take walking breaks throughout the day. Have an alarm for every 2-3 hours to take a quick 5 minute walk.

6. Keep sneakers at your desk. Trust me, it will encourage you to walk more.

7. Find a work workout buddy. Have a friend walk with you around the building.

8. Walk to your coworkers desk for help, don't email or call. Need help? Walk to their desk rather than picking up the phone. Also the face to face contact will help you out.

9. Turn a water bottle into a dumbbell for at desk lifts. You can do reps while sitting on a telecom.

10. Schedule gym time into your calendar. I schedule classes into my calendar so that they cannot be scheduled over for meetings. Set your hard limits with work.

Easy Ways to Look More Polished

Easy Ways to Look More Polished by preppy-lizzy featuring a black infinity scarf

Sometimes when getting ready in the morning, we make little fashion mistakes that lead to us looking less than polished. Especially when running to the office in the morning, you want to make sure you are looking your best and putting your best image out there. I've learned these good little tips and tricks to make sure you instantly appear more polished.

1. Pick your outfit the night before. This can help prevent you from mismatching from grabbing clothes too fast.

2. A cami is an office gals best friend. Especially if you have a larger chest like me, you are always better off throwing on a thin cami underneath to protect you from flashing just a bit too much cleavage. Also opt for higher cut necklines that leave it up to the imagination.

3. Not tailoring your clothes, especially pants. You don't want to be that person hiking their pants up throughout the day. Invest a few dollars in a tailor to take your pieces from nice to exceptional. I have a tailor I go to all the time. I know that I have big boobs and a butt with a smaller waist. So I often need dress and skirt hems modified to cover more in the back and pants to be brought in at the waist.

4. Put on all your accessories and then take one off. Especially at work go for one statement piece of jewelry and let the rest be more subtle or ditch the statement all together and go for a printed top or dress instead.

5. Carry the smallest bag you can. You know us. As women we keep adding to our bags until they are bulging. Take only the size you need for that day's tasks and pare down to the essentials for that day.

6. When in doubt go with a midsize heel. I am a huge flats fan, but they don't go with every look. I also know that I feel most powerful in a great pair of mid height heels. They give instant polish while remaining comfortable enough to navigate the streets.

7. Always have a power outfit for any occasion. Have your go to look for work, casual weekends and nights out, so that if you find yourself in an outfit rut, you have an immediate backup choice that you know makes you feel good and look good.

Currently Craving

Currently Craving by preppy-lizzy featuring gigi new york handbags

Gigi new york handbag

I love this cross body bag from GiGi New York. It is the perfect size and the wine color is great for this Fall. And the best part, you can monogram it. Christmas Wish List guaranteed.

Wedding Ettiquite 101

Wedding Etiquette 101 by preppy-lizzy featuring yellow gold engagement rings

So after a wedding marathon this year, I thought it was time to share some serious wedding etiquette that will take you from mediocre guest to killer guest.

1. Have a handful of dresses you can keep in rotation and pack 2. This will make sure you always have something to wear and that you will never clash with the bridesmaids.

2. Offer to help once. After that back off. If you are naturally a helpful person, feel free to offer the bride some help if you are buddies, but if she turns you down, don't hound her about it or ask again. She already has a lot on her plate.

3. Try to give the gift as close to the wedding as possible. Yes ettiqute says you have a year but a lot of couples will be taking advantage of registry completion discounts after the big day for items missing, so don't wait til everything is gone.

4. Don't go off registry. Speaking of gifts, stick to the registry or a gift card or cash. You really need to know someone well to go off registry. And if you do choose to take the risk, make sure its fully refundable and not just for store credit. Some couples may not love that same quirky boutique you like.

5. If you choose to bring your gift to the wedding, make sure it is small in size! Or take a photo and wrap it up. Remember the bride and groom now have to figure out how to get these large packages home.

6. Never ask to bring a guest or kids not listed on the invite. The names on your invitation are all the guests invited for your family. If you have a baby or a small child that you are bringing with you, ask about a babysitter or child care recommendations. And never ask to bring a plus one. The guest list is the hardest thing for a couple to decide upon. They already are missing friends they wish they had room for, so accommodating your plus one is a no go.

7. Party hard and dance it out, but make sure you are following the bride and grooms lead. Don't be hitting the dance floor before they even get the chance. It's not your day.

8. Do not play musical chairs at dinner. A lot of work went into the seating arrangements. Don't make a scene about it or cause any heartache or complaints getting back to the bride and groom. Don't love your seat? It's only dinner, you can make polite conversation and reunite with your pals on the dance floor.

What are your wedding tips?

Wednesday Wishes: Fall Essentials

Wednesday Wishes by preppy-lizzy featuring silver home decor

Tabitha green dress / J Crew zip hoody / Ann Taylor lined jacket / Red coat / Full skirt / Cole Haan peep toe booties / J.Crew j crew shoes / ASOS faux leather handbag / Silver home decor / Plaid blanket

This week's Wednesday Wishes is all about Fall essentials. Any of these would be a great addition to my Fall Wardrobe and most of them are at great price points.

Tuesday #Shoesday: Wellies

Tuesday #Shoesday by preppy-lizzy featuring rubber boots

Joules rubber boots / Joules rubber boots / Rubber boots

Joules makes the cutest wellies hands down. While I have very little use for wellies in this desert climate of LA, I still can wish I had a need for a pair as cute as any of these. 

Style Inspo: Madonna

Style Inspo... Madonna by preppy-lizzy featuring white pumps

Tommy hilfiger shirt / Lola Skye midi skirt / Sass bide clothing / Truth or Dare white pumps / ASOS crossbody purse / J.Crew sunglasses / Comme des Garçons black hat

This month's Style Inspo cover girl is Madonna. Madonna has found a way to constantly reinvent herself over the years and this material girl has always been brave her in fashion choices. If only we all could be so self confident in our fashion choices day in and out.

Trick or Treat

Trick or Treat by preppy-lizzy featuring Ted Baker

Jane Norman pink dress / Comme des Garçons long sleeve t shirt / Barbour white shirt / Ray Ban clothing / Reebok activewear shorts / Oasis skater skirt / Puma / Ted Baker pumps / Fabio Rusconi black flat / Keds shoes / Tiffany Co sterling silver jewelry / Plastic glasses / Womens costume / Womens costume / Amazon.com : Wilson A2K Pitcher Baseball Glove (Tan), Left Hand Throw,... / Where's Waldo - Wenda Socks Adult - Red - One Size

Sometimes all you need for a perfect Halloween costume is to look inside your closet. And sometimes you just need to order the perfect costume. Choices 1 to 3 are those that you can easily recreate yourself while choice 4 is my costume this year.

You can often recreate famous movie characters for costumes like choice 1 from Risky Business and choice 2 as Elle from Legally Blonde. For Risky Business, all you need is a man's button down shirt, some crew socks and your Raybans. This is easily accomplished by raiding your man's closet. For Elle, just grab anything pink in your closet. Throw on your jewels, sport pink head to toe, grab a great blonde wig and carry around a Law textbook or two and you are all set.

Other options include characters from childhood, like Wanda of Where's Waldo fame. All you need is a red stripe shirt and jean skirt, with black flats. All you need to buy are a knit hat, stripe socks and black rim glasses.

Finally my choice for this year is to be a Rockford Peach. I have been wanting to be a peach for years and finally got my wish when the costume was finally sanctioned for mass production. The costume comes with the belt, dress and hat, so I added my Keds and red softball socks from my closet and grabbed my catchers glove. The only other thing I needed were red compression shorts.

So what are you doing for Halloween? Are you purchasing or DIYing?

Top 10 Playlist

Top 10 Playlist by preppy-lizzy on Polyvore

Beats By Dre Pill 2.0 Speaker / BEATS BY DRE Mixr Headphones

This month's playlist makes it easy to hit the treadmill or elliptical at the gym. It's bouncy and fun. Perfect for getting ready for my half marathon next month.

Gym Rat Report: Beautiful Back

via Pinterest

Gym Rat Report is back with a beautiful back workout. I love my back and have been able to take an inch off it in the last few weeks. Here is your back focused mantra:

Beautiful Back Workout
1. Yoga Pushup (4 sets, 20 reps/set): Stand with feet hip width apart. Place hands on floor shoulder width apart. Your body should be in a jackknife position. Walk your hands out until you are in a plank position. Perform one pushup. Walk hands back in towards feet. Repeat.
2. Hyper Extension (4 sets, 20 reps/set, 20 lbs): Stand with feet hip width apart and bend at waist. With a flat back, hold a 20 lb. bar across your shoulders. Move to standing position. Repeat. You can also do this without the weight.
3. Plank (4 sets, 60 sec/set): Arms shoulder width apart, place hands on the ground and flatten your back til your body is in straight position (like the top of a pushup). Hold for 60 seconds. Repeat.
4. Dumbbell Row (4 sets, 20 reps/set, 20 lbs): Using a bench or box, Place one hand on the box with both feet behind you in a modified plank position. Engage your core by raising on your toes. With your free arm, holding a 20 lb. dumbbell, pull from a straight arm to a 90 degree bend. Repeat.
5. Dumbbell Deadlift (4 sets, 60 sec/set, 20 lbs): With a 20 lb dumbbell in each hand, stand with feet hip width apart. Keeping your arms straight, bend at the waist keeping your back straight until you are in a 90 degree position. Return to standing. Repeat.
6. Reverse Crunch (4 sets, 40 reps/set): Laying on your back on a bench, bring knees to a table top position. Holding the bench to keep yourself steady, thrust legs out to a straight position. Return to table top and repeat.
7. Pull Ups (4 sets, 20 reps/set, 90 lbs): Using the assisted pull up machine, add 90 lbs. If you do not have this available, go the old fashioned way. With arms slightly wider than shoulder width, pull up til eye level with the bar and repeat.
8. Cable Row (4 sets, 15 reps/set, 17 lbs): Use the cable machine for this exercise. Moving cable bars to 90 degree position, add weight. With feet shoulder width apart and with one foot slightly in front of the other, Pull cable til arm moves to 90 degree position. Return and repeat.
9. Cable Pull Down (4 sets, 15 reps/set, 17 lbs): Moving cable bars to 180 degree position. Sit on balance bar or kneel on padded mat. Pull downward til in arm is in a 90 degree position. Return and repeat.
11. Climbers (4 sets, 60 reps/set): Using a bench, place forearms on bench and stand in a plank position. Bring one knee towards the bench, return to plank and repeat with other leg. Continually repeat on opposite legs for 60 seconds.
12. Dumbbell Pull Over (4 sets, 15 reps/set, 20 lbs): Laying on a bench, hold a 20 lb dumbbell with both hands. Lift over your head and lower to a 180 degree position behind your head. Lift back to 90 degrees above head and repeat.
13. Full Body Stretch (4 sets, 20 reps/set). Stretch it out, you deserve it. Stretch your hamstrings, quads, hip flexors, shoulders, and back.

The Shopping Block

Today's post is part of a social media collaboration with Simon Malls and Brea Mall. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Headbands & Bagels possible.

I will be at The Shopping Block at Brea Mall this Saturday. Looking forward to a great day of pampering and fun thanks to Simon Malls! Come out and join me!

Pinterest Hairstyle - The Classic French Braid

via Pinterest

I have been getting better and better with french braids as I have practiced. My hair has not been long enough for a single french braid for a while, but it has been long enough for two braids. I think I am finally able to pull off the single french braid look. I love this for so many reasons. It's perfect for weekend errands, workouts at the gym, or casual Fridays at the office. It's pulled together and beautiful. Gotta give a shout out to Lauren Conrad for the tips! She always has great hairstyle tips.

How to be More of a Morning Person

This post is in collaboration with Casper's "Own Your Bed Head" campaign. No compensation was received for this post.

I'll admit it. I am most definitely not a morning person. I really wish I was but I am a night owl through and through. I'll admit that I am jealous of my friends than can get up at the crack of dawn and get a workout in before heading to work, but I'm lucky if I'm not scrambling every morning.

With that I have found a few tricks to make mornings easier and therefore feel like more of a morning person.

1. Try to wake up at the same time everyday. Keep your schedule on weekends unless you really need the sleep. I know that since schedules change around the weekends, at least keep to number 2 on this list.

2. Get the same amount of sleep each night. Know your sweet zone, mine is 8.5 hours. Stick to it.

3. Don't use black out curtains. I have gauzy curtains in my bedroom which help me gradually wake up to the rising sun.

4. Make your lunch the night before. I pack both mine and my husbands lunch eat night when I get home. Then our lunchboxes are just easy to grab from the fridge.

5. Have an easy breakfast. I like yogurt. Other people like smoothies. A breakfast that you can take on the go with you makes you get out the door that much faster.

6. Pick your outfit the night before. If its already picked you don't waste precious minutes hemming and hawing over what to go with.

7. Have your bags ready to go at the front door. I unpack and repack my gym bag each night so its ready to grab and go.

8. Perfect the 5 minute face. See my post about this here.

What are some of your tricks to get up and go in the morning?

Fall For White

Fall for White by preppy-lizzy featuring a pom pom hat

Chi Chi white cap sleeve dress / MANGO three quarter sleeve shirt / Topshop ivory shirt / French Connection black long sleeve top / MANGO short blazer / Monsoon trapeze coat / Rag bone off white skirt / Fake leather skirt / Whistles white distressed jeans / Kate Spade cap toe oxford shoes / Diavolina white high heel shoes / Henri bendel earrings / Portolano pom pom hat / H M white scarve

I am a huge fan of white. There is something so fresh and clean about the color and I am a firm believer that you can continue to wear white year round. Screw Labor Day rules! You can easily continue to incorporate white into your wardrobe through the Fall and Winter with a few easy changes. Look for knits, wools and leathers, go a shade darker to a more winter white cream, go with white for outerwear, pair white denim with a dark knit sweater, make white dresses Fall staples by wearing them as skirts. How do you incorporate white into the Fall?

Wednesday Wishes: Breast Cancer Awareness

Wednesday Wishes by preppy-lizzy featuring a kitchen aid stand mixer

UGG Australia shoes / Tory Burch umbrella / Sephora Collection hair tie / La Mer bath body product / Estée Lauder beauty product, $45 / Bumble and bumble haircare / Lord Taylor scented candle / KitchenAid kitchen aid stand mixer / Essie 2014 Breast Cancer Awareness Mini Cube

As I am sure most of you are aware, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and tons of merchants put out speciality items that give part of their proceeds to research for the disease. Breast Cancer effects so many women so at least your shopping habit can support your fellow women in need.

Tuesday #Shoesday: Riding Boots

Tuesday #Shoesday by preppy-lizzy featuring brown riding boots

Vince Camuto brown riding boots / Enzo Angiolini leather riding boots / L.K.Bennett tan boots

Riding boots are a staple to any Fall wardrobe. I spent such a long time hunting down the right pair and now that I finally have them, I know I won't be needing another pair a very long time. Usually a more expensive pair of shoes, they are definitely an investment piece, but they will last you much longer than most shoes if you take good care of them. My mom still has her Frye boots from the 1970s and they look as good as ever.

#10ThingsILove in Fall

Back for another round of #10ThingsILove. I love making this a seasonal post for Headbands & Bagels! You all probably already know this but yes, Fall is the best season there is. I love, live and breathe Fall. I love layering, boots and booties, football, Thanksgiving, Halloween, pumpkins, pies, anything pumpkin flavored (seriously), cider and leaves changing color. Almost every year my family goes to a local family run cider press near our country house in Upstate New York and we get all the apples we have picked from our property, pressed into delicious cider. We have ended up with more than 40 gallons in the past and we end up giving it away as gifts and freezing it so we can drink it throughout the year. Living in California, this is a family tradition I really miss every year!

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 10. Boots!

Boots are the one thing that make me feel like its officially Fall. I wear a lot more booties in Southern California then my riding boots, but I find they take any look to Fall.
 

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9. Oscar Season

 It's definitely Oscar season right now at the movies. Between Gone Girl and The Judge releasing just a week apart, you know this is the start to the Oscar heavyweights. I definitely have plans to catch a few of these in theatres.

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8. Black Friday

I know Black Friday can be intimidating but each year I go hit the stores in the late morning with my mother in law and sisters in law and I actually get some good Christmas shopping knocked out. There are great sales that day besides the door busters which require you lining up.
 

7. Conferences

I have two work conferences in October each year. Last week I was in Phoenix and next week I get to hang in LA like a tourist. SWE National Conference also means getting to spend a lot of quality time with one of my best friends, Erika.
 

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6. Thanksgiving Cooking

I love cooking sides for Thanksgiving. Classics for me are Buffalo Chicken Jalapeno Popper Mac and Cheese, Green Beans and Salad. I am sure I will be on the clock again for these three!

 

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5. Layering

What is better in Fall then layers. Even with the heat I strive for light layers just so I can recreate the look. Scarves are this girl's best friend.
 

4. Football

Fall means football means Sunday Fundays. I'm bummed I am not making a Giants game in person this season but the only option was vs Seattle and getting tickets reasonably priced was tough.

3. Playoff Baseball

Even though my beloved Yankees didn't make the postseason, I still enjoy playoff baseball. When I think of Fall, I immediately think of October baseball. I'm pulling for the Orioles and Royals this year. My husband is a big Orioles fan and they played great and the Royals have gone 29 years without a playoff appearance. Both are fun underdogs to cheer for!

 

2. Knitting

I've been a knitting fiend lately. I love making handmade gifts and I have really gotten much more adventurous in my pattern selection and product choices. Also Twist is a killer yarn shop near my house. Just look at the color options. Need to make another visit soon.
 

1. Family Time

Fall means lots of family time. Not only do we have Thanksgiving, but we also have plans with Dan's sister and her husband to go to trapeze school again, with our cousins to hit Fright Fest at Six Flags, for my sister in law's birthday, and maybe even a visit from my parents.

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