What's in My Bag? Whistler Edition

This evening Dan and I are off to Whistler to meet my parents and sister for a weekend ski trip. Immediately when packing for a ski trip you realize how many more bags you have if you are traveling with your own equipment. At the same time, nothing can beat hitting the slopes with gear you know well.

So what's in my bags for this trip? Well lots of Lululemon for one thing. They make amazing base layers and still look great when you peel off ski pants or a jacket in the lodge. I've also got my ski gear including my helmet and new googles. I've skiied with a helmet since I was 3 and I can't hit the slopes without it. I also packed my mini sorel boots in houndstooth and a great J.Crew sweater and flannel for nights out. It's a ski town, so I am going for a more relaxed, snowy look.  Of course, I'll also have my kindle, laptop and iPhone (gotta be able to find one another on the slopes). I hope I didn't forget anything! What would you take on a ski trip?

What's in my Bag? Whistler Edition by preppy-lizzy featuring skinny fit jeans

Goodbye iPhone 4, Hello 5 - DIY Monogrammed Case

Yesterday was a sad day. I officially had to retire my iPhone 4. It had some corrupted software that could not be restored, but at least I was upgrade eligible. Also turns out that Apple has a pretty great recycling program where you can get an Apple Gift Card for your old products. I filled out the paperwork online last night and got quoted $170 for my 4. Pretty decent deal all in all.

I really liked my 4 and I have to say I am most upset about having to buy all these stupid adapters and losing my awesome cases for my 4. I had a great monogrammed case that is no longer, as well as a super cute Kate Spade iPhone wristlet and neoprene Kate Spade case. Both are headed for eBay, as I can't use them anymore. Boo.

The Apple Store did at least have some cute case options available, and since I am leaving for Vancouver tomorrow for a weekend ski trip, I knew I didn't want to risk no case on the new phone while I waited for a new monogram case. Instead I decided to make my own!

I got this super cute blue and white stripped Kate Spade hard shell case and then went on Etsy and ordered an adorable vinyl monogram sticker that is iPhone sized.

Source: Apple Store

The stickers come compliments of MEEsDesigns on Etsy and are super affordable ($3.00 each). You also get to customize your choice of style and color, which make sit super personal to you. I got a Circle Monogram in hot pink. I am looking forward to seeing it with the turquoise.

Source: MEEsDesigns

She also makes really cute monogrammed stickers for your iPhone chargers so you always know which one is yours. I could see this being super handy as chargers are always getting mixed up. And at $2.50 each, they are totally a bargain. I got one in turquoise, like the photo, to match my case.

Source: MEEsDesigns

I am so looking forward to my stickers arriving, I can't wait to personalize my case a little bit more! I particularly like monogramming tech stuff since it's too easy to get stuff mixed up. I have a monogram case for my MacBook already, but I am thinking about getting some stickers for my notebooks, iPad and MacBook as well. Who doesn't love a good monogram?

Downton Abbey: Already Anxious for Season 4 (Spoilers)

Wow what a season finale last night. I really enjoyed the change of scenery with most of the family visiting Donegal castle in the Highlands of Scotland. The landscape shots were spectacular and it was exciting to see how the staff interacted on the road as well as back home with the family out of town. Not sure how you could love Anna or Carson anymore before this episode but Anna's reeling in honor of Mr. Bates and Carson caring for Baby Sybil stole my heart.

Source: Jane Austen's World

Source: Tumblr

I found it an intriguing decision to flash forward a year and half from the previous season, but since the second to last episode had its own season finale feeling, it didn't seem like they had left anything unresolved in the year plus lapse. I do wonder that since Dan Stevens, who plays Matthew Crawley, had announced his departure from the show a few months ago, the writers pushed the timeline up for the season finale on purpose.

SPOLIERS: So let's get to the big elephant in the room. Mary and Matthew successfully produced a male heir at the end of the episode and they left us with the image of a perfect family. Matthew, the doting father and husband, reminded us all why we adore him. But in true Downton fashion, happiness is only temporary. Just like Bates was unjustly imprisoned right after he and Anna wed, like Sybil died of birthing complications after giving birth to her and Tom's daughter and first child, Matthew was ripped from Mary, dying in a horrific car accident on his way to Downton from the hospital to fill the family in on his and Mary's wonderful news. While it was a definitive end to the Matthew storyline, it leaves me concerned about how Lady Mary will react to the news. Also did anyone notice that Baby Boy Crawley was not named in the episode? My money is on him being named Matthew after his father, just as Sybil was named for her mother.

Source: Daily Mail UK

Source: Mirror TV

Now all there is to do is wait for season 4. 2014 is so far away!