Monday, February 25, 2013

Smitten

Seth MacFarlane, I have a crush on you.

Any guy who can sing, dance, and tell a few jokes is a winner in my book. But my gosh I thought he did a great job! Maybe since this Oscars was all about music, it might be my favorite show in years. The musical performances were stellar, the speeches were good, Ben and Jen made me smile all evening and Jennifer Lawrence's dress was a knockout.


Friday, February 22, 2013

Friday Fancies: Oscar Worthy

I look forward to watching the Oscars every year! We used to have these big Oscar parties when we were little and everyone would dress up in ball gowns, my dad would roll out a red carpet and put out bright lights and be our paparazzi and my mom would make Oscar food. Those are some of my favorite memories. It's just always so fun to watch the Oscars and be a part of all the glamour for an evening. My friends are coming over to watch, but if I would be lucky enough to attend, I'd wear this:

Oscar worthy


Can Oscar design a dress for me? This Oscar de la Renta number is such a cool design and the color would be great (with a little bit of a tan!). I'd glitter a little with a heel and some pavé studs and just enjoy the madness!

Here's hoping Seth Macfarlane does a good job! If there are a few funny songs here and there, I'll be a happy camper! Go on over to Long Distance Loving and check out more Oscar fancies. Have wonderful weekends!

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

An Everygirl Inspired

For almost one year now, Danielle Moss' and Alaina Kaczmarski's The Everygirl has been one of my daily reads. I love getting the daily emails seeing what features they have come up with, from food to fitness, from staying on a budget to budget friendly home and fashion items, but probably my favorites are their Everygirl features about a women who have "done it all" in their line of work, fancied up their home, or started a successful business. These women answer honest questions about the struggles they have encountered on their way to success and the amount of effort and determination it has taken them to get to where they are today (and I always love a good story!).

Along with fabulous photos and beautiful typography, the Everygirls always ask women advice they would give to their 23-year-old selves, and since that is me right now I love to hear what they have to say.

I was beyond excited when Danielle and Alaina asked their readers to share even the smallest bit of something that The Everygirl has inspired them to do in the last year. Of course, I could not let this question go unanswered, so I emailed, and magically, yesterday morning, I got an email saying that my paragraph was featured. I have to say, I was a bit over the moon! I mean, me, on The Everygirl! I was so humbled to have my little bit featured.

But the more I read, the more I was inspired by what all these other women from all over the country and even a few countries throughout the world were inspired to do. Reading their stories got me even more inspired, and got me thinking: even though there are so many of us out there was so many different passions, our main goal is almost the same. We all want to be doing something in our lives that brings us great joy and success, and not just monetarily. It doesn't matter how long it takes us, but eventually we all want to get there (and I have faith that we all will).


So pop on over to read The Everygirl feature and see mine as well as the many other women who have been inspired to be their own Everygirl!

images via

Monday, February 18, 2013

Downton Season Finale!

My weekend was so nice and relaxing, still felt like I got some good work in, so no complaints there! Friday night two of the gals and I went to a bar where we just played Clue and chatted, and it was lovely! Fun I tell you!

The major event of the weekend was the Downton Abbey finale. Yes it was a major event. This was about the fastest season in history and I cannot believe that we have to wait forever AGAIN to find out what's going to happen to the crazy Crawley family.


First of all, and this is a bit of a spoiler, my heart broke in two at the end. I'm talking tears. I mean seriously, I have loved Matthew more and more this whole season, and to see the fate at the end---I don't know how I'm going to get to next season. (Yes I'm being a bit overdramatic, but I was shocked!). Onto other parts of it, my sisters and I oohed and ahhed when Carson was with baby Sib, how adorable is she! Jimmy has just gotten hotter and hotter, and Branson looked better than usual too! Over all, the men on this season--don't even get me started. So much love! and I'm happy that Jimmy and Thomas are going to be friends.

Sorry if you're not a Downton person, but it was probably one of the best things to happen to Sunday evenings at our house. Catch up on this season on pbs.org (it's completely free!)

How cute is the cast? Seriously love them all! found here

So I had to ask: thoughts?? What will season four bring?

Friday, February 15, 2013

Friday Fancies: Red and Pink

Happy day-after Valentine's Day! I hope that you all had wonderful days filled with a bit too much chocolate and a few other special treats! I can definitely say that I did! So as I've said, I've spent the entire week in red and pink. It's just too fun of a color combo not to try.
red/pink



What I love about this look is it's polished but in a very casual manner. I'm all about the bright pink sweater, with the blazer ad that scarf? I love the scarf! and it goes way past Valentine's Day in my opinion. Why not keep the love going all winter long?

Have lovely weekends! I envy you three-day weekend people, I'll be back to work on Monday, but the Downton Abbey Season finale is on Sunday! This season flew by, but my goodness I am excited for it!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

I love Love!

via
Happy Valentines Day! I absolutely love love and love showing my friends and family how much I care for them. Plus, who doesn't love the added bonus of a little extra chocolate? This whole week I've been decked out in red and pink, with hearts a plenty! I can't wait to see my preschoolers faces as they exchange their Valentines and creatively help decorate the cookies I made for them last night.

So I hope that however you are celebrating, you enjoy it with someone you love (even if that's just yourself!). Have the sweetest day!

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Lent

Hey friends, I know things have been a bit slow here on my blog. To be honest, I like to try to share not just things about my life, but new ideas too, and I need to be a bit more inspired. I don't like to give you things you hear all the time. That's no fun!

But today's the first day of Lent, and during that time, my family abstains from things, foods, or actions in our daily lives that we can sometimes become a bit dependent on. This year, I'm only reading blogs/blogging in the morning before work so that my evenings can be spent doing other things. After coming home from work and then after giving piano lessons, I can be a bit tired, so I relax on my bed and just read blogs. I absolutely love it and there is so much good stuff out there, but I want to make time to let other things in like reading a book (haven't done that in awhile!), practicing the piano, working out a little longer, and just leisurely enjoying time with family and friends. Also this Lent, I want to try to get a few more miles in! My sisters and I are serious about the half marathon this year and I'm focused on getting it done!

If you practice Lent, what are you doing? It's always a fun challenge, and it's nice spiritually to free yourself a little and focus on all the good things that God has done. 

image via here

Friday, February 8, 2013

Friday Fancies: Love Layers

Happy Friday! As I sit in my kitchen, I am staring at the beauty of our backyard, covered in 4 inches of snow. It is absolutely gorgeous and it's what I've been waiting for all winter. Everything is covered in white, just the way I like it!




heart sweater


I love these heart sweaters! I've loved them for years, but have never taken the plunge. But this one is $18 so I might take the plunge on this one! Plus, with the snow I have to have big boots, comfy jeans, and a snuggly scarf to last me all weekend. What's your uniform this weekend?

Have a great one!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Heart the Day!

Who doesn't like a dress that can go from now to later in just a few moves? I saw this one a few weeks ago at Old Navy (whose new spring stuff is oh so good! Once half of those dresses go half price, things will get dangerous!) and it's perfect for Valentine's Day! Yes, I'm a bit cliché, but that's what holidays are about, right? It's perfect for at the office or a Valentine's date. Take your pick! and it's only $27. Sounds like a good deal to me!
Heart the Day


Are you theming your day wardrobe towards the holiday? Not going to lie and say that in the next few days, it's going to be red, white and pink all the way!

Monday, February 4, 2013

Just the Best

Every year I look forward to the Budweiser Clydesdale commercials because they are so well thought out and cute with the most adorable horses. This year was no exception and the commercial was probably one of the only good ones on the whole time, in my opinion.

And who doesn't want to watch a hot guy with a horse? Seriously. I was all in.

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Also it was set in Chicago. Good job Budweiser!

In other news, it was  fun win for the Ravens! Whenever I don't really know a team I always go for the underdogs, so that was definitely a fun win. Beyoncé did not disappoint and my favorite part of her show was the Destiny's Child reunion performance. Loved it! On top of eating a few too many chicken wings, tortilla chips and yummy carrot cake, my friends and I had a great time! How was your Super Bowl celebration?

Friday, February 1, 2013

Friday Fancies: Brrr

So the theme for Friday Fancies this week is aprés ski, but fortunately it fits perfectly with Chicago: BRR BRR BRR! I've actually been wishing for colder temperatures, so I'm not complaining. But in about an hour it's going to be quite a little trek from the train to work.
Brr



Also, this is almost exactly what I'm wearing today to stay warm! I love doubling up on sweaters. Why not? And J.Crew's merino ones are warm enough by themselves, but when it's this cold, they're so easy to layer up (and fun to find resale. The one I'm wearing today I found for $3 at a consignment store!). These leggings by Danksin are also our go to at our house. They're comfy, warm, and yes can also be used for working out. I have a few pairs and they're so comfortable I sometimes sleep in them.

Hope you all have fabulous weekends! Tonight the sisters and I are spending a night in watching Saved By the Bell. Yes, we might have found it at the library. 4 seasons worth. Be jealous! Have great ones and check out the fancies on Long Distance Loving!