Turkey Coma

Here's wishing everyone had a fun, happy, and safe Thanksgiving holiday.  We hosted our first Thanksgiving and were joined by both sets of parents.  Everything went off without a hitch thanks to lots of preparation and planning.  I may or may not have bought 4 sets of tablecloths and place settings once it was all said and done.  It was great to debut all of our wedding goodies - china, crystal goblets, silver, and candlesticks.  Here's a snapshop of our table (minus most of the food).  Here's hoping this work week passes quickly...

Posting

Just realized I didn't post in Sept or Oct, how sad! I definitely need to update on my wonderful vacation, additions to my wardrobe, and my excitement of the Gamecocks... You know, the important things in life. Updates to come soon- this week I'm busy prepping for hosting our first Thanksgiving and trying to get as many BOGO Starbucks in the afternoons. Xo

Grey

If Fall has you grey-obsessed like me, I have a new nailpolish color I recommend you add to your collection. Essie's Chinchilly! Currently on my fingers and toes and is a little change from the vampy purples I've been wearing.

The Aftermath

I'm currently living with the aftermath of a haircut that involves getting bangs.  While it was fun and cute while it lasted and I admit I felt a little NYC-chic, the maintenance was a little much for me.  It's the little things that you don't think of when you are considering that chic haircut, or if you're like me, don't think about it period just tell your stylist to CUT.

For example...
*I was just getting into the habit of washing my hair every other day.  This is key since my hair is getting pretty long and it takes me roughly 30 minutes to fix in the mornings.  15 to dry, 15 to straighten.  With bangs, expect to wake up each day with your bangs sticking out every which way, very similar to a greasy rooster.  The only thing to calm them down would be to get them wet and start over, so most mornings I decided to just shampoo.
*Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance!  I'm pretty good about getting a cut/color every 6-8 weeks because I'm a hair snob.  With bangs, expect to go in for a trim once a month if you'd like to be able to see out of your eyes.  Otherwise, you'll have impaired vision.  With your color, there will be no question if you need to keep your 8 week appointments.  By this point, your roots will be covering your eyelashes.
*Growing out is awful.  I'm currently at the awkward growth point where they're too short to tuck behind my ears, but too long that they seriously cover my eyes.  I have 3 looks - bobby pinned with a mini poof with strays sticking out ever which way, a thin headband (I look like a 5-year old), and bobby pins on each side (just looks weird).  Hopefully this awkward stage will be gone very soon!

I'll leave you with a pic of my bangs and with hopes that putting this in writing will remind me to think otherwise next time I consider a drastic change.  Until next time....

Lately...

...Lately I've still been battling with big decisions that are still depending on me to figure out certain things first.

...Lately I've been working hard, even though it's been over a month and my Promotion STILL has not been annouced to my co-workers (other than my immediate team members).  Oh well, at least I know I've been doing a good job.

...Lately I've been re-arranging my house, straightening up, and had my eye on a few things I'd like to buy.

...Lately I've been watching WAY too much TV, specifically too much Bravo.  Let me break it down for you - Real Housewives of NJ, Flipping Out, Rachel Zoe, Top Chef, Real Housewives of D.C., etc.  I have more than enough Bravo to occupy my evenings.  I'm also watching Project Runway and too much HGTV.  I am obsessed with figuring out a way that I can go to the Project Runway Fashion show during NY since I'll be there during Fashion Week in Sept.

...Lately I've been doing way too much shopping!  I've caught the Fall Shopping bug.  I think this is partly because the last time I was in NYC the weather showed the first signs of Fall.  I couldn't stop thinking about boots, thick chunky sweaters, and tights!  

A few cute things I've picked up lately:

...This cute sweater from the Love 21 line at Forever 21.  Read: Not insanely teeny bopper small.  I bought it in light pink and grey stripe (no longer available online).

...This top from Loft in an olive/gold color.  Has a super cute exposed zipper in the back.

...This super cute skirt from J. Crew and I was very pleased to put my $25 Rewards card to good use.

...And these Always Skinny jeans from Gap.  Really dark wash and super stretchy - read: Comfortable for sitting at a desk all day long

...Lately I also cut my hair!  I now have bangs and cut 3 inches off my hair that was very much needed.  I've been told I look sassy but of course I'm still getting used to it!

That's it for me!

Random thought of the day

Why do Lean Cuisine Pizzas and Paninis require a saw to eat?

Drat!

Sold OUT!

Attention!

I am getting bangs tonight.

Tucker for Target

I can hardly wait!  Through the Blogosphere I've discovered Tucker blouses and shirt dresses.  LOVE!  They are the perfect pieces to transform from a casual workplace to going out.  But as we all know, my social life is not exactly bustling.  But at least I'll have something cute to wear if the invite comes along.

Anyways, since Tucker shirts and blouses run from $200 to $350, that's a little bit out of my price range.  Imagine my delight when I found out that Tucker is working with Target to do the next GO! International line.  And I heard there was a pre-sale on Gilt Groupe this Friday at noon...just saying....

This exclusive collection will launch at most Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com on September 12, 2010, and remain available through October 17, 2010.

Decisions

I've recently been faced with a few hard decisions that I'm needing to make.  I already knew that being a grown up was hard - paying your own bills, buying big purchases like a house and a car, needing to do "big girl things" like saving money for a rainy day rather that going on a splurge at Nordstrom's.  It's also hard knowing that it's not just only about "me" any more, but that the decisions I make effect other people in my lives - like my husband first and foremost; but also my fur child, my family, and my friends. 

So, needless to say, I'm still in the midst with this "big decision."  I caught in the middle of wanting to follow a lifelong dream, but still always wanting to have a better life.  My life is already great - I have someone who loves me, a lovely home (with lots of square feet comparatively) filled with lovely things, a new car, a great job, making ends meet just fine.  I'm scared of what could be on the other side, but at the same time scared of what I could regret.

Decisions, Decisions.  Stay tuned...

Keds

When I was growing up, I was a true Keds lover.  Not to mention that I thought it was super-cool that the shoes and myself had the same initials...  I recently came across these pretties while browsing through one of my magazines and thought - how cute!  Now, I'm not sure I could pull these off but these sequin covered tennies by Alice + Olivia are ADORABLE and less than $100.  I think they'd make a great addition to an outfit when flats are a must - say maybe cruising around the city for a day. Plus anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE sequins!  What do you think?  I'll take a pair in silver and gold.
Photo Credit: http://www.fabsugar.com/Keds-Sequins-Alice-Olivia-7327382

I'm back...in NY

Blame my lack of posting to my job.  I've been in NY more days in the past month than I've been home.  I feel like my life is a bit discombobulated due to not being home and constant suitcase packing.  I love it and hate it at the same time.  I am ready to get back to a normal-like schedule. 

One thing is for sure - There is a heat wave going on in this city...It's HOT. 100 degrees yesterday and climbing.

Nope

Maxi dresses are NOT office appropriate.  That is all.

Greetings from NYC!  I'm here for one glorious night and blogging from my hotel room in my robe.  Exciting, yes!  I attempted to do some touristy things this afternoon but was caught in a rain shower without an umbrella, which brought me to a detour to Anthropologie and J. Crew. 

I had all intentions of going to Top of the Rock and Museum of Modern Art, but those places are expensive!  It was $35 for tickets, so I decided to pass.  Instead I walked around a bit, walked into more stores, and ate my favorite, Mexican.  I must say it's a little disheartening to see the calorie count on the menu at a Mexican restaurant, but I know it's all for the better!

XO

Chair Update

I think I previously posted about my long, ongoing search to do some updates to my larger than life master bedroom.  The chair from Target arrived on Monday and I could hardly contain my excitement to see if it was all I hoped it would be.  I dragged myself to the gym for a quick workout and came back to get to work.  It was surprisingly fairly easy to put together but did take me a good hour to get it right.  I did it all by myself - of course Bailey didn't help and chose to go upstairs for a quiet nap instead. 

Here is a picture I took from my iPhone with the chair in front of the window.  I also moved a small end table from another room to sit beside it for now until I can come up with something better.  I think I will eventually get another chair, but I'm happy with the outcome.  What do you think?

Decorating in a dream world

After much searching, I finally picked out a chair to add to our Sitting Room in our Master Bedroom.  I think it will look good with my brown silk curtains behind it as a backdrop.  Plus it will add some color to a room with off-white walls, a cream bedspread, and everything else in the room being white, cream, goldish or brown!  I LOVE neutrals!  Who knows, maybe if I love it, I will eventually get another one.  For now, I'm hoping to set this up by the window with a small accent table and maybe a picture or something cute.

Things I'd still like to do in the room (AKA what I would do with a huge room and unlimited funds):

• Paint (Yeah right, my ceilings are like 20 feet tall!)
• A picture wall to put all our wedding pictures to good use and prevent them from being scattered around the house
• New TV and something to put it on or in, or better yet mount to the wall
• In my dream world, a 4 poster bed would look amazing in our bedroom.  Unfortunately new bedroom furniture is not something we have in the plans any time soon!  Wouldn't this look GORGEOUS?!  I LOVE this room!

That's all the daydreaming a girl can do for one day.  I'm off to enjoy a glass of wine and the Grey's Anatomy 2-Hour Finale!

Weekend Updates

I hope (every)one had a great weekend!  We had a friend in town so spent some time by the pool.  I spent a little too much time with not a high enough number of sunscreen, so am now nursing a nasty sunburn.  It was actually quite painful to wear a bra today...miserable!

Saturday night we headed to Jim & Nicks BBQ - yum!  I was good and had a salad, but you cannot resist those cheese biscuits!  I was ticked that our waitress only brought one basketful...how rude!

On Sunday I continued my search for an accent chair to create a sitting room in my huge, seemingly empty master bedroom.  I have gone in person to 2 TJ Maxx, 2 HomeGoods, 1 Marshalls, 1 Ross, and Target and have visited online to Macys, Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, CB2, West Elm, Z Gallerie, and Target.  Exhausting!  I still cannot find anything that I LOVE for my price range ($100-$200).  The reality is that I don't know what I want to do with the space and end up with impromptu ugly furniture (i.e. the chairs in my sunroom...would love to re-cover those thangs).  The search continues....

Heidi

Is this girl for real?  Does she think she looks good?  I'm currently debating which is the worst line from The Hills:

"Surgery hug" or "I want them to be H's for Heidi!"

Really?  Really?!?!

Absent

Apologies for my absence!  I have been here:

And here:

And here:

More interesting stuff to come soon, I promise!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Wishing you a happy St. Patrick's Day.  I'm not doing much celebrating today - lame!

Customer Service

First of all, pardon my hiatus.  Not that I have any readers... except one I think.  We'll change that eventually.  Who wouldn't want to read about me!?
It's no secret that Nordstrom's is known for it's great customer service.  They proved that to me yesterday.  About a week ago I treated myself to an overpriced pair of shoes that I really didn't need.  Much to my disgust after only 5 wears (yes in 7 days) the inner liner came "unstuck" from the bottom of the shoe, sticking to my foot while I was walking. Ugh so uncomfortable. I was furious.

I called Nordstrom and asked them what to do and unsure about being able to return a WORN shoe to a high end department store.  They urged me to come right in and they would replace my shoes for me at no cost!  Love them.  Problem solved.

Other stores, take note.  That's the way things are done.  (Ahem, J.Crew, I'm talking to you and your unravelling hem in your Palmera ruffle blouse.  Your sales associate politely told me I could have it sewn back by a seamstress.  I then so much as threatened her life and she let me return the shirt, after making me pay 75 cents in sales tax differences.)

That's all!

Good husband

Just bragging on the beautiful roses my husband brought home Friday night (in the snow) for an early Valentine's day gift!

Snow!

Atlanta got a nice little dusting of snow last Friday night - about 4 inches!  In typical Atlanta traffic fashion, it took me roughly 2 hours to get home from work on Friday even though I left at 4:00.  Ugh.  Here are a few pictures from our snow dusting and little Bailey "playing" in the snow...she really didn't enjoy it and I had to carry her back inside.  What a priss!

Our backyard

Bailey looking for "her place" in the snow

Bailey in the snow.  Sorry, I think she's peeing!

Happy Valentine's Day

Wishing everyone a happy Valentine's Day!

If I were...

If I were a month, I’d be June

If I were a day of the week, I’d be Saturday.

If I were a time of day, I’d be 8:00 PM.

If I were a planet, I’d be Earth.

If I were a sea animal, I’d be a starfish.

If I were a direction, I’d be South.

If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be a beach chair.

If I were a liquid, I’d be a a glass of red wine.

If I were a gemstone, I’d be a sapphire.

If I were a tree, I’d be a Palm.

If I were a tool, I’d be a picture hook.

If I were a flower, I’d be a peony.

If I were a kind of weather, I’d be sunshine.

If I were a musical instrument, I’d be a piano.

If I were a color, I’d be aqua blue.

If I were an emotion, I’d be happy.

If I were a fruit, I’d be a kiwi.

If I were a sound, I’d be waves crashing on the shore.

If I were an element, I’d be air.

If I were a car, I’d be a convertible.

If I were a food, I’d be a fresh-caught fish with mango salsa.

If I were a place, I’d be a quiet beach.

If I were a material, I’d be silk.

If I were a taste, I’d be sweet.
If I were a scent, I’d be fresh laundry.
If I were a body part, I’d be the heart.

If I were a facial expression, I’d be a smile.

If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be riding boots.

What would you be?

7 things to look forward to in February!

I can't believe it's already February!  Lots to look forward to this month.

1. Black Eyed Peas concert this Thursday
2. My Mom comes for a visit on Friday and is staying through the weekend
3. Groundhog Day!  Who doesn't love Puxatawney Phil?!  I am hoping for an early spring!
4. Valentine's Day!  Chocolate and flowers?  Yes please.
5. Lots of cute new spring clothing hitting the stores.  J. Crew is already trying to reel me in.
6. Lots going on at work....good to stay busy.
7. A short month.  Got to love that February is only 28 days.

Goodbye, Ping!

I don't know about you but I sure was glad to say goodbye to Ping on Project Runway last Thursday night.  Any designer who lets her model walk down the runway with her butt hanging out (literally) does not deserve to be on the show.  I'm still trying to figure out who my favorite is this season.

ATL

Run, don't walk to Ann Taylor Loft.  I got 2 sweaters, 1 t-shirt, and a pair of leggins for a mere $52.00.  All sale items are an extra 50% off!  That's all for now!

Weekend Updates

After a busy work week, I've had a fun-filled weekend.  Here's a little of what I've been up to...

Friday

• I had the day off work!  Woo-hoo!  Monday (MLK Day) is a holiday for us, so I chose to work Monday and take Friday off.
• The hubby and I headed to the movies to see The Lovely Bones.  Now, I REALLY loved the book but unfortunately, I didn't think the movie was as good as the book.  It was also pretty long - 2 1/2 hours.
• The hubby and I went to the Hawks vs. Suns basketball game.  It was our first NBA game and was really fun!

Saturday

• A friend of mine came over for dinner and then we watched a movie.
• I made the most delish risotto.  First of all, I'm not very domestic and second of all, I've never made risotto.  This recipe was fairly easy to follow and it came out great.  It made so much that I have a bunch left over for a few more meals.  Also, the website Gina's Weight Watchers recipes is great for low-fat, easy-to-make meals!

http://weight-watchers-points-recipes.blogspot.com/search?q=risotto

Sunday

• Did a little work, then did a little shopping.
• I picked up a few cute things from Martin + Osa where all sale items were an extra 30% off!  Please welcome to my closet:
• This cardigan
• This tank but in a gray/white combo
• And this skirt
• I also thought it was time for a new pair of jeans and I found a great pair at JCrew.  I love how dark the wash is!

• Lastly, I headed to pick up a few new books from Borders.  I've been dying for a new book after finishing the Twilight Series, The Lovely Bones, and Dear John.

Busy week this week on the work-front!  Luckily I will have some R&R time with my BFF on Friday!  

Snow Day!

It snowed about a 1/2 an inch in Atlanta last night!  It stopped snowing around 11 PM but the snow froze and it's now ice!  Work was opened today and I attempted to make my way there around 10 AM.  After going about 20 MPH down the road and seeing that everything was still really iced over, I decided to turn around.  This was mostly because of my fear of how I would get back home later today.  I know I made the right decision after fishtailing on the bridge and almost causing an accident.  Needless to say, I'm happy to be working from home in my warm house and jammies today!

Here's a few pictures of our snow from last night.

My stylin' new coat

One of my favorite Christmas gifts this year is my new coat from my mother-in-law!   It's the JCrew "Wool ruffle-front coat" that I got in black.  I think it's a nice and trendier upgrade to my old, itchy wool coat that I was rocking every other day.

This coat is currently on sale for $179.99 but only available in Grey and Camel.  If you're looking for a coat and love ruffles as much as me, I recommend this one!

JCrew wool ruffle front coat

Brr!!

Bundle up!  It's cold in Atlanta!  They're even calling for the possibility of snow on Thursday.  The low is 16 degrees right now.  I just can't get warm!

My current favorite dessert

I wanted to share the secret of my current favorite dessert.  It's quite simply and very delicious.

Whole Wheat Toast (I like Publix Light Wheat) + A light spread of Nutella = Yummy Deliciousness

Enjoy!

7 things to look forward to in January!

Today I realized that I have a lot to look forward to in January.  Like...

1.  My first NBA game!  I gave the Hubby tickets to see the Hawks vs. Suns for Christmas.  Should be fun!  Per usual, we will be cheering for opposite teams - him the Suns and me the Hawks.

2. A visit from my bestie!  We're planning a low-key weekend that includes no plans at all, which is always the most fun.

3.  The return of all my favorite shows!  Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, The Bachelor, Brothers & Sisters, etc.

4. The movie The Lovely Bones comes out later this month.  If you haven't read the book, pick it up at Borders and read it ASAP!  I'm a big advocate that you should read the book before you watch the movie!

5.  We're having our work team Christmas party a bit post-Christmas.  It's more of a Yay-2009-is-finished-party.  Always a good time when our team gets together and alcohol is added to the mix.

6. Bailey has her annual check-up for shots and other fun things.  We also plan to make an appointment to get her teeth brushed and one of her extra teeth pulled.  I realize this doesn't seem exciting, but we're pretty stoked that her tooth removal will help her bad breath!

7. Getting geared up with my workout routine.  Hubby and I said goodbye to LA Fitness and joined Gold's Gym this month.  I went to my first class on Sunday which kicked my butt, but bring it on!  I'm a little worried about making the 7 PM classes, but it depends on whether I can leave work at a timely hour or not.  Either way, the gym is a huge improvement as far as equipment, staff, and well...smell!

Here's to a happy and healthy month of January!

Welcome, 2010!

Happy 2010! Since the beginning of January is a time that we all start thinking about our resolutions, I decided to start writing more and start a blog this year. Let's see if I can keep it up as much as I plan to go to the gym this year!

We had a great time ringing in 2010 by having a nice dinner and going to a party with friends. For the first time in years, I was the DD. It's AMAZING how great January 1 can be when you don't have a hangover! I had enough energy to do a quick workout with Jillian and The Shred and cooked a yummy dinner for my in-laws.

On Saturday we headed to Birmingham to cheer on the USC Gamecocks in the freezing cold 30 degree weather. It wasn't as much fun as we thought it would be since we lost, but we're glad we went.

It's back to work for me tomorrow! At least I'll be in my warm office with my space heater and not outside!