it wasn’t yet the spring

I feel ready for spring now - I've already started hoping that the groundhog does not see his shadow this coming weekend. My bones feel cold and my bed has more blankets on it then should be legally allowed. As I mentally prepare for warmer weather,  I recently purchased this lightweight jacket from Athleta in hopes it will make spring happen sooner.  Have you started any spring shopping yet?

snow falling on...

Last night it snowed, which makes me extremely happy. I love everything about the snow, at least while its fresh on the ground- it makes everything look so clean and fresh. My favorite thing about the snow is how still everything gets in the world, people stay in, there are no cars on the roads, and it's just magical to be outside. Rumor is 2014 is supposed to be a very snowy winter and that makes me very excited. There's nothing better then getting to put your snow boots on and crunch through the snowdrifts.

hater, wait a couple days…

I had written a post about being all Grinch like because well everyone is getting way too into the holiday spirit so early in November, that walking into stores and seeing Christmas trees on November 2^nd was just a little too soon for my liking. Bloggers are already putting out their holiday lookbooks of must have gifts, and I was like I couldn’t even do a solid Halloween post a week ago (you all make me feel shameful). Then I was looking at One Kings Lane  and saw the garland above and was like damn it, now I am thinking about a holiday craft – how can I post about hating that Christmas has started when I am already like do you think I can make this? So much for being a hater, though I made it to November 6 before I was willing to start thinking about holiday projects such as crafts, baking and greeting cards.  I also started my Christmas shopping – sigh.

Now on my current agenda:

• Get my bum to a craft store to buy fabric, ribbon and everything to make a garland (I don’t sew well, perhaps I can use my glue gun?)
• Buy holiday cards and start addressing before it gets to the end of December and I give up
• Bake something that I can use my green and red sprinkles on, potentially gift said baked goods
• Shop for my mom, dad and sister (Norbs and my brother in law are done)
• Trying to do some fun creative wrapping this year (no more bags!)

summer has come and gone

Well hello September – how are you doing? I can hardly believe it’s unofficially fall already – this week a few of the mornings have been perfect early fall mornings. Still warm enough to not wear tights but a crispness in the air letting you know you should be out and enjoying every single minute of the day. Seems almost shameful to have to go to work this week – but that’s where I am for the week (oh vacation, you are all but a distant memory). I am really going to try to take advantage of weekend activities outside, the past few I’ve been doing enormously long walks both days of the weekend. This is partially because I am still not quite confident about running on my foot (that silly stress fracture), but I am craving some serious vitamin d in the sunshine. I am looking forward to a repeat walking performance as many weekends as I can this fall.

 Hope you have a lovely weekend and get to enjoy some of this fantastic weather!

ode to the weekend

Oh weekend, you are never quite long enough for me. I really think most of us would say weekends should be a little longer- like start at noon on Fridays, or end at noon on Monday. I’ll never get enough weekend in. This one was pretty packed which was nice for a first weekend back on my home turf after four weekends out of town. I like escaping to other places, but I really don’t like being gone from my home that long, or away from my real life all the time. Alas, though I think I am local bound for the next few months which makes me smile.

I started my weekend with a lunchtime treat on Friday, going to the Drybar for a blowout. I had purchased a Gilt certificate for this, that I never had a special occasion to use it on – so with a week to go before expiration, I was like well summer and Fridays are a good enough reason to have a great hair day.  If you’ve never experienced the Drybar, it is one of my favorite little treats- you get your hair washed, and blown into perfection while sipping a drink (the mimosa was skipped this time due to it being in the middle of the work day) and watching some awesomely girlie movie. I followed this up by having my photo taken for the company email system- hey if the whole company has to see my smiling face they might as well get to enjoy my good hair day all the time.

Friday night kicked off with a quick office happy hour, followed by dinner and drinks with a few friends. Saturday was a bit of cleaning, and taking a long walk – which feels so good after so many weeks of being idle. I am not quite up for running yet so getting in some mileage the old fashioned way. Saturday evening was more of the same of Friday, but included a thirtieth birthday outing for one of my friends (the third birthday, of last week’s birthday trifecta). Definitely was great to see a lot of my friends after being gone for so many weeks.  Sunday, I wrapped up the weekend with a gym class, another long walk, a trip to the cinema to see “The World’s End” (super funny), and dinner. 

Now that it’s Monday, I could use another couple hours away, and a masseuse for my quads – my legs are tired!

Hope you had a great weekend.

missing the sunrise in the mornings

The early bird catches the worm, right? I’ve embarked on an early morning gym routine that I’ve been consistent with for about the last six weeks – which I think makes it a habit that should likely stick around. I go almost every single morning before work now – unless I have a meeting that starts before 9. The last few weeks have been glorious- as I’ve left my apartment the sun’s been peeking out greeting me with some early morning happy rays. This week I am so sad we sprung forward the clock and made it so I am leaving the house in the dark again. For now I am not so patiently awaiting earlier sunrises – hurry back Mr. Sunshine- I miss you at 6:30 AM.

(photo from pinterest)

falling slowly

I really want to go apple picking this fall - I want to do this every fall, and well I never do it. I feel like a perfect Saturday would be going to an orchard, picking apples, walking through a corn maze, and bringing home a pumpkin or five to carve for Halloween. If I can add in maybe heading to a vineyard for a little wine tasting to cap off a lovely afternoon enjoying the best of fall. Maybe this will be the year I finally get organized enough to do this.

(image from google)

be true to your school

As everyone else is getting ready to go back to school, I love to do a bit of fall shopping too – big sis is a teacher so she still follows the seasons like we did when we were kids. JCrew is having a great sale right now- 30% off all sale items with the code LoveIt. I found a few items that  I couldn’t wait to add to my closet.

Love love this anchor t-shirt – completely fun and fits in perfectly with all the navy I already have in my closet. I cannot wait to pair it with….

This amazing bold red skirt – so it’s a little fourth of July, but red is reminding me of the leaves changing over anything else.  Leaves and fresh picked apples- so good!

And last but not least a fun color blocked top- I think I can pair this with some skirts for work as well as jeans on the weekend.

splish splash

I love that retro swimsuits are back this season - I love seeing 1950's and 1960's styles pop back up. Makes me want to pop in a copy of Shag into the DVD player and go down to Myrtle Beach with the girls (does anyone else remember that movie?). It's true what they say, everything comes back in style at some point. I bought two of these suits from J Crew, because I loved the rouching and the sultriness of the deep v in front, while providing coverage I want in a suit.

step by step - ooh baby

 

The unofficial start to summer is upon us- thank goodness. One of my favorite things to have for summer shoes is a great pair of nude flats – particular since my office is always freezing, so opened toed shoes mean cold feet all day long.  I love fun flats as you all probably know from many a post, but I really do think having a neutral shoe is ideal. The extra nice thing about these is your legs look a tiny bit longer since you aren’t breaking up the color of your leg with a shoe.

hanginaround this town

Spring is in the air - heck it really is starting to feel like those really cold days are visions of next fall. I know it's not true but when it's warm enough in March to not need a coat you get a little excited for summer. I am pretty psyched up about this upcoming weekend and week. I am spending about 10 days in my former city of Boston- doing a little bit of everything- work - play - friends - family. It might be a bit weird but it's fun to get to see the office people and your best friends all in the same week, and sometimes I go a bit stir crazy if it's just a full week of relaxation when I visit Massachusetts because I lived there so long. I will always love getting to go home again - it's familiar but new every single time.

(photo)

we'll see the sun- march on

March is that awkward month between winter and spring, where all you want it to be is warm yet that chill is lingering like a bad habit. In like a lion, out like a lamb - I remember learning that from Mrs. Harvey in first grade (we made calendars in which each day we decorated by either drawing a lamb or a lion, I was partial  to the cotton ball lambs). I was a little sad there wasn't more snow this year, I love those days when the world becomes still with wonder and the stillness bad weather brings. Though March means warmer days, daffodils, green beer, and Cadbury Mini-Eggs. I am looking forward to more sunshine, not having to wear tights, and frolicking outside.

(photo 1, photo 2)

every shade of blue I see

I find it a bit ironic how even in the depths of winter, the spring clothing lines hit the stores and make me itchy for warm afternoons, and outdoor dinning. I have been trying not to rush to buy too many new things, but I couldn't resist this striped top from Banana Republic. The length is perfect for leggings or skinny jeans, and it's light and airy - which means it will be a great spring layer.  For now it can be worn with a long sweater and boots, which will allow for this to transition nicely between seasons. I love the detail of the old fashioned sweatshirt triangle at the neckline- reminds me of some of my most comfortable tops through out the years.

I pray it never fades in white

Hat: Banana Republic, Mittens: Isotoner, Scarf:  Echo

I recently bought a new winter coat in a beautiful chocolate brown, during all the great after Christmas sales. Naturally some winter accessories are needed to stay warm and look fashionable. I love cream colors, particularly when paired with with the rich dark brown color of my coat. I've had the hat for several years now, I love the bucket hat and ever since my college days in Vermont, I don't avoid hats or fear hat head any more. I hate being cold and the hat does wonders for that. I did also pick up an infinity scarf, which is absolutely amazing at keeping me warm - big fan of the double loop. I also found some adorable cable knit mittens with leather palms, meaning that when traveling on the subway I don't have to worry about getting the mittens dirty. Hopefully winter isn't too long this year, but at least I am prepared to stay toasty warm for now.

I'll be your girl for all seasons, all the year through

Imagine my delight when this adorable calendar made it's way to me via a friend who knew I'd love it. There as a mysteriously large envelope in the mail, which just makes the mind wander into the mode of - what could this be? I couldn't have been more please to find this gift I'll enjoy all year long, and definitely something I needed. Part of me just wants to try to recreate all the delicious desserts through out the 2012 year (might we all get to enjoy the struggles of making desserts, in a gluten free way?). Here's to enjoying a sweet and tasty new year.

when autumn leaves start to fall

When I was little, my mother always brought home gourds to decorate the house for Halloween and Thanksgiving. I love miniatures, particularly the little pumpkins.  Tiny and cute, and definitely a lot easier to carry home then their larger counterparts, gourds offer a fun way to seasonally decorate with color and unique shapes. These look great on a table, or in a bowl, either alone or mixed with some leaves from outside. Just make sure you don't bring in any bugs for your centerpiece.

turtle neck check, with another on deck

Snugly crowl necked tops have long been on my favorite late fall/ winter wardrobe lists for a long time now. I find they give the extra warmth without the restriction of a regular turtlenecks. I found this knit crowl neck at Loft. I love that it's not bulky, but a nice layer that could work in my office with trousers or a skirt, or more casually on the weekends with jeans or even sweatpants for curling up on the couch.

Oooh, you can wear my jacket

Finally, the temperatures are dropping a bit, which means it's time to breakout the fall jackets.  I definitely shouldn't have been shopping for a new jacket, but I had to have this cute sweatshirt/jacket hybrid from Loft.  I love the detail of the wide collar and the cinched in waist, so that the jacket is slimming, instead of looking boxy. The length is perfect for a casual look for the weekend, paired with jeans and t-shirt. It's also complementary with work clothes for commuting in and out each day.

Flowers and Football

Football season kicked off this weekend, and I couldn't be more excited for fall. Finally, it's time to kickback on Sunday afternoons and watch my favorite team hopefully have a winning season. Okay, I am not that diligent of a fan, I live outside of the broadcast area, and well, I have better things to do on Sunday afternoons then spend four to five hours watching the Patriots kick some tail at a bar. Autumn weather is by far my favorite, the air is cool, but not so cold that you need a big coat. This is definitely the time of year to get out and spend time outside before the snow and frigid temperatures causes hibernation. I have a few things on my must do list before fall shifts to winter, including apple picking, running a 5K race (at least one, maybe more), pumpkin carving, and learning to make gluten free danish.