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yay it's summer!

2014-07-30T08:28:00.001-04:00

It's been a minute since I posted but wanted to give it a go again. It has been an amazingly nice summer so far. Kicked it off with a wonderful trip to Nice, Aix-en-Provence, Paris and Dublin. Each city was so cool and amazing in its own little way. Can't wait to start planning my next Europe trip. Here are some pics from France:

New stuff

2012-08-15T11:15:00.000-04:00

Okay, here are some IRL pics of some items I picked up from J Crew and Gap recently. I think the anchor skirt is a keeper and I love the chicken sweater. Gap blazer--meh.

J Crew anchor skirt, J Crew chicken sweater

Mixing skirt up with polka dots

Gap piped blazer--I think this is going back--don't love it and I don't see it as a versatile piece.

Late summer wish list

2012-08-06T09:31:00.003-04:00

I have strangely been uninspired fashion wise the past couple of months. However, I think my groove is back---found a bunch of cute items that I 'm thinking of pulling the trigger on. Here are a few from J Crew that I like:

Also, in Philadelphia, I spotted a Burberry bag that I LOVED. It's strange as I've never really been attracted to the typical Burberry plaid but the details and style of the bag were gorgeous. Here's a pic:

I love the bowling style and the fact that you can use the double handles or wear it cross-body style with the longer strap.

Finally, it was my 10 year anniversary yesterday! Kind of can't believe it---been some rough patches but he still makes me laugh every single day.

2002--day after we got married

race we did in 2009

More recent pic

Early mid-life crisis?

2012-08-01T14:38:00.000-04:00

Wow, it's been quite some time. This topic has been on my mind for months but wasn't exactly sure how to approach or discuss it. I think I have definitely experiences some form of "is this it?" mid-life crisis the past year or so. When I turned 25 and 30, I did not relate at all to others who felt like they needed to be married, with kids, further along in life, etc. I pretty much felt the same and approached these birthdays in an easygoing manner. However, the past year has been an upheaval. From having major doubts about my marriage, whether to have children, to generally being happy in life, I have been questioning every aspect of my life. I also finally took the advice of others to talk to a therapist; it was somewhat helpful, but not the end all solution by any means.
I made some overarching changes to my life but even those did not really give me a sense of completeness or resolution. I am feeling better in general but, I'm wondering, has anyone else felt this so intensely? Also, I realize that I have a job, my health, wonderful friends and a loving partner so I have absolutely nothing to complain about or be unhappy with. If you have felt it, how did you get over it? How did you really figure out what you want out of life?
It's not exactly happy hour conversation and I've been afraid to bring it up with work friends or even really close friends. I would love to hear some feedback.

I'm back....

2012-06-26T07:44:00.002-04:00

It has been way too long but this year has been crazy to say the least. Summer is here though so I am determined to blog more regularly. Have several goodies in the mail on the way and will post pics when they arrive. Until then, here are some of my new favorite post secrets.

Birthday time!

2011-11-12T09:13:00.000-05:00

Tonight, I'm headed to Manhattan to celebrate my deal friend Sara's birthday. We are starting at Flute Bar, a champagne place and then headed to a comedy show. I am beyond excited. How do you like to celebrate your birthday or friends' birthdays? It is nice to have a quiet dinner with significant other or best friend but it is also so fun to really go all out and celebrate with a bang.
As far as gifts, how do you decide? I have made it my personal goal to not do gift cards at all for anyone for birthdays. I really have been trying to find something that suits them and tailored to their personal preferences.....but it's hard! I do find it fun though looking for the perfect gift for that special someone.
What are your weekend plans?

Wsup skanks

2011-09-30T12:52:00.000-04:00

I have been in such a non-inspired blogging mood the past month but a friend keeps pestering me so here goes. Another blogger has this very cute "fill-in-blank Friday" post on her blog so I copied this from her.

1. My current obsession is everything from ZARA, stripes and sweaters with expressions in French.

2. Friends make me happy.

3. My greatest strength is the ability to buck up and get stuff done and deal with life when perhaps things may get rough .

4. My tendency to focus on the negative is my greatest weakness.

5. My life is good and a work in progress. When I feel like I have got this thing figured out, I go and surprise myself by how little I actually know.

6. In high school I was a kid who had a toe in many group ponds. At times, I ran with a fast crowd,cool crowd, nerdy crowd, weird-o crowd, jocks, etc. I think it gave me an appreciation for having a diverse set of friends.

7. When I'm super tired , I find simple things ridiculously funny.

end of summer

2011-08-23T10:15:00.000-04:00

I can't believe we are nearing the end of August! I know that technically summer doesn't end until Sept 20th, but, to me, Labor Day always marks the end of the season to me and the return to work. I was thinking of what I hope to accomplish before that day arrives. Here is my list:
1. Visit the Rembrandt exhibition at the Philadelphia museum of art
2. Have another great NYcity day and visit Madison Square Park and have lunch on the green
3. get to the beach at least once
4. finally order my hardwood floor and new carpet selection--it is so hard to decide on woods, colors, etc.
5. plan and book my next vacation!

What is on your list to do before end of season?

Je ne sais quoi!

2011-08-08T15:01:00.000-04:00

So, it seems that we will be going to Europe again this holiday season. My husband's family is there and we will be spending Christmas together. Along with this, we are hoping to combine our Netherlands trip with another European destination. Our 2 top contenders right now are London and Paris. I am leaning toward London because I have heard that it is amazing and magical to visit in December....but I am not 100% decided yet. Which would you choose? As far as expenses, London will be a bit cheaper than Paris due to Pounds vs. Euros. Also, something I read is that the museums in London are.....FREE to get in! How great is that? Not that the museum prices would be a huge trip expense but I love that aspect of being able to visit several museums for free. Regarding weather, I am guessing that the two cities will be fairly similar at that time of year. I am beyond excited about visiting either one of these cities but would love to hear from others.....which would you visit? Why?

Weekend!

2011-08-05T13:00:00.001-04:00

Yay, it's Friday! What are you doing this weekend? It is my anniversary today and my sweet husband woke me up with a very nice card this morning;) Tomorrow, we are going into Manhattan and plan on getting some fantastic sandwiches from No7 in midtown and then having a picnic at a nearby park. I know subs don't sound particularly fancy or elegant but I am enthralled with them. The broccoli is my absolute favorite! Then, we'll probably do a lot of city walking and stop into a Belgian pub to make my husband happy. It is so nice being only a train ride away from the best city in the world!;) So, what are you doing this weekend? I love to know how everyone plans on spending it---cheers

Anniversary time!

2011-08-02T09:49:00.000-04:00

On Friday, it is my 9th wedding anniversary with R! I almost can't believe it....I know it's such a cliché but I really do feel that time has flown by. It really doesn't seem that we have been married that long. We are trying to plan a fun night out/weekend but can't quite decide between NYC or Philadelphia. We will definitely be indulging in a nice dinner, champagne and long city walks. I would like to buy my husband a nice anniversary gift but I am without a clue. Any ideas? I find it so much harder to shop for men than women. How do you celebrate anniversaries? Make a big deal of it or just another day?

Red lips baby!

2011-07-26T17:30:00.000-04:00

I *NEVER* ever thought I would be in the red lipstick camp but after reading several posts from bloggers that have tried it, I wanted to give it a try. I normally only wear Clinique black honey, urban decay gloss or nothing. However, I had seen some bloggers look so cute and chic wearing really bold pink (nars schiap) or red. On Saturday, I went to Nordstrom and started first at the Mac counter. I tried 2 bright pinks and the results were nothing less than disastrous. Think barbie convertible pink and my olive complexion---ICK! It really looked horrible and as if I were really trying hard to look 17. I was ready to run out of the store but the makeup lady gave me a deep, true red to try. She insisted on me putting on primer first, using lip liner and then applying the lipstick. It was dramatic......but I really liked it! I usually wipe off all my makeup after trying it on but I actually wore it the rest of the day. I kept on looking at myself in the rearview to make sure I wasn't too Bozo-esque but it actually looked nice. I wasn't bold enough to try to take pics but sometime soon, I promise;) I would appreciate any tips though---what types/colors do you use for the rest of your face when going with red lipstick. I am sure it is very basic and light but I would appreciate any specific feedback!

Friday! Friday! Gotta get down on....shut up!

2011-07-22T09:53:00.000-04:00

Yes, it's weekend time. What are you doing to enjoy this lovely, boiling weather? My lovely friend, Kimberly, has arranged a rafting outing for us today to be followed by lunch and a possible pedicure. I am glad to be doing anything near water as the thought of submerging myself sounds divine. Tomorrow, another sweet friend has suggested the beach---isn't that the perfect outing for a Saturday? I am hoping to find canned champagne and fruit for us to enjoy on the sand (canned champagne idea came from Kate). Finally, Sunday, my husband will be competing in an Olympic triathlon; he has worked very hard training so I will be there cheering him on and taking pictures. As far as more recent purchases, I ordered the CUTEST pair of glasses from this website and can't wait to receive them. My prescription is very slight but the cute frames they offered and the home try-on pushed me to pull the trigger on the Langston style. I am super impressed with their customer service thus far and I will post a follow up as soon as I receive them.
So, what are YOU doing this weekend? Staying indoors and staying cool or braving the heat? I want to know:)

Recent purchases

2011-07-21T06:54:00.000-04:00

I have felt so uninspired lately with summer fashion. It is hard to be creative, accessorize and not wear something really light when it is 90+degrees. However, I have made a few purchases; here they are:

Yes, I fell prey to the whole boat shoes trend.
I was at Lord & Taylor and saw these Sperry in the bronze metallic and could not resist:)

Surprise--another striped dress. I have decided though--THIS IS IT. After seeing pictures where all I am wearing are striped dresses, I have made the decision that I am done!

I couldn't resist this shirt on sale from jcrew---It is too hot to wear it now but I think it will be perfect for late summer and fall.

Back to life....back to reality

2011-07-14T07:36:00.000-04:00

I am so missing Italy. We had such a fabulous time---it is hard to articulate it really. We spent the majority of our time in Senigallia which is in the Marche region and a few days in Rome. Before arriving in Rome, I was pretty sure that it would be my favorite part due to the many landmarks and cultural attractions....I was wrong. I feel that I got an authentic look at the real Italy in smaller town Senigallia---we were completely surrounded by Italians and we only saw non Italian tourists twice there. Rome was great but I constantly felt like we were completely surrounded by tourists and the places we visited (Coliseum, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Vatican, etc.) seemed to be engulfed by touristy trap places and scammers---think Times Square in NYC. While it was amazing to see these places, I better enjoyed walking along the streets in smaller town Italy and talking to people who were not so jaded by constantly having to deal with tourists. All in all though, we really loved our trip and would like to return.

the B&B we stayed at was completely surrounded by sunflower fields

eating outdoors was so nice

checking out the market in Senigallia

beach time

going out at "la tartana" was so much fun

at outdoor restaurant in ROME

Trevi Fountain in Rome---it was really beautiful

at Spanish Steps

got this dress at Zara in Rome on sale!!!!!

view from rooftop at our hotel, La Griffe in Rome

loved the exposition we saw at Museo Esposizioni--it was 100 paintings of impressionism, expressionism

at Museo Esposizioni

love awkward pics---don't you wish your girlfriend was hot like me???? ;)

Italy!

2011-07-13T05:43:00.000-04:00

Wow, it seems like I just left but it was a wonderful 11 days in Italy. We spent 8 days in Senigallia (Marche region) and 3 days in Rome. I am not exactly sure where to start so I guess I will begin with food. I am not normally a big fan of Italian food (bought in US) except for pizza but the food was very, very good there and the biggest difference I noticed was the freshness and richness of taste compared to Italian food here. Here are some pics:

this was an octopus antipasti dish

A black risotto with langoustines

I am IN LOVE with Pizza Napoli---mozarella, tomatoes and anchovies

I loved how you could get vino frizzante (sparkling wine) right on the beach

this was spaghetti cacio e pepe (pecorino and pepper)--it was so simple but very delicious

spaghetti and clams

I never usually drink capuccinos but had several in Italy--they were always perfect

another food bonus was that any time you order a drink in a bar/pub, you always get little snacks served with it

Ciao Bellas!

2011-06-29T13:07:00.000-04:00

We are off to Italy tomorrow so I won't be blogging for the next couple of weeks but I promise great pictures and stories when I return. I can't believe the time has arrived; it feels as if this trip has been planned for ages. I am so excited about seeing in-laws and exploring the Italian countryside. Here are some lovely pictures of the Marche region where we will be staying the majority of the time.

Reasons why I love him.....

2011-06-27T07:18:00.000-04:00

This morning, I dedicate this post to my husband. The past couple of days I was just thinking about why I love him and all the little quirks and characteristics that define him. I guess the origin of this post started with a stray cat in our neighborhood. He noticed this cat that seemed abandoned and definitely disheveled; he then went out and bought cat food and has been caring for it. This is such a simple gesture but yet quintessential "R". I love that he can be so tender and sensitive to others. Another quality that I adore is his sense of humor and the way that we share this trait. There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't make me laugh really hard; this is so much more important that I ever would have thought it would be. I have the tendency to take things too seriously especially myself. He is the perfect complement as he reminds me to put things in perspective and not overreact. He also has the patience of a saint; he put up with my curmudgeonly, difficult father living with us during 3 different periods--enough said!
Perhaps the most caring yet maddening way that he shows love is his view on having children. We are both a bit ambivalent on this but time is a-ticking so I brought it up recently. He reiterated what he has said before "it's up to you babe". I made him clarify as this was not enough for me---this is a major life decision that has real repercussions in years to come either way we decide! He simply told me that he is fine with leaving it up to me---that I was enough to make him happy but he would love having children if that's what I wanted. This doesn't exactly make the decision any easier but I so love him for loving me enough to be okay with whichever path I feel comfortable with.
Sorry to be so mushy but I felt like getting this out! So, tell me, what do you love about your SO? What little foibles and eccentricities make up that special person?

Tattoos......

2011-06-24T08:57:00.000-04:00

For some reason, tattoos have been on my mind lately. No, I'm not thinking of getting one....I think some of them are nice but I am way too capricious to commit to one and I don't think it is necessarily "me". I guess what is on my mind is how they are so commonplace today and how the social implications of having one has changed so much in my lifetime. As a child, I don't remember seeing as many and, when I did, it was much more of a male thing or a biker/military connotation. Also, it seemed to carry more of a social stigma to have one in a visible place. Now, it seems that most people have one and it does not carry a negative association to have one showing. Even in my profession(teaching), which is pretty conservative, several teachers have ankle ones visible and one male teacher has a full sleeve. I find some of them so beautiful but I definitely opt for the smaller ones as opposed to really large, in-your-face ones. I find Nicole Richie's angel wings adorable and I like how small they are and delicate looking. I tend to dislike mentions of significant other's names or faces---aren't you just tempting fate? I think tattoos in other languages can be interesting but be sure you know what it says. Didn't Britney get one in Hebrew or Arabic that was supposed to be some really profound saying but it actually meant "strange"? What are your thoughts? Would you get one if you don't have one? What would be special enough to commit your body to this for life?

Summer is here......

2011-06-20T14:23:00.000-04:00

Wow, this year seems to have really flown by and here we are at summer again. What are your big plans or goals for the next couple of months? First on my agenda is a long planned trip to Italy. R and I are beyond excited and are so looking forward to it. Other than that, I don't have any major summer plans other than to just enjoy the weather and free time and try to stay fit. Summer is such a easy going time for me since I have a full 2 months off and a completely empty schedule. At times, the lack of structure is a bit overwhelming to me as I am truly a creature of habit. What are your summer plans????

80's nostalgia

2011-06-15T17:20:00.000-04:00

I'm not exactly where this came from but lately I have been obsessed with songs of my past. Youtube is amazing for finding those old songs and videos. Here are some of my favorites and associated memories:
Waterfront---Cry...for some reason, this reminds me of 7th grade and having unrequited crushes

Heaven help me---again, reminds me of crushes and being a nerdy chic w/glasses and braces

omg--who didn't sing this song when skating around the skating rink???

this reminds me of riding to school and loving the hook in this song

again, wished a boy would sing(want to sing) this to me--do u detect a theme?

It has been so much fun watching these videos and listening to the songs again---I can practically feel my teen angst again! What are some of your faves and moments associated with them?

Post secret II

2011-06-11T10:05:00.001-04:00

Okay, I know this is just what I blogged about but I spent about 2 hours this morning looking at post secrets and some of them are SO GOOD!!! I think what I find most compelling about some of them is the angst and feelings you can actually feel from the secrets. Here are some more favorites:

I love PostSecret

2011-06-09T14:30:00.000-04:00

For the past couple of years, I have loved checking the new secrets/confessions each Sunday at postsecret.com I just wanted to list a few of my favorites:

I have often thought about submitting my own secret(s)....what would you send?

Manhattan this weekend....

2011-06-04T08:39:00.000-04:00

What are YOU doing this weekend? I am so looking forward to walking around the city today and, of course, going to Zara with a very dear friend. I am hoping to take in some nice weather, parks and sparkling wine. We are also going to see my friend's show at the Gotham; Danny is an emerging comic and I am so excited for him! Have a wonderful weekend......

Saturday afternoon

2011-05-22T13:08:00.002-04:00

Due to the gorgeous weather yesterday(SUN!), we hopped on the train and went into the city. I had 2 activities on my agenda that I wanted to do---go to Zara to check out new arrivals and get a sub from the delicious No.7 sub. As always happens when going into the city, there are about a million things going on that you can stumble upon. Here is our day in pictures and video:)

This random dance parade that we ran into

this was such a cute baby! He was fanning ppl with the leaves

a wedding just finished in park--bride was beautiful