Rach.E.Cakes

Before Summer Ends...

2013-09-23T04:30:00.000-07:00

Fall in New England is magical, easily my favorite season anywhere. Even so, the advent of autumn means that winter will be here before I know it, easily my least favorite season. The first official day of fall was yesterday but the weather hasn't completely turned cool yet.

Things to do before summer ends:

Rock a bright pink manicure.
Sit outside after work and enjoy the sunlight. It will soon be dark at 4pm.
Wear skirts without tights, like everyday.
Put your toes in the water one more time (beach, lake, river, whatever).
Enjoy a white sangria on a porch.
Go to a sporting event, without a jacket!
Roller skate in a park.
Paint the sunset.
Buy flowers.
Hit up your local flea market.
Wear flip flops.
Take a friend to do something touristy.
Make homemade popsicles.
Two words: road trip!
Go for a run in a late summer shower.
Make a playlist with your favorite summer jams.
Wear white, lots of white.
Let your clothes line dry in the sun.
Have a water balloon fight.
Take a moment for something that make YOU really really happy.

Splurge vs. Steal: Graphic Sweater

2013-09-09T03:00:00.000-07:00

I am kind of loving these adorable sweaters. I picked up the one with the hen because it is just too stinking cute!

Splurge:

$468 - Markus Lupfer via ShopBop

Steal:

$26 - Old Navy

In Between:

$88 (30% off over the weekend!) - J.Crew Factory

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Labor Day Weekend

2013-09-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

A few pictures from our annual labor day trip down to the cape :)

Little Moments

2013-08-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that this is my last weekend of summer! I'm so excited to start in the classroom next week, but first, our annual labor day festivities! So excited I'm wiggling. Hope everyone has a fabulous long weekend :)

Egg-celent mexican style bennie with mom!

Beautiful Texas oak trees.

You know, because its normal to put on a flannel night gown and drink wine. Love my bestie.

Thanks for the pep talk Dad! (The "board" greeting is a tradition for anyone visiting Dad's house. The last few times I went home, there were also other visitors who trumped me on the board.. This time I finally made the cut ;) )

Playing teacher... I need to work on my serious face

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Travel Style

2013-08-28T09:31:00.001-07:00

Jeans: Old Navy (similar) \\ Tee: Old Navy (last seen) \\ Necklace: Local Boutique (Similar) (last seen)

I got to go home over the weekend! It was a quick trip, but full of much needed time with my family. However, a trip home means 6+ hours of travel, and for that, jeggings and a tee are perfect! What else makes this perfect? I scored these pants for $7! Naturally, I spilled coffee on them on the plane. Hopefully it comes out...

Also, I've noticed that I go through phases with colors, right now I seem to be on a green pants/shorts kick. Does anyone else do this?

Happy hump day!

Linking up with: Shanna, The Pleated Poppy, and This Girl's Life

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Splurge vs. Steal: Fall Florals

2013-08-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

I tend to gravitate towards femine prints, and enjoy wearing florals throughout the year. I love that these two dresses are darker colors with long sleeves, so that can be worn into fall, and eventually with tights and boots when its really cold. So what do you think? Splurge or steal?

Splurge
$178 - Juicy Couture

Save (also here)
$39 - H&M

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Little Moments

2013-08-23T08:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday Ya'll! Some recent favorites:

Finally finding some time to relax in the sun!

I will never tire of fresh lobsters in the summer.

Beautiful flowers from a friends wedding.

This snout in my face every morning.

One too many margs on date night ;)

Have a great weekend!

Linking up with: CB&BP and Lauren Elizabeth

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Classes

2013-08-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

Top: NY&Co (old)(similar) // Crops: Loft (similar)(last seen here) // Flats: Payless // Bracelets: Kohl's (gift) // Earrings: Unknown (gift)

This summer went by so fast! Being back in grad school was a whirlwind of papers and projects. Most days I felt like I was frantically running from place to place, trying to fit everything in. This was the only day I managed to snap some outfit photos. I had a lot of outfits I really liked but looking back I'm not sure this one is in that category. Either way, here you have it...

Linking up with: Penniless Socialite

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Power Up Oatmeal

2013-08-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

With the start of the school year approaching, I've been trying to find a quick but healthy breakfast. I'm pretty much the worst at waking up, so by quick, I mean both fast to make and eat. Enter, the best oatmeal ever (all items can be purchased at Trader Joe's, my fav):

Ingredients:
- 1 packet of Trader Joe's (instant) Oatmeal Complete, Maple and Brown Sugar
- 1 tsp Flax and Chia seed blend (I just buy both and mix them together. Both have great health benefits!)
- 1/2 Banana
- 3-5 Strawberries
- 2 Tbsp Pomegranate Seeds

Directions:
- Add hot water to the oatmeal
- Stir in other ingredients and enjoy!

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Sunflowers

2013-08-20T08:23:00.001-07:00

My mother in law loves sunflowers. At the beginning of summer I found a sunflower maze in CT and we finally made it down last weekend. It was a perfect sunny day, and so pretty to walk around and just enjoy.

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Portland

2013-07-30T09:47:00.002-07:00

Tee: Old Navy // Shorts: local shop (similar) // Scarf: Old Navy // Sandals: Katie&Kelly // Bag: Michael Kors // Bracelets: Gift (similar) // Earrings: Gift (similar)

We spent our anniversary in Portland (Maine). I love Portland in the summer. Its just a wonderful New England City - small, quaint, and right on the water. Its so nice to stroll with Sam and just chat and stop into a local shop for coffee or ice cream. One thing we did on this trip was take a chocolate tour. Portland is a bit of a foodie town, so that was really fun. We had planned a lot of other things for the weekend like a anniversary dinner and exploring the cliffs, but we ended up just cuddling up with a movie in the evening and walking our pup. It was perfect :)

Sam is a notorious for his closed eye pictures. This one makes me laugh.

Stopping into a soda bar for a quick refreshment.

Colorful macaroons and popcorn for the movie. Perfection.

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One Year!

2013-07-28T18:28:00.002-07:00

Happy one year anniversary to my incredible husband! I couldn't ask for a better partner. What an amazing first year, I can't wait to see what the next will bring! I love you!

Splurge vs. Steal: Crossbody Bags

2013-07-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

Its never too early to start shopping for great fall transition pieces!

Steal

$20 – Forever 21

Splurge

$395 – Rebecca Minkoff

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Lean Green Morning Smoothie

2013-07-09T09:00:00.001-07:00

This smoothie is my favorite way to start the day. It gives me so much energy and tastes delish!

The Lean Green

- 1-2 cups of almond milk

- 1 plain Greek yogurt (I like Fage 2%)

- 2-3 big handfuls of baby spinach

- 1 banana (frozen or fresh)

- Frozen pineapple to taste (about 1 cup)

- Frozen mango to taste (about 1/2 cup)

Dinner for 2: Trader Joe's

2013-07-08T05:30:00.000-07:00

Some of my best dinners are thought up while walking around the grocery store. This week I took it easy for Sunday night dinner and did a simple but yummy combo of steak, kale, and arugula ravioli. There were no leftovers :)

Ingredients

- Arugula and Parmesan Ravioli

- Sirloin or steak tips

- Kale

- Baby bell peppers

- Grill Seasoning

- Olive oil

- Salt and Pepper to taste

- Optional: Parm for sprinkling

Directions:

- Season meat with grill seasoning

- Cook steak, kale, and ravoli according to package directions

- Meanwhile, chop baby bell peppers into slices

- The kale will be done first, drain and toss with olive oil, peppers and S&P

- Drain ravioli and drizzle with olive oil and a sprinkle of cheese

- Rest steak for a few minutes and then slice to present

So easy right? Enjoy!

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4th of July Outfit Inspiration

2013-07-01T10:53:00.002-07:00

We arent sure what our plans are yet for the holiday, so I'll use this for outfit inspiration. Hope everyone had a great weekend! xx

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Pastime or Passion?

2013-06-27T06:56:00.000-07:00

So today is my last day at the office before I’m officially a student again and it brings up a lot of emotions. Change is scary dude! I’m so excited for this next chapter and to pursue something I’m passionate about, but its definitely hard to leave a good career behind. I wanted to share a very important piece of advice I heard from both my best friend and my VP.

My bestie has always said to me, find your passion and the money will follow. This usually after long discussions on what in the world we are going to do with our lives. We both have a lot of ambitions. But I watch her working hard and making a difference, and I saw her sister also leave a promising career to be a homeopath (so incredible!) and it gave me courage.

My VP sat down with me for a 1x1 (just a fancy name for a catch up) last fall and as we were discussing potential next steps. He told me the first thing I had to do was think long and hard about where I wanted to be; what my goal was. Leaving my field might not have been exactly what he meant, but to his credit when I told him about this change he said "This is exactly what I meant!". How awesome is that?

Both of them were essentially saying, find your passion and then make it happen. To me the other piece of that is, not everything that makes you excited is truly a passion. For instance, I love crafting, but I could never do that for a living. Many things are meant to pastimes and a few things will be your passion.

I just can’t thank all the people in my life who have been so supportive of this. Not least of which is my amazing husband!

And on that note, since I find it hard to be serious for too long, here’s my sense of humor on this whole thing:

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Splurge vs. Steal: Rockstud Pump

2013-06-20T12:48:00.001-07:00

So let’s put on our honesty pants. We all lust after the Valentino pumps The Pink Peonies wears almost daily. I mean, I may have dreams about them occasionally…moving on… but between a puppy in the house (aka the shoe chewer) and going back to school, its just not practical to spend 900+ dollars for a pump, however fabulous. When I came across these ShoeDazzle pretties, I thought for just a second I might buy them. But the longer I compared, I realized they really do just look like a cheap knockoff. I hate when that happens - almost a dead ringer but I’d always know. Kind of like when you buy the fat free version and it just never lives up.

Steal

$45 - Shoedazzle

Splurge

$1075 - Valentino

Speaking of ShoeDazzle – I used to subscribe to this service years ago before it was really a thing. Then the quality went like way, way down, and I stopped buying. The styles were cute, but I’d always return because they looked so cheap in person. Did they fix this? I see so many bloggers posting about them now

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Striped Maxi

2013-06-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

Dress: Target (similar) // Belt: Old Navy // Sandals: Payless (similar) // Necklace: Local Boutique (similar - save) (similar - splurge)

Linking up for Marion's trend of the month today. How could I resist when its all about maxis?? I wore this to a graduation party over the weekend. Perfect for a semi-cool night, and a bruins victory :)

Also linking up with: BecauseShanna Said So, This Girl's Life, Rolled up Pretty, and The Pleated Poppy

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Summer Beauty Essentials

2013-06-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

Bikini Zone Creme($8) For preventing those little red bumps from shaving and waxing.

Banana Boat Aloe After Sun Lotion($5) Believe it or not, the alcohol in gel aloes can make you peel because it dries out your skin. Use the lotion versions instead. I like to lather it on after any sun time, even when I havent burned, just to keep my tan looking nice.

TRESemme Climate Control Finishing Spray($8) My favorite to keep the frizzies away since it doesnt weigh my hair down or make it stiff.

Clinique Stay-Matte Hydrator($28) Between the sun drying out my skin and the heat making me sweat, I'm always glad when I've used this product. Keeps me shine-free and fresh all day!

Jane Iredale Mineral BB Cream($48) So this one I actually use all year long, and I can't say enough about it. Especially when applied with a beauty blender, this goes on so fast and so smooth, its super good for your skin, and has SPF without giving you the whiteface when there is flash. Its really light, which makes it great for summer and amazing as it manages to provide great coverage. Its a little expensive, but lasts forever!

Blinc Waterproof Mascara($15) Seriously the best waterproof mascara there is. I wont tell you that it makes the biggest, fullest, night-out kind of lashes. But if your lashes need a boost at the pool, beach or working out (i.e. blondes who look like they dont have any lashes without mascara), then this is your best friend. Once dry, your lashes are coated in little tubes, so it doesnt smudge, flake, or come off until you are ready to remove them.

So tell me - do you change up the routine at all now that its getting warmer? If so, what are some of the products you cant live without?

Linking up with: Still Being Molly

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Little Moments

2013-06-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

{tired pup from a long run}

I have some news, and I'm so excited I can finally share it. First - No, I'm not pregnant, as everyone I've said that sentence to has guessed (maybe I need to rethink my delivery...) But, I AM going to change careers. You may or may not know that I'm currently a CPA, and that I don't find it particularly fulfilling. So in two weeks I'll be back in school getting my master's degree in education so I can teach high school math. I could not be more excited!

TGIF! Have a great weekend!

{a new piece for my jewelry collection}

{a morning smoothie every day this week!}

{making hilarious face swaps, seriously had me giggling all week}

{my MIL knows me so well}

Linking up with: Lauren Elizabeth

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Rain Rain Go Away

2013-06-13T06:35:00.001-07:00

Top: F21 // Skirt: Limited // Shoes: Zara // Necklace: Local Boutique

Dear Summer – All this rain was not what I had in mind….

I love wearing bright colors when its dreary out. Plus, I scored this fab peplum top for less than 20 bucks. Love when that happens!

Linking up with: Mix and Match Fashion, Katherine's Corner, The Tiny Heart and The Penniless Socialite

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Sunshine and Summertime

2013-06-11T11:47:00.001-07:00

photo of a painting by JuliaP.

Summer to me is all about the ocean, al fresco dining, re-exploring your city, and taking advantage of the additional sunlight. Here in New England we get really beautiful summers which makes it easy to drive along coast lines, and dine on patios. These are some of the things I cant wait to do this season:

1. Explore the Connecticut wine trail.

2. Start playing tennis regularly again.

3. Take a picnic to the commons.

4. Check out the sunflower maze.

5. Find the perfect summer beer: light, crisp and refreshing.

6. Have a water balloon fight.

7. Train for a half marathon to be completed in early fall.

8. Take a road trip.

9. Go sky diving. Well maybe the indoor kind.

10. Plant something edible and have a harvest.

Linking up with: CB&BP and Face It

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Splurge vs. Steal: Romper

2013-06-07T05:30:00.000-07:00

I adore rompers for a hot summer day. The shorts kind, I am firmly of the opinion that the long version is just wrong. But when its warm out, a little romper with a fun print looks put together while keeping you cool, and eliminates the possibility of flashing someone. It’s a win-win-win situation.

Steal

$16 – Forever21

Splurge

$211 – Rachel Pally via ShopBop

Also check out the way I wore a romper last summer: here

Have a great weekend!! xx

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Bachelorette Times 2

2013-06-06T05:30:00.000-07:00

So I mentioned before that I had a couple bachelorette parties over Memorial Day weekend, and I wanted to share a few pictures. I am so super happy for these two, and so honored to be part of their big days. For one we went up to NorthConway, NH and took in the White Mountains while we partied in hot tubs, under black lights and anywhere else we found ourselves. For the other, we went out in Boston and chowed down on some excellent Mexican food, caught a drag show and made the bride do an embarrassing scavenger hunt. So all in all, an incredibly fun and successful send off for both J

Ps – How gorg are these two couples!

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