Fire Hazard

First, the outfit...

Banana Sweater (similar)/ Gap Top (similar)/ J.Crew Factory Skirt (similar)/ Target Tights/ Me Too Shoes from DSW (similar)/ J.Crew Necklace

Now, on to more important things, like birthdays.

For those of you who don't know, birthdays and holidays are a big deal in my family. We even have a set of unspoken rules - each person gives the guest of honor no less than two cards each and each card and envelope must be decorated and include a thoughtful note. We also go all out with birthday meals. They are excessive and delicious, and always include dessert, usually more than one. So, when my dad turned 65 last week, we followed our family tradition and went all out to celebrate his big day. This included my sister and I getting him a black forest cake, his favorite.

When someone turns 65, however, birthday cakes start becoming fire hazards and eyebrows have the potential to get singed. As was almost the case this year. Thankfully no one was hurt in the process of this celebration, but you can see by the look on my sister's face, she was rethinking the number of candles she had put on the cake.

From now on, we may begin using those candles that say a number instead of trying to put that number of candles on a cake, making it easier to light, blow out, and less of a liability...but it may not be as fun, so maybe we won't.

Anyhow, what a great weekend at home! What did you all do this weekend?

Check out the rest of the pictures from this past weekend and many more on my instagram page here.

Mad Dash

Forever XXI Blazer (similar)/ AT Blouse (similar)/ J.Crew Factory Pants/ Guess Shoes from Ideeli.com

Starting anything new can be extremely overwhelming and stressful, no matter how exciting whatever that new thing is. I began a new job a little over a month ago and since then have been working around the clock to learn lots of new things like the responsibilities of my new position and the culture of my new work environment, along with meeting tons of new people and learning new names all while attempting to maintain some sort of work-blog-life balance. Let me tell you friends, all of these things together makes for one tired and overwhelmed person and when people are sleep deprived and overwhelmed, they can do strange things like deciding to race someone they don't know up a long hill at full speed in the middle of a run just because that person happened to pass them, and with everything else on their plate they felt they needed some small victory. Not my finest moment. What strange things has stress caused you to do?

In other news, today is my dad's 65th birthday. Happy Birthday Dad! Love you. XO

Fame and Fortune

J.Crew Factory Sweater/ Forever XXI Blouse (similar)/ AT Pants (similar)/ Bandolino Shoes via TJ Maxx (similar)

Jesse and I have been saving up for a house for quite some time now and let me tell you friends, saving for a big purchase like a house is no easy task. We have discussed ways we might make money for a down payment on a house quickly like winning the lottery, or inventing something everybody will need to have, but both of those plans haven't panned out for us yet. We have a new plan though and it seems anybody can do it these days. What is it you ask? It's simple. We just have to write a catchy song and put it on You Tube. The idea is foolproof.

We should have picked up on this strategy sooner. After all, the "Macarena" came on the scene in 1994, along with every other song played at my Bat Mitzvah. Then, late last year, "Gangnam Style" seemed to be playing everywhere. Even my mom learned the dance moves. And today, a new hit song created by a Pakistani fishmonger from London is giving "Gangnam Style" a run for its money. The song, "One Pound Fish," was written to get people to buy, what else? Fish.

So, if people can write about pretty ladies, trendy and hip people, and selling fish for one pound, I am positive Jesse and I can write a song, put it on You Tube, and be able to buy a house by the end of the month. Like I said, foolproof, right? Who's with me?

Coffee Talk

My Coffee Shop Outfit: J.Crew Dress/ Target Tights/ Target Shoes

I recently started doing some of my work from various Starbucks around the city. I am learning coffee houses are interesting places. They are filled with all kinds of people - the staff, people heading to work, people about to take a long road trip, parents with their kids, the people who are working on the next big idea, and the random person watching movie after movie on their computer. 

Occasionally I am lucky enough to eavesdrop on witness, and, in rare instances, be a part of an entertaining conversation. This may make me sound like a terrible person, but really it's a good thing because I can pass these conversations along to you, and hopefully put a smile on your lovely faces.

Story #1: Heated -

A few weeks ago I was waiting for my gingerbread latte. A woman who had ordered before me picked up her coffee at the bar and walked out of the store. Two minutes later she came storming back in and began yelling at the barista. The reason? Her coffee wasn't exactly 140 degrees.

Story #2: Arnold - 

Another time, I was furiously typing on my computer and minding my own business until I heard one man say to another, "you know, I could be a body builder if I wanted to." Mind you, the man who was talking maybe weighed 145 lbs. soaking wet.

Story #3: Betty Crocker - 

And these gems of conversations don't just happen between customers. Earlier in the winter, DC was in the middle of a wave of warm weather. I decided it was too nice for a hot coffee so I decided to get a chocolate smoothie instead. I ordered my drink and the barista said "umm...ok...hold on." She walked to the back of the store and came back a few minutes later with the Starbucks recipe book - yep, that's a real thing. I asked her if she had ever made a chocolate smoothie before as she held the book an inch from her face, closely examining recipe. She peered over the book and said "can you tell?" Ummm...yes, yes I can.

It's turning out to be fun spending some time out of the office and working in environments where I am surrounded by many different kinds of people. It also makes for much more exciting blog posts. I wonder what other inspirational mid-day sites I will stumble upon.

Oh, and what does the content of this post have to do with the outfit pictures? Very little actually, except that I wore this outfit to Starbucks.

Bonjour!

Gap Top/ J.Crew Skirt/ Guess Shoes from Ideeli.com

Happy Monday friends! I feel like I should be wearing a beret and eating a croissant as I type this because this outfit seems very French to me with the black, white and red.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend! Here in DC, the weekend consisted mostly of helping my sister get re-settled into city life (so happy she is our neighbor once again!), watching the movies Miami Vice and Les Miserables (loved Les Mis and am downloading the soundtrack as I type!), getting in my last 20 mile run before the Charleston Marathon in South Carolina in two weeks, and, of course, the Downton Abbey season premiere.

I am also finally getting settled and organized in my new job, spending lots of time this weekend reading everything under the sun to help me feel more prepared for the week. Over the next few weeks, I am hoping to carry that over to our apartment, getting rid of things I don't need or use and downsizing considerably- my initial step in reaching my goal for 2013 to simplify everything.

Any tips for getting rid of things you feel strangely attached to as you are considering whether to give them away when you never seemed to have that feeling any time during the several years you have owned them? Pass them my way if so.

Anyhow, let's go make it a good one! See you all tomorrow.

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Friday Favorites

Happy First Friday of the New Year! Time for the first Friday Favorites of 2013...

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Favorite article of clothing: This pear sweater from, where else? J.Crew

My favorite outfit of the week comes from Classy Confessions blog.

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Favorite Video: Gangnam Style has not gone out of style in our apartment and our love for the song was only reinforced with this video.

While we are on the subject of videos. Jesse and I discovered quite possibly the worst video ever made last night - the movie Delta Force starring Chuck Norris and Lee Marvin (tied only with the commercial  advertising Blu electronic cigarettes featuring Stephen Dorff that was shown during one of the movie's commercial breaks). Therefore my Favorite Worst Video or Movie goes to The Delta Force:

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Favorite Discovery of the Week: 17 things I didn't know about Disney's The Little Mermaid.

Fact #15 - Ursula's character was based on the drag character Divine:

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Favorite Bedding (of course in yellow and gray):

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Favorite recipes of the week:

Easy Homemade Pretzel Bites from Modern Day Moms

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Brownies from the Nonpareil Baker

Homestyle Chicken and Noodles from Iowa Girl Eats

Apple Pumpkintini from Eat. Drink. Love.

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Favorite Holiday Time Card:

How did USATF get my ahold of my wishlist?

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Favorite postcard of the week:

Does this happen to anybody else?

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Favorite quote of the week:

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Favorite analogies written by high school students:

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Favorite products of the week goes to this Magnetic case for the iPad - would make using the iPad to hold recipes and cooking so much more enjoyable!

And this clever iPhone case from PhotoJoJo:

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Finally, my favorite photo of the week goes to this little cutie:

Doesn't she just melt your heart?

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Hope you all have a lovely weekend, which hopefully includes the premier of Downton Abbey's Third Season this Sunday (I told you I was quite obsessed). See you next week!

Repurposed

Banana Republic Sweater/ Zara Dress/ Target Tights/ Me Too Shoes from DSW/ J.Crew Necklace

I believe the best clothes are the clothes that can be repurposed to be worn in any season and the bestest clothes are the clothes that you didn't have to pay a dime for because your sister donated loaned them to you AND can be repurposed to be worn in any season, like this dress from Zara which made its debut in the swampy month of August (below) and is reappearing again today.

I have also made the decision to stock my closet solely with dresses because they are so simple, especially on days I am running behind schedule. I mean, once you put on a dress and you are, well... dressed.

Hope you all have a lovely day! See you tomorrow for the first Friday Favorites of 2013!