Blog, Inc

This week two books have been fighting for my attention. I'm in the middle of reading this, and so far, so good; I'd recommend it if you're looking for a good book but I find myself putting it aside to read Blog, Inc by Joy Deangdeelert Cho. It really is a great resource for anyone starting a blog, or hoping to take their blog to the next level - either creatively or financially. You might have noticed our makeover last week, what with our fancy new header picture and all. You [well, I] can thank Blog, Inc for that. More updates and fancy-pants upgrades to come, this book is like the best friend who knows everything there is to know about blogging and can sit down and discuss it with you whenever you wish. If only I had a friend like that...

Happy Weekend!

Road Rage

Yesterday, as I was walking through the parking lot at Target [because, really, where else would I be?], I was forced to screech to a halt [truly, my shoes actually screeched] as the car I was almost walking behind began backing up. The woman walking towards me, who was also forced to stop so the other end of the same car didn't hit her, said to me "And it begins. Holiday lights go up, and the crazies come out to play." I had never thought about it before but she's right. Why is it that during the holiday season people suddenly forget how to drive? Or maybe it's just that we all are in such a rush we notice the poor drivers more?

When I saw this video today I thought it couldn't be more perfect. How many times do you just wish you could have had the opportunity [or the chutzpah] to do this?

The Blues

I would say normal people probably utilize the Bluetooth function in their car when making a phone call...and probably at no other time. It's difficult to find other uses for a feature who only boasts one quality: hands-free phone calls. However, and maybe this is just me, the post-thanksgiving deals this year were significantly better around these parts than in years prior causing an inappropriate amount of shopping to be done on my end. One's Bluetooth can also come in handy when you're searching your entire car, and its numerous bags, for your cell phone for, oh, five hours [probably 3 minutes, but it felt like 5 hours] only to realize you're on it. In my anger at not being able to find my phone, I accidentally touched [slammed] my hand to the Bluetooth button on my steering wheel and heard Siri's beautiful voice informing me, Phone in use. End call before beginning new call. So thank you, Siri, for reminding me of the basic rule for phone use. And thank you, Bluetooth, for telling me what I so desperately needed to know: my phone is not lost. It's attached to your ear.

You might think the aforementioned shopping escapades of this weekend would deter me from Cyber Monday. You might be wrong. Here's the deals I'm loving today, with a few gift idea's at each place.

Ann Taylor Loft: 50% off everything with code todayonly. They have the comfiest pj's and cutest slippers. Perfect for an overworked coworker or friend. Attach a little note [relax this holiday season! with love, ....] to these two things, and maybe stick in a holiday movie favorite to encourage the ultimate relaxation weekend.

J.Crew: 25% off everything and free shipping (no minimum) with code monday. I've discussed my infatuation with the Minnie pant here. For the stylish friend or family member who has it all, introduce them to this pant and you might just change their life. They also have the most adorable passport holders, and stationary for those pesky workplace secret Santa's. [as a sidenote for those of us less obsessed with labels, jcrew factory is having 50% off today only with code yourgift. Just don't buy the Minnie there, not the same and not worth it]

Piperlime: 20% off everything with code cyber. Piperlime is the place for boots, in my opinion. The best part is the company that owns Gap and Banana Republic [30% off with code cyber] also owns Piperlime and Gap/Banana gift cards are honored there. Run, don't walk. And definitely hit up the boots section.

Club Monaco: 30% cashmere with code monday. This is the store that I would buy exclusively from if I was a billionaire. I say billionaire because I'm fairly certain millionaires still can't afford to buy exclusively from here. What I am certain of is that every single thing you purchase from this store you will fall in love with, and is comfortable enough to sleep in. Buy these, and don't look back.

Thankful

Thanksgiving meant just a little more this year. I spent the day surrounded by family and friends - a number of whom flew in from all over the east coast and saw their own homes, and the devastation, for the first time. It was a bittersweet day- wonderful to see everyone, especially those not normally in Jersey for the holiday, only slightly dampened by the reason they were all in town. From the words of  my uncle during our 'round the table sharing of all we're thankful for this year:

Tough times don't last. Tough people do. 

Hope you and yours had a blessed day. We certainly have much to be thankful for this year. 

Men in Fall

Maybe its because I now officially have a turkey in my house but I'm finally getting into the fall groove. If only the snow can stay away for awhile [like, maybe, forever?]. I spent many a days during the hurricane switching my closets around and after years of careful and strategic shopping I finally feel like I have my ideal fall/winter wardrobe. I've now moved on to my fiance's closet. This fall, I'm loving all patterns and textures for guys.Velvet, gingham, rubber, plaid....yes please!

 

 

 

Images courtesy of here, here, here, here, here

WBR: The Orchard

Finally, a book review. I have to apologize, dear readers, for the last - what? Three weeks? I know I can blame at least two of them on a lady named Sandy. You may have heard of her, she's not too popular in these parts lately.

I'm so happy to be writing a book review, and what a good one I just finished. The Orchard by Theresa Weir is a fabulous memoir about life on an apple farm. Lately, I've been getting more and more into the organic lifestyle (not enough to stop eating fudge brownies, mind you) and the perspective from an ex-orchard owner is very interesting. Theresa Weir wrote the book as a love story in the first person. That, too, was an interesting take on a memoir and it was not until I read the About the Author (which I never do - not until the book is over) that I realized it was a memoir. Fun fact: Theresa types her name only once in the novel - can you find it? (I can't...so please share if you do!).

As an added bonus, The Orchard put me in the fall groove, a season that seemed to skip us East Coaster's this year. No fall = extra winter is about the worst equation I can think of so I was happy to at least internally feel the introduction to flannel shirts, apple pies, and the harvest moon.

Happy Reading!

Hot, Hot, Hot

A few days ago I decided I couldn't handle the cold around here any longer. Outside of moving to Miami, I wasn't left with many options after making this decision. Luckily, I found a Groupon for hot yoga and jumped at the chance. I'm attending my first class tonight and while I can't wait to be warm for the first time in days (my work is still blasting cold air) I tell ya what, I'm a little scared. I heard a few horror stories about people passing out or getting dehydrated during class.

But I'm going to focus more on the being warm part. Here's to hoping for the best.

Color Change

I must have painted my nails half a dozen times in the last week. At least. In theory I had some pretty nifty ideas but, unfortunately, none of them panned out. Your imagination will do amazing things once television and Internet aren't options.

I learned this dandy little trick for removing nail polish awhile back, probably on Pinterest, and it certainly came in handy this week. You use a capful of nail polish remover, and less than one cotton ball each time. For someone who paints their nails as often as I do, that's a very efficient use of materials.

A few helpful tips I learned along the way:
1) Dip only a very small corner of your cotton piece into the polish remover. If you dunk the entire thing in it drips down your arm, and makes a huge mess
2) Leave the pieces on your nails for at least two minutes - longer for very dark colors.
3) When removing the pieces, push down and away from your hand. The science behind this is lost on me (I looked it up) but if you push in any other direction your nails get very brittle and scaly.

Pumpkin Crafts

Today I made the decision to celebrate Halloween. This was not a thought-out decision, but rather one of circumstance. I had sequins, acrylic paint, and glue but absolutely nothing to paint and bedazzle. There was a tree blocking my car (thank goodness it wasn't on my car) so running to the store wasn't an option. This was a use what your momma gave ya moment - and my momma gave me pumpkins (a week ago...but they sat naked until today).

I sequined, studded and painted my little heart out in those pumpkins. While I'd still prefer to never have met Sandy, or Athena, one good thing that came out of this whole mess is a fantastic decorating idea for the future. Once my car isn't blocked anymore I plan on scouring the discount racks of my local craft store for plastic pumpkins. Next year, I plan on recreating these looks on something more permanent than a piece of fruit.

Fireside

48 hours of power and we're out again. I scavenged around in the basement for an assortment of sequins and acrylic paint. Tomorrow is officially declared craft-by-the-fire day.

Oh and Mother Nature, we get it. And whatever we did, we're sorry. Please - back off.

My City of Ruins

This last week has been a hard one. The outpouring of support from the people in our own communities as well as those from all over the country has been breath-taking. I am typing this from my own laptop with my own internet connection and damn, does it feel good. Now there's tears on the pillow darling, where we slept. My family and I found our boat in the living room of the house four doors down in Beach Haven West, we received power back last night, and were able to get down to our house in BHW on Thursday to assess damages. You took my heart when you left. And although our house needs to be gutted completely, we are one of the lucky ones. Our primary residence made it through with only one week of no power. We had running water the entire time and, most importantly, we are all safe.

Here's some pictures of life around here lately. No matter how many times I look at them, I still can't believe this is my hometown. Without your sweet kiss, my soul is lost my friend. That it's not just a bad dream. This can't be what happened to my jersey shore. Now tell me, how do I begin again?

                          

 

                          

 

                         

 

                         

 

My city's in ruins...