Friday, November 30, 2012

Dress Jeopardy

One thing I'm very excited about this holiday season is being able to go to the dude's office Christmas party. It is his first season as an "official lawyer" and I am so excited that I get to celebrate it with him.
That being said, I have several things that I need to consider while choosing a dress. First, the dress code for the party is black tie. Second, I am 26 and want to look my age. Finally, I want to spend as little on the dress as possible while bearing in mind that I am no longer in college; consequently, a Forever 21 or H&M dress is no longer appropriate.
Right now, I am returning a dress to a certain large national retailer; so buying either the left or the right dress would cost me less than $70 with store credit. The dress in the middle is less formal but (perhaps I am deluded) I might be able to make it work with black tights, the right jewelry, and a terrific blowout. It is really a dress that I will have to try on in person. I'm feeling optimistic because Free People, the company that makes the dress, has been cutting large recently and that should work in favor of my body type. I also work and live quite close to one of their stores, so it's convenient for me to go in to try the dress on.
It's clear to me that I want to wear the dress in the middle the most; I think it's young and fun and something I could wear multiple times. However, I know I may have to take a more conservative route; I want to make a good impression and don't want to terrorize my fiance's boss by exposing too much skin.
This post was really good for me because it helped me talk through my "dress plan." Not only am I fortunate to be where I am in my life right now, but I am so proud of my fiance, his passing the bar, and his having a job that he likes a lot. At this time last year, a lot was up in the air for him; it is a relief and a joy to see him being as successful he deserves to be.
On a more superficial level, I can't wait to dress up and have a great night with my guy. It will be really special because the office party will be followed by a fraternity alumni Christmas party, and he will turn 25 at midnight. I can't wait to find a dress and start accessorizing it...considering how much I need to talk myself through certain fashion choices, that may have to be a post in itself!


Dress Jeopardy

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Taking Care.

The past couple of weeks have been a lot for me, to say the least. They've been productive but they have also been pretty exhausting. The last week in particular has been challenging due to a combination of an amped-up work environment (oh, holiday retail craziness) and travel.
Yesterday, I crashed. I was so exhausted and grumpy that I truly wasn't myself. I am so lucky that I live with someone who was extremely loving, tolerant of my stress, and willing to pick up and eat Bertucci's for dinner. (And that I have my mom, my #1 cheerleader and angry phone call victim.)
Today, I slept until 10:30 (virtually unheard of for me.) I had a minor problem to deal with in the morning, but I resolved it by 12:30. Then the good stuff started to happen. I was already in Georgetown, so I decided to walk around. I didn't buy anything crazy, which I think helped me  feel better--I didn't have the guilt of overshopping and I only got several small things that I knew I'd actually use. One of those things was the peppermint crunch Junior Mints pictured below--a small, sweet indulgence that won't derail my attempt to slim down a bit for my wedding. I wore the mocassins and sweatshirt shown below. They were both so comfortable and enabled me to look somewhat pulled together--of course, the sweatshirt was covered by my peacoat so I doubt many people saw it anyway.
Finally, I came home and started jotting down an idea for a special holiday gift in my crazy pink glitter notebook. I don't care that I'm 26. This notebook is where I put my work schedules, pictures ripped from magazines, and random lists. I have other notebooks (literally 3 or 4), but this one is the one I travel with and love. It keeps me organized and balanced. What could be better?
I know that the stress of the holiday season is far from over. One of my main challenges will be tolerating it better at my job, where the shifts are getting longer and the environment is getting crazier. I go back tomorrow, but over the next couple of days I'll really be taking the time to come up with some ideas to help combat my frustrations and worries and help myself, as my mother says, be the best version of me that I can be. I hope my pink glitter notebook's ready!


Taking Care.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Polished Planning: Slide 1

So, wedding planning weekend #1 is done and a dress has been purchased--success!
The lesson I learned was that it is often very difficult to execute the the perfect outfit, however well planned, under stressful circumstances.
My mom, fiance, and I did so much running around between DC and different parts of Northern Virginia that I didn't exactly feel like changing into my cap-toe heels for dinner, nor would it have made sense in terms of time and Georgetown's challenging parking situation.
I ended up wearing a lot of soft undershirts, some of them belonging to my fiance, layered with sweaters (also belonging to my fiance...whoops.) My very favorite undershirt, which I've been wearing quite a lot of recently, is the Alternative Apparel burnout tank. It is ridiculously soft and comfortable and can be worn out layered under a great sweater just as easily as it can be worn it with my favorite pajama bottoms. I would layer two of them to go out and jazz them up a bit with some druzy dangly earrings. The colors are still soft and druzy is a great element that is both earthy and sparkly.
Finally, something I will be sharing with my friends who are planning weddings or will be in the future is the need for a "schlepping bag." This is a bag that is relatively inexpensive and durable (so you don't feel bad beating it to death) and that has has some modicum of style but still has enough room to hold everything you need for your appointments. A few of my essential items were a strapless bra, a sticky backless bra, my wedding planning binder, my iPad, and a bottle of water. This is all in addition to everything I usually take with me--my medicine, a small pouch for lip gloss/balm and mascara, and my wallet, keys, and phone. An extra phone charger certainly won't hurt either. Nor will a great dinner with your co-planners/victims at the end of a busy day.
I'll be sure to keep posting about (my attempts at) semi-streamlined wedding planning. If anything, I expect to be getting some great tips out of this experience!





Polished Planning: Slide 1


Alternative apparel
alternativeapparel.com



Alternative apparel
piperlime.com


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Smart(er) Travel

Holiday travel time is rapidly approaching, and the dude and I will be heading to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving and Palm Beach and Milwaukee to spend some pre-holiday time with our families. The Palm Beach/Milwaukee trip will be especially challenging for me in terms of efficiency because we'll be traveling directly from a very cold place to a very warm place.
Another complicating factor is that I don't have very much patience for checked luggage, so I will be condensing a lot and am hoping to use only carry-ons.
A neutral carry-on that won't cause back problems for me (I love the Vera Bradley small duffel, but the large one is way too cumbersome for me once I inevitably overstuff it) and a bright carry on that will easily slip under the seat in front of me are the key pieces. Other great pieces: a purse that pops easily into the aforementioned carry-on and will serve as an everyday bag while traveling, a bright jewelry case so I can easily spot my jewelry without having a panic attack about losing it, and a pair of TOMS in a neutral color that are comfortable and easy to slide on and off during security checks.
Let's hope that these ideas and items will keep my winter travels somewhat more streamlined!


Smart(er) Travel

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Mom's in Town!

I'm looking forward to having my mom in DC this weekend!
One of my favorite style lessons from her is combining practical basics with classic but special touches like this Marc by Marc Jacobs bag and Michael Kors watch.
I'd love to take her out to dinner in Georgetown (with the boy, of course) wearing these easily layered pieces with a streamlined coat. Mom's a New Yorker, so there is absolutely no shortage of black.
Plus, I think she'd be pleasantly surprised by my wearing heels!


Mom's in Town!

Monday, October 29, 2012

The Reliables

While I'm all nice and warm, and happily still with power (knock on wood!), I was thinking about some of the things I've purchased that truly have staying power. Whether they're gifts or not, these are truly some of the best go-to items I know.
I bought this Marc by Marc Jacobs Preppy key pouch as a gift to myself. For the price, it's been amazing. The leather is so soft and I use it every single day!
I have ordered this Lilly Pulitzer squeeze candle from Amazon since 2010. The scent is comforting but not too sweet and really fills a room. I love them so much that my fiance's mom bought me one for the holidays last year!
I've bought this picture frame twice for wedding gifts. It is especially helpful if you want to include something more personal in addition to something you've gotten the couple from their registry. It's subtle but looks really beautiful in a cluster of other frames or candles.
A lightweight scarf is perfect for fall. I am very much a jeans and t-shirt girl and rely on fun extras like scarves, rings, and bracelets to make my outfits more exciting. With its pop of pattern, this and a great pair of earrings can make my everyday basics into an outfit I can wear anywhere and still feel good about--especially because it is light enough to still be worn indoors.
I'm looking forward to posting more purchases that have really worked for me--as gifts to others or for myself!


The Reliables

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Cozy Storm Essentials

There's lots of Hurricane Sandy prep going on here in DC. Luckily, I live with someone who thinks of practical things like granola bars and bottled water...so I get to cover the extras!
Let's just say our apartment is well-stocked with Dean and Deluca malt balls, fragrant candles, and a multitude of blankets--all of which make waiting out the storm a lot more relaxing and fun.


Cozy Storm Essentials