Warm up in the blizzard by letting thoughts of Taste of the Nation Hartford enter your mind…and enter my giveaway to win two tickets!
I’m not gonna lie, it’s been pretty tough to stay positive ever since I heard about the impending doom of Winter Storm Charlotte.
Or is it Nemo?
Before I dive into Fashion Friday today, I want to give myself an ego check. For the last several days, my ego has been being downright rude to me. I’m having a LOT of ego-based fears and really need to keep attempting to silence my ego so that I can hear the quiet but true messages from my ~ing. I may have already lost some eye-rolling readers after those last few sentences, but I really need to vent! And the teachings of Gabby Bernstein really have been helping me.
Sorry for being MIA yesterday, guys. Work was moi busy. But I did post a cool Tribesports core workout graphic on the blog’s Facebook page, so make sure you head over and check that out. Also, the Captain Jabbo winners may have been chosen, but remember the promo code is still good until 2/17!
I’m a spoiled blogger, I’ll admit it. In today’s post you’ll see my second pair of complimentary Oakley shades – yes, second. I received a pair of active wear sunglasses at the Fitness Magazine Meet & Tweet last May.
Two thumbs up for Caitlin, folks. I so appreciate your encouraging comments and tweets about my plans yesterday to NOT do more of a workout than one Group Step class at the gym, and still go out to a restaurant afterward and enjoy myself. I have to admit, it was tough. I was tempted to skip a snack before the gym because I was trying to restrict and compensate for not working out “enough”. But I didn’t because I knew that I wanted to be strong, fight the ego, and be true to me! And truthfully, Caitlin knows she needs a snack before she works out.
Nicole, I love you.
The step class felt great, and though I still felt seeds of doubt about doing enough working out or being “hungry enough” for my dinner, my worries really did dissipate almost completely the moment I sat down. I had great food, drinks, and company. I did not overdo it on food/drinks whatsoever and even ditched my comfort zone and stayed out at the restaurant until 11pm! This morning when I woke up I felt a) exhausted and b) wonky in the stomach area. So I ditched the planned P90X Yoga session and did some basic stretching. That’s IT for me today. I feel REALLY proud right now because though I’ve got some anxiety going on right now, I’m being kind to myself and I have faith in that and know I’m doing what’s right!
So I’m REALLY glad you guys enjoyed yesterday’s little random Three Things Thursday post, because I REALLY enjoyed writing it and I hope that more posts about my daily life/musings will be popping up! Sometimes I “take on” so many opportunities that have come to me because of my blog – tastings, reviews, giveaways, events, what have you. I’m so very grateful and love doing it all! But it also fills up my blogging “schedule” and leaves less time to just ramble. And believe me, it feels good to ramble. Anyone who has a blog I have commented on knows I love doing that. 😉
Can I get a WHAT WHAT for FASHION FRIDAY?! Lately I’ve been going with reviews/giveaways or themes, but today I want to take us back to basics (hence the Christina Aguilera reference) and just do five outfits I haven’t shared yet. Some for work, some for play – not much difference between the two categories though, since I’m lucky enough to work in an office where engineers make the dress code. Every day is Casual Friday – I get funny looks when I “dress up”.
4 F’s?! FOUR?! I am on FIRE today baby. Wait, there’s a fifth F! Alliteration celebration!
It is flipping cold in Connecticut right now. I said a big fuck-it to the weather yesterday and wore a Lauren Conrad skirt (Black Friday buy) and Nononsense tights despite the fact that when I woke up it was 11 degrees, because a positive mindset is half the battle.
The work bathroom shot, an instant classic.
I’ve got a couple of outfits to show you on this Fashion Friday – built around gorgeous accessories from Mews Boutique! The online store is owned by a friend of mine and sells rings, necklaces, bracelets, scarves, and earrings. She was kind enough to send me a few pieces to review. I can honestly and truthfully tell you that I loved all of them and have so far been very impressed with the quality (and so is my sister, who keeps stealing my new accessories).
FAVORITES.
SO excited to see so much enthusiasm already for my Harry & David Chocolate Covered Strawberry giveaway! But I’m not too surprised 😛 remember you have until Sunday at 11:59PM EST to enter!
I’m a huge fan of leggings…like to the point where most of my frequently worn jeans are jeggings at this point. I recently had the chance, as a member of Clever Girls Collective, to receive some No nonsense tights and leggings to review. I have to admit I don’t really wear tights, but I also appreciate a chance to try a new fashion find. I was also psyched to see that the leggings I received were corduroy! I own leggings, and I own jeggings. But courdurings? Yes, I made that up. And no, I didn’t already own a pair. Score!
I appreciate all the interest in my SOYJOY giveaway! I have randomly chosen two lucky winners out of the 152 entries received. And they are…
…Jentry and Amy! Thanks for entering ladies and I will be contacting you for shipping information!
Now let’s do this – it’s Fashion Friday! I get lots of fashion inspiration from friends, both “real-life” and blend. You may call it copying, I call it flattery 😉 of course not every friend’s style is one I try to emulate. What works for one lovely lady may not work for this girl. But what I love about fashion is that it’s so on-display, always available for viewing, just begging to be emulated. And it’s even more fun to rock a statement piece seen on a friend first – after all, models ALWAYS look good in that stuff. But to see a girlfriend wear something risky and pull it off gives me more confidence that I can do the same!
So on today’s Fashion Friday, I want to show you a few looks that were definitely friendspired.
Braid: courtesy of Heather
Tee: VS Pink
Shorts: Nordstrom Rack
Sandals: Birkenstocks
I wore this outfit while hanging out with Heather during one of her visits. If you know Heather at all, you know she’s all about the boho braids. So naturally while we were getting ready to take on our day, I asked her to give me one! I’m pretty inept at braiding my own hair, so it’s a treat when I’ve got someone around to do so for me. I love the braided look. Thanks Heather!
Tee: VS Pink
Shorts: Urban Outfitters
Watch: Michael Kors
Ring: Forever 21
Shoes: PacSun Outlet
I wore the outfit above to judge the CT Farm to Shaker cocktail competition and was quite nervous to do so. I purchased the UO shorts on sale in Baltimore and had no idea whether or not I could pull them off. However, I was inspired to buy them and try out the look in the first place in part thanks to my fashionable blend Jess. I adore following her #ootd on Instagram (she’s a must-follow for fellow fashionistas) and she rocks daring looks like this all the time!
I also was with my sister Hannah when I bought the shorts, and she is usually more fashion-forward than me, and gave them her stamp of approval. I’ve seen her rock a similar high-wait shorts-tucked-in look and that also gave me courage to go for it!
My mom, and Hannah in her shorts!
Finally, you may recognize this last outfit from my recent Millwright’s Tavern review. But you ALSO may recognize it from my recap of my weekend in Tennessee…except I wasn’t the one wearing it! Nope, that honor goes to my twino/blend Meg, who was rocking the dress in honor of the Vols.
I miss her 🙁
I joked to my Vols-obsessed father that I totally needed the dress to wear in honor of UT. And what do you know – he agreed, and got one for both my sister and I! We may be just a bit spoiled.
Dress: Vineyard Vines (on sale right now!)
Sandals: Francesca’s
And there you have it – fashion friendspiration for Fashion Friday. Because imitation is the sincerest form of flattery! And now I’m off to plan what I’m wearing the rest of the weekend…including tomorrow for a VERY special girl’s day/night at Mohegan Sun with my blend Maria!
What kind of person do you draw most of your fashion inspiration from – celebs/models or people you know?
What’s your opinion on modeling looks after those you see on friends or family members? How about when someone models their look after one of yours?
Which of this week’s three outfits is your favorite?
Time to announce the winner of a free hairdo by Blo West Hartford…
The winner is Olivia!!! I will be contacting her to set up receipt of the prize!
Congrats to her and thanks to all who entered, and to Blo and Cuvee for making this giveaway possible!
Thank you for all the well wishes on yesterday’s one-year belated blogiversary reflection! I love having this blog to look back and recognize how much I’ve grown while also remembering all the fun I’ve had in the past year.
Fun with the best dad in the world! Rockin’ those classy plaid shorts for Fashion Friday!
I have to admit that this hasn’t been the best week for me. I’ve been doing a lot of feeling bad about myself. I’m honestly just downright sick of it and I’m trying to keep trucking on – I know I need to be out of my comfort zone to learn the lessons I need to learn to be happy in the long run. But it sure isn’t easy.
Some mornings, eating my banana and beloved PB isn’t easy. Good thing I love the combo so much 🙂
I was cheered up today when I read a post from Lisa about how she is taking the plunge and is going to stay in California on a “sabbatical” for the next year. I am so envious and at the same time inspired! I want to leave Connecticut and live in a place that’s more “me” one day, but there are things I need to do (my MBA, save more money…) before it’s “practical” to do that. I’m a very practical person, but that doesn’t mean I’m always happy about it. Still, seeing someone do what I want to do makes me realize that it is indeed possible. I need to be patient!
At least last night in class when I dated my page as Tuesday, I got to cross it off after realizing it was Thursday, and not the other way around.
I’ve got a fun weekend ahead – but then again, I always do (I’m not trying to be snotty, it just seems to be the case!). Sometimes that’s the problem! The fun activities are fun to me often because they might entail some food…some drinks…and I feel guilty for thinking those things are fun. But that’s me. That’s my passion, along with the people I’ll be spending time with. I need to focus on them!
Will be hanging with my mom for sure on Sunday night for dinner!
And onto Fashion Friday! Let’s do it! I wanted to showcase a couple of skirts I’ve purchased over the summer that I’ve worn a couple of different ways. Maybe it’s the fashionista in me, but I love those features in magazines that show different outfits using the same piece. Sometimes there isn’t much of a difference, but sometimes a new outfit combo can result in a completely different look!
I used the above outfit in a prior Fashion Friday, but this week I wore the H&M skirt and those shoes again, just with a different shirt. This is an example of a different shirt NOT changing a look much…especially since it’s literally the exact same shirt, in a different color. #sorrynotsorry
Went for lime green this time!
I love wearing neutral colors on the bottom and BRIGHT neon on top! I think the two balance each other out well, and I decided to stick with that look.
This photo makes it look like I’m wearing one earring, but the glittery gold dot (Aldo) and the shell (Forever 21) are two different pairs. I refuse to lay down and let it be fall! Bring on skirts, bring on seashells!
Necklace: Mikarose
Top: Armani Exchange
Watch: NYC flea market
Bracelet, Rings: Forever 21
Skirt, Flats: Urban Outfitters (on sale now for $14.99!)
Top: Forever 21
Watch: NYC flea market
Skirt: Urban Outfitters (see above)
Heels: Steve Madden
I think the two outfits featuring the Urban Outfitters skirt definitely give a more different vibe. I love black lace because I feel like it’s a contrast between girly and dark. I think the first outfit is all girly, from the soft colors to the flats.
Also, in my “travels” through the Urban Outfitters sale skirt section I came across these two gems. I WANT.
I don’t even like watermelon, but I want the skirt below!
Which way of wearing each of the two skirts is your favorite?
How do you feel about my latest Urban Outfitters wish list skirts?
Do you find yourself wearing the same pieces in completely different types of outfits?
I’m a 28 year old full-time working girl living in Boston (previously lived in Connecticut). I’m passionate about food/drink, restaurants, self-love, fitness, and the ever-present search for balance. I write about that journey on this blog – I hope you enjoy!
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