Blogging...during life.

For the first time since I started blogging I have really felt behind and bummed out. Bummed out enough to not even blog! I apologize to all of my blog followers- I usually blog (or get blog posts ready) over the weekend when I have the most free time. Working full time for an ad agency with clients and late nights does not necessarily lend itself to every day blogging, although I do blog after work- because I love it. Well, this past weekend my nana had a heart attack and is now in the hospital...She is doing OK, and I visited her tonight and her spirits are up. So, my long story short is I apologize for not having a fun post up or anything exciting to share. I am just bummed...and have taken the last few (and likely next few) days to focus on work and family. However I do plan on taking part in the Dress to Impress Project over at Well To Do, You! So stay tuned for that...and I will be brewing up some fun and exciting posts, and hopefully getting to some projects around the house this weekend.

So now, I am going back to my glass of wine and Bachelor!

And I can't do a blog post without a photo...so here is Miles at the beach this past weekend...

Why Didn't I Think of That- #3

Ahhh, its organizing time! January for many is the month of organizing- probably because of all those new year resolutions :) I am dedicating this volume of Why Didn't I Think of That? to organizing!

- Now seriously, is this not the best idea? I know behind my desk at work office and home office are a mess! This is a quick, free idea to keep those cords from getting tangled (and probably a lot safer too!)

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- This is a cute, fun way to decorate all of those paperclips you have sitting around. You can use scrap ribbon and bind loose papers or use as a bookmark.

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- Keeping with the office theme, all you need for this DIY project is a shower caddy/hanger. You can find nice ones at TJ Maxx or HomeGoods. Just use some matching juice glasses and ramekins (similar to these at Crate & Barrel). You could also easily spray paint the caddy to match your craft closet. I wish I saw this when I did my craft closet re-do which you can see here.

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- Ever traveled with jewelry? Well you know what can happen to your necklaces (grrrrr, frustrating). Just use a straw to keep them from getting all tangled up! Love it!

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So there you have it, a few quick, easy and CHEAP organizing ideas for you to tackle on these long January days!

Quick Little Trip to Beantown!

Matt and I went to Boston last night to see Adam Corolla (Matt's absolute favorite) at The House of Blues. Well...the show was great but I found my new absolute favorite, Madewell. Owned by J.Crew (which I knew) when I saw the shop on Newbury St, I had to check it out. Needless to say, every single piece, the merchandising, the people...loved. L.o.v.e.d.! Check out some shots and a few other highlights of our quick trip to Beantown.

- Madewell located on Newbury St in Boston (across from Patagonia and American Apparel)

- Love everything (except the shoes, to be honest). The feel is similar to J.Crew but a little less refined and more casual boho-chic. 

- Madwell does a really great job of displays and merchandising. Grouping items by outfit vs department. They have great jewlery spread througout the store which I think engages shoppers more than a display of all jewlery in one place. Side note: can you wear white before Memorial Day? Jury is out on that one...

- Very cool mason jar like dispensers.

- They do a good job at using unique 'props' throughout the shop. I love the white top and scarf look too. 

- Two of my favorites, stripes and pink. I think stripes are huge.

- I am also loving the french linen look. I found some antique french linen fabric the other day at an antique shop for about $65 a yard! This chair is amazing, and I am sure cost big bucks. You see other mainstream brands duplicating the look like Pottery Barn.

- I love these vintage clocks they use for display. To get a similar look in your home, L.L Bean has 1931 Big Ben alarms clocks (I have one and it is great), they also carry Moon Beam clocks which have a more retro feel. 

- Love the idea of random knobs as hangers for hats, jewelry etc.

- This has been on our wish list forever. Classic Pendleton Glacier National Park blanket. 

- Chevron prints are also very big right now. 

So that was a little taste of an awesome inspirational shop, Madewell. You can buy online, or visit one of their retail shops near you!

- Rugby is a spin off of Ralph Lauren which I first found out about when I lived in Seattle and shopped at the one in U Village. They are a little over the top with the whole, preppy-school-girl-gone-bad-look...but they do have a few great pieces. Matt ended up with more than me- he got a baby blue and white rugby shirt, on sale.

- Rugby like many others, are promoting the plaid button down. I have seen this look a lot, a little cowgirl meets Maine-auh. 

- We stayed at the Charlesmark hotel which is directly across from the Boston Library and a block or so from the Prudential building. We checked out the mall at the ground level of the building.

- Another favorite, Vinyard Vines has a shop at the Prudential building. They have the classic preppy look down pat. I don't think I have been to a wedding without seeing at least one person in a classic VV tie. 

- The colors made me want to transport myself to warmer weather immediately and get a sun kissed tan and have a glass of white wine!

- And for all you moms out there, Skip * Hop now has a line of diaper bags designed by Johnathan Adler (the master of amazing colors and patterns). They had a great display- and you cannot go wrong with Sophie the Giraffe (so I hear).

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- We had a bite to eat the the ever so famous The Bleacher Bar which is basically in the green monster. Great view of Fenway on a cold January night.

- And because I was probably the first person to buy tickets to the show, we were in the front row- literally. Like get a kink in your neck front row. It was amazing, and seeing the smile on Matt's face throughout the show was the best Christmas gift I could have gotten.

So, that is a little recap of a quick beantown visit! 

Dress to Impress!

I truly feel that the clothes you wear can impact your life. A first impression is everything, and when interviewing for a job your appearance matters, a lot! That is why I just have to share this great blog and project by Well To Do,You by Suz Stephenson. A fellow Mainer, she has come up with a fabulous idea and started the Dress to Impress project, with all proceeds going to Dress for Success of Southern Maine. Dress for Success of Southern Maine is a wonderful non-profit. Their mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. In the Dress to Impress project, Suz is wearing the Islesboro Sweater Dress by L.L Bean Signature, and styling it with different donated accessories for 30 days in January. All the accessories will be donated to Dress for Success.

Suz in Target and Intrikate pearls


Good Luck Suz- You look great!

Word of the Year: Grow

If you had one word that you wanted to inspire you throughout 2012 (and beyond) what would it be? For some it might take some thinking, and others it might come to mind immediately. Well, when I was reading The Lettered Cottage a few days ago, I stumbled upon a post about having a word of the year. What a good idea I thought. I mean, I know we all have a 'resolution' and want to try and do this and that for the new year...but if you had to sum it up into one word, what would it be? Of course I thought, fit, healthy, lose weight (but this is not a resolution, this is a word that can inspire me throughout the year, Sarah, as I reminded myself). So the word that stuck with me, that will inspire me and sums up how I would like to live in 2012 is grow! I think it fits perfectly- and here is why:

- I have 'grown' into being a wife (that sounds cheesier than I mean it to). I love the fact that I have met, and married my best friend, and we are continuing to grow into our little married life in chilly Maine. I hope to continue to grow into being a great best friend to Matt.
- I am an aunt for the first time and I want to grow into being an excellent auntie. I love my Lucy more than anything, and would do anything for her.
- And speaking of Lucy- wow, is she growing...
- I want to grow my interests this year, play more tennis, continue to grow my blog and meet wonderful blogger friends, try surfing (again), interior design, work on sewing and grow my gardening skills - pun intended :)
- I am continuing to grow into adulthood, and learn how to deal with adult changes- from mortgage payments to baby showers!
- I want to grow into a role as a mother (when the time is right)
- I would like to continue to grow my career
- And last but not least, I want to grow my involvement in being a good community member and volunteer.

So, that is why I picked grow as my word of 2012. I would love to hear yours!

Today, make your word a priority in your thoughts and actions. Be open to the possibilities! (source)

A Little Style Inspiration

Because it is -5 degrees out, and I am in comfy sweat pants and my hair is lets just say, not brushed, I decided to blog a few of my favorite looks and outfits for inspiration.

I love navy, grey and gold.

I cannot wait until it is a little warmer and I can try and put this look together.

I want sooo bad. I have blogged about my love of monograms here, and the shoes are on my short list of 'must haves'!

So there are some great looks that maybe you can make with items in your closet. Now if I can just get dressed... :)