What a lovely couple these two make. I had such a wonderful time being able to photograph Briann and Troy for their engagement photos. The shoot took place at Rickett's Glenn State Park. We wanted to incorporate a feeling of Fall into the photos and also get some shots with bridges in them. Congratulations again!
I have to say, this most recent Washington DC trip was a real treat for me. I had a wonderful engagement shoot to do and straight afterwards left to travel down to DC Saturday night. This was the first time I traveled by myself into a big city and boy did it make me feel invigorated and alive! The only other time I traveled out of state by myself was to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, which is a completely different atmosphere. My relatives were gracious enough to let me stay in their condo again while I was visiting the city. Needless to say when I arrived I decided to have a nice glass of wine out on the deck and watch the night come alive on the city streets below. This is one of my favorite past times while in DC.
My dad was actually in Washington as well with the boy scouts on their Traveling Camporee. I met up with my friend Mike the next day and we walked into town to meet up with my dad and spend the day together. We visited the American History Museum, which I absolutely loved. So many memento's of Americana to see. To name a few, The Ruby Slippers, Archie Bunkers Chair, The First Ladies Gowns, Presidential History, Julia Child's kitchen, the list goes on. Afterwards Mike and I dropped my dad off and then had a lovely dinner before he had to leave. I decided that I wanted to see a movie, Dracula Untold, so we walked to the theater before he caught the next metro train.
Monday morning was all about relaxing on the deck with my tea and oatmeal. I was driving over to Arlington to meet up with my dad and visit. The last time I was in Arlington was 2005 and that was specifically to see the Kennedy grave site. This time we explored more of the cemetery, but of course spent the most time at the Kennedy grave. This was the last day of the camporee for my dad so he came back to the condo to stay an extra night. We got back and sat on the deck for a while and then went out to dinner at Del Frisco's in the City Center complex. Let me tell you, we both agreed we had never had a better meal in our lives. The steak was to die for. We had home made donuts and cappuccino after for dessert. The whole meal was exquisite. Not only that, but right out of the window was a beautiful DC lit up at night. That was one magical dinner to remember.
Tuesday we got some breakfast in China town and then walked down into DC taking pictures along the way of course. Our eventual destination was the Bureau of Engraving, a place my dad has always wanted to see. The next tour was about an hour away when we did get there, so we sat on a bench near the Washington Monument. It was a gorgeous day to be outside. Once we took the tour we made our way over to the boy scout monument, had lunch, and decided on visiting Ford's Theater since my dad had never been there. Once we got back to the condo, I showed my dad the roof top, and then said good-bye to my favorite city. This was certainly a trip for the record books. I had so much fun being able to catch up with Mike, explore DC with my dad, and also be on my own for a bit in the city.
I adore anything that has sparkle or shine to it. The luxe detail brings one thing to mind for me, the holiday season, which is getting closer as we speak. Excited yet? I know I sure am. The outfit is perfect for any upcoming holiday events and will be sure to get you noticed. I went for a neutral gray palette with some silver sparkles and metallic shoes. Silver belles anyone? The gorgeous chiffon skirt, which you may notice is the same one from my Mint To Be post, only in a different color. The luxe sparkly sweater and metallic shoes lend that holiday vibe that I am so looking forward to. The I Love Lucy clutch was a gift from my grandmother when she visited the I Love Lucy museum a few years back. She loves the show, as do I, and this was the perfect gift.
“Like everything in fashion your clothes must always give you the feeling that they are very easy to wear”
As Dior said, your clothes must always give the feeling that they are very easy to wear. This outfit, comprised of a cable knit sweater, cigarette pants, fawn heels, and a cinched snake belt are extremely comfortable and easy to wear. A fantastic office outfit I might add. Cigarette pants, or slim-fit pants, are my essential go-to fit. Nothing else looks good on me except these. The tight fit of the straight leg and opening at the bottom compliment my figure since my hips are on the narrower side. These are great for anyone with a "boyish" figure meaning your waist and hips are generally close in size. Now for the details of the outfit. The sweater has lace inserts toward the top that lend to the prettiest lady like effect. The gold snake belt simply dazzles against any color and helps liven up any outfit. It's a fun detail to add interest and keep the waist line visible. It can also be used as a regular pant belt or ever as a necklace or bracelet. The versatility make it worth its weight in gold. I love the green clutch with gold accents and how its a nice day time size to carry all a woman's essentials in.
These little bites of delight are super easy to make and are so light and airy they simply melt in your mouth. A huge hit around my house, and made with ingredients usually kept within the house, this is a win-win situation all around. I made these for one of my dinner nights with my dad and lets just say I kept getting requests for seconds and thirds. Great for Fall and they taste like a cinnamon sugar donut! What's not to love?
Cool mornings and warm afternoons mean one thing, layering. My go to layering look is a buttons down, light sweater, and either skirt or blue jeans. Here I opted for a skirt while the weather is still nice. Black bow heels and an oxblood bag tie the Fall colors all together. Want to try something new? Try a hat! I'm all for vintage hats and love how this one has that vintage feel to it. I also wanted to keep my waist visible so I threw on a pretty bronze colored belt. This look would be great for an informal Thanksgiving dinner.
Fall is my favorite season and I simply cannot say that enough it seems. I love to throw on a light weight sweater with a skirt and stroll around town while getting my errands done. A favorite pattern of mine to break out once Fall hits is hounds tooth, characterized by a broken check pattern, usually in black and white. There is nothing more chic than classic black and white. You cannot go wrong with it. Throw on some black heels with a black hand bag and you're good to go. Both my shoes and bag have a bow on them. A nice little detail to keep things girly.
On a warm Fall afternoon, I cozied up in a tan plaid scarf and my LC Lauren Conrad blazer. I'm also completely in love with my new LC riding boots, perfect for the Fall and Winter months. If you live in the North Eastern part of the country, then you know how important a good pair of boots are! I love the black and white stripe look for an ever fabulously chic look. A classic that will never go out of style. Toss on some black pants and you're good to go!
I always find myself painting my nails every other day due to chipping. Most likely the culprit of this is the hot water I use to scrub the dishes with. No dishwasher for this girl! I recently read your newly painted nails need at least twelve hours to set before any hot water should touch them. While I try to do that, it simply is not feesable with all of the dishes or even taking a hot shower. Enter the new product from Sally Hansen called Miracle Gel. This does not require a light to set the gel, an absolute major plus, and only has a two step system. Basically, a color polish of your choice, and then the gel top coat. Supposedly, this should last one full week before any signs of chipping occur. I was able to go about four days before I saw a chip, but that's a big improvement over one day. Looks like I've found a new go-to polish.
“The earth laughs in flowers”
Nothing beats having fresh flowers in your home. The bright colors and fragrant smells remind me of what such beauty there is in this world. Bringing fresh flowers into your home will no doubt brighten up your mood. While filling your home with fresh flowers can be costly, one trick I've learned is to buy bunches of inexpensive flowers, separate them all out, and then make my own small arrangements in pretty vases. So now you have the small arrangements chosen for each vase. Another trick I've learned is to take clear tape and make a grid pattern at the opening home of the vase. Think like a tic-tac-toe game. After creating the grid and cutting the stems to the appropriate length, place each flower within each little square until you can no longer see the clear tape. This way the flowers stay upright and do not fall over. Think outside of the box too with your vases. Why not try a bowl (cut the stems short for this), a teacup, or even a mason jar?
While I try to keep a balanced diet as much as possible, there are some days where my sweet tooth gets the best of me. As noted before, I've always felt its fine to have a treat every now and then and to keep it in moderation, which is where my vitamins come into play. Since I already know there will be some days where I indulge a little bit, I keep my body balanced by taking vitamin supplements every day. Now if you eat a well balanced diet 24/7, you are probably getting all of the nutrients and minerals you need from food, but if not then listen up.
I've rounded up some of the best vitamins I believe a woman should be taking to keep a well balanced lifestyle. Now these are only suggestions, you may need different ones or only a few to add to your diet depending on what you already eat. Personally for me, I take vitamin D, vitamin B6, Fish Oil, and a prenatal which acts like a multi-vitamin.
One thing my dad and I love to do is take little weekend trips. On a recent adventure, we traveled down to Peddlers Village near Philadelphia for a day filled with sunshine, shopping, and fun. This quaint little village of shops really delights with beautiful scenery throughout, great restaurants, and little knick knack stores filled with treasures. Did I mention there is a cheese shop and a winery there? Well, indeed there is, plus a bakery, ice cream shop, two famous restaurants, coffee shops, a Bavarian nut shop, and so much more. I love to just walk around and take in all of the landscaping done throughout the village. Incredibly beautiful to wander around. I always get some seasonal items for the up coming holidays to decorate my home with and never leave without visiting the Pendleton store across the street. That my friends is some quality shopping right there.
“Individuality will be always one of the conditions of real elegance. Try to understand well what is your personality and never forget that individuality does not mean eccentricity.No elegant woman follows fashion slavishly. ”
One thing about Fall fashion that never fails is the darkening of the colors. There is good reason for this, but why not lighten up a bit? I love pastel colors year round and how they brighten the sea of dark fabrics. I truly fell in love with this outfit and how it stands out from the crowd. I would describe my style as romantic, feminine, and vintage. This certainly feels very romantic and feminine to me with the creamy white chiffon skirt and the mint green sweater. The cuteness of the deer print makes me smile. I matched the fawn heels with the image of the deer. The shoes blend in with the lightness of the coloring. I wanted to keep an airy feeling about the outfit and went with an taupe envelope quilted clutch with bow detailing.
Enjoying one of the loveliest times of the year.
“Autumn...the year's last, loveliest smile." William Cullen Bryant
“Autumn is a second Spring when every leaf is a flower. ”
Fall is at it's beautiful peak here in the North Eastern part of Pennsylvania. I wanted to share some photos I've taken over the past 2 weeks. If only the colors would last longer than they do, but then I suppose it wouldn't be as magical if they were to last. There's something about the fleetingness that makes it all the more spectacular.
“After women, flowers are the most lovely thing God has given the world.”
I never tire of floral prints throughout the entire year. I love any kind of girly detail and this outfit symbolizes just that. I'm carrying my new purse with the bow detail and this LC Lauren Conrad dress from two years ago. Shopping my own closet lets me re-wear some of my old favorites with new accessories such as the purse, jewelry, or shoes. Speaking of, the shoes, from Modcloth, have a very retro feel to them with their velvet texture and cute little kitten heel.
I shot these photos up at Cinemark theaters before Justin and I saw a movie. The gorgeous weather and beautiful sunset, along with the colorful leaves, gave such a lovely glow that made it feel amazing to be alive. There was a pleasant little breeze as well that lent a nice movement to my hair and dress.
I had to get a photo of Justin and I with the pretty leaves behind us. Let's also take a look at his outfit, which I think is a nice date night outfit for any casual guy. Dark denim jeans, a button down, and brown shoes. Simple and well put together.
Oh the golden days of Fall. I look forward to these days all year long and cherish every second of them that I possibly can. A slight chill in the air, yet still warm enough in the afternoons to not wear a jacket. When I want to feel relaxed while working around the house an outfit I like to wear is a chiffon top, leggins, and embellished flats, these being sparkle. Its an easy breezy type of outfit that simply has no fuss to it. This is a great look for still looking chic while doing chores and what not. You'll see me in this until the weather truly turns on the frightful side, but until then, when I want to feel relaxed, this is a go to. If you are not one to wear leggings, then I would wear jeans. Normally, jeans would be my choice, but I like to break up the monotonous pattern of wearing jeans constantly. Variety is the spice of life as they say.
If you're looking for a yummy dessert to serve, look no further. Chocolate Scotcheroos were made at many family functions over the years; mainly by my aunt Arlene and grandma. These decadent treats please the taste buds with creamy peanut butter and a topping of butterscotch and chocolate morsels. My mouth waters just thinking about them! When I asked Justin what he wanted for our anniversary he said scotcheroos. Always a crowd pleaser and quite simple to make, these little bars should be a staple in everyone's recipe book.
“This is the garment that has kept the original function of clothes—to keep you warm. Coats can either be fitted or loose, whichever is your personal choice. But above everything they must be practical. Practical in color and practical in style. ”
An absolute favorite of mine, the Pendleton '49er jacket. This jacket truly never goes out of style with its retro-chic plaid pattern and roomy patch pockets. Made of 100% virgin wool.
Another staple I keep seeing is the military look. While that's not necessarily my style, I can't deny my love for this coat in an olive brown shade. The length and tie accentuate my figure while keeping me warm.
The famous trench coat. A classic style that will be forever chic. All I need is a fedora and Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca come to mind. Well here's looking at a beautiful coat for Fall.
While pink was the essential color for coats last year, this year I'm forecasting that light blue will be it. What's not to love from this Pendleton design? Made from merino wool, this lightweight jacket has the perfect pop of color to keep you feeling fresh.
For all of you lovelies that live in a warmer climate this light weight lace bomber jacket is for you. Add some feminine flair to your style while keeping the chill off of your skin. The delicate blush color fits right in with my taste of keeping some pastel colors alive in the Fall.
Last but not least, the outfit I wore during this photo shoot. A nautical sweater from Banana Republic. Skinny dark wash jeans from LC Lauren Conrad. Lastly, candy apple red pointed toe flats from Modcloth. Just because the weather is changing does not mean my nautical flair must as well. Simply update the look with heavier fabrics and richer materials.
As noted before, my love for leopard prints only intensifies once the fall and winter months start to approach. This outfit comprises of simple, classic, and timeless pieces that when put together look effortless. The base is a lovely cream sweater and leopard print skirt. For daytime I chose a lace bomber jacket and flats for running around town doing errands. Once night approaches, swap out the lace bomber for a black blazer and heels. I stuck with leopard heels and really fancied this hi-low blazer (higher cut in the back, longer in the front) since it balances out my petite frame. The jewelry, a tortoise shell watch, long diamond pendant, and crystal stone earrings stayed the same for both outfits. It just goes to show how a simple swap, here being the jacket and shoes, updates a classic outfit from day to night.
Happy Friday everyone! I thought it would be fun to try something new for a change. I wear the same eye makeup all the time. A shell base all over the lid, brown in the crease, liquid black eye liner winged out at the corner, and two coats of brown/black mascara. It's my signature look and if something works for you then stick with it. Every now and then I get the urge to change it up a bit though and the perfect place to try new makeup is the eyes. I really liked this look, especially the light wash for a daytime look. To compliment the eyes, pair a neutral pink lipstick.
I decided to go very light with all of the colors since it was day, but for nighttime, see more below!
Eye shadows
For the nighttime look, follow the same steps as above, but use more pigment instead of a lighter wash. I also added a black shadow eye liner right before the mascara to deepen and intensify the look. Again, I stayed with a neutral pink lip, nothing too harsh since the eyes are the main focus here. My eyes seem to get lost in pictures if I do not have some kind of eye liner on so I felt a little more comfortable with this addition to the look. Have you tried any new beauty looks lately? Remember, it's only makeup so it will wash off at the end of the day. Try something new if only for one day. Have fun!
