what i know

Dress: Ann Taylor LOFT

Shoes: Tory Burch

This dress teeters over the line of cheesy animal print and classy pattern... it definitely wasn't an "office winner" seeing as it didn't receive any compliments from the office peanut gallery today, but from what I've  come to realize is that it normally takes a good 3 wears to get anything out of that tough crowd...


What I do know - is that it's comfortable. It's light. It's summer-office appropriate .... And all those things combined make this dress (cheesy animal print or not) a winner in my closet.


I also know that I have one pretty awesome boyfriend (John paid me to say that) who cleaned the house, washed the dog, and had dinner on the table when I walked in the door tonight.


looks like he's finally starting to catch on :)


HOLIDAY / WORK EVENT / VACATION starts tomorrow at noon!

aka: elmers glue

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer

Shoes: Nine West 

I'm on a boat ... in my flippy floppies!


pshhh ... I WISH!


Despite the rain, the clouds, the puddles, and my freezing cold "office" (a term I use loosely) - this nautical getup was just what my brain needed to get over the Wednesday hump and remind myself that "vacation" is only a few (long) days away.


Today also happened to be my first run with dry-shampoo. 
I don't know if I'm not using it right or if I'm using the wrong kind - but this stuff ain't all that it's cracked up to be.


I followed all the directions, sprayed it 8-12 inches from my hair, waited 2-3 minutes before brushing it through and waited for the miracle. 13 hours later and I'm still waiting. 


All I know is that my 3-day old hair felt cleaner before I sprayed on the Elmers glue aka: dry shampoo.


Needless to say, I'll be sportin' the "grunge look" until a 
dry-shower spray is invented.


that'll be the day.

an office winner

Jacket: Target

Dress: Marshalls

Shoes: Tory Burch

It's one of those days people. 


It started off with my cell phone alarm going off and then buzzing itself right off the nightstand falling right behind the bed .. all while slowly getting louder / more annoying. For for anyone that doesn't know, John is a HORRIBLE morning person, like the worst ever. So having to wake him up and ask him to get out of bed and then help me move the bed so I could get and stop the increasingly annoying phone alarm is basically the same as me asking him to please cut off his foot with a dull knife. It didn't go over well. However it took him about 30 seconds to realize that even if I stopped shaking him and screaming at him to get up, he would eventually get sick and tired of hearing the phone alarm on full blast belting Verizon's finest ringtone.


it was a no good, very bad, start to the morning.


Only made worse when I had the brilliant idea to try and wear that dang mustard yellow skirt that makes me late every time - needless to say I walked out the door late (i only feel bad about todays lateness because it was WAY later than normal). mustard yellow skirt on the floor. wearing outfit combo #18. and OF COURSE the outfit that I put the LEAST amount of effort into is what I like to refer to as an "office winner" ... aka ... the office people (kinda like the YMCA people minus the hard hats) liked it.

worry wart.

Shirt: Anthropologie

Skirt: LOFT

Sweater: Jcrew

Shoes: Cole Haan

Apparently I forgot how to get dressed this morning. 
I think my Nyquil and Afrin usage is finally starting to effect my brain. and it's usefulness. 


This weekend was filled with LOTS of sleeping, movies, sleeping, and .... dog seizures. You read that right - Remy suffered his first dog seizure this weekend, and it was honestly the scariest thing ever. I don't think I will EVER be able to have kids, or at least have kids and allow them to live a normal life, because I would go absolutely INSANE worrying about them. I all but started seizing myself when little re-rod was having seizure after seizure. it was horrible.


Sunday however was a different story. My college roommate came to town to hang out - and that hanging out consisted of a bloody mary brunch, pedicures, hair cuts, starbucks, and chiplote. all of my favorite things in one day. ending with a "big fat gypsy wedding" marathon and all new episodes of Keeping up with the Kardashians, and Ice Loves Coco. the best part of Sundays. duh. 


How as your weekend?

done that: Columbee!

It has taken me forever to get this post written – which could probably be blamed on a number of things but …  I’ll skip my excuses and jump straight to the cause; Laziness.

Last weekend I traveled to Ohio for my college friend Mallory’s wedding. Now before you start crakin’ jokes about the Buckeye state – don’t. I’ve already heard all of them. I’ve already told all of them. And I’ve already thrown my temper tantrum about buying a $350+ plane ticket and using a day of vacation (in the summer) to fly to the middle of nowhere.

Ohio rocked.

It took three days in the great state of Ohio to realize a few things:

• Ohio has quick karma – it took us all of 25 minutes to learn that for every negative Ohio presents us. A positive is right around the corner. Ex: Spend $73 dollars on a cab – only to realize the nail salon you Googled no longer exists in its listed location.  2 hours later you find the coolest Mexican bar on the planet. Giving away free tequila shots.

• Ohio LOVES their college football – you either ARE a Buckeye fan or you have to leave. So yes, for one weekend I managed to keep my Gator pride in check and pretended to like the color red (and the Buckeyes). Don’t tell John.

• Ohio LOVES the color red – obviously. It's the color of their favorite football team ever.

• Ohio LOVES to celebrate gay pride week – Mallory happened to decide to get married during Gay pride week. Complete with festival, half dressed rainbow heads, a parade, and horrrrrrible protesters. Haters.

• Ohio LOVES beer – so obviously we had that in common.

• Ohio has AHHMAZZING hair salons – yes. AMAZING, should you ever find yourself in Columbus, Ohio near the German Village Taco Bell do yourself and your hair a favor and stop into Jolie Laide to get yourself one of their famous up-dos … in which they SEW your hair into place! Bobby-pins are sooo 2010. A needle and thread is all the rage in 2011. 

• Ohio cabbies suck – end of that story.

• Ohio people like free booze– everywhere they go.  Free tequila… free beer … open bar … my kinda state.

• Ohio is a fashion Mecca? – yes it is. Home to Bath and Body Works, Express, The Limited .. and drum roll please… VICTORIAS SECRET! Which makes me also kinda think that Ohio-ins are good at keeping secrets ... I mean, it takes some serious state-control to not be screaming "Victoria's Secret LIVES HERE!!!!"

Mallory's wedding was absolutely BEAUTIFUL (but of course I expected nothing less from my always stylish friend) and her new HUSBAND is probably the sweetest human being alive ... I mean anyone that can handle Mallory and all her CRAZY Flagler College friends (and not complain) gets an 'A' in my book! 

Her colors, black, red, and white suuuuiously could not have been more Mallory appropriate. The ceremony venue was a beautiful, old, Columbus church a few blocks from the hotel. The church itself had so much character, very few (if any) decorations were needed, the building held its own! The reception took place in the YWCA a building devoted to helping women who find themselves victims of domestic violence. The reception venue was chosen by Mallory and her family as a way to showcase a little-known Columbus landmark, the YWCA and their mission, and to shed light to an issue that normally carries so much stigma. 

The couple chose a live band over a DJ and well... they honestly couldn't have a made a better decision! The local Columbus 'funk' band definitely knew how to excite a crowd and get people moving! Mallory, being the performer that she is - stole the show towards the end of the reception, getting on stage to belt Journey - complete with back up singers, and dancing. Thats my Mal :)

MY FAVORITE PART OF THE WEDDING: PHOTO BOOTH.

The greatest wedding activity on the face of the planet. Not only did it keep guests entertained....the photos offered Mallory and her new Husband away to remember their special day, their guests, and all the fun everyone had at their reception! 

Meredith was Mallory's maid of honor (she also happens to be her older sister) - during her toast to the couple, Meredith surprised her sister and new brother in law with the "gift of song" - she had invited BUCK THAT, a local Columbus acapella group from OSU (the red team  that I mentioned earlier) to sing some 'words of wisdom' to the happy couple. 5 hours later, the singers from BUCK THAT (who I re-named, BUCK OFF) were in the bar of our hotel drinking champagne from the bottle with all of us. They were the gift that just kept giving. After leaving the photo booth at the reception venue - "name a song and make BUCK OFF sing it to us" became our new game of choice. you name it. they sung it.

Apparently, taking videos of my friend Elyse doing her Toddlers and Tierras impression, and asking for Double Tree Cookies (10+ times), and ordering pizza and then falling asleep before it arrived all seemed like really good ideas. Blame it on the open bar. and the hotel bar. and the wine in the room. or the vodka?

Columbus. we came. we saw. and we conquered. 

vacation 101

Sweater: Jcrew

Dress: Anthropologie

Shoes: Nine West

I know, I know .. this sweater AGAIN. What can I say? It's Friday. I'm sick. And it was what was on the couch when I was walking out the door. You may call is laziness. I just say I'm saving water aka: "going green".

Is it me or is EVERYONE (and their mom, sister, dog, and cousin) on vacation this week!?!

Did I miss the memo? I mean … I normally make bragging and announcing my time off number one on my priority list of things to do before leaving for vacation (or any amount of time off for that matter). I’m almost certain that every person in my office knows when, where, for how long, and that I will NOT be checking email a full week in advance!

Priorities people. Geez.

Speaking of which, I will be out of town for work/pleasure beginning July 1. And just in case you were wondering (because I'm sure you were) BECAUCE a portion of my “vacation” is for a work related cause, I WILL be checking email. Dangit.

In other news:

• I’m still sick, but have discovered the power of Afrin thanks to one highly addicted little sister.

• Casey Anthony Trial. It’s still going on. Spoiler Alert:  (Apparently) Cindy Anthony is the culprit of the 84 chlorophyll Google searches. Thank you Yahoo news for crackin’ the case. 

• It’s raining. Why? Because it’s Florida – and it’s summer time. Nuff said. 

• I’m super excited to try a new mixed drink (recommended by a co-worker who probably discovered it while on vacation) at the bar downstairs after work …so what if I’m sick? Apparently the drink does not have an official name ….. maybe that’s something us Hookers (Hook & Stylit Readers …. duh ) can come up with!?!

Public Service Announcement (to those with ADHD):

• Dayquil and Adderall when combined is like speed.

• Adderall cancels out Nyquils effects. It’s a fact. I tested the theory last night. 

it happened.

Shirt: old nasty (aka Old Navy)

Pants: Gap

Shoes: Target

It's finally happened. 
Exactly what I knew would happen the moment I found out we would be moving into my pre-school office.


I'm sick.


Sore throat, runny rose, sore throat, sore throat, sore throat kinda sick. And as far as I'm concerned that's the worst kind.


I mean there are probably other contributing factors to my sickness .. like maybe a lack of sleep. But I'm one of those "put all your eggs into one basket" kinda girls - and well - I prefer to blame todays sickness (and everything else that sucks) on pre-school.


So on my way into work this morning in an obvious attempt to be even later than normal I stopped into Publix and stocked up on everything a sick person should eat to try and get better:

• Naked Juice (NOT Red Machine, b/c as I've mentioned before - my Publix has apparently decided to  stop carrying the best juice known to man kind)
• EmergenC 
• Bananas
• Simply Orange Juice
• Cough drops
• Blueberry muffins (b/c they were on sale & they're my fav)

$22 dollars later I should start feeling better in no time!

In other news: Remy still hates me. I didn't take him to the dog park, instead opting to give him a bath. yea. NOT his idea of a good time.

right on time.

Sweater: Jcrew

Dress / Shoes: Target

As far as Remy is concerned I am checking my email - NOT blogging. I promised the little house destroy-er a trip to the dog park, hoping that he could find it in his heart to forgive me for going out of town last weekend ... and stop potty-ing in his crate and ruining the air quality of my house. That little rem-rod sure knows how to hold a grudge!


Needless to say - todays post will be short.


The same super glue that held me to the bed yesterday morning was apparently still in full force this morning. It took every bit of will power and my hatred of the Casey Anthony case to get out of bed and out of the house before the trial began for the day. Had that all gone according to plan I would have broken my cardinal rule and been on time to work. To ensure that rule was not broken, I took a left out of the driveway and headed to the bank, and then to kill some more time I drove to 2 gas stations looking for "Red Machine" Naked juice (my fav) which apparently Publix (without consulting with me first) has stopped carrying. 3 pit stops later I strolled into work ... right on time.

goin' bare (escentuals)

Dress: Marshalls

Sweater: Target

Shoes: Nine West (via Piperlime)

Thanks to a little stomach bug and that had me paralyzed between the hours of 1-7am last night - todays outfit didn't stand a chance. There wasn't enough coffee in the office / world that was going to wake me up this morning. So I didn't. 

I did the responsible thing and had John (the next best thing to my mom) write an email (subject line: I'm Not Pregnant) to my boss and explain the situation - properly getting me out of work until noon. And lets just be honest - it wouldn't be normal for me to show up on time, so for the sake of my reputation and tradition - I strolled in right around 12:25 - right on time.

Today was also the first day of my new make-up routine. Due to the close proximity of Ulta to my office and the greasiness Orlando is causing my skin  - I've decided to experiment with Bare Escentuals. Yesterday I went to Ulta and bought the "starter kit" complete with brushes, foundation, mineral vail, and bronzer. I've been a religious MAC make-up user for 8 years ... I have extremely red(ish) skin and always opt for extreme coverage makeup. I'm a little weary about going from a liquid to a powder - and I worry that a powder wont cover up the redness of my skin or last all day ... I guess only time will tell :) 

Does anyone have any experience with Bare Escentuals or suggestions on how to deal with oily skin suggestions? 

Favor: Please don't judge me on today's wardrobe choice!! For anyone new reading this blog -  I swear the lack of creativity and "rough" look are not normal. If all goes according to plan - I should be back to my normal self tomorrow. my fingers are crossed.

stupid trial

Dress / Belt: Target

Shoes: Payless

I'm almost 100% positive that John super glued me to the bed this morning - making getting up nearly impossible.... which is conveniently the excuse I'm going to use to explain the lack of creativity in this outfit. Had I not been so sick of hearing about the stupid Casey Anthony trial on the news I probably would still be laying in that bed - but thanks to that stupid trial Orlando has taken it upon themselves to cancel all normal TV. In short: they have screwed me out of watching Regis and Kelly - inevitably making me early to work ... and well .. people might start getting used to it. i can't handle expectations like that. 


Not only has the trial made watching normal TV impossible - and screwed up my normal work lateness .. it's also begun to dictate when I can take lunch ... everyday I wait till the dang judge lets the jury recess for lunch so I can insure that when I go home it's not on EVERY channel. Not to mention it has totally messed up my Saturday morning routine - because for all you lucky non-Orlando residents that may not know - the trial is also conducted on Saturdays. 


I've had enough.

buckeye

Dress/Jacket: Target

Shoes: Tory Burch

Necklace: Forever 21

I'm going to Ohio .. I'm going to Ohio ... I'm going to Ohio.. but more importantly - NO WORK TOMORROW! 


Of course I still have to do laundry, pack, find some travel sized conditioner, and get Lil Rem Rod some dog food. 


Needless to say, I have lots to do tonight - but please enjoy today's outfit pics .. and this gem :)