Winter Fashion Love

Many people believe that winter and fashion simply don't go together.  However, as a life-long resident of the midwest I have to politely disagree.  Winter fashion is certainly different than summer but it is full of opportunities for self-expression and personal style.  My personal favorite aspects of winter fashion are coats and the requisite panoply of winter accessories.  For me this includes, mittens, gloves, headbands, scarves, hats, earmuffs and boots. 

Ice Cream Love

Ice cream is probably my favorite food.  I blame my dear mother for this because when I was a child she used to take me to 31 Flavors (aka Baskin Robbins) or Storheims (RIP) for ice cream almost every day.  We also had it in the house all the time.  Thus I never got the message that ice cream is a sometimes food and instead I view it as an all times food. 

Organization Love

As I discuss here, organization is extremely important to me.  One way that I stay organized is by making a list each Monday of everything I have going on for the week through Sunday.  The list includes all my workouts, social engagements, errands, and the meals I will be cooking at home.  If I'm traveling I include the departure and arrival times for the plane/train.  Here's what this week's list looks like:  

How I do organization

More Love from DC

When most of the universe hears "DC" they immediately picture our nations' capitol.  I recounted my recent trip there here.  However, a tiny portion of the populace associates that familiar acronym with another, more local, DC; Door County, Wisconsin!  This weekend found me in both DCs! 

Love from DC

Hi friends! I'm writing to you from our nation's capitol! I'm typing this on my iPad after a few glasses of wine so pardon any spelling or grammatical errors. If I mess up there/their/they're or your/you're feel free to castigate me. That's unforgivable. I'm watching Say Yes to the Dress. I love that show! I'm here for a work conference and got in late last night. They upgraded me to a lovely suite which was very kind so I feel like a total baller. So, I work in higher ed. I am continually struck by how unstylish ladies and for that matter gentleman in this field dress. Being smart and being stylish are not mutually exclusive! Look at me! Today I saw: an un-ironic fanny pack, a mini-backpack which honestly may be more offensive than the fanny pack, an un-ironic mullet (on a girl !!!), and a whole world of ugly footwear. Seriously if you are smart enough to earn a PhD how can you be so ignorant of fashion? It upsets me. After my conference I ran to F21. I believe I've alluded to my affection for F21 and some of you may be puzzled by this. I certainly wouldn't buy ALL my clothes there but I am totally not averse to fast fashion and it is a great resource for trendier pieces. Case in point: I bought a pair of hot pink jeans there! Going to pair them with a navy J. Crew sweater with a kitty on it and Tory Burch flats on the plane. Later I met up with my dear friend Nina for tapas. We had a fantastic time catching up and I fully forgive her for taking me to the same place (Jaleo) twice. It was delish! The conference has been good and over all I've had a great trip but I'm looking forward to getting home tomorrow and celebrating Jeremy's 30th!!! What do you like to do in DC? Do you judge me for shopping at F21? Do you like tapas?

Daily Outfit Love

Ombre chambray ombre chambray

I love the idea of documenting what I wear every day but I'm a little lazy to actually do it.  When I was in high school and law school I got into writing down my outfits every day for reasons I can't really recall. 

Weekly Love List

Not a picture from the future

How is your week going?  I am glad that it's Wednesday.  I leave for a conference in Washington tomorrow night so only one more day of work for me.  Tonight I am making Cheddar Chicken for dinner with a spinach salad and a vegetable, maybe broccoli.  I need a quickish dinner because I am supposed to go running and I need to pack not only for my DC trip but for my friend Jeremy's birthday party which I am leaving for immediately upon my return Saturday.  So here is what I'm loving this week: 

New Dresser Love

I mentioned here that I found a chest of drawers at SVDP two weeks ago.  I had been looking for one for quite some time to hold my fabric and other sewing items.  I used to use just a plastic three drawer unit but my constant thrift store fabric purchases caused me to outgrow it.  As promised, here is the glorious unit: 

Beautiful sewing chest

Chicago Love

Derby hat? 

I lived in Chicago for five years while I was in law school and then when I was working in my first post-grad job.  Many of my friends still live there so I end up visiting about once a month.  This weekend I went down for a surprise birthday party and a hockey game.

Valentine's Day Love

Office Valentine treat

Happy Valentine's day everyone!  Valentine's day is actually my very favorite holiday.  I love a day that is all about spreading love and happiness and I will take any opportunity to wear hearts and pink and red together. 

Monday Night Love

My dinner

I know people usually hate Mondays but I kind of love them because I have such a fun Monday night routine!  I usually go to Zumba at 5:30 but last night I went to a strength class instead because I wanted to get home earlier.  I made Asian Pork with Noodles and Broccoli in the crockpot and then I cleaned the upstairs.  We ate dinner and then came the fun part, my Monday night tradition: Bachelor with Cher and Snack Club. 

Weekly Love List- Valentine Edition

I am going to start the week off right with a list of things I love right now.  
1.  Lindeman's Framboise:  Oh my goodness, I do not normally drink beer and I don't even know if this is a beer exactly but it is delicious.  Like some kind of amazingly tasty raspberry juice.  Thank you for introducing me Jamie and Alexa!  

Musical Love

I have loved musicals since I was a little girl.  When I was really little we lived in a teeny tiny duplex with a bathroom right off the living room.  I would sit in the tub and my mom would rotate the television so I could watch from there and I would watch musicals for hours. 

Thrift Store Love

Adorable!  

I am an unabashed thrift store junkie.  I can not resist the thrill of the hunt.  My favorite thrift stores are dirty and disorganized and full of junk.  I love finding the one great item amidst all the trash.  It's so rewarding! 

Derby Love continued

2010 Derby dress

I had intended to describe my Derby and Oaks outfit yesterday but the post got a little long with all the details of my Friday outfit so I'll finish it off today.  For a Derby outfit I like something that is either very pastel and/or preppy. 

Derby Love

One of my very favorite spring activities is my annual trip with friends to the Kentucky Derby.  This year will be our fourth trip and I am pretty sure it will be the best one yet.  Mostly because we have the best seats ever this year on the second level right on the rail and because it seems like every year we learn more and have a better trip.  But, I am also excited because I LOVE picking out outfits for the Derby and the Kentucky Oaks on Friday. 

Cooking Love

So one of my favorite household tasks is making my weekly menu and grocery shopping.  I just find it so rewarding to craft a menu for the week that is delicious, healthy, interesting and uses up items we have on hand.  I am secretly a depression-era housewife. 

Weekend Love

I often comment that my ideal weekend is a mix of fun, relaxing and productive.  It is surprisingly hard to achieve the perfect balance of these elements but this weekend came pretty close.  Highlights included a lovely dinner at Bleu with friends, a nice run on Sunday followed by an even nicer three hour nap by the fire (wooo happy Super Bowl to me), and best of all my BFF's one-year-old twins' birthday party. 

Day One

Why am I writing a blog in 2013?  Clearly, I am not on the vanguard of a trend as blogs have been around since the 1990s.  I have always enjoyed writing and entertaining people and this is an easy way to do that without bombarding my friends with emails.  I have also gotten really into reading blogs on a variety of random topics, particularly cooking and sewing, fashion and foster parenting.  I enjoy the snapshot you get into the life of someone you may not even know.  I just find it fascinating.  I guess I would like to see what it's like to be on the other side of that.