...from the web Fridays, August 29, 2014

Happy Labor Day Weekend!!!!!

Kids are back to school and parents are rejoicing.  After a long summer of fun and trips and ice cream, many parents bid their children goodbye as they emerge from their summer haze and enter DUM DUM DUM, school.  

In light of this, we should reflect back on the summer, appreciating the late nights, warm dense air, dancing fireflies, crisp blue water and echoing laughter of family and friends.  

Several of these links will remind us of some important things relating to summer.  Enjoy!  

{Why American Mothers are Exhausted and the Danes Hang Out} Makes me want to move.  We've got to get on this and make it happen mommies!

Photo courtesy of www.theasc.com

{What Really Happens to your Face When you Wear Sunscreen}   Woa.  Definitely wearing sunscreen after seeing this.  I've gotten much better about wearing sunscreen, especially on my face, after years of baking in the sun.  The days of slathering myself in baby oil are long gone.  I see the effects of the sun surely on my face in the form of sunspots and even the slightest crow's feet near my eyes.  I wish my younger self could've seen the unclear complexion I have now due to sun damage. Maybe I would've taken better care of my skin!  Young ladies, take heed.  

Photo courtesy of www.lockerdome.com

{Learning from the Aussies} Having spent about 6 months studying in Australia, it holds a special place in my heart, as do the wonderful people I met while there.  There's something about those Aussies that just make you all warm and fuzzy inside.  Maybe it's their laid back "no worries, mate" attitude, or their adventurous spirit, or their innate friendliness, or their ability to house drinks like animals, or their ability to eat Vegimite and like it.  Maybe it's that they get 4-6 of paid vacation each year...

Photo courtesy of www.joshuapundit.blogspot.com

{A Parental Daycation} This sounds like a genius idea.  Especially if we Americans can't score those 4-6 weeks of paid vacay like the Aussies.  

Photo courtesy of www.babble.com

I've saved the best for last.  If you watch Bachelor in Paradise you will love this.  

{Bachelor in Paradise Delusions} You know how while you're watching this show you're thinking, "What is wrong with her? She's known him five minutes and she thinks they're getting married. And she's jealous he's on a date with someone else because this other girl is disrupting her 'real connection' with him on this 'journey' toward love."  Well, this article ranks the people on the show in order of how deluded they really are.

If only we got a dollar every time they said journey or connection or right reasons (do you remember when they made the guys rap this song on Dez's season of The Bachelorette?! Painful.) we'd be richer than Bill Gates. 

Photo courtesy of www.grantland.com

Be glad you're not these people. It airs Monday nights on ABC ;)

~And that, my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!~

Work Bags

As requested, here are some of my favorite bags for work. All of them are at least 8.5" x 11" in order to accommodate important papers and files, and maybe even some extra space for some flats and snacks. 

They are also quite pricey, but if you work full time you probably spend more time with this bag than any other so it's worth the splurge in my opinion. Plus, who wants those straps fraying and breaking, spilling your important work documents all over the place? 

They can also be used for school (I'm thinking more like college or grad school) or traveling because they are designed to hold more items.   

{Rebecca Minkoff} Perry Satchel, $328, 12.5" x 10" x 8" 

The soft turquoise hue of this satchel will add a hint of color to any work outfit.  And you can use it out on the town as well.  

Photo courtesy of www.polyvore.com

{Michael Kors} Jet-Set Leather Tote, $248, 11" x 10" x 4"
Comes in five colors.  I'd go bold and get a color like Raspberry or Orange to brighten up your workday. I also love the two exterior pockets, which are perfect for your phone and other items you need to access easily. 

Photo courtesy of www.pinterest.com

{Rebecca Minkoff} Mini Jules Satchel, $145, 11" x 9" x 4.5" 

I am in love with this bag.  The hardware adds a touch of femininity to this otherwise masculine shaped briefcase.  The rounded edges soften the shape and the pure white color screams clean and put together.  

Photo courtesy of www.bloomingdales.com

{Rebecca Minkoff} Mini Perry Tote, $165,   12.5" x 10.75" x 6" 
Love the zipper detailing on this bag.  Gives a hint of interest without being too informal.  The classic shape of the bag makes it perfect for work.  And the rich camel color makes any look appear sophisticated. 

Photo courtesy of www.polyvore.com

{Kate Spade} Cedar Street Perforated Harmony Tote, $178, 10" x 12" x 6"
If you want to add a little color and design to spice up your workday this is it. It also comes in black and white if you want to stay more traditional. 

Photo courtesy of www.katespade.com

{Tory Burch} York Buckle Tote, $295, 11" x 15" x 6"
The colors 'Luggage,' "Dark Plum,' and 'Kir Royale' are my favorites. There is a zippered pocket in the middle, dividing the bag into two compartments and there are two pockets inside large enough to accommodate a phone and a device roughly the size of an iPad. 

Photo courtesy of www.polyvore.com

{Gigi New York} Tori Tote, $325, 18.5" x 15.5" x 7"

Much larger than the other bags I've listed, this one is truly a tote. Get it personalized with your initials to add some interest to an otherwise simplistic bag. This simplicity will allow you to go from the office to the farmers market without a problem. No zip top allows easy access to all your important items in a snap. 

Photo courtesy of www.giginewyork.com

  
{Gigi} Taylor Tote, $360,  17" x 11" x 6"
Similar to the Tori Tote above but a little larger, with some gold hardware and magnetic closure. I like it in Black or Stone. Monogram is also available on this one.    

{Louis Vuitton} Palermo GM, $1960, 17.7" x 14.2" x 7.9"
In case you want to go super fancy. I mean we spend 90% of our lives at work right? So why not splurge on a bag you will use 50 out of the 52 weeks of the year? I have this one for teaching and it fits five classes worth of essays (standing up straight for easy viewing), has a zip top, and is great for travel, not to mention stylish and iconic.  Have I rationalized it for you yet??

Work hard, bag hard.

~And that, my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!~

Summer Fashion, Part V: Swim

My favorite thing to shop for is swimwear so I had to restrain myself when writing this post.  Even though August is reaching it's close, your time spent poolside does not have to.  And the end of the summer is a great time to score deals! These are some of my favorites:

{South Moon Under, Maaji 'Bubble Gum' Solid Ruffle Bandeau Bikini} $104.50 Simple but looks great with a tan.

Photo courtesy of www.southmoonunder.com

{South Moon Under,Maaji 'Mystic Paths' Reversible Bustier Bikini} $64.99 Love the pattern and having just had a baby, this covers all the right things.  Did I mention it's reversible?! 

Photo courtesy of www.southmoonunder.com

{South Moon Under, Maaji 'Sunny Parfait' Bustier Bikini} $132.50 love the bottom more than the top, but it's something different for me. It's good to get out if your comfort zone once in a while. 

Photo courtesy of www.southmoonunder.com

{South Moon Under, Raj Import Wallpaper Chiffon Short Tunic Cover Up} $49.50  I love the print and that it's sheer because I don't know about you, but those women who wear full on outfits to the beach or pool baffle me? Do they never get hot or sweat? Aren't you just going to ball it up and throw it in your beach bag anyway? 

Photo courtesy of www.southmoonunder.com

{F21 Chevron Crochet Cover Up} $14.80 Crochet and chevron are both very 'in' right now. And at $14.80 you really can't go wrong. 

Photo courtesy of www.forever21.com

{F21 Wraparound Bikini Top and Cutout Bikini Bottom} $16.80 , $12.80 Love that this suit is basically the same as the L Space ones but at a very small cost.  Love the side cut details. 

Photo courtesy of www.forever21.com

These two are close to sold out so get on it!

{F21 Neoprene Bikini Top, Neoprene Bikini Bottom} $14.80, $10.80 A little bit 80s, this suit will definitely get you noticed, it's neon alright. 

Photo courtesy of www.forever21.com

{F21 Strappy Bralette Bikini Top, Strappy Bikini Bottom} $14.80, $12.80 I love the look of the back and sides, it reminds me of more expensive macrame bikins. If you don't mind weird tan lines, that is. 

Photo courtesy of www.forever21.com

Photo courtesy of www.forever21.com

Get shopping and get busy soaking up some sun in your new suit. 

~And that, my friends, is worth a glass of champagne.~ 

...from the web Fridays, August 15,2014

Got a few extra links for you today on this Friday.  Enjoy these last days of summer because as rumor has it, winter is coming early this year.  Womp womp. :(

{What it's Like to be Out of Shape at the Gym} 
The treadmill scene in this is so true. I do have short legs you know...

I don't know if I find the message of this video hilarious or oxymoronic. In some ways, it implies that in order to escape feeling like the man and woman in the video you must already be in shape to get in shape.  Otherwise, you're doomed to have a shameful experience.  

I don't know about you but I admire two types of people at the gym: the ones who are already in amazing shape because it gives me something to strive for, and the ones who are working really hard to get in shape because I am amazed at their hard work and determination to improve their lives despite what others (or youtube videos) may think. The video makes me laugh nonetheless, simply because we have all been the out of shape person at some point.  

Photo courtesy of www.yahoo.com

{Get out of the Bubble} I've been telling my students this for years!  Get away from home and what is familiar to you, even if only for a little while.  It will open your eyes and heart to a million different things and it is sure to be an experience you'll never forget.  

Photo courtesy of www.yankodesign.com

{Girls Night Out Before and After Kids}  You deserve a night out, even if the process by which you get there is a far cry from dance parties and mixed drinks. 

Photo courtesy of www.huffingtonpost.com

{Moving} This is so true.  Moving is awful.  The first couple of times are exciting - out of your parents' house to college, to your first apartment...after that screw moving - I'd rather pay someone to do it for me then go through that hassle one. more. time. Those of you in the military or those who simply who moved a lot, I honestly don't know how you do it. Kudos! 

Photo courtesy of www.aaamovinganddelivery.com

{Brain Vacation} Your brain needs a vacay too! Set aside time for it to rest - don't always be doing stuff, rest once in a while, and let your brain rest too. 

Photo courtesy of www.godetour.com

{Best Beer in Baseball} Glad to know Baltimore is doing pretty well, however you'd think a team like the Yankees would step up their beer offerings, especially considering the price of tickets to home games.  C'mon Yanks, you can do better than that.  

Photo courtesy of www.washingtonpost.com

{Dad Quits CEO Role} This is amazing.  More moms and dads should do this (if they can).  It saddens me that people work so hard to build great lives but often never get a chance to actually live them.  It'd be great if we could all reevaluate our values and truly put family first while adequately compensating people. We only go around in this world once, who wants to skip family for work?? (And I loved my job but family is always first in my book) 

Photo courtesy of www.washingtonpost.com

{Livin' on a Boat} Reminiscent of Thoreau's experience at Walden Pond, half of me totally wants to do this and the other half says that I'd be way too lonely (and gross - I'm not showering in the ocean! Doesn't that just make you get salty and crusty? I guess I've never tried but I'm assuming bathing in the very place the fish excrete is not my idea of clean) 

Photo courtesy of www.shantyboatliving.com

I wouldn't mind going on a boat, however...

Happy Weekend!

~And that, my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!~

Summer Fashion, Part IV: Dresses & Rompers

I love dresses in the summer.  Easy, effortless and breezy, it is the perfect item for a hot summer's day.  Here are some of my favs:

{Mango, V Neckline Dress} $24.99 It's seems to be sold out, but it looks like thy're re-stocking shortly.  Simple and easy this would be perfect with dainty gold jewelry and some heels.

Photo courtesy of www.mango.com

{Revolve Ruth Cotton Gauze Dress} $158  If you want to splurge on a summer dress, this is it.  Flowy, gossamer, and soft, this dress will keep you cool when the summer heats up.

www.revolveclothing.com

{Revolve Orchid Tunic Dress Tiare Hawaii} $77  A perfect beach dress.  Whether you are on the beach during the day or sipping cocktails at an oceanside club, this dress will get you there.  This one's on my wishlist!

www.revolveclothing.com

{South Moon Under, Glam Racerback Chevron Dress} $27.99 (on sale!)  I'm loving the cheerful colors and the tribal print.

www.southmoonunder.com

{F21 Embroidered Floral A-Line Dress} $27.80  Cute floral details add a touch of vintage charm to this flattering silhouette.

Photo courtesy of www.forever21.com

{F21 Lace Edged Romper} $17.80  So easy and simple. Nothing beats a crisp white outfit with bronzed summer skin.  

Photo courtesy of www.forever21.com

{F21 Paisley Lace Cami Dress} $19.80  Great festival wear or beach wear.

Photo courtesy of www.forever21.com

{F21 Short Sleeve Shift Dress} $19.80  Stuck at the office this summer?  Or maybe you ate too much?  This dress is it.

Photo courtesy of www.forever21.com

{F21 Tie Dye Cami Dress} $24.80  Fun, flirty and lightweight, this is perfect for those backyard barbecues and can easily transition from day to night.

Photo courtesy of www.forever21.com

{F21 Tropical Floral Maxi} $27.80  Can dress this up with nude wedges or dress it down with some cute grecian-type sandals.

Photo courtesy of www.forever21.com

Happy end-of-summer shopping!!

~And that, my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!~

...from the web Fridays, August, 8, 2014

Somehow, all my links this weekend have to do with family or being a mom.  Guess that's indicative of what's been on my mind lately! 

Let me tell you, having two kids is WAY different than having one.  When my first daughter was a newborn it all seemed so hard to adjust from non-mom life to newborn life with it's constant feeding and pumping, diapers and trial and error. I was glad to be a mom and I loved her more than this world, but that transition was a tough one for me. I stopped working, I was on a diet for the first time in my life, and only a few friends had babies of their own so I had to learn a lot on my own. With no family nearby to offer constant help, the transition was rough to say the least.  

I assumed with my second daughter things would be crazier, but I never could've imagined how crazy. I'm yearning for the days of one newborn - where I could nap when she did.  I even managed to organize my linen closet during a naptime once.  This time around, I'm lucky if I get to brush my teeth and eat.  I'm sure many of you are wondering 'What do you do all day exactly?'   And to be honest, I'm not even sure. Sometimes I look at the clock and it's 3pm and I don't know where the day went.  I know one day I spent two hours trying to get my newborn to sleep, another I spent an hour repeatedly putting my older daughter in the timeout chair when we were supposed to be at the park, I know one day things were just going so well that I didn't want to disrupt it so we just stayed home.  Don't rock the boat people. 

 If it wasn't for my amazing husband who leaves my older daughter and I lunch everyday I'd probably live off pretzels and water. And sometimes I don't get to brush my teeth till after noon - one time it was 3 o'clock. (Sshh) Gross.  And so not me.  

Nevertheless, the moments when both kids are asleep or when the older one is nice to the newborn are priceless and worth every struggle.  

Needless to say I've been seeing the world through the filter of managing two kids and trying to adjust to this new version of life.  And that is probably why all of these links are family related.  

{Being Close with your Mom} When you're younger it's usually the last thing you want, and somehow, some way, she winds up being the first person on the favorite list on your phone.  And you call her at least once a day.  

Photo courtesy of www.cosmopolitan.com

{Worst Baby Photos} I really hope these are real because I'm still laughing.  This is one of my favorites...

Photo courtesy of www.news.distractify.com

{The Power of Relatability}  A bit philosophical but definitely thought-provoking, especially if you like theater.

Photo courtesy of www.theatlantic.com

{Burger King} I don't know if I'm proud of this man, or disturbed that a grown man would stoop so low.  I'll admit, it did garner a chuckle. Or several.   

Photo courtesy of www.happyplace.someecards.com

{Picking Up Moms}  Trying to make mom friends if your kids aren't school-aged is nearly impossible. And in a weird twisted way, a lot like dating.  (And if you're a stay-at-home dad it's even harder.  Two moms who exchange numbers at the park? Cool, new friend. A stay-at-home dad and mom? It just looks bad.  And I'm pretty sure his wife will neither appreciate his asking you for your number - no matter how well the kids get along - nor will you feel comfortable giving out your number if you're also married.  And if one or both of you happens to be single it gets even more awkward and possibly misleading.  Is he asking for my number because he's interested in me? Or truly because the kids play well together?) 

Photo courtesy of www.scarymommy.com

Go enjoy your weekend with your family.  

~And that, my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!~

...from the web Fridays, August 1, 2014

Welcome, August.  Sort of. For me August marks the second half of summer- the last half. (Sniff, sniff).  

Sadly, the end of summer draws nearer, so let's just jump into this post and let some sentimental links from the web wash over us. 

{Inner City Teaching} I've known many inner city teachers and this seems to be a somewhat accurate portrayal of many of their experiences.  

Photo courtesy of www.pfl.grad.ncsu.edu

{Teaching Empathy} A more scientific look at empathy.  I think this is an underrated personality trait that is similarly under-appreciated. 

Photo courtesy of www.wordsfromcindysheart.com

{Words of Wisdom for Kids} Good advice. Although, if you're a kid you'll probably ignore it until you're older. Then you'll become all nostalgic and you'll just 'get' it. 

Photo courtesy of www.huffingtonpost.com

The next two links don't fit with the others in terms of sentiment, but they are informative nonetheless.  They may make your day, the first by keeping you regular, and the second by helping you store that 'regular-ness' (among other things).  Read on loyal readers, read on.   

{Fruits w/High Water Content} Good to know for those hot summer days spent beachside. You don't always have to be sipping on H2O to be hydrated.  Or mix them into cocktails - hydrating and getting buzzed at the same time.  Is that paradoxical or what?   

Photo courtesy of www.onegreenplanet.org

{The Coolest} I was tempted to keep this one all to myself, but I just couldn't do that to all of you. Blender, charger, music player, night light, awesomeness.  I sent the link to my husband a week ago, thinking he'll either think this is amazing or really cheesy.  I was banking on cheesy.  We are now $185 poorer and our Coolest should be delivered in February.  Enough said.  

Photo courtesy of www.kickstarter.com

~And that, my friends, is worth a glass of champagne!~  ....which I will be storing in my Coolest come February ;)