It's Okay + {Giveaway Winner}

First of all, thank you to everyone who entered my first giveaway! I think it was very successful! and I'm so excited about all of my new followers!

Congratulations to Rachel! She just had her second baby, so she is definitely going to need some relaxation time this summer! I'm so excited for you love!

I've been wanting to do one of Neely's it's okay link up's forever, so what's better than the present.

It's Okay...

to drink three cups of coffee before 10 am, just because you can't get enough.

to be crazy sore from yoga, to the point that it hurts to lift your arms.

to drink 3 purple hazes on a Wednesday night, with your boss in tow no less.

to wear ankle pants to work (wait, is it really? oh well)

to be obsessed with my new app viggle. Like I have 7000 points in less than a week. granted I watch CNN literally all day when I'm at the office. 

to be BEYOND excited to meet so many of my dc blogger friends at Blogger Blitz on Sunday!

to be dreaming of another beach vacation. I need more beach time asap.

to be scared about major life changes.

to make those changes anyways.

to eat 2 fast food milkshakes in 3 days. who does that?


to wish it was the 4th of july already, because I need another 4 day week.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I had so much fun linking up with Jaime last week, so I decided to do it again. Here's what I'm loving this Wednesday.

I'm loving that it's already Wednesday! Four day weeks are the best.

I'm loving my new Stila Custom Color Blush I picked up last week with my Birchbox points.

I'm loving this TJ Maxx find

I picked up this skirt from Talbots. TJ Maxx is always hit or miss, but I have to say the last few times I've gone I've found some great things. Anyway, found this skirt for 90% the original price! It's beautiful, and real quality silk. Love it.

I'm loving that I've finally discovered how awesome twitter is. You should totally follow me here. 

 I'm loving that I finally got my Starbucks Gold Card in the mail last night! I'm so legit right now, you have no idea.

Another TJ Maxx find. Uber-Prep Ralph Lauren Boat shoes in pink. I totally wore them to yoga last night and got a few looks when I walked in. But as we left class the skies opened up... sucks for all y'all in your TOMS. Haha. jk, but not really.

I picked up a few Aveda samples at the girls night out event last week, and I'm loving how soft this leave in treatment has made my hair. Watch out It's a 10. You are in danger of being replaced.  

Do you have Pot Belly near you? OMG they just came out with a new Mediterranean Sandwich. AND. IT'S. AWESOME. This is gonna get bad y'all.

I'm loving all of you who've entered my giveaway! There's still some time if you haven't entered yet!!!

So that's it. What I'm loving this Wednesday. Go to Jaime's blog and link up!

Happy Tuesday

Welcome back to the real world! I'm so glad it's Tuesday and not Monday, right? I had a wonderfully low key weekend. Like the kind of weekend you don't leave your house for almost two days, and don't get up from the couch for the same amount of time. It was great. I finally caught up on all of my post-vacation laundry, cleaned my room, washed my sheets (I was a laundry fiend on Sunday), drank lots of coffee and skinny margaritas. 

Friday after work I headed over to the first Jazz in the Sculpture Garden of the season. It was wonderful, but HOT. Whew. Hello summer. 

Then we went to Cava for a late dinner and hit up our favorite, Lola's for an after dinner drink. Then we went home where I sat for two whole days. haha. you think I'm kidding. but I'm not. 

One thing that didn't help was my discovery of Viggle. Have you heard of it? It's an app that rewards you for watching TV. I know. You basically "check in" at the beginning of every show you watch and they give you a point for every minute you watch. Then you can redeem your point for rewards like Starbucks, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Sephora, etc. Plus it's really easy to rack up bonus points. I'm now slightly addicted to it. Oh well. At least I can justify my addiction to the Real Housewives now. 

I tweeted this picture last night.

I couldn't sleep, so I started a new book. Needless to say 10 pages in to this baby and I was out cold. Not exactly a page turner like fifty shades of grey. oh well. 

I have gotten a few new beauty products (finally cashed in my 700 Birchbox points) that I'm in the process of reviewing, so get excited for that. 

Other than that, my life is pretty boring. Oh, thanks to all of you who entered my giveaway! If you haven't yet there's still time! Hope y'all have a great Tuesday!

It's the Weekend! let's kick it off with a {Giveaway}

I'm so glad it's a long weekend, how about y'all? I'm planning on relaxing and catching up on the DVR. Maybe a beach day? some shopping. who knows. But three days off sounds lovely and there will definitely be a few cocktails involved.

I've been wanting to do a giveaway for a while now, and I figured what better time than now to start? I'm giving away a few of my favorite things that help me relax during the summer. I am giving away a one year subscription to one of my favorite magazines to read by the pool, Glamour, and a $10 Starbucks card, because who doesn't love to sip on a Starbucks beverage by the pool?

Since it's a long weekend and y'all may be taking an extended break from blogging I'm going to keep this open until next Thursday. I'm so excited! Y'all can enter below, but if you have any questions feel free to email me.

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

{Recipe: The Taco Heart}

Obviously I have had way too much time on my hands lately, because I've been scouring pinterest for party ideas. Remember our Cinco de Mayo fiesta a few weeks ago? We had the tissue pom-poms, banners, mustaches, and not to mention lots of tequila. I love Mexican food, and when I saw this I knew it was a must.  It's called a taco ring, but in the waining twenty minutes before a party, running around with your head cut off one doesn't have a ton of time to artfully craft a perfect circle. So, a taco ring quickly turns into a misshapen taco heart.

this is what it was supposed to look like

This was such a surprising hit, and was really easy to make. You can pull everything together in just a few minutes, and if you put in a little more time than I did you can probably make it a lot prettier. This is the inspiration site, but I modified it slightly.

You will need

• 2 cans of crescent rolls
• 1 cup Mexican Cheese
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• diced onion (I used about .25 cups but that was because I ran out of onions so I would definitely use more next time)
• 1.3 lbs Ground Turkey

All easy enough, right? I browned the turkey and added the taco seasoning an hour or so ahead of time.  Then on a large pizza pan or cookie sheet, lay out your crescent rolls into whatever shape you want (since I did a heart shape I used 1 whole can). Spoon the taco meat over the rolls, then cover with either the extra dough or do what I did, and cover completely with the remaining can. I promise this tastes so good, your friends wont care what it looks like.

P.S. I have my first GIVEAWAY COMING TOMORROW. Get excited people!

WILW

Today I'm going to be more positive than I was yesterday when I unloaded all my pensive crap on y'all. So, I'm linking up with Jaime for 

I'm loving that it's Wednesday already! Three day weekend here we come!

I'm surprised to say I'm loving the color Orange. (as a Georgia Bulldog we are trained to hate all things Orange)

kate spade painted jewels

Banana Republic

kate spade gumdrop studs  

kate spade off the beaten path bangle

Old Navy

Steve Madden: Tabithaa

kate spade continental wallet

and while it's very St. Patty's day, I'm loving the Orange and Green combo

Old Navy

Old Navy

And I hate to admit it, but I'm loving the Orange/Blue combo. I know. I know. Go Gators. eww. 

Top Shop

Top Shop

J Crew

What do you think? Are you still loving Orange?

Grey

I'm feeling very grey today, for many reasons. One, the weather is the epitome of grey today. Not really raining, not really that hot or cold, just overcast and hazy. Grey. 

Two. I finished Fifty Shades of Freed last night, and OMG. I think I love the shade of Christian Grey at the very end. He's wonderful. I would like Ryan Gosling to play him in the movie please. 

He looks pretty good in that grey tie already ;)

Three.  I did a lot of thinking while I was gone. I've been really unhappy with my life lately. Not to say that I'm not appreciative of what I have/what I've accomplished, because I am. I love my friends and this city dearly. But I don't know. Call it the quarter life crisis, call it boredom, whatever. I need a major change. I'm pretty sure that means a new job, but I'm just not sure. I have a nagging feeling that a new job in DC is not the right thing. I'm about 98% sure this uncertainty is stemming from my bout with unemployment last year (four months, and several heartbreaks it's the hardest thing I've ever been through). But still. Is it time to jump ship? Head back south? Go teach English abroad somewhere? ugh. It all sounds more exciting than getting a new job in DC. 

On the other hand I love this town. I love working in politics, and I really did move here to work in policy on Capitol Hill. While I spent a whole year in the Senate, I never got to really work in policy. I really want to accomplish that before I leave (if and when I decide to move on from this town), and there's a part of me that feels like I'm failing by not having achieved that goal. 

I picked up The Happiness Project almost a year ago, and it's sat on my nightstand ever since. I brought it with me to Puerto Rico, and I have to say it's made me do a lot of thinking. I'm going to do a full review when I finish, and I may even start my own happiness project some day soon, hang tight on that front. 

Anyways enough of this stuff, I just wanted to keep y'all posted on somethings I've been thinking about lately. Change is always hard, but at this point I can't keep doing what I'm doing. I need something new. 

I'm back...

Good Morning....

I'm back! I have tons of catch up to do today, and I have about a million blogs to read in my google reader, but I'm very happy to be sitting at my desk this grey and rainy Monday morning. I didn't realize how much I would miss my little apartment, and the kitty cat and the city in general. I'm definitely feeling more and more at home here, the longer I stay. 

Puerto Rico was lovely. The weather was pretty great, and apart from a painful sunburn on Friday we had a great time. Get ready for an intense photo drop post. 

Chicago from the Plane

The fam minus 1

Puppy likes Chick-fil-a ice cream a little too much

Tilapia, rice and beans, and platanos. Yum

Infinity pools in the rain > just about everything else

Alright. Off to work. 

{Friday Cocktail} Skinny Pina Colada

I mean really? What else did you expect? I'm in Puerto Rico!!!

I've partaken in several sugary guilt filled delicious pina coladas since we arrived 4 days ago. When I get home though, I'm definitely breaking out the magic bullet to make a few of these.

In a blender combine

• 3 oz coconut rum
• 10 oz coconut water
• .5 cup frozen pineapple chucks (try Trader Joes)

Blend and enjoy! I love coconut water, but rarely buy it anymore. I will definitely pick some up when I get home though. Hope y'all have a great weekend. I'm some what reluctantly headed home on Sunday, but as soon as I arrive we'll be celebrating KJ's 25th! 

See y'all Monday!

Hair Love

I'm in a bit of a hair rut lately. I've been too lazy in the mornings to do much of anything beyond a top knot (which I love, but isn't the most professional look in the world). I am just lacking the motivation to pick up the blow dryer or the curling iron in the mornings. 

So for some inspiration I took to pinterest (where else) and found some exciting new style options

But I love me some beachy summery waves. 

What could be prettier? I found this recipe for homemade sea spray, and I'm totally trying it once I get home from Puerto Rico. I'll let you know if my thin fine hair can stand this kind of styling.

P.S. I think I'm depressed for my hair, because come mid may in DC the humidity around here ramps up like nobody's business. I think it's worse than Georgia. MEANING my hair wont hold the curls I work on so hard. I mean really, they generally fall out by the time I get to work. 

Guest Post: Office Style

I have a treat for y'all today. I have a great guest post for you today from one of my favorite blogs:

These are three lovely sisters who have a great sense of style! Go visit them here I know you'll love them! They are going to talk to you about workplace style, something I could use some help with. Please show them some love! Take it away ladies

The workplace can be a drag but your wardrobe doesn't have to be, so kick off your early morning work days with style. You too can look chic from nine to fine and we're going to show you how!

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If your job is strict on dress attire go for the neutral shades (black, grey, navy and khaki) and pick a couple of accent pieces. Get yourself a couple of pants, skirts, blazers, cardigans and shirts all in neutrals and use the accent pieces like a scarf, necklace or earrings to give it a little pop of color. 


Black may be a sophisticated and safe color to wear to work but it can be a bit...boring. "The colors you wear in a professional setting are about so much more than mere fashion or style," says Sheila Dicks, professional style coach and founder of the Fashion Expert Network . 


"Colors send subconscious messages, and can affect your mood, as well as the mood of the workers around you." Cool huh? So we say go for it!  


You can take that LBD (you know the one we're talking about) or grey and pair it with a blazer that screams color me happy!  Wear it with a simple silk blouse or take a solid blazer and pair it with your favorite dress.

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Taking a simple geometric skirt and paring it with a blouse is another look you can try. Even a bright skirt will work as long as the top part is a neutral color, don't forget the neutrals :)

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A black skirt suit doesn't have to be just that. By adding a scarf or a colored or patterned blouse can give this look a face lift.

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If your job has casual Fridays, take one of your work blouses and pair it with dark denim. This look below is simple yet chic and leopard flats will go perfectly in completing the look. 

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If you really want to brighten up your day at work go for wearing two bright colors like the look below. The soft pink blouse is paired with an orange flare pant, talk about effortlessly chic. 

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If your office is strict on the dress code and everyone walks around with their noses in the air, you can dress up a simple skirt and button up blouse with a little edge. A skinny leopard belt is the perfect way to do so. It's an unexpected little surprise and those people with their nose in the air will be looking down... at your fabulous style!  

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Cardigans are your best friends, befriend them and love them. Why you may ask, because they are the easiest way to add color to your work wardrobe. 

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All these looks can definitely go from nine to fine by simply switching your shoes or taking off your blazer and adding a statement necklace. Just make sure you pack it in your work bag so you won't miss happy hour! 

 

Play dress-up in your closet and mix all your accessories, pumps, flats, and clothing items to see what goes with what. It's okay to mix prints or to add a pop of color. You can take pictures to ask family and friends to look at or better yet, have a girls night in and have your girlfriends come over for food, music and champagne while you model for them. Think Sex in the City, what fun! 

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Consignment and thrift stores are excellent places to shop around at, you'll be surprised at 

what you find. But in the meantime, here are some great finds that you can wear from nine to fine with no ands ifs or buts!

Modcloth $34.99

Forever 21 $24.80

H&M $34.95

ASOS $52.19

Express $17.43

Does your work wardrobe need a face lift? Do you like wearing color to work? What is your normal work attire? Let us know in the comments.

Big thanks to Emily for asking us to guest blog, it was great =)

XO Wil Harris