happy halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! Have a spooktacular day!

TGIF!

Happy Friday!

I just wanted to stop in to say have a lovely weekend and to share some photos from my Pinterest that are really making me happy this morning:

Since the weather is going to be on the blah side this weekend, these flower photos are a happy reminder of the loveliness that is spring. : ) Have a great weekend!

thursday latelies

Happy Thursday!

I've had a crazy week/day at work, so far, but here is a quick Thursday Latelies post for y'all. : )

Some things I am thankful for today:

1. I am thankful I passed the test I took a month ago! I just found out about 2 hours ago that I passed. This means that I am 4/5 Registered Landscape Architect. I have one more section to pass {a really hard one} and then I can finally apply for my Landscape Architecture license.

2. I am thankful for the beautiful weather we are having today! It is gorgeous out! It is supposed to be rainy and cold tomorrow and this weekend so I am trying to enjoy every sun-shiny minute of today.

3. I am thankful that there are many wonderful ladies on my lacrosse team {the Carolina Heat} who show up and make playing lacrosse a possibility for us post-college girls. Playing lacrosse is something I love so much {even though I am far from the best player on the field} and I am glad that I have the opportunity to play.

{Photo via Carolina Heat website}

What are you thankful for today??

first outfit post!

I am a little nervous about this, but this is my first outfit post ever. I used the camera on my phone {obvi} so I don't know how many of these I will be doing due to small mirror and phone camera conflicts.

turtleneck: Lands End Canvas

dress: Target

cable knit tights: Target

boots: DSW

belt: Target

This weekend I was doing a little closet reorganization and while I was switching my summer tops and dresses out for my warmer fall/winter stuff, I had a revelation. Some of my summer dresses and tops can be layered with long sleeve shirts {and tights in the case of the dresses} and can be worn through the fall and winter. {I know this isn't rocket science, but sometimes I have a hard time visualizing how some pieces can be layered to create multi-season outfits}

It's all about layers, people! : )

So...per my recent revelation I layered a summer kimono dress with a turtleneck, tights, and boots....and viola! A {warm} fall outfit! This is the first time I have worn cable knit tights in years - and I almost forgot how warm and cozy they are!!

Thanks for letting me be brave and sharing my outfit with you!

Addendum: I just ripped my cable knit tights with the zipper on my boots! GRR! The rip is small...hopefully I can stitch my tights back to new... : /

change is needed?

Happy Friday, everyone!

Have you ever thought you needed a change in your life but you just don't know what that change is? I have been feeling like I need a change lately but I wasn't quite sure what that change was. Should I get my hair cut? {No...impulse hair cuts always end in disaster. Lesson learned in college as well as January 2008.} Should I buy a new wardrobe? {No...although I have been making some purchases on Lands End Canvas lately - their sales rock!}. I've just been stressed about things in life lately and I knew something needed to change...and after some thinking I think I know what I need...

{Photo via}

Yoga.

I have done yoga in the past {and loved it} but not on a regular basis. I think I need to rekindle my love affair with yoga to help me center myself {cliche as that sounds - for me, it works}. Sometimes it is hard to find the time to do - but I just need to set aside the time and do it. I know I will be glad I did in the end.

Have you tried {or currently practice} yoga? Thoughts?

thursday latelies!

Happy Thursday, y'all! {thats the northern transplant in the south trying to be southern} : )

I hope everyone is having a splendid week so far. I am really excited because on Saturday we {me, the hubs, and some friends} are going to the North Carolina State Fair. Aside from the plethora of deep fried foods {which I think every fair has nowadays} there will be some great opportunities for people watching.

Even though I still have 2 whole days to wait until I go to the NC State Fair - here are some things I am thankful for today:

1. A working computer

As you may have seen earlier this week, my computer was not working. I am not sure if it was an automatic update from Windows or the fact I downloaded Spotify, but I couldn't get on the internet and I couldn't run my anti-virus. Long story short - I had to reformat...but I did it all by myself {which I am really proud of}. It is amazing how much we depend on the internet for day to day stuff...so I am glad that mine is fixed.

2. Betty White

I saw a quote by her recently that made me laugh so hard I almost fell off my chair {I apologize in advance if anyone thinks this is inappropriate}:

I love Betty White for various reasons {me and my grandma used to watch Golden Girls religiously...and I still watch it when I happen to see it is on} but this quote makes me love her even more.

3. Apple Cider

Sometimes apple cider sure is hard to find in the grocery story...so when I saw a gallon of it at Kroger last weekend...I snagged it and have been enjoying it {both hot and cold} ever since.

What are you thankful for today?

work it wednesday!

Since I bought my "calf-friendly" boots {if you have no idea what I am talking about, see this post}, I have been dreaming of ways to wear them. Too bad the temperature hopped back into the 80's for the beginning of this week. When the weather allows here are three ways I plan on rockin' my new kicks:

{top, jeans, shoes, jewelry, poncho, bag}

{poncho, t shirt, legging, legging, boots, handbag, earrings}

{top, jacket, skirt, stocking, boots, bag}

{top, jacket, skirt, stocking, boots, bag}

I pretty much have something that looks like everything above except for that pink poncho and the black cable knit poncho. I feel like they are in my future, though.

Just an FYI...Lands End Canvas is now having 50% off sale as well as the Classifieds {if you don't know what the Classified are, read more about it here}. Again, as I have mentioned before, they have awesome stuff and their sales are really good. I just bought 3 turtlenecks for $5.00 each. Love me some LE Canvas.

computer is fixed!

I am so happy that my computer is fixed! I had to reformat it and reload all my software (which is a very time consuming task) but I am up and running. It is amazing how much we depend on technology...paying bills, keeping in touch with friends and family, etc...a day or two without a computer isn't a huge deal but almost a week without one was making me crazy.

So this morning I was watching television while eating my oatmeal and I saw a commercial for this puppy:

{via Amazon}

I really want one. I feel like this is sort of giving the iPad a run for it's money. It's price point isn't that bad, either, considering it is color and you not just get books but music, movies, the internet...oh my.

Does anyone have a Kindle?How are you liking it?

Hints to be dropped towards the hubby very soon for a potential Christmas gift.

computer on the fritz

I am so bummed. My computer at home apparently has a virus of some sort {although I am not 100% sure about this - this is just going by what the guy at Intrex told me over the phone}.

Anyhow, I can't get onto the internet {my computer isn't even recognizing any IP addresses, weird} and I can't even run my anti-virus software {not a good sign}. Needless to say, I am uber bummed about my computer situation. Blog posts will probably be less frequent as a result.

Sometimes I dislike technology so much, even though we have come to pretty much depend on it. Sometimes I long for the pre-computer days of hand-written letters... {yeah, I know what you are thinking...what a nerd!}

Looks like this weekend I will be feverishly trying to fix my computer myself before breaking down and taking it somewhere. Although I am going out for Chinese food tonight and a corn maze after, so the weekend isn't a total bust.

I hope your weekend is super fun and you have no technology-related issues! : )

thursday latelies

Happy Thursday! It is another strong coffee day, for sure. For some reason I can't seem to wake up this morning. Hopefully this strong coffee will kick in soon!

Since today is Thursday, here are some things I am thankful for today:

1. These boots from DSW:

{via DSW}

I have been searching high and low for some boots that I can wear with skirts and tuck my skinnies in but I have this issue. I call it fat calves syndrome but it actually is that my calves are just slightly more muscular than the average woman. This means the 14" calf circumference for most boots would be fine with a skirt but no room for socks or to tuck my jeans in. These boots, however, have solved my fat calves syndrome problems and have saved the day! : )

2. Suave Dry Shampoo:

This stuff is AMAZING! I recently bought TRESemmé dry shampoo and it left a weird film in my hair and it was really perfumed. Last week Bex posted in her Thursday Latelies about the Suave Dry Shampoo and I decided to give it a whirl. It is AWESOME. No film and a light scent (a nice contrast to feeling like Pepé Le Pew). I normally love TRESemmé products but their dry shampoo just wasn't working for me.

3. Cable Knit Tights:

These remind me of my childhood (I had a pair of pink ones that I loved) and when I saw they had come back in style for adults I was thrilled! Unfortunately it was too warm to wear them today but as soon as the weather cools I will rock some cable knit tights (I have cream ones and grey ones) with those boots I bought.

What are you thankful for today?

work it wednesday

Happy Wednesday! My blog posts have been rather wordy lately...so I wanted to do one with few words and lots of photos. Without further delay - work it wednesday featuring flannel (who doesn't love flannel when the temps drop?):

{flannel shirt, skinny jeans, shoes, bag, necklace}

{shirt, skirt, tight, knee socks, boots, bangle, scarf}

{shirt, shorts, cable knit tight, boots, handbag, hat, scarf}

What are you working today?

woman gives birth after running marathon??

I was watching the news last night and on came a story about a woman who ran the Chicago marathon this past weekend - and minutes after crossing the finish line gave birth! This story is amazing overall, but two things really struck me...

1. She ran 26.2 miles while 39 weeks pregnant.

I love to run and actually inquired about this the last time I was at the Dr's office. I saw a visibly pregnant woman (I would say she was 6-7 months?) running in my neighborhood which caused me to ask if running was safe during pregnancy (just asking for future reference...). It is safe, but reducing speed and length of runs is important during the later parts of your pregnant (i.e. exercise is great - but don't overdo it).

2. She finished the marathon in 6 hours and 25 minutes!

For the average runner this might not seem like a feat but since she was 39 week pregnant and carrying the extra weight of pretty much a full grown baby, this seems like she was flying!

I guess her running the marathon helped to start the birth process? Anyhow, this story amazed me so I had to share.

You can read the whole story here.

monday funday (and apple pie)

Happy Monday, friends! I hope your weekend was fabulous and your week has started off well. I started my week with a lovely 5 mile run (it was 57 degrees when I woke up! It felt great since it has been in the 40's lately in the mornings here) and now I have moved on to some strong coffee.

I must admit I am a little bummed because I wanted to go apple picking this weekend and it appears picking here in NC is over for the season. I follow on Facebook the place I picked apples when I lived in Central New York (Beak and Skiff) and they are still picking away. I am jealous that apple picking won't be in my future this fall (but if anyone in NY wants to send me a bushel of Macintosh apples - my favorite for eating and cooking, let me know). :)

I bought some apples at the store that were grainy and less-than-desirable for eating...so I did what anyone else would do. I made a pie...and it was delicious. Who doesn't love pie? Basically I made an apple crisp pie since we didn't have enough crust for the top.

Here is what I did: really easy - peel and slice 4-5 medium to large apples. Place in a bowl and toss with 1/4 cup each sugar and flour and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Place in your pie crust (we would have made our own but we happened to have a pre-made in the freezer, so we used that). Once apples are in the pie crust I sprinkle a little corn starch (about 1 teaspoon) on top just to make sure the pie isn't too wet. Top with your favorite crisp topping (I used this one a la Betty Crocker and added some chopped pecans we had in our pantry.) Cook at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes (time depends on apples you use...test after 30 minutes to see if apples are soft. If they are still firm, keep on cookin'.)

If this looks like it might be too much sugar for you, you can always reduce or omit the sugar being tossed with the apples.

Happy baking! : )

thursday latelies

TGIT, friends!

What a week it has been. I have been super busy at work (hence the lack of blog posts this week) but it has been a good kind of busy. When I was watching the news this morning after my work-out date with Jillian, I saw the weather was going to be a little warmer this weekend here in central North Carolina...so I am glad I haven't packed my shorts away just yet...which leads me to what I am thankful for this morning...

1. The Six Week Six Pack workout video by Ms. Jillian Michaels.

Ever since I un-joined the gym in 2009 (due to trying to save some money) I have looked for good workouts I can do at home. I also enjoy workouts that get to the point. This work-out is only 30 minutes long but it is definitely a challenge. It is great for when I want to work out but also want to sleep just a couple minutes more. It also is more than just a core workout...don't let the name fool you.

Has anyone tried Ripped in 30? It looks like a great workout and I am tempted to try it out.

2. Warm weather this weekend!

It could very well be the last weekend with summer-like weather, so I plan on savoring every moment.

3. Lands End Canvas Sale. 40% off. Ya heard?

I got a sweater dress I have been eyeing for about 60% off. They also have really awesome customer service, their clothes are really well made, and they even include a hand-written note thanking you for your purchase with each order. I am in no way endorsed or sponsered by LE Canvas...I just love their clothing that much.

What are you thankful for today?

strong coffee

It's a strong coffee kind of day (or rather a Pumpkin Spice Latte with an extra shot of expresso kind of day).

No work it wednesday post because a) I am really busy at work, and 2) I don't feel very creative in the wardrobe department at the moment. (hey, it happens to the best of us) : )

Happy hump day, ya'll!

pumpkin and apple

I don't know about you but when the temperature dips for fall I always crave all things pumpkin and apple. Pumpkin muffins...apple pie...I am getting hungry just thinking about all of the delicious fall goodies I want to make. I even had the pleasure of trying Pumking beer recently and it was really delicious (my favorite fall beer is Samuel Adams Octoberfest...but I think I might now have a new fave).

One thing that is sort of tradition in my husband's family is pumpkin roll. It is so good - and really simple.

Pumpkin Roll (how yummy does this look?)

Here is the recipe for this delicious little dessert:

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (optional)

Directions

1. PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle towel with powdered sugar.
2. COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
3. BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.
4. BEAT cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake; remove towel. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

The rolling part takes a little practice but other than that it is one of the best pumpkin desserts around. I even think you can freeze it and save some for later.

Happy baking!

What fall foods are you craving?

pull out the sweaters...

...fall is here! It was in the 40's when I woke up this morning. Since we haven't turned the heat on yet, it was quite chilly in our house this morning. I didn't want to get out of bed! Since fall has arrived in full force, it is time to pull out those sweaters and all things warm and cozy. I am not sure if I am 100% ready to let go of the warm days of summer just yet (here's to hoping for another warm up before the cold weather really sets in!) but I am happy to start breaking out my sweaters.

One thing I am looking forward to purchasing is a sweater dress. They seem to be everywhere and I am loving a good sweater dress with tights and boots. Here are just a couple of sweater dresses I would love to add to my wardrobe:

{Lands End canvas, Loft, Lands End canvas, Loft, Loft, Loft}

I must say I am really impressed with Lands End Canvas. They have really great stuff. I have purchased a couple of thing from LE Canvas and everything is really well made and will last forever.

Have a great Monday, everyone!