Finding some balance

This season in life is a weird one. Some days I feel like I have everything figured out, and I do a good job of balancing all that is going on and all the "hats" I am wearing right now: I can be a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, an employee, a coworker, a friend... all at once. And other days I feel like I can barely keep it together enough to be any one of those things, let alone all of them! I'm sure that's how most new moms feel, but it is definitely requiring some mental adjustments to let myself figure out how to live this version of life. There are times when it feels like I've been doing this forever, and other times I remind myself that I have literally only been a mom for 8 months, and that is such a tiny piece of time. There is no rush to have it all figured out quite yet.

I've been back at work for about five months now, and while we have a good routine, and I am very lucky to have a very flexible environment and understanding team, some days it feels like I can barely keep it all together to make it work. I got two pieces of good advice recently, one from a random blog and one from a coworker. The random blog said, you can be a great mom and a great employee, but you will likely never be great at both at the same time. That really resonated with me - if I am being great at one of those things, I am likely just being good at the other... and that is okay! Sometimes I'm being a great worker. Sometimes I'm being a great mom. Neither is suffering when I'm just being good, though. I have to give myself a little grace and understanding, and know that being good is good enough.

A few days after I read that blog post (really wish I could remember the source.. oops. Mom brain!), I had a meeting with my career manager / mentor at work. We were supposed to be discussing my current career goals. Over coffee, I was completely honest with her and told her that, truth be told, I really don't have any career goals right now. My goal is to keep doing my job while I figure out how to be a mom. Wouldn't you know, she looked right at me and said, "Your goal is to tread water. And treading water is okay!" I needed so badly to hear that from her. She is a mom and an employee with many more years experience under her belt, and she understands where I am in life right now - so lucky for me! I needed someone to tell me that, right now, I don't need to be setting giant lofty goals and trying to propel myself forward. Instead, I need to learn how to maintain and keep my head above water. You can't keep swimming forward if you don't know how to just keep from drowning to start with! So here I am. Treading water. And it's okay. I will do the best I can, of course, and do the best work I can, but also admit to myself that some (most) days the 80% solution will have to do instead of the 100% solution. That is a little bit hard to come to terms with, but I'm working through it mentally. I have many years ahead of me to learn how to do everything really well again! For now, I'll just keep treading water. 

This sweet boy makes it all worth it - I know I will look back on this time later and barely remember the things I thought were so difficult. He is such a joy to us!

Travel Essentials - What's in My Carry-On?

Good morning from the West Coast! I am checking in from Washington State today, where it is hotter than blazes and I am still adjusting to being three hours behind. Whew!

Business travel is intense, and I generally feel like I am constantly "on" when traveling - there is no downtime when you are with your clients from morning til night! It is exhausting, but it is worth it, too - I love meeting new people and putting names to faces instead of just seeing signature lines in emails.

All the work travel I've done in the last year or so has led to becoming a pretty succinct packer - I can fit my whole life for a week into a carry-on suitcase and a backpack and maneuver pretty well. While I'm often on little planes where they gate-check your carry-on luggage, I always have my backpack with me. I thought that I'd share a few things I always have handy to make those long days of multiple flights a little easier. Creature comforts, if you will!

1 // a water bottle - my number one tip for traveling! Everyone knows that you can't take liquids past security at the airport, but an empty water bottle is no problem. Pack it into your carry-on, and fill it from once you're past the TSA. There are water fountains near almost every bathroom, and I've found that a lot of airports have bottle filling stations these days. Love it! You save on paying for overpriced water, and you'll help yourself stay hydrated as you travel.

2 // my nook and a magazine - I load up with e-books before I hit the road, so that I have plenty of options whether I'm on the plane or passing the time during a long lay-over. I throw a magazine in my bag, too, though - you never know when your battery might die, or you just lose interest in the same story for a bit. A magazine is a light-weight change of pace.

3 // a light scarf / pashmina - good for a multitude of things! Warmth if the airport or airplane is chilly, scrunched up to use as a pillow, a scarf to dress up a plain outfit, you name it. Doesn't take up much space, and usually comes in handy.

4 // snacks - I try to avoid paying for crap in airports, both because it's expensive and it's stuff I wouldn't normally eat. A gallon-size ziploc bag with some granola bars, a banana, a single-serving package of peanut butter, and whatever else I can grab at home goes a long way, both in the airport and as I'm traveling from site to site throughout the week.

5 // an external battery pack - critical to my survival. I'm pretty sure I've sang the praises of this invention before, but if I haven't, let me start now. $20 will get you a rechargeable battery pack from Amazon, and as long as you have the right cords with you, it will definitely save you in a pinch. My phone battery dies constantly, and being phone-less on travel day is no good. Additionally, my nook battery is likely to die if I'm using it all day, too. A quick plug-in to the battery pack, and I'm good to go. Get one!

What things do you make sure to travel with? I can get away with leaving a lot of stuff at home while I'm on the road - but as long as I have these five things tucked into my bag, I'm generally a pretty happy camper. So long from the West (Best??) Coast!

Five for Friday: Philadelphia edition

Happy Fri-YAY! I am home from my business trip and reunited with my phone, so all is good in my world. Wahoo!

I spent Tuesday-Thursday in Philadelphia for work, and I just have to say that each time I visit that city, I enjoy it more and more. Granted, every time I start to feel like I know my way around a little bit, I end up completely lost, but oh well.It's a great mix of city and not-city, and I always enjoy discovering new things and places.

[source]

Being phone-less for the week, I am pretty much picture-less, too, but I still thought I'd share a few things for Five for Friday! It's been a while... oops.

1 // On Wednesday, my team had lunch at Devil's Alley. My co-worker and I split the daily special, which was a tuna melt (yum!), and the fried green tomato BLT. Both were fantastic. It was a great lunch spot - check it out if you're in the area!

2 // Being in Philly meant I got to see my BFF, Lizzy, for a few hours! She picked me up from my hotel on Tuesday night & we grilled on the patio at her apartment building - it was great to see her and visit for a bit without any other plans going on! Definite perk of this particular work trip. Between our recent girls' weekend and the bachelorette party in Philadelphia, I've seen her several times over the last few months, and I love it.

3 // A co-worker managed to snag dinner reservations at Zahav for Wednesday night, which was a huge deal - everyone was super excited for the chance to try this renowned dining experience. I wasn't really sure what I was getting myself into - Israeli / Indian / Middle-Eastern food is not my cup of tea, usually - but I was pleasantly surprised by what we experienced. We opted for the tasting menu, which included a variety of salads to start, multiple small-plate appetizers, and multiple entrees, so that everyone could try a few bites of a ton of different things. With the exception of a few dishes, I enjoyed everything I tasted!

4 // I traveled to Philadelphia via Amtrak - my first train ride! That's a lie, since I ride the commuter train to work every day, but it was my first time on Amtrak. I was very pleased with the service. Will definitely look into that in the future when we are booking trips north.

5 // We took a quick trip through Reading Terminal Market yesterday afternoon before heading out of the city, and I stopped at Flying Monkey Bakery to pick up a treat for the road. Enter chocolate-dipped banana whoopie pies. Ohhhhh my heavens. So delicious! I am already thinking of ways that I can re-create at home. Yum!!

It's wedding weekend for my sweet friend, Brittany, and her fiance - can't wait to see them tie the knot tomorrow and begin their lives together as newlyweds! What fun Memorial Day plans do you have? I'm hoping for a cook out with C on Monday. Burgers on the grill sound amazing.

linking up with the five on friday girls:  Darci, Christina, April,and Natasha

linking up with karli and amy

Monday in Motor City

Hello from the great state of Michigan! I flew into Detroit last night and spent the night at one of my favorite hotels (the Westin in the airport) before starting a full week of meetings today. I have seen my fair share of hotels in the last few months, and they have ranged from grimy to gorgeous. The Westin has proven to be one of the (much) nicer ones - though I really can't believe they want to charge $10 to use the wifi. It's 2014, dudes! That's my only complaint. 

The neighborhood I grew up in held its annual Chili Cook-off this past Saturday, and since C was out of town visiting some friends, I headed up to spend the day with my family. It was a perfect fall afternoon, with just a hint of wind and clouds, and the 12 types of chili being made were the ideal complement! We had so much fun. 

C and I went on a date on Friday night before he left - we were planning to stay in and cook dinner, but when I realized that Fury had just opened, we had to go. We both love movies like that - historical action types - and we thought it was a really good film. Technology has come so far, and war movies are just so accurate these days. Amazing. 

Before the movie, we got dinner at our favorite local Mexican place. Yes, we were the young couple ordering the "fajitas for 2" special at 5 pm. 20s going on 70s. It happens. 

It was a great weekend, and good to spend some time with my love and my family before a week away from home.  My current biggest issue is that I didn't realize how cold it already is in Michigan!! I didn't bring the right clothes for this.... Whoops. I might find myself being the proud new owns of a Michigan sweatshirt from the airport... Just what I need! Ha :)

Mobile Monday (again)

Another Monday, another mobile post... But this one is "mobile" for a different reason, too:

That's right, I'm at the airport again. Another business trip begins today! I'll be sleeping in Michigan tonight - any of my readers call that lovely state home??

Thought I'd pop in to share a little thought-provoking quote to start your week.

I got this in my inbox from Real Simple this morning, and it resonated with me a bit. Maybe because lately I have been feeling a little more comfortable with who I am, and a little more accepting of my flaws (heaven knows that is a lifelong roller coaster, right?) Its not always the case, but right here and now, I'm doing all right. That is worth documenting, I think!

Have a wonderful Monday! 

Playing grown-up

Well hey there! As it turns out, I am still alive and kicking - just a little too busy for blogging! I am currently in my second week of back-to-back business trips, during which I spent just 36 hours at home this past weekend. It's been a whirlwind - but exciting and interesting, too. Im racking up hotel points and trying to be as adult as possible at all times... Easier said than done, you know! That said, I'm still here, just on brain-overload and not finding much time to blog. 

I thought I'd share a few things I've learned so far while travelling all over the Ohio Valley area...

1. Being nice to staff can get you a long ways

2. Free breakfast is crucial

3. Hotel gyms should always have more than one treadmill

4. Bring a hairbrush and a water bottle

5. Be flexible when possible - in hotels, airports, and wherever else you may find yourself 

6. Always let someone know where you will be (I text someone every morning before I go to the gym - safety first!)

7. Take the opportunity to try local things - food, beer, wine, etc

8. A lumpy pillow can ruin a good night's sleep

9. Pack only the essentials, but know that a good ionizing hair dryer can be considered an essential

10. Check the local weather before you go... Packing a raincoat and umbrella is necessary at times 

My days are a little crazy right now, but I look forward to catching up with all my favorite bloggers and friends soon. Hope you are having a great week!

So tell me... Have you ever traveled for work? Any key travelling tips you can share? 

Send snowblowers please

Well, looks like our weather forecasters were actually right for once... we definitely got the snow storm they were predicting! This is the most snow this area has seen in several years. Snow day! (j/k, I work from home regardless of shut-down status. Womp, womp...)

This is normally my front porch, steps, walkway, and yard...
can't tell where one ends and the next starts!

A good 7.5" and still coming...
apparently we got the short end of the stick
because my parents have over a foot!

My neighborhood is a beautiful winter wonderland. We are headed out to shovel shortly - wish us luck! It looks like this is the heavy stuff. Shoveling counts as my workout for the day, right?

I'm hoping to get some cleaning and baking done today, and we're pretty much just planning on being hunkered down for the day. No need to get on the roads and add to that mess - I'm perfectly happy at home where it's warm and dry!

Five for Friday: New Job Edition

In honor of finishing my first week at my new job, this Five for Friday features five observations, if you will, from the last few days.

Five for Friday

1. If a male is showing you around the office, he will not remember to show you where the bathroom is, and it will be awkward when you can't find the bathroom key and then the bathroom the first time you have to go.

2. It would be easier to just record a little speech of your name, where you came from, and what you'll be doing... Because you'll have to repeat all that information about a million times.

3. It's very likely that you will not remember the names of anyone you meet on the first day. Practice your memory tricks. I will probably never know That One Guy's name, even though he's turned out to be the friendliest person in the office so far.

4. If you're used to using a Keurig, and your new office has a Flavia machine, which you're not really sure how to use, you should probably not experiment with it when there is a large meeting going on next door. The Flavia machine may turn out to be really loud and awkward, and your banging around in the kitchen will cause you to get glares from the meeting participants.

5. It is probably not in your best interest to take every single pair of dress pants (and two dresses and a skirt) you own to the tailor the weekend before you start a new job. The tailoring will take at least a week. You will be left with very few options of outfits that are both office-appropriate and warm enough for you to wear, given the cold front that has suddenly arrived. It will be a major source of stress. (Not that I know this one from experience or anything.... Must have been someone else....)

~~~~~

So there ya have it. As expected, this week has flown by. I am so glad it's already Friday afternoon, and that we've got a weekend of no plans!! On the agenda: clean our bedroom, watch the local Santa parade on Saturday, design and order Christmas cards, and see a movie or two. Sounds perfect!

Letting the cat out of the bag

At this moment, I am getting settled into my first day of orientation at my new job!

That's right - I've been holding out with some big news. I haven't posted much lately, and it's because there's been a lot going on behind-the-scenes that I couldn't really share. The past few weeks have been a whirlwind - I've been looking for a new job for months, and had a few interviews that didn't pan out. I've been feeling a bit discouraged, but I really truly believe that everything happens for a reason - if something didn't work, it was because something better was going to come along. That's easier to say than to believe in sometimes, thought... Then, out of the blue, doors started opening and things started falling into place. I received a great job offer, and I'm making a move that, I think, will be very good for me career-wise in the long term (and is a good immediate change).

I took a week off between jobs, and fully intended to do lots of cleaning, cooking, organizing, etc. Instead, we got hit with a hurricane and then C got into a minor car accident (not his fault, he'd like to point out) and hurt his back - so he ended up home with me all week! I may not have gotten as many "things" done as I wanted to, but I spent a very relaxing week at home with my husband and my cat, watching movies, cleaning closets, and taking naps. I think it was just the recharge that my batteries needed before I start my new position.

So, here we are: Day One. I've been having some hilarious (-ish), anxiety-ridden dreams lately: forgetting to go to my new job, forgetting to wear pants, getting lost and showing up late.... thanks, brain. Here's hoping for a great first day. I'm sure I'm doing something thrilling like filling out paperwork. I'm the new girl with no friends again - super! Wish me luck.

I'm not sure what my schedule is going to be like just yet, or exactly what my new position entails - but I promise to get back to regular posting as I get settled. My blogging fingers have been itchy lately. I have some great mental posts written... time to actually get them out there.

Have a great Monday!

Pajamas at work are frowned upon

Contrary to how it may appear, I have not forgotten about posting my last piece of the “How to Dress like an Adult” puzzle. I actually put together the pictures (saying that makes it sound legit, and not like I did it in Paint) one day last week, and then life happened (doesn’t it always) and I never got around to writing the accompanying post. C’est la vie.

So here it is – Week 4 of “professional” outfits. I’m actually really impressed with myself regarding this little project, for two reasons.

• One: I forced myself to think about what I was putting on a little bit more than usual. I wanted to ensure that I had no repeats, and I wanted to show outfits that had potential for other people –  because I, personally, hate it when I see an outfit post and a blogger is talking about her “totally affordable!!!” whatever and I find the same article of clothing and its $200. Because there is nothing in my wardrobe that is that expensive, and I like to think that that is applicable to the majority of other girls my age as well, despite what the blogosphere would like to indicate. So, like I was saying. I thought my way through these last four weeks with the goal of showing actually inspiring combinations that normal people could recreate or use.
• Two: I actually finished this project. I took pictures of my outfits every single day for four weeks, just like I said I would. I didn’t have to recreate anything – I actually remembered to take the picture every day. And I didn’t abandon it after two weeks! For someone who is a chronic start-and-not-finish-er (so, so guilty), this is a major accomplishment. Gold stars all around! Hooray!

Enough chit-chat; on to the pictures!

 

Week 4

• Monday: Shirt – Express; Pants – LOFT; Sandals – DSW; Necklace – “borrowed” from a friend (AKA she left it at my house – thanks, Lush!)
• Tuesday: Dress – Target; Sandals – DSW
• Wednesday: Wrap – Express; Tank – Express; Pants – The Limited; Shoes – Calvin Klein/Macy’s
• Thursday: Shirt – Express; Pants – The Limited; Flats – Target
• Friday: Blouse – Target; Jeans – LOFT; Flats – Target

Fin.

I really, really appreciate the comments I’ve gotten regarding this series – it makes me happy to know that there are a few people out there who have found this useful, or at least worth taking 60 seconds to write a comment. Writing a comment means you didn’t immediately dismiss the post, and that, in itself, is worth my taking the time to take all these ridiculous pictures.

It is 100% likely that I will never be a fashion blogger, or a fashionista, or anything related to fashion. I will still always be happiest in sweats, and I will always be most comfortable in my workout clothes. It’s just who I am. However, I have embraced the fact that, during the day, I have to be dressed appropriately for “public” and therefore I do my best. As the title says, pajamas at work are frowned upon. The reasoning here will always be a mystery to me, because I maintain I'd be more productive if I was wearing flannel pants... Sigh. Anyway. I take my inspiration from the people I see around me (the ones who aren’t frumpy old ladies – because there are some. Avoid avoid avoid!) and I repeat what works and nix what doesn’t. I get by until I can get home from work and immediately put on my "comfies." That is the only goal most days. Normal!

And now that you’ve completed reading this post, you’ve successfully finished this Crash Course in Dressing like an Adult! A+, everyone. A+.  

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Sadly, I do not have Carrie Bradshaw's closet

...but I still manage to make it work. It's Week 3 of "How to Dress Like an Adult (Or at least fake it!)" and we're still going strong. I'm actually shocked that I've managed to take a picture every single day and haven't had to recreate my outfit a single time... thought for sure that would have happened by now!

This week's lesson: taking pictures like this is really awkward. It's also really hard to hold an iPhone steady while trying to get your entire body in a picture and have the picture turn out clear - solution to this problem is obvi to have your husband take the picture, but then there's a lot of pressure because he will only take the picture one time (unless I beg really bad for a second try) so I have to not look awkward and make sure my clothes are straight and blah blah blah..... pressure, I tell ya. I can't imagine actually being a model and needing to do these things correctly. Although, I guess, in that case, there would be a hundred people standing around making sure everything was correct for me and taking a zillion shots and then someone else could pick the best one..... that doesn't sound so bad........ ok sorry. Distraction. Onto the pictures!

Week 3



• Monday: no picture - it was a holiday! Honestly, I spent the morning wearing a Ninja Turtles T-shirt and compression socks (so cute!) and I'm sure that no one wants to see a picture of that. The afternoon and evening were spent in various VT gear while running errands and watching the football game.
• Tuesday: T-Shirt - LOFT; Pants - LOFT; Brown Pumps - Target
• Wednesday: Dress - LOFT; Belt - LOFT; Sandals - Unknown/DSW
• Thursday: T-Shirt - Express; Pants - The Limited, Black Flats - Target
• Friday: Button-Down Shirt - The Limited; Pencil Skirt - The Limited; Belt - Target; Black Pumps - Nine West

Two some-what casual looks balanced with two dressier looks - that's what I call "business casual." Easy-peasy. You may have started to notice some repeat pieces... duh! Mixing and matching is essential to a good, functional wardrobe. The majority of articles of clothing that I own can all be mixed with a number of other pieces to create "different" outfits. No one notices, believe me! Those staples are essentials. A few unique items and a few bright spots of color totally work to stretch out the "boring" pieces, like plain black pants. And mixing and matching means its usually pretty easy to find an outfit in the morning! Which is perfect for someone like me, who hates (I mean, truly hates) getting out of bed.

Looking for more ideas? Check out Week 1 and Week 2.

**Kudos & a cookie if you noticed something change between Wednesday and Thursday of this week... that would be my hair color. Back to dark brown for fall! Wheeeee!

Nope... still not a fashion blogger.

Last week, I started something new – a month’s worth of showing you what I wear to work, week by week, in order to demonstrate some ways to dress professionally and fit into the working world.

This is generally hilarious, because I’m pretty much the worst adult ever and have a really hard time being a “Working Professional” but c’est la vie. I will do my best. I’ve been told that I have “good fashion sense” which I also think is a joke, but people keep asking where I get my clothes and how to shop on a budget, so maybe those people are serious… which I find shocking. I will ALWAYS be that girl who wants to wear my “comfies” at all time – I hate being dressed in real clothes. Give me sweat pants, leggings, PJ pants, old t-shirts, and hoodies any time, and I will be your best friend. Promise. (Sorry, L2, you’re easily replaced. Love you!)

Anyway. 

Week 2

• Monday: Button-down shirt – The Limited; Pencil Skirt – The Limited; Black Pumps – Nine West
• Tuesday: Cardigan – J. Crew; Tank top – Target (actually a deep ocean blue, with ruffles on the front… photo skillz lacking); Pants – LOFT; Flats – Target
• Wednesday: Cardigan – Target; Tank – Target; Pants – Express; Flats - Target
• Thursday: Blouse – The Limited; Skirt – The Limited; Black Pumps – Nine West
• Friday: Cardigan – Target; Dress – LOFT; Sandals – DSW (Brand unknown, as they are so old that it’s completely worn away)

And there ya have it. Days 5-10, in the books!

Tips for this week:

• Again, I shop sales. Sale, sale, sale. It’s rare that I purchase something (from anywhere other than Target) for full price – I always look for free shipping, coupon codes online, and/or in-store sales.
• Take full advantage of discounts! Don’t be afraid to ask if a store offers discounts. Some of my favorites are the Teacher Discount that LOFT offers (my mom pays for everything with her ID, then I pay her back) and the student discount that The Limited and J.Crew offer. I carry my student ID everywhere – yes, I graduated 3 (EEEEEK) years ago, but that baby has no date on it, and I pretty much still look the same. Except for my hair color. But that’s never the same. Totally fine.
• Everything you own does not have to be name-brand. Embrace Target. Just do it. You’ll thank me later. Are the clothes the absolute-best quality? No. Is that fine for staples that I wear the heck out of, like my black cardigans, and definitely get my $15’s worth? You betcha. Trust me: no one knows the difference between my cardigan from Target and my cardigan from J.Crew. And honestly, I think I like the Target one’s better… they hold their shape better, and they are a little thicker.

I have successfully been taking my pictures to go with Week 3, and will have that up sometime next week.

Any secret tips for me? Anyone actually reading this and enjoying it? I’m enjoying the fact that this is forcing me to (somewhat) keep my bedroom clean… HA!

Also, C is clearly enjoying this project as well - or at least, he enjoys photo-bombing me while I take silly pictures of myself.

Yup.

Proof That I'm Not a Fashion Blogger

I've found that it can be hard to piece together outfits that work in the "professional" world when you're fresh out of school (or a few years removed...), especially if you're working on a limited budget. There is an art to the mixing of cheap and expensive pieces, and there is skill required to put together a combination of "the basics" plus some pieces that are unique and fun. I'm certainly no fashion blogger, and I don't claim to have to amazing, fantastic outfits that everyone wants copy - but I do think that I put together outfits that are office-appropriate, comfortable, affordable, and not too entirely shabby. Mostly.

Jill over at Strawberry Blonde Life recently did a series where she photographed herself every day during the week to show her outfit and then went on to describe where she got the pieces and some basic details about how she gets dressed for work. After seeing her posts for a month, I figured that was something that wasn't too difficult - even I can commit to taking a picture five times a week! And so, here you have it: Week 1 of "How to Dress Like a 'Professional'" (because I'm not entirely sure I really qualify as a professional yet).

**Disclaimer: As it says in my profile, I am NOT a professional photographer (duh). I am not a fashion blogger. I am not anything other than a girl who got a college degree, has a job she's good at but doesn't necessarily love, and doesn't particularly like getting up at 5:15 AM therefore gets dressed with her eyes half closed. What do you expect from me?? Jeeeez.

Week 1

• Monday: Sweater - Target; Shirt - LOFT; Skirt - LOFT Outlet; Pumps - Nine West
• Tuesday: Shirt - Express (it's actually purple... hmph); Pants - Express; Flats - Target
• Wednesday: Shirt - Express; Pants - American Eagle (they have an indistinguishable blue, white, and black plaid pattern); Flats - Target
• Thursday: Dress - LOFT Outlet; Sandals - BareTraps (DSW)
• Friday: Dress - Lands' End; Belt - Express; Sandals - BareTraps (DSW)

And there you have it. The majority of these were purchased over the course of the last three or four years, so I can't tell you where to find it right now. There's your first hint from me: buy items that last. If I buy a dress, I don't want to get two wears out of it, I want to get two years out of it. Same goes for pants. Shoes should also be good quality - it's so much better to get a good, sturdy pair of pumps that fit well and feel good, and have to get the heels repaired a year later, than to buy crappy pair after crappy pair. Trust me - investing is worth it! As long as you will actually wear whatever it is you're buying.

I'll be honest - I'm currently having an issue because a lot of the things I bought right when I graduated from college don't fit me anymore. I was probably a good two sizes bigger then (let's not talk about it... or at least talk a different day) and I needed 'professional' clothes that fit, so I had to shop. Now, those things look ridiculous on me. I can't tell you how many times my mom has looked at me and said, "Lindsay, your butt looks so saggy in those pants." It's NOT because my butt is saggy - it's because my pants are too big and therefore loose and silly looking! So that's a struggle. I don't really want to replace my whole wardrobe, so I'm working with the pieces that sort of fit (belts are fantastic) and researching how much it is to get a few pieces tailored rather than discarding and rebuying. Hint #2: tailoring can be very, very worth it. It's amazing what a stitch here and there (or ten or a hundred) will do for an article of clothing that you didn't think fit. So consider that as an option, too! (Also, I've realized I need to get the pants I wore last week hemmed, or stop wearing flats - those make me look shorter than I already am. Sigh.)

I realize that this post is coming almost a full week after Week 1 finished - sorry 'bout it. I'll try to get Week 2 up quicker. I've been taking the pictures, and finding that knowing that I have to document what I'm wearing makes me think a little harder in the morning - even if it is the crack of dawn and I'm more or less still asleep.

Any suggestions of your own for dressing like an adult? I love a good sale, I love coupons, and I seriously love outlets. Where do you shop??

Bathroom Keys & Birthday Cake

In my new work building, the bathrooms are located in the halls outside the suites, and they are locked. You must have a bathroom key to access the bathroom. (This makes me feel like I'm taking the hall pass in middle school again. Which leads to my weird embarrassment about people knowing I'm in the bathroom. But that's another story.) Why they are locked, there must be a good reason, but I don't know it. Here's what I do know: I am pretty sure that I will never, ever remember to grab the bathroom key prior to leaving the suite. This thereby ensures that I will always waltz out the door, walk down the hall, turn the handle, and immediately slap my hand to my forehead before returning to the suite for the bathroom key and looking like a real doofus. Every single time. Sigh. #firstworldproblems

Anyway.

Because it's Friday and I'm feeling particularly generous, I thought I'd do you all a favor and share the recipe for the best birthday cake ever, AKA the Oreo cake I made C for his birthday last weekend.

I'm going to make a bold statement here: this could be the best chocolate cake ever. This is slap-yo'-grandma good. This is impress-your-mother-in-law good. This is save-for-special-occasions good (or don't, because who ever wants to wait for a special occasion to eat chocolate cake? Not this girl!). Seriously. It's good.

The recipe I used was one that I found online after doing a search for "Oreo Cake," as C had requested. The cake gods looked down on me and granted me access to the best recipe ever.

Oreo Cake (Recipe from My Baking Addiction)

Ingredients:

For the Cake

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package devil's food cake mix {with or without pudding}
• 1 (5.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs 
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

For the Oreo Buttercream

• 1 stick salted butter – room temperature
• 1 stick unsalted butter – room temperature
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 pounds confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar, 10x)
• 3-4 tablespoons very cold milk
• 25 Oreo cookies chopped

Directions:

For the Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottoms of (2) 9 inch round cake pans with parchment and grease pans thoroughly.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mix, salt vanilla, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips and divide batter into the prepared pans.
3. Bake for 25-35 minutes, rotating pans half way through baking the baking time. Bake until the top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cake for at least 30 minutes before inverting. Allow cake to cool completely on wire rack.

For the Oreo Buttercream

1. Cream the butters in the bowl of an electric or stand mixer. Add the vanilla extract and combine well.
2. Begin adding in the sugar and mixing thoroughly after each addition. After all of the sugar has been added and mixed thoroughly, begin adding the very cold milk… one tablespoon at a time, combining well after each addition until you reach the desired consistency.
3. Fold in chopped Oreo Cookies and frost your cooled cake layers.

(FYI: I used two sticks of unsalted butter in the frosting and threw in a pinch of salt. Turned out fine. I used my food processor to turn the cookies to crumbs, rather than chopping, because I'm lazy and I love my food processor. That's why my frosting looks kind of... grey... don't worry about it. It's Oreo-y and delicious. Additionally, I found that I needed to add more milk once I added the cookies, because the frosting got too dry and crumbly to actually spread. Just add milk, a splash at a time, until it reaches the consistency you like. Otherwise, I followed the recipe as stated.)

The cake is so moist and fluffy and chocolately. The buttercream is perfect. Perfect, I say! I'm keeping the frosting recipe for sure to use as my go-to frosting recipe, because I adored the way it turned out.

I love everything about this cake. I have especially loved eating it for breakfast, in a bowl, with cold milk on top. If you don't eat your cake that way, don't judge me - just try it. It's fantastic. PS - you're allowed to eat birthday cake for breakfast because, hello, it's birthday cake, and it's a special occasion. All week.

Having, making, and eating my cake. Happily!

This is what your husband looks like when you actually light candles and have everyone sing to him and make him the center of attention. It's fine. He will love you forever for making this cake.

Happy Friday, y'all. Have your cake and eat it, too!

Five for Friday

Happy Friday, ya'll! After a couple of rainy mornings, the sun is finally out in DC, I have an iced coffee, and I think I'm going to be able to escape work just a little bit early this afternoon! Can't beat that with a stick. How's your Friday going?

A few thoughts, in the form of Five for Friday:

1. Did anyone watch American Idol last night and see Carrie Underwood perform? Oh Em Gee. That girl is seriously my idol (pun.. ha!) - she is the one person I always say when asked which celeb I'd want to be. I have loved her from the very beginning, and she just gets better and better! Check out her dress:

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So gorgeous. Those legs! The dress! Her hair! And I loved the song she sang, "Blown Away" (aka the title track from her new album) - I was happy she didn't do "Good Girl," which was what I was expecting. Love her!

2. I just got an email regarding a "small token of appreciation," but the sender accidentally wrote "small toucan" -- like the bird. I am literally cracking up at my desk, and probably look like a fool, but that was just the little giggle I needed this morning. What's the best typo you've seen lately? I can't stop thinking about a very small toucan (not a big one!).

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3. Graduation is right around the corner for most colleges, and my Facebook is being filled with statuses about finals, bar crawls, reading day, and summer vacation. I am green with envy of those who are still in college (because I would go back in a nanosecond!) and so happy/sad for those about to graduate. Graduating from college is incredible, and I know that it's thrilling and exciting, but for anyone who is like me, it's also super sad - I truly blossomed in college and loved Virginia Tech with everything I had, and I know that leaving the bubble that is Blacksburg (or wherever you go to school) broke my heart! Love that little town.

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4. Tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo! Yesterday, we had our Cinco Tres de Mayo potluck at work, and it was a smashing success. Tomorrow is my little sister's "fiesta"-themed bridal shower, and I'm super excited! I'm baking a Tres Leches cake tonight (talk about a recipe experiment) - wish me luck. Perfect excuse for margaritas and Mexican food, which I could basically live off of, if it wouldn't severely impact my diet. Ha! I really think it's going to be a fantastic party, and I hope my sister loves it as much as we have loved planning it! Olé!

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5. I am running the local May Day 5K on Sunday, and I am determined to blow my previous 5K PR out of the water. I know I can do better! Cross your fingers and toes and wish me good running ju-ju.

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Have a great weekend!

Tres de Mayo!

First things first. I got my mom the funniest birthday card:

Really. I can't stop laughing! Found a whole rack of these "real photo" cards at Wegmans and had a good giggle in the card aisle over all the pictures and the phrases inside. Love it!

We feasted last night for my mom's birthday dinner! Among other things, we had:

Crab legs!

Edible Arrangements (part of this came with me today for breakfast. YUM.)

Salmon!

Maybe the most perfect summer beer?... I'll have to have another to decide ;)

I made a blackberry sauce and poured it over good vanilla bean ice cream for a little birthday treat - it hit the spot after our delicious dinner! As we were cooking and eating, we were also watching our beloved Capitals play - and the game went into TRIPLE overtime last night! It was absolutely nuts. Sad to say, the hometown team couldn't pull off the W last night. With just over five minutes left in the second game, the Rangers scored. We're down in the series 2-1 now, but don't you worry - the fat lady ain't singing yet! Game 4 is Saturday afternoon (right in the middle of my sister's bridal shower!) and you bet we will be cheering loud and proud and rocking the red!

We're having a Cinco Tres de Mayo potluck at work today, and I made crock pot salsa chicken (of course!) - the whole house smelled AMAZING this morning when I woke up, and I will admit that I actually thought about "forgetting" my dish so that we could just eat it ourselves! I am excited to share this recipe with my coworkers, though, because I'm pretty sure they will all love it as much as we do. Can't wait to get my fiesta on at lunchtime. The only thing that would make it better would be a margarita or two!

Thursday Thoughts:

Yeah.

Visiting the Cherry Blossoms - A Fieldtrip at Work

This year is the centennial celebration of the cherry blossom trees in DC! Every year, the city hosts the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and this year is extra special as it’s been 100 years since the trees were gifted to us by Japan. For more information about the history of the trees and the festival, visit the website.

 

Yesterday, my team members at work and I decided to take a lunchtime trip over to see the trees along the Tidal Basin. A picnic lunch sounded like the perfect way to enjoy the beautiful trees! It took us about 20 minutes to walk from our office to the main area where the trees are, and then we found a nice open spot and sat down to eat. One of my coworkers used my boss’s new camera to take some gorgeous pictures! Even though it was a grey, overcast day, he still managed to take some awesome photos.

 

I am lucky enough to work at the same company as my best friend, and we snuck in a little photo shoot before heading back to the office – these pictures are such a great example of our true relationship. 

We did get in a cute one though - might have to frame this one for my desk!

It’s starting to be “tourist season” in DC, and the streets were absolutely packed with visitors. The trees peaked early this year (the weather has been wacky, and it had its effect on the trees), but that doesn’t seem to have phased the zillions of people who travel here to see the pretty trees and the Nation’s Capital. I forget how great it is to work in the city and live so close some times, and that I have so much history right at my fingertips. I’m going to make it my goal this year to be patient with the tourists – it’s hard sometimes! It’s easy to forget that not everyone knows their way around the city, and that they just want to have the best time they can. We should all try to be welcoming hosts!

My team and I enjoyed our little fieldtrip, and it was so great to get out and get some fresh air during the workday. I think we are going to try to plan more adventures for this spring – this one was such a success, we will definitely have to do it again!