return of the mack

since this is my blog, and i can do what i want with it (or nothing at all if the last year is any indication), i'm thinking about blogging more about running (i'm training for the seattle rock and roll marathon in june, so that is constant on my mind). i spose i could do a shopping-for-running-accessories blog...that might be a nice marriage of the old and new. :-)

either way, i think im going to try and write here a little more often. *try*

nothing compares to new workout gear for motivational purposes. since this last round of running started, i've found that a lot of my stuff was pretty worn looking and sweat stain-ed, so i've been doing a little sprucing up of my "kit" (bought a UK version of runner's world, and they must have used the word kit no less than 100 times.)

for the fashionistas :-), here's some new lululemon: unicorn tears stratus wunder unders, iris wee stripe in-stride jacket, pink (forget the name) swiftly tee (hard to see).

paint it black

i have to wear all black to job number 2. strict black; meaning black suit or black dress with sleeves, and black shoes. i actually kind of like it. black isn't something i'm normally drawn to, but there's no denying its classiness (and it's an excuse for more shopping, as in, but i neeeeeed it for work) and so far i've enjoyed getting "dressed up" for work. i try to dress up for job number 1, but when you can get away with jeans and flips flops, it can be hard to motivate some mornings.

back to #2, we ARE however allowed to wear colorful accessories to our little hearts content, so i've been working on that (an excuse for more shopping....i neeeeeed them). my latest purchase was quite the splurge, but i really love it. i love the color and i've been working on learning all sorts of fun ways to tie it. i'll try and post some of my better attempts. i'm also hopeful that i might make me look older/more mature, and help cut back on the amount of times an hour i'm asked if i'm a college student. 15 years ago, beeeotch. (i know, i shouldn't be bitter, but it starts to grate on me)

day without color. niiiice, but missing that je ne sais pas.
the lowdown:
suit: jcrew
tank: mbmj
shoes: lumiani
bag: rebecca minkoff
hair bobby pin: juicy (bridesmaid gift from kertch) (are you reading this, are you?)

day WITH color, luv that pink:
the lowdown:
dress: DVF
shoes: ann taylor
bag: balenciaga
scarf: hermes
bangles: jcrew and various cheapies

and here is a close up of the scarf. it is called "cent plis des maio" in colorway #2, i believe. as soon as i laid eyes on it, it was game over.

first purchase: reveal!

my mood is pretty upbeat today. mostly because its friday and the weather forecast is looking good, but also, i had a really nice night at work #2 last night. my first night on the floor on my own, in fact, and i did a really good amount of sales! i think i'm a natural shoe saleswoman. :)

it was amazing how fast time went by too. there was a sale going on this week, so we were open an hour later than normal, making my shift time 4 hours long, and i swear it seemed like less than an hour. it was an unusual sensation...this time flying by at work thing. i really hope this idea/plan of mine works out in the long run and that i can eventually do something that i love doing everyday. its such a pipe dream at this point, but i think it might just keep me going.

accessories outfit of the day:

the lowdown:
bag: rebecca minkoff MAM
shoes: fendi graffiti zucca flats
leggings: LNA

first purchase

i'm debating which shoes to get with my first discounted purchase. the first two pair are more practical as i can wear them to both jobs. (see ps) the second are more fun, even tho i'm not normally drawn to logo things. or i can just keep drooling. deciding and planning is way more than half the fun.

salvatore ferragamo varina bow flat

chloe belted flat



fendi graffiti zucca flat

ps-this blog is supposed to be a personal blog, but i do struggle with how much information is appropriate to put here. case in point: last year when josh and i decided to get new jobs and move back to the boston area, there was a whole lotta stuff i would have loved to blog about. the interview process, househunting, my stress and struggle with everything...but then, on the flip side, there's a whole lotta stuff that i don't want lots of people knowing about until its final, kwim? and by the time i can write about it, its not relevant.

so, re: above. i'm sure some of you know. if you don't, i'm sure you can figure it out if you know me well enough. :)

maybe i can time delay my posts by about 3 months. :)

Randoms, because I'm lazy

just so you don't all feel left out out there in internet land, I'm posting a few OOTD pics I took but never wrote about. don't say I don't ever think about you.....

WORK:

the lowdown:

pants: theory
tank top: club monaco

blouse: splendid
shoes: jcrew
necklace: jcrew

OUTLET SHOPPING:
the lowdown:

top: anthro
jeans: 7FAM
flips: tory burch
bag: RM BBW MAM

WINE TASTING:
the lowdown:
top: splendid
cardi: jcrew
jeans: joe's
flips: tory burch
sunnies: chloe
bag: balenciaga sahara day

NIAGARA FALLSING:
the lowdown:
ponchos: courtesy of maid of the mist

Ta da

The lamp I was waiting for got here today, and with its arrival, I can officially say that the guest room re-model is complete. I've already gotten so used to the room while I've been working on updating it, that it is totally shocking to look at these before pictures. What a change!!

Per usual, I didn’t have a full-on plan when I started. I had some bed linens that I liked, and that was about it. After that, I picked the wall color. Then the desk and bookshelf were chosen for their light and airy effect (to counter the darker walls). I chose to match the blinds to the walls just in case I ever want to change up the color scheme. And then the lamp and the mirror – purple. (I’ve just been waiting for an excuse to buy this lamp. It comes in customizable colors, so I knew I’d find a way)

I think the very first guest is scheduled to take it for a test run next weekend. She’ll have to let me know how it goes.

back wall (before and after):


door wall (before and after):


window wall (before and after):


detail shots:

and one last pic:

The lowdown:

Duvet and pillow cases: West Elm

Sheets: Potterybarn

Headboard sticker: Blik

Desk and chair: West Elm

Bookshelf and baskets: Crate and Barrel

Side table: Crate and Barrel (from about 5 yrs ago)

Other side table: Overstock

Mona Lisa Print: Josh and I got this on a cruise about 5 yrs ago.

Alarm clock: Potterybarn (originally purchased for master bedroom, but kicked out due to “ticking”)

Lamp: Thomas Paul from Design Public

Blinds: Shade Store (my FAV place for window coverings), lecirque

Mirror: Home Depot

Paint: Benjamin Moore, Bittersweet Chocolate

**all lounging demonstrated by Kona

monday must have

there is a common blog theme called "wednesday wants" where a blogger will post things that they are coveting. i don't like the wait for certain days tho, so i'm trying to think of alternatives.

unfortunately, there aren't too many good words for this sort of thing that start with "m"

hankering, yen, need, desire, covet...i used up the only one i could possibly come up with in my title. any nerdy wordies out there?


LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this rosebud ring from bottega veneta.