Little Bit of Class Tuesday

Tell me all of you understand this: I am dreading today because I know I won't be home and showered from the gym until at least 8 pm. It makes me tired and wanting the couch + Andrew + Teddy even more. Gosh I'm lazy.

Anyway, I'll try to be classy today, too.

Today's post consists of a few of my recent inspirational pins, from fashion to photos, to home decor. Classic looks always calm me for some reason and I just love to get lost in these looks.

Source: brittanickel.tumblr.com via Mary on Pinterest

The preppiness oozing from this ensemble makes me want to look through a Ralph Lauren catalogue.

Source: ddrishti.blogspot.com via Mary on Pinterest

Black & White & Jackie O all over.

Source: flickr.com via Mary on Pinterest

I can't think of a more sophisticated way to organize all of my junk.

Source: rona.ca via Mary on Pinterest

I doubt this will ever happen, but I really do love how clean this looks

Source: fiverr.com via Nickolas on Pinterest

Ugh. Girl crush.

Source: vintageous.com via Mary on Pinterest

I want to wear this with red, red lipstick!
And last, but certainly not least:

Source: encoreuneminute.tumblr.com via Mary on Pinterest

Weekend Update

Sooo sleepy today. Sooo jealous of anyone with the day off of work.

Friday: went to the gym and then promptly passed out. I was sad to miss my friend's housewarming party.

Saturday: football, cleaning, baking, then friends!

My Big and one of my Littles came over, so it was a "family" reunion of sorts!

We introduced Cat and her boyfriend to the gloriousness that is Giordano's Pizza. YUM.

I also baked Mo Cookies, named after my high school BFF Mo, who made them often for any reason and brought them to school. It's a Milky Way inside a chocolate chip cookie. DOUBLE YUM.

Reflecting on all of the goodies made me feel even more gross the next morning as we cheered on friends who ran the marathon.

Our church had a big group run and they had a special blessing at the end of Mass.
The heavy eating Saturday night and the marathon buzz almost made me want to run a marathon.

(And by almost I mean the attention would be cool but that's it.)

But it did make me research triathlons in Chicago and indoor pools for training.
Next August I will OWN the (sprint distance) triathlon!

(And by OWN I mean I will participate in the shortest race available and earn a medal for sweating. I guess I'll finish, too.)

Aside from these activities we cheered on our victorious teams all weekend. I couldn't believe all of our teams won! I even beat Andrew in fantasy football this week!!!

Last night we made Gina's Skinny Carnitas and Andrew's mom's AMAZING recipe for black beans...mmmmm

{via}

I also rushed to finish The Paris Wife before book club tonight! 

{via}

I was pretty sleepy, sure, but nowhere near as tuckered out as Teddy.

How was your weekend?

(I linked up with Sami, Dana, and Leeann today!!)

Friday's Fancies: Marvelous Monotone

{via}

Happy Friday, party people!
I love the theme at long distance loving today, where we marvel over monotone colors.

Friday's Fancies Marvelous Monotone by mkrulia featuring chanel

I happen to think that mixing colors from the same family is so chic, clean, and classic.
It's like a triple threat, really.

Don't click through to see each individual piece. It's disgusting how expensive everything is, but goodness Burberry, Alexander Wang, and Christian Louboutin sure know their stuff.

Then again...
I would trip and fall after one step in those shoes.
And everything would be stained in coffee within minutes.
And I would probably lose that bag.
(That's a lie, if I had that bag I would grasp that sucker until my knuckles turned white and never let go.)

But a girl can dream.

Have a happy and fun weekend, friends!  

Little Bit of Sass Thursday

Can I get a quick Amen that it's almost the weekend?

Now it's time for some sass.
This post is a little different than usual, but sassy nonetheless.

Today I want to talk about Oktoberfest and late night snacking.

First of all, we had great intentions of attending the St. Alphonsas Oktoberfest, but the lines were too long and the cover too high (I mean, if I don't get anything for my $10 besides long beer and restroom lines then no thanks. AmIright?!?!).

We strolled down the street to my new favorite bar, Prost, instead.

Long story short, our friend Jim drank out of a boot and then we danced on the makeshift dance floor to Whitney Houston with a paddle.

Yeah the bar went from traditional German to a 90s bar after 10 pm.

And I LIKED it.

Prost is also a Steelers bar, so between that and the delicious beer, it's a guarantee that I will be back. And soon.

Anyway...

I have a late night snack to share with all of you. It's as random as it is effective.

No, it isn't healthy per se. BUT it's not a slice of greasy pizza, it's tasty, it doesn't require cooking, it's super cheap, and can be found at your neighborhood grocer or 7eleven.

Lunchables.

Yes, that nostalgic lunchtime "meal" that we all begged our parents to buy us when we were tikes can now be used to soak up the night's multiple suds.

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Don't believe me? Think I'm totally weird?
(Don't answer that last one.)

Think about it: they're cheap, they have protein, you don't have to wait to cook it/nuke it, and they won't make you hate your life when you wake up in the morning. It's a great and not-as-bad-for-you-as-greasy-food way to fill up before you pass out.

This is a tried and true method tested for the past year on multiple occasions by yours truly (including this past Saturday post-Prost).
It's basically scientific.

So there you have it. 
Still doubtful?  Give it a shot this weekend and report your findings.

Fall To-Dos

Happy Wednesday!

I forgot to take some pictures from "back when" for my usual Wednesday link-up. Oops. 

Thankfully, Callie posted a Fall To-Do List (apparently inspired by Katie at Keep Calm and Carry On), so I thought I would follow suit. I would like to do all of this by the end of the year. 

Financials

1. Spend less, save more. I need to afford plane tickets to see my family and Andrew's family over the holiday season. Need. I also need to buy presents. 

2. Only go out to lunch once a work week. This basically means I can have Subway once a week because I shouldn't spend more money than that.

3. Only eat out once a weekend. We'll see how well this works. It most likely won't. Chicago has some fine eats and I sure do like sampling them.

4. No more Groupons to gyms. I have enough classes at Core Fitness for a while. Variety will have to wait. (Although I REALLY want to check out the gym across the street from our building!!) 

5. Only buy coffee when we run out at home. Andrew's coffee is awesome and everything else is not that good anyway. Sorry Starbucks lovers, you haven't had anything until you've had an Andrew brew.

Exercise (and fine, I guess Eating Right)

1. I mean, so far so good. My goal on New Years Eve was to not look the same to ring in 2013. Heck, I've kept off the 20 pounds I lost during the 90 days of P90X and am more toned than ever now that I have a trainer. However, boot camp just ended (silly Daylight Savings and chilly mornings!). I still workout with my trainer once a week and attend a Train Like Jane class at least once a week, so I have to do P90X to fill up my time the rest of my workout days. I'm limiting myself to 5 a week to give my knees some rest. Fingers crossed I keep it up.

2. We eat really well when we cook...and we are kind of awesome in the kitchen, so we need to do this more and eat out less.  

3. I've been good about not snacking at work, especially the free stuff in the kitchen a mere stone's throw from my desk. Must keep this up. It's tough.

Work and Play

1. Get certified in Google Analytics. This is no easy feat with my work load, but I need to do it to be a more well-rounded analyst. I don't want to be pigeon-holed in social metrics (even though it's fun and always changing!).

2. Save up to get a pair of cognac boots. This is kind of a need since my current pairs are completely beat up.

3. Long weekend to DC: booked!!! Can't wait!

4. Don't hibernate. It's not winter yet. 

5. However, stay at home to watch MSU/Lions/Steelers. We have a stockpile of beer and a crock pot. We'll be just fine.

6. However x 2: get to a bar on a Sunday so we don't forget our roots lol

7. Cheer on the Nats and Tigers in the playoffs! SOOO excited for this! We would love to make it to a game, buuuuut it probably won't happen. Womp womp.

8. Head back to the Cheese Castle and Apple Orchard/Pumpkin Farm in Wisconsin. We're going a Saturday in October! Cider and Cider Donuts (and cheeeeese) here we come!

{via}

What about all of you? Any goals before the end of 2012?

Little Bit of Class{ic} Tuesday

Today I would love to focus on the classic aspect of classy Tuesdays and switch it up from fashion to furniture.

On Saturday I ventured to the Randolph Street Market, a giant antique show, full of vintage and vintage-inspired goods. It spanned a huge parking lot as well as every nook and cranny of two floors inside. From jewelry to furniture to artwork and rugs, I got swept up in the classic eye candy.

 

I loved the rustic pieces and knickknacks.

I admired the classic looks and colors peeking out among the commonly drab antiques. 

(And I picked up one of those turquoise frames for an upcoming DIY necklace display!)

Finally, I snapped a pic of myself in these amazing mirrors.

Do you like the rustic look? Have you picked up any gems at farmers markets or antique shows?

Weekend Update - 3 Years!!!

(Linking up with Leeann, Dana, and Sami)

Hey everyone!

Today is going to be a little different than my usual link-up. Why? 

Well, today I'm busy reminiscing. Three years and a few days ago I met a couple of nice guys at a bar. We had an amazing time getting to know each other while watching football and owning the jukebox. 

A few days later the super cute one in the Nats hat asked me on a date.

And three years ago today I went on the best date a girl could ask for.

We went to the Georgetown Waterfront and shared sangria and chips & guac. He got his sleeve in the guac and I used my Tide Stick to help him out.

We kept the party going to the nearest wine bar.

He ordered a rosé.

The owner laughed at him, then joined him in a glass because he favored rosé wine as well.

We played 20 questions, laughing and smiling and flirting.

We closed the wine bar.

He kissed me goodnight as I got in a cab and a light rain started to fall.

And I was smitten.

We've been inseparable ever since.

And today I am so happy because these last three years have been so wonderful. 

(Too wonderful for me to put into mushy words to make all of you lovely readers vomit.)

I did have a great weekend, full with a trip to an antique market (more on that tomorrow!), an Oktoberfest-esque outing (more on that Thursday!), and watching sports (obviously). Instead of documenting it today, though, I'll stay in my little happy place pinching myself in disbelief that we've been together for three years...with MANY more to come :)

How was your weekend?