An Ode to Joe!

Although this blog has never been about football, sports, or my love for either, a legacy left us this weekend - one that I can't ignore. My entire family, including my grandparents were born and raised in Central Pennsylvania; a little over an hour down the road from State College, Pennsylvania. With that, we were all raised Penn State fans, and most importantly JoePa fans. I never really understood the enormity of the school or the team until I got older because it was always just a part of our life. My grandmother has gone to every single game, home and away, for the past 30 years of her life and not until the past few years have we realized the impact of her love for the team and how it has affected us.   My sisters and I laugh now because we catch ourselves saying things like "Well when you get married, you can't plan a fall wedding because Nanny will be at the games every Saturday", or "I don't know if I can make it, or plan something that weekend - who is Penn State playing?". Now that I don't live at home I've been trying to get home to go to more games than I ever did when I lived there - and always in anticipation of seeing Joe. In light of all this scandal, it saddens me that the greatest coach in college football history has passed during a time where many will question his motives, but for those of us that are Penn State fans, or if you were/are a student will know better to appreciate what he was as a man and not just a coach. It really is a love no one can understand unless you were born, bred, or went to school with the Penn State family. There's so many things that could be said about such a great man, father, husband and "Coach" but I'll leave it at what we all already know. Rest Easy Joe!

In Honor of a great university (back to what my blog IS about)  you can see some of my favorite Penn State gear below - brought to you by Polyvore.

These are a few of my favorite things

Here's a look at some of my favorite gifts from the holidays! In honor of everything we're lucky enough to receive, Shayne and I have made it a tradition to clean out our closets and the house a few times a year - but mostly around Christmas - and donate what we don't need, want, or use to the Salvation Army. In addition to giving back, it also feels good to de-clutter and reorganize after settling back down from the holiday season!

The perfect pair of black flats and an assortment of jewelry from Mom

From Shayne's Mom - she knows the key to my hungry heart!!

What girl doesn't love products?! Thanks Meegan!

 

Some statement pieces for the house, like these white birds!

New phone & cases from Shayne

Some presents feel best when you purchase them yourself - thank you me!

Stocking Stuffers

My favorite part of Christmas morning is opening up our stocking stuffers. My mom always lays them out in front of all the gifts so my sisters and I open them first. We can always count on the essentials: lip balm, razors, deodorants, mascara and candy - and a pile of lottery tickets from Dad. Here are some "small" ideas for stocking stuffers for a friend or family member, or pass along to the beau in your life so he has some ideas!

1. Philips Sonicare Brush e-series, $37.82
2. Essie Mini Mega Jewels Set, $8
3. Forever 21, Argyle Knit Tights, $8.80
4. CoverGirl Lashblast Volume, $6.59
5. Burt's Bees, Beeswax Lip Balm, $3
6. Voluspa, Goji & Tarocco Orange Mini Tin Candle, $9
7. Women's Health Magazine Subscription, 2 year $19.80, 1 year $9.90
8. Forever 21, Socialite Stretchy Ring, $5.80
9. Kerastase, Bain Satin Shampoo, $36
10. Tiffany & Co., Return to Tiffany Heart Tag Pendant, $125
11. Mark by Avon, Juice Gems Lip Gloss, $6.50
12. Reese's Minature Peanut Butter Cups
13. Venus Embrace Women's Razor, $9.47

Merry Birthdays

My tree is up and couch rearranged just a bit!

On top of the holidays, 4/5 of my immediate family celebrates their birthdays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. And since Shayne has been added to the mix, he has joyfully added to that tradition with his birthday being between my Mom and older sister Lindsey's birthday - today to be exact.  We'll be enjoying pre-dinner drinks with all of our close friends at Brassiere Beck and then headed to dinner at Acadiana.  Saturday will contain a house full of close girlfriends and my sisters to celebrate Lindsey's big 3-0! I'll probably spend most of the day baking and cooking special treats like this, this, and this and then all the girls will be arriving for a night of celebration and drinks in Lindsey's honor.  Just as soon as things will be winding down - I'll be awoken by my super "Patriotic" football fan and we'll be heading to Fed-Ex field to watch the Pats take on the Skins. Back-to-back events but definitely a fun packed weekend which will fly right into a full study day Monday! I hope everyone enjoys their weekend just as much as I will be! Happy Friday Everyone!

My favorite Birthday guy!!

Happy 30th to the best big sister (tied with E!) on Saturday!

Gift Guide: $50 and under

1. Anthropologie, Semi Opaque Taper, $24 each
2. Zara, Combined Patent Leather Shopper, $49.90
3. TopShop Spot Pussybow Scarf, $28
4. Betsey Johnson Sunglasses, $44.99
5. Sephora, Makeup Studio Blockbuster, $49.50
6. West Elm Hive Vase, $24
7. Anthropologie, What to Cook And How to Cook it, $39.95
8. Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour, $25 each
9. Simply Vera Vera Vang Jet Simulated Pearl Necklace, $32.50
10. Henri Bendel, Bendel Bow Small Puppy Bowl, $30
11. Volupsa Makassar Ebony & Peach Candle in Velvet Box, $29
12. Martha Stewart, Kid's Chef set $19
13. Echo Design, Latika Mugs set of 4, $28
14. Z Gallerie, Eiffel Tower Flutes set of 4, $39.80
15. Klipsch Image S4 headphones, $49.80

Gift Guide: $20 & Under

Here's a look at some of my gift picks I've put together that I've come across this holiday season at some of my favorite stores. All of these gifts are under $20 so don't worry about breaking the bank when looking for that perfect gift for a friend or family member. I also think making something unique from scratch like cookies, a hand painted dish, or homemade candle is a personal, cost efficient, and fun way to give a gift. Links for each present are listed below; browse each website for other affordable finds under $20!  

Follow your favorite gift here:

Volupsa Maison Candle
Forever 21 Shell Clutch
Daino Series iPhone Case

Godiva Truffle Set 

Wine Tote

Anthropologie Pocket Planner

Anthropoloige Measuring Spoons

Ticket Stub Diary

Double Glass Sphere Ornaments

H&M mittens

Sephora Makeup Bag

Mitten with Chocolate Pretzel Rods

To Do List: Birthday Festivities

Every year I share my birthday weekend with the festivities of Thanksgiving so I never really to get have celebrations with all of my friends because we're all with our families. So, this year I decided to plan something the week before my birthday which means I will be busy celebrating this weekend. Originally, I hadn't thought about doing anything, but my sister Elyse and some of our friends will be in town so I decide to make a birthday weekend out of it. With that said, we'll be busy shopping, dancing, eating and celebrating! In preparation of being hostess, I thought I'd share some of things I would be getting myself into this weekend. In addition to all of our activities, I'm sure there will be a lot of picture taking. What do you all have planned for this weekend? Here is my to do list:

 # 1 Buy ingredients for this "Champagne Punch" by Martha Stewart. Definitely girly, fun & delicious

 #2 In addition for shopping for the perfect party dress, I want to find a new pair of booties -preferably with studs!

 #3 Make these mini crabcakes for appetizers

 #4 Order sushi from our favorite place in DC: Momiji's

#5 Manicures for all! Love this color combo of Essie's "Fiji" light pink with silver or hot pink glitter.

Happy Early Birthday

Picture of all my lenses and camera, taken with my iPhone

Like me, Shayne isn't the best secret keeper when it comes to gifts, so I knew a present was arriving in the mail sometime this week but I wasn't sure what it would be. Looking back, it might've seemed obvious but with party planning, school, work and all of life's current craziness, I really had no idea what he would get. Much to my liking, he got me a new lens for my camera! I've received a lot of questions recently about what type of camera I use, so I figured I'd share information on my camera and lenses since I just got a new one. First things first, I use a Canon T3i Rebel. There isn't too much of a difference from the T2i, which I used to have but the screen can be rotated in out and turned over so it doesn't scratch, and the video is a lot better. If you're looking to save a few bucks, you can always invest in the T2i and still get amazing pictures.  For my birthday, Shayne got me the Canon ultrasound EF 50 mm f/1.4 USM lens. Three reasons I love it: speed, blurred background, sharp images, but the reason I love it the most? There can be practically no light in the room and it still picks up the best images. When we bought the camera, it came with the Canon telephoto zoom lens (EFS 55-250 mm) which is also great for low-light and long distance shots and has a great image stabilizer. The main lens is the Canon EFS 18-15 mm which I use most frequently (until this weekend when I had to try out my new one on everything!) - this lens is also great for it's image stabilizer and always creates sharp images. Happy Early birthday to me, and thank you Shayne!

New ultrasonic lens on the left, telephoto zoom lens on the right

Taken with my standard lens, with no light on = blurry & discolored

Taken with my new lens, with  no light on = sharp, clear image with natural looking light!

I made sure to take pictures of EVERYTHING this weekend when the new lens came, including my peanut butter cup hot chocolate!

Recent Finds

Here are a few of my recent vintage/antique store finds and miscellaneous favorites I picked up over the weekend.  Most of these items will be placed in our office once I finish putting together a "vanity" - which will be featured in an upcoming post! Most of my items were found at antique stores at home in PA but I recommend always searching eBay or etsy for items you might be looking for - especially if you don't have time to hunt for your favorite things on the weekends.  I was so happy to finally find a clear glass cakestand to use.  When I'm not filling it with sweet treats this holiday season, it will probably serve as a display filled with Christmas balls. I'm still on the hunt for a jadeite cake stand like the plates I bought below!

 Pink "Mod Square" polish seen here, and dark green/blue "Dive Bar" polish seen here

Chargers from Target - for only $1.99 a piece!

Halloween Memories

Since today is officially Halloween, I thought it would be appropriate to share some of my favorite memories from past years.  If you looked back at pictures and home videos of my sisters and I growing up, you'd think it was Halloween in our house everyday.  Most of my childhood memories revolve around tutus, a video camera, pretending to be someone, and being bossed around by my loving older sisters (that's what sisters do!). My aunt was known for supplying us with bags full of dress-up clothes and with a house full of girls (poor Dad) they were definitely put to good use! So naturally we always enjoyed Halloween and I still enjoy dressing up every year.  My mom made most of our costumes when we were little and as we got older she let us pick ourselves.  Our hometown was small which made it a great place for trick-or-treating and we could always count on seeing festive decorations.  Now that my sisters both have kids, it makes each holiday even better.  I can't wait until Greyson and Olivia are old enough to pick out their own costumes, but it is fun to help find costumes for them when they can't object to your choices! Our weekend was busy and very chilly, but full of fun, and I'm so glad my friend Tara was able to share it with us.  Enjoy your Halloween and I hope everyone had an awesome weekend!

Left: Tara and I this year as Wonder Woman & Quail Man
Right: Us again, sophomore year of college as a Phillies player & Barbie

Left: Olivia's first Halloween (not quite 2 months old) - too much milk instead of candy!
Right: Greyson's first Halloween as Tweedledee from Alice in Wonderland (not quite 1 and learning to walk) 
 

Left: Abbey (Lindsey's best friend), Lindsey, Elyse and I - doesn't look like we enjoyed this picture very much! I liked to cling to my mom - hence the crying bumble bee. I love that our moms made our costumes! The picture to the right is Elyse on one of her dress-up days, she was the performer of the family!

 

Left: Greyson & Olivia as Thing 1 and Thing 2 - not for Halloween, just for fun!

Right: Shayne and I at Halloween last year as Tiger & Elin Woods; post-divorce, obviously!

Top: Middle school or ninth grade? Either way we thought it would be "cool" to go as barbies.

Bottom: Alecia's makeover birthday party (a little over a week before Halloween) in elementary school

Signs of Fall

Friday is finally here! It's been a long week but I'm ready to celebrate Halloween this weekend with all of our friends in DC & VA.  What is everyone dressing up as? Our group theme is superheros so I'm Wonder Woman and Shayne is Captain America.  One of my good friends from PA is coming down today to spend the weekend with us, so I'm sure there will be a lot of shopping, wine, and good food.  Today I'm sharing with you the signs of Fall/Halloween lurking around our house. I wish this weather could stay longer but we're already starting to feel the cold creeping in - the weather is even calling for snow this weekend (sigh). Luckily, most of my fall decor can stick around until Thanksgiving and then before we all know it, it will be time to start thinking of Christmas. My fall inspired posts will continue until it's too cold and I can no longer trick myself into thinking winter is not here. I hope everyone enjoys their weekend and don't forget to check back in on Monday morning!

Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

Fun Halloween labels for old bottles

Roasted Cayenne Pepper Pumpkin seeds made by Shayne

Floating leaves on the banister of our steps - made with artificial leaves and fishing wire

Table runner and sparkle pumpkin from Home Goods, Antique cake stand
Swan Creek soy candle in "Warm Vanilla Sugar"

WONDER WOMAN!

Happy Friday

Happy Friday Everyone! I thought I'd part for the weekend by sharing with you some of my recent favorite things! What does everyone have planned for the weekend?  My parents are coming to DC, so we'll be busy sightseeing and eating at delicious places, like here for brunch.  My mom is also bringing some of my hidden treasures down that I picked out from our house growing up.  Two old mirrors that were my grandmother's and an antique desk/table that was in my mom's first apartment. It will serve as my new vanity in the office once I find the right mirror to go with it.  Lindsey, my oldest sister, and I will be spending today at fabric stores searching for some new material so I can reupholster two antique chairs my mom gave me.  I also want to look for some quilted white material to make stockings for my boyfriend and I - we have a banister going up the steps that will be perfect to hang them from once Christmas rolls around. Per his request, we're doing a white and silver tree theme so I thought I'd carry it throughout the whole house. All projects will be documented and I will be sure to share them with you all! Have a great weekend and come back for Monday's post!

 Some of my favorite products: L'oreal Elnett Satin Strong Hold Hairspray, Aveda Smooth Infusion Style Prep, Burberry Classic perfume, Tarte "Exposed" blush, Jemma Kid tinted moisturizer and Mary Kay bronzing stick

A beautiful day in Georgetown

Some Fall favorite shoes: (from front) Gifted Steve Madden Inragee boots, Rebels ankle motorcycle boots, Aldo nude pumps, Madden Girl platform ankle booties (shown in black online, Gifted Libby Edelman pointy black flats

 I first bought this wine just because I liked the brand name - Cupcake Vineyards - but now it's a favorite.  I picked up a bottle of their "Red Velvet" red wine today at the store, and this picture shows their Riesling.

Pho Ga (Vietnamese chicken noodle soup) from Pho 14 in Columbia Heights - my favorite meal of all time! I've been here so often the past 6 months, the employees know me by name now.