Step Lightly | My Favorite Rain Boots

So as I'm sure most of the world knows, the East Coast is bracing for yet another hard hitting storm called Joaquin.  The weather around here at the Jersey Shore has been nothing short of rainy and windy and we are all bracing for some intense flooding.  After Sandy, there's not much we can't handle around here but there has already been some crazy stuff going on weather wise.

When it's raining,  I always like to make sure I'm prepared with some shoes that are comfortable, functional and cute at the same time.  Trust me, it's the key to staying dry, warm and happy.  I have found just that in these Michael Kors booties.  I have a pair of Helly Hansens that I wear all the time as well, but these booties match with absolutely everything!  If you follow me on Instagram, you will have seen that I wore them today.  

The Helly Hansens I have are also bright pink, not as professional as these are. These shoes are easily transition-able and not uncomfortable to walk around in. Before I had originally bought these I had my mind set on rain booties instead of boots anyway, so when I found them I was very happy. I like the bootie style because it is much more wearable with any outfit both in and outside of the office.

What kind of shoes do you favor wearing when it's raining or snowing to beat the band outside?  Where are you reading from, are you in the path of Joaquin?  I hope you're all safe.  Thank you for reading and be sure to send me a tweet with your favorite rain boots.  

Tartufo & Heads Up!

So let me just start this off by saying that I have been feeling SO FESTIVE in the days following Christmas than I had been for the whole season.  I don't even know why.  It has NOT been the easiest year for me AT ALL and it has really taken its toll, but being able to spend time with family and be filled with happiness for a week or two out of the year is just the best thing ever.  

Chances are that if you didn't grow up in Jersey or the surrounding area, you didn't experience Nasto's.  Maybe I'm talking out of tune here, I could be wrong.  One thing is for sure though, if you've never had it before, you haven't lived.  When I was little, my dad used to bring home Italian Ice and Sorbet in the little coconut and orange.  Ugh it was the best thing in the entire world.  On Christmas, Tartufo is an exceptional tradition.  If you've never had it, you NEED to try it one day.  

After having some leftover Tartufo the other day, we decided to play a little Heads Up, the Ellen game.  It was the best thing in the entire world.  As you know, I have been playing it at family get togethers lately just because I think it gets so intense and it's quite funny to watch family members get excited over a random word.  It just a family-appropriate, fun activity.  Don't get me wrong though, there are categories like 'Adult Supervision' that you can BET we tried playing too.  I criiiiinge when I watch back the videos, they are hilarious.  With Heads Up, it records you while you're playing and you have the option to save the video.  Needless to say they are hysterical to look back on the following day, or even five minutes later.  This was a random photo of my cousin Billy who came downstairs in the middle of one of our games.  He was showing off his outfit and watch.

I'm pretty sure I haven't mentioned on here that my one of my neighbors have moved.  I am so upset about this and miss them already!  I know I've written about some of the shenanigans we've gotten into on here before and I really miss them!  Needless to say, they were cleaning out their freezer and brought us over some of the pizza dough that they had left.  Seriously how hilarious #neighborlythings.  I cannot even explain how much I love them and wish they were still around haha.  So needless to say you better RECOGNIZE that I made this ballin' outrageous pizza.  I was so piZZed (see what I did there) that I didn't get a picture of the final product but it was still ridiculously delicious.  I took the dough and rolled it out, added some oregano and olive oil.  After that, I just literally took jarred pasta sauce, frozen peppers and mozzarella and put it all on top!  For being thrown together last minute it was really delicious.  I plan to do something interesting with the last ball of dough my neighbor gave to us.  I'll be sure to report.

Let us all take a moment and let this view sink in:

Honestly how beautiful?  The sunsets just keep getting better and better and it makes me happier and happier.  I know for a fact that they are pretty epic in the summer but when you get great ones during the winter it just makes you appreciate life that much more.  Sunsets and pretty skies are just those little things that make you think about everything you have, where you are and where you're about to be.  Do you agree?  I appreciate random moments like these because if you feel like nothing is going right in your life, you're left with a MOMENT of beautiful happiness and in that moment you feel like its possible that everything IS or CAN BE right in the future.

Have you ever tried Stroopwafel before?  I don't remember where I first heard of it but it has been a LOOOONG time since I have had it!  When I saw it in Marshalls (of all places) I had to pick it up because it's almost as if I got instant cravings for it.  I had one with peppermint tea tonight (kind of a random combination) and it was supremely awesome.  

Weather has been unseasonably warm here in NJ lately and this is proof.  The other day I was sitting in bed with the window OPEN!  It was just a stunning day outside and I was relaxing with my lavender lemon Yankee Candle so I said what better way to add to the relaxation than to open the window?  AND I DID.. AT THE END OF DECEMBER.  Little things here, little things.

Let me know how your days have been following Christmas?  Are you still feeling relaxed?  I'm trying to still feel relaxed.  Send me a tweet or leave a comment below.  -Brit.

Crafting, NYC and Snow! #blogmas Days 4-8, 2014!

Hey everyone!  So lets face it, life gets in the way sometimes.  I'm pissed because to be completely honest, I didn't want to miss a day of uploading in December, but things just happen.  I'm so excited to show you what I have been up to for the past couple of days so lets get started!

So not too long ago I ran to the store to grab a couple of crafting materials to make a variation of the DIY quote on canvas craft I saw on Lauren Elizabeths YT channel.  It was back in August when she uploaded the video and I've had this project on my mind since then.  I don't know why I waited this long.  I mean one of the queens of DIY (Brooke Mahan) is involved in this so how could I hate it?  Needless to say I couldn't find absolutely everything I needed (the things listed here) in the store so I have to wait to pick things up but hopefully next time I'll be able to get everything I do need.  I might actually pick up the materials when I'm in the city because they always have like everything I need in the Michaels on Avenue of the Americas.

You know I had to include a quick snapshot of my commuting shoes.  I always do this because it is physically impossible to walk like 10 blocks in heels.  If I was living in the city and just hopping on and off the subway I would be 100% game to do that, but now I'm on the train for hours commuting and walking longer distances, so sneakers are my jam for the commuting process.

I hopped off the 14th street subway station (sans cute little girl dancing) and had some time before my meeting so I headed to Coffee Bean.  I always get a Caramel Latte when I'm here because they literally make the best ones.  My all time favorite coffee drink that isn't just black coffee is a Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks but this would be my second choice.  Well done Coffee Bean!

Before my second meeting I decided to pop into Forever 21 because I had about a 1/2 hour and I was already where I needed to be.  I wanted to meet a friend for lunch but there just wasn't enough time so I figured I'd shop (naturally).  I saw this adorable sign hanging up in the corner of the store.  I always wonder why they don't put the cute stuff like this front and center.  I just love it.  

When the day was over I was ready to head home.  The photo on the right is me in stealth mode chilling in Penn Station waiting for my lines platform to be announced.  I was inside but had the sunglasses on.  Typical diva moment.  

Over the weekend we got healthy and unhealthy.  It was a pretty relaxing weekend and I had a ton of laundry to do.  I have been re-watching Desperate Housewives on Netflix again and I FINALLY finished it this weekend, haha.  #Goals.  How adorable is this clementine on the left with the Cuties Rule sticker!  Ugh, my heart melts.  I then classically had to have a BEC on a jalapeno bagel from Barons.  The bomb, don't judge me.

Then finally.. today!  IT SNOWED.  This is the first time it actually stuck to the grass this year.  This is the only type of snow I like, the picturesque type.  I hate it otherwise, lol.  I actually had a conversation the other day with my friend though about how I'm starting to like the cold weather more now.  This is an extremely rare statement for me to make though because normally I am WARM weather only.  I didn't hate seeing the snow fall from the sky today though.  I just hate when it ruins commuting plans so you just have to be careful!

How has your blogmas been going?  Are you ready for Christmas?  Have you gotten all of your gifts?  I cannot believe how fast the month of December is already flying.  Send me a tweet or leave a comment below and let me know the answer to my qUeStiOnzZzZ* -Brit.

Weekend in Photos 11/21-11/23

Hi everyone!  I hope you all had/are having a fantastic weekend!  I figured I would share my week in pictures today and I hope that you'd share yours as well!

I put up a new Twitter photo recently and I actually really like it!  I put a cute little filter on it so that I could try and block out my eczema because it's that time of year again.  Also take note of these red wine colored nails that I LOVE around the fall/winter.  The last and final thing I LOVE about this photo is my flash tattoo that I have on my wrist.  These flash tatts make me so happy and I'll have another order in for Mr. Kate ones soon!

Now I'll be honest, I think this is from either Thursday or Friday - certainly not the weekend.  TUT.com is an awesome website where you can sign up for daily e-mails that send encouraging messages to you.  It's just nice to have them sitting in your inbox when you wake up or for later on in the day when you finally get a chance to take a look at them.  Sometimes we all need a little assurance or just a pick me up and usually during the week is when it's most needed.  They don't send the e-mails on the weekend, I wish they would, but during the week it's a really nice little surprise.

The dog decided that he wanted to just randomly nap on the touch in this really uncomfortable-looking position that I can't really understand.  Reeeeeeally no other comments on this.

I am so happy to have gotten some new sheets for my bed!  These are obviously just for the winter because they are flannel but they are so nice.  Come spring and warmer weather I'll start looking for something else but these are going to be great for now.  Still no word on what type of comforter I'd like but I have been looking around and have a few ideas.  I don't know if you can tell from the cart but I picked these up from Target and the best part?  I got them for..... $15.99!  They were originally $24.99 on sale for $19.99.  I had a cartwheel and got them for the final $15.99 price.  I love cartwheel, you should most definitely check them out if you don't have it already.  It really gets you a lot of discounts on some regularly purchased items!

This photo is obviously a hilarious snapchat.  I mean obviously lol.  I don't know what mood I was in when I made this but I guess I wanted to be cute and Christmasy.  I'm just noticing now that my hair  makes me look like a Santa beard or something.  I don't know I'm really weird, don't judge.  

This is probably my favorite thing in the blog post.  I have had this poster since I was probably five years old.  My dad got it for me and it has been hanging up in my room forever!  I have always been a lover of all things computer and this totally made me happy hanging on the wall.  Now that I'm older and I have more of a preference for design, I still kept this and look at it every once in a while. 

I apparently live in the town of 'Local Weather' today, as that's what displayed when I tapped the weather app earlier this morning.  I don't know, I was just happy enough to see the 66 degrees for tomorrow!  Who needs colder days?  CERTAINLY NOT ME.  :)

Now these rice crispy treats may look like the most delicious things you've ever seen but they were a total fail this time around.  I followed the recipe on the back of the rice cereal box directly and still they came out too hard.  In the future I'm going to continue to use a little more marshmallows and butter than I did here, it always makes for a little bit of a better final result.

What have you all been up to this weekend?  Nothing crazy insane here, but I wanted to share nonetheless.  Thank you for reading as always, send me a tweet and I'll talk to you soon!  -Brit.

Reasons (Mostly Related to Fashion) Why I'm Excited For The Cold Weather, Because I Hate The Cold Weather Itself

As August graces us with its presence, I can't help but think about how close fall really is.  I bet you're thinking the same thing.  I don't know, there's just something about the Back to School section coming out in Target and the Bath and Body Works in your area coming out with the fall candle line.  Blogs coming out with their 'Fall Clothing Haul and Outfit Ideas,' and Starbucks teasing the Pumpkin Spice Lattes.  Sidebar: I hate PSL's, gross.  

I figured, in the name of fashion, I would show you a couple of reasons that I just cannot wait for the the fall to arrive.  I was going through some old photos and I found some outfits that I love and cannot wait to wear again.  There seemed to be a theme of burgundy that I was obsessed with last season and I can definitely imagine that coming back for another round this season.  I'm not hating.  Let's get started.

Outfit #1: Burgundy tights, a tight black skirt and a white bat-winged sweater with black boots.  Is there really anything else in the world that makes you happier during the fall when it comes to styling?  This is the easiest thing to style to look effortlessly chic and I full well plan on turning to it this year.  

Outfit #2: Another simplistic approach and little more casual than the first.  I can see myself spending some weekends in this outfit.  Jeans, cute sneakers from H&M, a black tee and a cardigan from Forever 21.  Doesn't get anymore basic than this.  I threw on my MK because we all know I can't live without.  

Outfit #3: I have since deemed this shirt horrifically ugly but this combined with the next combination of shirts I have just gets me so incredibly excited for the holiday season and fall/winter.  I know it's grossly early to be thinking about this but I can't help it.  This is a post about what I can't wait for right?  Well then, there YOU GO.  

Outfit #4: This gets me even more excited than the one before.  As I said, I can't stand that shirt anymore but this just gets me pumped for Christmas.  I remember wearing this outfit to the office the day before Christmas and it just got me in such a spirit.  The green oxford is from Old Navy and the maroon sweater is from H&M.  They are both basics that I know you probably all have in your closet.  Of course too, there's my watch.  My hair is obscene, but then again it is in all of these photos.  Most of the time it's just too cold to really do anything with my hair.  The only reason I end up doing anything with my hair in the first place is to warm myself up with the straightener.  -_____- #lazygirlproblems 

Outfit #5: Last but not least with the outfits is this gem.  Ugh, this is my favorite.  This little frock that I got from forever 21 like forever ago just makes me so happy.  I feel like this was meant for fall.  I wore it once in the summer but I just felt like it belongs in the cooler weather.  I mean look at the colors!  I love the way I paired it with the maroon tights which are so comfortable, warm and gorgeous and let me just NOT EVEN START talking about these booties.  I know you can barely see them here but they are these that I got from Aldo not too long ago.  ~*Let us stop for a minute, take it in, and appreciate that beautaaaaay*~  Okay, proceed.  I just love this outfit combo.  Please ignore the million shopping bags and Friends on in the background.  ;)

Non-Fashion Fall Fun

NFFF #1: This is just something I can't live without in the fall/winter.  Whenever the weather gets colder I am always the one to hang up Christmas lights.  There's something about the lights that just make me feel so much warmer.  What you don't know about this photo is that there's totally a candle burning to the left of my computer screen and this was taken from bed.  I'm so cuddly and happy.  

NFFF #2: This is technically about fashion people.  You know you do the same thing.  Can you tell what it is just from looking at the photo?  BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING.  I honestly cannot believe I'm writing a post about this already, but I just can't help it.  Look at all those savings that are cutting off the circulation on my arm!  Lord Jesus, maybe this year I will actually take the time to write about what I purchase on my blog.  Looks like here I hit up all the basic white girl spots: H&M, Forev, ON, VS & AE.  Don't blame me, I just cannot be stopped when it comes to Black Friday shopping.  I'm not alone, I know it.  

Are you excited for the colder weather for anything other than the colder weather?  Share your rationale with me in the comments or in a tweet.  I'd love to hear what your thoughts are.  I cannot wait to get out and purchase those fall candles but I think I'll give it a little more time.  I'd never wish summer away any sooner than it would stay.  If it was 90 degrees all the way through the holiday season, I'd be so happy it's unreal.  That's the whole point of this post.  K, bye for now.  -Brit.     

PS- How do you like this new blog header!?  Let me know!  Also, follow me on Bloglovin!

Revlon Parfumerie: Fresh Linen.

As you sadly know, we are in for it.  By this, I mean we are in for another storm that is set to come our way at the end of today, right into tomorrow morning.  This is going to be bad for many reasons but the worst reason is because of the morning commute.  Granted, if the weather is bad enough, my office will close but it's just extremely annoying to have to worry about how bad the snow will be because granted, trusting the forecast is never a good thing (it changes every five seconds).  

For today's lazy Sunday, I woke up with really only a couple of things that I had to do.  I must do laundry, pickup my room a little bit and I just really wanted to re-paint my nails.  So, with that said, my dad put on a pot of coffee, made us breakfast sandwiches and here we are chillin'.  My dad isn't painting his nails though, he's working on the snow blower a little bit (lol).  

So above are the two integral parts of my day.  On the right you will see my adorable coffee-stained mug that is making me very happy.  Quick tip for people, try drinking your coffee black.  I don't know, I have tasted coffee like one time with sugar and creamer and I just don't like it.  Ever since I started drinking coffee, I have been drinking it black.  Every single day, it just tastes so much better and stronger.  On the left you will see my nail polish of choice for today (and probably tomorrow), Revlon's Parfumerie in Fresh Linen. 

With this color, you need more than two coats, on my nails currently is three coats.  It may seem like a bit of a no brainer that a white polish would need more than two coats, but this one has a pearly finish so you might be fooled.  The color is beautiful but even with three coats you can still see right through it in the photo to the bottom of my nails.  I didn't use a base coat or top coat with this, but I didn't want to because when I test a polish, I always want to do it without base/top coats to see how well they are on their own.  

I'm pretty sure I have never talked about these polishes on my blog before but I have a couple of them as you will see down below and I do enjoy them.  Other than the scent of the polishes, my favorite thing about them is the bottle shape.  They are so darling and look like a tiny little perfume bottle and it makes me so happy.

As you can see, I have six of the polishes in this line.  I have: Fresh Linen, Pink Pineapple, Beachy, Wintermint, Autumn Spice and Apricot Nectar.  My favorite out of these is most definitely beach (scent wise).  These all smell exactly like they are labeled and that makes me happy.  I say this because Revlon came out with another line of scented polishes that didn't smell that great and I was so upset.  I bought a beachy-scented one and it smelled so bad and nothing like the beach.  These polishes are great and they only smell like a normal nail polish upon first opening up the bottle, right after that they smell like the scent they are labeled.  I couldn't believe it.  Also, the scent lasts longer than just the first day.  I would probably say about three days later, the scent was still there but starting to wear off, definitely pretty cool!

Thank you for reading once again.  I felt inspired by the snow (um, ew) to paint my nails this angelic white color and I am happy with the decision.  Who knows how long I will feel this inspired but I hope this snow comes and goes because I looked further into Accuweather and it says that we are going to be getting temperatures in the 50's and 60's so I cant wait.  What polishes are you loving right now?  Mine are always so dependent on my mood as you know from last couple of color choices.  Let me know in the comments below or send me a tweet.  Thanks for reading!  xoxo

The Farmers Almanac, and dealing with drama.

Check out this Instagram photo that I took today :).

Today was a great day, except for the fact that I woke up extremely freezing cold!  I honestly cannot believe that it has been so chilly lately.  The summer was so hot, so I think the winter is going to be chillingly cold.  I haven't gotten my hands on a farmers almanac recently which is what I normally like to do, but I just have this hunch.  

Being that I live in New Jersey, I can truly say that we have all of the seasons tried and true.  I mean there are some places that just don't get each season in all of its form.  This year so far (which is almost over, OMG!), we have had an extremely mild winter from Jan-March/April.  From May-August, the weather was BEYOND hazy, hot and humid.  Now, as September approaches, the mornings and nights are getting chillier, the days are topping out at a brisk 75 degrees and fall is most definitely in the air.  

Thinking about the winter coming makes me sick though.  I really hate the cold which is kind of ironic because I was born in January.  I don't think the time you were born really has anything to do with that but the stigma always comes up in conversation.  The only thing I like about the cold weather is the fashion that comes with fall and winter, it's my absolute favorite.  NYFW just passed and I was just dying at what was coming out of the runways from almost every single designer for SS 13.  While this is true, I still can't wait to start wearing my riding boots.

I had work, it was my first day back after being on vacation for two weeks.  I cannot say that I was thrilled but people missed me!  I can't believe I walked in there and people were excited to see me, it was a really nice feeling.  I don't really know if I can take these people seriously or not because theres always so much drama at my work place and I really hate it.  It was just nice to see that some people were happy that I was back, take that as you wish.

Dealing with drama in the work place, or anywhere even, can be really hard.  I have a huge trust issue with almost every single person that I know.  There have been so many things going on in my life that I really don't know who to trust.  When it comes to getting older and knowing that you'll have to deal with drama in your life, just be strong and don't let anyone compromise who you are to be someone that you really aren't.  There is even going to be drama when you get older and you grow into your full time career.  Drama never really escapes you, even when you want to take on your own professional persona.

Aside from making sure that you remain true to yourself, there are a couple more things that you should probably do.  Before I started working where I do now, I never was the person who wanted to be involved with people who start drama and act like they know everything and nothing at the same time.  I hated those people, really despised them.  Honestly can you tell me that you act that stupid and pretend to be someone you are not all the time?  It just isnt worth it and its tiring of all things.

When I started working at my current location, I guess you could say I became "popular" because everyone knew who I was, I worked in a central location and a lot of things went through me and the people who I work with.  I still to this date feel forced into a lot of drama even though I am so passive and keep myself out of it at all times.  This is an example of how you get in the middle of it sometimes, but you just have to tell yourself its not worth it.  I am not going to lie, there have even been stupid rumors spread about me, but I know they aren't true, and that's all that matters.  The people that care about you and yourself, are the only ones that matter.  That's what I kept telling myself, and thats why I am so positive.

The day was short, and I came home, went for a run, and here I am watching, yep you guessed it, more 24.  As if I didn't say it enough, please watch the show if you never have.  We just started the third season and it is great.  The writing of the show is phenomenal and I don't want to go into it again, but you get the point!  Haha.  I just posted a facebook status saying, "If watching 24 was a job, I'd be a bajillionaire."

Okay, well this has been quite the lengthy post but I hope you guys were able to take that I had to say and turn it into something that makes sense to you.  Do you guys have problems with drama in the work place?  Anywhere else?  Send me a tweet and let me know, or leave comments below.  You can even do both :).