I love fall.

Once I come to terms with the fact that it's no longer warm enough to go to the beach, dine outdoors, or slip on a pair of flip flops or a sundress, I fall in love with fall all over again (pun intended).  

It's not quite cool enough in the city for changing leaves, but there are a few hints of fall...

And I would even argue that fall makes adults do things that remind them of their childhood days...

Fall Staples

Maybe it's because I was forced to wear a brown and white plaid jumper for much of my childhood, but I do get excited when I get to plan a "First Day of ___" outfit. I'm starting a new job within less than a week, and I've been scrambling to find ways to make business casual not so...bizz-nizz-y.  I'm leaving behind years of being able to wear nice tailored jeans such as these, and searching for clothes that say:

1.  Take me seriously...my age and my new graduate degree make me an certified adult (sort of).

2.  I don't take myself that seriously.  

Admittedly, the message is a bit of an oxy moron. I've just purchased two items that will fall into the business casual dress code but still manage to be stylish, updated, and young.

These pants are phenomenal.  They are so phenomenal that I just purchased another pair.  I'm going to hem one pair to be ankle-length so I can wear them with flats.  My new pair will be kept longer so I can wear them with heels (meow).  They have an amazing fit, and for being skinny pants, they're surprisingly flattering!

and if you use the code "savebig", you can get 30% off your purchase!

This shrunken blazer will undoubtedly make its way into at least one outfit per week.  Pair it with jeans, skirts, or the skinny pants shown above, this updated spin on a classic piece will instantly pull together any outfit. Underneath I can wear a thin turtleneck or a silk cami depending on NY's unpredictable fall weather.

Rainy Day Baking

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day to try a new baking recipe.  Attempting to stay away from processed ingredients, but refusing to give up on taste, I tried a recipe out of Bethenny Frankel's book, The Skinnygirl Dish.  I have to say I'm pleasantly pleased and I hope my young guests coming over to watch Sunday football will be too.  

He looks like he wants one too.

Vegas, Baby, Vegas!

We just took a trip to Vegas last week to celebrate...our anniversary, graduation, CPR's birthday, having two incomes, etc., etc.  I had always heard that Las Vegas is over the top.  That is an understatement.  Vegas is so gaudy, tacky, and artificial, that I couldn't help but find it absolutely charming and fun!  The main purpose of the trip was to relax and spend time together, so we booked a room at the Vdara, a beautiful boutique-type hotel and spa right on the strip, adjacent to the Bellagio.   What made this hotel incredible is that it didn't have a casino which made relaxing oh-so-easy to do.  Our days included a  morning workout at the gym, a delicious brunch, afternoons reading by the pool, and fun dinners out.  I had no idea that someone like me (one who doesn't gamble or go to clubs...really, I am fun!) would end up loving Vegas as much as I did.  

 The living area in our room at the Vdara.  Look at that view from the 43rd floor!

 Nothing beats a breakfast that includes OJ, bacon, and fried hashbrowns.

 Enjoying fruit smoothies by the pool kept the 90 degree heat at bay.

Our favorite meal at Spago was to die for.  Unfortunately, this is the only photo that was taken at the restaurant.


There are two things that make up a perfect vacation:    relaxing and experiencing new sights and places.  I'd consider this trip a winner.

Anniversary!

It's been four years since we've tied the knot, two of which were spent living apart in different cities.  Excited that we could spend the *actual* anniversary together, we made plans to "do it up right" by having a nice dinner at a swanky NYC restaurant.  Fast forward to a monsoon, a heavy lunch at the Olive Garden with a dear friend, and a strong urge to trade in my high heels and jeans for a pair of elastic-waisted sweatpants, we decided to ditch the fancy dinner and to stay in.  What do you expect from two people who managed to go to bed at midnight every single night when they were in Vegas?  The first night we crawled into bed at midnight and proceeded to watch a documentary about dogs.  True story.

So, the night's agenda included watching the third season of Breaking Bad and clogging our arteries (but warming our hearts) with burgers and shakes from the Shake Shack.  We may not have spotted any celebrities at a fancy restaurant, but  at least we were able to celebrate a wonderful four years with our entire family which includes this guy.

Ben loving life in Central Park

Yum!

I'm Baaack!

I have two days left at my current job and I can already feel the stress leaving my bones.  Summer went by in a flash and I have to admit, I didn't stop and smell the roses.  

In celebration of my favorite time of year (school supply shopping!), I went to one of my favorite stores with one of my college besties.  In a world where everyone is going paperless and digital (I'm an offender to a certain extent), Kate's Paperie is a haven of all things beautiful, all of which happen to be made with paper.  As much as I utilize email to keep in touch with friends and family, nothing makes me happier than getting a hand written card or than buying a beautiful piece of stationery.

Here are a few of the things I picked up.

I've pretty much moved over to having all of my contacts and calendars on my blackberry, but I've missed jotting down notes, to-do lists, etc. in a pretty little notebook that fits inside of my purse.  Undoubtedly, this will inspire me to write down the names and addresses of fun restaurants and shops that I see while strolling around in NYC.  

I saw this card and literally cracked up laughing out loud.  Not only is it witty and humorous, but it's letterpressed and printed on heavy card stock.  I'm stayin' classy, San Diego.  I hope my friends getting married get the joke.  If not, I should probably question the friendship. :)

Nothing like a skull and crossbones birthday card for my hubbie who is 6 years my senior.  That makes him 27.  Hee hee.

Unemployment volume 2

Part of unemployment is embarking on a three-week guided cleanse.  It's not as scary as it sounds, and it's more about committing to three weeks of healthful and wholesome eating.  And if done correctly, one gains a deeper understanding about their relationship to food as well as determining which foods they must have to be happy and nourished and which foods are better left by the wayside on a more permanent basis (I said buh-bye to cheese, bread, and pasta).  

The first week is all about easing in and cutting out all processed foods, dairy, gluten, sugar, and caffeine.  What's left to eat you ask?  Everything!  We've had healthy and nourishing meals with grilled chicken and/or fish with a ton of vegetables.  And in lieu of grabbing the granola bar for a snack, we've grabbed a piece of fruit instead.  

Week 2 is a little more challenging.  It's continuing the behaviors from week 1, but phasing out animal proteins and sticking with juice and veggie based soups and smoothies. This gives the digestive system a well-deserved break.  The first time I did this cleanse, I came up with a butternut squash puree which ended up being super tasty.  Maybe I was euphoric from being so healthy, but I'll let you decide for yourself by perusing some photos.

{roasted butternut and acorn squash, red onion, and jewel yams with a drizzle of olive oil and sea salt}

{pureed the mixture from above.  Trust me, it's tastier than it looks...}

(...but my witty husband thought it reminded him of a witch's gruel.  Apparently it was made in the year 1642. Hardy har har}

My husband has been struggling with the cleanse so I "treated" him to homemade croutons made from day-old whole wheat everything bagels.  Cheater!!

{bagels cut up and drizzled with olive oil and a bit of garlic powder}

{Gruel + homemade whole wheat croutons = more appetizing?}

Lastly, week 3 is very similar to week 1 and is all about transitioning back to normalcy.  But normalcy doesn't have to include bad foods.  Right? Right.