It's Her Birthday!!!

Today is this little one's twenty second birthday! Happy birthday sister!

Love you lady! So proud of the young woman you have become. You are doing great out there in the real world, just like I knew you would. Keep making me proud.

xoxo

Sometimes You Have a Bad Day

Today was sad. This week was sad. And the weekend will be just as chipper.

A family friend, the father of 3 girls we grew up with, passed away yesterday. Then today, a coworker and friend shared with me that he has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

Then I cried all the way home.

And I've cried a few more times since. And this weekend, when I see my family and the girls I have had so many memories with, I will cry some more. And likely while at work tomorrow too.

Just another reminder that life is precious. And to tell those close to you that you love them and often. And to cherish memories and make more of them.

Just a reminder.

I Want To Ride My Bicycle, I Want to Ride My Bike

Want to know one of the perks of growing up in Ohio? At least northwest Ohio? It is super flat aka ideal leisurely biking terrain. I learned this the hard way when I took a regular ole' one speed bike with me when I moved to Cincinnati where there are hills galore. I like the different elevations and it makes for great views but let me just tell you, when I took my bike out for my first (and embarassingly last) ride, I could barely get up what I always thought was a meager hill to go to the library just a few blocks away. I was huffing and puffing and could barely get the pedals to make a full circle. If not for my stubborn willingness to make a complete trip on my bike, I would have gotten off and walked it the rest of the way. The shame!!

Once I finally made it back, I parked the bike in my garage and there it has sat, sad and unriden. Last time I was home, there was gorgeous weather and plenty of flat, easy riding to be had so I jumped on one of our family bikes and took a few spins around the street. And let me just tell you, I've still got.

Where Mustaches are Always Majestic

With a title like that, how can you not be intrigued? It was the theme of this year's Oktoberfest and it did not disappoint.

I spent all of Sunday embracing my heritage at Oktoberfest Zinzinnati. It is the biggest Oktoberfest outside of Germany and I took full advantage. A few guy friends were in visiting from Chicago and they couldn't have picked a more beautiful weekend to come! We chicken danced, we ate strudel, we polkaed (yes, this is a real word), we drank lots of German beer and even woke up and made it to work on time the next day! If that's not work-life balance, I don't know what is.

Manicure Monday

My day started off with me oversleeping and my straightener not turning on. Happy Monday to me.

Since then, I have pretty much been counting down the hours until 5 o'clock so I can head home and take a nap after a whirlwind weekend that did not allow much time for rest. Went to the Reds game on Friday night that went into extra innings, woke up early on Saturday and drove home for the day for my Grandma's birthday, stayed up late talking with my sister in our room, got up early and drove back to Cincinnait, met up with friends downtown for the Oktoberfest, ate, drank and was merry all day and into the night and then was up bright and early for my regular Monday routine. Whew! That was a lot.

My bed has never sounded so good.

Sally Hansen Snappy Sorbet Polish

Friday I'm in Love

It has been a pretty solid past 7 days. Here are some things I am loving this week:
Getting a Monday morning text about the thoughtfulness of my wedding gift to my cousin and how much they loved it.
The fact that pumpkin everything is out now, including pumpkin beer which I enjoyed last night.
Scoring free Reds tickets for the game tonight from a client. And possibly seeing my team win the division. And Friday games have fireworks. Just great all around.
Taking the lead on a problem at work and solving it. Boo-yah!

Not so much love for:
Having a cold that won't quit.
Not making it to the grocery therefore not having milk all week therefore resorting to having oatmeal made with water for breakfast. Not preferable.
Finding out that my sister has to work all next weekend and will no longer be able to visit for her birthday. And I even had a new restaurant in mind for us to try so guess that's getting put on hold sister!
The fact that there is rain in the forecast for tonight, threatening the Reds game and my whole evening.

There seems to be loads more good this week than bad which I am always in favor of. We had really yummy cookies at work yesterday, my grandma is celebrating her 85th birthday tomorrow so I got to write her a sweet note about how awesome she is and will be going to help celebrate, it is Oktoberfest downtown this weekend (the biggest one outside of Germany so very fun), annnnd I have a couple friends coming to visit too so we will be catching up over schnitzels and strudel. Can you say stellar weekend? Here's to hoping that it lives up to its full potential!

Fierce Flats

Shoes: Gap City Flats, Pants: Tommy Hilfiger

These are in the running for the best flats I have ever purchased. They fold in half, come with their own little bag and are so handy to throw in your purse or tote for an easy escape from heels after a day at the office or a night on the town. And they are cheetah print. Enough said. They make a perfect addition to almost any outfit and are a staple for my wardrobe.

Feeling Lace-y

Lace Crop and Jeans: H&M

Last night, a friend and I got brinner, or breakfast for dinner as it may be more commonly known, but man was that ever a great decision! Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I think it so fun to have it in the evenings. It got a little chilly last night too so the comforts of blueberry pancakes, bacon, crispy hashbrowns, and dippy eggs were just perfect. Correct term: eggs over easy but because I do not know how to order eggs properly, I call them by what my mom called them growing up. Embarrassing but really, just one of my many sophisticated charms.

Leatherette

Dress: JCPenney, Shoes: Macy's, Clutch: Flea Market

This past weekend was my cousin's wedding and it proved to be a struggle to find a dress that I was happy with for the occasion. I wanted something different, something special that I wouldn't have to be adjusting all night. I tried on loads of options and finally settled on this little number, a black sleeveless frock with a fabulous leather detailed panel down the front with an added zipper. It was just the ticket because nothing says wedding attire like something a little biker chic or at least that's what I'm going with. Having the solid black color and textured front, I pulled my hair back and wore a pair of long earrings, then added a bright clutch for a pop of color and kept the rest of my jewelry very simple. The dress met all my expectations and more! Plus it held up for dinner and a night of dancing. Celebrating with the newly weds was a blast and I was so happy to be a part of their big day! 

Manicure Monday

I've lost my voice, my nose is sniffly and I didn't even have milk for my cereal this morning which I only figured out after I had already poured a bowl full of Life. Somebody come take care of me! Or at least let me stay home, lay on the couch and watch movies all day as this is the obvious cure for everything.

Fun weekend stuff like weddings and all night dancing and staying up to watch movies with your brother does not bode well for Monday mornings. But I just grabbed a cup of tea, my other cure-all, and I am ready to whip out these emails! Or at least a few before I take a break to sneeze or do something equally attractive.

High Five for Friday

Up top---It's the weekend! I am linking up with the blog From My Grey Desk to celebrate the past week. Here are five things from my week worthy of a high five:

{The coolest beer can I've ever seen AND its watermelon flavored beer. Win, win}

{Two new bright pink lipsticks}



{My favorite of my mom's fall decorations at home: candy corn candles}



{Non-dairy pumpkin soft serve in the rain.}



{Sun setting behind me as I reached my hometown}

I am off to the rehearsal dinner for my cousin's wedding tonight. I am doing one of the readings tomorrow and I was so honored when he asked me to be a part of their big day. This is my first time participating in a wedding and I think it will be a lot of fun. I am looking forward to spending time with my family, sharing a dance with my grandpa and trying different drinks with my brother at the reception. Well wishes to the happy couple!

To the Max

Skirt: TJ Maxx, Shoes: Macy's Sweater: PacSun

It started out as a very quiet day today but since it is the deadline to get into the weekly NFL poll, it became much more rambunctious. And here is why.

The office has this weekly poll that lists all the professional football match ups for the week and you go down the list and circle who is going to win and then for the Monday night game, in case of a tie breaker which is needed almost every week, you have to guess the combined point total. Whichever person is closest without going over, (Price is Right style) wins! After I saw that the winner from last week is taking home more than $150 bucks, I was interesetd. So needless to say, people take it very seriously.

I won't lie to you and try to say that I could take even a fair stab at who the winning teams will be so I had to consult with my brothers and any other males in my life for a bit of advice and in the end, I think I have a fair shake to be in the upper percentile at the very least. But really, I just need to look respectable when the rankings are posted on Tuesday morning for all the office to see because I will never be able to live it down in my almost all male department if I am at the bottom. So I ask you, cross your fingers, rub that lucky rabbit's foot, ask the magic eight ball, wish upon a star for me, whatever it takes! to get me up towards the top. I would be much obliged.

Mailboxes and Things

It's a gorgeous day today here in Cincinnati so some coworkers and I took our lunch outside to enjoy the sunshine. I am mad at myself that this is literally the first time we have done this but the picnic tables are fairly new and the umbrellas are definitely new so I have now sworn to take full advantage, especially before it gets too cold to enjoy such lovely outdoor days.

At the Office

Pants, Top, Belt: Gap Shoes: Payless

There are some days I crave the professional, structured look of a good pair of dress pants and a classic white button down. Today was one of those days. My alarm woke me up from a dream where I was running late, a major no no, coupled with being lost on the way there that had me frazzled and stressed before my feet even hit the floor this morning.

Not good.

To compensate, I decided to go for a pulled together, take charge outfit with some fun pops of color to keep it "me".

So take that tired eyes and frazzled brain! Nothing like an outfit to give you just the confidence you were looking for and an empty office to duck into for a moment to document your wardrobe.

Manicure Monday

I decided to keep it simple this week and just go pretty and polished with a neutral light brown color that exudes fall. I have a cousin's wedding to attend at the end of the week and I am doing one of the readings so I know I'll be re-doing my nails for that so a couple coats of case study by Essie did the trick to kick this week off on the right foot.

Friday I'm in Love



The chaos that is me getting ready. What can I say? I like options! 

 I know, I know. I AM SO BEHIND! But ok, I have a funky new post idea I wanted to try! Instead of the usual "things I am loving/not loving from the week" I bring you....drum roll...a hooray for the weekend playlist in honor of a fun girls night out a couple of friends and I are FINALLY having! Fun right?

And now, by the power of youtube, I bring you my September selections:

1) Rolling Stone-Bob Dylan Random? Yes. It came on first when I got out of the shower. I dig.
2) Faster-Third Eye Blind Tough to choose just one but as a favorite band, had to go with a classic. 
3) Young London-Angels and Airwaves  It is literally about the weekend. Must have. 
4) I Can't Do it Alone-3OH!3 Had it in the college "Friday Night" playlist. 
5) Obladi Oblada-The Beatles One of the best and most underrated Beatles songs. 
6) That's Right-Girl Talk Really, any Girl Talk will do but this manages to include In Your Eyes by P. Gabriel
7) She Wolf- Shakira  If this does not get you dancing, what will?

It's called the Blog Eclectic for a reason people! The eclectic part extends to my musical taste too.
There are plenty more jams that could be added but this should start to get that foot tapping. Hope you find at least one new song that you can add to your getting ready, going out rotation. After all, throw some glitter on it, it's the weekend!

Meet Me in the School Yard

Shirt and Bag: Thrifted, Shoes: Sperry

The forecast called for rain all weekend while I was home but as luck would have it, the weather was fairly pleasant, aside from the insane amount of humidity that was my hair's nemesis, clearly documented above. There were some overcast skies too, but I was only caught in a few sprinkles while we were at my grandparents’ house and at the school across the street, stealing a moment on the swings. Is there anything better than your legs pumping you higher and higher? Talk about a flashback to when I was growing up. All the cousins, and even aunts and uncles too, spent many an hour at the playground across from grandma and grandpa’s and even though the classic set we grew up on has been changed out with a newer, apparently up-to-code version (I mean, I turned out fine but whatever), there are many memories there that cannot be so easily replaced.