'Tis the season for lots of list making. (Fa-la-la-la-la La-la-la-la.)
To say I have a lot on my plate would be the understatement of the century. For the last month or two, my life has been consumed with planning and/or preparing for several events:
a bachelorette party (the day after Thanksgiving), a wedding - in which I am a bridesmaid (the weekend before Christmas), coordinating Christmas in Chicago for 10 out-of-town family members and 5 locals (this is the first time we've ever done Christmas outside of Ohio), and having two of my visiting cousins stay at my apartment (which still has a little bit of that just-moved-in/storage-closet feel to it).
I have grocery lists, Christmas shopping lists, house cleaning lists, packing lists, wedding lists, party planning lists, activity lists, phone number lists, task lists, lists of my lists (okay, that one was an exaggeration...)
Last night I knocked out a number of things around the house, but this weekend is bound to be a doosey. Especially because I ruined my cookie dough and have to start all over instead of just having to cut/bake/decorate. I used a new recipe this year... serves me right for cheating on Paula Deen. I mean, what was I thinking? Ms. Deen starts pretty much every recipe with two sticks of butter. How could any other recipe be better than that? (You could be making steaks and I'm pretty sure she would start off with "Okay, take y'er two sticks of butter and grease the gri'll with 'em...") I love you Paula Deen.
Paula Deen's Monogrammed Sugar Cookies
(pssst! I use two teaspoons of vanilla and NO almond extract. And I add an extra egg.)
But I digress. With all of the hullabaloo that has surrounded this holiday season, I have really had a heckuva time getting in the spirit. I have my tree up, I strung garland, the stockings are hung on the bookshelf with care... I'm hoping this weekend will be extremely productive (Todd is out of town, so I won't be distracted by him and the kittens laying around the house), and that by Monday I will be overcome with excitement for the weekend nuptuals and our first family holiday-on-the-road!
P.S. I've just made the determination that all of the pressure that I have been putting on myself lately is going to flood out of me in tears at Kate and David's wedding. I am going to be so happy/emotional/relieved that I'm going to become a puddle of salt water. (Note to self: Add waterproof mascara to Packing List.)
I have a super-top-secret-insider-scoop for you. This season marks my seventh winter here in the Windiest of Cities. That makes me seven times smarter about cold weather than I was when I moved here from Columbus (via Pittsburgh). Over the past seven winters (which usually last from Nov/Dec all the way through Mar/Apr), I have tried out many different underlayers, overlayers, inderlayers, everylayers, in order to beat the heat frigid cold that bites as soon as you step outside. Last year, a miracle happened. I found the magic combo. You better believe it.
Patagonia Capilene Bottoms (Level 2 - Lightweight) and Smartwool Socks (Crew height or higher). The Level 2 bottoms are thin enough to wear everyday, even under my skinny jeans, but that Capilene hocus pocus keeps you warm all day without making you sweat like a maniac when you go indoors. (FYI - They make tops too, which I will often don for snow-play and exceptionally wintery days.) And oh, Smartwool, how I love thee. I have both the Margaritas (left - wearing them now, btw) and the Popcorn Cables (right). I love that they give me options for weight/cushioning depending on my choice of footwear.
So there you go. The solution for all your cold-weather woes. If you're still confused, here are some simple instructions:
Layer 1: underpants.*
Layer 2: Patagonia Capilenes.
Layer 3: Smartwools. (Note: Layer 2 should be tucked in to Layer 3. This is of vital importance.)
And now you know what I'm wearing under every single outfit from November through March. Over-share? Nah. Best winter advice ever? Yup.
*Underpants can be of your own individual choosing. I go for boy-shorts usually. Now there's your over-share.
No, this post is not about one of my FRIENDS giving birth to her brother's triplets. (I'm totally Monica, btw.)
This is the ONE HUNDRETH post, here at comeback special!
And what a feat. I am but still a humble little blogger, and having 100 posts under my belt is definitely a huge milestone. Hopefully this little blog o' mine (I'm gonna let it shine...) and I will keep growing towards bigger and better things. Thanks to whoever keeps reading this little guy! (WHOMever...)
And yes, my pop culture references begin and end with '90s sitcoms.
(P.S. I heart MS Paint.)
In the spirit of Thanksgiving tomorrow, I thought I share a few things that I am thankful for that happened in the last year.
This year, I am thankful for...
- the ability to travel, even on a tight budget. This past year I have taken two trips to NYC and spent a whole week in Puerto Rico.
- old friends - the ones who never let you down and are always there for you, no matter how long it's been since you've seen each other or spoken on the phone.
- dinners with Dianna, Leah and Todd. (Sorry, Dan and Dom - sometimes you're not at home. And Todd cooks for us.)
- getting put on salary at work, and for getting benefits, and a fancy new title - even though I still basically do the same work, I'd rather be a Manager than an Assistant. I'll take it!
- my buddy Kristen being the toughest and bravest girl ever, and for her making a safe and successful transition into the next stage of her life in New York City.
- new friends - the ones who you meet and find out you have more in common with than you ever thought possible.
- my very first apartment that is all my own. Even though it still looks like I just moved in.
- my pretty fingernails and finally kicking a 27 year habit.
- Todd. He's more helpful to and supportive of me on a day-to-day basis than I think he realizes. I'm very lucky to love and be loved by such a wonderful person.
- (almost) weekly family dinners with the Chicago chapter of the Wutzler Family.
- our newest addition, and the leader of our family's next generation, Elise Ava. She has proven to be the toughest little girl I've ever seen. This year, I am most thankful for her.
And that's just a sampler platter. If you want the whole feast, I can provide it for you on request.
Happy Thanksgiving one and all!
I told you I geek out whenever I see things with my initials! Too bad I won't be able to shell out $94 for this vintage wicker wine jug. Lucky for me, pictures are free! (And worth a thousand words, FYI.)
Dear Santa,
I need a new purse. Like a good purse. Like a really good purse. Enough of this dilly dallying with sub-par bags that only meet some of my requirements because A) they're cheap, B) they're trendy... and cheap, or C) did I say cheap? I need a purse to which I can make a full commitment. I'm not the kind of girl who needs a different bag for every outfit. I'm a creature of habit. I have one pair of sunglasses. I carry one bag. I mean, I am usually wearing a version of the same thing every day. Dark wash skinny jeans? Check. Top-siders, All-Stars, or Cowboy boots? Check. T-shirt and cardigan? Check. Scarf of varying sizes and weights? Check. The Perfect Bag? *sigh*
This is where you come in, Santa. Here are my criteria:
- leather. Leather, leather, leather.
- brass hardware. None of that shiny nickel crap.
- structured bottom and sides. I usually have papers of some sort in my purse (catalogs, pay stubs, love letters, etc.) and floppy bags = big mess o' crap.
- medium sized. Big enough to hold said "big mess 'o crap", but not so big that it encourages additional extraneous crap. The perfect travel size.
- one strap, or the option of one strap. Double straps = one slidey-down strap. I hate that slidey-down strap.
- zip-top. A must when you live in a city, and when traveling. Zips keep wandering hands from grabbing your valuables. They also prevent huge spills of your big mess o' crap all over your back seat when you toss your purse willy-nilly into your back seat.
- good sized top opening. Big enough so you can see everything without having to dig around in the dark abyss.
- no huge brandings. A small horse drawn carriage, or printed buckle here or there is okay. I just don't want someone else's initials all over my stuff.
- if there is a longer shoulder strap, it should be detachable. Okay, now I'm just getting picky...
- one or two exterior pockets are a plus. For easy access to keys and/or phone. But not too many... then it just looks bulky.
So there you go. For your convenience, I have done a little pre-holiday scouting. Here are two options I'm drooling over.
The Kristin Pleated Satchel from Coach. Either in Emerald or Coral. (They call it "Tearose"... The teal is sold out. But, oh the teal!) Obviously green is my fav color (obviously), but it may be more condusive to all four seasons. The coral is a bit spring/summer.
OMG, the kate spade Darien Gloss "Joyce". In Oyster. Yum x1000. I'm pretty sure I almost bought this exact bag at the outlet. And it's ON SALE! Hurry Santa!!
Thanks in advance for at least considering it. I promise to take care of it and be totally devoted to my one true bag. You're the best. (I can't believe I didn't pick a brown one either!)
Love,
Stacey
I just came across this image for J.Crew weddings...
Oh jeeze. I'm dying. Add to cart.
This adorable stocking on the Lands End website has my initials on it! (And my sister's, and my mom's...) That means I get to keep it, right?
I admit it - I get really excited when I'm browsing catalogs or websites and see something with my name on it... or the name of someone that I know... first name, last name, initials... whatever. It all fills me with glee. And in this case, Christmas cheer!
Thus concludes my nerdiness for the day. (Well, that's probably not true...)
Ah, yes. The age-old question...
I picked up my bridesmaid dress last night, and now I'm on the quest for shoes! Kate requested that we wear black shoes in the style of our choice. Do I already own several pairs of black shoes? Yes. Am I going to let that stop me from looking for a cute new pair? Definitely no.
So I was perusing some options online, and here's what I've been looking for:
For the dress that we're wearing (emerald green, floor-length chiffon, sweetheart neckline, strapless) I decided to go for something sleek and classic. But still fun. Along my search, again and again I found myself wondering "These are so cute, but should I get them in matte or patent?"
I love a good pair of black patent leather high heels. There's something about them; when you put them on, you automatically feel sexy. But are they always appropriate? I feel like patent leather high heels have a history... a "stigma", if you will. Like a red dress. Or fishnets. Combo the three together, and you've got yourself the classic "bad girl" ensemble. But worn separately, they could add just the right amount of "edge" to any look. Right? I think so too... (P.S. I would totally rock the red dress/patent leather heels look, if I had the chance... Maybe minus the fishnets, though.)
But I digress... bridesmaid shoes! Black, sleek, classic, fun. Versatile, re-wearable. I found these on endless first, but went over to Zappos, because they had my size in stock.
Love the cutouts on the sides. I have another pair of pumps from Guess, and was surprised by how comfortable they are. (Although the ones that I own don't have a 1" platform and a 4 1/2" heel...)
So? What do you think? Matte or Patent?
