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4.30.2013

pretty in navy & lace

Did I mention before that I am SO HAPPY that my "busy season" at work is over until September?? If I  didn't, or you missed it, I am beyond ecstatic to go back to regular 9-5 ish hours, be able to cook dinner at home (and no more frozen dinners late night at work), actually see and spend time with D, and have the energy to put into other creative outlets, like Pretty Little Things. I know I have been slacking lately with the posts (or maybe you haven't noticed) -- but with my new found "free time" and extra energy, stay tuned for more posting, more outfits, more food, and more ideas!
Here are some pics from my college girlfriend's wedding. It was so great to catch up and see old friends, and dance all night : )
we clean up nicely, if I do say so myself ; )
Navy blue dress // (same) // (pretty option) 
making weird faces is my favorite. 
some of my sorority sisters. alpha love and all of mine xo
love these girls!!

Hope you all have a lovely day!

xo Steph


4.29.2013

foxin' on the roof.

How was everyone's weekend? It was such a nice weekend over here both with weather and how I spent my time. This was one of those weekends where D and I didn't have much to do, so relax and lounge we did. Friday consisted of sushi and dvr (don't judge - it was amazing) Saturday was a little spring cleaning of the apartment (much needed) dinner with friends at night, and Sunday was  our first outdoor brunch of the season (yup, that's a big deal). Overall, there was nothing monumental to report but as a whole, fabulous weekend : )
 Outfit Details
Fox blouse: Old Navy (fox print dress) // Jeans: Express (same) // Watch: Fossil (same) 
 Spike bracelet: Asos (similar) // Sunglasses: Loft (similar) // Heels: Zara (similar)
Happy Monday everyone! 

xo Steph

Also linking up with Still Being Molly

4.24.2013

brighten up gray skies.

Ohh Spring. How I have a love/hate relationship with you. I wait for you patiently all winter, only to still be mildly disappointed with your chilly, overcast, and rainy days. Like today for example, I'm looking out the window and the sky is gray and gloomy and there is a definite chill in the air. Boo. So on days like this I need an outfit that is both functional and fun. Enter the utility jacket which offers some light warmth, those adorable Hunter flats, because well, why not, and lots of bright pops of color. Oh, and did you notice that adorable Kate Spade nerd glasses necklace? Yeah, I need that.
brighten up a gloomy day.


Recreate this look for yourself:


Bright {Sweater}// Utility {jacket} // Distressed {jeans} // Hunter {ballet flats} // Tory Burch {bag}  // Kate Spade {nerd glasses necklace} // Deborah Lippmann {nail polish}

Anyone else share my love/hate relationship with spring?

Hope you all have a lovely day!

xo Steph

Also linking up with Because Shanna Said So

4.23.2013

polka dots & denim

Is it seriously only Tuesday?? I am counting down the days until April is over because then I'll feel like I can breathe. These past two months at work have been what I like to call my "hell months" and I will be so happy once May comes around because that means I can have time to go to the gym, relax, and most importantly spend some time with D! And the little hot dog too!
Outfit Details
Jean jacket: Old Navy (same) // Polka Dot top: Maurices (nice option) // Black Pants: Madewell (same)
Flats: Target (similar) // Love necklace: Tiffany & Co (same) // Watch: Fossil (same)
So how's your week going?

Hope you all have a lovely day!

xo Steph

Also linking up with Style Elixir

4.22.2013

pink lace & white bubbles.

Outfit Details
Crochet sweater: Elle from Kohl's (cute option) // Jeans: Express (same) // Bubble necklace: ILY Couture (similar) // Nude heels: Nine West (similar) // Sunglasses: Loft (nice option)
Happy Monday everyone! I'm super busy today presenting at an all-day conference (wish me luck!!) but I'm counting down the days until April is over and my work hours go back to normal. I mean, don't they understand that my blog needs some tending to? haha. Anyway, we had a wedding this weekend (pics from that to come later this week) and spent a nice Sunday afternoon with D and my family getting together for dinner. I love how are families like each other -- makes things so much easier and of course fun. But what's not to like when you get a bunch of people together who love to eat and drink, right?

How was your weekend?

xo Steph

also linking up with Still Being Molly

4.19.2013

cleanse & detox {in photos}

As promised, I wanted to share with you what my cleanse & detox weekend looked like. In all honesty I have to say it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. And granted I can easily say that now that it's all over, but seriously....wasn't that terrible. It was actually nice to know that for two days I was eating nothing more than whole, natural foods, that were minimally processed and as close to it's natural state as possible. I really feel like I got a lot of crap and toxins out of my body and felt refreshed (though a bit weak) come Monday morning and felt like I even lost some water weight. And who knows, maybe this did nothing at all for me, but mentally I feel like I did something good for my body (almost like hitting a restart button) and definitely getting a much needed jumpstart on that bikini body. Because you know what they say, summer bodies are made in the winter. I guess that would be spring for me. Boo! What a slacker I am, I'm already behind.  Check out the exact cleanse diet in stuck to in {this post}.
Breakfast
This was the least painful meal since the last 2 weeks I've gotten into this green smoothie kick.
Granted this one had no greens and less fruit - so I have to admit less filling.
It also incorporated peanut butter (and don't get me wrong, I love peanut butter) but I didn't care for it mixed with the shake. Believe it or not, I'll stick to the spinach, kale and fruit smoothie.
Lunch
Okay, I'm going to admit right now D and I did some cheating. But it's not what you think, I swear! We weren't sneaking in scoops of Ben and Jerry ice cream or anything, however I was taking our "two snacks" during the day and incorporating it into our lunches and dinner. Mainly because I wasn't hungry for a snack during "snack time" but also because it bulked up our meals. Yeah, maybe it defeats the purpose of following an exact meal plan, but hey -- at least I'm trying right?
As you can see above, I used the cup of cucumber allotted for a snack and made a salad that included a spring mix and broiled chicken that I seasoned with garlic and onion spices. And the dressing was made with olive oil we were allowed to have, mixed with balsamic vinegar.
Dinner
Similar to lunch we "cheated" and made our asparagus snack as a side for our dinner. This time I topped the chicken on a bed of arugula which has a nice peppery flavor. I did the best I could to make these meals look appetizing, and I think I did a pretty good job if I do say so myself. 
Drinks
Other than water, we were allowed to have green tea. So let me tell you, we went to townnn on the green tea. I am already a tea freak and have over the years gotten D hooked as well so this one saved us. Having a hunger pain? Have some tea. Getting cranky because you're starving? Have some tea.
Tea. saved. our. life.
With our cleansing weekend we also had a a nice chance to reconnect. 
As I've mentioned before I'm in my crazy busy season at work, so for the last two months I have been working late 3 days a week and getting home around 10:30. That has been sucky, and means I never see D, let alone have time to blog. There's just never any time!!
Remember that episode of Saved by the Bell where Jessie Spano has so much to do, gets addicted to caffeine pills and crashes and burns.
Yeah that's me.
But this past weekend we had time to drink tea on our fire escape and watch the world go by....
and that I loved.

Feeling cleansed and ready to take on the world weekend!

xo Steph

4.18.2013

denim day at work.

Today I'm linking up with Tara from Mix and Match Fashion for {What I Wore to Work.} Todays outfit is a little different than any other ordinary day because I'm wearing jeans. Why am I wearing jeans you ask? Well for one, April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and we observe Denim Day which is an awareness event based on issues of consent. More on Denim Day and why we wear denim {here}. Anyway, for work I do crisis counseling and community education at a women's resource center for survivors of sexual violence and abuse so this is a cause that is very important to me. I am a huge advocate of women's rights and health issues -- so today I am wearing my denim at work proudly!
Outfit Details
Sweater: F21(similar) // Jeans: Express (same) // Bubble necklace: ILY Couture (cute option)
Red flats: Gap (similar) // Bag: Louis Vuitton // Sunglasses: Loft (similar)
Does anyone else participate denim day?
And are there any other fellow women's advocates on the blogosphere?

Hope you all have a lovely day!

xo Steph

also linking up with The Tiny Heart for Look What I Got

4.16.2013

see the love in this beautiful life.

It seems like tragedy after tragedy keep making headlines, more and more frequently --- and we deal. We mourn, we grieve, we ask questions why? We pray for those affected. We pray for those hurt and those whose lives have been ultimately changed forever. But today I will pray for the evil in the world -- for there is some anger deep down inside that is preventing them to see all the beauty and goodness in the world. Boston, I'm praying and thinking about you all. Just like us over here in New York, you're a strong city with strong willed people -- so you will persevere. Today I'm praying for all that is good in the world, but also for the evil that cannot see all the love in this beautiful, beautiful life.
and I'll leave you all with some words from Gandhi.
Let's all be that change we want to see.

xo Steph

4.15.2013

up on the rooftop...

Time for a scenery change up on this blog -- rather than the usual pics out on the street I decided to take it to our rooftop, which had the perfect amount of sun that our shady sidewalks today were lacking. Now this right here, is what urban living looks like. 
It was a tad chilly this weekend, and since I'm a wimp in the cold it was layering up in leather and fur for me. Also, please pay no attention to my faux outtie belly button courtesy of my jeans. Damn you jeans for ruining my pictues! Lastly, D and I survived our cleanse with relatively no casualties. Except for hunger. And lack of energy, and sneaking a spoon for of peanut butter because we needed something to get us through. But more on the cleanse debacle of 2013 on the blog tomorrow : )
 Outfit Details
Leather jacket: gift from D (similar)  // sweater: H&M (nice option) // Fur snood: Asos (cute option)
Jeans: Express (same) // Booties: Rampage (same) // Sun glasses: Loft (nice option)
After this weekend's cleanse and detox I feel ready and energized to take on the week. I also feel very excited to eat some food other than raw greens and grilled chicken. I'd love a big bowl of pasta right now.
 How was everyone's weekend?

Happy Monday! 

xo Steph

also linking up with Still Being Molly