IFB Conference 2011

Watch live streaming video from ifbconference at livestream.com

Gregorys Coffee

So I officially made it to NYC! My stomach is filled with butterflies for the IFB Conference. Still not sure what I am going to wear but I packed just about everything in my closet so there are options. This whole rainy weather thing is throwing my wardrobe planning way off. I'm spending the morning working at a coffee shop across the street from The Algonquin (one of my fave hotels). Cheddar and dill scone- yummy!

Pop Burger NYC

Found this little gem right across the street from FAO Schwartz. After hours of shopping I was so glad to see food of any kind. Lucky for me this place had yummy mini burgers (2 packed in a cute little box) and amazing fries. I swear they were the best that I had ever eaten- perfectly crunchy! Wish they would bring Pop Burger to the STL...

Where to Rome?

I am so excited to be planning our next vacation! This spring we have decided to make our first trip to Europe (be still my macaroon-loving heart). Given that we know very little about traveling the world outside of the United States, we started asking around for advice on when/where to go. To get the most out of our trip I decided to take a visit to a quaint little book store in Kirkwood to see if I could find a few informative books or travel guides. Of course I couldn't make it past the alluring wall of magazines without stopping for a few looks. I mean come on, it's the September fashion issues I'm talking about. We've narrowed the trip down to Paris and Rome or a tour of Italy (Positano, Pompeii, Capri, Amalfi coast...) so I bought a book for both. I can't wait to crack the covers and get the planning started!

Seeing Red

Top: Target, Pants: H&M, Sandals and Accessories: Bakers

Today Kate (an amazing co-worker) and I got to play with 70's inspired props from a past photo shoot. We discovered a plethora of glitter covered styrofoam spheres and disco balls. We couldn't resist snapping a pic!

Pick-Up Sticks

Tank: H&M, Flannel and leggings: Forever 21, Platforms: Bakers

A little pic shot in the parking garage while shoe shopping at lunch today. I was so excited to buy for fall! I ended up getting everything that I was looking for: 2 black booties (wedges and heels), leopard print oxfords and amazingly aggressive black wedges. Just love buying in bulk! Gives me such a rush.

Hail the Harem

Tee and Pants: H&M, Belt: Urban Outfitters, Heels: Bakers

True Blue

Spring Fling

Spring Fling from Crave the Cup. Lemon cake injected with raspberry filling and topped with a strawberry cream cheese frosting. Don't you wish you had smell-o-vision?

Off the Wagon

OK, so if you know me at all you know that I have an intense love of sweets. That's all I think about- candy, candy, CANDY! I use to finish a family sized bag of Skittles in one day all by myself (except the purples- yucky). I had been officially off the candy since my little boy had been born. 2 years of sugar sobriety under my belt. I had been doing so well until the dang Easter candy rolled out. How can you resist all of the yummy flavors and fun colors that come with these holiday themed treats? I can't help but take pictures of all of my candy when I get it home. I just love it! Does anyone else do that?

Go Big Or Go Home

  

While out to lunch with L-Bomb, she snapped this lovely picture of me while I was being a dork and checking into Starbucks on Foursquare (9 points- yes!). Lunch is never dull with the two of us and Lori is always sneaking pics whenever I am not looking. You could consider her my own personal paparazzi. When I received this unexpected image via email at the office I though "Wait, is my bag really that big?". I've always said go big or go home but have I always meant it? What do you think? At least it makes me look smaller. = )

Before & After: Shabby Chic Mirror

Oh how I love a good Before & After! It actually felt like spring today so I decided to take advantage of the amazing weather and dive into some of the projects that I had been putting off until the weather was nice enough to get outside. The hubs and I are in the process of a few home improvement projects and one of them is to knock out the wall in between our kitchen and living room, which now houses 5 large mirrors. The question at hand is what do we do with all of the mirrors? I decided to take one of them and change it up a bit so that it might fit into our guest room (think grey, white and bright yellow floral). It didn't take much time at all. I didn't even prime the mirror (which maybe I should have). I chose a spray paint that was suitable for metal and used painters tape and my fave magazines to section off the mirror part. I was super excited to find a use for my old mags. I get just about every publication under the sun (for work purposes of course). You can find them at my desk, in my car and strewn around my house. Good thing we recycle. Anyways- here is my before, during and after. Hope you like! Now I just have to find happy homes for the other 4 mirrors.

Feeling Green



Tunic: Forever 21, Leggings: H&M, Belt: Bakers, Shoes: Bakers, Handbag: Louis Vuitton

Reilly

Inspired By?

Is imitation sincerely the best form of flattery? Sources say that Proenza Schouler thinks otherwise. Found at Target (image at top) this Mossimo messenger bag $34.99. Proenza Schouler's PS1 Satchel (image at bottom) $1,995. I stopped at Target to check out the quality and the Mossimo version was not that bad for the price. It serves the function of a messenger bag. The weight was good and the feel of the material was not offensive. You would have to take a look at the colors in person as some looked inexpensive and not very leather-like. Don't get me wrong my friend, I love my designer bags but for 57 times the price of the Mossimo's version...I'll take the inspired-by.

Eye Candy

While walking through Target I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw this end cap of Sally Hansen nail polish. Not only was it the most amazing display of eye-popping color that I have ever seen grace the presence of a Target end cap, but I am admittedly addicted to buying nail polish. Sometimes I buy it out of necessity (like when I just have to have the new Shatter by Katy Perry for OPI) or sometimes I find a color that reminds me of someone or some place (like Essie's Mink Muffs reminds me of the Veit girls and NYC). I was impressed with all of the hues and types of polish the brand had to offer. I am usually not a "Sally Hansen" type of girl but I could not resist grabbing a bottle for a little instant gratification. I could pick from 3 different kinds: HD with multi-dimensional shine $5, Insta-Dry with drying time of 60 seconds $4.54 or Xtreme Wear with xtreme strength and shine $2.04. Frankly I didn't care how fast it dried or how strong it made my nails, I am all about the color. I chose Peachy Breeze from the Insta-Dry collection. It's a lovely shade of coral that is exactly what I had in mind for spring. I plan to try it on Sunday and I'll post pics with a review of the quality. If it stays on without chipping for at least a few days, Sally Hansen might have a new customer for life. If I can get a bottle of polish for $2.04...that's amazing (and cheaper than a gallon of gas)!

Who's Bad?

These are two things that I feel like a total badass in (which I am not). Black leather boots and heavy hardware cuff- both from Bakers.

Central Park in May

Shopping for NYC in May. This is outfit #1. Perfect for Central Park!

Fedora- $8.99 Papaya 
Earrings- $20 Soul-Flower
Scarf- $86 Singer22
Top- $106 Ambience
Shorts- $89 Nika
Wedges- $395 Intermix

Say Cheese!

So I am notorious for stupid ideas. I swear that my stupid ideas will make me millions someday. When Kate (stunning girl with great teeth/hair pictured above) told me about this place, Cheese-ology, that only serves macaroni and cheese I thought- hey, that is a great stupid idea! Of course we were there only hours after she had told me about the place. It is located on Delmar in The Loop of STL. With cute retro tables and open windows for people watching, it is a great place to stop in for lunch. They have different kinds of mac and cheese. I had the Santa Fe which included black beans, corn, salsa and a mix of cheeses. For those of you that wish to have a beer or wine with your macaroni and cheese, they have that too.

Sleepless in Seattle

One of my fave things to do is to travel. It never matters when or where I go. Each city has something unique to offer and there is always an adventure to be found. While away from home I find myself collecting little goodies and treasure to bring home to my friends and family. My friend (and co-worker) Nieman just got back from Seattle and to my surprise she was thoughtful enough to bring me back a few things. We both had a good giggle over the Sleepless in Seattle chocolate. Really? How funny is that?

How Sweet It Is

Today the office was feeling quite dreary and outside the weather was still wintry and grey (not to mention frigid). What else to lift the gloom, but a lunchtime cupcake from The Cup, located in the Central West End of STL. I walked in with all intentions of taking back the usual red velvet but today I was making an exception- Island Dream! I took my little goodie back to the office and back to my desk. Covered in coconut and topped with a pair of red sugar lips- couldn't get any better than that. I closed my eyes and had daydreams of warm tropical locals and sun-kissed tans. Twas a nice little vaca, even if it was for only a few minutes in between all of the social media antics on my to-do list.