5 tips for Picking Engagement Picture Outfits

So much pressure.  We have to look so in love, comfortable, and timeless.  But cheesy poses aside, the outfit picking might be the WORST part of the whole dang thing.  Or at least that how it feels right now.  I have to look attractive, and not too sexy or revealing.  The look has to be trendy, but timeless.  And I have to figure all this out by this weekend.  So I compiled a list of things I'd like my look to be. I don't want to wear something all to trendy that looks completely awful in ten years, I mean will big statement necklaces still be cool in 2024?

But back to the list:  REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL POTENTIAL CLOTHING OPTIONS
1. Attractive
2. Trendy
3. Timeless
4. Flattering
5. Apporirate

But most of what I have read about what to wear really just says, be yourself.  So I went to the mall in search of the perfect look, and sough out help in the ladies department.  My words exactly,  "I would like something flattering, shirt, or dress that is either plain color or has a simple patterned," and she returned with a black bag of a shirt and statement necklace, I almost gave up.  But instead I grabbed one my besties and hit the mall.

I ended up with this dress, this shirt, and these skinnies.  I might now wear any of it, and I might wear all of it.  Regardless I feel all fit the list above and will be great classic additions to my closet.  As per all other things awesome, these pictures are a great excuse for my recent return to blonde, a gel mani pedi, and an appointment to get make up done.  Pretty much every girls dream.

Basically, I can't wait to see how they turn out, I've been pinning for a couple weeks now of poses I like.  We'll see just how many we can make look half way decent without feeling to ridiculous and silly. 

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P.S. If there is one thing I am certain of in all of this, it's this dress will be loved and worn for years to come.

The 'Morning After' Advice

It's almost Friday, and that is simply amazing.
We're heading out to a Brew Fest this weekend!!!!
 (follow me on instagram for the play by play)

 As if summer isn't great enough already lets add Drinking Festivals. 
While this weekend is a 'Brew Fest', I have a feeling the weekend might include more dranks like strawbertias, (....mojitos, fireball, JD, and all other alcoholic beverages).

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I'm not trying to foreshadow any events of this weekend, but last year at the Brew Fest, I ended up finding blueberry beer and drinking eight of them, eatin' my body weight in chips and guacamole, and brought almost an entire bowl home on my shirt.  When we got home we were convinced we were locked out, until seventeen thirty one phone calls and a set of keys (that were in our pocket the entire time) were found. 
Yeah, it's gonna be a good weekend.

So I'm preparing to go thru the eight step 'morning after' drinking process...

Take a Purse Inventory

It might have gotten crazy on the dance floor,  and things may have gone flyin'.

Be sure you have all your cards, your ID, phone, camera, and anything else you might have brought out with you. 

Shower Up

Simple, I know, but it's likely your hair, breath, and body smell with the lingering staleness of beer, sweat, and possibly cigarettes.  Additionally there may be some stamps on your hand. You need to eliminate all of these things, as fast as possible.  A shower is the only cure. 

Do 'Damange Control' on your Phone

Check your phone to affirm what you don't know might not know from the night before.

See if you did the standard girl 15 texts and seven phone calls to that 'special' someone (unless of course you were with them). If you have it's probably easiest just to delete the evidence (delete all the texts and calls from your phone) and call it good. 

Hydrate

G2's are really the best thing to drink, and while your drinking it, swig down a ibuprofen or two (or four) to properly prepare the inevitable headache.

Check Your Bank Account

Check your bank account, lezbehonest, you probably bought a few more kamikazes fireball shots than you thought.

Comfy Cozy Up
Put on your most comfiest, coziest, pajama like yoga pants and tank/shirt.
Anything that feels more like pajamas and less like actual clothes MUST happen.

Eat...
something greasy. Breakfast burritos, Starbucks breakfast sandwiches, and bagels often do the trick.
I also enjoy goldfish, white cheddar cheese its, and

 Lounge
Sit down on the couch only after setting up your 'station'. G2, water, salty snack, and phone all on the coffee table. This way you're set up for hours, and don't have to move anywhere for hours all day.

Hope you all have a Great Weekend!!!!

P.S. I just watched Princess Dairies this week (it was on TV, and I was reminded of just how great that movie is.  Did you know that Christina from Greys Anatomy is also in Princess Diaries? I had NO IDEA!

12 Things To Do BEFORE Your Vacation

So I am no travel expert.

I would say if you had to rate my 'traveling skills' on the scales used to judge a ski slope, I'd be 'intermediate'.

I don't jet set all the time, although I would LOVE too.
 BUT I have been a few places, you may have read about some of my trips here, here, and here.

But I do leave for Brazil in twenty days, #butwhoiscounting
 

This picture is me on day 29 of 30, circa 2008. 
In Munich, hostel-less at 11:30pm.

That being said there are a few tips that I have for you; things that you should do BEFORE you TAKE OFF.  They are really in no particular order, although some might seem more important than others, to me they are ALL important, TRUST me.

1. Scan your ID and Passport and email it to yourself. Then put it in a folder so you always have it.  I named my folder 'do not loose'.  This way if for whatever reason you loose, misplace, or get your stuff stolen, you still have your numbers, expiration dates, etc.

2. Talk to your Doctor.  If you're traveling some place that you've never been, call your doctor and see if there are any additional vaccinations that you need.  Many of these have to be taken a week prior to your take off, so call sooner rather than later. I had to get typhloid for our trip to Brazil!!!

3. Pre-Order your monthly prescriptions. THIS IS A BIG ONE. Especially for us ladies on le pill.  If you will be gone when you would normally pick you your prescription, be sure you call to get a vacation over ride BEFORE you leave, so you'll have all the prescriptions you need before you go.

4. Call your phone provider and/or go into the store.  Often there are small little package you can add to your phone to make talking and texting more economical.  That being said I usually just put my phone on airplane mode, then turn on the wireless, and load up my skype account.  Then I can call people over the wireless for pennies of what you would pay through your plan.  You can also text through skype....yay!!!

5. Contact your bank.  Sometimes when you go over seas, and your bank does not know, they shut off your account when they see any large withdrawals and/or funny locations.  How terrible would it be if you were left moneyless in Europe, Thailand, or Mexico....yeah that would suck  be terrible (my Mom hates that word).

6. Pack a pair of fluffy socks!!! Ladies this one is mostly for you.  But if I'm not crazy, which sometimes I think I am, my feet get SOOOO cold on the airplane.  So after three or four trips of frozen tosies, I got smart.  I packed a pair of fluffy socks in my carry on to wear while in the air.  It's totally worth it!!! I actually found it made it easier for me to sleep on board!!!

7. Ladies - listen up, this one might save your life.  Wear a scarf when you travel.  Why you ask??? Because it's a blanket in disguise.  But seriously there is this staple 'travel' scarf I have it's huge, and expands to be the size of a small blanket.  If I am cold, I unwrap it and wear it over my shoulders, and viola, so warm. Smart, I know - this one makes me feel like a genius.

8. Pre- charge your E-reader. Don't be the dummy who shows up at the airport with a non-charged kindle. I mean they hold charge for SOOO long, for most average vacations you wouldn't even need a charger.  Also be sure that you have pre-downloaded all your books. One or two more than you think you'll need, because if your flight is cancelled, or delayed, you'll need something to  do...you can only people watch for so many hours...

9. For all your online shoppers, please please please don't make the rookie mistake.  Be sure you don't have any outstanding orders that will be arriving while you are gone.  If you do, I would contact the shipping company in advance and/or coordinate someone to get it on your behalf.  Sometimes you have to leave a written note with the person watching your house that says you give permission for them to sign on your behalf.  Some even require an ID.  Look into this!!!

10. This is a oldie, but a goodie.  Make a packing list, and like St. Nick, check it twice.

11. Get your hair did. Let's be honest, vacations are like having a photo shoot daily.  And these pictures will likely be sent to family and friends online, posted on facebook, or put up on your blog. You DON'T want to be the fool with terrible roots, or old color.  Freshen it up!!!

12. Pack extra undies.  Just when you think you have enough (read two pairs/day) pack four more.  There is NOTHING worse then not having a clean pair, nothing...

Think that's about it ladies.

Hope you all found this helpful!!!

Parking and Passing Notes

I'm really not one for cheating the system. I am a self proclaimed 'rule follower', well kind of sort or. The other day, however I found myself in a bind.

Downtown.

Quarter less.

On one of those iforgotmywallet(akamylife) sort of days.

Here was my internal monologue:

"I'm just meeting a friend, it won't be long."

"No, but you'll be so mad at yourself if you get a parking ticket."

"The longer you sit here and debate, the more time you are wasting."

THAT'S WHEN IT HIT ME: A stroke of genius (and trust me these are few and far between for me), I'd write the parking attendant a note. As per usual my car has miscellaneous things in the center counsel including, but not limited to: chap stick, an old picture of my brother and I, a work name tag, receipts, paper scraps, and a pen.



This is what I wrote, and it worked. Returned to a ticket-less car.

Now I am thinking of saving this for any days like this that might hit me in the future...

Is this a totally terrible thing to do?