10. The Strurling and The Simple

Greetings readers!

Talk about a wild Monday! This morning, eager to simply make this layoff a mere memory, I was off on a job application spree. Go figure that my dream place to work is hiring!? Yes, I applied to a job at the Bruins today. Not realizing this, but at the time I was applying I was wearing my Boston Bruins pajamas- must be a good sign, eh?

After the huge job applying spree, my friend Smee (I've decided I'm giving all of my friends nicknames on here haha) called me up, asked me to go to lunch, and to go hiking with her, "I know you're probably going to say no after you last experience, but pleeeeease?" The first and only time I had been hiking was on a first date, where I was hung over, malnourished, without water, and trekking up a mountain in the middle of a tornado warning. Can you understand my hesitation!? Nevertheless, I can't say no to Smee, so we went to Chipotle (she let me pick since she was soon going to torture me with a hike), and then off to Mount Wachusett we went. Within 10 minutes of the hike, I was drenched in sweat. We finally got to the top, after me almost wiping out, and both of us had drenched feet due to all of the snow/mud/running water through the mountain. I am NOT an outdoorsy person by any means and today just reassured that knowledge!

The Pinspirablers Hiking View

I figured since I made it to the top, mind as well snap a photo. Mount Wachusett is located a little north of the center of Massachusetts, but on the top of the mountain you can see almost the entire state: from Boston to Springfield. In this picture, to the right side (where you see the tallest tree), look straight up and you'll see my beloved Boston. Thank goodness for this view because the hike down was awful, for I fell 4 times. Awful, awful, awful, and more awful. After the hike, it was time to head home and get ready for the evening. Like I said... a looooong day!

Sometime last week, I discovered a fabulous way of curling your hair under via one of my favorite blogs, "The Small Things." Through this blog you'll learn fashion techniques, a billion ways to style/do your hair, etc.  One technique, no matter how many times I've seen it done, had it done, or taught how to do it, I will never be able to figure out how to round brush my hair with a blow dryer. I love when my ends are flipped under, but it's never going to happen by me; however, the other day I saw on Kate's blog (The Small Things), a technique of how to get the affect of hair curled under via a blow dryer, but actually done with a straightener. Below is the video of how I discovered this...

I told you, she's very cute and very knowledgeable about hair styles; Kate is a hair dresser after all. Since Kate is wise, I figured I'd try as well....

The *Before* Pinspirable.

Please excuse the lack of makeup. If I do my makeup before getting ready, it would be off by the time I finished. I don't do well with the heat and getting ready.  So all I did above was get of the shower, towel dry the loose ends quickly, and blow dry my hair without a brush, only using my hands.

The Pinspirable.

Above is the final look! I used the straightener to curl my ends under: "Strurling," that's what I'm now going to call it. It's easy, it's classic, and now I no longer have to waste countless hours trying to do my hair with a round brush and a blow dryer. Do you have any "curling under" techniques?

The Pinspirable.

Tonight, my cousin and I were meeting up in Lexington for dinner. Cute and casual dinner at a lovely place called Mario's right near the square. Above was today's attire: a green buttoned shirt, a white layering tank (yes, again... I love these!), black jeans, black/brown boots, and a long beaded necklace. It was simple and classic. Perfect for a Monday night out with my cousin! What's your go-to casual evening attire?

After dinner, we ended up watching Back to the Future with her roommates. Can you believe that by 2015 we were supposed to have flying cars!? There's still two years scientists, let's get crackin'! ;)

Items:
Green button down: $19 Marshall's (September 2012)
White layering tank: a gift from Mom
Black skinny jeans: $80 Kenneth Cole, circa 2009
Black/brown boots: $101 Macy's (November 2012)
Beaded necklace: $20 Ann Taylor Outlet (September 2012)

Till next time,
Bells

9. The Belated Saturday and Sunday: The Chanel look-a-like and The Layering

Greetings readers!

Hope everyone has been doing great! I apologize for the delayed postings, I've been buuuuuusy. You'll hear all about it soon. :)

On Saturday, I was sore from having worked out all week, so I tried to relax as best as I could, for I knew I was going out with friends in the evening. Because I've gone a little crazy lately with working out, I did manage to squeeze in a 3 mile walk with my dog, Lucy. It was a rather intense walk, which thankfully for you, I'll spare the details; however, upon the return of the walk, a bath was mandatory for the little lady. If there's one thing she hates most in this world, it's bathing. Like mother, like daughter? Ha! Plus, she got sick, so I decided having a lazy Saturday was necessary for the two of us after a trying morning, where we watched plenty of movies together. 

The Pinspirablers Lazy and Spoiled Lucy.

Lucky for her, I still love her even when she decides to take up half of the bed! Oh, and note how she's supposed to be laying on the hot pink blanket, but took it upon herself to go under the covers, snuggle up, and use my pillow! She is the definition of both spoiled and lazy.

While we were snuggling, I found this picture via Pinterest and it helped with the inevitable, "What am I going to wear out tonight?!" After New Years Eve and the 26 outfit choices, I didn't want to relieve it Saturday, too. 

The Find.

Sometimes what you find online, may literally be a "find" or an idea. Lately, I've seen a ton of commercials and websites featuring the "layering" top, like in this find here. So, I took the idea of "layering," skinny jeans, and boots and transformed it into this weekend's Pinspirable.

The Pinspirable.

 I love to layer with a white tank and I especially like this because it almost looks as though it is part of the shirt. This is my attempt at a "fun-but-not-trying-too-hard-evening-look." Did I manage to pull it off? Do you follow in the layering trend?

The one thing that would mess up a layering outfit, is if you stuff your pockets with a cellphone, money, etc. The other day visiting KiKi outside of Boston, in Somerville, we headed into Buffalo Exchange, which is this *fabulous* little consignment shop; however, it has slightly upscale and recognizable goods. Almost immediately, I came across this beautiful bag.

The Pinspirablers Good Find.

This bag is perfect, especially for nights out, and for only $12.00! If you notice, the straps are long, which is great for when you sling it over your opposite shoulder, it looks loose. Another great thing is the depth. If you notice in the bottom left picture, it holds a lot of things- very roomy! 

Upon graduating with my Masters degree in May of 2011, I went through a very rough period. I'll spare you the details, but it was a downhill battle shortly after graduation. My parents hated seeing me upset and struggling, so they wanted to give me something to remind me that I was indeed intelligent, had a bright future ahead, and that they loved me no matter what. Ever since I was in high school, the only bag I've ever dreamed of owning was a Chanel. In the fall of 2011, when everything was hitting bottom, my mom decided to do a mother/daughter trip into Boston, where we split a Chanel bag: "Happy graduation, birthdays, and Christmas!" It's a rather big bag and plus, taking it out to the bars on a Saturday night would be out of the question, so finding this look-a-like at Buffalo Exchange was literally a gem! Have you ever found any gems at a consignment? Would you shop at a consignment?

Sunday, I was out of commission: sluggish, beyond sore from Saturday night dancing and working out all week, a headache, and flu-esque symptoms, hence this long post to make up for the weekend. ;)

Items:

Color-block shirt: $35 White House Black Market (Spring 2012)

White tank: gift from my Mom

Skinny jeans: $30 American Eagle "Skinny"

Black boots: $30 BCBG Maxzaria from Marshall's, circa 2008

Chanel look-a-like bag: $12 Buffalo Exchange
Black and silver sparkly bracelet: Christmas grab gift, mom's side of the family (December 2011)

Till next time,

Bells