I Love My Dog..........

Believe it or not I used to be terrified of dogs and never grew up with a dog. When my husband and I got married we bought a house a year later and he kept saying “this house is missing a dog”. He on the other hand always grew up with dogs. I found it disgusting and annoying when I saw dogs licking people in the face or jumping on them. Never mind the hair it would collect in my new home! I am such a clean freak and the idea of going through potty training and teething would surely put me right over the edge. I entertained the idea, but always said it couldn’t be a big dog because that would be too overwhelming for me for the first dog. He on the other hand said it couldn’t be small of a dog, because that wouldn’t be “a real dog”. I also knew this “dog’’ couldn’t be a dark, long haired shedding machine - where I would see it all over my house! A year went by of being in our new home and it happened. It sorta fell right into my lap, someone here at work was breeding puggles. I had never heard of a puggle, but knew it was a mix between a pug and beagle. I was thinking of getting a pug because I always thought they were so stinkn’ ugly, which made them cute. So I took the plundge to check out this litter. Wow, it was an immediate love! So now I can’t picture my life without a dog and have no idea how I managed all these years. With that said, I will do anything for my little guy. It has changed me in such positive ways. I don’t sweat the little things anymore. Everything can be fixed, cleaned or replaced. My house doesn’t have to be picked up every second of the day, I can put things off and enjoy the day by walking my dog or playing in the yard. I have bought him all of his favorite treats and toys and I was thinking, how cute would it would be to dress my dog? He’s about 30 lbs. now and he’s done growing. I know my husband will kill me, but how about creating matching outfits from our catalogs for our dogs? I know what you’re thinking, she’s lost her mind :-)

Fall Drama

I'm a theater geek. Correction. Musical theater geek. If it's been on the Broadway stage in the past 20 years I'm pretty sure that I can sing you at least 2 songs from it, although it's more likely that I know ALL of the songs from it, will get overexcited and try to re-enact it for you complete with choreography. I can't help myself, I love drama. Now, in my personal life, I love drama of different sort. While I've been know to tell the occasional (ok, daily) highly animated story from my life, I generally do not like a lot of drama in my everyday existence. I like my bills paid on time , harmony with my friends and family and a general undercurrent of peace through things. However, sometimes that gets boring! So, I've learned to sprinkle the drama in my wardrobe. I'm a big fan of a great pair of oversized sunglasses, gigantic cocktail rings and bold statement necklaces. I also like to play around with shapes and proportions like a good high-waist trouser or a mini dress( not too mini- I'm not 16 anymore). When the weather gets cooler I really love to play around with colorful opaque tights. I mean what a great way to add dramatic flair to an otherwise conservative outfit! This fall I plan on running wild with this trend...patterned tights under cropped pants with brightly colored flats and a boyfriend sweater, dark opaques under boldly patterned mini dresses with boots, bright opaques under otherwise conservative pencil skirts. I can't wait to put on one of these outfits, throw on my oversized sunglasses, put up my jazz hands and rock out to a show tune. And yes ladies, "jazz hands" are an accessory.

Where do you have your breakfast?

Time to appreciate a good old classic movie :)
Who also likes Audrey Hepburn's style?

Scarlett O'Hara

I was chatting with my product manager the other day about movies, and I was telling her how much I love the movie "Gone with the Wind." I've probably watched it for more than 10 times since I was 10, and I am just so fascinated by the story and especially Scarlett O'Hara's styles.

"I wish I was born in that generation so that I could dress like Scarlett, and meet guys who dress like Rhett Butler," I said.

"The style is timeless, isn't it?" our product manager said.

"Timeless? You mean people are not gonna think I'm crazy if I wear that green dress on a first date?" I replied.

"Probably not that green dress... how about the hat?" she said.

Yes, this is the hat! A real Scarlett O'Hara style hat.

Back in the dating scene......

After being out of the scene for 8 years it has been quite an adjustment.

Between the dating websites and the texting it’s like being part of a whole new world. The hardest adjustment for me has been what to wear. I feel many other girls out there must be experiencing this same issue. How do you look good and show off your assets without being too over the top? I have found I have one staple first date outfit. You can’t go wrong with a great fitting pair of jeans and a cute top. Then for the 2nd date if that comes to be I love to rock a cute dress and show off the stems. Another issue has been how to make these outfits work appropriate and be able to rock them out for after work cocktails. Cardigans and my denim jacket have definitely been key for transforming my outfits from day to night. One more challenge with this whole dating scene is keeping outfits new and fresh. I don’t ever remember guys in the past being more into my wardrobe then me but let me tell you ladies that past few guys have been more into my wardrobe then I ever expected. This puts some serious pressure on when you are trying to come up with the perfect dating outfit. How do you continue to keep your looks fresh without going into the poor house? Being a typical girl I love designer labels but have come to the realization that I just can’t keep up with those price tags. So to get the looks for less I have tried brands such as Chadwick’s to mix in some new cute looks. I have posted pics of my favorite looks from Chadwicks.

To my fellow single ladies – good luck out there! And if you have any dating tips please feel free to share…..

Motorcycle Jacket…VROOOM!!!!

Even in the Summer I dress in layers! Since this summer has not been as hot (or as sunny) as I would like, I find that I am always looking for that perfect little jacket to just throw on over my dresses, tanks, and tees! I still want to dress like it is summer in cute dresses, but no matter where I go I am freezing! Whether in the office, out to dinner, or at the movie theater, the air conditioning is on full blast regardless of the weather outside! That’s where my favorite go-to jacket comes in…the Motorcycle Jacket. I am in absolute LOVE with this trend! I have loved it for the past year- but recently I am seeing it everywhere. I already own 2 faux leather ones in black and in chocolate- but my favorite for the summer is the Chadwicks Denim Motorcycle Jacket (and it is currently on sale for $29.99). It is fitted and so flattering and works great over any outfit. I literally take it everywhere with me, just in case I get a little chill. It totally makes your outfit – and it is so much fun to add a little rocker feel to the ensemble! Not to mention it is a great update to your Denim Jacket. It’s trendy but not too over the top and adds just the right amount of fashion. Flip through any magazine and you are bound to find some version of the Motorcycle Jacket. I also hear there might just be a leather version in the Chadwicks assortment for Fall/Winter- stay on the lookout- I know I will be buying one!!

Married to a Co-Worker

I work with my wife. That statement always seems to elicit responses from people. ‘How does that work out?’, ‘At least you are on opposite floors, right?’, ‘Do you ever get stressed out with each other?’ are just a sampling of what people want to know about the situation.

It works out well for us- we know each other’s work stories (ever try to explain work stories to non-coworkers??), we can take a 5 minute break to vent or grab lunch- and saving on gas by commuting together is pretty nice, too! To tell you the truth, it would probably be weird if we didn’t work together! In fact, it must run in the family as my parents work together too.

What do you think? Could you work at the same place with your spouse?