Dressing for a Winter Wedding

Sorry it has been a while, Thanksgiving break was great and incredibly busy! I recently found out that due to a miracle I will be able to attend my cousin's wedding this December. I am having the hardest time figuring out what to wear. I have never been to a winter wedding before. I also think that children have it easier seeing as they do not have nearly as many choices and issues that go along with those choices. For the wedding itself I have decided on this black sheath from Ann Taylor Loft with festive tights and black pumps. 

I plan on wearing my kelley green coat over the ensemble to complete the look for the ceremony. Jewelry will be minimal, crystal stud earrings and my trademark Juicy Couture watch. I am at a loss for what to wear to the reception. It is in the evening and I am not a satin girl. That fabric even with the best of Spanx shows every nook and cranny that one does not want seen. There is a reason why only models and a few slender friends of mine can get away with it. 

Here are a few options I plan to try on friday when my mom and I go shopping. Opinions are welcome!

I would like to stay away from black if at all possible, but it always seems like the most viable option. 

Sadly it is back to the salt mines of education, enjoy your week!

Affectionately,

Annie

Friday friday friday

By the title of this post, you are probably thinking that I have HUGE weekend plans right? Well you are sadly mistaken. I plan on spending the weekend catching up on things. This is the first Thanksgiving in a long time that my family is not going out of town. We tend to head to Youngstown Ohio to visit my dad's family. As sad as I am to be missing the cousins, aunts, uncles, etc... I plan on actually having a real break for the first time in a long time. Hence why I plan on cleaning, studying, and hitting the gym everyday. Sunday afternoon is my reward for all of this hard work. I am finally getting a haircut (much needed), I will upload a picture sometime on Monday.

On another note, today is the anniversary of my mom's mom's death. She died 36 years ago when my mom was only 19. I never met her which is why I do not call her grandma, for some reason it sounds weird to give someone an affectionate nickname when you never met them. Ever since I became aware of the actual day that she died, it has always been a bit weird. I end up in a melancholy, emotional, I need to be with one person or just on my own for the day kind of state. I wish so much that I would have had the chance to meet her. I ask my mom about her all the time. I should have asked my Aunt Dodo (her youngest sister) before she died 3 years ago, but I never thought to do such a thing. I carry so much of a woman that I never met, she is very much a part of me. I have her eyes, her hands, her smile, her love of cooking and baking, and her love of shoes (somehow that is an inherited quality). I am also her namesake. Her name was Anita but everybody called her Annie. My given name is Anne, but few people call me that because if you ask my friends, my personality is very far from an Anne. I find myself missing a woman who is so much a part of my person without knowing who she is. I remember how I personally felt triumphant when I hit my 20th birthday and my mom was still alive. It sounds stupid, but ever since I was a kid the age of 20 was a big deal because I was acutely aware of how old my own mother was when she lost her. I look at my mother and see so much strength in her because she has lived a life of grace, poise, courage, drive, desire, love, and so much more. She had everything against her yet she still made a life for herself that is full in every way. At 21 my mother was an orphan. I hold my relationship with her so close to my heart because I do not know what I would do if I lost her. Our relationship is strong and has always been. I cannot remember a time when I felt like I could not go to her for something. Sure we fight, but I cannot go to bed upset with her. Even if nothing is resolved I always make a point to say 'I love you'. I will call her back if I do not think she said it. I am like this with my whole family. I fear losing the people who are close to me because that amount of pain scares me. To my mother, so much of me is because of you. To my mom's mom, you are missed by those who never had the pleasure of meeting you and even more by those you left behind. You are loved and you are beloved. I carry you with me everyday, but today especially.

Enjoy the beautiful fall weather!
Affectionately,
Annie

Food for thought

It is a two post kind of day, mainly because one post was planned and the other fell upon me. Late last night I received a text message from JBird (the cutie in the previous post), I half read it in my groggy state of mind and decided to shove my phone back under my pillow (yes I am that girl) and drift off to dream land. On my way to french lab, I finally responded. Here is what her text said, "Can you ever not fathom that you'll find that all-consuming unconditional love so many speak of?" At first my response was typical and cynical. I tend to think that if we say it, it won't happen. Our conversation continued and the more I thought about it, the more I questioned the possibility of a love like that even existing in today's world. It was a journey from cynicism to skepticism (moving up the ladder). This was my final response, "I think all consuming love sounds like a movie or a book, like Jane Eyre or Atonement. I think it's possible, but I do not think it's realistic." 

I know plenty of people who have fallen in love (JBird included) and all of those "loves" are so uniquely different yet somehow innately similar. I find myself still contemplating this very large and all-consuming question. I want to believe that it is out there, I want to believe that romantic comedy, Audrey Hepburn, Hollywood, and storybook endings exist in real life, but does that take the magic out of the industries that through the written and spoken word can make such things happen? 

It is time to get back to the grind of my homework and procrastinating of course! 

Affectionately,

Annie

Simple Things

It is finally starting to get cold!! I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. As I was walking back from an excruciating run at the gym I received a text message from one of my best friends. 

Isn't she just gorgeous?! I would have used a picture of the two of us but I couldn't find one. The text read, pretty city scape. This is the picture that accompanied it. 

It was just what I needed to see after my run. I responded with how stunning the photo was and she sent me this little ditty. "Few things in life are cooler than seeing the pitch black city scape in your rearview mirror as you drive towards the sun setting... It's like the twilight is engulfing you in a hug as you move west." She is quite profound! 

Enjoy the quietness of the night, I know I will! 

Affectionately, 

Annie

Winter is Upon Us!

Hello! I hope everyone had a lovely weekend and did not suffer from a case of the "mondays"! It is official, winter is coming. There are definite pros and cons to these frosty days.
I like to end on positive notes so here come the cons.
- dry skin
- dry hair
- slushy/ dirty snow
- lack of motivation to go to the gym
- over-crowded malls
- people without christmas spirit
There are a few things on that list that can be fixed. The first is dry skin. Ladies the winter is harsh on skin. Moisturize with anything you can get your hands on. I prefer the Vaseline body lotion with shea butter. It works wonders and smells great. For delicate areas like hands and feet I slather on aquafor. Once a week I will wear crummy socks to bed and slather my feet in aquafor. For the face, my dermatologist recommends neutrogena daily facial moisturizer for sensitive skin. It comes with an spf of 15 and lasts all day. The next con to be fixed is dry hair. I love my flat iron and it's usage grows in the winter. I use aveda smooth infusion to protect my hair from heat damage. At night I use L'Oreal EverStrong overnight hair repair treatment. This product is only to be used on dry hair, but going to sleep with wet hair in the winter is asking for an instant cold. The next item that can be fixed is the lack of motivation for the gym. Just think of how you will look compared to someone who did not work out, you will be less bloated, you will feel better and your skin will glow. Also, we are seen more often by people we want to look good in front of during the holidays... that should be motivation enough. The final thing on the con list that can be remedied is people without Christmas spirit. All you have to do is give a smile and be polite to everyone around you. Remember the holidays are stressful for everyone and a smile can brighten someone's day!

On to the pros!
- christmas music
- family gatherings
- christmas decorations
- thanksgiving pies
- christmas eve mass
- snow
- snow boots and winter coats!
- seeing santa at the mall
- the salvation army santas
This list could go on forever because there are so many amazing reasons to be happy during this time of the year!
I love this time of the year, everything just sparkles and even though its cloudy and gray there is something nostalgic and calming about it. Finals end on the 21st this year which sucks, my usual routine is to avoid anything Christmas or holiday related until all my school work is complete. Because they are so late that will not be happening this year. I am slowly starting to think about what I want from Santa (mom and dad) and I cannot get inspired. When I was a kid, my list could be pages long and now I prefer to be surprised. Anyone have any ideas?

Happy Tuesday! I promise to be better this week!
Affectionately,
Annie

A few little updates

Sorry I have been a way for a few days, it has been quite busy. I am currently house sitting for my parents on top of my brother being in town, my best friend Caroline who missed school for 4 weeks with a one week hospital stay is finally out and about, and on top of that school is nutty busy.

Here is a picture of Peter a.k.a the bro and I in our old condo in Colorado, and his current FB profile picture. I love my bro, he is one of those people who knows how to make their dreams come true without being selfish like many are in that process. He is currently working for a music booking agency as an assistant agent in NYC, I love when he comes home because it is rare. I wont see him again until Christmas.

Lady Like by Essie

School is just plain busy, I am overwhelmed with a project in every class but 2 along with papers and trying to keep up my running regimen. Basically I do not have a life right now. My spare time has been full of pondering Thanksgiving recipes and trying not to over-schedule my life. I have needed a haircut for about a month and my eyebrows until yesterday were nearing those of bushmen (thankfully I have baby blond hair that grows in there). We all have stylists and other people who are cosmetically important to us. Joy is my eyebrow woman and facialist. She is a genius!! She works at the Solace Spa at Wellbridge in Clayton. The spa is open to the public and amazing. I highly recommend it. While I was there I decided to spend the rest of my gift certificate on products and charge the brow job because guess which one was cheaper? I am a nail polish junkie, I truly believe that you cannot have too many colors. I hate not being able to touch up my nails after a manicure so most of the time I will buy the color. Yesterday I had a bit too much fun and bought 3 new colors. Enjoy your Sunday, it is time for this nail polish junkie to be productive!

Lady Like 

OPI Road House Blue with Essie Carnival on my ring finger

Essie Carnival

OPI Road House Blues

The Simple Things

I am currently house sitting for my lovely parents because someone had to watch our beloved yellow lab Lily or Munchkin as I like to call her. My mom texted me and asked if I would take the pooch for a walk after class. I have never been one to enjoy doing this on my own. I always found walking alone to be boring or too thought inducing. Yesterday I walked the lovely lady for an hour and found myself at such peace when we returned home. I do not know whether my high from running two miles before was kicking in or what, but I cannot explain the amount of bliss I felt. I did the same thing today and felt the same amount of joy. There is something about being outside hearing the leaves crunch underneath my feet and watching my dog prance through neighborhoods with a wagging tail that is somehow enlightening. I consider my dogs to be almost as emotionally mature as most humans. My black lab passed away this past May and the house will forever be a tad somber. The first night we brought her home when I was 7, I decided to lay down on the floor with my blankie on my back. Agnus promptly came over and curled up into a ball on top of my back. I knew in that moment that she felt at home with us. This dog would sleep with my brother and I when we were kids. Like me, Agnus was scared of storms to the point where she would lay under our feet while we sat on the couch. If she was sleeping in one of our beds her head would be right there on the pillow seeking the same comfort from me that I sought from her. It was the same way if I was home sick from school or if someone was sad. Dogs have this innate ability to sense emotions good and bad. Lily does the same thing, she has always been a very lovey dovey puppy. Agnus was a bit more independent, Lily latched on to her and I like to think that she truly learned from the best. I still tell my mom that coming home to two wagging tails is something I will never stop missing because even on the worst days, my no longer plural pets make me feel so much better. I have read plenty of articles about how dogs relieve stress, dog owners are statistically healthier than non dog owners, and walking your dog daily has proven mental and obviously physical health benefits. As was approached the house at the end of our walk today the sun finished setting and the night quickly grew quiet. It was beautiful and the perfect way to end a day that started chaotically. 

Here are a few pictures of my babies and my dear Agnus up in doggie heaven, we miss and love you more than you will ever know! 

Affectionately,

Annie

A little pet peeve

Hello again!
As I was perusing through the blogs I follow I stumbled upon an article on FitPerez and was quite unnerved by it. Most people who know me are very aware that it takes a lot of offend me. There is a company (clearly owned by a man) that is known as an Aphrodisiac Ice Cream Truck. I promise not to be on my Norma Rae soap box for too long. Let's get a few things straight, ice cream trucks are followed by hoards of children during the summer months. They are enjoyed by adults but more often than not children and teenagers are their main consumer targets. I am all for celebrating the female form, but I do not want any of my little cousins or the children I babysit to see the image below when they innocently go up to an ice cream truck. It is appalling that anyone would think to do this. I am not a feminist, I am all for women's rights but there comes a point where society itself stops adapting to change because the issues of the generation have changed. This makes me upset, Las Vegas and Atlantic City are not places for children so why should their entertainment be driven through suburban america by an ice cream truck?

What are your thoughts on this?

My First OOTD!

I have been away for a few days, it was a crazy weekend. I spent thursday and friday at Busch Stadium cheering on my beloved Cardinals and proposing marriage to the one and only David Freese! Then of course on saturday and sunday I was forced to play catch up with school and real life. I was supposed to spend some portion of the week focusing on school, I chose to spend my free time in the gym (sorry mom, but I did get my homework done!).
First thing is first!

How cute is this boy? I mean he is just the whole package! I have begun saving newspapers, he is officially my new home team crush!
I have rambled enough about the adorable boy, on to my OOTD!
I usually dress up for class, today I added a little sass to my ensemble.

Bag- $7 on sale at Target!

Dark Always Skinny Jeans from Gap, forest green (like the crayon) v-neck from JCrew, plaid scarf (also from JCrew) and rose gold Tahari Flats with a rose gold medallion from DSW

It was 75 degrees today, but a tad windy so I added an elbow sleeve length mini trench from Gap, I tied the belt in the back so that my outfit could be seen.

I decided to do a messy bun with a bow headband to keep my hair intact on this windy day. All in all it was comfortable, chic (in my opinion), and a nice change from my usual layering.

I hope everyone had a lovely tuesday!!!

Affectionately,
Annie