Quote of the Day

So true for me right now. Go make something happen ladies!

Snaps for the Gap! {finally}

The Gap has always been a good stand-by for your classic t-shirt and jeans. In high school (so 10ish years ago) I shopped there a little more often for tops and sweaters. Since then, however, I think their main collection fell off the....runway? a little bit. We all remember that multicolored. horizontal striped crew neck sweater from the 2007 holiday collection. All I remember after that is a series of different types of white button ups, that also came in black. Maybe they amped up their designs or maybe it's just because 'classic' is back in style, but I absolutely LOVE Gap's fall collection (and apparently stripes).

The Military Button Academy Blazer

The bright blue (and I swear I saw it in red in the store) color of the Military Button Academy Blazer adds a little fun to a classic shape! Paired with a Green Gingham button up or just a classic white one it would look clean, crisp and together!

Slip into either of these loafers for an added fun touch (especially the pink!)

The Nautical Stripe has been something I'm, personally struggling with. It looks absolutely adorable on other people, but for some reason every time I try on a shirt or a dress all I can think of is prison. I may have just gotten over that fear with the  Nautical Shift Dress! It looks super cute with a cognac belt and jean jacket. Perfect for the (warmer than normal) San Francisco falls!

Their 'We <3 Outfits' Section has tons of cute ideas!

I could probably pull of my entire fall wardrobe from this collection!

Weekend Adventures

This past weekend was super busy for me, but absolutely lovely!
Friday started with our monthly barbeque at work. Hot dogs, beer and tater tots was a great way to kick off the weekend! When it got dark they put a screen up in our soccer field and everyone snuggled together with popcorn and hot chocolate for an outdoor screening of 'The Iron Giant'. I'd never seen it, but it turned out to be really cute. You can't really go wrong with any sort of outdoor movie screening :)

 

Saturday my roommates and I took the ferry accross the bay to Sam's in Tiburon for a late brunch and delcious bloody Mary's on the water. We were a little worried we weren't going to make it with all the America's cup festivities, but nothing stopped the ferry. We even got to see some racing action on the way back to the city!

Everyone lined up are ready to go!

 All the excitement around the time trials have made me even more excited for the real thing next summer!  The marina is literally buzzing and there is no better place to meet attractive men in boat shoes!

Sunday, well you saw my to do list! I got almost everything done, made enchiladas and even had time for an avocado face mask before the Kardashian's started!

 

Productive Sunday

I'm dedicating my Sunday to doing all the ever so glamourous things I've been putting off. This includes lots of new blog posts!! Get excited!

I hope you're enjoying the last day of freedom before we're all back to the grind!

LBD Weekend Plans {check!}

Just booked my tickets to the lake house for the last summer hurrah!

Oooo I'm so excited!

P.S. Sorry, I haven't been ignoring you. I'm working on an awesome post, but blogger and I got in a bit of a fight.

Currently Crushing...

Lots going on this week and that means lots of things to love!

Febreze AntiMicrobial

I've always been a fan of Febreze, but that obsession may have just reached a new level with Febreze AntiMicrobial. There is just some peace of mind that comes knowing my running shoes not only smell good, but are also free of any microscopic critters

Ashley Brooke Designs Blog! 

Ashley Brooke

Ashley (self portrait on the right) is a fun, sassy southern gal with great style and a passion for good stationery and homemade popcorn (not microwave ladies).  Her blog has everything from recipes from her weekend baking adventures to style and career advice. She's also an amazing artist and sells her custom stationery and wall prints on her website. The Princess and the Tweet would look PERFECT  as a part of my office collage wall! She also does a, free, monthly calendar download that are always adorable. The August one is currently the desktop on my blackberry!

Home Design Magazines

I have been eating home design magazines alive (as well as pinterest and tumblr). I've been in super nesting mode lately...I even bought a dining room set. Talk about adult. I'm kind of freaking out!!

Avicii Levels Video (yes, I know it's old)

 I feel like this has been me all week and I'm so excited it's finally the weekend so I can let my crazy dance lady out!!

Toss Totes!

In order to motivate myself to run yesterday, I decided Chestnut street would be my destination. What's more motivating that shopping right? I probably would have gone over anyway, but this way I get a workout in too!

One of my absolute favorite shops (probably in the city) is Toss.  They're known primarily for their fun, colorful tote bags, but their shops also carry a lot of preppy home decor and clothing. It's one of the only places in San Francisco I can find anything Vineyard Vines.  Their bags are adorable and can be used for anything from grocery shopping to a weeklong vacation!
Some of my favorite styles:

Newport Overnighter

Bar Harbor Tote

Expander Tote in Portofino

Their beach and market totes are great too and then come in SO many preppy colors and patterns. You can even purchase a stick on embroidered monogram to personalize it (I have an 'A' one on my computer).

I am very excited about their new canvas line that you can order monogrammed!! This one is definitely on my wish list for fall!

 

If you're not lucky enough to live out on the west coast, they also have an online store here with all there bags and some fun accessories! Happy Shopping!

Happy Weekend!

Hello Lovelies! I hope you all have a fabulous weekend soaking up the last few moments of summer!
I have a weekend full of making to-do lists (for some home improvements), a 4 mile run (haven't quite decided if that's happening today or tomorrow), a trip to the Gap (um, Friends and Family Sale!) and hopefully some beach time!

Thursday Tumbls

Here are some of my favorite "tumbls" from this week!

Cute dress, lovely flowers, sassy pose :)

Chicago? at night, from the sky

Sparkly 'Morning After' Kate Spade Pumps

Love the classic, pale blue monogram

Holiday in Spain

It's so hard to believe that it was already a month ago that I was wandering the streets of Marrakech on the other side of the world!

Everytime we needed a reality check my friend E and I would look at eachother and say: "Um, we're in Africa." It was postively beautiful, in it's own way of course, There was a huge culture shock as it is considered a developing country, but what I couldn't get over (for Spain as well) was how rich in history these places were. The streets I was walking on were the same streets that people walked on hundreds of years ago AND the buildings and the architecture were, for the most, the same as well.
America just doesn't have that history.

Our itinerary was 17 days of craziness, but worth every moment.

4 days Marrakech -> 2 days in Barcelona -> 12 hours in Pamplona -> 2 day in San Sebastian -> 2 more days in Barcelona -> 4 days in Madrid

Pamplona and Madrid definitely top the list of favorite places, San Sebastian was beautiful but I spent 1 day sick and 1 day sunburned to a crisp so my associations are a little biased :)

Here are a few snapshots:

Tea Service on the Dejemaa al fna

Mosque on the walk back to our Riad

Colorful wall at Jardin Majorelle

Much needed Beach time in San Sebastian

Plaza del Toro in Pamplona

Meringue as big as my head from a Patisserie in San Sebastian

The Lord's Prayer in Latin at Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia

An alleyway off La Plaza Major in Madrid

And, of course, a Flamenco Show to top it all off!

Monday Inspiration

I've been fully inspired by the Monthly Goals that Teddi (aka the JGIWC) posts on her blog! I don't quite have a full list put together yet, but there is something I've been thinking about doing for a while and I think I might be ready to make public knowledge.....

Me (circa 2009) at the finish line  with my Tiffany Necklace

Back in April I was playing with the idea of registering for Nike Women's Half-Marathon for a second time. I ran it back in 2009 and I'm sure it's the funnest half out there! The training process was hard, but the day-of there is so much positive, team energy. Women come from all over the country to do it and thus it sells out every year! And nothing is more motivating than a Tiffany Necklace waiting to be handed to you by a Fireman when you cross the finish line! Anyway, I got caught up in work and trip planning and, needless to say, the registration (or the running) never happened. 

Last year I volunteered with the Junior League, at the St. Jude's US Half Marathon which is the first weekend of November and an absolutely gorgeous run through the Marina of San Francisco. Now that things have settled down after my trip, I'm feeling more confident in committing to running it. 

So.....I'm happy to announce my August goal is to start training for the US Half in November! 

Shape Magazine has a great training plan on their website and it's starting today! I'm doing the beginner plan since I haven't done anything besides the Bar Method since....um....well I don't even remember :)

Wish me luck! I'll definitely keep you updated on the process!

Bubbles {& Bitters}

One of my absolute favorite things about my Europe trip was the drinking culture. It's so normal to have a glass of wine with lunch, another one or 2 for happy hour and casual drink a bottle while enjoying good food and conversation at dinner. There's no rush, it's just simply there to enhance the magic of everyday life.
Needless to say we drank a lot of alcohol, but we struggled to find a drink or a wine that wasn't too sweet.  After a little googling last weekend for an 'american' drink for an Opening Ceremony party I was going to I believe I've found the perfect summer drink!

The Americana

served on ice, in a Collins Glass

1/2oz of  Makers Mark

3 dashes of Bitters

chilled Champagne

Garnish with a Peach Slice