Quick Takes

Seven bits of this and that today...

I usually find beauty products that I like, and then stick with them for a long time. But recently I decided to venture out of my comfort CoverGirl LashBlast zone and try NYC Big Bold Curl mascara. I've given it a fair shake and I'm not lovin' it. The wand is so big that it inhibits application, and I can't help but feel that it's wrong to put the caterpillar look alike so near my eye. The mascara itself goes on very "wet," and leaves my lashes too clumped together. I found that it helps to pull out the wand, and then wipe off some of the excess. Still not as good as my LashBlast. 

caterpillar via 

One product that I have been loving is moleskin. My new shoes have been rubbing the back of my heels, and this awful sounding product has been the solution. I've been using the generic brand from the grocery store, and it has made a world of difference!

I recently wrote a guest post for another blog. Check it out here.

I was drinking my coffee this am, and decided to tight roll my pants. Hmm. I don't know what I think.

What's that? You want to know where that sweet snood is from? I made it from an old sweater, and you can do it, too!

Has anybody out there ever had a case of "Blogger's Panic?" More than I would care to admit.

And that's a wrap. Have a great weekend and go see Jen for more takes!

7 Quick Takes

Ahh, sisters. I've been weighed down lately, trying to get my personal styling consultancy off the ground, keeping up with the blog, and attempting to not be the world's worst mom to my little ones. After many moments of frustration and impatience this week, I have decided to take a week off from blogging. Hopefully, the time will help me gain clarity and finish some projects.

In lieu of true quick takes, I am going to leave you with seven of my favorite posts from the last six months (in case you miss me). Enjoy!

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Shaken, Not Stirred

2

Looking Good Guilt

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Audrey Inspired Everyday Eyes

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A Little Bit of Luxury (or Lipstick 101)

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L'APÉRO 

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What I Wore Sunday (or What is a Maronite)

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A Birth Story... Sort of.

7 Quick Takes

Seven at random, here we go...

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Has anybody heard of the Belly Bandit or postpartum belly binding? I hadn't until I happened across the topic at random this week. How is this possible? I have three kids! Anyway, ladies, hit me with your knowledge! Have you tried it? Homemade? A particular brand? Positive experience? Negative? 

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I posed a similar question on the FaceBook page yesterday. Head on over if you want to check out the great conversation it started.

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Since I'm picking your brain today... A reader wrote in a great question about something that I struggle with a lot, so I want to hear your wisdom. Here is the question: I was wondering your thoughts on "me-time" as a wife and mother of 3 kiddos. What do you do daily/weekly/monthly/yearly that keeps you sane as a mom, wife, etc.? And, go!

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A thank you to all who participated in the Thrifting Tip link up! If you haven't looked at the links, check them out for some great tips on how to thrift with success.

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I've decided to host another link up in the next couple of weeks - favorite date night outfit. I don't know about you, but [out of the house] date nights are a big treat for my husband and I. Since they don't happen super frequently (three kids under four, c'est la vie), I put a lot of pressure on myself to come up with something really great and special to wear. I'm betting some other ladies out there feel the same way; let's inspire each other!

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In case you missed it, I linked up yesterday with Ain't No Mom Jeans and life in mod for a rare Thursday outfit post. 

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Have a great weekend everyone! I hope we all have warm weather to enjoy!

My cup runneth over with blessings. Personal time just doesn't happen to be one of them.

7 Quick Takes

Today's post is just going to be a good, old fashioned, random quick takes...

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Here is a burning (in my mind) question for all of you.... Do you want outfit details? I mean, do you want to know what brand each piece is, and where it was purchased? I don't usually give this info, because I want the viewer to process the image as he or she would if we met on the street. I also don't think that brand and/or price necessarily correlate to true style. See my quandary? Please let me know what you, the readers, want!

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All of you fellow bloggers out there, I want to give you a heads up about a link up that I'm going to be hosting next week. It will be a variation of the Thrifting Challenge that took place in November. All you need to do is write a short post that includes your best tip or trick for successful thrifting and link it up (it can be an older post if it fits the specifications). The post doesn't have to include a pic of a primarily thrifted outfit, but feel free if the spirit moves you!

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Have you seen what Anna and Hilary are doing for the month of March? Their "Encourage Beauty" campaign is a brilliant idea. Please click on the links above and check it out!

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As you may have gathered from some previous posts, I am starting my own business as a personal stylist. I am super excited and can't wait to share some changes that will be happening with the blog and for me personally. Stay tuned!

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Speaking of personal style, have you been following the Budget Wardrobe Building series? Join us for the journey; get started by cleaning out that closet!

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I just want to say thank you for reading, and following here and/or on Facebook. And thank you for the comments. If you don't blog, you may not realize that comments to a blogger are like sunshine to the whole of the photosynthesizing world.

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And finally, on a completely random note, do not ever purchase and/or consume this beer. I know, I know, one should never trust beer in a can this big... I was lured in by the words "high gravity lager," hmm, fascinating, and by the fact that it is brewed in my back yard, Rochester (that's basically Buffalo's backyard, right?). And the $1.29 price tag softly and seductively whispered words of encouragement too, I won't lie. It was utterly awful and I could not drink more than a few ounces of it. You may think that because I usually recommend specialty beers I must be a snob. Not so! Not so! I am an Indiana girl at heart, and I throw back some Old Milwaukees every time I visit home. I also have a no waste rule, but I couldn't follow it for this sickeningly sweet concoction. Consider yourself warned!

7 Quick Takes: More Around the House

I don't know what it is about this time of year, but I always get the itch to re-organize, de-clutter, and re-arrange. So, in a vein similar to last week, I've decided to use these quick takes to talk about stuff around the house. I'm no expert, and my house isn't perfect, but I do take pleasure in a creating a comfortable and pleasant space. So, allons-y!

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Use the items you use as adornment. It helps keep the clutter down, makes life easier if space is an issue, and saves you money on "decorations." One example of this in my home is keeping the liquor collection on top of the refrigerator. The bottles are beautiful, it saves on cabinet space, and it keeps that surface from gathering clutter. 

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Spend your money on furniture at the furniture store, not on pictures, lamps, rugs, or other house paraphernalia. They are often way overpriced and, if you aren't careful, your living room may end up looking just a little too show room-y (if you know what I mean).

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And related to #2, a house doesn't become a home immediately. Don't try to rush the process with little thought out "improvements" or purchases. I'm an impatient person who rushes around a lot; I didn't realize how much I wasn't seeing until I nursed my first child. Just sitting (not reading, just sitting) was a revelation! Sit in various places in your home and try to notice things. What fills your line of site when you look down the hallway? Does the wall color the next room flow naturally, or is the contrast jarring? Does your furniture set-up seem balanced? Is the wall behind the couch missing something? Is that piece of art being all it can be, or is there too much sun reflecting off of it from the window across the room? 

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Shop estate sales, yard sales, craigslist, and thrift stores for unique items that won't break the bank. I am constantly tweaking things around the house; making thrifty purchases allows me to feed my compulsion without breaking the bank. They also ensure that I am creating a space that is uniquely me, because the items are chosen with care and are no longer in mass production. Bonus tip: craigslist is always teeming with nursery furniture. If you buy furniture in a white finish, it's very easy to add another dresser or toddler bed to the mix without spending much.

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Know that it is okay to shop for some things at the dollar store. For certain organizing needs, this option just can't be beat. I have found durable plastic bins (like the blue and yellow ones below)  in great colors there for, wait for it, $1! I also recently discovered shallow rectangular bins that are perfect for storing children's books under the beds/cribs (we have lots of "under -the-bed/crib" space that doesn't accommodate items over a certain size, and if I'm not careful these spaces become disorganized repositories for... random stuff).

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Use old items for new purposes. I started to get really good at this once I had kids and I couldn't just run to the store at the drop of a hat. For example, I wanted to reorganize the top of the bedroom armoire, but the kids were sleeping (the only time such projects happen!).  So I raided the kitchen and found a lone dollar store plate (I don't even know how it came to be there...) and a thrifted glass. I used the glass to hold my husbands shirt stays, and the plate to bring form to the otherwise somewhat random items.  

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That's enough from me! If you are itching for some inspiration now, check out Apartment Therapy. I love, love, love this site. Also, to get a feel for what's going on in home decor elsewhere in the world, I really enjoy the pictures on this blog.  And, one more thing, please leave me a comment below. I would love to hear your decorating or organizing tips or something you've found helpful in your own "homemaking!" 

Maybe I'll finally re-hang that pic over the stove and center it...

Aren't those colorful bins adorable? I use them for socks, mittens, hats, tights, etc.

These little trays are perfect for books. The kids can get them out and put them away with ease.

An old plate and thrifted glass bring a little order to the armoire.

7 Quick Takes: Possibly About My Living Room...

I was going to write a different post today, the first installment of the re-worked Budget Wardrobe Building series, but I spent the morning doing "stuff" (which you will hear more about in a minute). Recently, after apologizing to my sis for a post filled with random stuff, she responded, "Oh, I kind of like those..." That is all the encouragement I need.

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I first heard the following saying from the lips of Margaret Thatcher as portrayed in The Iron Lady. When I googled it to include it here, the saying's supposed sources range from Lao Tzu to Ghandi.  No matter; it's great food for thought, especially during the Lenten season: 

Watch your thoughts, for they become words. 

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits. 

Watch your habits, for they become your character. 

And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! 

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Now let's talk about my living room. So this "found on Pinterest" project was one of my morning's "stuff." I made two and they actually turned out alright. I used one pillow that didn't match my living room at all and another that just kept getting ripped at the seams. Both did not have removable covers (can you tell that they were purchased before we had kids?) and the no-sew covers go on and off easily so cleaning should be a breeze. The fabric is a very soft, high thread count king sized sheet I thrifted for $2.50. Not bad. 

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I discovered a little trick awhile back for making a room seem larger: use a visual element to draw the eye all the way (or nearly so) to the ceiling. For example, hang the lowest level of a picture grouping around eye level (try 5 ft from the ground) and continue the grouping almost to the ceiling. Another way to use this trick is to hang a curtain panel from a rod suspended near the ceiling behind your bed. It takes up much less space than a traditional headboard (making the room more spacious in actuality), and creates a sense of depth and height. 

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So this morning I added a couple of pics to the grouping above the couch, and I am on the lookout for a couple more...

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We recently purchased this set of lamps (tall pictured below, the mate is a table lamp). The white shades just disappear against the white walls. Anyone have a relatively easy way of jazzing them up?

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Don't forget to enter the giveaway (it ends Monday)!

Pics to the ceiling.

And again. See the pillow?

And the other Pinterest pillow.

Any ideas for this lamp shade? Anyone?

Now  go see Jen and the other ladies for some more quick takes!

7 Quick Takes: Bridal Registry Edition

For today's 7 Quick Takes, I'd like to share with you seven items that I either received before my wedding or came across after, that I wholeheartedly recommend for any new bride. So, if you are getting married soon and are at a loss when it comes to creating your registry, or shopping for the bride who has everything, hopefully you will find some inspiration here!

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From the top, Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook. Never ironed a pair of men's pants before? Martha's got you covered. Not sure how to clean those granite countertops, that's there, too. As in most things she does, efficient perfection is the name of the game, as Martha covers all the bases of "Homekeeping" (is that a mixed metaphor?).

Next up, also from the queen of clean, is a subscription to Food Everyday. For under $15, the bride to be will receive 10 issues full of easy dinner recipes that are classy without being elitist (if you know what I mean), and quick articles / recipes on such topics as Wine Basics, How To: Perfect Omelets, and Sunday Dinner (with a Monday menu utilizing leftovers). Beautiful pictures and easy instructions seal the deal on this one as a winner.

Moving on from Martha, let's talk about Dutch ovens. I use my Dutch oven almost everyday; it can go stovetop or in the oven. My husband jokes that if he would have known, we wouldn't have registered for all those "other things!" Le Creuset is the undisputed creme de la creme, but I actually didn't think to register for one, so post wedding I went on a search. When I came across an article in the ever authoritative Cook's  Illustrated magazine that rated this one a close second I was on it. I love my Tramontina, and it was a fraction of the cost. The price has increased since I paid $35 for this piece (unbelievable, I know!), but $59.97 still comes in way under the Le Creuset MSRP of $345.

The next one, a basic tool kit, I received from my sisters. It has been so helpful. Hanging pictures, using a wrench to fix that leaky faucet (don't worry, Martha tells you how to do that in Homekeeping, above),  and a thousand other little things, these tools are so darn handy!

Serving ware, that's number five. Some great looking serving ware can make the simplest of fare elegant and special (presentation is at least 70% of the equation...). We chose basic white because we already had some white Pfaltzgraff pieces that we had inherited. It was a great decision; it is simple, elegant, it lets the food shine and is easily mixed and matched. 

Luxurious bedding. Go for the highest thread count available, just do it. The "marital bed" is worth it. And pick a color that looks good on you. I'm blushing already; enough said!

And the last, one, oh I hesitate to include it, but what the hell... The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura Schlessinger. Let me begin with a disclaimer: I don't agree with every thing the good doctor says, I haven't read her other books, and I don't listen to her radio show because it annoys me. So why am I recommending her book? Because she challenges the individual reader to evaluate certain harmful attitudes and the behaviors that flow from them, and it places the power to impact change with the reader. Many marriage books seem to point out things that aren't good for marriage but that require both partners to get on board for change.  Rather than reading a book that tells you its bad to have a TV in your bedroom and makes you angry with your husband (because he put a TV in your bedroom), I think its better to focus on how you can effect change by changing yourself. And as a final word, I can imagine a chorus of feminine voices rising up to complain that Dr. L. is too hard on women, etc., etc. My response is that she is hard on women because she is writing advice for women. If she was to write for men, she would be equally tough (or should I say caustic?), because that is just her style. 

Are you married? What bridal shower or wedding gift have you found indispensable? Please leave me a comment below, or find with my sisters on Facebook and share some love!

7 Quick Takes: Miscellany Edition

Today's 7 Quick Takes are a true miscellany, a bit of this and a bit of that. Enjoy!

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Well, the Mayans predicted that my 30th birthday would mark the end of the world. They were wrong. Maybe they didn't get the memo that 30 is the new 20.... 

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While we are talking numbers, January 5 is my 5th anniversary. Amazing, but time flies when you're with the love of your life.

photo by simple heart photography, bokeh added

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Enough about me, check out this pic of my dad, mixing plaids like a boss:

The key to making it work - the unifying blue in each of the prints and the hat.

4

As the Christmas season begins to wind down, you might be thinking about putting away the decorations. Every year I hear the tip about taking a pic of them to make next year's decorating easier. This year I finally did it! We went away for the holidays, so the decorations were minimal, but here is a little peek:

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So I bought this NYX Chic Red lipstick for Christmas because it looked like a true red: 

However, it was more of a very deep pink when applied. I tried it on several different occasions in the hope that I was just seeing things; I wasn't. It was less than $4 at Ulta, and the color is nice and long wearing, so not all was lost. If anybody out there has a tried and true red, please let me know!

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I had another post planned for today, but I haven't done a 7 Quick Takes in so long that I changed my mind. Stay tuned for the original post - Scent of a Woman. I'll put it up some time tonight or tomorrow.

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Thinking about starting a new blog in the new year? Check out my posts on the writing process and some tips for taking the ever awkward outfit pics.

Have a great weekend!

7 Quick Takes: Outfit Pics

Today I will be joining Jen again for 7 Quick Takes, with a focus on "outfit pics." Why outfit pics, you say? Well, because it has been on my mind lately for obvious reasons, but also because there has been some chatter about it in blog land. Ever since the ladies over at Fine Linen and Purple began hosting What I Wore Sunday (great idea, ladies, by the way),  many people are for the first time taking full length pics and posting them on the web. I offer genuine kudos to you! Maybe because I have only been at this blog business for a few months, each time I take such pics and post them there is a rush of embarrassment and self doubt.

"My face looks weird."

"I'm so awkward."

"People are going to think I'm such a poser."

"Why was I making that expression?"

"Awkward."

"Is that how my nose (undereye circles, hair, insert any physical characteristic) really looks?!"

You get my drift. Yet I persist, and do my darndest to make them look the best I can despite the fact that I'm working with an Iphone and a four year old photographer. Since many of you are working under similar constraints, I want to share with you a few things I've learned in the last three months (and here's where the 7 Quick Takes come in):

1

Silence the inner voice of self-doubt and criticism. 

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Avoid straight on pictures. Most of us are widest at the hips and nothing showcases this fact like a picture taken from said angle. Turn slightly to the side and put your hand on your hip. This is the classic red carpet pose for a reason. Thank you, Rachel Zoe, for pointing out the obvious!

3

Play with other angles and poses. Tilt your head up. Look to the side. Face away from the camera and look over your shoulder. You get the picture (I can't help myself, as usual). Do not feel weird doing this! If you need to, read #1 again!

4

Take photos while in motion. They look more natural, and that usually means better.

5

Natural lighting is best.  Take advantage, if possible, of the softer light that occurs earlier in the day, or before sunset. Or find a spot indoors where the strong light of mid day is filtered in a flattering way.

6

Take lots and lots. More pics equals more possibilities for good pics.

7

Edit pictures and create a montage of sorts. Have a pic where your face looks weird but everything else looks great? Crop it at the neck (less weird than it sounds). Good face shot, but midsection looks like there is a baby hiding in there (and there isn't)? Sounds like a cropping candidate! Lay accessories on a simple surface and get a close up of those. Now put together a group of photos that tells the whole [outfit] story. 

I will leave you with something my husband said the other day (who I have never discussed this issue with or asked to photograph me because I am too damn self conscious) that put new wind in my picture taking sails:

You know that runway thing you do (translation: take pics of yourself and put them out there for the world to judge)? I'm so proud of you. That's gotta be, well, way out of your comfort zone.

Yes. Yes it is. And that's why I can't stop doing it.

7 Quick Takes

So I'll be joining Jen again this week for 7 Quick Takes...

1

I hope that everyone has had a great week, and that the holiday hangover from Thanksgiving wasn't too bad! For me, it's always so hard to see visiting family go. If you need a bit of cheering up, check out....

2

This link. It is a virtual makeover tool. Just upload a photo of yourself and go crazy. I was laughing out loud (or is it aloud?) as I tried hairstyles on my virtual self.

3

In the combox of Wednesday's post, a dear reader asked for a pic of my little lips in all their be-lipsticked glory (not as strange as it sounds). I aim to please, so here we go.

4

I am wearing Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Cha Cha Cherry (I didn't use a filter on this pic, so the color is fairly accurate). See, even little lips can do it!

5

I am also wearing Audrey Inspired Everyday Eyes and CoverGirl Instant Cheekbones in Refined Rose. It was a rough night with the babe, so a little extra color was needed!

6

For my quick takes quote I usually choose something a little more profound, but I'm rolling with a theme here... So from another thin lipped woman, I give you, "Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin.  That, or a kick-as# red lipstick."  (Gwyneth Paltrow)

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On a completely different note (or is it?), I came across this other quote that made me smile, "A puritan is a person who pours righteous indignation into the wrong things.”  Thank you, as usual, Mr. G. K. Chesterton.

Have a great weekend my sisters and friends!

7 Quick Takes in Images

7 Quick Takes 

(Consider yourself spared my usual verbosity)

Have a great weekend!

Okay, one more thing (you know I can't resist), don't forget the Thrifting Challenge. Send me photos or link up if you are a blogger. Check out the awesome ladies who have already linked up. And don't forget to join me next week for the 

12 Days of Christmas Gift Guide for Him (Part II).

Now I'm done. Go in Peace.

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7 Quick Takes: My Post Process

So I will be joining Jen again this week for 7 Quick Takes...

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I am constantly asking myself how other bloggers do it. How do they consistently create written content while managing homes and/or an outside job and children and husbands and all those other elements that life is made of?  In a word, what is their "process"? Then I thought maybe some of you out there are wondering what my process is. Well, folks, today is the day you find out.

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In the morning I put a notebook and pen out on the table. As I go about my business of tidying, feeding, diapering, you know, the whatnot of caring for my three children under four, I jot down ideas as they hit me.

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A back section of said notebook is random to-do lists and thoughts regarding the blog. The front of the notebook is where the magic happens. Every time I have a post idea I jot it down at the top of a fresh page. At any given time there are many such pages going.

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I use that "post page" to brainstorm, record research, and make a [sometimes very] rough outline.

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I use my phone to do online research piecemeal throughout the day when I have an odd moment here or there, and I glance through relevant books while the kids play.

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I set aside two hours one or two evenings each week, in addition to a naptime or two, to do the actual writing.

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Working off the post page and relevant webpages that I've bookmarked, I sit down and start writing. Whether or not I feel confident in the opening or the direction of the post, I force myself to write for 20-30 minutes. Usually by then the wheels are turning. I may need to tweak what I have, but having something is the key to confidently creating a great post. I use the rest of my writing time to finish the post and polish it.

If you are a writer and/or blogger I would love to hear about your process!

Have a great weekend all!

7 Quick Takes: Style Edition

Today I will be joining Jen for 7 Quick Takes. Let's just call this "Style Edition."

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If your coat has a collar, pop it. It almost always looks better and gives an air of old world mystery.

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Try wearing two scarves (so says Ines de la Fressange). When it comes to scarves, a thicker wrap feels more luxurious, so try combining two shorter/lighter complementary scarves (so says me).

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If your coat has a belt, don't worry about buttoning, just tie the belt.

4

Layer pieces with pronounced necklines, such as a collared shirt under a cowl necked sweater, or a half zip pullover.

5

If you try #4, wear an updo to keep the look sleek and clean.

6

Borrow something from your husband, such as a scarf or a watch.

7

Roll the sleeves of your blazer back just a bit to reveal the cuff of your shirt.

See some of these suggestions in action here.


Have a great weekend, and if you are in the mood for more style reads, click the button for a fun style link up!

7 Quick Takes

I skipped out on 7 Quick Takes last week, but I'll be joining Jen again today...

1

I hope that everyone has had a great week. Maybe tonight would be a good night to enjoy one of these movies...

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So lately I've had affogato on the mind. What is affogato? Affogato al caffe literally means "drowned in coffee" and refers to a simple Italian dessert. The how to for the basic version is... Pour one (or more) shot of espresso, or 1/4-1/2 cup of very strong coffee, over a scoop of ice cream. Mmm. That easy. I love this idea Martha has for serving it to guests. As quick and as chic as it comes.

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Is it just me or has anybody else noticed the frequent usage of the word "achromatic" in fashion publications over the last few months? I had to look it up. According to www.merriam-webster.com, it means "possessing no hue : being or involving black, gray, or white." Just throwing that out there because I want an informed public.

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It wouldn't be a with my sisters Quick Takes without a quote. Here we go, a shout out of sorts to the British readers, “If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair.”  - C.S. Lewis

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the man himself.

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Favorite smell of the week (don't worry, this isn't going to be a regular feature) - ripe quince fruit. I wish that there was some way I could insert a link and you could smell what I mean, but I can't so I will do my best with words. It smells heavy and sweet and fresh all at the same time; basically it smells how I imagine the garden of Eden. I didn't even know what quince was until four years ago when I was introduced to it by my in-laws. Originally from Asia, it now grows around the world but is fairly uncommon in North America. It belongs to the same plant family as pears and apples, but the fruit is hard when ripe and has a very astringent flavor, so it is often mixed in small amounts with apples or used for jams and jellies. Again, because I want an informed public.

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You may have noticed that I had a guest poster last week. I'm going to be having more guests in the upcoming weeks, starting with my mom on Monday. I'm very excited to introduce to you some of the women who have influenced and inspired me, and continue to do so!

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That's all folks. Have a beautiful weekend!

7 Quick Takes and Friday for Fifteen (#2)

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Hello all, I hope this week treated you well, and if not, at least its almost over!

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If you want to turn yesterday's "L'Apero" into a Friday for Fifteen, I suggest a half bottle of Noilly Prat dry vermouth ($3.99/ 375 ml bottle), a loaf of fresh bread ($3), 1/4 lb olives ($2 grocery story olive bar), a wedge of camembert ($4), and 1/4 lb charcuterie of your choice ($2 for sopresetta, salami, mortadella, you get the picture). Also, if you have an apple, grapes, or some fresh veggies (lightly salted) add that in to complete this little repast. And for the entertainment, check out Paris, Je T'aime (2006). This film is a compilation of five minute shorts by twenty diverse filmmakers, including Gus Van Sant, the Coen brothers, Gérard Depardieu, Isabel Coixet, and Sylvain Chomet to name just a few.   The two themes that unite these films are love and Paris; beyond those points they diverge greatly (and some are a bit more risqué than others, consider yourself warned!). Some are great and some are quite weird, but enjoyable overall, and totally worth it for "Bastille" alone. Here is the preview:

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My favorite quote of the week, from Stephen Covey paraphrasing the amazing Viktor Frankl, "Between stimulus and response, man has the freedom to choose." How profound a thought; no matter what occurs around you or to you, you have the freedom to choose your response. Ponder it.

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Have you all heard of the website Apartment Therapy? If you haven't, check it out! Lots of inspiration for making your home (however small or humble) a beautiful, welcoming space. You will love this site. I promise.

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I'm not too much of a clothing Do It Yourselfer, but there is one project I would love to attempt for this fall / winter season. It is a fur snood, or neck warmer (don't worry little bunnies, I'll go faux). Not totally convinced by the name and/or my impeccable fashion record? Check out the inspiration pic below and this DIY, then judge.

Celine Fur Neck Warmer
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I was recently asked about my take on everyday fashion for busy moms. I intend to devote at least one post to the subject; until then, here is a great resource.

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I want to thank you all for reading, and for sharing with your friends! Thank you for following via GFC (see right hand column) and interacting via comments. I love each and every comment and bit of feedback. Please get in touch; let me know who you are, what you like, and what you want to read about. Also, if you have any questions about me, feel free to ask!

And back to you Jen!

7 Quick Takes

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I decided to try my hand at "7 Quick Takes." For those who don't know, 7 Quick Takes is literally that (is it cheating to count this as number one?).

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My sister is spending the weekend in one of my favorite places in the world, Poland.  In honor of that I'm going to give a weekend beer suggestion. Okocim (oh-ko-cheem) Porter, a perfect rich, dark beer to enjoy as temperatures start to drop. Sip one after dinner as you cosy up to your special someone. Make sure your bed is near, because it weighs in at a luxurious 8% ABV.

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And a quote from my favorite Pole, "Not all are called to be artists in the specific sense of the term. Yet, as Genesis has it, all men and women are entrusted with the task of crafting their own life: in a certain sense, they are to make of it a work of art, a masterpiece" (Pope John Paul II, Letter to artists, 4 April 1999). Is your life going to be a masterpiece?

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If you enjoy seeing what other people in other places are wearing (I do), check out The Sartorialist and The Urban Spotter. 

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If you haven't entered the giveaway yet... Scroll down to the bottom of this page and get it done!

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If you like sushi, a good documentary, or both I suggest that you check out Jiro Dreams of Sushi. This new film is about a Japanese sushi chef named Jiro, a living legend to those in the [sushi] know. It documents his rise to culinary stardom, his philosophy on life, work, and family, and the unique restaurant he continues to run at 85. A fascinating example of the application of human intelligence to material reality, with an aim at perfection. Watch it and you'll know what I mean. Here's the trailer:

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Thanks for reading! Enjoy your weekend!