| random snaps |

ok: this is all getting a bit crazy.  we are leaving on monday for 30 days.  holy moly.  how does one even pack for 30 days....let me tell you, very strategically.  we attempted to ship charlie's necessities earlier this week  along with a few other things that would help traveling across the country with our dog and luggage easier until the post office said "that will be $58" what? we can just check another piece of luggage for a fraction of the price.  i am packing my lap top and plan on posting abroad; i can't wait to share our travels.  hope you are all having a good weekend. xoxo

{ rather be safe than sorry because non capisco. getting these books in the mail motivates me to brush up on my spanish and take some classes at a local community college.  italian // french } 

{ celebrated my mom's birthday at bellemy's. if you haven't been there, go. had a refreshing moscow mule at the bar before dinner. }

{ how fitting. trying to eat clean and healthy before vacation. inspired by this recipe }

{ relaxing early morning }

{ tis the season }

| monday madness |

we leave for our trip on monday night: i am starting to feel overwhelmed... I am starting to make lists. lots and lots of lists.  there is a lot going on this week and my time management skills are going to be put to the test. so, happy monday!  let's do this ;)

[ on board must haves: ]

//  henri bendel top-zip tote // this is the perfect size tote to throw all your crap in.  i love that it has a zipper.

 // j.crew travel wallet {no longer available, similar} // jeff got me this travel wallet for christmakuah last year.  it helps keep you and all your travel documents nice and organized.

// cool max travel blanket // this travel blanket doesn't take up a ton of room and it will be so useful for our 2 red eye flights (1 to Boston / 1 to London).

// beats by dre solo // i'm obsessed with my solo's: although they don't claim to be noise canceling for me they help keep the excess noise out. 

// amazon kindle paperwhite // you guys know by now I don't go anywhere without my kindle: i'm obsessed and am loading it up with tons of reads.

// mudder travel charger // perfect for traveling abroad

// j.crew camper socks // i hate when my feet are cold on planes so I always pack a pair of my fav socks

// sephora travel kit + sephora travel brush// it's nice to keep a few products with you on board to touch up after long flights

// prime effects eye covers + ear plug combo // best.thing.ever.

// tory burch cometic bag // throw all your "beauty" things in a nice size cosmetic bag

// stress & relax calming (chewable) // i get a little stressed out when we fly so it's nice to have some all natural calming chewable tablets on hand

can't forget charlie- he is flying with us to Boston where my mother in law will watch him while we're in Europe: 

// sherpa dog carrying case // i just ordered this carry on bag for him: i liked that it wasn't too flimsy (his other one he's traveled with in the past was and I felt like I was suffocating him. 

// rescue remedy for pets // i've used the rescue remedy in the past and i'm not sure how much it helped him but he was a peaceful traveler :) 

// bamboo travel dog bowls // i felt horrible the last time i flew with him because i didn't bring him water bowls and had to ask a local restaurant for a to-go cup.  these flatten out so they won't take up a lot of room. 

| last minute father's day gift guide |

father's day seriously stresses me out (ok, not really) but my dad is so hard to shop for.  if he see's something he likes, he buys it- simple as that.  he hates when we spend "our hard earned" money on him so whenever holiday's come around we really try and think outside the box and surprise dear ol' dad.  This father's day I have a few tricks up my sleeves but i'm sort of obsessed with my last minute gift guide for all of those scrambling.

ps // happy father's day to Jeffrey: he is the best dad to charlie the dog. xxoo

1. Stu's Bloody Mary Mix Kit, $49.95 - my dad's name is Stu so it's so fitting to love the idea of this DIY Bloody Mary Kit.  I've seen this kit at Marshall's for a bit cheaper and am intrigued with how yummy it is.

2. Nike Fuel Band, $99.95 - a fun way to help dad stay active

3. Zagat's Top Golf Courses, $15.95 - why not help dad step out of the box by giving him a whole book of new courses to explore?

4. LL Bean Wicked Good Moccasins, $69 - the perfect at home slipper- so cozy!

5. Ray Ban Sunnies, $150 - help dad stay hip :)

6.  Kindle Paperweight, $119 - i add the kindle to every gift guide. personally, i think it's the best gift someone could give.

7. Steele Canvas Tote, $148 - great beach bag or weekend getaway tote.  Definitely something I know my dad would love but never buy it for himself.

8. Tommy Bahama Polo, $98 - can never go wrong with Tommy for Dad

9. Age your own whiskey kit, $149.00 - how cool is this? if your dad enjoys whiskey like mine how fun would it be for him to create his own?

10. Michael Kors Watch, $195 - because a watch is always a good idea.

11. Quicksilver Hat, $18 - help dad protect himself from the sun with this cute lifeguard style hat

| motivation monday: i bought a juicer |

after completely stuffing my face at every meal and snack in Boston my body was screaming for better nutrients by the end of the week.  i met my girlfriend Nicole for lunch in Southie at Bee's Knees on Thursday and once we caught up over a delicious fruit and nut salad my body was still craving more greens and although the juice was absolutely amazing and helped my need for greens it was $8.50!  The next morning, Jeff and I wake up and I still feel my body screaming for something healthy so we ran over to a Coffee Corner Cafe in Newton Highlands rather than our typical Dunkin or Bolocco morning...anyway, the juice was $8.50 or so again.  SO it was settled, I was buying a juicer when we got back home.  We still had some gift cards left over from our wedding so I figured there was no better time: enter the Breville Juicer.  I've was researching blogs all day from bed  yesterday while I caught up on emails, bills, etc.  I am SO excited to start today with juice.  I really love a green juice and I love the way it makes me feel.  Last night we loaded up on loads of veggies (so much cheaper than going to a local spot to buy a juice) and are ready to get back on track.  Do I have any other juice lovers out there?  Any recipes you want to share? please please! happy monday!

+ this place claims to have the best iced coffee. husband approved.  I was very much in love with my green juice: kale, spinach, kiwi, ginger, carrot, cucumber, celery and lemon.

// juicer // etsy print // books 1, 2, 3, 4 //

| road trip essentials with RelayRides |

wow, talk about refreshed- we got back from the east coast late last night.  traveling always gets my exploring-self at it's peak so when RelayRides a peer-to-peer rental car company contacted me about what my road trip essentials were it just seemed beyond fitting to share.  i love a road trip.  when jeff got his chevy we made big plans to drive that bad boys up and down the west coast then eventually head anywhere but here.

Some of my essentials are music by bands like Ben Howard or City and Colour - ya know, the kind of tunes that help you take in your surroundings with ease. I always need my recycle starbucks cup to fill up with iced coffee whenever a bucks is nearby, comfy blankets and pillows (my mother-in-law made me a 'quillow', it's a blanket that becomes a pillow and was my BFF when we road tripped from LA to Boston years ago).  Throw it all in this amazing tote...fun games!  the license plate game can get old; we always love a fun silly game to keep the energy up.  PB & J and popcorn!  I love love love both and when you find yourself with just the open road noshing on these two is nothing but delicious.  You guys know how much I love reading so a kindle is a nice getaway if needed so are these headphones if you need some alone time ;).  my jcrew slippers (similar here) are so cozy and easy to throw on for a quick bathroom break.  of course the best company: my hubs and  Charlie, the road-dog morkie. and don't forget your camera to capture it all!  we love this one.

oh, and always be comfy! roadtrip!!

beanie // (no longer available), yoga pants // similar athleta , oversized baseball tee // gap

to learn more about RelayRides and how it works check it out here.

| what i bring to the beach |

holy heat wave and happy may!!  it's almost 100 on the beach.  don't get me wrong, I love the sunshine but there is a nice little line between beautiful weather and downright hot.  i.  am.  hot.   friday it's suppose to be the hottest day of the week so i've already designated my day to a beach day: lathering on tons of spf and reading some trashy romance novel on my kindle.  i put together a list of my sunny beach day must haves; i hope you enjoy and i hope you are staying cool; don't forget to drink tons of water!!!

shop my beach day must-haves: 1 / 2  / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / 13 : 

i am a huge fan of the french style tops.  let's be real- a bandeau gives you the worst tan lines // we aren't wearing tube tops as much as we once were; make the switch.  every season i buy a new black bikini bottom, they're the most versatile bottoms you can buy- i love mixing my black bottoms with a fun top.  I keep my beach bag pretty consistent: a towel, spf, a hat and of course, my kindle.  depending on my mood i'll throw on shorts and an oversized tee or a sundress.  i always wear flip-flops to the beach but if we're planning on grabbing lunch or running errands it's nice to have an extra sandal.

| winter tan transition |

ahhhh!  the world of sunless tanner can really stress me out: did I exfoliate?  shave? grab some latex gloves? am i streaky?  but! coming off of a winter (off?  my sister and girlfriends east are totally still dealing) where any ounce of color disappeared from our beloved bodies makes for a rough spring transition.  So biting the bullet and grabbing sunless tanner is really a necessity.  I've got to admit, I love the gradual tans: for 1 they don't come across so fake and 2 it's really hard to get too streaky when the color isn't as harsh, I personally like both Jergens and L'oreals.  

andddd let's be real, how much cuter do bright pastels and white look with a lil tint of sun?  

get tan! | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |

FOR THE BOYS

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OT + TECH

The craziest part about neglecting my blog for long periods of time is I don't realize the amount of time it is neglected.  December is a busy month of traveling and working (oh and btw, I really haven't even started my shopping).  I am in desperate need of a new Apple - I rely so much on my IPad and Phone that when I get on my computer I realize... It's time for a new one.  So, for all the techy's out there you'd be happy to hear that is what I am getting myself this holiday season.  I've been procrastinating and just trying to make this bad boy last.  Anyway, besides fashion I am a total nerdy tech child.  I love games, gadgets and best buy.  I think this is probably my zillionth apology the last few years.  But really...where does the time go?

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