Stuff We Love Sunday: Home Sweet Home!

In honor of C schlepping up to Jersey this weekend, we decided to share some of our favorite places around our home state.  If you're from Jersey and you haven't been, check them out!

K's Favorite Spots: 

Rutgers/Douglass College
While I will most likely never live there ever (ever ever ever) again, New Brunswick will always feel like home to me.

Highland Lakes
My family has had a house in this small lakeside town since before I was born.  I love spending time with my loved ones, but the setting is so breath-taking it's hard not to be distracted by nature's bounty.

Fort Nonsense
Morristown is a charmingly historic town, with many Revolutionary War locations and events, but my favorite by far is Fort Nonsense because I stand for all that is nonsensical.  And it's gorgeous, to boot.

C's Favorite Spots: 

Grounds for Sculpture
I remember going here in high school and twice since and every season it has something new to offer.  While some parts remain constant, it's always changing and moving and becoming something new to enjoy and discover.
Liberty Village
It's no secret I love shopping.  Every time I'm home (this past weekend included) I go see if I can find any bargains.  From j.crew to Nine West to Nike.  I don't know why people would ever pay full price.  Plus, no sales tax on clothes.
Teaberry's Tea Room
Sometimes you want to pretend you're classy and you only work because you enjoy it.  It has a new location since when I lived in NJ full time, and it's absolutely lovely.  It's a quaint little place to forget the busy, bustling world. 
   

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hi, i'm c... and i'm in a rut

The weather is cold. The weather is rainy. I take public transportation to work and I hate standing outside being cold. All of these things bring me to this point: looking back on my outfit photos from the past week or more (and what looking down at what I'm wearing today) I've realized something. I'm wearing a LOT of black. It's getting a little ridiculous. As I write this, I look down and I'm wearing black pumps, black skirt, black shirt and a cream blazer. What?! I need the weather to cheer up so I can even imagine wearing something bright.

Without further ado, I present: "no, I'm not going to a funeral, I'm just sad it's so cold":

I'll try harder next time, I promise. See, there is even a purple tie-dye scarf in there!

I know, I know. I even had a "modern red" (read: orange) blazer on this morning until I threw it on my bed in a fit of rage. Even when I try to plan outfits in advance I just end up wearing something else because it doesn't look the way I imagined it in my head.

Anyone else got the cold weather blues/blacks?

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Stuff We Love Sunday: Home Office Edition

Lately I've been unhappy with my craft room/home office.  I can't find anything and have more boxes that are supposed to help me organize than I have the ability to store properly without looking like a disheveled box lady.  C is quite the organizer (I often make fun of her for making lists of the lists she needs to make), so it seemed like my organizational issues would be right up her alley.  Here are some of our favorite things we found online for a dream office.  

K's Office Inspiration

Photos by Jason Schmidt via Dwell

This is from architect Randy Bishop's house, which is a masterpiece designed by his colleague Omer Arbel known as the 23.2 House.  I love the interlocking squares and how despite the fact that this is a huge wall of shelving it doesn't feel claustrophobic.  I wish I could find something like this without getting custom furniture! 

via Dimples and Tangles

I've always admired many of the ways I've seen other bloggers incorporate chalkboard paint into their homes, but I've never taken the leap.  I love the way Jennifer of Dimples and Tangles used a small portion of wall space to make a huge statement.  I especially enjoy the way she added other organizational elements into the design.  I had trouble picking out my favorite image to showcase this wall, so I'd recommend heading over there and seeing them all!

via Whimages

I first encountered this image on Pinterest after C pinned it.  I am a sucker for closet built-ins and this is the best one I've seen to date.  I love that the space was split into a desk nook on one side and the other half is a reading bench.  I can tell you that once James and I get a place where we can make permanent changes, there will definitely be some closet office action.

C's Office Inspiration

I am known for my lists of lists, however in my current office set up I only have a desk in a corner with a LOT of clean clothes on the desk chair. Something I'd really like is a space to do some work or writing that isn't the couch or kitchen table. I'm also very easily distracted so I need something very simple.

Photo: via Apartment Therapy

Not that I currently have any closet space to spare, but I love how this is lined with wallpaper and has a space for everything. You can close the little curtain and it all goes away- magical. As my dad always made fun of me, whenever I clean things I always push them all against the wall. This is just like that- only it's actually organized. 

Photo: via Apartment Therapy

Is anyone else obsessed with Apartment Therapy? I'm not crafty at all but this website makes me think I could maybe turn something into something else that is somewhat attractive. They do a fantastic job with small spaces and I absolutely love this corner office. Talk about making use of nooks and crannies! I love this desk, however it doesn't exactly seem totally useful for computer work. I love the little cubby holes, however I'd probably want to do a bigger, more comfy chair. 

Photo: via Container Store

It's going to be plain, simple and matchy-matchy. I am obsessed with the Container Store (what self-proclaimed OCD wouldn't!?). It's all beautiful and matching and perfect. I am not great about using color (my current bedspread set is khaki/white, my furniture is all the same color wood, etc). I was pretty far out of my comfort zone buying a red rug for my living room, so I think this neutral office set is perfect.

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What C is reading: Business & Pleasure

In the wide, wide world of the interwebs (www for short), there are so many things to read. A lot of the blogs I read are for work- interviewing tactics, effective hiring and all that fun mumbo jumbo that no one really thinks about but then yells and complains that I didn't get back to them in 2.2 seconds about the job they didn't even apply for yet (chances are this complainer is probably related to someone, too). So for as much as I like to read sassy HR ladies, I also like to read blogs about pretty clothes and yummy food. Because let's face it: the internet isn't always for business: sometimes it's for pleasure.

And now I am pleased to present what (blogs) I'm reading: Business & Pleasure.

Business (read as: bid-ness)

• The Cynical Girl

This is the queen-bee of sassy HR ladies. Makes me believe maybe one day I can be successful enough to make money telling people what they're doing is stupid and counterproductive and making hr ladies everywhere look bad. Plus, she really likes her cats and I just find that to be perfect. She also used to have a blog called Punk Rock HR. And come on, what is closer to my heart than that?

• Ask A Manager

Alison Green responds to your HR questions (apparently if you don't ask, she'll tell you anyways). I like a woman who can tell you like it is and isn't afraid to have the tough conversations. If there is one thing I've learned in the world of HR, it's that most managers would rather brush tough conversations under the rug for a decade and then they wonder why no one is billing hours and the team spends more time painting their nails at work than actually doing work. Surprise!

• Blogging4jobs 

This is the more serious of the blogs I read that are work related. As you can tell, I have a thing for sassy ladies who talk about human resources. Jessica also tweets and does all sorts of crazy internet things. 

Pleasure (read as: people that own as much j.crew as I do)

• in residence :: "anne in residence"

I just started reading her blog recently and I'm totally hooked. She recently visited my hood and made me realize that I need to venture out more than my little baby Glover Park/Georgetown hood. Also makes me realize that people really enjoy DC and I need to be thankful for the amazing things that I get to see every. single. day. She's also adorable. I mean come on. 

• Fitnessista :: "being fit is always in style"

I haven't quite figured out when she sleeps, but I love how she mixes fitness, food and her adorable baby girl.    While the boyf is into his super crazy workouts (Spartacus? Talk about making me run the other way. I couldn't walk for 2 weeks.), her workouts are achievable, fun and don't make me totally bored. Of course, I tend to always look ridiculous when working out anyways. She also makes delicious food and archives it so when I'm starving and running low on creativity (read as: always).

• east side bride :: "an evil club of mean hipster brides"

I understand the obvious: I am not engaged. But this blog is absolutely awesome. It's like Dear Abby for brides on crack, and you get the most fantastically cynical and oftentimes obvious answer. Please pardon me while I channel my inner gospel choir: PREACH.

What are you reading? Do you read for bid-ness... or for pleasure?

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Stuff We Love Sunday: Cupcakes!

In honor of C's birthday treat yo self weekend, we are going to share six cupcake recipes we have pinned and really want to make! 

Birthday celebrations are not complete without ice cream cake! Thanks for the idea, Kraft!

 

Totally digging the recent salted caramel trend. (via Tidy Mom)

A recipe I pinned was taken down, but no worries...I browsed through the entire stock of remaining cupcake recipes and came back from Annie's Eats with two replacement recipes! First, the White Chocolate Mocha Cupcakes that look unbelievably delicious and artistic.  I can't add the picture since Annie doesn't seem to be impressed by right clicking on her website.  Whatever.  Just click through and see some beautiful cupcakery.  The second cupcakes that I cannot wait to bake from Annie's Eats are the Toffee Crunch Cupcakes.  Mmmmm.... 

Martha does it again with these Maple Walnut Cupcakes! (via Martha Stewart)

I saved the best for last.  A mini layer cake baked on a panini press!!  You have got to check this out. (via Panini Press)

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, C!

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Happy birthday, C!

Enjoy your treat yo self weekend! -xoxo, K

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Almost Birthday: C's Outfit Formula

Oh hello, friends. Before we get into what I've been wearing and how much I hate taking pictures of myself, I'd like to introduce you to the beautiful bathroom in my office. Please enjoy the view of the tampon dispenser in the background. I know, it's awesome.

I work in a very casual office. I understand some of you are looking at this and thinking... you do what for a living? Look, accounting wears velour matching tracksuits- this is fancy. Let it go.

On to the outfits.

I have an obsession with J.crew. It happens. After reading fashion blogs for a while, I've realized I'm not the only one.

ONE. Sweater: Talbots Clearance Outlet, Necklace & Jeans: J.Crew retail, Button down: J.Crew factory, Shoes: ZiGiny via Amazon.com.

TWO. Sweater: J.Crew factory, Jeans: J.Crew retail, Boots: Cole Haan via Rue La La, Scarf: H&M, Sock: Target

THREE: Shirt: H&M, Scarf: Gap Men's, Cords: H&M, Booties: Nine West factory,

Interchange sweaters, jeans and a long necklace or scarf, and this is pretty much what I'm wearing every single day.

Do you have a formula you can use to get dressed in your sleep? I guess the "must wear 3 pieces at all times" mantra from working at J.Crew has stuck with me over the years.

TOMORROW IS MY BIRTHDAY so I need to go shopping to find something fancy schmancy to wear to dinner tomorrow night with the boyf. I'm thinking of going to Zara on my lunch- any other suggestions for cheap/cute/possibly warm birthday dresses? Does anyone else buy a dress for their birthday? No? Okay.

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