Here are some photos from Ryan's Baby Shower, yesterday. My mom had the brilliant idea, of having the Dr. Seuss books as center pieces, with a Gerber Daisy popping out the inside. It was swift, delightful, and organized! I'm so happy that everyone had such a lovely time.
Hi! I'm blogging from my iPhone!!! Today was Ryan's baby shower - it was great! So beautiful, I'm so happy it went off without a hitch!! My baskets were a big hit, the cake was adorable and the company was Devine! Ry received a ton of amazing things!! I'm getting more and more excited to get that little nephew!
Well Chris and I are off to Kim and Dave's in a little bit
Last night Wendy and I went to this little place called Hogan's Hideaway. Delicious food, great company, and conversation! Even though I see my two best friends all the time, it seems like we rarely get "girlfriend" time. We are always teaching together, meeting together, but never for fun - always for business. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE talking about Irish Dance, but I also love some good ole chick time with my gals. We enjoyed the amazingly comforting Brie with Honey and Bread, Seafood Chowder, salad, and beer... it was truly delightful! So there are a few pictures from the cozy inside, there are photos and art work on the walls and the most beautiful painted tin ceiling. I always wonder while I'm there what it used to be. There are these gigantic double wooden doors off the dining area... was it a house? Who knows, it's one of my favorite places to go, and I would suggest it to anyone in the area!
I've had a few rough days at work. So, when my package from Oldnavy.com arrived last night I was so excited! I decided this morning to dress up for my casual job. You ever feel like when you look great nothing can stop you? Well, that was what I was trying to achieve. It did work, I felt like gold today.
Well, at least that's what I'm hoping for. Yesterday at work was God awful, my night was much better though... I did a private lesson with one of my competitive girls. She is such a hard worker!! So, onto Wednesday with the hope that it will be better than the last. I'm off to a good start! Up reasonably early, Pilates video done, showered, lunch made, dressed, with time to enjoy coffee and the news while I visit my favorite blog ladies.
Probably going to do some research today to see if the American Red Cross or Salvation Army are taking any kind of non monitary donations for the earth quake victims in New Zealand. I usually organize a charity event for the dance kids - something to give back to the community aside from dancing at schools and libraries around St Patrick's day. This year I didn't have the opportunity because right around Christmas time, was prime TCRG study time. I was super bummed when I had realized I had completely forgotten! But, this may be a moment to redeem my charitable self.
Sunday is Ryan's baby shower. It will be so great to see all the family and friends!! I think I've mentioned before, but I was put in charge of the "prize" gift baskets which will be doubling as center pieces (I'll be sure to take pictures before they're given away). So, I have all the contents of the baskets but now I must search for appropriate baskets to bundle everything up into. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the idea of a dual function basket. Something the "winners" can take home, and use somewhere else in their household... or even re-gift?! But, not really interested in spending a fortune at the same time. After a trip to Target to see what they had to offer, I'm convinced that JoAnns or Michaels is where it's going to be at.
I've got my car started, the weather man just said that although it's 3 degrees F, it WILL warm up to at least 30. Awesome... where is spring?
Blues; only because I am sad the weekend is over! It always seems that just as the weekend is beginning, it's ending. It's almost St Patrick's Day season and that is just the busiest time of my year. I need to soak up all the relaxing I can get before that. But, things just don't settle down... Hopefully I'll get some down time this weekend! :) Here are some pictures of my Saturday outfit, and shots from the Second Annual Lincoln Party. Chris' friend Dave had the best corduroy blazer on with elbow patches and leather buttons (view below).
So as NYFW has come to an end and LFW has commenced I sit in my apartment, taking a break from the much needed tidying, to watch a few minutes of "Can't Buy Me Love'. Just looking at the fashion, the harim pants, the long skirts... it's interesting how fashion history repeats itself.
One of the blog ladies I follow in England has been/will be keeping us all informed on what is going down all week. Check her out!!
Whats on the plate today? Well, finishing tidying up - starting with myself :) It seems to be really crummy out but, I have been put in charge of doing the gift baskets for my sister's baby shower - so I need to venture out into the cold, blustery weather and finish shopping. I'm almost done obtaining all of the items I need, just need to pick up the actual baskets and a few more contents items. Chris has a kickboxing fight later (hopefully I can get some good photos). So, I need to take him to go weigh in and then re-hydrate and get lunch. The fights start at 6 and then his roommate is throwing the second annual birthday party for our 16th President Abe Lincoln. It's going to be quite a night!! And I can't believe I'm going to say this but I have no plans for tomorrow!!! Yippie!! :)
It's ok to wear black and navy now. I trust her. StyleCrusader also said to trust the black and navy style... So, I'm embracing it with my look of the day:
old navy cardigan
american eagle polka dot cami
old navy corduroy shorts in navy
black tights
bcbg booties in black
Along with black and navy, I'm also embracing Rochester, NY's short lived and quite delightful weather! :)
Ever have those days where you didn't want to get out of bed, didn't want to do the pilates, shower, go to work, do work at work... Well, today was one of those days. Although I was ok getting out of bed and doing pilates; going to work, however, was definitely a struggle. Of course, after forcing myself to get there, I had the craziest day. All of my sales partners (well, not all but most) are in Florida for a Renovation Partnership Conference, or whatever it is. Some of my team members are there as well. And despite the 7am-5pm meeting they were all in, the emails were flowing! From customers and Sales alike. I'm glad to be home, relaxing, with my glass of wine and food cooking. Yes, I'm eating dinner at 9pm because I also taught dance tonight. I can only be thankful that my splitting headache went away.
When was the last time you had a day that you wish you could fast forward through?
Oh hello Tuesday, sorry I disappeared for a few days. I had a crazy busy weekend! Friday night Chris and I went to enjoy a few drinks at Lovin' Cup. I love the ambiance in there, it's so adorable, welcoming, yet incredibly loud as well. There was a band playing, and I'd say that's the only downside to that place. We were practically screaming at eachother over the band. Still we had a good time and the wine/beer/food selection is great.
Saturday, I manned the desk at the studio in the morning and then Chris and I just ran around doing errands. Sunday we went to the gym and then to my parents house for dinner. :) Always great to see my family. Chris and I enjoyed a very quiet evening at my apartment drinking delicious wine and eating some yummy food for Valentine's Day. I'd say it was perfect even :)
So this week is for detox, and I have to do the gift baskets for my sister's baby shower :) which is coming up quite fast.
Spring's around the corner.... but don't look for it too soon!
xx
I worked as a Paralegal, had just graduated college and was living in my first apartment.
Five years ago today, we lost someone near and dear to our hearts. A cousin, a friend, someone we looked up to. Seems so weird, all of those other things seem an entire life ago.
Tonight at class my little dear one MacKenzie came dressed in style and with lots of stories. I always enjoy hearing about their little lives, what's going on at school, at home, what their sibling did to them..etc. It's always a good story that starts out "Guess what Miss Nina.." and ends with my startled expression and a big "WOW!"
This class she came in explaining why she was so hyper! From what I could catch, she was speaking faster than light, the boy she likes said hi to her today, she singing the Hallelujia Chorus in chorus, and she has these leg warmers her grandma got her for Christmas that already have the holes for your heel in them!! How great is that? I mean, although I'd love to promote not putting holes in your clothing, it's something that is unavoidable in Irish dance!
So, here's a picture of my dear friend. She sure made me laugh tonight - even if they were bouncing off the walls.
My new iPhone came yesterday and well, I've been completely captivated by it.
Making sure I have all the apps I'll need/want, etc. It's very exciting. Poor Chris had to sit there and watch me fumble through this, he's had an iPhone for years. But me, being on the VZW network, just had the opportunity to buy one! It's pretty fun.
All the lovely blog ladies I follow are all getting amped up for London Fashion Week... I wish I lived in NY or London for events like that. Even though it's completely out of the realm of possibility, it's fun to imagine...or maybe walk outside the tents trying to peek in. The weather here is just making me depressed and sick with cabin fever. It's finally hitting me. This arctic tundra of a city doesn't even allow my psyche to DRESS for work let alone think about being at Fashion Week.
Well I guess I should cook dinner and clean up a bit, in my sweats that is.
I'm really enjoying this camera and all it's features.
1. The Little Theater
2. Spicy Tuna @ Shiki
3. Tempura Roll @ Shiki
Chris and I had "Date Night" on Friday. We went to dinner at this adorable little bistro pizza place called Veneto, enjoyed some delicious rossoto balls, mushroom pizza, and wine. After dinner we moved on down the road to The Little Theater/Cafe, and enjoyed a glass of wine and live jazz music while we waited for our movie to start. We saw Black Swan. Both of us have mixed feelings about the film, he feels as if they ripped off "Fight Club" and I was amazed by the dancing and Natalie Portman's performance, however, was a little disturbed by the premise. I can appreciate all creative views of things and it's certainly a conversation piece after viewing. But, it's not exactly something I'd feel comfortable watching or talking about with mixed company. Regardless, it was a very fun evening! :)
Today I went with Chris to see a litter of dogs, one of which he will be taking home the beginning of March. They are ADORABLE (see below).
After I met Cait and Wendy out for delicious sushi.
I decided that I want a legit camera. Not just my camera on my phone, which is super convenient, but we've all seen the poor quality. So in my searches a co-worker tells me that she bought a bridge technology Kodak Easy Share Z981. I read a bunch of reviews and it seems like the perfect balance between professional settings with point and shoot convenience. So, I took it to class tonight and gave it a shot... no pun intended...
Well certainly snow. Definitely not the "apocalypse" we all expected. Even the weather men said it was difficult to predict. Not going to lie, I'm a little bummed. However, here I go into work for the day.
Happy Groundhog Day - I have no clue if that darn little thing saw his shadow, but in this region of the world it doesn't really seem to matter!
At work today we were all sure to have each other's phone numbers, email addresses, and any other kind of contact information we need - on the off chance that corporate closes our office due to inclement weather. This never happens. I'm not even expecting it to happen. That is completely different than wanting it to happen. Wanting to stay home cuddled up in bed, or on the couch reading my Dan Brown novel, or even cleaning. Whatever, I'd be home nonetheless. However, it's supposed to be the largest storm in 20 years...which living through 1991's ice storm, I find that hard to believe. Let's see if the rumors hold true.
Above are, what I think should be, the final shots for the lobby. The one of Cait's feet is just beautiful. Something about Pointe perfection... it's amazing, at least I, in my hard shoes, have a little bit of support of my own weight. It's not entirely on the tips of my toes and the arch of my feet. Sometimes I wish my parents had gotten us into Ballet as well as Irish Dancing... although, as a kid I'm not sure I had the attention span for barre work. Still, Cait and I keep pondering the idea of a combo Ballet/Irish class. Maybe we can actually do that now that I have free time! Or, maybe we'll wait until after the recital - stay tuned.
I was reading a bit about the riots on Cairo today... somehow that put the Irish National Anthem, "A Soldier's Song", in my head. We teach it to the kids to perform at St Patrick's Day, and well, to know! It's important to us to uphold the tradition of where the Irish culture came from as well as the culture of Irish Dance and it's evolutions.
Anyways, the pride and passion in the lyrics to me was similar to the pride and passion in the Egyptians faces as they riot for change for their own country. I hope that we can not only teach this for Ireland, but for America too!
Here's a video from last years St Patrick's Day
Here's to a snow day tomorrow.
stay warm. be cool.
