tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32707992598070822722024-03-13T23:18:15.485-04:00Actually, AshleyDressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-39771197195710897812013-03-10T14:38:00.003-04:002013-03-10T14:40:32.185-04:00Fashion (and an) update<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Sunday! Here's a quick post about some favorite fashion finds, as well as a little update on what's been happening on this side of the screen. </div>
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Have you heard of <a href="http://tieks.com/" target="_blank">Tieks</a>? They're comfortable, foldable ballet flats with a trademark blue sole. Now, these things are pricey. Really pricey. BUT- they're the only ballet flat I've found that doesn't rub the back of my foot raw. Even my <a href="http://www.toryburch.com/reva-flats/shoes-reva-ballerina-flats,default,sc.html" target="_blank">Tory Burch Revas</a> (even MORE expensive) that I've had for 6 years now still irritate my sensitive skin. So, for this flip-flop lovin' girl, on the rare chilly Florida days when I need a bit more substantial foot covering, these are it. Worth every penny. Plus, they're buttery Italian leather and feel (and smell!) so good. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/56787645273259893/" target="_blank">via </a></td></tr>
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I love the <a href="http://tieks.com/ballerina-pink.html" target="_blank">Ballerina Pink</a> color- a neutral that pairs with everything. I'd been waiting for these to come available in my size for almost a year, and they FINALLY did just before Christmas. If you want a certain pair, check out the website and add your name to the wait list if need be. Also subscribe to their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Tieks?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page, <a href="http://instagram.com/tieks" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/tieks" target="_blank">Twitter</a> feed- that's how I found out new sizes were being released and snagged my coveted pair. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy-78tn44OWCii4QeP4WADPv-h8j7LjsJFy6N8R-329TMc0o-Esqck5T4802mBr45QVpB8xjhi-lqhtLq87JjoXl-Nr2Vn9_1SVmOZH2mEx9W0CV17P-u763I5guAToSAw8YRTb1jYCpe/s640/blogger-image-1729110027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYy-78tn44OWCii4QeP4WADPv-h8j7LjsJFy6N8R-329TMc0o-Esqck5T4802mBr45QVpB8xjhi-lqhtLq87JjoXl-Nr2Vn9_1SVmOZH2mEx9W0CV17P-u763I5guAToSAw8YRTb1jYCpe/s640/blogger-image-1729110027.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Unrelated, but cute, here's a little visual I found that gives some ideas for different ways to style the ever-popular button up. See, here's the thing. I have A LOT of clothes that I love, but I'm a bit lacking in the styling department. Pictures like this are so helpful to me. Hope you like it too. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYWqT8A0yZB0GMo6rlDcChUDk4i6JI4iHbsmHc7aRnIfvsl_PBX3u_PFKXjCHHpARX_z3b2aj3KXVWK8M6Vg8fnecMk2X3WL_u2Qb2xL75z9mDxrpjSGe6xTlO1Xf4Yf-A87Hncv4cGIZ/s1600/602985_516083995099017_1135980586_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYWqT8A0yZB0GMo6rlDcChUDk4i6JI4iHbsmHc7aRnIfvsl_PBX3u_PFKXjCHHpARX_z3b2aj3KXVWK8M6Vg8fnecMk2X3WL_u2Qb2xL75z9mDxrpjSGe6xTlO1Xf4Yf-A87Hncv4cGIZ/s640/602985_516083995099017_1135980586_n.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://myclosetinsketches.com/2012/12/17/how-to-wear-a-button-up/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
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Speaking of fashion, I'm planning to do a little blog sale of lots of my clothes that I just don't wear anymore. Let me know if you're interested and I'll be sure to let you know when it's up and running. </div>
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Lastly, here's a quick update of what I've been up to lately. Mostly teaching and such, but I've been squeezing in a few trips to one of my favorite places- Disney World! Yes, I'm a child, but I love it. Phil and I go about once a month and escape reality for a few days, and enjoy eating, drinking and merriment. We have annual passes, and it's only about an hour away, so we make the most of it. </div>
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I had a workshop in Viera the other day (which is right by 1-95, compared to our little beachside community which is a good 15 minutes away from the freeway), so when it ended at 3:00, I hopped on the highway and went over to catch a few hours of opening day at <a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival/" target="_blank">Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival</a>. </div>
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In addition to the amazing plants and flowers, they're also offering food and drink booths, just like at Epcot's <a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/" target="_blank">International Food and Wine Festival</a>. Here's a few pictures from my quick jaunt: </div>
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Living in Florida is simply PARADISE in March. </div>
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I LOVE air plants. It's a fact- I just do! This part in the Mexico area of World Showcase always has an beautiful array of them, but during F&G, it's full of orchids! Just gorgeous. </div>
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Here's a sampling of some of the food and drinks this year. These are from the Florida Fresh booth- watermelon and feta salad with arugula and pickled onions (yum!!), Florida shrimp with local corn over andouille sausage grits, and tomato wine. Yep, tomato wine. It was- ok. Kind of like a Bloody Mary in wine form, a bit spicy and not overly tomato-y. Would I get it again? Probably not. But that salad is on my list the next time I'm there (which will be this coming weekend when I go with my brother and his family!! Maybe I'm a bit obsessed. Don't judge!)</div>
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This, my friends, is a Dole whip 'float' with spiced rum. A Dole whip is pineapple flavored soft-serve, and has a bit of a cult status in the Disney community. They even make t-shirts featuring this stuff. F&G took this classic and paired it with spiced rum, and it was actually pretty good. </div>
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That's it for now. If any of you are local or visiting the area and want to meet up in the parks, you know I'm always game! </div>
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In the words of a particular oversized rodent:</div>
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"See ya real soon!"</div>
Dressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-21079548087752460522013-02-16T15:00:00.000-05:002013-02-16T15:07:43.285-05:00New York City, New Years Eve: It's Phishy! (or, An Ode to Dad)Well hello! So glad you're still around and interested in finding out about what happened for New Year's almost <i>2 months ago! </i>Since we've waited this long, let's just dive right in, shall we?<br />
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And I think I'll try to make this less wordy and more picture-y (but ya'll, that will be hard for me... I'm a bit long-winded when it comes to writing.)<br />
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Before we go, though, I'll give some insight into the title of this post. Besides being about NYE, it's also a 'thanks' to my 'papa' (ala Downton Abbey) for all he did to make it happen. AND for being my biggest blog fan. He's been asking me to write this post since I posted my <i>last</i> entry. So Dad, thanks for the motivation.<br />
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Here we go:<br />
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<b>Favorite city and two of my favorite spots in it, the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Station (which is <a href="http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/years_of_grand_central_UDsPx4VPTSo3LXZzQC6OGL" target="_blank">celebrating it's Centennial</a> this year, how cool!</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ77-FoePN3nY-_UchMi5WG-A408LX-lGa9gacJsyzbbpIR14EPwonCCRaw90mBcTDhqCvsdCdQSKwbQJ3Vckcl0RwZO0lzV4HTKSpPRbIM081edPHSnKgrjzibmaC8eEq1KcnoxuZS1G7/s640/blogger-image--1860717009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ77-FoePN3nY-_UchMi5WG-A408LX-lGa9gacJsyzbbpIR14EPwonCCRaw90mBcTDhqCvsdCdQSKwbQJ3Vckcl0RwZO0lzV4HTKSpPRbIM081edPHSnKgrjzibmaC8eEq1KcnoxuZS1G7/s640/blogger-image--1860717009.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>Our first Wook sighting of the run</b><br />
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<b>The Tempest Bar- <i>the </i>spot to meet before a MSG Phish show.</b><br />
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<b>Night one seats</b><br />
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<b>A fairly empty Grand Central around 1:30 a.m.</b><br />
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<b>Breakfast in bed the next morning</b><br />
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<b>Trying on some vintage engagement rings in the City. This one's from 1905.</b><br />
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<b>This stunner is from the 1890's! LOVE! SWOON!!</b><br />
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<b>Pretty</b></div>
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<b>A dreary day on Park Avenue</b><br />
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<b>It's always warm and cozy inside the Algonquin</b><br />
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<b>Night 2 SOP meet-up </b><br />
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<b>'Lotta beards here</b></div>
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<b>Night 2 seats</b><br />
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<b>Take the last train to Stamford</b><br />
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<b>Breakfast (lunch) in bed the next day:</b><br />
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<b>Just a little nippy</b><br />
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<b>Bundled up for the cold. "It's gonna be co-old!!"</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDiugjasat4uWbIwa2EBnPUkQiiiRk8B1pm2yRzzZayGazfHjg9kr4rRV-5Iv1iLfza9esM171f1_tFazde5Su_7MrNbXB_OrCREnM4SXYrIfo5p1uA3AZPHN4dV4VBbEpNoyGmCLVlz-/s640/blogger-image--1245269881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDiugjasat4uWbIwa2EBnPUkQiiiRk8B1pm2yRzzZayGazfHjg9kr4rRV-5Iv1iLfza9esM171f1_tFazde5Su_7MrNbXB_OrCREnM4SXYrIfo5p1uA3AZPHN4dV4VBbEpNoyGmCLVlz-/s640/blogger-image--1245269881.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>Magnificent walk down Madison Ave from Grand Central to MSG. Fantastic old buildings!</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCXnMgRGP-uGE0jUtTLBqhWJOBPqP1A7EHDW2xNOFmpt8jLfinzzmrjduSGsaGbi7bC0L_Ycn3yFzkJda7rI391AmKLAYzZswkuxiAoTn2eD_PTzea543wT1Lwhvw-O_2QvPsoq1XjtX3/s640/blogger-image--863305009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCXnMgRGP-uGE0jUtTLBqhWJOBPqP1A7EHDW2xNOFmpt8jLfinzzmrjduSGsaGbi7bC0L_Ycn3yFzkJda7rI391AmKLAYzZswkuxiAoTn2eD_PTzea543wT1Lwhvw-O_2QvPsoq1XjtX3/s640/blogger-image--863305009.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>And this beaut.</b><br />
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<b>And these weirdos</b></div>
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<b>Night 3 seats</b><br />
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<br />
<b>I spy an Electrolux</b><br />
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<b>Sigh. Ain't it grand?</b></div>
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<b>Fancied up for New Year's Eve</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">top: Calypso/skirt:Lilly Pulitzer/shoes:Lilly Pulitzer</span></div>
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<b>Bubbly for the car ride into the city (AWESOME Christmas present from my Dad- a car service into and out of the city on New Years! SUCH a treat, thanks Dad!!)</b><br />
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<b>The ceiling of <a href="http://parkavenyc.com/winter/#" target="_blank">Park Avenue-Winter</a> all dressed up for NYE.</b><br />
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<b>Seriously, eat here. The menu and decor change with the seasons. Winter was dynomite. Phil had yellowtail sushi that I'm pretty sure was life-changing, and veal; I had the world's best kale salad and king crab legs, and we split some pineapple gelato/cake thing for dessert. Un-freaking-believable. (Thanks for dinner, Dad!)</b><br />
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<b>VIP passes to the ABC New Year's Rockin' Eve party in Times Square. (Thanks AGAIN, Dad!!)</b><br />
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<b>Phil's thinking: "I wish I was at the Phish show right now..."</b></div>
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<b>Private entrance right out onto the street for the ball drop</b><br />
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<b>Lots of reallllllly cold people!</b><br />
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<b>Look at us all warm and cozy inside, and them all cold and having to pee outside.</b><br />
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<b>Some people. And a lot of booze. Psy!</b><br />
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<b>Everyone emptied out for the ball drop- we were bringing up the rear</b><br />
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<b>Happy New Year! The confetti begins...</b></div>
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<b>Don't see me!</b><br />
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<b>Makin' it rain (confetti)!</b><br />
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<b>Ours</b></div>
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<b>Not all ours</b></div>
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<b>You know it's a good night when you have confetti in your drink</b><br />
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<b>Not related to New Year's at all, just a sweet face to see when you finally return home from a stellar New Year's trip to the Big Apple. </b><br />
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<br />Dressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-24229194519476942482013-01-11T20:57:00.003-05:002013-01-12T22:04:53.479-05:00Christmas in ConnecticutHave you ever seen that movie? It's great, you should.<br />
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We left sunny Florida to fly up to Connecticut and stay with my dad over the holiday. Yes, my parents are still married. We moved up there in 2006 when my dad got a job in NYC, and though there was a lot to love and some wonderful friends and memories, my mom and I moved back to the sunny south in 2010. My dad still works out of the city, so he has a place in Connecticut. It's unusual and unconventional, but it works for our family. Plus, we kind of have the best of both worlds. He comes down here to golf in the winter, and we go up there to get our New England/city fix.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JSVYbt77S8aHLL1trkWnzZWenesuVsMZsEgVVBrX7z_AASkoY8-bpFjJQS6GAw_727556SXhoJ6Q56_EBNwLyCuyOHdpFBOHL19H2BiffQs5lO6ivlf66LvMR4FKy8nrwq1-bwPMBosy/s640/blogger-image-945392662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6JSVYbt77S8aHLL1trkWnzZWenesuVsMZsEgVVBrX7z_AASkoY8-bpFjJQS6GAw_727556SXhoJ6Q56_EBNwLyCuyOHdpFBOHL19H2BiffQs5lO6ivlf66LvMR4FKy8nrwq1-bwPMBosy/s640/blogger-image-945392662.jpg" /></a></div>
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Pillow: <a href="http://www.francescas.com/home.do" target="_blank">Francesca's </a></div>
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Our second night there, I went to a little get-together at this lovely lady's house. Ms. "Warwa" and I taught together, and I miss her sunny disposition and camaraderie in the classroom. Co-teaching was sa-weet! And her beautiful baby girl is just the bee's knees- so wanted, so loved, and so very cute. It was great to get together with friends and catch up. </div>
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It snowed on Christmas Eve- just a light dusting. Most of it was melted by Christmas morning, but it was lovely to watch it come down. My mom and I even got out and wrote some snow messages.<br />
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My dad has a cute little studio apartment in New Canaan, just a short walk from town where there's excellent shopping, good restaurants and a train station. Here's the kitchen I cooked in for a week. Just like living in a college dorm... hot plates! I managed to whip up a few things in there, including <a href="http://bevcooks.com/2012/12/spaghetti-with-kale-and-lemon/" target="_blank">this</a> recipe. (By the way, that's <a href="http://www.marcsrowaytonmarket.com/prepared.htm" target="_blank">Rowayton Market's</a> potato leek soup warming in the pot. Man, do I miss that stuff.)<br />
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Because of the small space, we kept it pretty simple with our Christmas set-up. Here's our little Charlie Brown Christmas tree.<br />
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I love my old stocking- I've used it for as long as I can remember. And look what's peeking out!! Astronaut strawberries! Trader Joe's makes killer freeze-dried strawberries (which is basically what astronaut food is), but these are whole strawberries, and are one of my favorite things. Random? Yes.<br />
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And our fireplace. It's the famed WPIX <a href="http://www.theyulelog.com/htmls/faqs.html" target="_blank">Yule Log</a>. A New York City Christmas tradition.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4507vtWRM2AQdfUyzS-E_jva0PHlwR5hdEnhCHBhdWZSDqCMcR4JYFVV9qKO_5WJj3OhJxVp_rDOZ9Ks2VLZb8sro7sp3KtU53tSRhzO5zFq8Dp82kwsYukxlsoigs6Jrk7i1_7kmPtJG/s640/blogger-image--1151237257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4507vtWRM2AQdfUyzS-E_jva0PHlwR5hdEnhCHBhdWZSDqCMcR4JYFVV9qKO_5WJj3OhJxVp_rDOZ9Ks2VLZb8sro7sp3KtU53tSRhzO5zFq8Dp82kwsYukxlsoigs6Jrk7i1_7kmPtJG/s640/blogger-image--1151237257.jpg" /></a></div>
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We ate Christmas dinner at the <a href="http://www.rogershermaninn.com/" target="_blank">Roger Sherman Inn</a>, which dates back to the 1700's. That's one thing I adore about New England- all the history everywhere around you.<br />
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The day after Christmas, my mom and I drove into our old hometown of Rowayton. I really miss a few good eats from up there, including the spectacular lobster rolls at <a href="http://www.brendans101.com/" target="_blank">Brendan's 101</a>. No mayo or celery pieces in this bad boy- just succulent, big pieces of lobster meat nestled inside a toasted, buttery roll with a squeeze of lemon on top. Tastes like the sea; tastes like New England.<br />
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We drove out to Bayley Beach. It was a blustery, COLD day. Sorry for the finger smudge in this pic, but it really captures the grey coldness- the bare trees, icy water, and Long Island in the distance.<br />
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Mom all bundled up on the beach. Sure looks different than our Florida beaches, huh?<br />
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Bikini and flip flops? More like leather jacket, long underwear and Uggs.<br />
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We drove out to a part of South Norwalk that suffered quite a bit of damage from Hurricane Sandy, and started to head home right as it began to sprinkle. This picture looks like what the next 3 months will be like up there. Brrr, I'm getting chilled just looking at it (either that or my ceiling fan is turned up too high.) But man, the Spring sure is pretty. That's one thing we don't get here in Florida, the changing of the seasons. I really miss Autumn, and Spring is so beautiful when it begins to emerge, with the bulbs pushing up out of the ground, the trees coming into bloom, and the robins everywhere. I think I played <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BxzEeKfpyIg" target="_blank"><i>Here Comes the Sun</i></a> by the Beatles on repeat around February of each year when I lived up north.<br />
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<i>Little darlin'</i><br />
<i>It's been a long, cold, lonely winter.</i><br />
<i>Little darlin'</i><br />
<i>It seems like years since it's been here.</i><br />
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If you follow me on Facebook, you might have seen this picture. It's 5:00. In the evening. And it's dark. Ouch. </div>
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Coming up next, Phil arrives (the boyfriend, for those who don't know) and we begin our New York City adventures. Stay tuned!</div>
Dressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-68787439492810081002013-01-03T10:53:00.001-05:002013-01-03T10:53:27.309-05:00Lilly Pulitzer New Year Cheer SALE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hold on to your wallets! The semi-annual Lilly Pulitzer sale has begun. For two days only, get great bargains on this high-end label. Plus, free shipping!</div>
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People often ask where I shop- this is one of my faves. Also, the regular prices are ridiculous, so it's during these sales that I can get the look on a teacher's salary. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilly Pulitzer Sale</td></tr>
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I've picked up a few <a href="http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/New-Year-Cheer-Sale/Sale-Girls/entity/pc/148/c/155/4319.uts?swatchName=Jade+Green+Punkin+Chunkin" target="_blank">dresses</a> (<strike>$48</strike> $24), <a href="http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/New-Year-Cheer-Sale/Sale-Girls/entity/pc/148/c/155/5507.uts?swatchName=Resort+White" target="_blank">polos</a> (<strike>$34</strike> $19), and <a href="http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/New-Year-Cheer-Sale/Sale-Girls/entity/pc/148/c/155/3966.uts?swatchName=Shorely+Blue+Sailors+Valentine+Mini" target="_blank">shorts</a> (<strike>$38</strike> $19) for my nieces and a few things for myself, like <a href="http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/New-Year-Cheer-Sale/Sale-Bottoms/entity/pc/148/c/151/5515.uts?swatchName=Resort+White+Lobster+Stripe" target="_blank">this skirt</a> that was $98, now $19!! </div>
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The <a href="http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/New-Year-Cheer-Sale/Sale-Bottoms/entity/pc/148/c/151/4373.uts?swatchName=Black+About+Face+Lace" target="_blank">skirt </a>and <a href="http://actuallyashleyblogspot.blogspot.com/2012/12/holiday-dressing.html" target="_blank">shoes</a> I wore for New Year's Eve are also on sale. </div>
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Do yourself (or your mom, sister, aunt, niece, grandmother) a favor and at least check it out. They're continually adding new items, but things sell out quickly, so if you see something you love, nab it. </div>
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Happy shopping!</div>
Dressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-28995589640386605712012-12-27T21:06:00.000-05:002012-12-27T21:06:08.769-05:00Holiday dressingWith a slew of holiday parties to go to, I thought I'd share the different looks I wore to each event.<br />
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New Year's Eve will be it's own post. It's gonna be AWESOME! (Well, the night will be, and hopefully the outfit too.)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Amy's Holiday Party:</u></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1PW5Z5JZgzH9-haouj2uIYHWAUfdCYRkOxIGDv0Hb9xAFIwg6AqfSVyJwj5E59_5SQ1ShlK-ohz0GNt4OfORGnQORJxYv5beb-8M1A3vhXvB3wt02v0YDzql7yXnm52vKV3vNLrdGol4/s640/blogger-image--2076538960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq1PW5Z5JZgzH9-haouj2uIYHWAUfdCYRkOxIGDv0Hb9xAFIwg6AqfSVyJwj5E59_5SQ1ShlK-ohz0GNt4OfORGnQORJxYv5beb-8M1A3vhXvB3wt02v0YDzql7yXnm52vKV3vNLrdGol4/s640/blogger-image--2076538960.jpg" /></a></div>
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Shirt: Tory Burch (old)/ Skirt: <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/skirts/mini/PRDOVR~22218/22218.jsp" target="_blank">J.Crew</a>/ Shoes: <a href="http://www.toryburch.com/reva-ballet-flat/50008606,default,pd.html?dwvar_50008606_color=051&start=12&cgid=shoes-reva-ballerina-flats" target="_blank">Tory Burch</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBn_Aoz5llYwXtcnt5b9HGhrNznAZ7NeRptut5oRM9lFNg8QGYcGYXCOpP0Ixhj8igMT67pcYamsBxIEqPYEFwDnOKSntFdRKF_L3whOOyejh_36v0orSomcCJiuX0V4m_QFEKSXQssvg/s640/blogger-image-1259890350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBn_Aoz5llYwXtcnt5b9HGhrNznAZ7NeRptut5oRM9lFNg8QGYcGYXCOpP0Ixhj8igMT67pcYamsBxIEqPYEFwDnOKSntFdRKF_L3whOOyejh_36v0orSomcCJiuX0V4m_QFEKSXQssvg/s640/blogger-image-1259890350.jpg" /></a></div>
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Bracelets: <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/ashleyhaymond" target="_blank">Stella & Dot</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tp4awQCjrS5QxLfoTqhf9S8KFKvmEsavAMACgvMNmvS2CZKc23l-t4aex1I8z93-saHJVRZzE2zLG1UXKo6HAKWg8h_Boi9xcrms_szr4_b2uXgFOaObJILlG6eQBAvqpthkdCIhNzPb/s640/blogger-image--159493037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tp4awQCjrS5QxLfoTqhf9S8KFKvmEsavAMACgvMNmvS2CZKc23l-t4aex1I8z93-saHJVRZzE2zLG1UXKo6HAKWg8h_Boi9xcrms_szr4_b2uXgFOaObJILlG6eQBAvqpthkdCIhNzPb/s640/blogger-image--159493037.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pA31n_bI0Z9E3wTmYvF25vEMdvU_OJEC-WN5sdfcouELNkFNc6pVFW4ngSHdBjSSVb2CcVP4Me0TVfcn3x52xckXdX6m5gWX9uofb_XLzgypbPdDcv2-XKCAWVaJpi7ZSGmA_0bL1i8o/s640/blogger-image--226329482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pA31n_bI0Z9E3wTmYvF25vEMdvU_OJEC-WN5sdfcouELNkFNc6pVFW4ngSHdBjSSVb2CcVP4Me0TVfcn3x52xckXdX6m5gWX9uofb_XLzgypbPdDcv2-XKCAWVaJpi7ZSGmA_0bL1i8o/s640/blogger-image--226329482.jpg" /></a></div>
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Makeup: <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/benetint" target="_blank">Benefit Benetint Lip and Cheek Stain</a>/ <a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod1500268" target="_blank">Philosophy Cinnamon Buns Lip Shine</a>/ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bare-Escentual-bareMineral-Tutorial-Smoky/dp/B001BBNGNU%3FSubscriptionId%3D02B7Y8VZ2ZRE5MXHPMR2%26tag%3Dbestcoverycom-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB001BBNGNU" target="_blank">Bare Escentual bareMineral Eyeshadow</a>/ <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_83175532"></span>Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascera<span id="goog_83175533"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Junior League of South Brevard Christmas Party:</u></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwg8Uml5LtC8Pl6qiGtTmqvaPv9geNE9FNr_x7qAPQ0gOEqiqjVc71vykcvdZUCrOctu6xKS77P78eyvZ16NR96uuQxW98VWNkYOHU6hsCcacqeCAdbrTsSTctYHOoBRVLU_gk2np83mGB/s640/blogger-image--95811591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwg8Uml5LtC8Pl6qiGtTmqvaPv9geNE9FNr_x7qAPQ0gOEqiqjVc71vykcvdZUCrOctu6xKS77P78eyvZ16NR96uuQxW98VWNkYOHU6hsCcacqeCAdbrTsSTctYHOoBRVLU_gk2np83mGB/s640/blogger-image--95811591.jpg" /></a></div>
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Dress: <a href="http://www.shopbop.com/olsen-sequin-top-pleated-charm/vp/v=1/845524441955146.htm?folderID=2534374302168051&fm=other-viewall&colorId=12407" target="_blank">BB Dakota from ShopBop</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg1wUG7rJfwqumqKYCFgsz-qtBVwKiieJcZgqFvHXNzAVnCMvcWCk5d3CF035uKAC6XFPuEB_7dtaT2vU8BDR_nTPTFxoU0m3vaCQnpIKdYpV61NIsHDKdxeYvOWXVWVseKtfu7-rZNTK/s640/blogger-image-996866214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHg1wUG7rJfwqumqKYCFgsz-qtBVwKiieJcZgqFvHXNzAVnCMvcWCk5d3CF035uKAC6XFPuEB_7dtaT2vU8BDR_nTPTFxoU0m3vaCQnpIKdYpV61NIsHDKdxeYvOWXVWVseKtfu7-rZNTK/s640/blogger-image-996866214.jpg" /></a></div>
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Nails: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/OPI-Nail-Lacquer-Apple-Ounce/dp/B0034E103K" target="_blank">OPI Big Apple Red</a>/ Bracelet and Ring: <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/ashleyhaymond" target="_blank">Stella & Dot</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug560GZdijhtkDzLAPKHo-Zvb5s1bWsz9Io9DwXlQsHpdXKW3bhykPf2KUDEHa-fl7jvgD8ZarBM702MrCYTN2zi18tYtSfnZes8UKoBs4v9rPQyoqP4v2shKnyNsyZjm6eLjBsVKirHM/s640/blogger-image--2008416583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhug560GZdijhtkDzLAPKHo-Zvb5s1bWsz9Io9DwXlQsHpdXKW3bhykPf2KUDEHa-fl7jvgD8ZarBM702MrCYTN2zi18tYtSfnZes8UKoBs4v9rPQyoqP4v2shKnyNsyZjm6eLjBsVKirHM/s640/blogger-image--2008416583.jpg" /></a></div>
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Sock bun!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllcYd-PjbK0691zLW2meH3ksfsI6JB25J5vaiK2ChhO0uVdySUFm54vQxNbymAGsUci0c0Ogi9dzEwUsFkVzXrpKGO-GpRvCk4BlvMeBm0EpLGoHcwaflXLJxno8de9gPdpe85x1PXrA2/s640/blogger-image--2068294719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllcYd-PjbK0691zLW2meH3ksfsI6JB25J5vaiK2ChhO0uVdySUFm54vQxNbymAGsUci0c0Ogi9dzEwUsFkVzXrpKGO-GpRvCk4BlvMeBm0EpLGoHcwaflXLJxno8de9gPdpe85x1PXrA2/s640/blogger-image--2068294719.jpg" /></a></div>
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Makeup: <a href="http://tartecosmetics.com/tarte-item-cheek-stain" target="_blank">Tarte Blushing Bride Cheek Stain</a>/ <a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/sun-beam" target="_blank">Benefit Sun Beam Highlighter</a>/ <a href="http://www.sephora.com/blush-P2855" target="_blank">Nars Blush in Orgasm</a>/ Neutrogena Eye Duo Eyeshadow/ Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara/ <a href="http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Lip-Makeup/Lip-Color/Color-Sensational-Lipstain.aspx" target="_blank">Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Stain</a>/ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Urban-Decay-Eyeshadow-Transforming-Potion/dp/B000VXEZYI" target="_blank">Urban Decay Eyeshadow Transforming Potion</a> (awesome- just dip into any shadow to create a liquid liner)/ <a href="http://www.covergirl.com/professional-natural-lash-mascara" target="_blank">CoverGirl Professional Natural Lash Mascara</a> (for eyebrows) </div>
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**By the way, this is A LOT of makeup for me!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMvVb_h3Z9tdM8S7m45yzvMQwIrcImhzcFgvO0EEq3o7miBpYLFETkdojkpvXEzY7ul_0YHoqo7CSAaVynfPnAyv8bWq_IjkpM-vnCGh29jAtxB84baBZSUUTuKolA5xuEr1q0dG1K0QU/s640/blogger-image-598375706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMvVb_h3Z9tdM8S7m45yzvMQwIrcImhzcFgvO0EEq3o7miBpYLFETkdojkpvXEzY7ul_0YHoqo7CSAaVynfPnAyv8bWq_IjkpM-vnCGh29jAtxB84baBZSUUTuKolA5xuEr1q0dG1K0QU/s640/blogger-image-598375706.jpg" /></a></div>
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Tights: <a href="http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=merona+tights&category=0%7CAll%7Cmatchallpartial%7Call+categories" target="_blank">Target</a>/ Heels: J.Crew (old)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Erin's Naughty or Nice Party:</u></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LSr9Pw3BirHpv0hVvZ11T5Nf6nxuNJ2e0kkLFan4eOG7Be62OssSnijraQV4nP1OwEbzk2S3FhfP19uqINH_y1QMD40oRquB3hxQ0irn9VuCk40h09bZJWBa5SFz85eQhWEof_ovjNk1/s640/blogger-image-547920727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LSr9Pw3BirHpv0hVvZ11T5Nf6nxuNJ2e0kkLFan4eOG7Be62OssSnijraQV4nP1OwEbzk2S3FhfP19uqINH_y1QMD40oRquB3hxQ0irn9VuCk40h09bZJWBa5SFz85eQhWEof_ovjNk1/s640/blogger-image-547920727.jpg" /></a></div>
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Top: Calypso (old)/ Jeans: <a href="http://www.citizensofhumanity.com/#!gallery/women" target="_blank">Citizens of Humanity</a>/ Wedges: <a href="http://www.zappos.com/lilly-pulitzer-resort-chic-wedge-golden-metallic" target="_blank">Lilly Pulitzer</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcY01G8OcNQobN98oxxigoLV-6dXDrG2jT9LpSEnkWwRZPUwTAPec2CXRnSQzUgFXrBKbgj-gio25ucCRMvhiorJpJzGoj8yiWTa2j0vhC9XyRWeguqRuiAEK-6yYTa8QyOxiBcUCxCvZh/s640/blogger-image--716428040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcY01G8OcNQobN98oxxigoLV-6dXDrG2jT9LpSEnkWwRZPUwTAPec2CXRnSQzUgFXrBKbgj-gio25ucCRMvhiorJpJzGoj8yiWTa2j0vhC9XyRWeguqRuiAEK-6yYTa8QyOxiBcUCxCvZh/s640/blogger-image--716428040.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjq_kZu3gzRCU1G28lbvc10oEvuuH3kJcmtKQ7C4_D5K4CMq3ef3D-2zRZgjgAiTeQcEbwcNu3cfgm3YPqkwqWRRL7chZPuHOnTNV3dsnoZUUAN3XUApRITPo6xtBtlAVMVVwWJ2B_bJvi/s640/blogger-image-456987682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjq_kZu3gzRCU1G28lbvc10oEvuuH3kJcmtKQ7C4_D5K4CMq3ef3D-2zRZgjgAiTeQcEbwcNu3cfgm3YPqkwqWRRL7chZPuHOnTNV3dsnoZUUAN3XUApRITPo6xtBtlAVMVVwWJ2B_bJvi/s640/blogger-image-456987682.jpg" /></a></div>
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Earrings: <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/ashleyhaymond" target="_blank">Stella & Dot</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaz6IgAD8XP76Mc3dsNbGvFsXTTQMBAONDrXnugTiX4ZnrYevRDpBRejK6KOQH7mEot1iSA5KS5GF-SWvaFZQpfNsQEnK0TAAHfStZvEZdaYIP0R4XE3_b_9V0YCyy6WfurgXO4BOx-ZaH/s640/blogger-image--2052090456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaz6IgAD8XP76Mc3dsNbGvFsXTTQMBAONDrXnugTiX4ZnrYevRDpBRejK6KOQH7mEot1iSA5KS5GF-SWvaFZQpfNsQEnK0TAAHfStZvEZdaYIP0R4XE3_b_9V0YCyy6WfurgXO4BOx-ZaH/s640/blogger-image--2052090456.jpg" /></a></div>
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Makeup: <a href="http://actuallyashleyblogspot.blogspot.com/2012/07/i-love-my.html" target="_blank">Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler</a>/ BareMinerals Cheek Highlighter (used as eyeshadow)/ Clinique Powder Highlighter (old)/ Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara</div>
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Ring and Bracelet: <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/ashleyhaymond" target="_blank">Stella & Dot</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Laura's Christmas Party (in cold Connecticut!):</u></span><br />
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Sweater: J.Crew Cashmere (old)/ Jacket: Michael Kors (old)/ Skirt: J.Crew/ Tights: Spanx/ Boots: <a href="http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Shoes-Boots/Boots.html" target="_blank">Boden</a> (old)</div>
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Here's hoping you had a wonderful, stylish, cozy, loving holiday season. And to think, it's not even over yet! Bring it on, NYE in NYC! </div>
Dressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-45366592208717202412012-10-27T14:55:00.000-04:002012-10-27T14:56:37.628-04:00Falling for autumnIt's been awhile since I've posted. I suppose I've lacked motivation, ideas and time, BUT with an unexpected day off yesterday due to Hurricane Sandy, I find myself with an extra weekend day to do some things I don't find time for on my usual two day weekends.<br />
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So, this will be a bit of a mish-mash, whipped together before the Florida/Georgia football game begins; a few fall scents that I love, a couple of Christmas gifts I picked up (seriously?! I know!) and a few goodies for me, too.<br />
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Technically, fall has been in full swing for just over a month, but here in Florida, we've had one day where we didn't get in the 80's. With Hurricane Sandy moving north, we're supposed to get some cooler air. Hooray!<br />
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When the calendar hits October, there are a few scents that I like to fire up to get me in the autumn-mood. The first is this candle from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thymes-Wildwood-Candle-Brandied-Chestnut/dp/B008UBYWUK" target="_blank">Thymes Wildwood collection- Brandied Pumpkin and Chestnut</a>.<br />
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It's described as "the subtle warmth of brandied pumpkin infused with a cozy, welcoming blend of Madagascar vanilla, cinnamon bark, sweet nutmeg and spicy clove. Timeless amber, sandalwood and patchouli kindle an earthy depth." ANYTHING with sandalwood and patchouli is right up my alley.<br />
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Speaking of...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I2u93-y1E3dXyIJmXVDt5n1nSbJoc3FcgHtyOUkznE7fiqpu5BOJsTclAMj8U6mawXs9dRwavRxOkV8vC85KwUFLPn4tAXacD6PkXVyIYY8db8qudloXzgz6pcBlqqKXH-jLey1-kjH1/s1600/sandalwood-fragrance-set.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3I2u93-y1E3dXyIJmXVDt5n1nSbJoc3FcgHtyOUkznE7fiqpu5BOJsTclAMj8U6mawXs9dRwavRxOkV8vC85KwUFLPn4tAXacD6PkXVyIYY8db8qudloXzgz6pcBlqqKXH-jLey1-kjH1/s400/sandalwood-fragrance-set.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
This is the fragrance I wear on a daily basis. I only use the <a href="http://www.pacificaperfume.com/natural-body-butter/sandalwood-body-butter-tube" target="_blank">lotion</a>, and layer <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Patchouly-Auric-Blends-solid-perfume/dp/B005RF9EC8" target="_blank">this</a> solid patchouli perfume over it.<br />
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It's a heady, warm and not-at-all overpowering combination that gets compliments all the time.<br />
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Ok, on to the Christmas shopping. I am NOT normally one of those people who get all of their holiday shopping done months before the big day, but I was on the J.Crew site today and saw some adorable things that I couldn't pass up. Today is the last day to get an additional 30% off final sale prices at J.Crew- use the code OURTREAT at checkout. I perused the Girls section and picked up a few things for my younger nieces. <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Navigation/Sale/AllProducts/PRDOVR~11393/99102801226/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~180~~20+19~90~~~~~~~/11393.jsp" target="_blank">This</a> for Amelia, <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/girls_category/knitstees/collectibletees/PRDOVR~11419/99102823213/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~0~~20+19~90~~~~~~~/11419.jsp" target="_blank">this</a> for Aydia, and <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/girls_category/knitstees/collectibletees/PRDOVR~97404/99102801161/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~180~~20+19~90~~~~~~~/97404.jsp" target="_blank">this</a> for Caily.<br />
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I did get a couple of things for me, too. I used J.Crew rewards to snag <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/knitstees/shortsleevetees/PRDOVR~30589/ENE~1+2+3+22+4294967294+20~~~0~90~all~mode+matchallany~~~~~striped%20peplum/30589.jsp" target="_blank">this bad boy</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgvF2D_x7ATbovE2C7weI9cLS2DmMG-9rHD8yntI7YlPn8UT4CuBLXi2103h3pWKPYAMW-h0mH-cs-YATykZOYOpFQwak2MQ6KCKC_J9AGgJFOn1_kn6V3BSMWWUF3u4LRMtwfiVRysxH/s1600/void(0)-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgvF2D_x7ATbovE2C7weI9cLS2DmMG-9rHD8yntI7YlPn8UT4CuBLXi2103h3pWKPYAMW-h0mH-cs-YATykZOYOpFQwak2MQ6KCKC_J9AGgJFOn1_kn6V3BSMWWUF3u4LRMtwfiVRysxH/s400/void(0)-3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
And, with the cooler weather coming, I couldn't resist <a href="http://www.clubmonaco.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13265539&cp=12243590.12266442.12454410&ab=ln_women_apparel_sweaters" target="_blank">this cozy sweater</a> from Club Monaco. Plus, a friend was kind enough to pass along her SA-WEET employee discount, which made this ridiculously reasonable.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGInBK5dA06YEQOvygk5Ane-XUx7tYLwA1y45Kd0h7NvoemLiPYSSTdO3daQX0iL7i7seohFbE76BlX-rb2CkjHijOs2OrzdrXpJabGDceWwuQZSJqf3qr-FGyb_KTN93virPfQXHiC1AT/s1600/sweater-club-monaco.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGInBK5dA06YEQOvygk5Ane-XUx7tYLwA1y45Kd0h7NvoemLiPYSSTdO3daQX0iL7i7seohFbE76BlX-rb2CkjHijOs2OrzdrXpJabGDceWwuQZSJqf3qr-FGyb_KTN93virPfQXHiC1AT/s400/sweater-club-monaco.png" width="278" /></a></div>
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So, what about you? What are your go-to fall scents? Have you started any of your holiday shopping? Or find any treats for yourself? Enjoy the rest of the weekend, and GO GATORS!Dressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-34596756603459057152012-09-26T21:40:00.000-04:002012-09-26T21:42:03.668-04:00Kids say the darndest things!A post that incorporates fashion and the funny things kids say into one? Great!<br />
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So this is what I wore to teach in today:<br />
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<a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/?" target="_blank">Old Navy Polka Dot Boatneck Sweater</a> / <a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79765&vid=1&pid=576041&scid=576041032" target="_blank">Old Navy Pop-Color Rockstar Cords</a> / <a href="https://www.rainbowsandals.com/Leathers.aspx" target="_blank">Rainbow Smooth Leather Sandal</a> / <a href="http://www.target.com/p/geneva-gold-round-case-bracelet-watch/-/A-13794967" target="_blank">Target Geneva Gold Round Case Bracelet Watch</a> / <a href="http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/renegade-cluster-bracelets.html" target="_blank">Stella & Dot Gold Renegade Cluster Bracelet</a> / <a href="http://shop.stelladot.com/style/b2c_en_us/shop/earrings/earrings-all/gigi-studs.html" target="_blank">Stella & Dot Black Gigi Studs</a></div>
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And of course, being the magic that is Kindergarten, many of my female students remarked on my clothes or jewelry. But my favorite line of the day came on the playground, from a former student. She ran up, gave me a big hug, and proceeded to say: </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>"Hi Miss Haymond. I like your dalmatian sweater!"</i></b></span></div>
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And you know what? She's right... it DOES look like a dalmatian! And I hadn't even noticed until then. </div>
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Man, I love those kiddos! </div>
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<br />Dressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-55264225292437067242012-09-08T20:56:00.000-04:002012-09-08T20:56:28.726-04:00From the Kitchen: Chicken SoupI'm fully aware that this title alone does not spark excitement. Chicken soup? Pretty basic. And I agree. However, there are a few key ingredients that I add to my version that I think really makes it special. Nothing secret or crazy, just GOOD!<br />
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I made this soup about a week ago at the request of my mom who was feeling a bit under the weather. I'm blogging about it today because I suppose I'm in a bit of a 'cooking mood;' I spent most of the day (before the Gator game) in the kitchen making <a href="http://www.pipandebby.com/pip-ebby/2011/11/18/slow-cooker-cilantro-lime-chicken.html" target="_blank">this</a>, <a href="http://www.tastingtable.com/entry_detail/chefs_recipes/1620" target="_blank">this</a>, and <a href="http://www.showfoodchef.com/2010/09/chocolate-kiwi-popsicles-simple.html" target="_blank">these</a> (do your mouth a favor and click on them... they're all pretty easy and really delicious!).<br />
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So without any more ado, here's my go-to recipe for chicken soup.<br />
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Ingredients: the 'special' ingredients are in <b><i>italics</i></b><br />
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<b>2 whole carrots, peeled and diced</b><br />
<b>half of one sweet onion, diced or sliced thin</b><br />
<b>2 celery stalks, diced</b><br />
<b>2-3 cloves of garlic, minced </b>(sadly, I didn't have any garlic when I made this, but don't skip it if you have any.)<br />
*note- you can use more or less of the veggie to suit your taste. I always use lots of onion; I think it's what gives the broth such a great flavor. I'd personally cut back on the carrots; this particular batch of soup was too sweet for me because I used so many.<br />
<b><i>1 whole lemon (for juicing)</i></b><br />
<b>a scoop of butter or margarine, for sautéing the veggies</b><br />
<b>bouillon cubes or broth/stock- </b>I love these 'fake' chicken ones pictured below purely for the flavor. I would recommend chicken broth only because that's what I use and like the taste of, (and it IS chicken soup, now isn't it?!) but if you prefer veggie broth, that would work too.<br />
<b>6 cups boiling water (to make broth if using bouillon)</b><br />
<b>2 cooked, shredded chicken breasts </b>(or rotisserie chicken)<br />
<b><i>smoked salt</i></b><br />
You can also add any fresh or dried herbs you may have. I didn't this time, but oregano is very quite good.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Notice the vintage chef utensil holder- it was my grandmother's :)</span></div>
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Melt butter or margarine in a large pot over low to medium heat. Dice onion first and get it cooking. The longer these bad boys (slowly) cook, the better. Add the carrots and celery, a pinch of smoked salt and some lemon juice. Sauté for 10 minutes or so, stirring occasionally. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I LOVE this stuff. You can make your own (hey, Martha Stewart!) or just buy it, like I did. I don't notice that it adds a particularly <i>smoked</i> flavor, just a nice, deep, rich saltiness. I use it on almost any savory dish. Be warned; a little bit goes a LONG way!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWEcbEk8qum65gHauaG_FhzZKKQBsPoNREUPFe_pnJslW_9dbZRkX_JoKsuKYm34Hpzqq5yEAbd3mmjEDSigyFa8fkzBP2kmPjcThACVQaL-csAnTYkLR-5q2XWUVqSJfBgqVG1TqUh-1/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkWEcbEk8qum65gHauaG_FhzZKKQBsPoNREUPFe_pnJslW_9dbZRkX_JoKsuKYm34Hpzqq5yEAbd3mmjEDSigyFa8fkzBP2kmPjcThACVQaL-csAnTYkLR-5q2XWUVqSJfBgqVG1TqUh-1/s640/2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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While veggies are softening, boil the water for the bouillon cubes. I heat mine up in a tea kettle. You could probably just add water to the pot and add the bouillon cubes to dissolve in there, but I like to make sure that the cubes are completely dissolved, and therefor I make the broth before adding it.<br />
If you're just using pre-made broth, add that after about 10 minutes or so and let it heat up while the veggies continue to soften.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I stumbled across these at my local <a href="http://jungleorganic.com/" target="_blank">health food store</a> (home of the only veggie burger I've ever liked). I'm not vegan, or even vegetarian, but the flavor is quite awesome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">It ain't so purdy, but it sure is tasty!</span></div>
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When the broth is ready and the veggies are soft (the carrots might still be a bit crunchy), add broth to the pot. Let simmer over medium heat. If you like your carrots on the softer side, cover and let it cook a bit longer. I usually prefer them a tad crisp, but my mom likes them baby-food soft, so this simmered for a good 20 minutes or so. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAcJuXksc2RZUk6bHMIOHxfjimjkty81mPaVmUCjfY6UZkz663JK03pKuQfehYbEL9y62fk8csZk9ZPjOYQD_POJDsE8CDWBYRK3gAQDlk1UE17N-ZkezPxW3AaoN3hgDnZnU3fuGPa2w/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAcJuXksc2RZUk6bHMIOHxfjimjkty81mPaVmUCjfY6UZkz663JK03pKuQfehYbEL9y62fk8csZk9ZPjOYQD_POJDsE8CDWBYRK3gAQDlk1UE17N-ZkezPxW3AaoN3hgDnZnU3fuGPa2w/s640/8.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you're adding chicken, toss it in. I've made this plenty of times without chicken (is it <i>still</i> chicken soup, technically?!) You can also add some noodles if you'd like. I've added egg noodles in the past, but really any will do. I cook them in a separate pan so they don't soak up too much of the broth, then add them with the chicken toward the end. </div>
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Now, I LOVE lemon on just about anything. Really, anything. So I use my handy dandy citrus juicer to add lots of lemony lovin'- a whole lemon, to be exact. If you're not the biggest lemon fan, at least add half a lemon's worth of juice. I promise, it takes the flavor of the entire soup up a notch. </div>
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If you cut the lemon in half and microwave it for 30 seconds or so, you'll get more juice. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIm-jSFT2J1VeEU-fkogc4SNMxdGNwX0X8GC6q2mMIXoVb7AcnOwuIeZ4BEtyvrL7lp9fu_g4u0rcAitWM4Jpa6qln9SwYguonifTsd0icXsfL83CUa8dTcO6pLflRN4zwL5mU0-lQZoS/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAIm-jSFT2J1VeEU-fkogc4SNMxdGNwX0X8GC6q2mMIXoVb7AcnOwuIeZ4BEtyvrL7lp9fu_g4u0rcAitWM4Jpa6qln9SwYguonifTsd0icXsfL83CUa8dTcO6pLflRN4zwL5mU0-lQZoS/s640/10.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Stir and let simmer another minute or two. Taste, and add more smoked salt if necessary (I always do). You could also turn the heat down or off and let sit for another 20 minutes or so, to let the flavors meld. I was hungry and couldn't wait.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes, that's MORE lemon about to be squeezed into the soupy goodness. </span></div>
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Bottom line, there's really no wrong way to make this. As you can tell, my measurements aren't too precise. Play around and find what works for you. This also freezes beautifully- pour serving-sized amounts into zip-top baggies, and lay flat in the freezer. Once frozen, stack them up vertically like books to save space! </div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<b><i><br /></i></b>Dressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-16643918660932992872012-09-03T13:05:00.000-04:002012-09-03T13:06:39.682-04:00Happy Labor Day, Ya'll!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU41609DwQD5A-4wEfsMPIN_8RrU3Bkn2iZmFosp38gcvAERho8jDxrFmnt-CYsvmIZWdjkVVTKpd1h_lizlb5ja3KO6F7BaujHUCuhFde4BUyT1jBwlq7Ao3xQsEVw3QvUXPstvKqXvn-/s1600/Labor+Day.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU41609DwQD5A-4wEfsMPIN_8RrU3Bkn2iZmFosp38gcvAERho8jDxrFmnt-CYsvmIZWdjkVVTKpd1h_lizlb5ja3KO6F7BaujHUCuhFde4BUyT1jBwlq7Ao3xQsEVw3QvUXPstvKqXvn-/s640/Labor+Day.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy Labor Day from sunny Florida. It's still full-on summer here; in fact, I'm thinking of taking a dip in the pool before grilling out this evening.<br />
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To celebrate our hard labor, how about a little online shopping sale? Old Navy is offering 30% off with the code FALLCALLS through midnight tonight. Here are a few things I've got my eye on:<br />
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<a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=58739&pid=286592&vid=1&scid=476876082" target="_blank">Women's Short Sleeved Sweater in Goodnight Nora</a></div>
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(Originally $18, on sale for $12.60 with promo)</div>
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<a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79755&vid=1&pid=329637" target="_blank">Women's Polka-Dot Chambray Shirt</a></div>
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(Originally $24.97, on sale for $17.46 with promo)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaje7LfvUIWkLov0o46clazU1AgroslwOIXvGnGY6DIrxUZmXFz4lRTq9M7HziKLPC_EL_ZyyhYUYAGkeyLTrut0amyMYPSYp8MpZrXF1xua-o59R7ipgKg8Gf7OCpQqmbrKDHKL2h_RiC/s1600/cn5298294.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaje7LfvUIWkLov0o46clazU1AgroslwOIXvGnGY6DIrxUZmXFz4lRTq9M7HziKLPC_EL_ZyyhYUYAGkeyLTrut0amyMYPSYp8MpZrXF1xua-o59R7ipgKg8Gf7OCpQqmbrKDHKL2h_RiC/s400/cn5298294.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79765&vid=1&pid=253887&scid=253887062" target="_blank">Women's Pop-Color Boyfriend Khaki's in Cranberry Coctail</a></div>
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(Originally $28, on sale for $19.60 with promo)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnJ-LgJOsCsivlmOPPwFI0cV0K8DJdtYGRTyog4K3MoZ5OUeXSksN7sKpc95egyTHzrpI_5hl6EEXWjsGlH3zSZkzJyOOdHSHpHJL3VOYXJytgD041E6uMdYKHDnwLlPDdtM9LusdPlIe/s1600/cn5333674.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnJ-LgJOsCsivlmOPPwFI0cV0K8DJdtYGRTyog4K3MoZ5OUeXSksN7sKpc95egyTHzrpI_5hl6EEXWjsGlH3zSZkzJyOOdHSHpHJL3VOYXJytgD041E6uMdYKHDnwLlPDdtM9LusdPlIe/s400/cn5333674.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79765&vid=1&pid=576047&scid=576047022" target="_blank">Women's Perfect-Cord Pencil Skirt in Jute Green</a></div>
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(Originally $29.94, on sale for $20.95 with promo)</div>
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*To be honest, I REALLY wanted this in the mustard yellow color, but it's sold out in all sizes! I might go to my local store to see if they have it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5IMqNDP6sRO3Wl-WrhV8Sj895d67FLVqLjazCE5_gCM6D6ytPatfmvesD3e42BSCqrcD5p7XirAuXTf2Qjllta-Gb_do1ktnFWNQGwDc4DiSHrJY0P7I7_4TsTV9t3XlLZBewgu4AFRM/s1600/cn5333775.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV5IMqNDP6sRO3Wl-WrhV8Sj895d67FLVqLjazCE5_gCM6D6ytPatfmvesD3e42BSCqrcD5p7XirAuXTf2Qjllta-Gb_do1ktnFWNQGwDc4DiSHrJY0P7I7_4TsTV9t3XlLZBewgu4AFRM/s400/cn5333775.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=79750&vid=1&pid=332856&scid=332856002" target="_blank">Women's Striped Color-Blocked Jersey Dress</a></div>
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(Originally $24.94, on sale for $17.46 with promo)</div>
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I'll leave you with a portion of an article titled <u>Making the Leap </u> by Allison Glock from this month's<a href="http://www.southernliving.com/" target="_blank"> Southern Living</a> magazine. It beautifully sums up how those of us below the Mason-Dixon line feel about living in, and returning to, the South. (*Asterisk added by me to the parts that really strike a chord.) Enjoy!</div>
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<i>Moving back south is something Southerners do. Lovers of nostalgia, we are all about the rearview mirror, the greener grass in the yard where we grew up. Since leaving home at 17, I have moved back South eight times in 25 years, departing various Northeastern professional arcadias and supposedly superior dining opportunities for the bleached-linen, biscuit-baking, horsefly-biting landscape of my childhood.</i></div>
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<i>This latest go, I made it all the way from NYC to Tennessee. The relocation was met with more raised eyebrows than the entire cast of every Real Housewives reality show. </i></div>
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<i>"Why?" they all (okay, mostly the New Yorkers) would ask. </i></div>
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<i>I never had a clear answer. *It's impossible to distill atmosphere, to defend a decision made without concrete reasoning. I suppose I could have said, "Because the South, like anything worth knowing, is complicated. *And complexity married to beauty never bores."</i></div>
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<i>But I did not. Usually, I said, "The economy."</i></div>
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<i><b>In truth, I had wants. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>*I wanted to sweat when I climbed into my car.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>*I wanted a place where playdates did not exist and play did.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>I wanted not to be the only woman at the school bake sale who 1)loved coconut and 2) made her own cake.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>*I wanted to garden more than three months a year.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>I wanted my kinds to know the value of manners.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>I wanted to hear birds sing at night and get high on honeysuckle and marvel at the size of magnolias, perched like Easter hats on waxy green heads.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>*I wanted to drink in twangs and drawls.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>I wanted to hear the frenzied jangle of banjos and fiddles.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>I wanted to lay eyes on men wearing overalls and cowboy hats and women with hair teased high as Larry Hagman.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>*I wanted to hug people I just met.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>I wanted to see bugs big enough for saddles. And insolent enough to stick around when the lights come up. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>*I wanted to drive past kudzu, both terrible and beautiful, draping the landscape like living quilts. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>I wanted to suck wild berries and guzzle RC.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>*I wanted to stop agonizing over fried food. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>*I wanted to eat. And eat. And eat. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Most of all, I wanted to raise my children, girls ages 10 and 11, *in my ancestors' geography, where they could ramble barefoot in the sunshine and not fret about being sideswiped by a speeding taxicab. </b></i></div>
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To my dear friends up North, there are many things I treasure and miss about my time there. But parts of this really hit the nail on the head for why Florida is home-sweet-home to me. </div>
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Happy Labor Day, ya'll! </div>
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Dressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-33672641400011566802012-08-30T20:17:00.002-04:002012-08-30T20:17:57.724-04:00Ketchup<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
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Actually, I'm more of a mustard fan. Too bad for my boyfriend who HATES the stuff. But really, this is me catching up on the blog.<br />
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First off, I love seeing these virtual outfit collages that are all the rage on fashion blogs. Most of you know, it's <a href="http://polyvore.com/" target="_blank">polyvore.com</a>. I created this little ditty a few weeks ago; this is what I wore to church and to run Sunday errands in a couple weeks back. No, those aren't my legs.<br />
<a href="http://www.polyvore.com/19.12/set?.embedder=4492346&.svc=blogger&id=56751661"><img alt="8.19.12" border="0" force="1" height="410" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/9Y3bJRW6uvKwlNQqGQyZrw/cid/56751661/id/wn6ldEa-QneNvP8-6Qcy_A/size/c600x410.jpg" title="8.19.12" width="600" /></a></div>
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/19.12/set?.embedder=4492346&.svc=blogger&id=56751661">8.19.12</a> by <a href="http://moxbaby.polyvore.com/?.embedder=4492346&.svc=blogger">moxbaby</a> featuring <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/stella_&_dot_jewelry/shop?brand=Stella+%26+Dot&category_id=60">stella & dot jewelry</a></small><br />
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Switching gears, I just spent a long weekend following <a href="http://phish.com/" target="_blank">this band</a> throughout the South. The boyfriend, myself and a rotating door of good friends saw them at venues from Alabama to North Carolina. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEitEncYs5hNVV9_gqfO56w68RSAEtaP7oF7tFZQm4fQ1jpLxbgK59J5RZly2tUinoR6HVWSZzYzJfk6N4AsGlNalTad2fTwXXz9lvh6tb0FSb6NJK4gB1rh6PwYcd5hREt_lELsqRbYY/s1600/553838_10150987438561290_1782871342_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIEitEncYs5hNVV9_gqfO56w68RSAEtaP7oF7tFZQm4fQ1jpLxbgK59J5RZly2tUinoR6HVWSZzYzJfk6N4AsGlNalTad2fTwXXz9lvh6tb0FSb6NJK4gB1rh6PwYcd5hREt_lELsqRbYY/s400/553838_10150987438561290_1782871342_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">8/24/2012 - Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, Birmingham, AL. Photo by Joshua Timmermans © Phish 2012</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3_faLtBZAi-DCjffQfTpki48rLdNtBCEt0ygFz2vHysR1Qaq-eKxkfmQP2qgzPzL_2hqVWDPr-0BULOJG-7Ixf1MP1QooytCytYAfEkFUJ2EhHmr0bq4eAMiKhGTKDHKQpqROI8ygKmX/s1600/224722_10150989883721290_252770671_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP3_faLtBZAi-DCjffQfTpki48rLdNtBCEt0ygFz2vHysR1Qaq-eKxkfmQP2qgzPzL_2hqVWDPr-0BULOJG-7Ixf1MP1QooytCytYAfEkFUJ2EhHmr0bq4eAMiKhGTKDHKQpqROI8ygKmX/s400/224722_10150989883721290_252770671_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">8/25/2012-Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood, Atlanta, GA. Photo by Josh Timmermans © Phish 2012.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9GMuRbUEjahwYiwvQ_UVu2qhyphenhyphenfoOiJWc-Mcq5brGOd-yZP7dSSE1PUCsl6UFy6M2KnEBn_Od1j8_l1XAFPk2HtaavNS7xCThzBt67zXCAxsg5Jk76ER9zumJ3bv8PKzqYi0j2KbDPf8S/s1600/378346_10150992007801290_1786442926_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9GMuRbUEjahwYiwvQ_UVu2qhyphenhyphenfoOiJWc-Mcq5brGOd-yZP7dSSE1PUCsl6UFy6M2KnEBn_Od1j8_l1XAFPk2HtaavNS7xCThzBt67zXCAxsg5Jk76ER9zumJ3bv8PKzqYi0j2KbDPf8S/s400/378346_10150992007801290_1786442926_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">8/26/2012-VZW Amphitheater, Charlotte, NC. Photo by Josh Timmermans © Phish 2012</span></div>
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We had a blast, complete with a 'party bus' to shuttle us from our downtown Atlanta hotel to the show and back. It was such a treat to be able to hang out in the lot before the show (known as 'pre-gaming' to concert-goers and football fans alike, aka tailgating) with an AIR CONDITIONED bus to sit on! It even had a built-in bar! It was pretty sweet. </div>
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One of my favorite parts of the weekend though was the weather. After the sun went down each night, there was a slight coolness to the air, just enough to remind me that autumn IS actually coming and seasons DO change. Here in Florida, it's a cool morning when the thermometer reads 72 degrees. At least for now. We'll get a handful of *cold* days, but not until January or February. In the meantime, I'll keep wearing my shorts and sandals. Life is good. </div>
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=4492346&.svc=blogger&id=57864230" rel="nofollow">Striped t shirt</a></small><br />
<small>barneys.com</small><br />
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=4492346&.svc=blogger&id=52587204" rel="nofollow">Lilly Pulitzer flat front shorts</a></small><br />
<small>zappos.com</small><br />
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=4492346&.svc=blogger&id=62095854" rel="nofollow">Jack Rogers leather shoes</a></small><br />
<small>piperlime.gap.com</small><br />
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=4492346&.svc=blogger&id=57105972" rel="nofollow">Stella Dot sparkle jewelry</a></small><br />
<small>stelladot.com</small><br />
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=4492346&.svc=blogger&id=43977327" rel="nofollow">Stella dot jewelry</a></small><br />
<small>stelladot.com</small><br />
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<small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=4492346&.svc=blogger&id=60647630" rel="nofollow">Stella dot jewelry</a></small><br />
<small>stelladot.com</small><br />
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Dressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-54591777555001447462012-07-29T21:52:00.000-04:002012-07-30T23:51:55.213-04:00I love my...School's starting up again, and that means less time for sitting around writing clever posts for this here blog. So, I thought I'd start a quick and easy series that I can whip out quickly and easily. Get it?!<br />
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Thus we have:<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">"I love my..."</span><br />
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For those who don't know me too well (or are getting to know me solely through this blog alone), you will at once think I'm vapid, high-maintenance, and prissy.<br />
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And based on this particular post, it seems I am. Yikes.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">(Those of you who DO know me well and say that... I thought we were friends!!)</span><br />
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I might be a tad. I suppose, sometimes. Let's be honest with each other, shall we?<br />
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Whelp, here goes!<br />
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I love my...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBGmoVs9f0D1erQzvF3vPKG3oTQfm7Bf47wipUwebAHbWsmrSJrIsNuO06HMec95AhYt8_n5AhgFcUg9EO2BJFHxHheVgA9zQmtDXLUGKznrinz4sJEyN-G1BCbnsGLqOqEfJ681rxIFa/s1600/ShuEyeCurlerL.jpeg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicBGmoVs9f0D1erQzvF3vPKG3oTQfm7Bf47wipUwebAHbWsmrSJrIsNuO06HMec95AhYt8_n5AhgFcUg9EO2BJFHxHheVgA9zQmtDXLUGKznrinz4sJEyN-G1BCbnsGLqOqEfJ681rxIFa/s400/ShuEyeCurlerL.jpeg" width="350" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.shuuemura-usa.com/_us/_en/accessories/eyelash-curlers/eyelash-curler.htm" target="_blank">Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler</a>!<br />
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There, I said it. Thing is, I recently went away on an impromptu 4-day vaca (story to come) and forgot to pack this bad boy. Man, did I miss it! It's one of those things I didn't realize I <i>loved</i> so much until I was without it.<br />
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That, and this...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaKWFO-ZGtqGCD5UUsIATfp0wB9QtNN3h0tf1R4lgpc709Oo9veWKX_1bsV7F-4nqbLYmT0e8aknJlwqiP2X4xtizvjFvh5m139Z7YW1IwudFn11_nlIdhTZ4MfeVXsCimjR7JZozP1Nt/s1600/maybelline-great-lash-waterproof-mascara.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaKWFO-ZGtqGCD5UUsIATfp0wB9QtNN3h0tf1R4lgpc709Oo9veWKX_1bsV7F-4nqbLYmT0e8aknJlwqiP2X4xtizvjFvh5m139Z7YW1IwudFn11_nlIdhTZ4MfeVXsCimjR7JZozP1Nt/s320/maybelline-great-lash-waterproof-mascara.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=812" target="_blank">Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara in Brownish Black</a>. 'Brownish black' for this blondie and 'waterproof' because I cry a lot.<br />
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Two things I love. <span style="background-color: white;">Please don't judge me too harshly. Thanks. </span><br />
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XO, AshleyDressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-27426116095262579072012-07-17T16:00:00.000-04:002012-07-17T16:00:03.047-04:00Random. Funny. Stuff.I'm fully aware my blog posts can get long-winded <strike>at times</strike> most of the time, so this section will be a way to keep things short and sweet (and funny).<br />
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<u>Exhibit A</u><br />
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I love this clip from the (what seems to be now-defunct) <a href="http://www.cigarettesandcoffee.com/" target="_blank">Cigarettes and Coffee</a> blog. Watch the tourists to the left of the screen. (My good friend Chris Virnig and I had a scarily similar scenario in NYC a few years back...)<br />
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<u>Exhibit 2</u><br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/StealthMountain" target="_blank">StealthMountain on Twitter</a>- this guy (I assume it's a guy?) has an entire Twitter account devoted to finding and correcting people who use the phrase 'sneak peak' instead of the correct 'sneak peek.' Seriously. Click on the link and read his tweets. Made me chuckle.<br />
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<u>Exhibit 3</u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBW_yAxxQhA1czJRdsB3QmtBWqm1ZQo3i9w_S6yXKr8jAklhbr3Vq-PLX6ZOMa6p6zkNp5uMkaL_J4v8QV75Cu_XP-SIo5YXKPPXtO_sciMiivaBP6FcG11tbglBp6gKEXjvSQ_hfx1-I/s1600/+.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCBW_yAxxQhA1czJRdsB3QmtBWqm1ZQo3i9w_S6yXKr8jAklhbr3Vq-PLX6ZOMa6p6zkNp5uMkaL_J4v8QV75Cu_XP-SIo5YXKPPXtO_sciMiivaBP6FcG11tbglBp6gKEXjvSQ_hfx1-I/s320/+.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bacon.<br />
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<u>Exhibit 4</u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWND6luxvG1Ahbrow1oFQgMFcvH57fdufteXG648ErAFmKo8Xm6XCQKk_ZMoCUyx7dlx6pD-gbTE_jV2NGVToX_zDu556H5TQc-DK5U7wcDuj3ChhGRwqaF_b-dsqiuVRLGHoiWGBt9A7/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWND6luxvG1Ahbrow1oFQgMFcvH57fdufteXG648ErAFmKo8Xm6XCQKk_ZMoCUyx7dlx6pD-gbTE_jV2NGVToX_zDu556H5TQc-DK5U7wcDuj3ChhGRwqaF_b-dsqiuVRLGHoiWGBt9A7/s320/image.jpeg" width="238" /></a></div>
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Chris snapped this pic on our local beach a few days ago. Socks on the beach.<br />
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Hope you enjoyed those. I'll be back with more from time to time.Dressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-67596444631455313082012-07-16T21:05:00.002-04:002012-07-16T21:10:42.433-04:00Schools IN for summer!Well here it is, the middle of July, and we here in the Sunshine State (or at least Brevard County) are gearing up for.... wait for it.....<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">BACK-TO-SCHOOL!!!</span></b><br />
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I know, right?! What the...<br />
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As you can tell, I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the idea of early bedtimes and even earlier mornings (for myself; I don't have kids. Except for the 18 or so I have for 8 hours a day from August to May). Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my school and co-workers, and couldn't be happier to have a job lined up doing something I truly enjoy. It's just, ya know, sleeping in and staying up late has kind of become the norm for me this past month and a half. I'm a night owl by nature. But I digress.<br />
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I have a lot of ideas floating around that I want to implement this year (thanks a lot, Pinterest!!), so I'd better get crackin'. I figured I'd blog about it to help myself prioritize and organize my to-do list. These ideas may help some fellow teacher friends-and parents, feel free to take notes. And if you don't fall into either one of those categories... you may want to check back later for a post that is more interesting. :)<br />
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Ok, where to begin...<br />
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<h3>
<u>Things to order</u></h3>
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As many a Kindergarten teacher will tell you, we often make most of the things we need for our kiddos, but there are some instances where time is money, and it's just as easy to order it than buy the supplies and put the time into crafting. For instance:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF6FrOwTj4UPUO1TaDxerfBtdKpuqFXHxoypSfWqcmQ1YwqXET2bGScwXtPQ8qwkE3ai02EgR_m8FK7nhoa7mpzOYtrvTPV1W8OX0P6EU0Btg8Gkd9eLbA6HphY__n_YrKnKqvI45j4j9/s1600/productImages-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF6FrOwTj4UPUO1TaDxerfBtdKpuqFXHxoypSfWqcmQ1YwqXET2bGScwXtPQ8qwkE3ai02EgR_m8FK7nhoa7mpzOYtrvTPV1W8OX0P6EU0Btg8Gkd9eLbA6HphY__n_YrKnKqvI45j4j9/s320/productImages-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/search/results.jsp?bmForm=keyword_search&bmFormID=1342408519582&bmUID=1342408519582&bmIsForm=true&bmPrevTemplate=%2Fshopping_cart%2FviewSavedCart.jsp&bmText=initialSearchTerm&initialSearchTerm=rr741&bmHidden=search&search=10&bmImage=search.x&bmImage=search.y&bmHiddenName=search&bmHiddenIndex=0&bmImage=search&search.x=0&search.y=0&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EsearchFor&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EsearchFor=rr741&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3Epath&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3Epath=%2Fmedia%2Fcontent%2Fsearch&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3Epath&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3Epath=%2FProducts%2FLakeshore&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EobjectTypes&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EobjectTypes=PRODUCT&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EobjectTypes&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EobjectTypes=CONTENT&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EsearchTextOperator&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EsearchTextOperator=and&bmHidden=autocompleteFlag&autocompleteFlag=&bmHidden=ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113" target="_blank">Alphabet picture stickers- Lakeshore Learning</a></td></tr>
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I'll use these during small group literacy instruction as we learn each letter of the alphabet. Students can make a foldable flip book, attach a picture sticker to each page, and write the word below it. We can also use the letter stickers as headings for our 'dictionaries' in the back of our writing folders. We put frequently used words and high frequency words in the dictionaries. (They used to be on our word wall, but we're implementing a new word wall philosophy this year throughout the school. More to come on that later.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBU-m9CK6LUkWcw27NcZBxiobyMP-Z1Ote3UHDjSRi8zax9LishRBdD70qJRW7UsHoN6teSSogoedvvq5MRYwIn2S17YX6nPjkkTGcr4bgNKIkSsJQCF1VUryTG8XNmfEenxPPoXwVrfn/s1600/productImages-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWBU-m9CK6LUkWcw27NcZBxiobyMP-Z1Ote3UHDjSRi8zax9LishRBdD70qJRW7UsHoN6teSSogoedvvq5MRYwIn2S17YX6nPjkkTGcr4bgNKIkSsJQCF1VUryTG8XNmfEenxPPoXwVrfn/s320/productImages-2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/search/results.jsp?bmForm=keyword_search&bmFormID=1342408519582&bmUID=1342408519582&bmIsForm=true&bmPrevTemplate=%2Fshopping_cart%2FviewSavedCart.jsp&bmText=initialSearchTerm&initialSearchTerm=tt804&bmHidden=search&search=10&bmImage=search.x&bmImage=search.y&bmHiddenName=search&bmHiddenIndex=0&bmImage=search&search.x=20&search.y=10&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EsearchFor&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EsearchFor=tt804&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3Epath&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3Epath=%2Fmedia%2Fcontent%2Fsearch&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3Epath&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3Epath=%2FProducts%2FLakeshore&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EobjectTypes&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EobjectTypes=PRODUCT&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EobjectTypes&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EobjectTypes=CONTENT&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EsearchTextOperator&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EsearchTextOperator=and&bmHidden=autocompleteFlag&autocompleteFlag=&bmHidden=ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113" target="_blank">Photo nameplates- Lakeshore Learning</a></td></tr>
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The kids love decorating these to look like themselves. These go into a cup, where I pull a stick when I want someone to give an answer to a question, come up and write on the board, use for random pairings/groupings, and more. (I have to say that when I randomly draw a student name to generate an answer, I always give the student the option of 'passing' and having a turn later. I was one of those kids that HATED being randomly called on by the teacher. If I know the answer and want to share, I'll raise my hand, darn it!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG718HAv6ZEwJ7aA5qAEYnHdCjoVe3bSKPoZL4fjhFa4T9hVN5ipWMOUYOyMjp6m5Q0evrQzVN5kc8YVIgsQn4P7aL-PYm9Z_yot9u2oiVfbW4-O4Q7ynS_Z3-ThN92ovZPve5S8ptIZ6F/s1600/278871401896799212.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG718HAv6ZEwJ7aA5qAEYnHdCjoVe3bSKPoZL4fjhFa4T9hVN5ipWMOUYOyMjp6m5Q0evrQzVN5kc8YVIgsQn4P7aL-PYm9Z_yot9u2oiVfbW4-O4Q7ynS_Z3-ThN92ovZPve5S8ptIZ6F/s1600/278871401896799212.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=1246" target="_blank">Discount School Supply</a></td></tr>
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This bad boy works wonders for the writing center. Guess how many marker caps we lose on a daily basis, or how many markers dry out each week due to said lost caps.?! Come on, just guess! 10? 20? That sounds about right. Money and sanity, down the drain. So this little wooden block with holes in it, and the caps glued in? Genius.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotOvyTS-TkJrJf1D5vmCujomDqesgE0AO6AtGuLVJk35LPE0IxfiGQor10238aiwEizLZIduWRSX9ycMLWm349Emw6HWA18zIikqsb_pRDP9LfQor7ScqrhWS0FCYP6t9VyoXQF_QMmPX/s1600/productImages.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotOvyTS-TkJrJf1D5vmCujomDqesgE0AO6AtGuLVJk35LPE0IxfiGQor10238aiwEizLZIduWRSX9ycMLWm349Emw6HWA18zIikqsb_pRDP9LfQor7ScqrhWS0FCYP6t9VyoXQF_QMmPX/s320/productImages.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/search/results.jsp?bmForm=keyword_search&bmFormID=1342408519582&bmUID=1342408519582&bmIsForm=true&bmPrevTemplate=%2Fshopping_cart%2FviewSavedCart.jsp&bmText=initialSearchTerm&initialSearchTerm=bc557&bmHidden=search&search=10&bmImage=search.x&bmImage=search.y&bmHiddenName=search&bmHiddenIndex=0&bmImage=search&search.x=0&search.y=0&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EsearchFor&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EsearchFor=bc557&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3Epath&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3Epath=%2Fmedia%2Fcontent%2Fsearch&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3Epath&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3Epath=%2FProducts%2FLakeshore&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EobjectTypes&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EobjectTypes=PRODUCT&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EobjectTypes&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EobjectTypes=CONTENT&bmHidden=SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EsearchTextOperator&SEARCH_INPUT%3C%3EsearchTextOperator=and&bmHidden=autocompleteFlag&autocompleteFlag=&bmHidden=ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113" target="_blank">Jumbo people sticks- Lakeshore Learning</a></td></tr>
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Ok, here's a prime example of something I could easily make. I want to use these in the writing center as a 'classroom directory.' The kids love writing each other's names, sending letters, and more. I'll also include a picture of me and my name, although it's quite funny to see how they sound-spell 'Haymond.' :)<br />
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This swell idea came from (another) Ashley over at <a href="http://www.theschoolsupplyaddict.com/1/previous/4.html" target="_blank">The School Supply Addict</a>. The girl's got a million awesome ideas, including this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWI1c0P332YIeE0S043FPM8iC_2BRDgPdcguIagrEY2ghXqQGUapBTnciEAjaBV8_A2iHxt4IvpBInSOcfjTy9RVSrgK0-Oh4dPAWqIMVHzA78zsGjQXiPDd2KT5YB9ne-VNBq5-fOGoG/s1600/278871401896790367.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfWI1c0P332YIeE0S043FPM8iC_2BRDgPdcguIagrEY2ghXqQGUapBTnciEAjaBV8_A2iHxt4IvpBInSOcfjTy9RVSrgK0-Oh4dPAWqIMVHzA78zsGjQXiPDd2KT5YB9ne-VNBq5-fOGoG/s1600/278871401896790367.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theschoolsupplyaddict.com/index.html" target="_blank">School Supply Addict</a></td></tr>
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Use tape to section off an area for construction and block building. This gives the students some boundaries and keeps block creations (I'm looking at you, race car tracks!) from stretching into the quiet reading and writing areas. This also allows the option for students to keep their creations up and add to them later. Along with this, I want to organize my blocks a bit- same size/shape blocks in baskets, etc. (This is only the tip of my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anal_retentiveness" target="_blank">anal retentiveness</a> iceberg you are sure to notice the longer you read my blog. Consider yourself warned.) </div>
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<h3>
<u>Rubrics to create</u></h3>
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She has another brilliant idea, which leads me into this next section. Let me begin by saying that photograph rubrics in primary grades are really spectacular; the children love starring in them, and they are great for developing pre-reading skills and decoding. I have used them to show our daily schedule, classroom rules and class jobs for many years. Here are some other wonderful uses:</div>
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First off is a photo rubric for how to line up and how to transition to our seats for seat-work. I might implement one for circle time too. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZwnTUWkDATUpvnWlbtzpUJ33vi25ezyo2U01ohW_a3xxXP5Gtuuf1zKiJbN7fwEw0LXTuVlIAOSsKJQqelZwXJEuTEqPdRKkV8YHGgbbitFy681uUi7y7G8SSg_6N9DsITCcmxZECOM1/s1600/278871401896790234.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZwnTUWkDATUpvnWlbtzpUJ33vi25ezyo2U01ohW_a3xxXP5Gtuuf1zKiJbN7fwEw0LXTuVlIAOSsKJQqelZwXJEuTEqPdRKkV8YHGgbbitFy681uUi7y7G8SSg_6N9DsITCcmxZECOM1/s320/278871401896790234.jpeg" width="164" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.theschoolsupplyaddict.com/1/previous/3.html" target="_blank">School Supply Addict</a></td></tr>
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Short of going into a very detailed description here (you can click the link above and read for yourself- and as a bonus, she uses the term 'hot mess' in her explanation!), it's basically photos of the students demonstrating how our line would look if we lined up with a rating of 1 (chaos) to a 5 (pretty darn perfect.) One of the best parts about this is having the kids act out the chaos scene. It's amazing how just letting them get the 'naughty' way out of their system can encourage them to follow directions from then on out... </div>
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Speaking of behavior modifications, there's always the trusty clip chart. I like this particular model:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1txzBJ6SmRKUuZsNnJgK5yPXsiDYiSu4pH7RC0H6x7wtPkFvxKeoOnLUla5EdSCEHuDfiOLAOp7zIH-CHGWv9jvi-v3tg2Wfvl2aTjl5LUr1RL7kOzpQliUvS3pi3_gnkeeTVmBaV-ImK/s1600/278871401896583581.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1txzBJ6SmRKUuZsNnJgK5yPXsiDYiSu4pH7RC0H6x7wtPkFvxKeoOnLUla5EdSCEHuDfiOLAOp7zIH-CHGWv9jvi-v3tg2Wfvl2aTjl5LUr1RL7kOzpQliUvS3pi3_gnkeeTVmBaV-ImK/s1600/278871401896583581.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://clutterfreeclassroom.blogspot.com/search/label/setting%20up%20your%20classroom%20series" target="_blank">Clutter Free Classroom</a></td></tr>
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I especially like the option of kids being able to move up throughout the day. For some children, if they clip down to a warning color (and don't have the option to clip up), they figure they're s.o.l. anyway and mights as well really go crazy! I also like the idea of assigning numbers to students, and having numbers on the clips; this way, when a visitor or parent comes into the classroom, it's not glaringly obvious that little Jonny is yet again having a crappy day and has already moved his clip to orange by 9:00 a.m. Read more details by clicking on the link under the picture.<br />
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This is a great visual for knowing what kind of voice/noise level we are allowed for different activities:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2xRX-cPbndMH25e1ao6s47tiKHq4TcQQ7m9LlQx0xydPPmk5Wy_2SjBZOuvEoJyj073RiE-4m4SRGq6HkwjoKrCk4QlDJxqDQNBXZNzAYW3KUX66WHEjwoYF4NjbuZstJdbN6JLfwbS_/s1600/278871401895876576.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2xRX-cPbndMH25e1ao6s47tiKHq4TcQQ7m9LlQx0xydPPmk5Wy_2SjBZOuvEoJyj073RiE-4m4SRGq6HkwjoKrCk4QlDJxqDQNBXZNzAYW3KUX66WHEjwoYF4NjbuZstJdbN6JLfwbS_/s1600/278871401895876576.jpeg" /></a></div>
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This will be helpful for answering the many questions that inevitably come after giving out an assignment:</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ5d3UT3eHSVc0IMCOKr_4I_KYL5Q1HS7CA4_qX51bx5soJmBMQ-4gL152AhXbw5JA6uViLUlstST7lsq1T7gUL41IXtNRC8ZMOvhZ5kSt-uwu5tDotI9b1wx8rk9EkMpBa_CqXsbXCka/s1600/278871401896659638.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZ5d3UT3eHSVc0IMCOKr_4I_KYL5Q1HS7CA4_qX51bx5soJmBMQ-4gL152AhXbw5JA6uViLUlstST7lsq1T7gUL41IXtNRC8ZMOvhZ5kSt-uwu5tDotI9b1wx8rk9EkMpBa_CqXsbXCka/s1600/278871401896659638.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://firstgradeglitterandgiggles.blogspot.com/2011/09/classroom-management.html" target="_blank">First Grade Glitter and Giggles</a></td></tr>
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Simply place a check next to what is allowed, and an 'X' next to what isn't. It's the little things that keep you sane...<br />
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Speaking of insanity, here's a writing rubric that would come in handy not only for students' references, but also for my assessment:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP7l7atj7VvnQAyLK1DAJxbsGzjFYsuosT2YHUhzn6zGCP1u22fa72yGfQq5XgyOhMo84C9pTyf8WoYs8L6eBjk_ZzEOSSWu-0AdAwzMQNbTiEI0xWCMozVwCE038bj6MlANowibRPsK8/s1600/278871401896344295.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifP7l7atj7VvnQAyLK1DAJxbsGzjFYsuosT2YHUhzn6zGCP1u22fa72yGfQq5XgyOhMo84C9pTyf8WoYs8L6eBjk_ZzEOSSWu-0AdAwzMQNbTiEI0xWCMozVwCE038bj6MlANowibRPsK8/s320/278871401896344295.jpeg" width="106" /></a></div>
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Now, don't shoot the messenger. I know it's ludicrous that we're asking 5-year-olds to be able to produce writing samples like these (at least the Level 4). What's worse, we have to mark them 'below grade level' when they're not demonstrating a specific level. Now, I'm not going to go into <a href="http://www.naeyc.org/DAP/" target="_blank">developmentally appropriate practices</a> and what-not in this post, but I will say that I do NOT agree with many of the standards our district is asking our babies to meet. At this age the brain is still developing and learning through meaningful play. Not to say we shouldn't raise the bar or have high expectations, because some kids can and will master this writing thing just fine at age 5. It's just not fair for the ones who aren't there yet, because more likely than not, they'll get there in their own sweet time. </div>
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ANYWAY- this writing rubric is pretty nifty, all things considered. </div>
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Alright, I suppose I should end this post now and continue it another time. I still have A LOT to share and prepare! </div>
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Instead of ending on a sour note (unrealistic district standards?!?), I'll link you to a wonderful school in Connecticut where I really learned the value of developmentally appropriate practices. Thanks for the memories, <a href="http://www.fivemilerivernurseryschool.com/" target="_blank">Five Mile River Nursery School</a>! I wouldn't be anywhere <i>near</i> the teacher I am today if it weren't for my experience teaching with you all.<br />
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"No play,<br />
No learning.<br />
Know play,<br />
Know learning." - <a href="http://www.playbasedlearning.com.au/about/" target="_blank">Irresistible Ideas for Play-based Learning</a><br />
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</div>Dressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3270799259807082272.post-87435183898537984662012-07-11T23:48:00.001-04:002012-07-30T23:55:33.486-04:00Take the highway to the great divide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok, I've taken the leap. The first step.<br />
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I've been toying with the idea of entering the bloggosphere for some time now, and after a recent trip (and some shameless stalking of other blogs I admire), I've decided to just go for it.<br />
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Do I find this highly narcissistic? Yes. And that's okay.<br />
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So without much ado, here is my first post.<br />
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What prompted me to take the plunge, you might ask? It was my recent trip to New York City actually...<br />
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This was purely a shopping venture, as well as an opportunity to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the Big Apple. I have to make it into the city at least once whenever I'm visiting family in Connecticut. I took the train in from New Canaan to Grand Central and hopped on the 6 downtown to <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/calypso-au-marche-new-york-2" target="_blank">Calypso Au Marche</a>, the <a href="http://www.calypsostbarth.com/" target="_blank">Calypso</a> outlet in SoHo. I always manage to find great deals there. This time I picked up a blush sequined top, a romantic lace cardigan, and a few drapey tanks and tees for <a href="http://www.fluidity.com/?key=fbk" target="_blank">Fluidity</a> class (more about Fluidity in posts to come.) Everything was at least half price, with an additional 40% off! If you're ever in NYC, make a point to find this little hole-in-the-wall gem, then follow it up with lunch at <a href="http://www.springstreetnatural.com/restaurant.php" target="_blank">Spring Street Natural</a>. I had the Smoked Turkey Breast sandwich with St. Andre cheese, lingonberry preserves and arugula on 7-grain bread, served with Terra vegetable chips and baby greens and an iced herbal tea. The subway runs right underneath the restaurant and I loved feeling it rumble by below every few minutes.<br />
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I headed down the block to <a href="http://www.madewell.com/" target="_blank">Madewell</a> where I picked up a few of their classic tees, 2 for $30 (originally $19.50 each). I got this bright green version as well as black, white and navy. These will be great to wear to teach in with some cute pants and a few <a href="http://www.stelladot.com/sites/ashleyhaymond" target="_blank">Stella & Dot</a> accessories.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.madewell.com/fsi/server?type=image&source=images/MWeiec/37/37866/37866_GR6466.tif&width=393&height=393&effects=sharpen(50)&quality=85&profile=jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://images.madewell.com/fsi/server?type=image&source=images/MWeiec/37/37866/37866_GR6466.tif&width=393&height=393&effects=sharpen(50)&quality=85&profile=jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madewell <a href="http://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/TEESTANKS/shortsleeve/PRDOVR~37866/37866.jsp" target="_blank">V neck pocket tee</a></td></tr>
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After riding the subway back uptown, I got off at 77th and Lexington and walked a few blocks to the <a href="http://lillypulitzer.com/" target="_blank">Lilly Pulitzer</a> Madison Avenue store. This is a beautiful shop and always has the best sales. I got a navy polo, a few shift dresses for my nieces (their first Lilly!), and one of the new agendas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/sugartown/l00426_azaleapinkmayflowers?hei=557&fmt=jpeg&qlt=80,0&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.8,0.5" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s7d1.scene7.com/is/image/sugartown/l00426_azaleapinkmayflowers?hei=557&fmt=jpeg&qlt=80,0&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.8,0.5" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lilly Pulitzer 2013 Monthly Planner in <a href="http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/Home-Gifts/Agendas/entity/pc/73/c/219/4078.uts?swatchName=Lillys+Pink+Dirty+Shirley" target="_blank">Azelea Pink May Flowers</a></td></tr>
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After that it was on to one of the main reasons for coming into the city, a trip to the only State-side location of <a href="http://www.laduree.fr/fr/scene" target="_blank">Laduree</a>. Now, I'm not a huge macaron aficionado; in fact, I'd never really had one until this visit (and don't confuse macaroons with macarons; the former is a coconutty, sweet southern confection while the latter is a crisp, chewy cake-like cookie in candy colors.) These lived up to all the hype. They're flown over from Paris daily! There's usually a line, but I lucked out and was waited on within 5 minutes. I splurged and got a box of 15 (to share with my mom and have a few to bring home to Florida). We tried chocolate, pistachio, raspberry, lemon, lemon lime, coffee, rose water, orange blossom, salted caramel and my favorite, blackcurrant and violet. Look at these beauties!<br />
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<a href="http://www.laduree.fr/_data/produits/12954464152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.laduree.fr/_data/produits/12954464152.jpg" width="165" /></a></div>
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By then I was sweltering (it was in the 90's... in the city!) so I hopped the subway down to 51st Street and walked a few blocks up 5th Avenue to <a href="http://www.henribendel.com/" target="_blank">Henri Bendel</a>. They too were having a sale; I picked up a cute wet bikini bag and a jewelry roll in their signature brown and white stripe.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAaoAvKFNY7JbrioeMkqyplhRi-dHWZYO8qb_E-HtVbxcABFaAi50wLIiBAyB-YkwZe75YaY44HjTuMSUIBbOe_jr-eb7yDEEUDcCHH8lU3p1PUdKKW1kmvCmwEaEGZOisfO0EV0koPpk/s1600/Product-Showpid.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAaoAvKFNY7JbrioeMkqyplhRi-dHWZYO8qb_E-HtVbxcABFaAi50wLIiBAyB-YkwZe75YaY44HjTuMSUIBbOe_jr-eb7yDEEUDcCHH8lU3p1PUdKKW1kmvCmwEaEGZOisfO0EV0koPpk/s200/Product-Showpid.jpeg" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.henribendel.com/BENDEL-GIRL-BIKINI-BAG/222141,default,pd.html?dwvar_222141_color=6366&start=22&cgid=shop_sale" target="_blank">Henri Bendel wet bikini bag</a></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZn_uAG2Q6SAviz2QJkKgaThmlx1aG3gXi3uqgk5JXyNiTYo9ITJCKiYMGuKIMbyOW4y4Wna_RLw48sq0XM6aQkMt-8YxjTGW923IrgDkup8VjiUSCcRAIwax_HrKVEqne3-QKh5IiUHG/s1600/Product-Showpid-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZn_uAG2Q6SAviz2QJkKgaThmlx1aG3gXi3uqgk5JXyNiTYo9ITJCKiYMGuKIMbyOW4y4Wna_RLw48sq0XM6aQkMt-8YxjTGW923IrgDkup8VjiUSCcRAIwax_HrKVEqne3-QKh5IiUHG/s200/Product-Showpid-1.jpeg" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.henribendel.com/Brown-White-Stripe-Jewelry-Roll/139022,default,pd.html?dwvar_139022_color=6366&start=3&q=jewelry%20roll" target="_blank">Henri Bendel jewelry roll (similar to mine)</a><br />
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I originally went to try on a pair of <a href="http://www.tkees.com/" target="_blank">Tkees</a>; unfortunately, they didn't fit. The 7 was just too short, and the 8 was too wide across the top. That's okay; it's a great store for wandering. I love the open staircase in the rear that leads up to the perfume area. On the second floor, at the front of the shop are some wonderful etched glass windows that pre-date World War I. It's a very high-class store but isn't stuffy at all, no pushy sales people, very enjoyable. I didn't realize their room sprays were on sale, or I would have picked up a few of those too. I got hooked on Henri Bendel when I burned a Fig candle of theirs years ago; the white pepper is also a favorite.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNJGA7TCTTph80mI6V91ilAviKrjtdx1MyzJie08eRQlCbb4EX3TWkKq1bNoW23S4RDLX5awwSkAnZ2jFqPfe3FQvbMqyEaJYfTF9I6u6BpevVSz4B6LYp__6iIkP6dacvkOoKMpyhZ6l/s1600/Product-Showpid.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNJGA7TCTTph80mI6V91ilAviKrjtdx1MyzJie08eRQlCbb4EX3TWkKq1bNoW23S4RDLX5awwSkAnZ2jFqPfe3FQvbMqyEaJYfTF9I6u6BpevVSz4B6LYp__6iIkP6dacvkOoKMpyhZ6l/s200/Product-Showpid.jpeg" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.henribendel.com/Henri-Bendel-Fig-Room-Perfume/215409,default,pd.html?dwvar_215409_color=6366&start=92&cgid=shop_sale" target="_blank">Henri Bendel room spray</a> on sale for $15!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqMMs72kp2cDsGqU1HQGgMsHb0Qs8pwZ2Er4OtuiPyALccoSPkJDrvq4JQQHvd9RKfT2-X0ojqpSqXStQ85NSYrhar8QoHKs0O6LH-N1eCMvdqx8RvbEb0wpRdt-r2Nn3f1uYtL_kB2JF/s1600/Product-Showpid-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqMMs72kp2cDsGqU1HQGgMsHb0Qs8pwZ2Er4OtuiPyALccoSPkJDrvq4JQQHvd9RKfT2-X0ojqpSqXStQ85NSYrhar8QoHKs0O6LH-N1eCMvdqx8RvbEb0wpRdt-r2Nn3f1uYtL_kB2JF/s200/Product-Showpid-1.jpeg" width="170" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.henribendel.com/White-Pepper-Signature-9.4-oz-Candle/214190,default,pd.html?dwvar_214190_color=6366&start=3&q=white%20pepper" target="_blank">Henri Bendel candle</a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Finally I made my way to the </span><a href="http://www.algonquinhotel.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Algonquin Hotel</a><span style="background-color: white;"> for a cocktail in the infamous Lounge. This was the home-base for the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algonquin_Round_Table" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Algonquin Round Table</a><span style="background-color: white;">, a celebrated group of New York City writers, actors and critics during the 1920's. I'm particularly obsessed with </span><a href="http://www.dorothyparker.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Dorothy Parker</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and her witty poetry. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Algonquin_Round_Table.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Algonquin_Round_Table.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Members of the Algonquin Round Table, or <a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Algonquin_Round_Table.gif" target="_blank">"The Vicious Circle."</a></td></tr>
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I make it a point to come here every time I'm in the city to sit in one of the overstuffed chairs, people watch, and pretend I'm back in the glamorous 1920's. I had a Grey Goose martini and the Dorothy Parker mini burgers, read a bit of the New York Times, listened in to other people's conversations, and capped off a wonderful day in the city.<br />
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Well, that's it. My first post. FUN! I'll try to be more concise as time goes by; I just had a lot to share! Thanks for reading. I'll leave you with this bit of wisdom from the one and only Dorothy Parker:<br />
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"I like to have a martini,<br />
Two at the very most.<br />
After three I'm under the table;<br />
After four I'm under my host."<br />
- Dorothy Parker, <i>The Collected Dorothy Parker</i><br />
<br />Dressing for Disneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09993860891904646737noreply@blogger.com0