The Apple House

This weekend, D and I made a last minute trip to see his grandparents in Harrisonburg, VA. At first, I was a little stressed about the overnight trip given how much we have going on right now, but I am glad we did. The leaves on the trees of the Shenandoah Valley are just starting to turn, and it was a fun, peaceful drive to Harrisonburg. D's grandparents were really happy to see us, even for such a quick trip, AND...

On the way home, we stopped in Linden, Virgina at the famed, Apple House. The Apple House doesn't look like much from the outside, but the lines inside let you know that they are serving up something good! The apple doughnuts are to die for! D and I had to get some and some apple butter while we were at it.

I loved this t-shirt!

This is a glimpse into our bag of hot, apple doughnuts! Lordy me! I am going to need some Weight Watchers Wednesday help!!

Easy Like Sunday Morning

My sister came to visit this weekend, and we had a blissful time doing absolutely nothing. We watched fun shows, ate wonderful foods, and got caught up! Although I love weekend trips and travel, staying at home and really enjoying the weekends really makes the work week easier. Also, I am developing a Sunday morning ritual that I look forward to all week.

Last weekend, when I walked out of the house on Sunday, I noticed a nice, fat Sunday newspaper sitting on our doorstep. I was delighted, but assumed it was a mistake and belonged to a neighbor. It turned out D ordered the Sunday Washington Post for us to enjoy every weekend! I am so excited to have the Travel, Style, Arts sections as well as all of the great Sunday coupons!!

Also, I am perfecting the art of making a great cup of coffee! I start out with a strong cup of joe; I like Emeril’s Big Easy Roast. Then, I heat and froth some milk with sugar or splenda. I have discovered this handy gadget from Williams Sonoma, and it has made coffee time so much more fun!! I know it is silly and frivolous, but it works like a dream, producing creamy, frothy coffee or cocoa…also a great gift for the coffee lover in your life!

Slatkin and Co.

There is a Slatkin & Co. candle sale going on now at Bath and Body Works! I know I have waxed poetic before about my favorite, the Vanilla Coconut candle, and now it is time to stock up! I might even branch out and get the autumn-ish Spiced Cider to get us in the proper mood for fall. I think these are some of the best mid-priced candles out there; the scents are surprisingly sophisticated and they really make an impact when you burn them! Although I favored the original packaging more, they are a good value (especially on sale!)

They make very good gifts as well. My father-in-law, a man of few words, couldn’t stop raving about the Slatkin candle I gave him! It was very cute; who knew all it takes is a candle to get “good daughter-in-law” points!

TGIF, Seriously Ya'll!

This has been a very busy and hectic week, and I am so glad its Friday! Things are (understandably) a little tense in D.C., and I think a relaxing weekend is just what the doctor ordered! I hope everyone gets a chance to put their feet up, sip a glass of wine or hot cider, and just do nothing for awhile this weekend!

A few fun things going on!

1) D surprised me yesterday with a Blackberry! Apparently, Verizon called him and offered us a free phone upgrade so he took them up on the offer! I spent 45 minutes last night just trying to figure out how to change the ringer, but I will get the hang of it! It is really amazing: camera, email, video, calendar, and my personal favorite, the voice recorder! My only disappointment is that there don’t seem to be a lot of cute blackberry cases. Kate Spade, Coach, Burberry, I am talking to you!! If anyone knows of any cute cases or sleeves for the blackberry curve, please share!

2) The folks at Hearst magazines just launched a food and entertaining website called Delish.com. I have been perusing it and it seems to have some great ideas and recipes! Of course, I love any website that has a recipe category called, “30 minutes or less”…
3) I am on a search for some flat black boots for fall. I saw these in InStyle, but I want to look around. This is my one and only mission for the weekend!

Have a wonderful Friday and weekend!

Gift Giving Ideas

I apologize for being so negligent in my blogging; it was a crazy week at work and home, but it is finally over and I can relax! D and I are getting ready to celebrate our one-year anniversary, and I am so excited!

However, I wanted to share something quick in case anyone else loves it too! I frequently peruse the Pottery Barn clearance section for good gift giving ideas. I have found some gems, and I think their items are good quality. Check out my most recent find, the Polka Dot Cosmetic Bag, for $14.99! This is the perfect foundation for a cute gift.

Fill it with your favorite products and some other goodies like gourmet chocolates (my favorite are Chocolate Love Bars because the wrapper is a classic love poem!). Finish it off with a grosgrain ribbon bow in a coordinating color and it is a great mother’s day, bridesmaid, or birthday gift!

Banana Republic Sale

To celebrate their 30th anniversary, Banana Republic is having a 30% off sale and free shipping today only! Just enter "HAPPY30" at checkout.

Alas, I had a little too much fun shopping at Loehmann's yesterday, so I really need to resist the urge to take advantage of this coupon. But I wanted to share so other ladies could shop for the both of us!

Have a great day!

Retro Inspiration

Although I am loath to mention anything political on this blog, I have to point you to this great observation by Blogdorf Goodman about the presidential candidates wives' recent fashion choices, and how these smart, savvy women appear to be channeling Mad Men! That's right, what do Cindy McCain, Michelle Obama and the AMC Channel all have in common? A great eye for fashion, retro-style!

I have already posted about the amazing fashions on this show, and I think that anyone watching can't help but be inspired. Check out my most recent purchase, a Michael Kors Swing Coat which also came with a matching sheath dress. I couldn't help it; the retro-looking jacquard fabric and ladylike coat were too much to resist!

I seem to be seeing more 1950's-inspired styles everywhere (see the adorable Kate Spade Fall Ad above). The classics have returned, and I could not be happier!

A Happy Surprise

When I got home from work today, I was greeted by the new O At Home magazine waiting in the mailbox. Because it is a quarterly magazine, it is always a special treat when I get a new one.

A short feature in the magazine’s home accessories section caught my eye, because if you are like me, you haven’t really considered shopping at JCPenny for house wares. I was shocked to see these cute monogrammed table linens and bath sets at such fantastic prices! I am going to start taking a second look at JCP.com from here on out; its looks like a good place to buy useable items or gifts on a budget. There is also free shipping on orders of over $49 right now.

The standout are these 100% cotton, hemstitched, monogrammed napkins – 6 for $15. What a great shower gift or part of a gift basket!

Also, this Chris Madden Egyptian cotton 6-piece towel set is only $31.99 and can be monogrammed a dozen different ways!

And Speaking of Tiffany...

While I was in Philly, I popped into the downtown Tiffany and Co and picked up some cologne for D. Tiffany for Men Sport Cologne smells so good, and I knew D wanted some after he ran out of his bottle over a year ago. Tiffany's original cologne also smells good, but the "sport" version is a lot fresher and lighter, better for a younger man I think.

When D came home from golfing yesterday, he had a beautiful little blue bag sitting on his side of the bed! I know I should have waited to give it to him for our anniversary, but I knew he was going to smell SO good, so I couldn't wait!

Gold Metal Beauty

In the spirit of the Olympics, I would like to recognize a few beauty products in my life that deserve gold metals. These products are truly outstanding and can always be counted on to deliver an amazing performance! I read a post similar to this on a beauty blog, and it was fun to think of my favorite beauty "performers."
First up, I love Bare Minerals make up, and recently I discovered that their skin treatment line is also quite good. This blemish treatment kit is perfect for stressful flair-ups and seems to really work overnight!
I would never believe that a drugstore hair product could work so well on my dry hair. Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask deserves extra points for being accessible and affordable!


I had a signature scent, this would be it. Not a lot of fragrances smell good on me, but Coco Mademoiselle always does. It just “works.”

I honestly don’t leave the house without a brush of Prescriptives Pressed Powder Leaves in Royale Radiance. This product just gives the perfect amount of color. It is more sun-kissed on me than rosy, but my best friend is paler and uses the Rose Radiance and loves it too!

What are your “gold metal” beauty secrets?

Peaceful Pieces

I know this is last minute, but my sister let me know that Satya Jewelry is having an online sample sale. I have been to this boutique in New York, and their jewelry is so pretty. I love the simple stones and metals, combined with symbols to bring luck and love!

I don’t usually go for gold jewelry, but I found myself ordering a three pendant necklace with one of the symbols being a lotus flower. Here is what the website said about the lotus, “The lotus flower embodies infinite potential, symbolizing new beginnings.” Sounds perfect for a newlywed!

Have a great day!

I Love Tar-jay

Kappa Prep tipped me off to the great sale at Target, and I found a few things that I had to have. I have been working to clean out my closet, and I discovered that I needed a few new skirts and blouses for work. You can imagine my delight when I discovered these little beauties for amazing prices on Target.com!


Isaac Mizrahi Ebony Marigold Skirt - $12.49



Isaac Mizrahi French Cream Show Boat Blouse - $16.09
Isaac Mizrahi Silver Wing Georgia Kate Skirt - $14.99

One More Thing

Also, I don't want to forget about "lounge-around" accessories. I love this monogrammed sleep mask from the Palm Gifts in the pink and brown damask.

Comfort or Beauty … or Both?

I am definitely a creature of comfort. I will suffer a little for beauty, but for the most part, I just love to be comfortable. Some of my favorite things to bum around the house in are bathrobes. I have white spa robes, fluffy marshmallow robes, and even a gorgeous pink Vera Wang robe.

However, I have noticed that D has never been too keen on my love of robes, and recently I discovered why. When we were on vacation with his family, I noticed something interesting. My mother-in-law lives in robes too! And some of the ones she likes to spend time in are strikingly similar to mine…oh dear.

I haven’t even been married a year, so it is too early to start reminding my husband of his mother. I spent the weekend looking for alternative “loungewear,” something both comfy and cute, and I think there are some great possibilities out there. I love pajama and loungewear “sets.” Also, there are some gorgeous fabrics being used. What are your favorite "comfort clothes?"

Victoria's Secret "Mayfair" Pajamas, comfortable but girly.

Gap Body has these "softwear" lounge clothes that look very comfy.

Shag: The Movie

D and I are headed to Myrtle Beach with his family for a week-long beach vacation. I am really excited to get away because work has been wearing me down this past week. I haven't been to Myrtle Beach before, so the extent of my knowledge about the town is from one of my favorate movies, Shag! I have a feeling things won't be the same as in the movie, but I can dream! I might have to start calling D, "Buzz" and practicing my dance moves!