Yet Another Christmas on the West Coast

We very much enjoyed our trip home this Christmas. Here are just some of the highlights from our trip:

 

The Schaffer/Hoppins Cousins (minus Mateo)

 

Christmas Night Out Tradition

 

Joe's Surprise 30th Birthday Party

 

 

The Holiday's can be busy and this vacation was no exception. We had dinner dates, lunch dates, birthdays, and just about every other minute of our vacation was planned. Even though we slept less than ten hours the entire vacation we would do it again in a second.

 

 

We are so glad we got to see almost everyone and spend sometime catching up. :)

 

I hope everyone had an enjoyable and safe Holiday Season.



Holiday Travel: JetBlue Review

As most of you know I am a huge fan of Delta Airlines and try to fly with them each and every time I fly. Holiday travel can be extremely expensive and this year we were looking at having to fly into the west coast on Christmas morning to save some money. Fortunately I found reasonably priced

flight with JetBlue that would land us in San Jose (direct flight) on Christmas Eve. I've only heard good things about JetBlue so I was curious to see how the trip would unfold. (after I got past the frustration that we would not be receiving 3x the miles because we were not flying with Delta) To my shock I quickly learned that this is an airline my husband and I will be avoiding at all costs. The JetBlue terminal is extremely organized and security is a five minute ordeal. Other than that this airline left a lot to be desired. I understand that when you book cheaper airlines you lose amenities but I was not aware this airline was in that category. They provided no "food for purchase" on board but only offered snack boxes. Very strange for a 6+ hour flight. All the entertainment they offered had to be purchased and you had to watch it starting 20 minutes into the flight or it would be unavailable. All blankets, pillows, and headsets were an extra fee. (Delta provides these for free) Overall it was a decent travel experience but I felt like the airline was attempting to nickel and dime us the entire trip just to make an extra buck. So long JetBlue this couple will remain with Delta.

Bookshelf Update

To keep on the theme of books I thought I would share a picture of our ever growing bookshelf. (If this does not interest you I understand) Joe and I started acquiring books from our favorite but expensive used bookstore Strand in New York City. We got lucky a couple of times at our library when they were trying to get rid of inventory. Sense I began to work in New York City I started to venture out to explore what was located in my neighborhood. I found a bookstore a couple blocks from my office and took Joe to explore the next day. Book Off (my new go to) has a huge selection of dollar books and most of the time they have a five books for three dollars sale. Needless to say our bookshelf is growing at a rapid rate.

May 2012 

February 2013

January 2014

50 Book Pledge 2013: I DID IT!

I finished my 50 Book Pledge by the skin of my teeth. (The day before Christmas to be exact) I won't bore you with a review of every book I read in 2013 but I will share with you my 50 book list along with my rating 1-5 stars:

- - -

5 Stars:

Still Alice

My Sister's Keeper

Catch Me If You Can: The True Story Of A Real Fake

Fifty Shades of Grey (Fifty Shades, #1)

Safe Haven

4 Stars:

Little Earthquakes

Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood

Gone Girl

Can You Keep a Secret?

Sutton

Eat, Pray, Love

Drinking and Tweeting and Other Brandi Blunders

Defending Jacob

Evening News: A Novel

Silver Girl

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2)

Confessions of a Shopaholic (Shopaholic, #1)

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan (Shopaholic, #2)

Shopaholic Ties the Knot (Shopaholic, #3)

Multiple Bles8ings: Surviving to Thriving with Twins and Sextuplets

My Story

3 Stars:

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

The Paris Wife

Bet Me

Love and Other Natural Disasters

Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Have a Little Faith: a True Story

Fat Girl: A True Story

Her Best Friend's Brother

Capital Girls (Capital Girls, #1)

A Deep Dark Secret

Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women's Prison

Secrets and Lies (Capital Girls, #2)

Letters From Home

The Rules of Inheritance

Dirty Secret: A Daughter Comes Clean About Her Mother's Compulsive Hoarding

Me Before You

The Au Pairs (The Au Pairs, #1)

The Cinderella Pact

2 Stars:

The Secret Life of Bees

The Twelve Tribes of Hattie

The Time Keeper

A Wedding in Great Neck

Playing House

Post Grad

Just Let Me Lie Down: Necessary Terms for the Half-Insane Working Mom

Mothers and Other Liars

1 Star:

I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman

Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year

- - -

I notice that the more I read the harder the rate the books. In 2014 I have made a goal to read 75 books lets see what I can do!

Stitch Fix Review - January 2014

So if your a blogger I am sure you have seen the Stitch Fix wave across all your favorite blogs. For those of you that have never heard of Stitch Fix let me explain: Stitch Fix is a professional styling service that won't break the bank (unless you want it to.) You can create an account and fill out a style profile for free. When you decide to order a "fix" they charge a $20 styling fee. They will mail you five items from up and coming designers in the price range you request. They also give you the opportunity to ask for certain items, ex: jeans, party dress, winter coat, etc. You receive these items right to your door so you can take your time to try them on a decide what you want to keep. Then you just send the items you don't want back in the prepaid envelope they provide. From there you complete a simple checkout on their website to pay for the items you decided to keep. It's as easy as 1 - 2 - 3!  The main things that I love about this service is that they offer free shipping each way AND the $20 styling fee you pay when you order your "fix" is applied to anything you purchase from the shipment. If you keep all five items in your "fix" you receive 25% off your entire shipment. Upon checkout you are asked a million questions about each item to get a better sense of your taste/style/budget/size to improve future shipments. It is a great way to expand your style and try something new.

I cannot explain to you how fun it was to get this cute little package delivered to my office in the middle of a work day. I did hold off a couple of hours before I ripped it open.

Stitch Fix January 2014 First Peak!

Inside the box Stitch Fix includes a styling card for each clothing item.

This was my packing slip and at first look I was shocked at the total amount of the shipment. I now know that they tend to push your price range to the limit. I have sense lowered my price range for any future shipments. Side Note: One of the items listed as $106 my packing slip was actually $78 at checkout. Lets get to the fun part:

- - - 

Daniel Rainn Bilson Silk Pleat Tabsleeve Blouse - $78.00:

Anyone who knows me knows that I am bargain hunter so if I am going to buy something at retail price I have to love it. I do like this shirt but I don't love it for $78.

Verdict: Returned

LA MADE Antonio Geo Print Toggle Closure Cardigan - $78.00:

I 'd like to start off by saying this is not my style at all. As an adding bonus the pockets of this cardigan sit right on my hips so it makes me look wide... But it was comfy!

Verdict: Returned

Amour Vert Alessandro Solid Silk Henley Blouse - $116.00:

 Love the color but really $116?

 Verdict: Returned

Kut From The Kloth Izzy Brocade Floral Print Skinny Jean - $88.00:

In all the pictures above I am wearing these skinny jeans. I absolutely love these because they are different but not crazy. It's also a plus that they are the softest jeans ever!

I would have never picked these out in the store but I am in love.
Verdict: Kept!

Emperia Brennan Studded Dome Bag - $52.00: 

I was almost in love with this bag but two things were holding me back. The bag is large, has a strange shape and...

It's too similar to the bag I am currently using.
Verdict: Returned

 All in all it was a fun experience and I would do it again. Stitch Fix requests so many details about the returns and reviews of the shipments so they can compile the information and zone in on your personal style/taste/size. I have trust that the shipments will get better and better.

If your interested in checking it out: CLICK HERE

Goodbye 2013

2013 Wrap-Up Quiz

1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
Started a job in New York City
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I did keep my resolution to stress less but I still need to work on keeping up with my work out routine. This year I hope to start eating healthier.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Actually, no
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thank goodness.
5. What countries did you visit?
Aruba :)
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you didn't have in 2013?
Nothing that comes to mind that I would like to have
7. What dates from 2013 will be etched upon your memory, and why?
September - Our 2nd Honeymoon
8. What was your biggest achievement of this year?
Graduating on the Deans List with my baby degree (2 yr degree)
9. What was your biggest failure?
Giving up on my company and moving onto bigger and better
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Knife cut - Only took two months to heal
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Airline tickets to surprise my parents for their 60th
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
One of my best friends Mallory is the most amazing, generous, selfless person ever
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I am not going to waste time thinking about the negative in 2013 ;)
14. Where did most of your money go?
Commuting to work!
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going home for the Holidays meant the world to me. <-- Same answer as 2012
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
What does the Fox Say
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: A) happier or sadder? B) thinner or fatter? C) richer or poorer?
A) HAPPIER
B) Was thinner now the same
C) Poorer... thanks to commuting to the new job
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Decorating our apartment. <-- Same answer as 2012
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Worrying about other people and not putting myself first
20. How did you spend Christmas?
In CA with all our friends and family.  <-- Same answer as 2012
21. Did you fall in love with 2013?
Nope... still in love. <-- Same answer as 2012
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Anything that airs during the winter, we spend more time in the house
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I am not going to waste time thinking about the negative in 2013 ;)
24. What was the best book you read?
50 Shades of Grey I know thats horrible but I LOVED it!
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
None
26. What did you want and get?
I wanted a new job and I got one that I LOVE. <-- Same answer as 2012... but bigger and better
27. What did you want and not get?
I wanted to purchase a home... but that is in the future. <-- Same answer as 2012
28. What was your favorite film of 2013?
2nd movie of Hunger Games
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Turned 27 and didn't have a great birthday but I made the best of it
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A home of our own. <-- Same answer as 2012
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept of 2013?
Classic/Glam but I am working on expanding my style
32. What kept you sane?
Reading! I read a total of 50 books in 2013!
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
Again, no comment
34. Who did you miss?
My friends and family in CA
35. Who was the best new person you met?
New Co-workers
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Life is too short! <-- Same answer as 2012

Happy Holidays

It's that time of year again when I need to sign off for a couple weeks. Joe and I have a lot of exciting things planned for the upcoming Holidays and I cannot wait for it to get started. Check back in a couple of weeks to see how our Holidays unfolded.

Until then...