Lookbook: Casual Friday

{Shirt: Jcrew, Pants: Gap, Shoes: Target, Jewlery: H&M, Fossil}

Please excuse the crap that is these photos (and the mess that is Mikes apartment). Its my attempt to take semi-decent photos with an auto-timer, before dark on my iPhone. End result = craptastic. But you get the point. Friday was all about comfy and casual for me, especially since I was still feeling under the weather. These Gap pants are probably the first pair of pants I've owned in god knows how long that haven't fallen down throughout the day (pants and I don't agree), so obviously they will now be in heavy rotation. Now if only I can find a solid pair of jeans...

Laser Tag, Water Balloons, Tree Climbing, Oh My!

I adore my little cousins. They live up in Massachusetts, so I only get to see them every other year (every year if I'm lucky). And boy, do they grow up at light speed (hello cliche). They have only ever come to our house once before, since we usually go up for Christmas, but this year my cousin and aunt decided to bring the girls down for their spring break so they could go to D.C. and Gettysburg. My sister even came home for the weekend that they were here. While it was a super fun few days, it was also super exhausting. Who knew kids were little ball of energy? I would go to work while the girls went on their day trips, and when I came home it was "Amber time", which meant it was my turn to entertain the girls to give their mom a break.  I also learned that sharing a bed with kids is in no way comfortable and may be the worst night sleep in a long time (it also may leave you with the cold you've been dodging all winter). 

But all in all, the laser tag, arcade games, snow cones, water balloon fights, tree climbing, nail salon time and snuggle time made their brief trip all the more special. I'm really going to miss those buggers  now that they're gone :/

Lookbook: Easter Sunday

{Sweater: Old Navy, Tank: Jason Wu for Target, 

Shorts: DIY American Eagle, Tights: Walmart, Boots: Kohls}

Ever seen someone else wear something you typically steer away from and have instant envy over their ability to pull it off? That happens to me...like all the time. And after seeing this and this, that envy only grew. So instead of sticking to my usual "i'd look ridiculous if I tried it" approach, I gave myself a quick pep talk, busted out one of my moms old scarves and bam! up on my head she went. And you know what? She's gunna be hanging out up there a lot more this summer I'd say (even if my friend LeAnn will only refer to me as Rainbow when I wear it). 

And what Easter would be complete without a walk with my big puppy and some family photos?

Book Review: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Have any of you read this book? My good friends Meaghan and Mari recommended it because they adore it, but honestly, it took me foorreeevveerr to finish; I could not for the life of me get into it. It revolves around a young boy searching the five Burroughs of New York City in search of the owner of a mysterious key his late father had hidden before he passed in the 9/11 plane crash. The story touches upon the new dynamic between himself and his mother after the death of his dad and also the relationship between his grandmother, himself and his grandfather, who the boy has never met. There are a lot of stories all mixed in between the main narration, which proved difficult to follow, at least for me. It wasn't until more than halfway through the book that the narration clicked and I was able to follow who was speaking at what times. I really enjoyed the end of the book, but it was a long road to get to that point. If you want my honest opinion, I don't think I will be recommending this book to anyone anytime soon (sorry Mari and Meaghan!). 

In my opinion:

Fire Pits and Swinging Men

After the whole wrecked car situation, I was totally in the dumps. And who wouldn't be, honestly, after having their precious baby towed and estimated for thousands in repairs. But also, my car = my life**. Ask anyone; I'm almost never home and often travel hundreds of miles on any given weekend. Its not easy for me to live at home again after four years on my own, living right down the street from my friends. Yes, saving some serious cash is a perk, but at the same time, it takes an emotional toll on me that a price sticker doesn't reflect and having to break plans to stick around in one spot for numerous weekends makes me cranky and anxious. 

With that said, I had originally planned on seeing Mike the weekend after said accident and since I wasn't exactly going to walk to PA, I had to find alternative plans. Luckly, my good friend Rachel asked me to go out and since she offered to be the DD, I was in! One call to Meaghan and we were in line at Powerplant Live! in Baltimore. I hadn't been to Powerplant since this back in September so it was fun to shake my money maker at a different bar in another area of Baltimore other than Fed Hill (seen here and here). I'm not going to lie, after dancing my little booty off on the back of a booth in the VIP section and taking free shots straight into my mouth by the bartender, I may or may not have gotten some festive beads from a military man in a cowboy hat because my shirt may or may not have been see through (and by that I mean I definitely did and it definitely was). Crazy night, but well worth it. I'm getting really excited for bar hopping this summer all over Baltimore with my favorite people. 

**P.S. I am super appreciative of my dad who let me take is car to work every day and was okay with that forcing him to work longer hours than he normally does. 

Lookbook: Sweet Steals

{Dress: Old Navy, Shoes: Target, Sweater: Old Navy, 

Belt: Forever 21, Tights: Unknown, Jewelry: Forever 21, Fossil}

I hit up Old Navy last week and got some sweet steals in the clearance and sale sections. I originally went in to get the  colored shorts I had seen in the sale circular because 1. I need new shorts and 2. colored shorts are sweet, but sadly I did not find those or the sandals I coveted. So instead I settled on this sweater and dress instead (along with a few other goodies obviously). Still a win in my book I'd say. And I gotta admit, I couldn't have been more comfortable at work. I love casual outfits that don't include yoga pants, sweat pants or no pants. 

Hockey Love

I love hockey. 

I'm not a huge sports watcher. I have the attention span of a fly, so when football, etc. takes 1.34 million breaks and time-outs, I lose interest. Hockey however, hockey is a difference story. Its quick, easy to follow and violent (plus the serve cotton candy. win!). The makings of a top notch sport in my eyes. Mike and I went on a date with my friends Matt and Ashley to the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins game. We started out with Goldstein's, then hit the rink for the game and finished the night with drinks at a local bar (root beer for me while beer for Mike. I'm a sucker for root beer in the bottle.). My only problem with the night? The mascot got far too close for comfort. Mascots made my list of fears. Do not enter my personal space you could be pedophile disguised as a lovable animal of gigantic proportions dressed like a human. Kids may love you, but that's only because they/their parents haven't started watching to catch a predator. 

{the fights are my favorite part}

Lookbook: New Shoes

Top: The Limited, Jeans: Target, Shoes: Zara, Jewelry: Fossil, Forever 21

I got new shoes from Zara and I'm in love. Obviously I had to wear them immediately, even if only to a lonely office. I'm a natural born hater of feet but with these beauties, I've converted. So what if they're 4" stilletos? Love is non-discriminatory. I also finally busted out my leopard jeans. My boss didn't say anything about my outfit so I take that to mean I don't belong on the Real Housewives of New Jersey. Score!