...me some Friday

I'm so excited for the weekend! Guys - I'm going to work hard to get some new cards up on the i simply love etsy shop, so I hope you like them! 

Here are some things I'm obsessed with this week...

PJs  //  stamps  //  lipstick  //  organize

...Giving Tuesday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have both stressed me out and I avoided most shopping this weekend (especially the crowds). But this year, Tuesday has been assigned a monicker and I think I can get behind it! Giving Tuesday - to kickstart the holiday giving season and - in theory - give back with the money you just saved in all the crazy sales!

Recently, I've been trying to be better about donating some money when I find something I'm passionate about. I read this article about service dogs helping war veterans recover and was so moved I donated some money right then.

Glamour does a feature about 31 Days of Giving in their magazine and I was thinking about hanging the article up at my desk and trying to donate a small sum to a couple charities a week. Here's the link to the online article: Glamour's 31 Day's of Giving

And finally - Giving Tuesday's official site - check it out and find something you're passionate about. Seriously, $5 isn't too little!

...Ashley's Lifechangers!

Ashley is one-half the photographer duo known as Jen + Ashley, a sorority sister of mine, and cute little blogger. Read below for her sweet lifechangers...

1. My husband Jeremy. He keeps me grounded, keeps me sane, and pushes me to dream bigger. I would never be where I am right now without him...and he's pretty funny. :)

2. My iPhone 5. Yes, I know it's silly to consider a phone a lifechanger, but it is. I use my phone for so many things, and even use photography apps that help with my weddings like the Sunset/Sunrise app, that tells you on any given day what the sunrise and sunset will be. Super helpful when planning start times for sessions since my goal is to shoot either at sunrise or sunset! 

3. My business partner Jen. She is, in many ways, my total opposite, but one of my best friends nonetheless. It's been absolutely amazing having someone to share this crazy journey into photography with and I truly couldn't ask for a better partner. People always ask if we ever wish we were going it "alone" and the answer is always NO WAY. 

4. Starbucks iced grande skinny caramel macchiatos. Enough said. 

5. My dogs Riley + Cooper. They are my co-workers since I work from home, my constant source of entertainment and definitely my "children". 

6. Bic blue pens. The really cheap ones. Like the $5 for a box of 20 ones. I've been using them since I was in high school and have ever since. I just love them and the way they write. Except for the time I got a box of duds. Literally only two pens worked in the whole box!

7. My Macbook Pro. It allows us to do same day slideshows at our weddings, which has been one of best (and most fun) marketing tools. 

8. My parents. They raised me to be independent and never scared of chasing my dreams, and always allowed me to take the path less chosen. I have no doubt I am in the photography world today because of them. 

9. Essie Nail Polish. I'm obsessed. I change my nail color at least once a week, and Essie is by far my favorite polish! The colors are the best!

10. Wine. I definitely couldn't live without wine. :)

Here's a little bio of her photography business:

Jen + Ashley are a two-woman wedding photographer team specializing in modern, fresh, and timeless wedding images. Ashley loves sprinkles, the color mint, living audaciously and dancing to The Wobble on wedding days. Jen is a persian cat collector, out eats all her guy friends, watches a mean game of tennis, and knows just as much about her car as she does her camera!

 

Image credits:  1  //  2  //  3  //  4  //  5  //  6  //  7  //  9  //  10

...Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving my little readers! I'm headed up to NYC to hang out with my brother (who has to work Wednesday and Friday so couldn't come home), then we're going back to Charlottesville and cooking a real Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday! Hope you are all with the ones you love!

image credit

...Homestead Farm

A couple weeks ago I went apple picking here (they were out of apples so it turned into pumpkin patching) and fell in love with the farm! It was so charming - they sell treats and produce grown there, have apple trees, a pumpkin patch, and are opening their Christmas tree stash on November 23! I am making Casey go back with me so we can pick out a cute little tree for my apartment. 

I highly recommend it as a little afternoon outing!

...chalkboard wall

I reeaalllyyy want a chalkboard wall in my apartment. Do or don't?

1  //  2

...my birthday!

My 26th birthday started off with my boyfriend fixing my sink for me before I woke up. Sooo romantic (but really, it was awesome because I've just been hoping it would magically fix itself for a couple weeks...).

I went to Crafty Bastards - an awesome craft fair held at Union Market - with my friends and treated myself to some cute crafty things (highly recommend, put it on your radar for next year!).

The I was whisked away by this handsome gentleman to a s'mores picnic. S'mores + picnics = 2 of my favorite things EVER.

We had dinner at Birch and Barley, and after I was surprised by my friends and brother and got my dance on!

Cupcakes for breakfast the next morning. I wasn't sad about it.

Thanks for all the birthday love! 

...Alisa's Lifechangers!

Today I am bringing you my little Alisa's lifechangers! I have know her since high school and we definitely bond over a love of good products and clothing. When we lived together after college I would constantly go shopping in her closet - the girl has some great style. Enjoy!

1. Clinique All About Eyes - I live by this stuff.  I have a jar in my bathroom, my purse, my school bag...I put it on every morning and every night and it definitely makes me look at least slightly less sleep deprived :)

2. It's a 10 Leave-In Product - I use this every time I get out of the shower.  Not only is it a great detangler, it also does tons of other fabulous stuff for your hair so you don't have to use 10 products at once...hence the name!

3. Chloe Eau de Parfum - My go to perfume.  Not too strong, not too weak.  Smells luxurious!

4. J.Crew Stretch Denim Jacket - I've worn this WAAAAY too much already, but seriously it goes with everything. And it's adorable.  The 90s called, and jean jackets are BACK! lolz.

5. Talenti Gelato - OMG NOM.  The most nom in the world.  Mediterranean Mint and Caramel Cookie Crunch are my faves.  Usually I just mechanically shovel food in my mouth (#ladylike), but I savor talenti gelato because it is beyond delicious.

6. Rent the Runway - I'm a 3rd year in law school and we randomly have tons of cocktail parties to go to.  It's really fun, but let's be real - I cannot buy a new cocktail dress every week, and I can't be photographed wearing the same Tibi dress to every event.  Because I am a celebrity.  And Lexington, VA is the equivalent of Los Angeles.  And Facebook is People Magazine. JK but seriously - this website is the best.  I smack myself every day for not thinking of this.  You can rent awesome designer dresses for $50-$300.  I've rented several times.  You can rent two sizes just in case one doesn't fit, and you can rent an additional dress at the same price for $25.  If nothing fits, they give you a store credit.  The dresses are always in perfect condition (the company cleans everything on their own), and the website is full of reviews and pictures of real people wearing the dresses.  Try it out for your next event!

7. Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristoff & Sheryl WuDunn - Okay, now for the real stuff.  This book is about the oppression of women and girls in the developing world.  The thesis is essentially that if we educate women, the world will be a better place.  Simple message, but incredibly powerful piece of writing.  I've read it 4 times.  Get it NOW!

8. Funny women - Tina Fey & Amy Poeller - Seriously, these women are the sh*t.  It's super cheesy, but seeing intelligent, funny women succeed is the biggest motivator in the world. I'm religious about watching 30 Rock and Parks and Rec - not only because it's funny and brilliant and entertaining, but it's also inspirational seeing awesome ladies like Tina and Amy (who star in, write, and produce these shows) win at LIFE!

9. Google Docs - If you haven't used google docs yet, get out from under that rock and create a file!  It's actually called google "drive" now (wtf?).  In the top bar of your gmail, click on "Drive" and you'll be able to open any kind of document (word, excel, etc.) and share it with others.  You can edit it, they can edit it, you can create surveys...it's awesome.  This is hugely helpful for school work or planning events. 

10. Doodle  - Best website ever for scheduling events.  I was in a bridal party recently and had to corral 8 women for bridal showers, luncheons, bachelorette parties, etc.  Create a survey at doodle.com with your own dates and times and send the link to your friends if you ever need to meet with a big group or make a decision with a bunch of friends. 

1  //  2  //  3  //  4  //  5  //  6  //  7  //  8  //  9  //  10

...occupy Sandy

This is super cool and creative:

The Occupy Wall Street guys set up a volunteer system to help victims who lost everything in Hurricane Sandy.

They are taking donations through the Amazon registry so they can ask for exactly what they need. How smart is that?

Go here to donate!

And if you have time, browse through the incredible images on the NYTimes website, where I found the one below.

...voting!

I may or may not be rocking some patriotic colors tomorrow, getting to the polls when they open, and watching the results come in at a bar on Capitol Hill. Now, everyone go vote!

...apple cinnamon french toast

Good morning!

I went apple picking on Saturday (more on that later) and of course came home with millions of apples. Monday morning when I was off work due to Sandy I wanted a warm, indulgent, yet healthy breakfast. So I made some apple cinnamon french toast!

It was easy - 

I cut up 2 apples into cubes, threw a tablespoon of butter into a saucepan and sprinkled cinnamon on top. I let those cook on medium heat while I did everything else, probably about 20 minutes.

For 6 slices of wheat bread I mixed 2 eggs and about 1/2 cup of milk. I like a lot of cinnamon so I went heavy on that, probably at least a tablespoon, just sprinkle in whatever amount you like!

After dipping the bread in the egg mixture and frying it on either side, I topped it with the cinnamon apples and some (or a lot) maple syrup!

Enjoy!