All The Dots

In my current work environment, I could show up to work in leggings or jeans everyday and not get a second look from my co-workers or supervisors. That practice is not something that I find to be acceptable especially, on an everyday basis. Most days, I keep it professional meaning a nice shirt, non-denim or non-spandex bottom, and probably a blazer or cardigan. Some days the combinations of mundane raiments are next level. Maybe it's the just the former "outfit of the day blogger" in me but, when an exceptional pairing happens it needs to be memorialized! This ensemble was inspired by the amazing shoes which I picked up on super clearance at a nearby outlet mall. While they are comfortable and could be worn everyday they are unique and don't go with everything in my wardrobe. The "one of a kind" finds often are but, I digress... While a solid colored dress or jumpsuit would be an obvious and mediocre choice I wanted to put together an ensemble that was as amazing as these shoes are.When considering items that I could pair together I ended up with a plethora of polka dots that worked perfectly, in my opinion.

• Top: Glad-Zooks! Bees Top, ModCloth; black and white tweed blazer, Ann Taylor
• Bottom: black pencil skirt with pockets, Old Navy 
• Shoes & Accessories: black and white polka dot pumps, Jason Wu; pearl earrings, Macys; 

I'm linking up with What I Wore, Watcha Wearing Wednesday, Style Me Wednesday

Mize En Place

On average weekday do you cook dinner? I'm sure you do now because, you are a master meal planner... While meal planning can be a great way to  save time, keeps stress about what's for dinner to a minimum there is one component of cooking all that time that take more time that you realize. I'm talking all the chopping, slicing, and measuring that happens before any real cooking takes place.

This isn't a challenge for every recipe but, for new ones, ones that have a numerous amount of different ingredients, or large volumes of the same ingredient it can take more time than you think to prep everything. That is where mize en place comes in. What's that? It's a French culinary term which refers to the set up required before cooking AKA the organizing and arranging the ingredients that a cook will require for the meal they are preparing. While I am far from a professional chef it helps me when I am cooking a meal in the evening to have sliced, chopped, and measured things in advance. Most of the time that means incorporating meal prep into my morning routine which while seemingly cumbersome can make a world of different when I get home after a day of work and the last thing I want to do is spend fifteen(+) minutes slicing two pounds of  brussel sprouts of whatever is on the menu for the evening. Remember, I said you wouldn't like me when I'm hangry...

Warrior Pose, Chaturanga, Glasses Fail?

Do you wear glasses? Cool, me too. Do you do Yoga? Yup, me too, we're practically twins. That being said I'm sure you have felt my struggle... I wear glasses everyday (I'm quite myopic) unless there is some sort of special occasion. Despite that, yoga is one of my favorite ways to stretch my body out and build core strength in my ab (that's right singular) but, I digress... It's really the absolute best thing to have your glasses fall of your face because you are in downward dog said no one ever. I've tried to take my glasses off during class and just let the sound of the teacher's voice lead me through my flow but, that's doesn't always work especially when they use terms that I am not familiar with. I've also tried to tie my hair up tightly and cram my glasses in the pulled back hair but, that isn't very effective plus it gives me a headache. I googled "yoga glasses" for some solutions and came up with these Stay Puts which are removable rubber ear hooks to keep your glasses on which have better than average reviews but, before I shelled out money (I am still a frugal person after all) I wanted to try something so stupid simple it just might work... a sweatband. That's right, a straight out of the 80's sweatband. Let me just tell you, success! I put it on, tucked my glasses in, and did inversions for days... give it a try in your next class or private flow and let me know how it goes!

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on May 5, 2016 at 2:14am PDT

Meal Planning 101

On average weekday do you cook dinner? I do; it is cost effective, great if you have a sensitive tummy or dietary restrictions, and delicious (if I do say so myself!) Unfortunately, it can also be time-consuming. There are a few solutions to mitigate that issue, one of which is having an idea of what your meals are going to look like in advance. Yes, it is possible to know what you are going to eat every night of the week before the week starts. No, this isn't psychic magic I am talking about, I am talking about meal planning. It is something that saves me time, keeps me from stressing over what's for dinner or ordering take out all the time, and ensures that I stay focused when I'm at the grocery store instead of picking up seven that pint of Ben and Jerry's. Normally I like to do this part of my routine on a Thursday or Friday when the grocery stores are rolling out circulars for the following week.  After you have gone through the below steps you will have an idea of what your dinners will look like for the following week and enjoy worrying about other things like what show on your DVR to start bingeing on after dinner.

• Get a notebook/journal/legal pad/napkin basically anywhere you can write your meal plan down. I have a notebook where I write my meal plan for the week on one side and on the other side my grocery list but, you do you. 
• Look at your weekly schedule for the following week. What are the nights that you are going to be home and have a chance to cook? What are the nights when you have plans and will be otherwise indisposed? What are the nights when all you plan to do is eat ice cream leftovers or order out?
• For the days when you will be home and able to cook there are few places to look for meal inspiration based on what you find in the below sources think about 5/6 meals that you can cobble together in a reasonably quick time frame. Personally, if I have to spend more that 45 minutes prepping/cooking a meal after coming home from work I have become a hangry monster and you won't like me when I'm hangry. Check:
• Your Pantry/Fridge - What kind of shelf stable things do you have lying around? Is there an interesting spice blend or marinade that you want to give a try? 
• Weekly Circulars - What kind of produce is on sale? Are there any interesting that you have been wanting to try at home but, haven't gotten a chance to? This might be the perfect opportunity to do so?  
• Pinterest/Cookbooks - Once you start cooking meals regularly it is very easy to fall into a routine which will get old quickly. Spice things up (figuratively and perhaps literally) and try something new every once in a while.

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Dec 29, 2013 at 4:48pm PST

Nambé at Macy's

Recognized for its award-winning designs for more than 60 years, Nambé’s commitment to timeless beauty, artistic integrity, and uncompromising quality is evident in the brand’s collection of serveware, barware, home décor and gift items. I'm sure you've seen them and might not have even realized! Nambé collaborates with the world’s most esteemed designers to develop products that bring function and style into the home. From The British Museum in London to the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Nambé pieces are exhibited in renowned galleries around the world. What to do after you have already achieved such accolades? Well, keep going... Nambé is now partnering with Macys  to bring a stylish, sophisticated line of necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings to you. Working with designer Carolyn Pollack (pictured below) they are offering a line of timeless and unique accessories (also pictured below) that were created with the stylish woman in mind. Even better, everything from the line is made here in America, New Mexico to be exact. Most importantly, all the items for Nambé at Macys will be available at a reasonable price especially considering the quality, luxury, and design aesthetic that goes into each piece.

Photo credit: Kent Miller Studios for Macy’s Inc.

Photo credit: Kent Miller Studios for Macy’s Inc.

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Oct 18, 2016 at 6:25pm PDT

Photo Credit: Kent Miller Studios for Macy’s Inc.

Getting (Back) Into A Routine

This might come as a huge surprise but, routine is a big part of what makes my daily life function at peak efficiency. Shocker, I know... While I don't have every moment accounted for there are things I do at certain points in the day and on certain days of the week that help everything to flow without hiccups. For example, we all know about how critical mornings are but, I digress... That being said, when things get off track with my normal routine, however regimented it is or isn't,  there are immediate and sometimes inescapable ripples that taint the overall order of operations in my everyday life. Those effects can be difficult to overcome for a number of reasons both logistical and emotional; "How am I going to fit this back into my schedule?" "How did I left myself get out of this habit?" "I'm the worst..." I feel like you might know what I'm talking about. When that happens what are your tricks for getting back to your routine? Well, when I find myself in that situation, as I have before, the only thing there is to do is get back to it. Rudimentary? Yes. True? Also, yes! While it can be challenging, to say the least, to accomplish a return to previously established routines or habits successfully, the process can be easier if you approach it strategically.

• Simplify - What exactly are you trying to achieve? While there might be books you want to read, blog posts you want to write, languages you want to learn, events you want to go to, gym classes you want to stomp, culinary masterpieces you want to add to your repertoire, etc. you have to be realistic about what you can commit to and hone in on the things that are of highest priority. Don't overwhelm yourself trying to do it all, add new goals gradually as you accomplish others. 

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Jul 27, 2012 at 12:49pm PDT

• Be Patient - Let's be real. It takes (on average) 30 days of doing the same thing repeatedly to form a habit. In order to stick with your routine you have to be gentle with yourself. Remind yourself that you are still in the process of learning/getting better at whatever you are working towards. Don't expect everything to happen overnight and if takes longer that you expect that's okay. 
• Reward - Do you remember when you were younger and got rewarded for good behavior? Well it's time to treat yourself like a kid and give yourself a pat on the back; treat yourself to a fancy manicure, or whatever floats your boat when you stick with your routine. Frankly, if you are just churning away going to the gym, eating healthier, or doing your DuoLingo without reward it isn't going to stick. Reinforcing those good habits continuously will help you keep up with it.

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Sep 19, 2016 at 10:39am PDT

• Keep It Going - Just because you managed to reach your first, second, or fifteenth milestone doesn't mean you should rest on your laurels and stop tracking what you are doing/rewarding yourself for that job well done. I know, from experience, that if you do you will fall off the proverbial bandwagon and be faced with a similar challenge when you try to get back into a routine again. 

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Nov 9, 2013 at 11:00am PST

• Stuff Happens - That being said, sometimes things happen that cannot be planned for and you have to bite the bullet getting back to your routine. Hiccups along the way are to be expected even if you can't always plan for them. See the second bullet above and be patient with yourself again and give yourself a pat on the back for the small successes. The only thing to do at that point is keep moving forward with your goals in mind. 

To Do: Magnum Ice Cream Bar Pop Up Shop

I LOVE ice cream! Yes, more than you... for an after dinner treat, reward for a job well done, or Saturday morning breakfast a snack at the beach/park/pool there is nothing better than ice cream. Recently, when I was in SoHo for dinner with a friend I passed by a store front with Magnum Ice Cream logos outside. You know, the wonderfully decadent ice cream bars at the grocery store that come encased in the most luscious chocolate. I was intrigued but, sadly, I couldn't stop in because I didn't want us to miss out on our reservation. Of course, I needed to know more; enter internet research! I was pleased to learn that what I had passed by was actually a make your own Magnum Ice Cream bar pop-up shop for the summer! Yes, let's all freak out about it together. Apparently, Magnum Ice Cream has been rolling out temporary make your own pop up pop shops like this around the world but, this is the first in the United States. When Hubby and I were heading out for date night, last Friday, this experience had to be dinner part of the equation. Yummy (non ice cream) dinner? Check. Wandering around SoHo looking at interesting street art? Check, (hello, #lovewall.) Delicious make your own ice cream concoctions? You bet!

When we went in I was surprised by the lack of a line or crowds in general. Don't get me wrong, there were people there but, not throngs of crazed ice cream lovers like me. Before they burst out from wherever they were hiding I approached the counter tentatively. I, honestly, wasn't sure where to start my Magnum pop up shop experience (at the cash register on the left so you can pay first) but, the staff was very helpful and ushered us forward. You start with a choice of chocolate or vanilla (no added hormone) ice cream, then comes the fun part. You pick three toppings from the assortment of over twenty different choices like chopped nuts, Himalayan sea salt, espresso sugar, or rose petals. Lastly your ice cream bar assistant will dip your bar in white, milk, or dark Belgian chocolate. While it cools they shake up your topping choices and then methodically sprinkle them over your waiting ice cream bar. They then finish it with another drizzle of chocolate and little chocolate M token.

Despite the overwhelming amount of choices we managed to make important ice cream decisions. Hubby got chocolate ice cream with espresso sugar, cookie crumble, hazelnut crunch, and a white chocolate drizzle. I got vanilla ice cream with chocolate covered sunflowers seeds, Himalayan pink salt, white chocolate covered rice crisp, and a white chocolate drizzle. Since there weren't hoards of people we were even able to take a seat and to enjoy our creations. Yum!  

So, make time and run, don't walk, to the Magnum Ice Cream bar pop-up shop in SoHo at 134 Prince Street, between Wooster Street and West Broadway. Their hours of operation are 12pm-8pm Sunday-Wednesday and 12pm-9pm Thudsay-Saturday from now until mid-August.  I will be heading back soon, as well, and we might bump into each other. Why? Because I need to try every permutation of deliciousness possible before the season ends and they close.

I was NOT compensated for this post the opinions are all my own.

Brunch Best Practices/Avocado Toast

Weekends mean freedom from work, time to relax, and a chance to get some chores out of the way... Weekends in spring and summer are even better! Why? Because, the time we spend relaxing is feels longer with the sun setting later and later; even chores can feel less mundane... One of the best things about the weekend, in my opinion, is the opportunity to eat the magical in between meal that is brunch. Heading out to one of the many restaurants nearby that serves brunch is simple enough. I might be a little spoiled though, as most restaurants in the vicinity of New York City have next level brunch menus. Patrons will come year round and resign themselves to the hostesses whim waiting for a table or for their full party to show so they can be seated and not lose what their coveted reservation. In the summer it's even crazier/nicer without door tables and the opportunity to eat al fresco. While brunch in Manhattan is a New York City institution, most of the times the experience is marred by long lines, watered-down cocktails, and heat lamp eggs. Yuck! Which of course leads me to to wonder, "Why not do this at home?"

You can absolutely achieve the same delicious amalgam of breakfast and lunch at home. It's lovely when you can have a few friends over to enjoy it with you. You don't have to send out formal invitations, a quick email/evite or text message will do. Also, It doesn't have to be an extravagant affair; you can find stylish coordinating tablecloths, napkins, and place mats at bargain stores like Christmas Tree Shops or Home Goods. Most of the items shown on my most recent impromptu brunch table come from the former...   

A brunch menu is always very eclectic but, I find egg based meals to be the most popular overall. An uncomplicated scrambled egg and bacon or sausage or tofu chorizo with toast is always a winner. Which would you prefer? In terms of what I served this time around it seemed appropriate to put together the most popular brunch item right now; that's right I am talking about avocado toast. There are many different variations of avocado toast but, I like to keep it simple.

While everything is better with bacon, I feel like I don't have to explain the process of cooking it but, here is what my version of avocado toast looks like...

Ingredients:

(serves 5)

• 10 slices of bread (gluten free if preferred)
• 10 eggs 
• 3/4 ripe avocados 
• cilantro

Place all the eggs in a sauce pan, cover with water, and bring to a boil.

While the water is getting to boiling temperature slice open the avocados and scoop out the insides into a medium bowl with a spoon, discard the skin and pits. Mash the avocado until it is a spreadable texture and set aside. 

Also while the water is getting a boiling temperature rise the cilantro and pat dry. Separate some leaves and set aside. 

When the water reaches a rolling boil set a timer to 4 minutes and lower the flame to medium high. That is approximately how long it takes an extra large egg to reach a medium boiled state but, this is to you preference; maybe you want them a little more or less done.

While the eggs are boiling start toasting your slices of bread.

When the timer goes off immediately remove the eggs and drain the boiling water. Fill the pot with cold water so you can start peeling the eggs. When all the eggs are peeled it is time to start making your avocado toasts!

Take a piece of toast an spread avocado on it. Take cilantro leaves and sprinkle them on top to taste. Using an egg slicer slice one egg and spread the slices over your avocado and cilantro. Sprinkle liberally with salt.

Repeat and Refect and Enjoy!

I was NOT compensated for this post the opinions are all my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Happy Memorial Day

Softfooted

Are you ready for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend? I know I am. While I don't have any major travel plans, I am getting ready for summer which is right around the corner. That means making plans with friends, continuing to werk on my summer body, identifying warm weather wardrobe gaps, getting a base tan, you know the regular stuff... One thing that everyone who is not headed to a beach somewhere seems to be doing is hitting their local nail salon for a manicure and intense pedicure; you know, the one where you splurge for the callus remover and extra moisturizing treatment. After all, sandal season is upon us! I, on the other hand, have been doing my own mani/pedis (mostly) for quite some time and I would like to stick with it. The tricky part is getting that same intense level of foot care. Enter Korean foot peeling treatments! I am not one for the latest beauty trends but, all of the Korean beauty products that I have come across seem great. With my feet needing some extra love after a long winter this seemed like a great idea.

I came across Baby Foot Deep Exfoliation For Feet through some quick internet research. At the time, I was still working in midtown so, I headed over to K-Town to check things out in person. While I wasn't sure exactly where I should be headed I ended up at The Mask Bar and had some aggressive knowledgeable young ladies help me find Baby Silky Foot One Shot Peeling as well as some other "necessities". The foot mask sat with my other mani/pedi stuff for quite a while but, as summer is upon us I thought last weekend would be a good time to give it a try. Here's what I learned:

• One important thing to know right off the bat is that this treatment is basically a chemical peel for your feet just in case you have sensitivities to that kind of thing. 
• It is important to set aside a good amount of time for the treatment (90 minutes minimum). Read a book, knit, watch a movie, play some video games... whatever floats your boat while you sit around wearing liquid filled booties 
• From what I could gather from the Korean/bad English instructions you need to start with clean feet which I did. What I gathered from further internet research is that you should soak your feet for at least fifteen minutes prior which I did not. O well, next time... 

• Follow the instructions and put the booties on your feet, then pour the liquid in, sit back and relax. I would say leave them on for the full 90 minutes if not a little longer. Since I was hanging out with friends having a good old(ish) Mario Kart brawl on Wii U (hence the "ish") they definitely stayed on for an extra 20 minutes at least.

• When you are done with the treatment, wash and dry your feet. PSA: your feet will look the same although they might feel a little smoother. Further internet research had informed me that I should have been soaking my feet daily afterwards to encourage the peeling which I did not. I did, however, take showers and noticed that my feet were peeling in a totally gross/satisfying way. 
• While the instructions say not to pick at your feet it's kind of hard not to once they start peeling. It isn't going to hurt so go for it. You can also rub you hands on your feet or rub your feet together to encourage the skin to fall off.
• Do this now! Meaning, while you are still wearing shoes on the regular to hide your gross/amazing peeling feet. It's embarrassing to be hanging out with family, friends, co-workers, the mailman, while large flakes of skin are separating from your feet and peeling off. 

Overall, I am satisfied with the results form my first foray into a Korean foot mask but, I think next time it will be even better/grosser because I now have a few pro tips (soak, and soak more) in my repertoire to try. Based on recommendations once a month seems to be the agreed upon frequency of use so, I've got some time before I try again. If you want to try this is the mask that I got and used with good results:

[Holika Holika] Baby Silky Foot One Shot Peeling

Here are some other options if you are interested in trying something different. If you do, let me know how they work:

TONY MOLY Shiny Foot Peeling Liquid Mask

[The Face Shop] Smile Foot Mask 18ml

Soft Touch Premium Foot Peel Foot Mask (2 Pairs per box)

Vidi Foot Mask, Foot Peel Exfoliant (2 pair pack)

The Original - Baby Foot Deep Exfoliation For Feet Peel

I was NOT compensated for this post the opinions are all my own. This post contains affiliate links.

BERING Watches

While we have plenty of ways to tell time (cell phone, Fitbit, asking someone) nothing beats a good old fashioned watch. They can be excellent accessories (of course) but, also serve the purpose of helping us keep track of time; I am a firm believer in timeliness. I'll be honest, that doesn't mean I'm always on time but, that means I definitely try to be. Wearing a watch naturally helps to support all those efforts. There are so many different options for watches but, a great one is BERING.  Just so you know a little more about it: 280 years ago, the Danish sailor Vitus Bering braced himself for a daring adventure when he set sail for an unknown area of the Arctic Ocean. On his journey he crossed the straits which would later be named the Bering Strait in his honor. Treading new ground and venturing into unknown territory this is the only way in which a vision can become reality. And so the brand BERING is successfully made up of the perfect combination of extraordinarily hard materials, such as surgical steel and sapphire glass, and an extremely slim design. Great, right? Wait until you see the watches...

Click here for more information on BERING - 33125-654

Click here for more information on BERING - 11029-077

Click here for more information on BERING - 10122-366

Let's face it you are the not the only person that needs to be on time. While there are plenty of options for you and the other ladies in your life there are also a plethora of options for the men in your life as well. I'll be honest, I am a little biased with my choices; these are all BERING watches I would get for my husband. 

Click here for more information on BERING - 11233-222

Click here for more information on BERING - 11940-377

Click here for more information on BERING - 32239-747

I could go on for days with different options because there are many great choices from BERING on www.mylovestone.com. That's probably because it is USA's #1 BERING authorized dealer. They have innumerable options, of course, but, also value and savings. We can also all take advantage because they ship internationally (USA (free shipping), Canada, Australia, Asia, Europe, etc.) They also have customer service if you have any questions or if you see a lower price online. That's right, they will match it. Lastly, all BERING watches come with a 3 year manufacturer warranty. So, check out all the great BERING options, I'd be curious to hear what you think. I'm going to keep shopping...

I was compensated for this post as a member of Blogdash, but the opinions are all my own.

First Day of School, I Mean Work

An outfit of the day post already? Yup! Don't worry, I'm not falling back into old habits. However, I have started a new job (yay, me) and I thought it only appropriate to show you what I wore on my first day in my new position. While I am still working in human resources/recruiting I have switched industries from non-profit to a more corporate environment. There has definitely been a bit of a learning curve in terms of industry specific practices, terminology, etc. and I am excited to learn them all. One thing that I am confident saying is that I do know is how to dress appropriately for work. That being said, I noticed throughout the interview process how laid back everyone was in my new office in terms of their wardrobe, leggings and jeans abound. While that might be acceptable for other parties involved that is not something I am comfortable with for work on a daily basis let alone my first day. Concurrently I did not want to show up in a full suit; that might have been a bit off putting to my new colleagues, albeit not inappropriate. I ended up going with a business casual standby: coordinating blazer/skirt combo with a cute top, it's the a perfect combination.

• Top: red floral print blouse, Anne Klein; black blazer, Calvin Klein
• Bottom: gray plaid pencil skirt, ABStudio
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Bandolino; pearl earrings, Macys 

Rise to a Morning Routine

I am an early bird, no questions about that. I can naturally wake up, get out of bed, and get started with my day by centering myself and tackling a few chores well before I have to head out for a standard work day. I find that by following my own morning routine on the regular my day starts off on the right foot. When I don't (for whatever reason) the days are often more harried and stressful. How about you? Well, I'm not saying you have to be like me but, maybe you would like to emulate Yahoo CEO, Marissa Mayer, or Michelle Obama AKA FLOTUS, just saying... These girlsbosses, as well as countless other high power individuals, make a point to get up early and start there days off with a routine which helps them be the best that they can be. Their successes are not unrelated flashes in the pan, they are due to hard work and intellect while being aided by good habits and best practices most notably (in this regard) their penchant for waking up early and getting things done. Here are some habits that you can incorporate into your mornings to make them a productive and fundamental part of your day.

• Wake Up - Not everyone is like me(/many other people) and can wake up in the morning without the aid of alarm of some kind. Find the alarm that works for you! Personally, if I need an alarm for the morning I like something that will gently coax me out of my slumber like the Uniqlo Wake up app or more melodic music. That being said, you might need something more jarring like your "Crossfit Grind" playlist or an alarm clock app that makes you solve a math problem before you can silence it. Better yet, how about one that doesn't have a snooze feature at all? 

We can exclaim our anger at governments [or people] or curse the sky at our own God but, there are moments when the higher power must come from within - Soledad O'Brien #quote #quotable #motivation #longweekend #mymonday #feelinggood #mondaymotivation #mm #niagarafalls #horseshoefalls #sunrise #mist #latergram #travelgram #instatravel #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Jan 19, 2016 at 6:36am PST

• Enjoy the Silence - After you wake up (either independently or with assistance) pause and enjoy the sounds of stillness that are surrounding you. Hopefully, they entail something lovely, like birds chirping, and not your partner snoring but, take a pause either way... it might be the most calm point of your day and in turn a great opportunity for a moment of true "me time" and reflection. As Taj Mahal (the person, not the building) said, "Remember the feeling as a child when you woke up and morning smiled... it's time you felt like that again."
• Have a Drink - Most people are under-energized because they’re under-hydrated. Hydration is energy. Additionally, water fires up your metabolism, aides digestions, and helps your body flush out toxins. A room temperature glass of lemon water will do wonders for your body in terms of the aforementioned benefits as well as boosting your immune system (thanks, Vitamin C and potassium) and keeping you skin clear. It's that simple.

Thanks @smartwater for keeping me hydrated all through #nyfw #thirstynomore #quenched #yum #cool #refreshing #water #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Feb 14, 2013 at 12:18pm PST

• Eat Breakfast - You have probably been hearing this since you were a little kid but, breakfast actually is the most important meal of the day no matter what time you get out of bed. Don't reach for that muffin though; a protein filled first meal will fuel you throughout the course of the day. These type of foods are more filling than carbs and will help you stay alert as well as stave off random cravings because of that full feeling. Additionally, if you are killing it with you workout in the morning you need to refuel your muscles.    

Trying out this #glutenfree thing starting with breakfast this morning. Boiled eggs and greek yogurt with a honey drizzle #yum #nomnom #gfree #gfreelife #gfreeme #amfood #breakfasttime #homemade #instafood #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Dec 5, 2015 at 6:11am PST

• Read a Book - Magazine, newspaper, grocery circular, or whatever else is lying around. Reading will get your brain moving! More specifically, stay off-line (if you can) for a bit longer. Don't check your email, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. first. Chances are you are going to spend the rest of your day in front of a computer so this is a good time you give your eyes a rest. If all of your reading material is on an electronic device (it happens) make sure to avoid email for a bit. All of the social networking/communication outlets are black holes that will suck you in and before you know it it's time to go to work.   

Beach reads @time @newyorkermag #vaca #vacation #travelgram #beach #lightreading #longweekend #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Jan 31, 2015 at 1:01pm PST

• Exercise - For me this means going to the gym and hitting a yoga or spin class but, for you that might mean something different like stretching or doing some calisthenics but, either way movement is key! You've just spent hours lying down in some sort of awkward sleep position so it only makes sense to be nice to your body and extend your limbs in some manner.  Besides, studies show your "Crossfit Grind" playlist exercise, of any kind, will help you feel more alert and motivated throughout the course of the day. 

Good morning 🌞 #riseandgrind #notaresolution #spinning #gymlife #fitness #instadaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Apr 30, 2015 at 3:58am PDT

• Set Some Goals - I'm not saying work on your new year resolution/life plan before you leave for work (unless that's an integral part of accomplishing it) but, jot down a few things that you would like to get off your plate throughout the day or set up your "to-do" list. I am a big believer in the tenet that it is easier to remember things when you put a pen to paper and write them down. Overall, checking them off feels so satisfying, right? Yes! I'm glad I'm not the only one... 

Make a plan, get it done ✔ @thedaydesigner @popsugarmh #mondaymotivation #morningmotivation #mm #mondayvibes #busy #getitdone #getitgirl #girlboss #worklife #balance #organization #ocd #kindof #instadaily #igdaily

A photo posted by Iris (@260daysnorepeats) on Mar 21, 2016 at 3:42am PDT

• Get Something (little) Done - This is a next level morning routine trick if you have the time. Since I, personally, am more productive in the morning it works for me to take a few minutes to load the dishwasher, do some mise en place for dinner, or clear off a cluttered surface. I'm not saying I'm going to start scrubbing my bathroom top to bottom but, if I can knock a small task off my daily to do list before I leave for work, that is a win! Bonus: that positive and productive feeling tends to stay with me through the morning, at least, if not until the end of the day.  
• Mind Your Time - Overall I think it is important to be mindful of how much time all your morning ablutions take you to complete. You'd be surprised how much time flies when you are completing a seemingly rote task or vice versa; maybe the things you perceive as taking a very long time really only take a few moments. Either way having a grasp of how long things take you helps you to be more timely overall. In turn that will allow you to plan out your mornings and incorporate these great tips!

Don't Call It a Comeback

I am feeling some serious déjà vu right now, how about you? No? Well, I won't hold that against you but, I've been here before, coming back to blogging after a longer than expected hiatus because I just don't know how to quit you... While I have been feeling the urge to author amazing content comprised of all the "important" things I have to say, not many of those things were centered around fashion, Shocker, I know but, things are different now. Yes, I get dressed every day and (for the most part) I am continuing to avoid my sartorial crutches despite the new challenges that have manifested but, there are loads of other interesting things going on over here like: house projects, engaging reads, professional development, interesting events, and yummy food to name of few. Besides, how much more can I talk about my ensembles after 6 years? Maybe a little bit more but, when you really think about it I've been a broken record, repeating myself about clothes when there are so many other things to expound upon.

So what does this mean moving forward? Well I'm sure you guessed it from my new snazzy banner.

That's right we're going to be talking about it all... craft projects, house things, interesting books I read, things to do, food to make/eat, clothes (of course,) and anything else that comes to mind because this little blog as well as all these other things are a part of me and I want to share them with you. Right now, I am working on a lofty editorial calendar but, we'll see how it goes. I'm not going to place too much pressure on myself and am hoping that I can take the (many) years of blogging that I have under my belt to turn this into a sustainable thing. Wish me luck!

Vacation Time

Is your office closed for Rosh Hashanah? No? Well mine is so I've tacked a few extra vacation days on to that and have a nice little break. There will be fun activities and relaxation going on over here but, don't think that means you wont be hearing from me either. I will be updating social media on happenings and some recommendations of fun reads from the archives that you might not have come across yet. I will be back to regularly scheduled outfit posting on September 21. Have a great week!

Close Out

What is going on with the lighting in this picture? I will have to talk with my photographer (AKA Hubby) about that.... Maybe he was letting his artistic spirit move him but, that only works when the goal of being able to see my ensemble is concurrently achieved. Perhaps flash next time? Perhaps I will check that everything came out ok on picture taking day before we head in from photos so I'm not stuck with a weird picture at the end of the week. While I could Photoshop and filter (the crap out of) this picture I prefer not to, I'm an all natural beauty kind of gal thankfully I was wearing something bright so you can see me in the darkness. If you are a blogger, do you filter your photos before you post them? If so, why?

Enough blog shop talk. Casual Friday (denim included) was alive and well with me this week. My manager was out of the office on vacation all week so, I was holding down the fort which went well enough but, was definitely exhausting. After all the craziness and running around a t-shirt and leggings jeans seemed like the perfect wardrobe solution to close out the week. It worked out especially since I ended up staying late and burning the "midnight" oil. What a way to spend a Friday, thank goodness for the weekend! Do you have any fun plans?

• Top: yellow t-shirt, Lilly Pulitzer via Clementine
• Bottom: denim cuffed capri pants, Rock & Republic via Ashby
• Shoes & Accessories: black Olive sandals, Dolce Vita; black pearl earrings, International Gem & Jewelry Show

I'm linking up with Fab Favorites, Favorite Fashion Friday, Passion 4 Fashion, and Casual Friday