FBFF: Vacation

I thought the best way to explain what vacation meant to me might be with some pictures via word association but, now I realize I might need to clarify things....

1. Sleep - This is definitely the first thing I think about when vacation comes to mind. My favorite vacations always include lots of rejuvenating sleep. Just being able to wake and go as I please makes a huge difference in my day to day functionality. 
2. Relaxation - This sort of goes along with sleep but, I also like to do things that are relaxing in general like going to the pool of the beach, etc. How do you like to relax on vacation? 
3. Tropical - I dream of going somewhere with beautiful teal waters and soft clean sand. BF and I went to the Bahamas years ago and I would love to go back but, then again who wouldn't?
4. Foreign - While heading to an island somewhere and lounging on the beach would be great there are lots of other places far far away that I would love to go to. I think my top choice now is another trip to London! 
5. Travel - In reality the idea of an island or European vacation is fantastic but, highly unrealistic right now. That being said, there are lots of places to go that are a (fairly) quick car ride away and make great long weekend destinations.
6. Memories - When on vacation with friends, family, or a significant other those are times to cherish and remember fondly. Also, take lots of pictures!
7. No Contact - When I am away I don't really pay attention to my phone, email, etc. I already feel like there is alot of immediacy in the way people interact with each other and I don't need that stress while I'm on vacation!
8. Taking Care of Business - At some point during whatever time I have off I try to take care of things that I haven't had time for in my every day life so that I can get ahead of things before I have to go back to normal life. Do you do the same thing? 
9. Souvenirs - The most touristy places in every city are riddled with small shops where you can buy pens, postcards, shot glasses, spoons, key chains, t shirts, etc. Personally, I collect magnets from the places that I've been because I don't want dust collectors!
10. New - Whether traveling abroad or just in your local area there is always something new going on. Perhaps a new band playing a local restaurant or an exhibit at a museum for an artist that you've never seen... there are so many possibilities. What do you want to see on your next vacation?

FBFF: Blogging Community

1. What blogging communities do you belong to? 

Image courtesy of insidepages.com

I think the better question is what blogging communities don't I belong to. I think the ones that I participate most in are FBFF (obvi) and The Blogger Collective which is comprised of a group of lovely fashion/beauty bloggers. I like reading the tips and tricks from IFB but, I wouldn't say that I participate heavily in anything they have going on. I recently just joined Lyst and have now started paying attention to Klout. There are so many!

2. What do you think the roll of community is in blogging? 

I think community is a great way to interact with other blogger but, it manifest in different ways depending on who is involved. It could be something as simple as a theme week or as complex as planning live events like Bloggers Night Out.

3. Blog comments, twitter interactions and meaningful Facebook threads have decreased in the last several months. What are your thoughts on why that is? 

Phew, it's not just me. Personally, I have been running low on free time to sit down and comment on every blog post from my favorite bloggers. I also run out of interesting things to say. I may totally LOVE your shoes but, how many times can I say that before it drives us both crazy? I know for me personally part of the reason I am seeing a decrease in blogger comments is because my timing is all off. I used to post once a day if not more. Now, that is a majorly difficult thing to maintain. I'm working on it and hoping that I will see a boost again soon! Positive thinking does wonders, right?

4. How do you cultivate community around your blog? 

I ask questions and I have done theme weeks with other participants. I'm not sure if that is the best way to cultivate a grouping around my blog but, I'm not 100% sure that I have the energy to dedicate to anything more intense than that. Any recommendations?

Image courtesy of skyje.com

5. If you could make one resolution to be a better community member what would it be? 

Participation, plain and simple! Especially when questions are asked or there are projects to take part in. I used to have a system and check in on the blogs in my blogroll regularly to see what was going on and just haven't had the time, I need to get back into that! I also used to check out at least one blog in others blogrolls to see if there was something new that I might like. I want to get that started again, comments are coming your way fellow bloggers!

FBFF: Fitness?

I’ll be honest I was hesitant to post about this FBFF topic. As you might have guessed fitness is not a focus in my daily life. Frankly, there are days it doesn’t get a moment’s consideration. While I would love to be fitter and dedicated to exercising more at all I don’t know where to start.

Image courtesy of Little Things of My Little Heart

I am not the person who wants to go to the gym; I am ridiculously self conscious even though I know no one is really paying attention to me. I don’t have friends who would make practical fitness buddies, many of them are in shape and all of them live far enough away that it isn’t convenient. I used to be really great at working out at home (woo hoo Tae Bo) but, as you might have noticed from the dated reference that was some time ago… Another major challenge is the fact that I barely have time to do my laundry/groceries/blog so when am I going to find time to exercise? 

All the excuses legit reasons aside fitness is something that I need to be more consistent about. I honestly want to go out and be active. There are plenty of ways to be get and stay in shape that do not require a gym. I really need to work it out because it would be good for my health, my energy levels, and myself overall self!

What are some tips and tricks do you have to work fitness into your busy schedule?

FBFF: Easter

For me Easter is a time for family and I can’t think of a more appropriate way to state it. Also: pastels, chocolate bunnies, and weird marshmallow birds… But, seriously every year it has been a Sunday where we spend the whole day (part of the day in recent years) together and enjoy each other’s company.

I would say the vast majority of people perceive New Years as the time for a fresh start but, for me I think Easter shares that property as well. It is a time of re-birth in nature and potentially in you! Also, this fantastic warm weather does wonders for my mood. 

 

What does Easter mean to you?

FBFF: Christmas Quiz

No holiday party is complete without:  Coquito an eggnog like drink with rum, very traditional for a Puerto Rican family like mine.


My favorite Christmas song/album: I love the Carol of the Bells among many other traditional songs but, my favorite iteration of it was the way that Saks Fifth Avenue used it in their snowflake show a few years ago.






 I wish they were still doing that instead of the bubble thing they have now... 


The perfect New Year's Eve outfit includes: Sequins, without a doubt!

Eggnog, good or bad? Yuck, it needs to be Coquito or not at all... 


Did you ever take pictures on Santa's lap at the mall? I don't know. I don't think so or at least I don't remember it...  we should ask my Mom.


Gingerbread Latte or Peppermint Mocha: Creme Brulée Latte!

My best bargain find for a gift this year: Well, I can't really answer that question yet. People still haven't gotten their gifts! 


If I could only buy all my gifts from one place, I'd shop at: Target, you could probably find a gift for everyone on your list there. It might not be the best gift but, it will be something they like. 


My favorite holiday memory: My mom's reaction to the gift my brother and I gave her last year


My favorite Christmas movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas... or is that a Halloween movie? 


The best part about holiday decorations is: The ornaments since I was a little kid...

Rip off the wrapping paper or neatly pull off the tape: Rip It!


Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life: I honestly can't remember either, I have that bad habit with tons of movies


It doesn't feel like the holiday season until: BF and I go buy our ornament.


All I want for Christmas is: For it to be here already!!! 




Don't forget to enter to win the Spanish Steps dress from Shabby Apple!

FBFF: I Am Grateful For...

I love taking part in this traditional FBFF in the spirit of Thanksgiving. It is so easy to forget about when we are bombarded by Christmas mid-October. I have a lot of things to be thankful for (it's honestly overwhelming when I think about it) and it's nice to take a moment to stop and reflect on it. In no particular order here it is!

• My family is AMAZING. They make me laugh, they no longer make me cry (those angsty teenage years were rough)... it's a beautiful thing! I love that I am able to call my mom, dad, or brother up on the phone and share the silliest things about my day or just check in and see how they are doing. I am so grateful that I live so near to them that if I need a mom hug, or some secret family recipe chicken soup my parents are 15 minutes away to give me those things.

• I am so thankful that my brother is one of my best friends and I can talk to him about anything, that we can laugh about anything, and that we have vowed to always stay this close. 

• I love that I have found best friends in my extended family. I have a decent amount of cousins but, only a handful that I have been able to forge close relationships with. It doesn't matter how far we are from each other or even how often we speak we always remain close and I am so thankful for that.

• In these though economic times I am so happy to be able to make ends meet without selling a kidney on the black market. It might seem like an exaggeration but, with the economic climate we find ourselves in and the serious student loans/credit card bills I incurred while in school I am so happy that I have a job that allows me to manage them which works for right now.
• My friends... all two of them (just kidding) they crack me up! I love being able to surround myself with like minded friends and have the best times with a pen, a piece of tape, and a q-tip or nothing at all...

• I'm not going to get super emotional about how much I love BF but, I will say that I am so thankfull to have him in my life. We have been together for almost eight years (crazy) and we laugh with each other everyday... also mushy love things!

• My health is honestly a point of contention sometimes but, honestly it could be SO much worse. I really won't get into the nitty gritty but, I'm glad that I'm able to manage whatever health nonsense I have going on with just diet changes, trips to the doctor, and eye drops...
• I love when I am reminded to take time and notice the little things. Pink clouds anyone?

• I know this might sound cheesy, I am so grateful for YOU the people who read 260 Days, No Repeats. Just knowing that you are here definitely keeps me coming back to the computer to post daily as often as I can. It has helped me realize alot of things about my style, my body, and my wallet which is more helpful than you could realize.

What are you thankful for?

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FBFF: The Quintessential Fall Outfit

Fall is afoot! The air is crisper and the leaves are changing at least here in the northeast. When Katy was talking about potential visual FBFF topic's I started to think about what you all might be wearing for the fall. 

For me it is all about the layering! Waking up in the morning and coming home at night brings two different temperatures not to mention everything else that comes throughout the day... Since I am normally in an air conditioned office all day it's fine to wear one outfit without need for change, if I was going to go out for the day I would need something that can transition throughout the day like the following: 

• Top: red long sleeved t-shirt, Van Heusen; brown houndstooth jacket, LOFT 
• Bottom: really skinny jeans, LOFT
• Shoes & Accessories: teal leather flats, ALDO via Re/Dress NYC; silver and gold teardrop earrings, V'ta Jewelry

FBFF: The Unsung Hero

This week we are supposed to be examining a favorite item from our wardrobe. That was such a difficult thing for me because in this personal style challenge I am trying to give the things in my wardrobe seemingly equal amounts of attention. I know there are going to be somethings that get worn more than other but, still...

With all that in mind today I am celebrating my watch! I wouldn't call it a favorite per say but, I would say that  this is a long overdue mention. Whether you noticed or not I wear my watch almost every day, look below.

See I told you! My watch doesn't always end up in the pictures because on picture taking Sundays all I am doing is hanging around the house but, it still deserves mention! I got this watch when I lost my old one which was a replacement for the graduation gift my parents got me a while back which I lost at a sleepover during a roadshow weekend. Still keeping up with me?

I wanted watch number three to be a whole new watch and it is! Here are some close ups so you and my watch can get acquainted. 

The only thing that all my watches have had in common since I was a freshman in high school is that they are Fossil watches. I don't know what it is about them exactly but, I am really attracted to that style and have been a dedicated customer ever since. So much so, that I have turned friends and even BF onto the magic that is Fossil. The best part is they have an awesome outlet that is not too far from my house so, it's an (even more) economical thing if I need to invest in a new timepiece. WIN all around!

FFBF: When I Grow Up I Want To Be...

1. Fess up - if you could do anything professionally what would it be?

If I could do anything I would want to be a professional personal organizer! Houses, offices, apartments, closets, desks, cabinets, purses; you name it, I could do it...

2. What draws you to this?

I like things to be orderly and when things are it makes life so much easier. Honestly, not everyone is capable of doing that in every aspect of their life all the time but, I have always been able to be impartial and practical when faced with these situations and come up with economical solutions if necessary. It just seems so natural and I'm sure I could be a help to lots of people who don't have these traits!

Photo Credit: www.sharonmross.com

3. When did you first start dreaming about this ideal?

It probably started when I was a personal assistant for a local doctor. She was smart and practical person who kept a beautiful home but, a train wreck of an office. I helped her put it all in order and worked with her every week to keep it that way for years! Did I mention this is when I was in high school? Yeah...

4. What's holding you back from going all in?

It seems unrealistic to me now. Who is going to pay me the hourly rate I would want to go through their mess/junk and potentially tell them they needed to buy more stuff to organize it. We are in just got out of a recession! I'm sure there are more important things for most people to spend their money on.

That being said being organized helps your save money in the end...

Photo credit: http://www.organizingsolutions.info/

5. Sometimes the first step is the hardest... what's one step you can take now on the way to realizing your dream?

I guess I could try to network with more people about my "talent" but, it might be more convincing if I didn't use quotes around the word like it's a fake thing or a foreign concept.