Hittin the Slopes

The past few days, I have been less than fashionable. I have been living in under armor and ski boots. It has been sooo worth it. The snow keeps falling and I keep skiing. It's great. Yesterday visibility was tough at Cannon Mountain but today was the most perfect day for skiing.  Blue bird skies and awesome snow. After the past two days, I don't want vacation to end. Maybe I'll ditch teaching, move out west, and become type a ski instructor. Then I will marry a burly man with a beard who drinks a dark lager all year long. Mmmm... one can dream, right?

My fashionable attire for the week

Perfection.

Christmas Sparkle

Another successful Christmas! My family and I spent a few days down the Cape with my extended family. We had a cut throat ping pong tournament, per usual. And per usual, I was out in the first round. (And this year I even trained for a week before hand. I wish I was joking when I say this, but I am not). We also added a Minute to Win It competition to the end of Christmas. Great addition! I hope it makes an appearance at other family gatherings. I had a lot of fun just sitting around and chatting with my family. This year we focused on spending time with family rather than gift giving. I will admit, I did not miss the extra gifts at all. :o)

I made pumpkin whoopie pies that were a huuuuge success. Wicked easy and wicked good. They instantly became a family favorite. 

Our family Christmas is very casual and low key. However, I just bought new tights and really wanted to wear them, so this is the outfit I came up with. When I walked downstairs my father commented that it looked like I had tree branches growing on my skirt and I belonged in the forrest. (He thinks he's a fashionista, but he is a gym teacher who is constantly in sweats, so I took the comment with a grain of salt). I would also like to give props to my cousin Kathryn for taking these photos of me. They turned out fabulous.

Me and my cousin Brendan 

Tank Top: LOFT

Skirt: JCrew

Cardigan: ??? 

Tights: Target

Necklace: Gifted from JCrew

Bracelet: Gifted from LOFT 

Please pardon the slippers! 

Me and my wonderful photographer, Kathryn

Me and Aunt Eileen

Old Man Chic

Lately I've been drawn to fair isle sweaters and old grandpa cardigans. I'm not sure why. So I rummaged through my parents old sweaters and I found this great find. (At least I think it's great). It's from LLBean back when they cared strictly about dressing the Maine-man. I can picture myself wearing it apres-skiing in a lodge full of burley men with beards drinking some type of winter lager. Mmm... the thought of it just sounds exciting. What do you think? Old man chic or just old man?

Boots: Sporto 

Leggings: Vera Wang for Khol's

Sweater: Vintage find (thanks to daddy) 

Skis: K2 Free Luv

Holiday Nails

As many of you know, I am obsessed with nail polish. I love it. I own more than 100 nail polishes organized by color. I read blogs about it as well as constantly talking about it. God forbid some rando tells me they like my nail polish, I give them in detail the brand and color name as well we application tips. I know it can get annoying but that's me. :)

I'm usually not into nail art or designs but in lieu of the season, I thought I would get festive. (My students absolutely adore them...but then again, what nine year old girl wouldn't love sparkly nails). I layers two colors on top of each other. Both from China Glaze holiday collection. I used Seche base coat. (per usual). I used two coats of Cheers to You. I probably could have gotten away with one coat but I just wasn't satisfied with one coat. Then I used two coats of Party Hearty. No top coat.  Check it out below. (Let's hope Santa bring a new camera. After 6 years, mine is on it's way out).

China Glaze Top Coat: Party Hearty

China Glaze: Cheers to You 

Ps- Cousin Jillian, if you are reading this, theses are some of the colors that you can look forward to when you come to the east coast in July. 

A denim shirt??

Over the past week, I've been secretly wanting a chambray shirt. I was afraid to admit this to anyone for fear that they would laugh in my face. I can hear my college roommate, Chrissy laughing at me right now. After I purchased my denim shirt, I immediately called her to admit to her my latest fashion find. However, my fellow bloggers have inspired me to just go for it and get it. Well, so, I did. I was excited to finally figure out how to style it. I looked online and through magazines. I'd figure I'd start off pretty basic. To my surprise, no one reacted crazy for wearing a chambray shirt. My harshest critic (my friend who I grew up with and now work with) actually said she liked the outfit. (Score!) I expect to find more creative ways to style it. Be on the look out.

What are your thoughts on the chambray shirt?

Pants: JCrew

Shoes: DSW 

Shirt: JCrew

V-Neck: LOFT

Belt: Target

Little Miss Home Maker

Well, it's almost Christmas and I am just getting into the spirit. This particular night, I came home from school and in the mood to bake Christmas cookies. (Hence the reason why I am standing next to a stove). My color choice in my clothes may still say autumn but I promise, I am in the Christmas spirit. I just do not like red clothes because I am afraid it will clash with my fiery locks. 

Speaking of locks, I tried out some new hair products that I am in love with!! My curls are both a blessing and a burden. The curls start out with lots of life but quickly give way to gravity and I end up looking like an alien. After reading Modly Chic, a favorite blog of mine, I went out and bought Ouidad. It claims to be a miracle for curly hair. Sephora sells a variety pack so I didn't have to make the commitment of full size bottles. So far I have used the deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner, the climate control heat and humidity gel, and the moisture infusing refreshing spray. I have to say, I am in love! Let's see if this love lasts. Only time will tell. 

                                       

Sweater: H&M 

Skirt: Vintage via my nana

Tights: HUE

Shoes: DSW

Slope Side View

It's finally ski season! I could not be happier. My girlfriends and I planned a ski weekend. We brought along our friend Colleen who skied for the first time in about 8years. She did great! We skied at Cannon Mountain in Franconia, NH. For the early ski season, the conditions were great.

During the winter, my wardrobe changes from feminine to sporty. I am trying to find cute ski clothes that don't make me look like a man. With new winter clothing technology, this is getting easier. While the sport is mostly men, women have been coming out with great designs. I am on the look out for new base layer pants that doesn't look like long underwear. I saw some on  athletica but they were all sold out.

I am also loving the apres-ski attire. I'm thinking fair isle sweaters and big furry boots. Can you picture it?! With a big taller mug of Woodstock Pig's Ear Brown Ale. And sitting by the fire. Theses are several reasons why I love ski season.

Until next week on the slopes.

Winner Winner, Chicken Dinner

This sweater/blazer was one of my few black Friday purchases. I'm never one to go shopping on black Friday. I don't do well with crowds for me, it's not worth it. However, Tracy and I decided to do some casual shopping on Friday just as an excuse to get out of the house for a while. Upon entering the LOFT, I immediately fell in love with this sweater/blazer. I saw it on a mannequin and almost ripped it off. My eyes darted around the store trying to find it on a hanger and praying that it came in petite. Finally, Tracy found it hiding in the back. (Snaps to Tracy on the find). My mind was racing of the many different ways I could style it. I was like a little kid in a candy store. Below is my first attempt to style it. (I hope there are several more to follow). Thoughts on it? Was it a good impulse buy? 

Tank: LOFT 

Sweater/Blazer: LOFT

Skirt: Old Navy 

Boots: Ralph Lauren

Notice, another festive Christmas tree in the background.