Continuation

I couldn't help but take a selfie in the bathroom. I love the wallpaper.

So yesterday I showed you what I found at Elaine's. After killing about 1/2 hour at Elaine's, we headed to our meeting place, The Omni Bedford Springs Resort.  This place is GORGEOUS!  I not only felt like a tourist  but acted like one with my iphone snapping left and right. 

If you are not in the Christmas spirit and want to be, go to the Springs. And if you make it there and NOT get in the spirit, you should go and get a check-up.  Every nook and cranny is decorated. The walls, the halls, the bathrooms (yes, I made a quick visit and even took a selfie) and dining rooms. 

After our meeting, we walked around for a little bit and had a chance to look at the spa. And yes, I made a purchase. I never heard of SPAritual  nail polish. It's vegan! I had to buy it. I love the company's philosophy: slow beauty for a fast world. 

I took some pictures and wanted to share with you.

This is how they wrapped up my SPAritual nail polish. How cute is the bag?

Christmas tree at the spa.

Fresh tree in main entrance.

Work + Shopping = Great Day!

This is why I LOVE my job as an education director: it is unpredictable! We had a meeting today with one of our very good clients. No. Excellent clients. And as meetings go, it was informative and successful. But before the meeting even started, there was confusion as to the meeting place. To make a long story (but I really want to be more descriptive but need to get to the really good part the involves scents and spas) short, we had about 1/2 hour to kill while waiting for our business meeting. What to do? What to do? SHOP! We headed to one of our favorite stores: Elaine's Wearable Art.  This boutique is addictive. Yes, I am addicted to Elaine. And her art. Without fail, the merchandise always screams at me as soon as enter. Sometimes I can ignore them, but today the screams were undeniable. The store was packed. It's nice to know that other people are addicted too. 

I did well today. What do you think?

I love THYMES lotions. They never disappoint. Today I picked up the Olive Leaf body lotion. My grandma used to lather her hair with olive oil. This scent reminds me of her.

9.25 fl oz bottle

How could you go wrong with something that is "simply wholesome, naturally nourishing"?

I also got this Prym Necklace (find here). I plan on layering it with some of my Sabika pieces. Don't you just love the satchel?

And....I also got this beautiful cross necklace. My friend picked it out for me. I had to be a good friend and buy it. Right? You can find it at Brighton. 

The back of the cross says, "May angels keep you safe." Not only beautiful but will also protect me.

I'll explain the nail polish in the background tomorrow. 

Office Christmas Party

 I have mentioned in a previous post that I love my job--all of them. I am not only an education director for an outstanding non-profit organization but also an office manager for an equally outstanding veterinary hospital. And believe it or not, the two positions are similar on so many levels. At their core, both positions include management of people--all kinds of people. And sometimes, people who love animals. And those who definitely do not. 

Last night we had our annual Christmas party for the hospital. I loved seeing the staff all dressed up. I must admit, scrubs (although I don't wear scrubs) aren't the most fashionable items--no way around that. I think that if they make me wear scrubs, I would definitely hot glue sequins and beads.

I wanted to share with you what I wore. I didn't want to go with red, although very pretty, because that would have been too predictable (and I hate being predictable with clothing).

I opted for silver and black. I think I heard Bing Crosby in my head singing, "Silver Bells." 

What will you be wearing to your annual office party?

Black skirt (old), Black sequined shirt (old) and silver cardigan (old) with sequins detailing on shoulders. Find similar sequined cardigan at Jones New York here. 

I can't tell you how much I love my Brighton Twinkle bangles mixed my Brighton Venezia 2-tone bangle with cross stainless steel bangles (old). You can find these Brighton bangles here. 

My Michael Kors watch has been definitely great investment. Find similar here.

Monet earrings (old). 

An Unexpected Encounter

I took the day off mainly to clean my house, put up some (more) Christmas decorations, and spend the day with my boys. But in between all of that, my husband suggested that we go to Sears to switch our tires to the SNOW tires!! Yes, it is snowing again.

My first thought was, "Heck, no. I am NOT going to spend my day off switching tires." But I quickly thought again, "This could be a great opportunity to sneak in shopping." Regular shopping, not Christmas shopping...that would have taken too much thinking, and I was not in the mood to think. Just shop.

So, to my pleasant surprise, I encountered my very best friend, Vicki. Not at Sears but at the Bon Ton. She, unlike me, was Christmas shopping. 

And where did she find me? Yep. The jewelry section. It was nice looking at jewelry with her and predicting what I would wear versus what she would wear. Small and dainty = Vicki. Big and bold= me. Do you think that the jewelry you put on mimics your personality? Something to think about.

I made out really well. All the pieces I found were discounted 50% the sale price. I am not sure what I will pair the pieces with, but I am sure that inspiration will come when I least expect it. Maybe even while inspecting my snow tires.

So overall this was a productive day:

1. Had a quick meeting with Vicki;
2. Changed tires;
3. Spent the day with the boys;
4. Put up more Christmas decorations;
5. And Bought 2 necklaces and a ring.

I love this necklace. The coral stone is gorgeous. I think it would look good against something navy colored. 

I could not resist this tassel necklace. Find similar here. 

I wanted to show you what it looks like against a dark background.

This ring reminds me of the Trilogy ring (here) that Stella & Dot sells. I did not pay as much for it though. And I like that the stones are different shapes and colors.

Welcome Home

Nothing says, "Welcome Home" to a home-cooked meal than a front door that invites all guests in.

Catch of the Day

So for those of us who are part of the Coptic Orthodox Church and are practicing, we are currently partaking in one of the major fasts in the church, and this is the Nativity Fast or Fast of the Advent. There is a lot (okay more than a lot) of fasting that goes on in the Coptic Church--over 200 days of fasting per year. The fasts all having meanings; all have different requirements; all include different hymns, etc. But they all have one common thread: fasting needs to include prayer. And let me tell you, fasting is much, much (much) easier to do than praying. I do wish I prayed more. But this isn't what today's post is about. Today, I wanted to share the catch of the day--what I cooked for the boys in the house. 

Since this fast does allow for seafood, I decided to make them poached salmon with onions, capers, chives, garlic, cumin and lemon-pepper. I also wanted to make home-made potato chips... let's just say that I was feeling inspired. I have found that adding vinegar (about a tablespoon or two depending on how many potatoes you will be using) to raw potatoes makes them crispier when you fry them.  And if that were not enough, I also made crab cakes. Okay... I... Lied. I preheated the oven to 425 F; took the crab cakes out of the box; placed them on a baking sheet; placed the baking sheet in the oven; took the baking sheet out of the oven and platted the crab cakes on this fancy plate. I am such an awesome mom!

I wanted to share these photos with you. Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making dinner.

Best,

H.

Terrific Tuesday

Terrible Tuesday wasn't so terrible. To my surprise, as far a work is concerned, it ended up being somewhat terrific. And as far as fashion is concerned it was a trendy day.

Living in Western Pennsylvania sometimes does not allow for easy access to fashionable items. In fact, it often times creates somewhat of a wardrobe challenge. But this is why you have to tap your resources (thrift stores, boutiques, friends...) or find inspiration on Pinterest.  Thank God for Pinterest!  But whatever you do, you have to WANT to do it. It's not easy; it takes time; it takes planning. Yes, I plan what I want to wear, including accessories, the night before. I can't take any chances in the morning. Mornings are for getting lunches packed, clothes ironed (not mine, they're done the night before) and last minute spelling test cram sessions. I have heard of other people who plan outfits the night before. I admire those people.  I can't imagine what I would do if I had to put together a spontaneous outfit--that would be so stressful.  I would rather keep spontaneity to lunch dates, weekend trips or unexpected gestures of appreciation. 

I told someone at work yesterday that the only good thing about the work day was that I got to wear my crystal necklace (the one in yesterday's post). I am not sure, not absolutely positive, but I think I saw an eye roll. And not in the good way (if there could ever be a good way). The roll was more in the manner of "You must be the most shallow person in this office. But I will laugh anyway." And guess what? Their supposed sentiments do not offend me. 

These ladies below are definitely not wardrobe challenged or make any excuses for living in Western Pennsylvania. Quite the opposite because they always use their resources and look great doing so! I had to take pictures and share today. You'll have to excuse the quality and orientation of the photos. My iphone was the one that was challenged today.

Angela is wearing a striped jersey dress from the Joe Fresh collection from jcp.com (similar:find here). Vest::Wilson Leather, Boots::TMPO stretch, Necklace::3 row bubble necklace from Groopdealz (sold out).

                                

You can't tell in this picture but Leah's dress (from Chadwicks of Boston) is a beautiful shade of green. Shoes:: Sacha London, Earrings:: Sabika, Mega Drops (similar found here), Necklace:: Stella & Dot, Daisy Pearl Necklace (found here).

The Curse of the Mondays

I haven't quite figured out why people don't like Mondays. It's the start of a new work week for most people. A chance to start over; create new things; meet new people; entertain new ideas; do WONDERFUL things!

Don't get me wrong. I have had my share of the "curse of the Mondays" (I just came up with that, by the way), but usually the curse wears off after the first five cups of Donut House coffee. And if I may digress for a moment, I don't know what the heck I would ever do without coffee--another addiction I guess. 

I spent over 10 hours at work today. I can't help it; I love my job. I probably could have stayed longer, but I do have another job. Several other jobs.  

With any relationship, there are ups and downs. Days blessed with success and days doomed for failure...sometimes epic failures. But so what? Pick up and start over. Don't be defeated. Don't let one day dictate or set the mood for the rest of the week.

I think I found another weakness I have.  I am beginning to realize that I can't appreciate (or at times tolerate) people who don't love what they do.  They don't realize that having a job is like being in a relationship. And just like being in a relationship, when they start getting "comfortable" with their partners,  the other person (or job) might not be that in that into them and maybe even feel that they're taking them for granted. Some people get stuck in the courting phase and this explains the slew of job placements on their resumes. I can go on and on with all the similarities that include how you look, how you act, what you offer and what you sacrifice. 

I work with some pretty amazing people who have lives, other jobs and responsibilities outside of work. And even FAMILIES...and children. With all of that, I can understand why they might sometimes have the curse of the Mondays. 

But today was not an ordinary day or an ordinary cursed Monday. I just hope that tomorrow, which we have affectionately labeled in the office as "terrible Tuesday" is much better. I am anticipating that I will spend part of the day (based on today's events) giving pep talks, providing support, managing rogue employees and hopefully getting a new contract. 

How do you handle employees who constantly seem to have the curse of the Mondays?

On the bright side, I was able to wear this awesome crystal piece that I got (actually had one of my staffers order for me) from jane.com. Long story for another time.

Best,

H.

A Casual Conversation Over Dinner

We went over to my parent's (or affectionately called Heebolla) house for dinner tonight. As we sat at the table, eating our last non-vegan meal, which consisted of rice kofta (a family recipe that I will have to share someday) with potato cubes and rice, before lent (even though the fast officially began last week) we started comparing old people to babies. You can imagine the comparisons. From diaper wearing to stroller pushing, the comparisons seemed infinite. And putting everything into a Biblical perspective, as he always does, my dad suggested that I read the last chapter of Ecclesiastes. And as the good daughter I am, I did without asking him why.

Verse 5, literally brought me to tears.  Don't know why; don't know how. "For man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets."

I will definitely have to follow-up with Heeb tomorrow and ask him why?