Week Four in Review

So this may be a day late, but I promise it’s not a dollar short. This past week was a busy one. I completely ran out of time yesterday to write a post. My apologizes, everyone!! After week 3’s “something new” everyday, week 4 was more about focusing on just a few new things.

The biggest thing I did this week was open a business. I am now working as a personal stylist through Keaton Row. Style has always been something I love and now I have a way to channel that love into an actual activity. Don’t worry though. This blog will not become all about the business but I am sure I will post fashion pieces from time to time.

One great thing about living in the city is always having new restaurants to try. This past Friday, one of my best friends was in town and we decided to head out for happy hour and food. Diego has just opened on 14^th St NW rather conveniently close to my apartment so we decided to give it a try. Great drink specials ($5 Brut) and delicious appetizers (the corn tamales were amazing!). This place is definitely a win in my book!

Weekend Rewind

This weekend was a serious blast! I took the day off on Friday and hit the outlets (with the  same friend who later joined me for cocktails!). I splurged at Kate Spade. (How could I not? The purses were 60% off!) Saturday was spent with some of my closest friends now living in Virginia, eating and drinking just like old times in 29 Palms! I even made a few new Pinterest recipes (found here and here.)  The popcorn was delicious and the mac and cheese surprisingly easy to make! Sunday was all about getting ready for the week though we did make a pit stop at the PX to pick up some moto gear (aka Marine Corps shirts and such.)

Now it’s Monday and I am already missing the weekend and my friends. But, I am excited for the week has in store!

Have a great week everyone! 

New Opportunities

Hi everyone!!


I know how frustrating it can be to spend time stressing over what blouse to wear with what skirt, or trying on twelve different pairs of jeans and not finding the right fit. That’s why I started a 100% online personal styling business with Keaton Row.

I’ll work with your wardrobe needs, personal style preferences, and budget to help you look your best without the stress. And during Keaton Row’s launch year, styling services are totally free! You only pay for the items you choose to buy – and the prices are exactly the same through Keaton Row as through the retailer.

Email me directly, or sign up on my Stylist profile to get a complimentary styling session.

Yours in Style,

Dani

Week Three in Review

Halfway there! This week was a busy one. Since we hit the home stretch, I decided to push myself and try something new every day this past week. It was a blast! (Exhausting but a blast!)

A few new things I tried revolved around beauty and fashion. I styled two new pencil skirts and tried a new summer nail trend. These things might seem trivial and I guess in the grand scheme of things, they are. However, by putting that little extra effort in the morning, I felt great all day. It really helped to boost my attitude. It’s funny how something so small as a new skirt or nail polish can put a whole new spin on the day! (That paragraph was oddly cheerful and not at all sarcastic … hmm, am I losing my edge?)

This week I also tried a new at home workout via Pinterest. I really enjoyed the workout but my favorite part was wearing those ridiculously short shorts around my house. (I might have even indulged in a Pandora Hip-Hop radio inspired dance party post workout … and when I saw “might have,” I mean definitely! What can I say? I have no shame.)

Weekend Rewind:

This weekend was all about getting my closet (and my life) organized. Friday night was spent crazily digging out the depths of my closet while drinking wine. It seemed like a good idea at the time. (Honestly, wine is always a good idea.) By Saturday morning, I had accumulated a rather large pile of stuff to donate. I feel rather proud of myself. On Saturday, I splurged on some organizational goodies from the Target. It’s actually a great time to go since they have all the “back-to-school” paraphernalia out. Sunday was spent putting everything back into place in the closet. I did take a small break to have brunch down on Barrack’s Row and explore the Capital Hill Books!

(And, if anyone is interested, one of the books I started is so horribly good. Ya know what I mean? The main character is described to look just like Spike from Buffy theVampire Slayer. So bad but so good!)

The Week Ahead:

Pinterest recipes, random metro stops, and cleaning out the dresser!

Have a great week everyone! 

Week Three Day-by-Day “Mini Posts”

We have reached the midway point of my 6-week challenge of over-hauling my life and trying new things. To celebrate this milestone, I have decided to post updates as I try something each day this week!

Day One:

Monday was all about styling one of my new pencil skirts!

Ann Taylor Skirt, J.Crew Blazer (similar here and here), Kate Spade Necklace (similar here)

Day Two:

Inspired by this article by The Small Things Blog, I went bare! (Well my nails did!)

From left to right: Sally Hansen "Sweet Talker", Essie "Fiji", Essie "Ballet Slippers", Maybelline "Born With It" 

I choose Essie "Fiji"!  

Day 3:

Today was a bit of a let down. All geared up to try a new workout via Pinterest, I just could not find the energy or the time after work! I went to work early, got out late, and spent all day in meetings. So to treat myself after a long day at work, my "new thing” for the day is two new books!

Yay!

 

The first is a fluffy fiction recommended to me. Vampires? Yes. Sexy Lead Male? Yes. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost has it all. Sign me up! The summer really is all about “beach reads.” Sometimes you just need a fun book to sink your teeth into. (Pun intended!)

The second is a book that has been sitting next to my bed for months. I have really enjoyed writing this blog and am interested in branching out to fiction. Alice LaPlante’s book The Making of a Story is just what I need to get started. Each chapter has a writing exercise and great tips to perfect my craft. I am so excited to develop my writing skills!

If I have inspired you to start a new book but you have no idea which to pick, these sites are great to help you pick your next summer read.

GoodReads, WhatShouldIReadNext, TheStaffRecommends, WhichBook, and Shelfari 

Day 4:

I am sure I am not the only one who does this. You pin something, then you never try it! Today was all about trying a workout that I pinned months ago on Pinterest. One plus of doing the workout at home, I could wear those ridiculously short shorts and feel no shame!

The workout was great and I am exhausted! Now, I am treating myself to a face mask from GlamGlow.

Two workouts I did: 15 minute Full Body Ballet Workout and Miranda Kerr's Ballet Barre Workout

Day 5:

Today and the whole weekend is going to be all about organizing the disaster that is my closet! Full Post on Sunday.

Have a great weekend everyone! 

Week Two in Review

I love holidays. I really truly do. What I am not a fan of are the weeks that follow a holiday. This past week really seemed to drag on. Because it seemed to be the week that would never end, I decided to treat myself to a week of new beauty products and new styles. 

I tried a lot of new products this week! Most were courtesy of Birchbox. If you haven’t tried Birchbox yet, I would definitely suggest it. For $10 a month, you get a fancy box of sample products. It really is a great way to try new things without having to commit to a full size bottle. What can I say; I have commitment issues (to products at least.) My favorite thing I tried from this month’s box was Marcel BB Cream.  The product is very light and smooth to apply. I love that it is tinted so you can definitely wear it alone. Now, I am not all that knowledgeable about specific brands and such and the whole “aa, bb, cc, blah blah” trend, but I know I liked this product. It was just the right amount of coverage and really evened out my skin tone. 

The whole idea of trying new things from Birchbox inspired me to search what other companies offered “sample size” products. I am now in love with sample sizes. (Little bottles of beauty products, not tiny dresses from designers!) Recently I went to the hairstylist and he suggested Moroccan Oil Anti-Frizz Spray. For $45 a bottle, I was really hesitant to buy it. I loved how it worked when the stylist did my hair but I know my hair styling skills. I suck. My hair never looks the same so I really didn’t know if the products would work either. So I googled it and guess what? The Moroccan Oil site has trial size bottles to buy for $17!! So worth it!

Pencil Skirts. As Stacy and Clinton have taught me, pencil skirts are universally flattering. They work on every body type. Sure, sure. Still, knowing this, I have been afraid of them! I think its because I have such a short waist! I have avoided this style for years and years. But, as the weather warmed up here in DC, I realized I needed more work outfit options. So I splurged! Ann Taylor was having such a great sale and I was able to snag three fun summer skirts! I will post pictures throughout the week as I test out my new skirts to show how I style them. As I am not creative, I see a basic silk top with each.

(My three new skirts from Ann Taylor, two of my favorite work flats from C. Wonder, and my ever present Kate Spade glasses. )

That pretty much sums up my week! Though this week wasn’t the best, this weekend has been a blast. Did a little shopping at Tysons Corner yesterday, took the dog for a 2 mile walk, invented a new lunch item (baked naan sandwiche-y things), and discovered a new show on Netflix. (Orange is the New Black … hilarious!!) We also started to plan our trip to New York next month. We booked a hotel in Chelsea and picked a Broadway show to see. My birthday is right around the corner and I am so excited!

(BTW, if you are on 14th St NW anytime soon, stop into Peregrine Espresso. The best iced black citrus tea I have had in a while!) 

Can’t wait to see what next week will bring! Hope you all have a great week.