Flower Find

I need your help.

This lil' necklace Jessica is wearing is my new obsession. I went to see "Valentines Day" last night and left with only one thought:

Find. That. Necklace.

(Well maybe 2 thoughts...find that necklace and tell every boy I know to watch that movie...notepad in hand.)

Go figure...can't find it anywhere.

If you find it...I promise I won't mind if you get it too. =)

It's Staunton Ya'll!

When I was in college the ongoing joke with my friends was that I pronounced "Staunton" wrong. Apparently they believed it should not be pronounced with a twangy southern accent but instead it should sound more British posh. They told me it would be spelled "Stanton" if it was supposed to be prounced twangy. So maybe it's fate that brought me to read my Daily Candy and spotting the 30% off deal on all "Stanton" James clothing. Or maybe it's just that I love a good deal.

Enter DCSJ at checkout for the 30% discount!

Favorite finds from Stanton

Have a wonderful wonderful weekend everyone.

Time to Visit Staunton

New York Post Listed Staunton as one of the 100 BEST Summer Destinations.

Although if you asked me....I could tell you why it is a 100 Best Destination (.)

You MUST read this article (pretty please with a cherry on top??) to see why Staunton was picked.

Maybe if you read it...you will see why I never want to leave.

OH!! And if you live in Staunton make a pit stop at our TJ Maxx.

Remember my beauty post? Well one of the brand's that I constantly find as a "Best Beauty Product" is Shiseido. I was at TJ yesterday (in Staunton) and what did I find? Every single Shiseido product on the Sephora website. 

(I bought the White Lucent Immediate Brightening Kit as it got the best reviews on Sephora.)

ALSO...Elizabeth Arden is a top "Best Beauty Product Winner" and there was an entire shelf dedicated to its beauty products as well.

Who doesn't want cheap Award Winning Beauty Products?

F.Y.I.

(a TJ tip....ask the sales clerk which days they get their shipments and shop on those days for the best finds: Staunton's are Mon./Tues./Fri.)

Anthro Advice: Q&Q Customer Service

Today's tip for Anthropologie Q&Q (Quality & Quick) Customer Service:

While the whimsical name selections of Anthro products are...well...whimsical....they are not known amongst the employees. Therefore...if you walk in and ask where the "Lambent Amaryllis Blouse" is located...you are not going to get Q&Q Customer Service.

Instead...might I suggest writing down the style # and brand name to hand the Anthro employee.

With the style # in hand..they can look up the item # on a register. There is a system in place for that (unlike giving them the name of the item which they then have to literally go through the website...just like you can...and search for it..leaving you and the employee...quite frustrated.)

The brand name is something I have found helps...not because there is a system in place to find items based on brand...but simply because employees reference items by the brand names and their shape:

 Ex. The shirt below would be described as something like:

Bordeaux's tee that comes in white and grey with the cutout lace cream-colored flower print by the neckline and hem

(It's called "Foliage Fancy Tee" online...quite different, huh?)

Or pull the pretty lil' thing up on your Iphone and show it to to the Anthro employee!

Almost every single man that walks into an Anthro store does this and it is THE BEST way to get Q&Q customer service...GUARANTEED.

What to Buy Right Now

(because it is going to sell out quickly)

If you aren't ready to buy a teeny tiny tee like this yet...imagine it under this pullover.

(which I also believe is going to be quite popular this season)

Wear these tops with these J Brands

J Brands are super stretchy to flatter your curves

(So DO NOT go up a size)

JBrands are skinny pants made for the not-so-skinny

(they are also made for the skinny...but I figured that was a given)

I picked these particular JBrands because they are cropped

(this means that if you are petite, like me, no hemming necessary!)

You know you want to write down these style #'s and brand names and pop on over to your closest Anthro right now, dontcha?

 Now that I think about it...I may have to go "window shop" today too....

5 Star Purchase

These cutie patooties were listed as an InStyle Top Trend for Spring!!

I haaave them in black!!!  I got them last summer actually...and they truly are the most comfortable/edgy sandals I've ever bought (look at them in black on the website if you can...I think the ruffle detail blends in a bit more.) Definitely money well spent. They are THE ONLY shoes that were comfortable enough to wear to work at Anthropologie. The floors are wood over concrete and when I work there I literally run back and forth between the fitting room and the sales floor trying to find that "perfect top/skirt/dress" for my customers. I also received many, many compliments on them while I worked so I promise you will appreciate these goodies (and the compliments) as much as I do!

Virginia is for Musicians

A perk of living in a small town: everyone is connected.

On my 45 minute drive to work this morning I began to listen to my new favorite radio station,

106.1 The Corner and heard an interview with Schuyler Fisk (Sissy Spacek's daughter) a native of Charlottesville!  You can listen to the interview here as well as interviews of many other incredible musicians.

I first heard of Schuyler when my highschool sweetheart and I were watching Orange County and he told me his cousin, who lived in Charlottesville, was dating the pretty girl with red hair (Schuyler) that played the star's girlfriend.
Here I am....5 years later....listening to her music and a phone interview with her while she is in LA.

Here is a summary of the interview in case you don't have time to listen to the whole thing:

1. Her music has been in The Last Kiss, Dear John, Catch and Release, Penelope

Reese Witherspoon, the producer of Penelope, sought her out to write and sing a song for this

2. If you download her song "Love Somebody" from Itunes all

proceeds go to the Charlottesville/Albemarle SPCA

her mom is very involved with this
and asked Schuyler to be a part of it

3. Schuyler still writes with a lot of local musicians in the Charlottesville area

when she comes back to visit she may do a live interview at The Corner Lounge

4. She is in the writing stage of making her next album and would love to come back to VA to work on it

she did her last one in LA and missed being at home (can't blame her)

5. She just got back from touring in Japan

she got to wear an authentic Geisha outfit and said it took about two hours to get dressed

6. she grew up on a farm

that fact and the way she sings remind me of my lovely friend, Valerie McQueen

 7. and last but certainly not least: you can buy her album "The Good Stuff" on Itunes!!

and here you can listen to the songs first...my favorite is "hello"

Raise Your Hand if You are Quirky

I have a confession...in my about me I talked about my "quirkiness" yet I haven't really written anything about this (unless you find what I've already written quirky and then apparently...there's no hope.) Well...I have tried to be calm/cool/collected with my writing...until we got acquainted...so here we are...acquainted...which means I guess I have to tell you about one of my quirks.

Raise your hand if you get "stuck on" things. My dad would have to raise his hand on this one...I blame him for the fact that I get stuck on things just like he does. Confused?

Let me give you an example: I went to this restaurant the other day...and I really liked their rolls. Cool. They have good rolls. So does about 560782 other restaurants. What have I wanted to eat every single day since I went there? Their rolls. To the point where I have asked different people every day to go there and eat with me (if I asked the same person then that would be embarrassing now wouldn't it?)....but then the last time I went the waiter kind of kept secretly smiling (you know when someone is trying not to smile but they do and you know it's because they are laughing at you) every time he came over to our table.

Does it make sense now? I hope so...because I am starting to get embarrassed talking about it. The point of this story, folks, is that I think ya'll can benefit from this quirk!!

My last "stuck on" moment was trying to find THE BEST beauty products out there (which stemmed from being "stuck on" making lists...but anyway) here is my list from both scouring the Allure Best Beauty '09---magazine articles---Allure's online articles/how to's (such as this one, a fav.)---Sephora reviews/Award Winners---and---Allure's editors picks (as in I looked at their picks all the way to the first day they started picking them....2 years ago..I told you...it's a borderline disorder.)

My Skincare Selections for Beautifyin' and Maintainin'

That Pretty Lil' Face of Yours

Masks--Peels--Scrubs--Nighttime Remedies

***stay tuned for more skincare/makeup/hair products***

***Please let me know if you buy one and what you think!***

1. Peter Thomas Roth Unwrinkle Peel Pads *45~Sephora/Amazon

2a. MD Skincare EZ4U 4 in 1 Facial Treatment Pads *35~Sephora

(cleanses, tones, wrinkle-fighter, AND, moisturizer)

2b. OR get this *80 kit---for only *45:

(includes these pads + Alpha Beta Daily Facial Peel + sunscreen + tinted moisturizer + all-in-one cleansing foam + eye hydration sample)

Persuasion~MD Skincare products have alpha and beta hydroxy acids which prevent pre-aging

3. Avon Advanced Retexturizing Peel (30 pads) *21

(glycolic peel for age damage and dullness)

4. Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask *85~Sephora

5. Kiehls Brightening Botancial Hydrating Mask *30~kiehls.com

Persuasion~This is a hangover cure for your face (brightens skin)

6. Clean & Clear Steam Soft in Shower Facial *7~drugstore

7. Euko Extreme Cellular Nutrition Masque *60~amazon/blissworld.com

8. Shiseido White Lucent Intensive Brightening Mask *60~Sephora

9. Arcona Wine Hydrating Mask *38~Amazon

(again...brightens face the day after girls night)

10. Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask *52~Sephora

(oxygen/antioxidants/Vitamin C)

11. Dermalogica Daily Microexfoliant *50~dermalogica.com

12. St Ives Element Microdermabrasion *7~drugstore

13. Biore Skin Preservation Even Smoother Microderm Exfoliator *14~drugstore

14. Biore Mandarin Blossom Nose Strips *5.99~drugstore

15. Elizabeth Arden Intervene Stress Recovery Night Cream *50

16. Murad Sleep Reform Serum *98~Sephora/Amazon

17. Kiehls Midnight Recovery Concentrate *30~kiehls.com

Blame it On the Pop--2009 Mashup

This is THE BEST workout song EVER.

Not that I've ever worked out to it...but I bet if I did....I would run right off the treadmill.

Happy Non-Snow Day!

**If you can't see the video click here to watch it on YouTube**

It Is What It Is

One of my very closest friends---Rana---is my hero.

She has lost her Pop (grandfather) and her father all within the last year to Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

As Rana told me...her dad always said "it is what it is"

so that is what she has been reciting in her mind as she tries to stay strong--

taking care of her Nana and Stepmom. 

But what about Rana?

That is why she's my hero.

Even when her world has come crashing down...she picks herself back up. 

This brings me to a favor I need to ask of you.

 If you get a moment....please say a prayer for Rana

 (and her family if you'd be so kind)....

and remember,

"prayer requires more of the heart than the tongue." 

 ---Adam Clarke

***Oh and hey Pops and Kevin? I'm gonna make sure your little girl keeps laughin' that great big laugh. We miss you dearly.***

Your Secret Revealed

I have a challenge for you, dear readers. I was reading my Lucky magazine and the Lucky editors were asked: "what thing in your closet currently makes you the happiest?"
And I thought....what a clever idea! Why don't I beg my friends (you included) to send me a picture and a little ditty about their favorite article of clothing, too!
So please...help a girl out....and send me your love. (This will be an ongoing project: never too late to send one.)

 ****Your furry friend's favorites are welcome.........
                                                       especially if it's anything like this...................

Snow. Snow. Go Away. Come Again Another Day (Like Next Year).

I miss this.

Key West--January 2010.

**Taken on the cruise I won for being Rookie of the Year at WorldStrides.**

And this.

**Taken also on said cruise when we left port in Miami.**

Instead it is snowing again which reminds me of this:

**Taken in front of the parentals casa during Snowmageddon**

That's ma Daddy being a good Daddy and shoveling out this:

While his car was snuggled up safely inside of this:

And my mom and I stayed inside by the fire with this:

**Meet Brownie. We also have Cookie and Twinkie but Brownie is my fav.**

And reminisced about this:

(both water skiing and my pre-cubicle bod)

*Sigh.* Okay....we get it...Global Warming is a hoax.

Can you please bring back our normal weather now?

My sanity depends on it (obviously).

What You Do for a Nephew

Apparently the first time he had ever been to this place he just played with the train table the whole time. Too scared to go on the monstrocities in the back that people bounced on. This time...Aunt Laura to the rescue....I hopped right on (actually that's a lie..I barely squeezed through the darn thing ending up flopping/wiggling flat on my stomachish)...anyway back to Aunt Laura to the rescue....so I got on and helped him figure out how to put his feet in the little divets and then somehow I ended up having just as much fun going down the slide as he did. Hence the picture. Hey...admit it...you love having an excuse to act like a little kid again, too.

Guy Code Translated: Chick Flick Approved

Since it IS Valentine's Day Weekend I thought I'd put a little post for all the guys out there that need a little bit of guidance. This is not guidance on what to get girls for Valentine's Day (come on now....if you are reading this either Valentine's Day has past or is upon us so just call it quits and start begging for forgiveness/planning a ridiculously good Mothers Day/Birthday/Summer gift IMMEDIATELY...I would suggest a trip but I'm not giving guidance on this so that is neither here nor there.)

Anyway, this is a post about an article explaining acceptable chick flicks for dudes. I like this idea....because hello....you can't just walk around (if you're a dude) saying you LOOOOOVE "The Notebook" and just cried your eyes out when you watched it with your mom. Sorry. If you are single and have ever said that...well....I'm just saying. If you are in a relationship and have said that...well good for you! But I would definitely not also admit that "The Devil Wears Prada"....well to admit anything ABOUT it unless it had to do with "how hot that chick was" or "hey that's my boy Vinny Chase from Entourage."

SO....thanks to my guy....that was sent this by his fraternity brother...here is a list of girl movies that you CAN admit you have seen....and not lose your manly man reputation. Oh and when you say you've seen these...don't ever mention you read about them in a blog post about acceptable guy movies...or that you read it in a blog post...or that you READ blogs...say your frat bro told you it was sick...or something like that.

**Link to secret guy code.....click on my title!**

Outwitted by a 3 Yr Old

So I am taking my nephew Ashton to a birthday party tomorrow which made me realize that he is a perfect topic for a blog. The picture is of Ashton. He is quite possibly the funniest person I know. Seriously. He already talks like a cool guy in high school. You know what I mean....it's impossible to explain without hearing it...so just think of the coolest guy you knew in high school and how he talked and you will then understand. Now...keep that voice in mind while you read the following...because then you will be able to fully appreciate how hysterical my little cool cat nephew really is.

My favorite Ashton phrases:

"CORRECTAMUNDO!"
"Where's that (insert any name here)?" Ex. "Where's that Aunt Laura?" "Where's that Dude?"
"Dude"=My dad's name...started out as Grandpa Dude...now just "DUUUUUUUDE!!!!!" Screamed loudly and drawn out just like a little Southern Gent would.
"Pomegranate" Also drawn out with a southern accent...absolutely precious.
His best friends at Ma&Pa's (for those of you out of towners Ma&Pa's is this little pizza place that my dad eats at no less than twice per week and now takes Ashton every Tuesdays and Thursdays)
They ask Ashton: "Ashton are you going to Dude's carwash today??"
Ashton's response: "No...(obviously)...I'm going to Petermans!" (The name of our carwash is Peterson's Carwash)
"BACK IN THE DAY" Ex: "Grandma was a good basketball player BACK IN THE DAY!" **With LOTS of enthusiasm
Dude: "Ashton...I need to get shaving cream...do you need any?"
Ashton: (Very matter-of-fact) "No...I used to shave when I was a baby but not anymore."


Oh and his favorite songs are Three (Brittany)....New York....and Shorty Fire Burning on the Dance Floor (I have no idea if that's the real title..that is what Ashton calls it....he understands more words than I do in that song). Should I be concerned that my 3 yr old nephew is cooler than me?