Erin Condren Planner

Dear Grad School –

Please remind me why I thought you were such a good idea.

XO Meg

No but seriously. I’m officially overwhelmed between school, work, and my personal life. There are not enough hours in the day and days in the week. I NEED MORE TIME!

But, this weekend was a success. I had a huge to-do list that was not accomplished but I still managed to get most of the important things taken care of.

I made a video yesterday, my first ever to be exact, and had every intention of posting it on Glamorous Hustle but realized how silly I looked and chickened out. Yes, I care all too much about what people think about me. BUT, I’m still going to share with you guys the thing I was going to TALK to you about in my video!

A lovely blogger I discovered recently, Leigh Anne at Hart to Heart, showcased a calendar/planner she recently purchased and I immediately fell in love.

And then purchased my own. Because it was just THAT cute! Ladies and gentleman, I introduce you to my new Erin Condren planner.

Yes. Tell me that is not the cutest planner you've ever seen!? If you go to Leigh Anne's page you'll see more pictures about the packaging. I was too exciting to even get this thing that I tore the box apart and began using it immediately.

 

If/when you make your own purchase, you get to choose the design and color of your planner and personalize what text you'd like to include on it. I put my name so no one else can steal it; because it's THAT adorable! 

Throughout the planner, there are quotes. Some are motivational, some are inspirational, and some are just plain heart-warming. But if you know me, you know my love for quotes. And the colors! Oh mylanta, they make me think of spring :). 

Each month is separated by a colored tab which makes it easy for you to see the monthly calendar for that month. 

I use this section to keep track of what bills I have on what day of the month and important dates that I need to remember; ie dinner with the girls, birthdays, other events. If you flip the page, there are week-by-week pages where you can get a little more detailed with what you have to do each day. This helps me stay organized with work and school stuff. 

Towards the back of the calendar, there are stickers you can put throughout the calendar to show when you have events but this part is my favorite^^. There is a little folder section to keep hold of important receipts or documents you need to carry around with you and a little pouch to hold things too! I put my business cards in there so they don't get messed up; before they were in my wallet but got so worn! 

 And I got a few labels too! I was not expecting this :). How cute would these be to put on gifts for friends and family members? So creative, so neat and clean, and super simple to spruce up any gift.

Lastly, I had a coupon that included even more labels. This time I got to personalize them myself and choose what design I wanted. So of course I chose .... 

PEACOCK! Eek, I'm obsessed. 

Of course, Erin Condren makes other personalized goodies for your convenience. To take a look at her online store, visit www.erincondren.com.

A flirty little planner

Phew! Friday. We are finally here. I’m having mixed emotions about that though.

I’ve loved work this week because we were insanely busy and we were finally in our new offices so I’m a little sad that I’m taking a 2-day break. But I’m so happy because my brain is literally fried. I barely remember coming home at all this week because I’ve been so exhausted and mentally drained!

But I came home last night to my new Erin Condren calendar! I’ll give you guys a better detail about it this weekend but here is a sneak peak of the beauty that is my new bible:

As for tonight? I’ve got date #2 with a blind date from Tuesday. Today’s outfit is a little flirty with the see-through blouse but it’s super comfortable as well; I’m known to eat more than I should at the Thai restaurant we’re going to so I needed some forgiving clothes!

Cardigan: Banana Republic; White tank: H&M; Pink Blouse: Old Navy; Jeans: Old Navy; Heels: Target

What are you guys doing this weekend?

Yes, I'm still alive!

I had every intention of waking up this morning and wearing flats. I’ve been in heels every day for the last 2 weeks and I wanted to give my feet a break. But, when I got dressed in dress pants and my new glitter flats, I felt frumpy! Could it be? Could I have transitioned from frumpy college student/nanny to professional career woman who works in an office? I didn’t even see that change coming!

So I changed into this little number. A navy blue silk shirt from Target, a black pencil skirt from New York & Company, tights from Ann Taylor and Nine West heels c/o TJ Maxx.

 

As you guys all know, I re-arranged/re-organized my room and now have a tripod for my camera! I tested it out this morning with this outfit and I’m pretty impressed! It was very secure when it held my camera sideways (although trial and error, it fell a few times before I figured out the secure snaps for it) and it gets great height!

As soon as the weather gets warmer I’m going to take this baby outside for some shots. But first, I need to start tanning and drop a few pounds. Boy, the camera isn't my friend lately!

In other news, I’m SWAMPED at work. We moved our offices on Monday and I’m LOVING my new space. But, for some reason, the new office brought a lot of new work!

I’m busy doing my “regular” work stuff but also helping out with a pitch for a new client. Looks like this chick is putting in some over-time hours. Unfortunately, 1 of my 3 responsibilities needs to be sacrificed and right now I’m thinking it makes more sense to focus on work and grad school, so the blog has been neglected.

But, you guys know I can’t leave for too long. So, I promise to give you a few good posts this weekend. Two of them are already in the works!

Fashion Recap of the 84th Annual Academy Awards

Hello fashionable people. First, I must apologize just in case this post ends up looking strange formatting-wise. I created a Google + account and now have a swanky new blog interface which will hopefully be easier to use. Sometimes though, L-Sass does not adapt well, especially when changes are technology based.

Anyway, who tuned in to the Academy Awards/Oscars? Ever wonder why this show has two names? After Jean Dujardin won Best Actor for his role in The Artist and rattled off a bunch of facts about the Awards of yesteryear, I became a little interested. After extensively researching looking it up on Wikipedia, I learned that the origin of the term "Oscars" is as widely contested as some of the winners themselves. Since most of the explanations concern people I have never heard of (save for Bette Davis and Walt Disney), I won't go into that any further.

Ok, so. On to the red carpet. Overall, I thought it was pretty safe, what say you? Below are two looks that are pretty representative of what we saw all evening. Nothing really wrong here, nothing really amazing. On the left we have Penelope Cruz, who looks perfectly pretty, but it's so boring and I am just not a fan of the hola senorita neckline. I realize this photo is blurry, but since she didn't really look great I decided it didn't matter. Of the two, I prefer Virginia Madsen. The color is amazing on her. I don't understand the green earrings with this. It's not like it's a horrible combination, but it's all very Ninja Turtles, isn't it? Maybe that's just because I came of age in the '90s. Also, they look like they were purchased on Bluefly.com after Virginia saw Angelina Jolie's earrings at the 81st Oscars, and she thought it's been long enough that no one would remember. Wrong-O.

Virginia Madsen in Kevan Hall

Penelope Cruz in Armani Prive

Speaking of Angelina Jolie, she wore black, which surprised no one except for some reason Giuliana Rancic, who remarked that she was expecting her to go for color. For real, Angelina Jolie wears black to events 95 percent of the time. And this year, her red carpet poses were as varied as her events wardrobe:

Is she serious with the leg? I can't take it. This is classic example of a woman trying too hard. The slit would have been very sexy if she had tried, at all, to make her leg sticking out look like... well, like she was NOT DELIBERATELY STICKING HER LEG OUT. What gives?Maybe she was trying to trip Ryan Seacrest. I hope so. Anyway, as anyone who watched the actual show knows, this nonsense did not end after the carpet. She continued it on stage as a presenter. Luckily, it gave us this hilarious moment (special thanks EW.com who not only supplied the dual view, but hilariously named the jpeg "jolie rash," which is what you get after watching her repeatedly stick her leg out awkwardly everywhere she goes):

Angelina Jolie and my new favorite Oscar winner, Jim Rash (accepting an award for Best Adapted Screen Play).

Leg atrocity aside, I was torn about this look because her waistline looked amazing in it, but I know for a fact that she's emaciated. I guarantee she had to wear her hair down so no one would see her bony-ass shoulders. The lady is a skeleton in red lipstick. The dress, which probably weighed as much as she does, would have looked better on Mr. Rash.

Moving on. I realize I have gone off on several tangents since beginning this post, so if any of you are still reading, I'll now reward you by getting into the WORSTS first.

10) Melissa McCarthy in Marina Rinaldi

I know, I'm sorry. But this just didn't work for me. She looks like she is being choked by that bedazzled collar or whatever it is. I didn't dig the waist detail either, it looked like it was stolen from a superhero. Something else unfortunate: those sleeves. Does no one watch What Not to Wear? This dress is not flattering to her shape at all. Overall, it's too billowy, she looked like she stole if from a (really great) theater's costume closet.

9) Busy Phillips in Dolce & Gabana

For real, I could chop this dress around the knee, put on a black cardigan and be ready for work. Also hated the jewelry. This is all very sad, because I just saw Busy on Watch What Happens: Live and really liked her. Also, those shoes... I guess it was a way to jazz up the dress but it didn't work out.

8) Wendi McLendon-Covey in CB Haute Couture

I can't decide if she looks more like a birthday cake or the little ballerina who dances in a jewelry box. Epic fail, lady.

7) Viola Davis in CUSTOM Vera Wang

CUSTOM! Eek. I imagine the exchange went like this:
Vera: I made this especially for you.
Viola: Oh...you shouldn't have.
She looks like she is being eaten by something (something that can't quite get past her breasts). Not to sound like a tired Project Runway judge, but there are some good ideas in here, it just didn't all come together.

6) Rooney Mara in Givenchy

Is anyone else tired of Rooney Mara looking like this? Stop it with the bangs, Rooney. And stop drawing attention to the fact that you don't have any breasts.

5) Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad

Christ! She looks something you would be horrified to encounter under the sea (something that is also going to prom. why the prom hair, why?). Look, it's no secret that I hate Jennifer Lopez, but rest assured, I genuinely hate this dress. I texted my mom that I was pretty sure you could see the slut's nipple, and I am again sure of this while viewing the pictures. I hate the cutout in the sleeves, and I hate the little belle shape at the wrists. I'm not sure there is anyone I more wish would just. go. away. She and Cameron Diaz were paired up to present, presumably because they are each totally irrelevant on their own. And, what happened to Cameron Diaz's face? Yikes.

4) Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen

Jessica Chastain finally got her hair looking good, and then she goes and wears this.

3) Amara Miller in Valentino

Dear Amara Miller's parents, your daughter was in an Oscar-nominated movie; she should officially be allowed to wear makeup. Dear Valentino, this dress is terrible.

2) Shaun Robinson in ???

Unsurprisingly, I can't find out who is responsible for this.

1) Livia Giuggioli in CUSTOM Valentino

How could something custom made fit so poorly? I call lies. She looks like she has a tray resting on her boobs. And that purse! Holy God. I'd congratulate her on matching her lipstick EXACTLY to her dress, but I don't know why anyone would want to do that. Finally, I'm very upset that this lady gets to hang around with Colin Firth. Perhaps she was distracted by his body/face/sound of his voice while getting dressed, and so we end up with this monstrosity. It is the only acceptable excuse.

Ok, let's end this post on a high note and get into the BESTS.

10) Glenn Close in Zac Posen

Glenn may have lost the Oscar to Meryl Streep (I call bullshit), but she totally bested her in terms of fashion. I love the color, the fit is perfect, and the jacket actually reads "fashion" and not "I'm old so I better cover up."

9) Kristen Wiig in J. Mendel

See what happens when you don't wear hideous, gothic chokers? (Kristen Wiig at the SAG Awards) I love how effortless this looks, I love the color, and I think the skirt manages to look dramatic and soft without looking like a chicken costume. Also, this is what I wish my hair looked like every day. Bravo.

8) Nina Garcia in Jean Paul Gaultier

I'm not usually a fan of black on the red carpet, especially when I'm viewing it on TV (as opposed to examining pictures online, I mean. I'm not that lucky). But when I saw Nina in this gown, it stuck with me. I love, love that neckline, and I can't remember the last time I saw something like that. I feel like if you're going to do black, make sure there is an interesting structural or textural element, like Nina has done. Plus, she had the best accessory ever: Tim Gunn!

7) Kelly Osbourne in ?? and Kelly Osbourne

Word has it that Kelly helped design her gown, but I couldn't find was too lazy to keep searching for who she worked with. I love the black and green, the cut-outs, the silhouette, the sleeves...it's just a win, all around. I love how she styled her hair, even though I'll never be a fan of the violet-gray, but that's just not who I am. Kelly is who she is though, and nothing less. Love that! She never seems to be trying too hard, and she never seems to be phony. I heart Kelly.

6) Stacy Keibler in Marchesa

Holy fit! Perfection. Everyone is joking that she looked like the Oscar itself, but for real, let's just redesign the things and call them the Stacys.

5) Ellie Kemper in Armani

I am in love with this dress. If I went to the Oscars, or anything remotely fancy, ever, I would wear this (in this fantasy, I do not suffer from underarm fat, as I do in real life). I love the rust colors, and it looks like there are pinks and ambers mixed in there too, or maybe it's just the way the light hits it...who cares? My only deal is I think it's sitting just a smidge low and I'm not really loving those bangs. But I love that the jewelry is simple, and I love her hair color. I didn't really know who Ellie Kemper was before. I do now!

4) Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab

No one in the history of the world ever, nor anyone yet to come, will ever be able find anything wrong or blah about this look. Every single thing, from head to toe, is perfect. And I love her pose, she looks like she's floating. So sexy, so not desperate. I wonder if Angelina's put her freaking leg away yet.

3) Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

Can you imagine a better dress for this lady? The fit and color are perfect. I love the cinched waist and the way the beading splays out from the center. I also loved that she looked a little nervous all night. Most people are soooo cooool. It was just really fun to see someone who looked like she could hardly believe all that was happening to her. And she looked beautiful.

2) Emma Stone in Giambattista Valli

I love red, and I love a redhead in red. I love the giant bow! It is indeed giant but it looks light as a feather. And I love that her hair is swept in the opposite direction. And I love that she doesn't have orange skin. And I love that she's not wearing a hideous eagle belt like she was at the Golden Globes. Love, love Emma Stone.

1) Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton

Marilyn who? I love everything about this, and it's my favorite look of hers since the yellow Vera Wang she wore in 2006 (and I frequently love what she does). I love the color and texture, and I'm really into that pink clutch. Of everyone on the carpet, Michelle Williams is the one whose closet I would love to look inside.

Whoo. That is it! Sorry for the delay, I have a job and a kind of pain in the butt commute, etc. Thanks for reading! Some final thoughts: Rose Byrne is too skinny and Melissa Leo looked like a magician. Honorable mentions: Giuliana Rancic, Kelly Ripa and Gwyenth Paltrow.Sorry for saying the words "love" and "amazing" so many times. But if not when discussing red carpet looks, then when?

Once again, Meg, thanks for having me!

My bookshelf holds shoes

Happy Monday! How was everyone’s weekend? Mine was semi-productive. I ended last week with a to-do list, an early start to happy hour, and a goodbye to my office.

Our offices moved over the weekend (well we didn’t, we paid people to do it for us) so my desk was packed up and ready to go by 3 pm on Friday. Today we started in our new offices and I couldn’t be more excited. I spent most of the morning unpacking and getting my desk set up exactly how I want it to be. What a great way to start the week!

My weekend was super relaxing. I got some work done, a lot of shopping done, and even more organizing! My shoes have been taking over my closet lately and I attempt to organize them on a bookshelf I had handy; but I outgrew it.

So I purchased and put together a 5-shelf bookshelf for all of my shoes to be put on display!

I have a feeling it won’t take me long before I need to purchase a 2^nd bookshelf. This one is obviously pretty full already.

Then I made some room on the older bookshelf for my nail polish, my books, and some bracelets I don’t wear because they are hidden in my jewelry armoire.

It felt great to get all of my “stuff” organized and clear out clutter.

I’m starting this week the way I start every week, with a positive outlook and hopes that it’ll be better than the last.

Did you guys have a good weekend? What are you looking forward to this week?

Some extra pics from around the room:

Some of the beauties I get to choose from in the mornings.

Mommy's Valentine's gift to each of my sister's and I.

Wine corks saved up from the fam and some fun stuff ;)

Nail polish!!

I'm going to change this up but a little bit of the bracelets I have. 

A bigger picture of the changed up bookshelf.

My desk is finally clean!

And I bought a new tripod! Expect some more outfit pics to come :).