A "How To" On Packing

If you are anything like me when it comes to packing you would rather pull your hair out. Nothing used to stress me out more than getting ready to pack for a trip. I would procrastinate until the last possible minute and throw a bunch of random pieces in a bag. Terrible!

Now that I've grown up a little and care a little more I found a system that works well for me.

What it usually looks like when I pack

Watch the Weather. A week or two before my trip I'll start to watch the weather in the area I'm traveling to and get a sense of the temperature and what the precipitation is like. This way I don't have to waste time packing those "just in case" outfits to prepare myself for the the possibility of anything. I'll be prepared with the right clothing for the right weather. 

Scope Out Inspiration & Make A Checklist. My favorite part! I find some quiet time at home and sit down with my computer, some magazines and a notepad and start scoping out outfit ideas. I visit various websites such as Pinterest and several fashion blogs I follow and I think of what I have to re-create some of these inspirations. I scribble down outfits on my notepad so it's easy to go and pull from my closet. While I'm creating my list I also make note of personal hygiene items, beach towel, sunscreen, etc. I need so I can gather my thoughts and have a checklist when I go to pack.

Plan Ahead. Don't wait until the day before you leave and end up standing in your closet in overwhelmed not knowing what the heck you need. The week of the trip do all the laundry and set all the clothes you've chosen aside so you don't wear them and then end up scrambling to clean them and pack them the night before.

Lay It Out. Lay out all the outfits separately so you can see them all. Try them on to make sure they meet the final approval and find add your accessories for each outfit. Once your happy with your choices pack them up together as outfits so you don't have issues remembering what you created once your on vacation. Go back to that checklist and add all your necessary items and viola! Your ready to go! All days before you leave :)

Don't forget your camera! You'll need lots of pictures to remember how great you looked!

Do you have any packing tips?

XOXO,
Maeg

Fab Finds Friday!

I have some seriously fabulous finds to share with you this week! I splurged in a much need shopping spree on Tuesday evening. I might have to go ahead and say that's the best therapy for a gal :)

So here are my finds!

Nude Woven Shirt: Forever 21 $17.80

Fuschia Blazer: Forever 21 $27.80

Camel/Black Maxi: Forever 21 $13.80

Cream/Taupe Dress: Forever 21 $14.50

Black Skinny Jeans: Forever 21 $10.50

Gold Hoops: Forever 21 $1.50

Peach/Gold Earrings: Forever 21 $4.80

My Fav Fab Find! Nude Wedges: Charming Charlie $29.97

Does shopping give you a warm tingly feeling inside like it does for me?

XOXO,
Maeg

Just Fabulous!

Just a heads up for my readers. I am re-titling my blog...changing a few things up, but have no fear, I'm still here!

Now to the important stuff...

Just a few from my collection...

Black Pumps: Gift
Nude Wedges: Charming Charlie
Gray Pumps: Belks

Shoes are my guilty pleasure. I adore them! Especially a great set of pumps. I found a website that has now become a favorite of mine! Want to know why? Because they are fabulous and have prices that I just can't beat and they mainly focus on SHOES! That's why!

Visit http://www.justfab.com/index.cfm  They are exactly what they say they are... Just Fabulous! After you become a member (which is FREE) they ask a few questions about your personal style. From then on you receive a monthly "personalized boutique" where they handpick shoes that fit your style best. That's not all! Every item is $39.95, free shipping always, fashion advice from consultants, and a reward system with occasional freebies!

The even more exciting part... you get 20-50% off your first order from them for shoes or handbags. (The percentage changes on deals they are having each day) Holla!

I ordered some beauties called the Paulette! I think I'm in love. Definitely one of my Fab Finds of the week that I couldn't resist, but had to share a day eary :) Besides they won't be shipped in until late this weekend and I'll be at the beach next week so I won't be able to take a pic to share.

What is your guilty pleasure?

XOXO,
Maeg

Simple, Healthy, Tasty... Nuf' Said.

Remember that extra chicken breast I cooked when I made Chick Parmesan - Tuscan Style? Well it was put to use the next day!

I was running late after work so Jon whipped us up a quick and simple meal for the evening before we had to rush back to town for our small group meeting.

Slice the chicken and layer it up

Add your cheese

Add your dressing

And enjoy!

Simple, healthy, and tasty. Just the way I like it.

Thanks to my hunny :)

Jon and I have been running when we get home from work and it feels great. The weather is so amazing here now that it brings a whole new attitude out in us.

PS. I can't wait to share my Fab Finds this Friday! I had a little bit of a shopping spree last night :) eeekkk!

XOXO,
Maeg

Tangle & Mangled

As I have posted before, I have a thing for jewelry. When you have a thing for jewelry, you have issues with storage, when you have issues with storage, well you can't find a dang thing and everything's tangled.

Fortunately they make wonderful accessories to organize your precious belongings.

Check out this beauty I found from Etsy. Not only is it fantastic, but it's elegant looking. The only thing it doesn't seem to have much room for is your rings. It only holds 6 rings depending on their size. Have no fear! That's what these are for.

I've posted once before about a neat organization system I found on Pinterest. I actually had a friend put this into use. Instead of using a peg board she used a cork board and had a friend paint it. You could also decorate the frame if you wanted to. To hang her jewelry she used basic push pins. You can find some cute decorative pins online anywhere. And Viola!

Photo is blurry because it was taken with a mobile phone

I do think it is extremely important to be able to have all your jewelry visible and organized in order to accessorize. My jewelry and I have a love/hate relationship momentarily. I have yet to find an organization system that works well for me, but I am working on it. Actually my fiancee is working on it. He is building me something... I'll share when it's completed :)

How do you organize your fashion accessories?

XOXO,
Maeg

Breakfast

This post today is a share from my lovely, inspiring momma.

In the past year not only has she re certified as a personal trainer, but she has become a vegetarian and found a whole new way of eating. When I say whole I put the emphasis on whole. She eats a "whole food diet". I'll feature more articles in the future diving deeper into the theory of whole food eating. But for now... Breakfast!
Enjoy the read :)

Breakfast - the most important meal of the day.

No it really is. If I could only eat one meal a day it would be breakfast but I am fortunate enough not to have to make that choice. Breakfast should be your highest caloric meal of the day. It should be full of complex carbohydrates with protein and fat. This will jump start your metabolism, give you ample energy to rev up for the day and set the stage for maximum fat burning through out the day. 

Fresh fruit, yogurt , sprouted grains and even beans are an awesome way to start the day. Take time to eat your breakfast and enjoy it. I often start off with a "green" drink... Green Goodness from Boathouse Farms w/greek yogurt,veggie based protein powder, vital greens powder and some frozen fruit.... all blended and sipped post work out. An hour or two later I eat a balanced breakfast.... I love a black bean burger on spinach with a scoop of cottage cheese and a cutie. Or sprouted grain English muffin with 1 egg, avocado and some pico de gallo. Sometimes I eat left overs from the prior nights dinner.

Subscribe to the "rule breakfast like a king", "lunch like a prince" and "dinner like a pauper" if you are trying to loose weight.

This week try to put emphasis on breakfast...

Happy healthy eating.... Anne

If you are interested in hearing more, check out her Facebook page dedicated to "Whole Foods".
 
XOXO,
Maeg 

Table For 8 Please

Sorry I'm behind on posting today... The house was a wreck and I spent 3 hours cleaning it! But I'm DUNZO! Anyways...

My Pops and I built this table for my fiance, Jon. It was his Christmas present last year and then he asked me to marry him a month later so now it's going to be mine too. Yay :)

He has a large dining room and he was borrowing his sisters table that was far too tiny and didn't fit the "feel" of the room at all. I found this table idea online once from a catalog and fell in love with it and then I saw it posted months later on Pinterest and I new I had to have it.

 The bench seat on one side and the large, rustic wood makes it a statement piece perfect for all types of rooms. I would have preferred a darker stain on it to go with the deep red dining room walls, but there was really no way to tell how it would look until it was finished and I was afraid to go too dark. Jon and I plan on re-staining it darker this summer.

I did enjoy distressing the wood which included beating each piece with a chain and crowbar :) What an awesome stress reliever.

The fantastic thing about this table is that it has leaves built into it so it can become smaller. We always keep the leaves in because it fits the large room better, but if I needed to make it small for company to come over and have room or for a smaller group around the table I can adjust it easily.

Ever since my dad and I made this table we have had orders from friends and family wanting one too. If you are interested in a table like this and would like more information feel free to email me at bitsnpieceswithmaegen@gmail.com

What is your favorite "crafty" project you've accomplished?

XOXO,
Maeg