Category — Backstage

I’ve come to a disturbing realization: I drink way too much coffee.  I blame the office environment (because surely it can’t be me.)  Working in an office, you start to develop this Pavlovian reaction to the smell of coffee.  So much so that even when a pot of fresh coffee isn’t brewing, your mind plays tricks on you, it’s 3:00pm and you’re exhausted, and you could swear you smell coffee.  So you make a pot.  And have your third cup of the day.  Or when you’re out shopping, you make at least two visits to the mall’s Starbucks counter.  (In shopping’s defense, shopping can get really tiresome.)

So I’m trying to kick the habit.  Or at the very least, curb the addiction.  I’m at a quiet roar right now with a lame-o one cup of coffee in the morning.  And I still cheat, because who am I kidding, three glasses of iced tea at lunch packs plenty of caffeine.  But I’m trying to limit that too.  I swear I’m suffering in the office most of all.  The pots of coffee keep on getting brewed, and some days, I still go for cup number two.  All suggestions are welcome.  I love tea – but most of the teas I love are packed with caffeine (green and black tea).  And the idea of chamomile tea puts me to sleep just thinking of it (also, it reminds me of a spa, and since I’m generally nowhere near a spa, I’ll spare myself the wishful thinking).  I’m trying a box of decaf earl gray right now, but it’s not quite doing the trick.  I like Starbucks’ passionfruit tea – so good – and caffeine free – but I’m spoiled and only like it on ice (the green straw is not half bad either … I’m a straw slut), so that’s not always going to work.  Any thoughts or tips for kicking the caffeine habit (or tricking myself into thinking I’ve gotten my “fix”)?

Original Image via Cheetah is the New Black

Last week one of my blogging bff’s, Alyson, tagged me in her “Five Random Things” post.  The idea behind the posts: bloggers share five random things that readers might not have known about the girl behind the blog and then that blogger tags five friends.  Though I know I don’t always share every bit of my private life on the blog, I thought it would be fun to share the truly random.  Sooo, like a good blogger, I’m posting my own five random things, and trust me, they are random.

I wear Coppertone Baby Sunblock every single day – the one in the pink bottle with the blue lid. Partly because I love the smell (it reminds me of childhood and happiness and sunshine) and partly because I’m terrified of cancer.  I also wear layers and layers of clothes – tights, sweaters, boots – I ignore Spring and Summer completely.  And for the record: I live in Miami.  {My baby brother, who’s in his early twenties, calls them “poetry dresses”, everyone else jokes that I dress like a nun (except for my sister, who thinks everything I do is cool … love that kid! #scissors), and I’m pretty sure my fashion soulmates are some cross between Stevie Nicks and Rachel Zoe.  My husband sings that Iron & Wine song, Love and Some Verses, to me all of the time – “Love is a dress that you made long to hide your knees” – and I adore him for just getting me.}

I’m terrified of scary movies.  I can’t watch them.  Truth be told, the suspense-filled scene in The Little Mermaid where Ursula busts out of the water all pissed off … that gives me palpitations.  No joke.

I am the picky-est eater … and it’s actually something that bugs me about myself.  It started when I was a baby and I wouldn’t eat most baby food, from there I slowly refused so many forms of meat and by middle school I wouldn’t dare touch red meat, and I haven’t since.  I also won’t eat anything slimey (okrah, blech!) or that has a funky smell.  I also hate milk (which is totally weird, I know.)  I hate leftovers … hate them, and if I think something is even a little stale (cereal, crackers, etc.) I’ll throw it out (much to my husband’s dismay, who has a total obsession with stale stuff … umm, can you say “opposites attract?”).

I have trouble making eye contact with people.  I’m actually pretty shy, and something about staring directly into someone else’s eyeballs kind of freaks me out.  I didn’t realize my then-boyfriend, now-husband had blue eyes for at least the first few weeks of dating.  He thinks it’s hilarious ( … especially because back in the day when we dated – high school, to be exact – every girl noticed his blue eyes … whoops!)  On a bright note, the first thing I notice when meeting someone: their shoes.

I get bit by the travel bug often.  Blame my parents for my sense of wanderlust — they used to stick us in a car, plane, train at all ages, every Summer, Spring, and Winter break and off we went.  Now I want to go everywhere, see everything.  Hubby and I pinched all of our pennies to make our European Honeymoon happen two years ago and now that we seriously lucked out and won the Rimmel trip to London this Summer (and of course I’m extending the trip to include two weeks bouncing around England and Italy), I’m already talking about our next six trips.  I just can’t help myself.

So there it is!  Tagging Sarah, Lauren, Joelle, Chelsea, and Mae!

Image 1: here {Tights, Steve Madden Tarnney Boots (gifted), Lulu’s Cheetah Print Stud Purse (gifted)} // Image 2: here (via A Paper Proposal // Photography by: SMS Photography)

I’m starting a new series: Confessions of a Shopaholic.  In part, it may be for self-preservation. Maybe if I get it out there into the universe – all of the stuff that I can’t stop drooling over – I’ll also get it out of my system.  That seems highly unlikely, but you know, it never hurts to try.  Remember that scene in the book/movie, Confessions of a Shopaholic, when the main character sits in a pile of her things, trying desperately to remember why she needed furry orange gloves, and twelve pencil skirts (or something like that)?  That can’t happen to me. My closet’s too small. (Blame fashion blogging.)

Zara Studded Sandals // Rose Pierre Sparkling Sea Cuff (I adore this bracelet!  It reminds me of The Little Mermaid. #awesome) // Mania Mania Ushci Ring (in silver or gold) // Fallon Jewelry Roswell Micro Spike Necklace // Karen Walker Sunglasses in Number One // Alexander Wang Leopard-Print Continental Wallet (Also swooning over the small version.) // Rebecca Minkoff Crisscross Weave Mini MAC Bag // Loeffler Randall Dree Woven Sandals // Valentino Lace Espadrilles (And these Jeffrey Campbell look-a-likes come in a pretty close second!) // Clover Canyon Metallic Leather Shorts (On Sale!) // Giada Forte Silk Shorts

I think this latest wishlist is inspired mostly by my upcoming trip to Europe (still taking suggestions, by the way.)  I’m trying to think minimalistic thoughts. I suggested to my husband that we bring only one luggage … as in, sharing a luggage … one piece of luggage. Needless to say, he laughed … a lot.

I want to bring a day-to-night lightweight purse (which is something I’m usually not very good at … my purses are the weight equivalent of a mac truck.)  I’m also trying to think light when it comes to clothing, not only because of the limited luggage space, but because Europe is seriously hot in June. I’ll be on the look-out for shorts, tank-tops, maxi dresses and skirts, because what kind of vacation would it be if I didn’t get to shop in the name of preparedness weeks (okay, months) in advance?

Last night my husband looked at me and said, “I’m glad I get to be the man behind your blog.” I melted right there on the sofa and was reminded for the ten millionth time why I love him so much. He also insisted that the amount of time it takes me to instagram food leaves him starving most nights and that he still doesn’t get Facebook.  Check out Mike’s interview over on Victoria’s blog today, as he talks the roller-coaster-ride that is blogging, social media, and other nerdy science stuff.  (And P.S., there’s also a fun little surprise announcement in Victoria’s post … told you I had big things in store. #thebbar)

You can also check out my Oh, So Glam Q&A where I’m sharing all things glamour on the Glam site (i.e., “Glamour is a great pair of heels and red lipstick. It’s two parts confidence, one part great accessories.“), and I’m talking about my favorite {edgy} flats on Sam’s blog in her adorable series, Fashionistas in Flats.