Gettsyburg

SSF and I took a field trip up to Gettysburg this past Saturday with about 60 other graduate students from my program. Strange, considering I study business but just go with it. The point of it was to make the connection between business and military strategy.

All that aside, just being there and walking the battlefield was unreal. I've never been on a battlefield, but being there and seeing how they fought, so close to one another, neither wanting to back down, makes me realize how privileged I am. It also reinforces my appreciation and respect for those that serve in the military today.

No history lesson today, just wanted to share some of the photos from my trip.


a North Carolina monument on the confederate line (sidenote: 1 in 4 fatalities were a North Carolina soldier)



also part of the North Carolina monument above



the view from the confederate line looking across the battlefield to where the union army stood



the Virginia Monument honoring Robert E. Lee that looks straight out across the battlefield to a similar monument of General Meade (of the Union Army)



the view from Little Round Top on the Union side 



a Pennsylvania monument on "The Angle", the site of Picketts Charge and the bloodiest hour of the battle. 9.500 soldiers dies in a matter of 50 minutes. 



another area of "The Angle". Union soldiers crouched along this stone wall, looking across the battlefield, waiting for the confederates. 



a long line of monuments of the Union side. 


Unfortunately or fortunately we did not experience any paranormal behavior.


(If you are ever in the area I recommend going to check it out, especially with a tour guide. Just think how different our lives could be if the the Confederate Army was successful at Gettysburg.)

Utility Vest for Under 10

vest & jean leggings: old navy; shirt: j.crew; shoes: nine west via piperlime; scarf: american eagle

I love Old Navy.
I hate Old Navy.
I love Old Navy.
I hate Old Navy.

Right now, I love Old Navy.
Snagged this vest off the clearance rounder for $7.

On another note I've been in crazy shopping mode lately. SSF even called me out on it over the weekend. I wouldn't say that I've been overspending, but I certainly haven't been under-spending. It's like I'm binging after months of restrictive spending. Better get that under control, ASAP.

Even before SSF had so nicely pointed out my spending (and by nicely, I mean bluntly) I had picked up on it a little. Last week I challenged myself to wear outfits I had never worn before to try and shake that "I need" feeling. It worked a little, but I need to keep pushing this week.

How was your weekend?

For Sale: Watercolor Skirt

I came across this skirt while thrifting and couldn't bear to leave the store without it.
Problem is, it's a little too big for me. It's such a great skirt though, I couldn't bare to send it back to where it came from. So the opportunity is yours before I list it on Smashion.

 

Here are the details: 

Originally by: Halogen (Nordstrom)

Size: 4P (petite)

Waist: 13.5" (measured flat)

Length: approx 22" (Hits me just above the knee)

78% Cotton/ 22% Silk, fully lined, Dry Clean Only.

Price: $10 + $3.95 shipping

If you are interested in buying e-mail me 

I will send you a paypal invoice.
Once payment is received, item will be shipped within 48 hours.

(this skirt is available first come, first serve)

 

Front, Slant Pockets.

Hidden zipper

Infographic Love: How Much do you Spend on Clothes?

I wanted to go easy on you, since it's Monday and all, so think just about this:

How much (on average) do you spend each month on clothing?

According to a recent Mint infographic, Mint Users spend on average 15-23% of their discretionary income (whats left over after your needs are met) on clothes.

(click to see full image)

This surprised me, but at the same time it didn't. Working for a retailer I see first hand just how much people are spending on clothing but it just doesn't seem to jive with the headlines you read in the paper or hear on the news day in and day out. People are still losing jobs, the economy is at a standstill, and yet we continue to shop, myself included.

At the same time I'm surprised to find that my monthly spending on clothing, on average about 10%, is way below the norm. So take that SSF! My spending is below average!

Now of course, as with anything, there are flaws with this data. For one, it only captures Mint users information and we don't really know what the average Mint user is like. We don't know their income, their age, or the sample size, or even how often they update their Mint account to reflect accurate data.

I probably wouldn't use this as the end all be all, but it could be a great tool for comparison. How do you stack up to the average in your (closest) city? Are you overspending on clothes? Is their opportunity to cut back?

Wednesday Wedding Love

I know that title was lame, but I'm a sucker for alliteration....

Guess what? A year from today SSF and I will be getting married! It's hard to believe but starting to feel a little more real each day. At the end of the month we will be heading down to the Outer Banks to take a tour of our venue, and meet with caterers. I'm so excited for that trip.

In the meantime, I've been working with the most amazing woman I found through Etsy on my stationary (invitations, save-the-dates, etc). When I first sat down to plan my wedding budget I picked out my non-negotiables (dress,venue, photographer) and my "save" areas (florals, food, stationary). For awhile I was really nervous about how I would balance getting the invitations I wanted at the price I could pay. Thanks to Etsy, crisis averted. I would show you all a sneak peak at the designs but I have friends that read this blog and don't want to ruin the surprise.

What I can show you is the inspiration behind my invitations:

Source: etsy.com via Grace on Pinterest

Source: minimozblog.blogspot.com via Grace on Pinterest

Source: wanelo.com via Grace on Pinterest

Source: hellolucky.com via Grace on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Grace on Pinterest

Maybe you can't figure out it out totally, but I think you may have an idea of what I'm going for.

Lucky & Dior Pretty Party

This weekend was pretty awesome. Thanks to my partnership with Lucky, I was invited to host a Lucky & Dior Pretty Party for myself and 10 guests. While the final guest count ended up lower than that, I still had a blast. I got to meet some local bloggers for the first time, Faith and Lindsay, and spend a girls night with some of my close friends, Anne and Stephanie. It was a night of make-up, shopping, and delicious cupcakes.


Dior Counter, Tysons Corner Bloomingdales. 



Faith, Anne, Lindsay, and Stephanie

A small army of Dior experts were there to walk us through the importance of good skincare products and to help us perfect the smokey-eye look. I was the model and while it looks like I was not enjoying myself in the following picture, do not be fooled, I loved every minute of it.




Lindsay getting her eyes did

Right before lips, we enjoyed some delicious cupcakes from Cakelove in DC. (They were amazing... so so amazing.)


mmm.. cupcakes


full kabuki

Finally, at the end we headed down to the counter for a little subsidized* shopping courtesy of Lucky. While I easily could have walked away with everything if there was no budget or SSF to go home too, I limited myself to their serum and eye cream. A total change of direction from what I pictured myself buying before the night began. (I was thinking mascara and maybe foundation).

You: "But Grace, you're too young for eye cream"
Me: "You are never too young for eye cream! Prevention ladies, prevention."



Long story short, it was a freaking blast.
Thanks to all that attended and of course to Lucky and Dior for making it possible!

How was your weekend?

*full disclosure: Lucky provided myself and each guest with a gift card that could be used only at the Dior counter. This gift did not in anyway influence my decision or perception of this event. 

Pretty Little Things

Despite the fact it's not even really close to the holiday season yet, I begged SSF into buying me a "early Christmas" present. It's this planner from My Lavender Cottage and I am obsessed. 

After many years of experimenting I've learned I need a few things out of my planner. It needs to be portable, pretty, and have plenty of room for writing down little notes to myself. This planner has all of those. I even had the liberty of choosing the design for my cover. 

Unlike most other planners I've owned, I see this one lasting the whole year.

It's the little things, right?

Hope everyone is having a good week:)