Favorite New Site: Mint.com

I’m a bit of a financial geek. I spent two years doing bookkeeping in Quickbooks for clients, and since then, I’ve always wanted to know exactly where my money goes. I don’t claim to be the best saver, but I figured if I could see where my money was going, it would help me keep track of my income vs spending.  I recently discovered mint.com, and let me just say- OUCH! Where does my money go? Now I know.. food!

How do I spend more in food than rent? Than health insurance? Than SHOPPING?

As depressing as it is to finally see where all my money goes, I feel like I can finally gain control over my expenses. I’ve spent the last week analyzing pie graphs and constantly reloading my bank account, as if I expect money to mysteriously appear. And I realize now, that I should be forbidden to going into any coffee shops (sigh.. and it’s almost latte season!).

I would definitely recommend this site. All you need to know are your banking and credit card logins. I know, it sounds sketchy, but from what I’ve read, it’s completely safe. I can even keep track of my student loans, set up budgets, and lots of other nerdy cool things.   I <3 you, Mint!

Fall Resolutions

I’ve never been a big fan of New Years Resolutions. Whenever I make a resolution, I am somehow guaranteed not to do it.  Maybe the new year just doesn’t inspire me. Or  it could be that I’m usually extremely hungover on January 1st and really, is that the best way to start a new year?  That’s why, this year, I’m making fall resolutions!

I’ve always thought of fall as a time of change. It often means moving, either to a new apartment or back to school, and with school came new books, supplies, and the excitement/nervousness of new classes and experiences. I’m really just a big nerd, but I loved it.

Now, in the real world, fall is still my favorite time of year. But it doesn’t mean as much change as it used to. I’m sticking around my same apartment, and I’m in the same job I’ve had all summer (unless something exciting happens.. *crosses fingers*).  So, here’s my list of ‘fall resolutions’:

1. Take up running. I just bought the new Nike + Sportsband, and I have a $10 a month membership at Planet Fitness. There’s no reason for me to become the runner I’ve always wanted to be. I’m putting myself on a lame ‘walk to run’ training program, and it’s my fall resolution to stay dedicated to it.
2. Learn a new skill. I either want to freshen up on my Spanish so that I can get to a point of fluency, or I want to do something random/silly and learn how to play the guitar. Maybe both.
3. Change up the hair. I have a slight fear of going to get my hair cut, after a past bad experience (layers do not mean chopping my hair into ’steps’), but I’d like to take my lightened, long summer hair and get something that feels fall-like. I’m thinking, darker and sleeker.  Just a few inches off, but still something to make me feel brand-new. (Suggestions are welcome!)
4. Read more books. I remember when I was in college, I wished I had time to leisurely read whatever I wanted to, but only had time for textbooks. Now I have all the time in the world, but still flip the tv on when I get home. Less tv, more books.

That’s it for now, but I’m thinking it’s a good start!

Fall Must Have: Transitional Sweater

One of the best things about fall? Shopping, of course! It’s the best time of year to freshen up one’s wardrobe with the newest boots, sweaters, etc. I’m currently lusting over Anthropologie’s ‘Gentle Current Cardigan’.  A perfect transitional sweater, to take me from the hot humid Boston summer, to a cool, crisp New England autumn. It’s more then I usually spend on one piece, so I’ll be looking to see if I can find anything similar for a bit less. But, if I can’t find anything.. it may have to be a splurge.

For those struggling to keep up with fall’s newest trends, I found this guide from CollegeFashion.net to be very useful. Even though I’m no longer a college gal, this guide has some great pieces, and shows you how to put it all together to make one amazing outfit. Definitely check it out! The photo below is College Fashion’s ‘5 Cute Daytime Tops for Under $50′.

Can’t wait to see more from this website (especially more cold-weather pieces.. oh, Boston.) Thanks, CF!

Dog Fights of the Miniature Kind

Today I witnessed a dog fight. Between two Yorkies. Yep, one of the smallest cuddliest breeds out there, and they had their teeth bared, all growling and snarling.

Just two weekends ago, my dogs (ok, ok.. parents’ dogs), got in a fight as well. Both are Westies.  One is about 12 years old, weighing in at 10lbs, and she was the one who started it. The second Westie is just 2 years old, and is a 25 lb monster of a terrier. I swear she’s not a real terrier. Anyways, my poor older Westie, even though she started it, got a bite on her head and ended up having it stapled to help it heal. Aww. I’m now ready to dive on them to keep them apart from each other if it ever happens again.

Is this common? Do doggie (adopted) siblings resent each other? I googled ‘my dogs want to kill each other’ but that didn’t get me anywhere. Do they need puppy therapy?

The biter/ giant Westie, hiding under a chair. Ah, a dog’s life.

Cape Cod Photo Post!

I’ve been MIA from blogging lately. My weeks have been consistent of work, work, work, work, work, then… Friday Night departure to the Cape! Then it’s back into zombie-mode Monday morning (work work work!).  I’m thinking I need some fun after-work things to do to help break up the week. But for now, here are some photos of my mini-vacations!

hehe.. ending with a picture of my pale boyfriends’ feet. Sorry boo.

Hope you enjoy the photos! A little bit of Cape Cod for everyone.

Camping & Coffee

Saturday night, I was convinced by the boyfriend to go camping out in Western Mass. Note- I have never been camping. Nor have I ever really wanted to, but I figured this would be a good experience for me. After a Target trip for a tent and two sleeping bags, we were all set. Or so we thought. Apparently, $20 tents aren’t that great in the rain. And really, who would have thought we needed a flashlight. Downpours all night led to a very soggy morning.  I woke up with bags under my eyes, hair out to Nebraska, and in desperate need of a massage. Would I do it again? Sure.. but with a clear sky, and an egg crate to lie on. Plus, s’mores around a campfire make it all worth it. Mmmm, s’mores.

What really made my morning all better, was coffee from an amazing little place- Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters. Nestled between the Berkshires and the Deerfield River, this coffee shop is a slice of heaven in the middle of nowhere. They had four- four!- types of iced coffee. I got myself a half Columbian, half coconut iced coffee. AMAZING! Throughout the years, I have become a full-fledged coffee snob, and this was brewed perfectly. Strong and delicious. A small back room held barrels of coffee beans, for self-serve bean purchases. I ended up grabbing a tin of the Toasted Coconut Cream, which was inscribed with the saying”This Coffee Invariably Instills Optimism.” Love this place. If I ever have my own little cafe one day (slight dream of mine), it will definitely have inspirations from Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters.

Overall, it was a great weekend. New experiences with some great people. Next weekend, however, I’ll be back to lazily lying on the beach- where I belong.

True Blood DVD-athon

I recently purchased True Blood Season One from Amazon, and am about to watch it for the first time. I don’t get HBO, and have heard nothing but great things about this series, so I thought I’d give it a shot. Summer TV is so awful (ahem, I’m a Celebrity..), so hopefully this will keep me entertained for a bit. Too bad the bf will not have anything to do with it, because apparently he doesn’t like the whole ‘vampire’ thing. I never should have dragged him to Twilight.. what a very, very bad idea that was.

I was/am a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, so I’m thinking I’ll enjoy this (even if I have to watch it solo). No more horrible summer cable tv for me. Books and DVD’s are the way to go!

Update: Watched the first two episodes and so far, so good. Except for one thing- the intro! It’s SO creepy. I have trouble watching it. But other then that, I like!

I did it! Skinny jeans! But I am NOT a hipster.

A high-stress shopping day as J Brand was on sale on both RueLaLa and Gilt. I ended up choosing the more wallet-friendly price, which happened to be RueLaLa (should ‘wallet-friendly’ and ‘RueLaLa’ even be in the same sentence together? Probably not). Behold:

Not bad, right?

I was all happy about my purchase, until I read this article on Boston.com. Does skinny jean = hipster? I wasn’t planning on wearing them with combat boots or converse sneakers. No one would mistake me for a hipster, right? Flats and cute boots only! Maybe sandals here and there. And wait, I have a bicycle! Oh god, no.

I think the fact that I’m wearing a madras headband from J.Crew right now should help me out. Hm, yes.. I think I’m safe from that stereotype. Very, very safe.

If you want to be a shopaholic like me (and really, who doesn’t), leave a comment and I can send you invites to RueLaLa and Gilt. It’ll be the worst decision of your life. :-p And on that note, I am officially cutting myself off from online shopping. At least for a little while. I swear!

BOGO Iced Coffee!

For all you iced coffee/ iced tea lovers out there, check out this coupon from Peet’s Coffee & Tea. While I’m not a huge Peets fan, I can appreciate a free iced coffee, especially since it’s my beverage of choice on sunny summer days. Enjoy!

Skinny Jean Love

For years, I have been anti-skinny jeans. I thought they looked awkward and uncomfortable. But the trend stuck, and with it, my hatred for them dimmed. While I still can’t seem to rock the skinny jeans/heels look, I love pairing them with boots and flats. I now own one pair, and am coveting new skinnies for the fall. After some shopping research, I think I’m going to go with these: J Brand Pencil Leg Jeans. I actually tried them on in-store today, and was shocked at how comfy they are! Like leggings, but in jean form. And with the pencil leg, I don’t feel like they are super-skin tight, yet they are still perfect for tucking into boots. As my luck would have it, Gilt is having a sale on J Brand on Thursday, July 16th! Happy shopping!