Color Palette for September... Navy and Gray

Hello Everyone,

Fall will be here soon!  I love exploring different color combinations for Fall Style. Two colors in particular that really look sharp and well put together are Navy and Gray. Navy is an awesome color for September! I love wearing it! Theses colors are so versatile, you can dress them up or down. One piece of clothing that is essential in any closet would be the gray cable knit / cardigan / v-neck sweater. I remember wearing this sweater with my uniform in Catholic Elementary School from decades ago!  This piece never goes out of style. You can dress it down with jeans, or up with a pencil skirt and heels for work. Plus, I love how cozy it feels on my skin. The best type of wool would be cashmere. While it is usually the most expensive, it's also the softest! This is such a staple piece! There is something so professional looking about Gray and Navy in the work place! So, why not put your best foot forward this season?  Anything Gray or  Navy will look well put together this Fall.  I've seen some gorgeous work place dresses and even a dark navy suit! What about you, what color combinations do you like this Fall?

Wedding Ideas and Advice from a Rookie Bride-to-Be

Hello Everyone!

Today I just wanted to talk about planning a wedding! I am currently still in the midst of getting my Masters and graduating in December of this year. I feel like such a slow paced bride to be! I have been engaged for almost 5 months and we recently just picked the venue and church! It's been really challenging since my fiancé lives in Manhattan and I live in Nashville, and the wedding will be in Shaker Heights, Ohio. As it stands, we will be tying the knot on July 26, 2014.  Talk about an adventure! We are doing our best to communicate on a daily basis and take take turns with frequent trips from NYC to Nashville as much as possible. This is why I know we can achieve anything together! When we are together, we are inseparable! I feel like we are truly soul mates that took separate but similar paths and somehow managed to find one another again! It is truly a wonderful feeling! I can see us getting old with each other making one another laugh with canes and all! Anyway, wedding planning does take time, effort and lots of money! My next goal within the next couple months is to find the perfect dress. I've seen some of those episodes of Bridzillas, those women scare me! They need to relax and take a Xanax. I've never seen something so awful. They look and sound so miserable! They treat everyone around them horrible, and I feel bad for the man that their going to marry. Remember, my dear poor fellow, there is still time to run for your life!

While planning can sometimes be chaotic, and each person has their own opinion, we need to remember that this is a time of joy for two people as a couple to learn and grow. So, when I start to feel like things aren't happening as they should, I close my eyes take a deep breath and count to ten. After that, I am calm and everything that I envision, usually happens the way it should. I always want to consider my fiancé's thoughts and feelings with this as well! We are in this together! Many other couples are in a similar boat this year. I've been told from brides in the past, to savor the experience. They would have wished they had the opportunity to live in the present, enjoying the planning process! That precious time goes by so quickly, have fun with it! If anyone else has some useful pointers, please let me know! Right now, I will take it as a wonderful journey! So fasten your seatbelt, and enjoy the ride! If your engaged, how is planning going for you?

Happy Wednesday! On a Positive Note...

Hello Everyone!

Just wanted to talk about the subject of being positive. Life can get hard, overwhelming and frustrating sometimes, can't it!  I hear it in politics, companies, and school growing up. People love pointing fingers at others about problems that happen in life. STOP! No matter what happens in my life, I want to strive to be as positive and resilient in overcoming obstacles that happen in my life whether it be my own fault or the infinite universe.If you hang around negative people, you will become negative! Drop them! Choose to be around people that lift you up and encourage you! I believe we have the right to choose whichever path that leads each individual into their own idea of what success is. Each person has their own definition of  what success and happiness looks like. Success is filling your souls purpose in life. I believe we are all connected. Choose to lift people up in life and encourage them. This positive energy will help you along your journey.  I have become very well aware of what makes me successful and happy to appreciate each day as a wonderful gift. I am so lucky enough to teach children that they can achieve anything that they wish in life (with persistence and hard work of course)!

We have to remember that we are on this planet for a very short time, and no matter what happens we have to look at the things we are given and what we have. Don't keep wishing that something material will make you happy, or being with so and so will make your life better, or counting the days for something that will satisfy you. For me, staying in the present and being grateful for the many things I have experienced in life thus far, is the greatest gift. I am so grateful for everyone that I have met along my journey through life and the experiences (good or bad) that have made me grow into a a better and more understanding person. Days go by so quickly that we need to literally, " Stop and smell the roses" once in awhile. I know it sounds silly, but just pausing to stop during your day and telling someone you love and appreciate them, or to look at the beauty of fresh cut flower, because we never know how much longer they/ it will be around. I think we get into the routine of life to not notice that this world is beautiful, we just focus on problems and getting through the day.I hope this
blog inspires someone today to see beauty in their daily life and not to take things too seriously!
So, pause and enjoy the moment, then go back to work. Enjoy each and every day!

Motivational Monday to Workout!

Hi Everyone!

This week I have made a promise to myself to workout a little bit everyday. I'm not one of those people who can't wait to run to the gym, (although) I wish I was. I am at least athletic and if I can do something in my spare time that gets my heart pumping, I feel I have accomplished a tiny workout. Even if its a 30 minute quick walk around the neighborhood, that makes me feel refreshed and better about myself.  I have been looking high and low for some advice online and ran into this Victoria's Secret model, I think her name is Allessandra?  I could be wrong, but I believe she does this Brazillian Butt workout that makes her behind look astonishing. I never really cared about that asset (ha) of my body until recently. I guess the whole reason why I am blogging about this is because when I start talking about my plans out loud into the universe, it inspires me even more to keep motivated and work towards my goal of a better body. I don't have much to complain about except for toning up a bit more. If anyone sees this, and would like to post or let me know what workouts inspire them, please let me know! I am open for suggestions! What inspires you to get motivated to get your workouts done?  Have a lovely day!

Kristen Workout Playlist: (Yes, Nicki Minaj pumps me up)

1. Bad Girls- MIA

2. I Need Your Love- Ellie Goulding

3. Tom Ford-Jay Z

4. Get Like Me- Pharell and Nicki Minaj

5. Royals-Lorde

6. Come and Get It-Selena Gomez

7. Va Va Voom- Nicki Minaj

8.Wake Me Up- Avicii

9. Blurred Lines- Robin Thicke

10. Tornado-Polina

11.If I Lose Myself Tonight- One Republic

12.I'm the Best- Nicki Minaj

13.Fly- Nicki Minaj

14. We Can't Stop- Miley Cyrus

15. Levels- Avicii

16. One Thing- One Direction

17. Dark Paradise- Lana Del Ray

18. Crazy Kids-Ke$ha
19. Applause-Lady Gaga
20. Roar-Katy Perry

Here is also a Carrot Juice recipe that is wonderful for glowing skin, energy, and great for your health overall:

Kristen's Carrot Elixir:

1. 1 lb. of carrots

2. 1/2 an apple

3. Thumb size ginger root

4. 1/4 size lemon

5. Handful of spinach (optional)

I usually like to drink hot lemon water before I begin. Hot lemon water stimulates your cells to a higher metabolism level. Lemon water has so many benefits! After I'm done, I take the vegetable scrapings into a compost pile. I don't think I will be able to do this in the city, but it is a great fertilizer for your plants! With the population of the Earth getting larger, it's imperative to reuse as much as we can for future generations. It's not a crazy concept, just smart!

Happy Friday! Weekend Wear: Casual Chic Fall 2013

Hello Everyone!

Since I posted a blog about Work Wear, I thought I would devote this page to Casual Weekend Wear.     I love getting dressed for the weekend! There is nothing like letting your hair down and putting on something fun, chic and fabulous! I hope I didn't lose any one's interest in just posting things about my career and leafy green juices! While I love those things, I also love getting creative about styles that can really make myself feel good. Since summer is winding down, I wanted to take the time to talk about Fall Casual Wear. Oh My Gosh! I just remembered my birthday is right around the corner! Guess what scary number I'll be turning? Yes, the dreadful 3-0. I'm none too thrilled about this number.   I know it's not a big deal, but it does have a way of creeping up by making myself take a second look at my wardrobe.  Your early twenties were a time of fun exploration and feeling confident in things I wouldn't catch myself in now. Today, I laugh and tell myself, that was fun then and those days have passed. Listen, I'm not saying I'm old and decrepit, I'm just saying as you grow, you evolve  and change into a more mature person. (One who is understanding better style). I wouldn't judge the twenty something who is doing that today, I just know they will soon get to that place in due time:) So, now that I feel more style savvy, my clothing palette has changed. I always need a great pair of converse. I am really liking the white pair this fall. So cute with a dark denim wash! I love comfortable sweaters on the weekend. There is nothing like having the weather be perfect enough for a sweater and jeans! Boyfriend/ skinny leg jeans are so awesome! You can dress them up with a pair of nude/black heels or down with a pair of converse, smoking slippers or moccasins. Solid long sleeve shirts in grey, white, black along with a black and white stripe are a staple. A black / brown little leather or military green jacket pulls these pieces together. These are just some fun ideas from what I love. What Fall pieces or trends inspire you?

August Children's Read: Pete The Cat: I Love My White Shoes

This book is so adorable!

We read this book the first day of Kindergarten! If you don't already know, this book has been on the New York Times Best Seller list for quite some time! The first day of Kindergarten can be full of jitters. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes, really got the kids to open up and sing along. This book is all about Pete, who is a pretty cool cat that wears white shoes. All through the day he ends up stepping in different colors wherever he goes. The moral of the story is whatever you get yourself into, life has a way of  turning things around. This story has a great lesson for kids to stay positive when things may go wrong. It is all good! You could have the students create a cut out of a shoe and have them decorate it anyway they want. I want to add Pete the Cat collection to my library!

Here is the Author's page:

http://www.ericlitwin.com/

Here is a You Tube clip of the story:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nUubMSfIs-U