Tops for Work

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I love that I work at a place where I can wear casual and comfortable outfits everyday. There's a good chance that later on in life, I won't have this luxury, so I'm going to do all I can now to wear cute and polished outfits to work. I'm able to wear nice jeans and I try to wear my button downs and cardigans often. I get a ton of looks when I go to school later in the day semi-dressed up i.e., not in norts or yoga pants.

Here are some of my favorite wishlist items for nice tops for work: 
JCrew Tippi Sweater/JCrew Perfect Shirt/JCrew Bling Button CardiganF21 Essential Boxy Pleated Top/Topshop Beaded Top/H&M Blouse
Clearly, I love all things JCrew. They just have a wonderful and professional style that is perfect for work or class. I can also find good tops at other places, but I'm really particular about quality.

Where do you find clothes for work?

Fall OOTDs Part I

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The weather here in Ohio this fall has been absolutely crazy. Currently, in December, it's in the 60s and I'm wearing a tshirt. So I've been able to wear my summer dresses for considerably longer, even without tights. I'm just glad that I haven't had to break out my winter coats yet, even if I've gotten a ton of use out of all of my scarves.
Fall is one of my favorite seasons, regardless of Ohio's mixed signals. The leaves here were beautiful, and driving all around the state (from school and back home) has been pretty pleasing.

I wore this outfit for the first formal Sigma Alpha Iota meeting of the year. It was also one of my first meeting leading as President. It was a rainy night so I opted to wear my rain flats.
Cardigan: BP NordstromTop: BassSkirt: Urban OutfittersFlats: JCrew rainy day bow flatsNails: Essie Bikini So Teeny with OPI Pirouette my Whistle

I wore this to work earlier this fall and it was both comfortable and pulled together.
Jacket: IZODPolo: Polo RLJeans: LeviLoafters: Sperry TopsiderWatch: FossilBracelet: Kiel James Patrick (similar)

I also wore this to work earlier in the fall.
Cardigan: JCrew Jackie cardiganTop: JCrewJeans: American EagleFlats: BassWatch: CitizenBangle: JCrewBracelet: American Eagle

I wore this outfit to attend a SAI Benefit Concert and later lead a SAI meeting.
Sweater: JCrewSkirt: JcrewBoots: Vince CamutoScarf: GapHeadband: Polo RL

I wore this dress to lead a SAI meeting earlier this year. I was playing up all of the blue items I was wearing.
Dress: H&MLoafers: TargetNecklace: Silk Road PearlsNail polish: Julep Amy

I then wore this outfit for class later in the week.
Cardigan: Brooks BrothersLetter shirtJeans: American EagleBoots: Vince CamutoNail Polish: Julep Amy
What have you been wearing this fall?

How To: DIY Cap Toe Flats

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I bought these yellow flats last spring when I decided that I needed more flats for school and since they were on sale at Nordstrom, I figured I would eventually wear them, even if they were yellow. Now I love yellow, even my bedroom back home is yellow, but I really had trouble incorporated them into my wardrobe. 
I had the idea of capping the toes of these flats from Joanna, but I was worried about what would happen when/if the shoes got wet. I ended up using Revlon Gold Coin nail polish and painters tape to make my DIY and I love it. The solution was almost too simple and didn't take long at all. I've included the video I referred to below for those interested.



I wasn't entirely sure what color to paint my shoes so I went to the internet for inspiration. I love that I chose a neutral color and I definitely wear the flats more often. I even got a complement from the girl who helped me at Target.Top/Bottom


Here's the Youtube video that I watched to help me along the way with my DIY.
Have you capped toes on flats as a DIY? What's your favorite DIY?

Shoreline of the Month: The Jersey Shore

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For the December  installment of Shoreline of the Month, my blog friend Val is bringing you the Jersey Shore. I've never been, but I'm sure glad to read about a real person who has been there, and not a cast member of the MTV show. Here it is without further ado. Enjoy!
Hi everyone! I’m Val from Wine and Summer. I’m so excited to be on Shorelines and Sunshine this month posting about my favorite shoreline: The Jersey Shore! 
No, not this Jersey Shore:

This Jersey Shore:


(There is also a town in the middle of PA called Jersey Shore, but we’re not talking about that one either.)

I am a Jersey Girl through and through. I was born and raised here and spend as much time as possible down the shore in the summer. Two specific towns hold a special place in my heart. Ocean Beach III and Sea Isle City.

Ocean Beach III:


OBIII is very close to the now famous Sea Side Heights. This is the town where my best friends and I rented a house for a week a few summers in a row. The weeks we spent together down there were some of the best of my life. We tanned, swam, made new friends and had the now epic food fight. The best part about the shore is it’s small! You are always meeting new people and running into a friend of a friend…or in our case, our high school history teacher! 



Sea Isle City: 



Sea Isle is further south than OBIII. This is the area of the shore that mostly people from Philadelphia go to. Since part of my family is from the Philly area, this is where we have our house. When I was younger, I didn’t love it as much, because all my friends were further north, but ever since I went to school in PA, it has been a blast! Sea Isle is perfect because it is a very family friendly town, lots of mini golf and ice cream, but it still has a great night life. It’s very close to Ocean City, which has a great boardwalk (this one survived Sandy much better than the Sea Side boardwalk) and fun shops. We take my little cousins every summer and they love it! Sea Isle is also only a few minutes from Atlantic City, so it’s very easy to go up there just for dinner and some gambling.


Some of the highlights of the shore, no matter where you go:

Wawa: Sigh! I miss this so much in the winter. If you have never been to a Wawa find one asap! 




Volleyball on the beach: Or at least an attempt


Getting ice cream: Every town has their own little ice cream shop that locals and tourists alike to go every summer.

Barbecuing: always so much fun. Clam bakes are another favorite.

And of course, friends and family!


If you are ever in the area, even if it’s not the summer, I highly suggest you check out the shore and let us change your mind about what Jersey Shore has made us out to be!


Keep Smiling!
vCf


Thanks so much Val for posting this month! If you're interested in sharing your shoreline, please let me know in the comments below or email me!    

  

Advent Calendar Inspiration

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Now, I never had an Advent Calendar growing up, but I've seen a ton recently online, and I just love the aesthetics of them. There are so many ways to create and represent Advent Calendars, and I'm literally blow away by all of the creative ideas online. They make me want to start planning for next year when who knows if I'll have an Advent Calendar. I don't even know what my plans are in six months, let alone the holiday season 2013. I guess only time will tell. Enjoy!





One/Two/Three/Four
Do you celebrate the holidays with an Advent Calendar?

Holiday Garlands

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Recently, I've become obsessed with the idea of garlands for the holidays, and I have absolutely no qualms about keeping them up well past the holidays. I found this aluminum foil garland and I can't wait to try it out this weekend and hang it in a nice corner for the holidays and weeks ahead. I've also found a ton of garlands to try throughout the holidays.

Pinterest also seems to have picked up on my love of garlands, as nearly everyone I follow has pined at least one, and that led me to Everly Lane Designs and The Flair Exchange. Both Etsy stores sell beautiful tissue tassel garlands, and I would love to invest in at least one of these sometime soon. They're all moderately priced and would make a great colorful or textural addition to any home, apartment, or room. Below are some of my favorites:

The Flair Exchange - Spring Morning Tassel Garland
Everly Lane Designs - First Kiss Pink Nude Sparkle & Shine Tissue Tassel Garland
Everly Lane Designs - Confetti POP Sparkle & Shine MINI Tissue Tassel Garland
The Flair Exchange - Preppy Pink and Green Tissue Tassel Garland
Which is your favorite? Would you have a garland in your home?

I'm also looking for guest posters for my Shoreline of the Month series. If you have a shoreline that is special to you and you want to post about it here, leave a comment below or email me!

August 9, 2011 Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena at Harvey's, Stateline, NV Sources Review

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Phish continued their whirlwind tour out West with a two night stand in Lake Tahoe.  Harvey's was really a beautiful venue and there was plenty to do everyday.  This show, and the following, were webcast and while they weren't the greatest shows ever played, they were pretty darn good.  The debate about whether or not webcasting effects performance rages on.  I come down on the side of the more folks who can experience a show the better.  As the fanbase ages, or at least as I do, it is tougher to see as many shows as you would like, but being able to dial it up on the big screen is a nice substitute.  That said, there are 6 sources available for this show.  As usual, I have to tip my hat to the tapers who recorded this night and shared it with all of us.  Thanks a lot guys!

Source 1 (hereafter U89 source)
Source: Neumann U-89i's(Hypers)-V3-Digi out to Dr-680
Location: OTS 1st Stand against railing in section, approximately 70 degree's and 6 inch appart
Mic's raised to approx. 13 Ft.

16 bit source



Source 2 (hereafter MK4v source)
Source: Schoeps mk4v> KC5> M222> NT222> Aeta PSP-3> Edirol R44 (@24bit/96kHz)
Location: FOB, DFC, 6' Stand, DIN
Transfer: SDHC> Samplitude SE 9.1.1(dither/resample)> CDWave> flac(16/44.1)

16 bit source



Source 3 (hereafter M934C source)
Source: (Set I) Schoeps m934c> M221B> EAA PSP-2> SD 744t (@24bit/96kHz)
Source: (Set II+E) Schoeps mk5> AMC3> M221B> EAA PSP-2> SD 744t (@24bit/96kHz)
Location: FOB, DFC, 6' Stand, m934c/cardioid/DIN, mk5/cardioid/DIN
Transfer: SD 744t> Samplitude SE 9.1.1(dither/resample)> CDWave> flac(16/44.1)

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 4 (hereafter AK40 source) ***note torrent includes 8-10 recording as well***
Source: Neumann AK 40's (NOS) > LC3 > KM 100 > Aerco MP2 > SD 702 @ 24/48
Location: FOB/DFC 60' Back
Transfer: Cf Card > Wavelab 6.0 > Resample, UV 22HR Dither >
Added +3.5 db For Set I > Cd Wave > TLH > 16/44 FLAC

16 bit source
24 bit source

Source 5 (hereafter Senn source) ***24 bit only***
Source: Sennheiser ME66s (PAS, LOB) > Lunatec V3 > Tascam HD-P2 (s/pidf @ 24/48)
Transfer: Adobe Audition (fades, tracking) > xACT (flac level 8, tagged)

24 bit source

Source 6 (hereafter CCM4 source)
Source:Schoeps CCM4(Ortf)Vms52ub>R44(ocm)24/96
Location: FOB, DFC, 6'
Transfer:SDHC>Audacity 16/44>Amadeus Pro>xACT

16 bit source


Phish - 8/9/11 "Light" from Phish on Vimeo.

The U89 source has much better bass response than the other Neuman source or the CCM4 source, however it is fairly muddy, without the distinct notes noticeable on the MK4v source.

The MK4v source is my pick for best of the night.  The bass response is excellent, as are the levels.  There is tremendous dynamic range, making the recording sound very live.  However, on the downside, particularly between songs, there is a fair amount of crowd noise.  This isn't so bad during most of the music on the plus side.

The M934c/MK5 source has lots of bass, but there just isn't much distinction or tone in the lowest frequencies.  Notice the intro to PYITE and the lack of tone in the low end.  You don't hear any notes coming from Mike, just a bass rumble.  The MK5 (used in the 2nd set) improves this slightly, but still doesn't rise to the level of the MK4v source.

The AK40's have lots of crowd noise and while the bass drum kicks the sub, the tone is just lacking in Mike's bass.  Notice the introduction to 46 Days, Mike sounds like a muddy mess down low on this recording and is tight and full on the MK4v source.

The Senn source sounds a bit distant and hollow compared to the other sources.  On the whole, it seems to lack the dynamic range of the MK4v source.

The CCM4 source just doesn't kick the sub very hard.  The bass is there and is more distinct than the M934c source or the AK40 source, it just doesn't have the prominence of the MK4v source.

Happy listening!