Shoe In

Post Holiday Online Shopping is, LITERALLY, one of my favorite activities. The sales, the hunting, the gathering...it's all magical in my book. Over the last several months, and certainly post weight loss, my style has really evolved. Think Kate Spade-meets-BR-meets-MK-meets...well you get the idea. I snagged the items above for a steel and decided to opt in for some regular price shoes from a fab site belong to one of my favorite blogs Kendi Everyday. Already combining the outfits in my head for these basic pieces. Good schtuff.

Inspiration; PR Style

I often find inspiration in travel, in food and in adventure. I was lucky enough to travel the globe several times as a child and young adult and I have really begun to stroll down those memory lanes for some visual and spiritual jump starts. I thought it would be fun to start each week with a new focal point...this week it's Lugano, Switzerland.

My home away from home, I spent several years in boarding school at TASIS Lugano, and to this day still long for the view, the food and the people. Interestingly, this part of the country speaks Italian given its close borders to the Boot and that leads to my first yearly goal; learning Italian! I treated myself to a Rosetta Stone language course for Christmas and am loving the first lessons and all the memories they bring with them.

So here's to an Italian inspired week PR Style. Arrivederci!

Failure is not in the falling down, but the staying down...

The 2014 Holidays

Well folks, it's been one hell of a few months and a whirlwind holiday season. I've experienced some of the greatest joys and some of the most stressful events in my life this past year and I gotta be honest, I wouldn't trade them in. From a new job, fabulous friends, new family and rapidly aging parents, it's been a roller coaster ride.

Full disclosure...over the past few months I have let the stress get to me and, as a result, I meandered off the road to revival (to the tune of weight gain and happiness loss).  Alas, I learned a thing or two on my detour. Mostly that failure is part of life, part of living well. Just when you think you're invincible and no man, no cheeseburger can take you down, you get knocked on your ass. You let the needs of others overshadow the needs of self and in the process, you lose sight of your goals. The beauty, is that at at time, at any moment of your choosing, you can hit the road again. And that's what PR is doing.

I'm looking forward to the second leg of my journey even more than the first. A little humility goes a long way toward sweetening success, and I can't wait to see what the coming months bring.

New for Spring 2014

It seems that change is in the air this Spring and with that comes another big one for PR. After nearly 4 years, I am taking a big career leap and starting a brand new position here in Charlotte on April 21st. The destination is an amazing, one of a kind digital technology shop where I will lead the charge on all things marketing and communications (all that schooling and years and years of agency work is paying off!). While I am sad to leave the friends I've made at my current gig, I am truly looking forward to fresh air, creative challenges alongside new faces. I'll be taking a week off to rest and recharge before I hit the intellectual books and to refresh my wardrobe along the way. Not sure exactly what's on the list yet, but rest assured my digital look book is growing:-)

I close this post by sending gratitude out into the career universe and a sincere thank you to the company I have called home since moving to Charlotte in 2010. It's been a pleasure and one hell of an adventure. 

When life gives you lemons...

Katie bar the door...

...make a flawless Kate Spade dress out of them. I am officially obsessed with Kate's style this Spring and this little number is no exception. Having grown up on the border of Italy, this number from her new Mediterranean inspired collection has me written all over it. While it's certainly an investment piece (and I am due to drop another size between now and my weight loss "end") I can easily have this one tailored. For those of you who are on the same shape-up routine, how much do you love an A-line dress? It solves so many challenges. Oh yellow, yellow, lovely lemons. You will soon be mine.

Spring Forward

It seems appropriate that I start blogging again on the first day of Spring! Once again it's been a while since I shared thoughts here on PR but believe me when I say there has been a LOT going on. Equal parts family, school and work, my focus managed to shift from taking care of myself to taking care of everyone else. The good news? I am still healthy and on my way to reaching my ultimate goal. I've shed an enormous amount of weight (despite a small gain last week) and am re-invigorated and re-inspired to continue the journey.

With less than a month of school left (I've been attending UMASS Amherst focusing on a BA in Public Relations) I cannot wait for more daylight in my schedule to spend on...well just about everything I've had zero time for the last 20 months! On the agenda? Farm market, day trips, yoga, thrifting for vintage clothes and diving into learning French.

Thanks to everyone here and beyond for your support, I'm excited to take things on PR to the next level in 2014.

Friendsgiving Day

 

Alright folks, I am doing something radically different this year for Thanksgiving and I have to be honest…I could not be more excited about it. I’m ditching the stress of the large family gathering and going a healthier, more intimate route by organizing my own take on the perfect holiday; Friendsgiving Day. I know there are folks out there that have done this in the past, but this really is the first year I am taking the leap and owning how I want to spend this day of gratitude. 

On the agenda for the day? An AMAZING dinner menu at BLT Steak at the Ritz Carlton in Charlotte (see photo above for the array of deliciousness). At the table? My best buddy from Austin and a few other friends that will be joining in on the fine dining, locally sourced organic foods and NO dishes when it’s all over. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family. But what I don’t love is the unhealthy food traditions, arguments over why the turkey is taking so long and who forgot to bring the whipped cream and a whole host of other stressful moments that take place even when you have the most normal of families. 

This holiday diversion really represents what I have been striving for all year with my Project Revive mission. A new take on things, a healthier outlook and taking a few moments to pamper myself in a way that’s meaningful to me. I will own that I felt guilty about this decision for a few days, only natural given my people-pleaser mentality. However, once I gave myself permission to break with tradition and do what’s best for me, all that guilt just faded away. I’m looking forward to a top 10 meal and amazing company on Friendsgiving Day. Can’t wait to share updates from this new adventure!