ridiculous "crazes"

While watching "The Talk" today, I was introduced to some odd summer trends.

We've all (well most of us) heard of this first one, planking. The point is to get into the plank position in crazy places. I actually think that in some cases this requires a bit of skill, but why would you want these skills? Here're some examples.







I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty into this next craze. Granted, I just heard about it today, but at least this pose is interesting. This is owling. People try to perch like an owl in unusual places. Here, we have Hillary Duff owling on her piano, and some stranger owling on a grocery store cone.





Last, but certainly not least (probably my favorite actually) is leisure diving. The purpose of this one is to try to strike a pose of leisure midair on the way into water. Here are some highlights. I love the reading ones, but that group shot is amazing.





I say cheers to people exploring the ridiculous! If nothing else, at least it's fun!

I want pink pants!

I'm on a search for pink pants. Sadly, I've found some good ones, but not the right ones.

I found these two pair at Zara.




Both are two seasonal. I want some that I can wear in the spring and fall and not just the summer.

These are J Brand, and I'm probably not young or skinny enough for these. I don't even know that the model is skinny enough for these, so I'm certainly not.


These are what I'm looking for. I saw this on pinterest, but alas I cannot figure out where they came from. So, help me. Please let me know where I can find these are something similar.


To finding the perfect pop of pink pants, cheers!

Websites I Love

so, if you haven't been turned on to some of the amazing site below, where have you been?

cheers to me changing your life!

www.pinterest.com - make a mood board or idea board for everything from your classroom to your bedroom. also, great fashion and craft ideas!

www.polyvore.com - put a look together and then find out where to buy it. Make things like this:

summertime casual by jnorthenor featuring boyfriend shorts

Music Monday

I'm back! You might've noticed that I wasn't here much last week. After Tuesday's post, I went on a whirlwind road trip of family and friends. Charleston, Savannah, thank you. The times were good though brief.

Also, my summer is winding down, so this week, enjoy some summer music.

5 - essential relaxation song.



4 - my wonderful husband (@therealbabysox on twitter) suggested this one.



3 - the title says it all.



2 - classic rock is so summertime.



1 - then, of course, there's this.



Here's to the rest of summer, relaxation and the music that makes for eternal summer. Cheers!

Working with my TOMS.

So, TOMS are incredibly comfortable. However, they are not necessarily the cutest shoes. In order to make them work, I'm trying to come up with some ideas to make it work. Thanks to polyvore.com, I developed a look around my TOMS that preps up my shoes.

Very preppy. Very nautical. Very work-friendly.

prepping out the toms by jnorthenor featuring a cross body shoulder bag

Soul Cal striped cardigan
£20 - republic.co.uk

H M racerback top
£4.99 - hm.com

J Crew cropped pants
$60 - jcrew.com

TOMS grey flat
£33 - office.co.uk

Cross body shoulder bag
$45 - topshop.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs beaded jewelry
$32 - shopbop.com

Alex Monroe vintage jewelry
£210 - harrods.com

Benjamin Eyewear glass shades
£260 - net-a-porter.com

Music Tuesday!

So, I missed Music Monday. Birthday parties, family dinners and homework have had me quite busy.

Also, I was devastated by the breakup of latin lovers, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. So, today's music post is dedicated to the magic that was their romance.

5 - This is the last time everyone saw them being sexy together.



4 - This is what she's been doing since then.



3 - We mostly love her for this though.



2 - Plus, he looks like a scary skeleton rat.



1 - Really, I can only put another J.Lo song because, who listens to Marc Anthony?



To the good times and beautiful children that came out of this relationship, cheers!

These are a few of my favorite things!

Well, not things in general. It's Friday, and I'm busy working on a paper, but I did want to close the list out with a list of some of my favorite brands. More specifically, shopping I've been obsessed with lately. These are in no particular order, as my obsession splits between them equally.

5 - Zara

great, affordable, trendy, one problem--can only buy in the store.

4 - Land's End Canvas

great for basics, and SO wallet-friendly.

3 - Boden

caters to an older demographic, but great for cute, work friendly dresses and skirts.

2 - Madewell

casual elegance a la Lauren Conrad

1 - Lulus.com

online boutique, has a bit of everything, but I love their affordable trendy accessories.

What are your favorite places? Any new websites/shops that I should know about?

Cheers to shopping!

Music Monday - #2

Well, it is a Monday again--a real Monday. Last Monday was a holiday, so it didn't really count. I spent a great amount of today back to the schoolwork grind, and music was the only vacation I had.

Here's a short list of this week's big hits:

5 - The Civil Wars - I've Got This Friend
This song snuck up on me; the first time I heard it, I wasn't that impressed. After that first time though, it kept getting stuck in my head, and now it is my go-to relaxation jam.
There's no official music video, but enjoy the song while looking at their picture.


4 - Montell Jordan - This is How We Do It
So, I went to 9ds bar this weekend after a wedding. The biggest hit played at both locations was this throwback to my middle school days.



3 - Grace Potter & The Nocturnals - Goodbye Kiss
It should be noted that I didn't like the first Grace Potter song I heard. After I heard this one, though, I was sold on her talents.



2 - The Black Keys - Howlin for You
I choose this one because 1) it always puts me in a good mood, and 2) last week's big music midtown announcement made me think of how much I would enjoy seeing them live.



1 - Sarah Jarosz - Annabelle Lee
Well, I love Poe, and I've got a sweetspot in my heart for bluegrass, and this jam merges those together. Again, no video, but enjoy the album art.



I'm not sure what you plan to do with the rest of your evening, but I'll be enjoying a lovely glass of chardonnay, finishing the home run derby, and listening to some music as I go to bed. Hope your night will be equally magical.

Cheers!

Wonderful Weddings!

Summer is wedding season, and, as I just returned from another wedding weekend, I had that magical celebration of love on my mind. Wedding planning is fun, and after you've done it, you have a bit of withdrawals. Here're some good wedding things:

3 - color combinations

Not only are people using a lot more colors in their weddings, but i think we've come a long way since the days of orange and peach dominating the bridesmaid market. I love these color combos:

2 - Dresses

With bridesmaids' and wedding dresses, there are a lot more options with style, length, and formality, and the dress industry now has something to appeal to everyone. Here're some of my faves:

jcrew.com modcloth.combhldn.com

nordstrom.com

This last one came off of pinterest.com, and I'm not sure where it originated. I couldn't resist posting though because it is too beautiful.

1 - Music!

Brides and grooms are having a lot more fun and personality in their music choices these days. Here's a great list of music ideas from brouhahaatl.blogspot.com What are your ideas?

First Dance w/spouse

_________________

I will - The Beatles

Fools Rush In - Elvis

La Vie en Rose - Louis Armstrong

You Send Me - Sam Cooke

Crazy Love - Van Morrison

You Look Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton

Cheek to Cheek - Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

In My Life - The Beatles

'Til There Was You - The Beatles

Can't Get Enough of Your Love - The Beatles

Save the Last Dance for Me - The Drifters

When You Say Nothing at All - Allison Krauss

Dont Know Much about History - Sam Cooke

Whenever I See Your Smiling Face - James Taylor

At Last - Etta James

You Belong To Me - Dean Martin

Someone Like You - Van Morrison

You're Just to Good to be True - Frankie Valli

When I'm 64 - The Beatles

Our Love is Here to Stay - Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

Bewitched - Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

Just One Look - Doris Troy

Better Together - Jack Johnson

Here's a few that didn't make her list, but are great additions:

You're My Best Friend - Queen

I Feel Good - James Brown

Don't Wanna Miss a Thing - Aerosmith

It Had to Be You - Harry Connick, Jr.

I Just Haven't Met Her Yet - Michael Buble

You Are the Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne

There are so many other great options! What are your ideas?

So, to wedding season, brides, and grooms, cheers!

Color Me Summer!

So, I've started playing with nail polish colors a lot more lately. Prior to this adventure, I was basically stuck on OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark, still a great color.

However, lately I've been drawn to some new, brighter colors (perhaps it is the heat). So, here are my two recent faves:

First, Essie's tart deco --cute, bright and still traditional enough that it can be seen out at weddings, showers, and other family-oriented events.

and Essie's Trophy Wife--a little bolder, fun for summer nights out and days by the pool. Plus, it gives your day-to-day outfits and unexpected pop of color!


Both of these are just more fun than my traditional color, and they scream summer fun! Any colors that I should add to my play with color?

Cheers!

Music Monday!

The internet has designated Monday as Music Monday, and why not? Most people are back to their real lives, and music can provide a much needed escape. To this I say, cheers!

Here's a list of 5 songs that are tickling my fancy right now:

5 - repetition + cool voice = awesome

4 -An awesome throwback, and my new ringtone.

3- my summer jam.


2- i can't stop loving this.


1- and one for independence day!



Enjoy your fireworks, cookouts, and other patriotic fun! Cheers!

What to Expect!

welcome to chard times, just a bit of the great things from my life. i hope to include some photos throughout, but i will definitely muse on fashion, music, pop culture, and lists! lots of lists! look for an update tomorrow on music, but until then, cheers!