Oktoberfest

Happy Monday!

Like many others around the world, I spent this past weekend celebrating Oktoberfest. I never really understood why Oktoberfest was celebrated in September, but I'm not complaining because the weather this past weekend was fantastic and it was the perfect day to be outside enjoying a few German beers with friends. If you're in the Albany area and a fan of German food and beer, I recommend checking out Wolff's Biergarten because even when it's not Oktoberfest, they have an awesome atmosphere to check out a soccer game. 

As far as the outfit I wore is concerned, it was a hot day and I wasn't about to bring out my new fall clothes just yet. So many people had heavy sweaters, scarves and boots on and I couldnt imagine how hot they all were because it was quite warm under the sun. I opted for a navy eyelet top and my new favorite leopard slip on sneakers. 

Did you visit Oktoberfest in your area?

xoxo

NYC Recap

Happy Tuesday!

I don't have a recipe for you guys today, but I am trying two new recipes later this week so I will have one soon! Instead I'm gonna show off a few photos from my trip to NYC this past weekend. I had so much fun visiting with friends, but as usual I could use a vacation from my vacation. I did get to check a few things off my bucket list though, including walking across the Brooklyn Bridge! 

I arrived on Friday afternoon and immediately hit the town to do a little shopping before we met up with friends for dinner. The shopping in NYC is always so much better than Albany so I couldn't resist the opportunity to have a little retail therapy. The weather was absolutely beautiful so I took as many opportunities as possible to be outside and walk. After taking the ferry and walking the Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday, we went to the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy, which is this huge street festival with plenty of amazing food vendors. I gorged myself on authentic Italian cuisine and plenty of homemade gelato. On Sunday, it was another gorgeous day so we spent the afternoon in Central Park before I had to make my way back to Albany. I'm already looking forward to planning another trip in the city since it only cost me $20 round trip on the Megabus, it was so nice to visit friends and catch up... the perfect end to summer. 

xoxo

NYC Bound

TGIF!

I'm super excited because today I'm en route to NYC for the long weekend. Normally, I head to New York City once a year in December to do a little Christmas shopping but this year I'm getting another opportunity to spend some time in the city and I won't have to battle the cold weather. A few weeks ago when I was in Chicago a couple friends of mine we're discussing making a trip to NYC for a long weekend in September and I immediately knew that I wanted to join. Luckily for me I was able to find tickets from Albany to NYC on the Megabus for $20 round trip (what a steal)!

I'm not quite sure what adventures we will have lined up this weekend, but I know it will be fun. Be sure to follow my travels on Instagram!

xoxo

Apps of the Moment

We live in a world where our phones are typically attached to our hip (I'm guilty of this) and we use it for more than just communication. It has become our source for news updates, movie times, music and the occasional funny cat video. So today I'm discussing my favorite apps of the moment.

Giphy for Messenger

My friends and I are obsessed with sending each other funny gifs that represent whatever we're talking about at the moment. For those of you who don't know, gifs are tiny animated pictures, typically taken from various social media like television or movies. Giphy is a free app that allows you to search for a variety of different gifs and download them straight to your phone. 

Roku App

A few months ago I bought a Roku and my life was instantly changed. I'm a huge TV buff (not my proudest accomplishment) and purchasing the $50 Roku allows me to stream Netflix, HBO Go and Hulu (along with a variety of other options) straight from my television. The Roku app on my phone is a built in remote control that allows me to access my Roku, choose and play my shows using my phone instead of locating my remove which is probably buried somewhere in my bed. 

Foodspotting

Foodspotting is a visual guide to good food in your area. Instead of reviewing restaurants, you can recommend dishes and see what others are eating when you go out. This is great for me because first of all I love trying new restaurants but also I'm that girl who stares at what other tables are ordering and think to myself "that looks good, I want that". This lets me look at what dishes other people ordered at a restaurant straight from my phone!

White Noise

A girlfriend of mine tuned me into this app when we were in Saint Maarten. In the summer I always have a fan blowing on me when I sleep, I like feeling cool when I sleep but I also like the sound it makes when I sleep. Once it gets cooler out though I will be putting away my fan but still missing that white noise when I sleep. Enter this free White Noise App, you can pick a variety of different sounds to play when you sleep, whether it be waves breaking on the ocean, the sound of rain outside your window, crickets or just the good old fashion sound of a fan. It definitely helps me sleep better at night (especially when Misa barks at the newspaper man at 4am!). 

What are your favorite apps at the moment?

xoxo

Insta Life Lately

Since I don't have any outfits to share with you this week, I thought I would do a summary of what I've been up to on Instagram lately. Instead of posting what I'm wearing, I tend to use Instagram to share my adventures of what I've been up to. Last night I went to dinner with my parents and grandma to celebrate her 91st birthday and we went down to Troy to enjoy the beautiful nights breeze at Browns Brewing Co. The food is fantastic and their huge deck offers a great view of the Hudson River while you dine.

This is a common sight of me in the summer, minus the pool float. I'm not sure about where everyone else lives, but the 518 was so hot this past Labor Day weekend and I spent most of my weekend submerged in the water. This upcoming weekend is the last week for the pool and my depression is setting in, I don't want summer to end!

Last Saturday I made the trip up to Manchester Vermont for the day to do a little outlet shopping. Manchester is perfect because they have the perfect mix of popular stores and small boutiques, plus they have some fantastic restaurants to enjoy while you shop (I highly suggest picking up a sandwich and homemade cookie at Zoey's Deli). I ended up picking up some great pieces for fall (and some end of summer clearance), which I'll be showing off in the upcoming weeks. 

August 26th was National Dog Day so I couldn't resist Instagramming a photo of my pride and joy Misa. If you're wondering lying in bed with a look of "why are you in here, I was napping" is a common look for Misa. She wasn't thrilled that I interrupted her slumber with an impromptu photo shoot, but it's hard not to photograph that face! 

I guess you can say I have a thing for zebras and stripes. My sheets and blanket matched my new Lilly dress that I picked up during the After Party Sale a few weeks ago. You can get my entire Whim by Martha Stewart bedding at Macy's.

What have you been up to lately?

Be sure to follow me on Instagram at @ahromano17!

xoxo

Terrible Twos

Guys, this little blog is two years old!

I may have completely forgotten the July 9th anniversary date, but better late than never right?

It's hard to believe that what started out as a small hobby to keep my mind active while I was unemployed has turned into something I am still writing on two years later. When I first decided I wanted to start a blog, I had just graduated with my Masters and was having very little luck when it came to finding jobs. The job market was awful and I was getting so sick of spending my days online looking for generic jobs that I wasn't passionate about because I was desperate to get some income. I always imagined that finding a job wouldn't be that difficult once I finished with my degree, but boy was I wrong. 

I was definitely in a funk and looking for something to reignite my passions and cure my boredom. Enter this little blog. It was something small and needed a lot of work but suddenly I had a little project to fill my hours with in between applying for different jobs. I suddenly had something I was excited about and it definitely gave me the motivation I needed to finally score a job that could lead to something great.

Fast forward two years later and so much has happened in my life. I've landed a job that inspires and stimulates me on a daily bases, a job that really isn't a job but a career that I can continue to build on and make a life from. I've been able to travel to so many wonderful places with new friends and old, making lasting memories. Finally, I've got to really set a theme for this little blog where I've been able to channel my love of fashion and style and share with you all that makes me happy.

So, this is a special thanks to all of you that have stuck around since the beginning and all the newcomers along the way. It's been a wild ride and I look forward to the next new adventure.

Shorts (currently only $17!) // Bow Top

Flip Flops

xoxo

My Favorite Things To Do In Cape May, NJ

Can you tell I'm still a little bitter that I'm back in the office and away from the beach? I'm already day dreaming of my next chance to watch the waves from the comfort of my beach chair. Today I'm talking about some of my favorite traditions to take part in when I head to Cape May every year with my family. If you're looking for a relaxing beach vacation that won't break the bank, I definitely recommend heading down there for a few days.

The Beach

Do I need to explain this one? The beaches in Cape May are super clean and not as crowded as it's sister beaches in Atlantic City and Wildwood. The water is warm enough to swim in while still cooling you off from the summer heat.

Horse & Carriage Ride

This was always one of my favorite things to do when I was growing up. I recommend doing it after dinner because those afternoon rides are way too hot, but at night it's a nice relaxing tour through the town. Your tour guide will give you fun information about Cape May that isn't boring like a typical tour and you'll get to hear some fun history including a ghost story or two.

Winterwood Gift & Christmas Shoppe

This is one of the few stores I always make a point in visiting every year. It's a magical winter wonderland that offers so many cute ornament and Christmas decorations. It always feels like Christmas in July when I walk into this store and I make sure to pick up an ornament for my tree (plus a souvenir for loved ones).

Enjoy a Cocktail

Vacation is all about relaxing and enjoying yourself, right? We always make sure that one day we leave the beach a little early and grab a few cocktails before dinner. The Grand Hotel pool bar makes a tasty pina colada!

Paw Prints at the Washington Street Mall

I always feel so guilty leaving Misa behind every year so I make sure I stop in Paw Prints, a store for dogs in Washington Street Mall. They make a ton of adorable dog treats along with plenty of toys to take home to your pooch. Misa always gets spoiled from my guilt when I return.

View the Victorian Homes

Despite coming to Cape May for over 20 years, I'm still in awe at some of the homes around town. Cape May has the second largest collection of Victorian homes in the US and you won't get bored of viewing the bright colors and intricate details that go along with them. Each house is personalized to make them one of a kind. If I ever hit the lotto, I am buying a beach front one ASAP.

xoxo

My Beach Read Picks

Three days of work separates me from a beach vacation to Cape May with my family. We've been going to Cape May since I was a little girl and since it's the only trip we take every year as a family, it's something I've been looking forward to for a long time. One of my favorite things to do is plop my chair down by the ocean and read a book. I normally go through two books and several magazines by the time the trip is over. Today I'm going to share with you what's on my summer reading list including some books I've already finished.

1. Luckiest Girl Alive - I discussed this book on Monday's post and I'm most likely going to have this finished before my trip on Saturday because it's been such a page turner. If you were a fan of Gone Girl, last years must-read book, then you definitely won't be able to put this book down. It tells the story of Ani FaNelli, a New York girl engaged to be married to the man of her dreams, but she struggles to find her happiness because she is haunted by her past. 
2. Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny - I always like to have at least one "trashy" read for the beach and this is what I have lined up for Saturday. This book, written by Girl Next Door Holly Madison is a tell all about her life in the Mansion, and she dishes on the good, the bad and the ugly. This book is going to give the perfect amount of gossip necessary for a day at the beach.
3. Midnight Crossroad - Author Charlaine Harris is best know for her Sookie Stackhouse series, which the hit television show True Blood was modeled after. I loved that series and finished one book after the other so I was anxiously waiting for Charlaine's next book. Enter her next paranormal series, that tells the backstory of the creepy inhabitants of Midnight, Texas. This is the second book I'm bringing with me on my trip, so I'm not sure how it is just yet!
4. The Rumor- This book is next on my summer reading list, after browsing the book section in Target. The Rumor is described as "a provocative page-turner about scandal, secrets and true female friendship" which was enough to peek my interest. It looks like a good book club idea for the office.
5. Keep Quiet - I finished this book a few weeks ago and wanted to add it to my list. This thriller tells the story of Jake and Ryan, a father and teenage son who have been struggling to connect. However, after a fateful night they are forced to come together after tragedy strikes to keep a secret that could tear them both apart. It's definitely a page turner with a lot of suspense. The only downside to the book is I found the mother character to be extremely annoying and overbearing, but maybe that's just me.

What book do you recommend I check out this summer?

xoxo

Moving On Up...

Since it's Friday and I'm already in a great mood, I thought I would share with you all some exciting news. I recently got offered a new job and I will be starting that said job next week! For the past year I have been working for the New York State Department of Tax & Finance as a temp, meaning I had no job security and I was basically low man on the totem pole in my office. I always knew that my job was a starting point for me to advance my career and I needed to pay my dues and work my way up the ladder. So over the course of the year I continued to take state tests that would put me on lists for a permanent position. Luckily for me, I am a good test taker so I was scoring high on the exams. Then began the waiting game where departments began taking people off the testing lists to interview and during the past two months I was finally getting called for various interviews throughout the different state departments.

Last week I interviewed to the New York State Insurance Fund, which ironically doesn't sell insurance, and they offered me a position! I gladly accepted it and will be starting next Thursday. I will become a Contract Management Specialist Trainee. It's a permanent position with a significant pay raise than I was currently making and over the next two years I will continue to move up the ladder with various pay raises and position changes.

As much as I enjoyed my Tax & Finance job and the people that I worked with I was unhappy with the position (and the pay). I always envisioned myself taking on a more important role within a department with bigger responsibilities and I was eager to work hard and begin a job that could turn into a lifelong career. I always felt I had more to contribute to the world than the daily tasks I was given. So after all this gloating (sorry), I wanted to remind you all that you never need to settle and it's never too late to make a change in your life. Yes, it may take time to achieve a goal but never stop working towards it because with effort and a little bit of luck, great things can happen. 

xoxo

Here Comes The Sun

Please note these photos we're taking last Friday on my day off. I typically take my outfit photos on the weekend so I have time to edit them and schedule them to post before the work week ahead. However, all the outfit photos are outfits that I either wear during the weekend or plan to wearing sometime during the week, so everything is authentic. Anyways, I hadn't planned to take photos last Friday but when I looked outside and it was actually sunny out, a rare occurrence in the 518 lately I decided to seize the opportunity and soak up the vitamin D. 

Regarding the outfit, I was eager to finally style this buffalo check vest from J Crew. You see, I had asked for it for Christmas but it was no where to be found in stores and online it was backordered until February 3rd. I still wanted it though, because the freezing January temperatures meant that I probably wouldn't be wearing the vest anyways until we got a few warmer days. Luckily for me, I called J Crew last week to check on my order and they decided to overnight my vest for me, hooray! This vest is perfect for days I'm running errands or going shopping because there is nothing I hate more than wearing my heavy winter coat inside while I'm shopping because the mall is always a million degrees. 

Today is an exciting day for me because I get to pick up my new car at the dealership! These past few weeks have been such an inconvenience for me and my family while shuffled cars, dealt with the (insufferable) insurance company and dealt with all the other nonsense that happens after you total your car in Massachusetts. I'm happy to get back to normal and put this crash behind me. I feel like such an adult today because this was the biggest purchase I have ever made (besides paying for my Masters degree, of course). I'm hoping my pretty Honda Civic will carry me through many more adventures. 

PS: Happy Birthday Aunt Marge, I know you're reading. Hope you have a wonderful day!

Vest // Chambray Shirt // Striped Top J Crew Factory, old similar

Leggings // Necklace Macys, old similar

Crossbody Fossil, old similar // Sunglasses Wantable Bag similar

Combat Boots Nine West, old similar

xoxo

My Not-So-Good Luck: A Massachusetts Recap

This past weekend was an adventure to say the least. After work on Friday, I drove out to Northampton Massachusetts to spend the weekend with my cousin Zach, who is a doctor there and visit with a few friends that live nearby. We started off the weekend at this delicious Mexican restaurant, Mission Cantina where we dined on loaded tacos and margaritas. If I could only eat two types of food for the rest of my life it would be Mexican and Italian, and the 518 really lacks in quality Mexican restaurants so I was excited to eat. I left the restaurant with a full belly and a happy mind. 

Post dinner we all went back to my cousins apartment for trivia, games and more drinking. Eventually we braved the cold and headed out to downtown Northampton. I had never been there before but I was really surprised at how much they had to offer. There were so many bars, restaurants and little shops within walking distance of my cousins apartment, we definitely had our pick of the litter with things we could do that night. After a night on the town and a not so good decision to get late night burgers at 2:00AM, we went home and passed out. Our next morning was spent complaining about eating greasy burgers so late at night and binge watching some of our favorite movies, including one of my personal favorites: Clue. 

I planned on hitting the road at 2pm because my cousin had to work a 7AM shift the next morning and we were getting a snow storm so I wanted to be home before the snow hit. This is where my good fortune turns sour. About 45 minutes into my journey home I hit black ice while changing lanes on the Massachusetts Turnpike and spun out. From what I recall my car spun at least two times and then went into this huge ditch. Luckily I didn't hit anyone else in the process and I was okay. Of course I started freaking out because it was the first accident I was ever in and I was all alone in a ditch on the side of the highway with no idea exactly where I was. I called 911, AAA and my (very concerned) parents and waited in my poor car for about an hour until help arrived. I was so touched by the number of cars that stopped to check on me and see if I was okay, one couple even let me sit in their car and warm up for a bit because it was freezing and my car wouldn't turn on to use the heat (of course as I sat in the ditch the weather got significantly worse and very icey out). 

Eventually the police and tow truck arrived and got my car out and they towed me to Lee Massachusetts (home of one of my favorite Outlet Malls). My parents met me there and we made the long icey trek back to Albany. Anyways, I'm okay (very sore and bruised but okay) and luckily I have collision insurance on my car. Now I begin the praying process that my car isn't totaled, I lost a front and rear bumper and my one wheel was in rough shape. This week the insurance company will tow my car back to Albany and my mechanic/auto body guy will take a look at it. In the meantime I'm bruised, carless and frustrated at myself that I did that. I know it was out of my control and you can't do much about black ice but since it was my first ever accident I'm just pissed that it happened. So keep your fingers cross that my car can be salvaged. Despite my bad luck in the end, I really had a lot of fun in Massachusetts and hopefully I can make another trip down there soon (*fingers crossed, in my fixed car!).

Sweater // Leggings // Shirt Gap, similar styles here

Necklace J Crew Factory, old (similar) // Flats 

Sunnies // Bag Kate Spade, old

What did you do this weekend?

xoxo

Book Update

Since this is the time of year many of you will be setting goals for 2015, I wanted to give you an update on my book count. I wanted to read 25 books before I turned 26 in November which basically amounts to 2 books a month (plus one month where I have to be extra on point and finish 3). I'm probably not alone in my book reading goals and personally I love when bloggers list what they're reading because it always gives me new recommendations for myself. So far I'm about 2 months in and I'm on my 5th book, so here is a little write up about what I've read so far and what's to come...

1. Yes Please, by Amy Poehler-- This one comes highly recommended. Amy Poehler is a hilarious writer and I can't believe it took her this long to write a memoir. This books tells the story of how she become successful, with funny tales and relatable stories. If you weren't a fan of hers before this, you will definitely be one after you read Yes Please.
2. Sister, by Rosamund Lupton-- Those of you who like murder mysteries will enjoy this book. It tells the story of Beatrice, whose beloved sister, Tess, was found dead in a park. Investigators ruled Tess' death a suicide but Beatrice refuses to believe that and searches for answers to locate her sisters killer. It's definitely a page turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
3. Save Me a Spot in Heaven, Bailey Wind-- Two years ago, there was an car accident in my town that killed two high school students and severely injured two others. One of the survivors of this crash decided to write a book telling her story. It was a huge news story in my area so I was curious to check the book out. It's definitely a quick read and sad because it's a true story, but not sure I would recommend it to someone who wasn't familiar with the news story.
4. The Leftovers, Tom Perrotta-- This book was recently turned into an HBO show with the same name. It tells the story of different characters living in Mapleton, a small town in New York. Two years prior, a great tragedy happened at 1/3 of the worlds population suddenly disappeared into thin air. Nobody could explain this disappearance and the town of Mapleton is still picking up the pieces to this day. I personally enjoyed this book a lot but there isn't necessarily an ending, and you never get an answer to why this Rapture occurred. 
5. This is Where I Leave You, Jonathan Tropper-- I'm about halfway done with this book and so far I'm enjoying it. It tells the story of Judd Foxman and his dysfunctional family. His father had just passed away and it was his last dying with to have his family to "sit shiva" a Jewish tradition where the entire family stays in one home for an entire week to honor the dead. Chaos ensues with his crazy family, and I could appreciate the ridiculous personalities in this book because I could see my family members in each of them.

Next on the list: The Andy Cohen Diaries: A Deep Look at a Shallow Year, by Andy Cohen--- I'm a big Andy Cohen fan and loved his first book Most Talkative. For those of you unfamiliar with him, he's the creator of the Real Housewives franchise and current host of "Watch What Happens Live" on Bravo. Andy is hilarious, sarcastic and very honest so I'm looking forward to seeing what his next book has in store.

What are you currently reading?

xoxo