A Grateful Heart at Mariah

Jon surprised me with tickets to see Mariah Carey's Christmas Concert in NYC this week! Isn't he just the greatest husband ever?  I didn't even know she was doing the show and here he had already bought tickets!  Those of you who know me know how obsessed I am with her...like completely.  We saw her earlier this year in Vegas for my birthday...so that makes it our second show this year!!!  She was beyond AMAZING!  Her voice in incredible. And as we stood listening to her sing (yes we stood the whole concert...gotta love New York!) I was overwhelmed with emotion.  I felt so happy and grateful in that moment and it brought tears to my eyes. Grateful for my husband who knows me so well.  Grateful that a difficult move away from home is going so well and let's us do things like this.  Grateful that God has led us on this journey.  And grateful that my self esteem isn't so low that I need to take 200 selfies during an amazing concert.  (Seriously this woman in front of us took over 100 selfies all through the show...and I am not exaggerating on the number.  She has issues.)  And on a superficial, blog related note...grateful I got to wear my tulle skirt again. :-)

Sweater - Zara

Skirt - Similar

Belt - Similar 

Tights - Nordstrom

Heels - Nine West 

"It is not joy that makes us grateful; 

it is gratitude that makes us joyful."

Pencil Skirts in Church

Yep, I wore a leather pencil skirt to church.  I bought this outfit when Christine was here and I finally got to shop at Zara in NYC.  I love all the pictures of their stuff and have been wanting to shop there for so long.  A girls day in the city was the perfect chance!  And as Christine can attest to, I could have bought 20 more outfits that day.  But this one was the clear winner and I have been dying to wear it ever since!  So, I decided that dressing up for my nephews baby dedication was the perfect opportunity.  In hind sight, I felt a little over dressed, but such is the story of my life!  And I love this outfit so I will be wearing it again very soon!  Is it bad if I repeat a look on a fashion blog?

Top - Zara 

Skirt - Zara

Heels - Ivanka Trump

Earrings - Rebecca from Darakjian 

Happy December! 

Exploring in New Jersey

Upon moving to New Jersey, we were given a couple big books all about our new state with places to go and things to see.  A few Fridays ago when Jon was able to take the day off, we decided to try something new and go hiking.  Let me be real when I tell you we have never ever been hiking.  So I went thru the book and looked online and picked what looked like a safe route.  9 miles and 4 hours later I was exhausted! But we still went out and treated ourselves to drinks and carbs at 10th and Willow (thankfully a short walk from home!).  

Jacket - American Rag

Blouse - Rebecca Minkoff, Similar

Jeans - Paige Denim

Heels - Ivanka Trump

Earrings - Rebecca at Darakjians

Happy November! 

On Fire!

And no I don't mean me...this time.  Here's a tip for you all...if you want to meet all your new neighbors, just set the entire buildings fire alarms off and cause an evacuation.  That time on the street is a great chance to introduce yourself.  However, you will now be known to everyone as the one who set off the alarms.  Of course I made this story up and have no first hand experience!

Due to events of the week, Jon and I decided we needed a night out.  And some drinks!  Multiple drinks!  So we dressed up and hit the streets of NYC and headed to Beauty and Essex.  Or more correctly the subways and cabs.  Full disclosure, I changed my jeans and shoes 4 times before settling on this combo, which made us run late and therefore we didn't have time for any other transpo than the cab.  What can I say, I was having a girl moment.  Among the many lessons I learned this past week, the one fashion related is that I need to hem my jeans.  I know, very deep.  Just trust that its not the only life lesson I learned this week!

(Clearly I took these pictures after above mentioned drinks.) 

Blazer - BCBG 

Cami - Similar

Jeans - Paige

Heels - Nine West

Necklace - Stella & Dot

Earrings - Darakjian's

Think Pink!

October is one of those months everyone loves, with the fall colors and apple orchards and pumpkin everything.  But I love it for one more very personal reason, its Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  From the NFL to Ellen, everyone wears pink.  You see more pink ribbons around town and it makes me happy.  I know that wearing my pink Under Armour shirt doesn't do much to stop breast cancer, but as someone who lost something precious to this disease, it makes me feel good to see everyone paying tribute.  And the more attention we pay to this, maybe some day soon we will have a cure.

My Grandma was amazing and I still miss her 5 years later.  She is the reason this pink ribbon stuff is so near and dear to my heart.  Here is the small ways I show my pink support!

UA Power in Pink® celebrates the many women who use fitness and exercise to stay healthy, and serves as a platform to help raise awareness about breast health.  These are my first two shirts and I love them!  I will definitely be buying more! 

 

The summer after my Grandma passed away, Marci and I did the 3 Day Breast Cancer Walk. Those 60 miles with her were healing and powerful and inspiring.  After that experience, I always give to the Susan G Komen Foundation.  And some day I will walk those 60 miles again! 

And last but not least, I live the happiest and healthiest I can.  That is the best way to honor her.  And maybe maser her shortbread.  But that one is the trickiest of all!  

Drove her to her weekly hair appointment so she could finally ride in the convertible with the top down! 

Happy Anniversary

7 years of wedded bliss for us Franklins!  My happiest years in life have been as Mrs. Jon Franklin.  And as we embark on this east coast journey, I have a feeling the best is still to come!  We don't do lavish anniversaries, but we do pizza!  If you know us, you know our tradition is pizza for dinner. This year was our first east coast anniversary, our first not in Michigan actually!  And lucky for us, Hoboken has the best pizza I have ever had!  I knew as soon as we moved here, Johnny Pepperoni's was going to be our anniversary destination.  And it did not disappoint!  I could have been rolled home, but hey YOLO! Yep, I just used yolo.

As far as my outfit, I loved it when I left the closet.  I went for that part casual, part sexy look.  I am not sure I nailed it, but I tried! Best part was my new earrings from Jon!  I saw them on my last visit to dad at Darakjians and pointed them out.  I was thinking Christmas...but surprise! LOVE them!

Top - Q Mack, Similar

Skirt - BCBG, Similar

Heels - Steve Madden 

Earrings - Rebecca from Darakjians! 

I got earrings for my gift, as you saw above!  But I wanted to share the gift I gave Jon.  I found the picture on Pinterest and it lead to her shop on Etsy, House of 3. Our song has always been 'Best Friend' by Tim McGraw.  When I saw this picture with the lyrics, I knew we had to have it. And now it will hang in our house forever.  She has all kind of different song and phrases too.  Check it out for your next sentimental gift! Thank you so much Shelley! 

Thanks for putting up with me babe!  I love you! 

A Few of My Favorite Things

Imagine me singing this, Julie Andrews style.  Lovely thought isn't it? Well maybe for those of you who haven't heard me sing.  Anywho...I thought I would share a few of my recent favorites with you all.

Onomie Under Eye Concealer
This concealer is the best I have ever tried...and I have used a lot of them!  They have a 2 product system with A.C.E. Illuminating Eye Treatment and Bright Concealing Elixir.  One erases dark circles and the other erases lines.  They have a great 'Try at Home' option, where for just $4 you get 3 shades of concealer and 1 highlighter.  If you love it and make a full purchase, you will be credited for the $4. I highly recommend giving it a try!

Trader Joe's Pumpkin...Everything! 

When we were back in Michigan, we stopped at Trader Joe's for some tailgate goodies and hit pay dirt!  First is their pumpkin coffee, quite possibly the best thing since regular coffee.  And right behind that in sheer awesomeness, is these Iced Pumpkin Scone Cookies!  They taste like pumpkin doughnut heaven!  In fact, I may have to find my local NJ Trader Joe's asap!

Under Armour Sweatpants

Ok yes this is a fashion blog and no sweatpants are not really all that fashionable.  But these babies are the most comfortable pants I have ever owned.  Also, I am an Under Armour hoarder. 

Thrive Market

If you haven't heard of Thrive yet, you should definitely check it out.  Its an online food market that offers great discounts on all kinds of food, really healthy food. There is a yearly fee, but with the discounts they have, you will end up saving much more than the fee.  They have a ton of Paleo and Gluten Free options too.  I mean if Jillian Michaels endorses it, sign me up! 

I hope you all are enjoying fall as much as I am!  Pumpkin and football...what more do we need?