Friday's Letters

Sorry, I'm a little tardy late to the party, but here we go!

Dear Heat- Lay off... seriously, my poor skin, a/c bill, puppy, yard are dying out here! dear hubs - yes, you're gone again and its ok, but you totally owe me several Friday date nights! Dear Anna- You have prepared for this next week and I am so proud of you! And ummm. Taco Bell date next weekend? Good Luck my Miss McKinney! Dear skin - yeah let's get with the program... I look like I'm 50 lately or 12, let's stick with almost 30, ok? Dear People who feel the need to huff and sigh at work - it does not score you points, it annoys me, and its loud! it's your job, just do it, I don't sigh when I get handed stuff to do! Dear August 1 - get here so I can be in Puerto Rico Dear Chloe - you are getting a cut this weekend, say goodbye hair hello skin! Now you will hopefully quit panting up a storm. Dear LC Collection @ Kohl's - I love you. Like almost all of you... your tanks so cute, your jacket's and the mint half midi/maxi skirt I just got! Dear metabolism - yeah where'd ya go? Dear Blogger friends- I apologize for the lack of insightfulness this week, I've been in a rut.

It's Ok Thursday

Absent blogger here, ready to tell what is ok with her today! Link up with Neely and Amber and join the fun! It' ok...

• to get extremeley annoyed by the amount of people who know think they are constitutional scholars via facebook, come on, you had no clue what the commerce clause was/is until today...
• to think that a 50+ page SCOTUS opinion is just way too long, come on justices, no need to wax poetic for more than what you allow in a brief
• to bill for "research" when reading the numerous SCOTUS opinions, I mean at some point I will need to know this information, right?
• to buy spa treatments on Living Social and Groupon
• it apply deodorant at work (in privacy of own office) when its 100+ degrees outside
• to tell your husband that we're boring
• to email your mom in order to vent b/c you do not have enough time to call during the day, but you can email while researching
• to put on your local Miss America crown and twirl around and pretend you are still competing
• to do turns and leaps in the living room just to prove to your husband you used to be a good dancer and could compete on SYTYCD if you wanted too (and then proceed to hurt the next morning)

Summer Office Attire

It may be sweltering outside, but ladies its still professional inside. Just because the summer heat has set in does not give you license to forget decorum in the work place. You can, however, incorporate your favorite summer staples into your work place attire. Just remember when you mix & match summer with office that you balance the two. When you have flowy summer dress, add a structured jacket; cute summer top, pair with a pencil skirt! You get the idea, but here are some of my top favs!

Summer at the Office by lynn-alexander featuring creme dresses

Illegal at the Pool

I spent a little time poolside this weekend with some good friends and their super fabulous boys! These faces are so cute you just want to squeeze their cheeks and love them. So, whilst enjoying some fun in the sun, I noticed some do and don'ts of the pool:

Don'ts

• Men, please wear swim trunks as long as or longer than your everyday shorts. No need for short shorts at the pool. And if you do done those daisy duke swim trunks, get some sun on those legs!
• That bandu that won't stay up. I get the trend, I mean there are some super cute bandu tops out there, but ladies they are meant for women with a small to mid-size chest. They are not meant for your double-d's... If your top cannot support the girls, I suggest a different top!
• Now ladies again, you are at the pool. I know you have busy lives and kids and a job, but make sure you are groomed. 'nuff said!
• Bottoms... wow, I mean I could devote an entire post to this, but I will not. No matter what age you are, your bottoms should cover your well bottom! Just because you are 16 or in really good shape, no one wants/needs to see your cheeks! And why we are talking bottoms, make sure they also cover your well, uh groceries... Yes I'm talking to you under the age 18 who think its ok to wear floss to the pool.
• Men, seersucker is not a swim appropriate fabric
• no one should drink so much that they: a) forget the have children or b) forget where they are
• waterproof mascara - I totally broke this rule and looked like spiderman/Black Swan

Do's

• Awesome sunnies and a large hat! Tre chic and protects the face
• sunscreen!
• super cute bikini on the baby girl!
• flip flops, adorned, bejeweled, wedge, it doesn't matter
• cover ups
• retro-cut swim suits!
• chapstick with SPF
• a good book/nook/kindle/ipad!

It's officially summer ya'll! So pack the cooler, lather up with SPF and enjoy the wind, water, & waves!

Confessional Friday

Because the truth will set you free or make you feel incredibly whiny...

1. I confess that I got on the scale this morning and was astonished that I had gained 2 pounds, and then I remembered the ice cream I had at work....
2. I confess that now that I have an IT guy, I call him anytime I don't want to think about figuring our where I moved an entire email folder ( I used to be so self-sufficient)
3. I confess I cannot for the life of me work our copy machine at work. Seriously, I cannot  beat this machine. I walk into the copy room and our sweet runner automatically tells me he'll do it...so sad
4. I confess I need a vacation and finally booked one! Puerto Rico here we come!!!
5. I confess I have started biting my nails again. I hate it, but I get at work and start to pick which turns into peeling which ends in biting. (hello solar nails again)
6. I confess I have my first solo hearing this morning and I am freaking out, on the bright side, no one will be there to see how bad well it goes.
7. I confress I miss my best friend.
8. I confes sometimes a partner comes in my office and I nod for 2 minutes while I am secrelty trying to figure out which case he is talking about. (its not the bend and snap, i call it the nod and smile)
9. I confess I forgot to put on deodorant yesterday, until I walked outside at lunch.... glad I keep a stick at work!
10. I confess (I had to come up with one more confession so I would have perfect list of 10) sometimes I am a bad puppy mom because I love my Chloe but just do not want to throw that darn ball one more time, I just want to watch Suits!

Splurge v. Bargain

Ok, ladies we all know its true, we love a a bargain, a sale, a good deal, but there are just some things that I refuse to  do "on the cheap."

SPLURGE

• shoes - you wear them everyday, and I mean heels & tennis shoes. You have your feet for life so treat them. Good shoes are also good for the whole body. Invest in a good pair of black and nude heels and running/workout shoes. Your back will thank you later.
• suit - I know that it used to be ok to run to Express and get a suit. Well, in the tough job market, what you wear says a lot about your worth ethic. If you won't invest in your appearance, chances are you don't care. So get a good basic color suit, i.e. navy, black, grey.
• skincare - Yes I know the drug store has some ok items, but again you have your face your whole life, so take care of it! Don't use products riddled with things you cannot pronounce, or fillers. Use products that are good for you and for your skin. I'm not saying you have to spend $100s, but don't grab the cheapest thing and call it a day. Invest in yourself.
• pots & pans - If you cook, at all, then invest in a good set of cookware. It will last longer, cook more even, and you will not risk buying something new every 2 years. This goes the same for knives and other cutlery.
• watch - if you buy a nice watch it will last forever. It also is a statement piece, and you wear it everyday! Why buy some cheap-o piece of jewelry that you literally wear everyday and then spend copious amounts of time getting new batteries for.
• toilet paper - we've all seen the Charmin commercial and experienced crappy TP, so buy the good stuff, your bum will thank you.

BARGAIN

• flip flops - and I mean the ones you wear to the pool and back or the beach, Old Navy baby!
• dishwahing soap - I mean come on who needs to spend $$ on something that is meant to wash your dishes
• home decor accessories - unless you are investing in fine art, no one is going to walk up to your wall hanging and investigate it. Some of the coolest and most interesting pieces of "art" I picked up on the cheap at places like Kohl's, Kirklands, and Hobby Lobby. If someone wants to look down on me for something in my own home, then so be it, but its all about personal style, and mine chances often!
• iphone covers - my phone is attached to me, so I change my cover often to coordinate with my mood, my needs, and my event (work, sans the neon, hello basic). You can get so many cute cases online for little dinero, so buy a few a change it up!
• candles - a candle is a candle is a candle.... they smell good or bad, but who need to spend a lot on something meant to burn?
• makeup - this goes both ways for me, if its "in" eye color, then I say go drugstore, but my foundation, concealer, and powder I invest more in because I use it more often and again, its my face people! but lip gloss, I change this like I change my mind about lunch.

These are just a few items off the top of my head. What do you splurge on versus bargain?

Interview Perfection

During OCI my second year of law school I was often asked, how do you interview so well? Well, I had been interviewing since I was like 4! Between twirling pageants and Miss Texas, I was a pro! if I got in the door, I got the job. With the job market rather sucking in the law department at the moment (have you seen the NALP stats?) I thought I would share my keys to success!

First things first, is your resume is updated? (thank the Lord for adjustable margins — it fits on one page!), directions to the interview are printed?, and you’ve Google-imaged the perfect hairstyle and practiced it three times? and have actually driven to the place to ensure you get there in time? Ok, here we go!

Don'ts:

• Never talk badly about your previous employer, boss or co-workers, no matter how bad the situation was. It’s tacky, classless, and better left to be discussed behind closed doors with your girlfriends over wine!
• Never talk about partying, no matter how laid back the interviewer or corporate culture seems to be. An interview is not the time or place to discuss what you did last night, your weekend partying, or your hangover. Swear words aren’t cool either!
• When asked the “what’s your weakness?” question, don’t say that you work too hard or that you’re a “people person.”  (seriously people.... no one likes everyone they meet!) Be honest, but professional. My go-to: I tend to over analyze things and make issues where they aren't any, but better safe than sorry.
• wear anything too short or too low or too "in" unless you know the culture. Skirt or dress when interviewing with a man in a male-dominated field. It's ok to be a woman!
• Cross you legs at the ankle, not the knee!

Dos:

• Have questions to ask the interviewer, office culture, room for growth...
• Have a copy of updated resume and writing sample on hand
• Control the conversation... key here conversation. This is not a test or a press conference, talk to the person.
• Know what you are good at and how you can make it sound fabulous, or make your experience relate to the job you are interviewing for... be creative.
• Follow up ASAP! If you got their card, send a quick email thank you, but ALWAYS follow up via snail mail as well. A hand written note goes a long way!
• Have some idea of what this place does, or what kind of law they practice. Know big clients, or cases, or something about them you can throw in. Research you interviewer.... same school? church? social orgs? bring it up! People love to play the connection game.

These are just a few simple tips and tricks. But I also recommend practicing. Mock interviews are the key!

Sunday Social

Favorite movie of all time?


Pretty Woman!!! Just love me some Julia and that laugh.

Favorite movie quote?


"Endorphins make you happy, happy people just don't kill their husbands... they just don't"

Best movie to watch for a girls night in?


See above, on both accounts and add in Devil Wears Prada

Best breakup movie?


Duh, the Break Up

Favorite celeb eye candy?


Ryan Reynolds

Which movie stars closet would you want to raid?


Emma Stone, love her!

Friday's Letters

Dear Husband - Why yes I love the new pottys that you decided we needed for our home... Dear Chloe - You have got to find a new place to sleep because taking mommy's pillow is inhibiting my sleep. Dear Rain - Thank you for making my husband happy. Dear Husband - Your attempt at buying me underoos may have failed, had you kindly asked the plumber to move his car you would not have had to go purchase said items, and P.S. Do I look like someone who wears peace signs on my undergarments? Dear Friday - Thank goodness you are here! Dear Texas State Twirlers - Good luck this weekend as you compete in the State Championships! Dear Office Thermostat - Seriously, its like an igloo up in here. Dear Work - slow down just a tad on Tuesdays so I can get back to turbo kick. Dear Starbuck's - I have replaced you with the local place that charges me less and has more sugar free syrups, I'm sorry, but our costly love affair had to end one day.

XOXO

It's Ok Thursday {link up}

It's Thursday which means its time for what is ok in my life this week courtesy of Neeley & Amber... 
It's Ok...

• that I like that traffic is lighter when I leave the officer later... all the small things in life
• that I have gone to bed by 9pm more than four times once this week
• that I have not had time to blog well this week
• to cry on the way home from work for no reason but just to let emotion out
• to watch Kendra on Top because its mindless and requires no brain power whatsoever
• pack my lunch like a 4th grader every day for work
• to have copious amounts of post-it notes all over my office (hey whatever works right?)
• to still be scared of my boss (or rather messing something up for him)
• that I'll miss Father's Day celebrations because of Texas State Twirling Championships (I get to spend time with my twirling family!!!)
• to yell at TV class action lawsuit commercials because I think they are a scam!
• to wash my pup with Wen haircare because I think it makes her coat shiny....

What's ok in your world?

A Few of My Favorite Blogs

So I have been extremely busy at work as of late and really have nothing important or worthwhile to talk about, so I thought I would steer you all towards some of my favorite blogs. Check these ladies out!

Keys to a Happy Marriage

So, not that I am saying I am the expert of marriage and relationships, but here are the few things I have learned in the last year and half about the keys to a happy marriage:

• not having the same career as your husband, it gives you 2 things to talk about when you get home, what he did, what you did.... and neither of you is the know all
• working in complete opposite directions from home... you get that drive time to decompress
• working late hours... you are so tired when you get home there is no time to fight
• using weekends to catch up on sleep... again can't argue when you're asleep
• waking up at the same time... you do not disturb the other sleeping one
• two bathrooms (enough said)
• Friday night out... gives you time to see your spouse and well no one has to cook or clean up

Random I know, but all so true.

Summer Shows

So, its used to be that when summer hit you could only find re-runs on TV. But now, there are a ton of shows that are summer only! I for one have embraced several of these shows. Here are a few of my favs:

• Necessary Roughness
• Dallas (starts wednesday, uber excited)
• Dance Moms (love me some Abby Lee)
• Suits (I cannot wait for this to come back on!!!)
• So You Think You Can Dance

Check 'em out!

Sunday Social

How did you come up with your blog name?


Well, I love the movie Legally Blonde, and since I am a blonde lawyer, I found ironic!

What is your favorite thing about blogging?


Getting to express myself in a forum that other people enjoy as well as meeting/making new friends.

What is one thing you have discovered because of blogging and now can't live without?


Gemma Kidd Showstopper bronzing lotion. Found it via my friend Jessika at Stand Still Look Pretty. It's ahmazzing, especially when I needed to wear a skirt at work and didn't want to look like Casper.


Facebook or Twitter?


Well, I like Facebook b/c of pictures, but Twitter keeps me posted with real time news, sports, weather...

If one celeb read your blog who would you want it to be? 

Def, Reese Witherspoon b/c of the name of my blog and well I love her style.

What is something you want people to know about your blog?


I know that sometimes my posts are boring law related, and for some of you , you have no clue what I'm talking about. I also know my blogs are pretty random sometimes and have no point, but I kind of approach it like this: hmmm what to blog about... oh yeah that sounds cool... Enjoy, but hey I take suggestions!


So, happy Sunday all, be sure to link up with Neely and Amber each Sunday for our little meet & greet!

Confessional Friday {link up}

Forgive me Father blogworld for I  have sinned....

• I confess my hubs just signed up for Twitter and I'm a tad scared for him to see my tweets
• I confess that I may have spent a good 20 minutes staring at my computer yesterday willing a motion to sever to write itself
• I confess that I am no clue how to write an amended answer to am amended petition that has not changed (and who amends a petition w/ little to no change?)
• I confess I went into Loft yesterday to redeem my gifts cards and spent way more than I planned on
• I confess that my nails look really bad right now and I have no one or thing to blame except myself
• I confess that the text that I just got from my best friend just made this Friday a whole lot better (how does she know that I need her at exactly the right moment?)
• I confess that sometimes Chloe drives me nuts... I know I have not been home all day and you want to play, but mommy is tired... so just roll over and I will gladly rub your tummy, let's just not play ball
• I confess that I need new black heels, but instead I just used black sharpie... like new!
• I confess that I have not kept track of my diet this week but have stayed on track... (which angers me when I am stict and manage to gain...)
• I confess I have slept in the Cubs shirt hubs got me in Chitown all week...

Confess, believe me it feels so good!

It's Ok Thursday {link up}

I love this link up for several reasons. 1. It's courtesy of some Texas gals. 2. It means tomorrow is Friday. 3. It allows me to vent! So link up  because... It's ok

• to think Miley is too young to be engaged and the marriage will undoubtedly end quickly
• to have road rage every once in a while
• to bring your dog to the airport to pick up your husband when its night (or any time)
• to get upset with your hubs at the gym at 5am because you are tired and he seems to have forgotten that while he was away you  had to man the house without him in the rain with power outages...
• to text him afterward and tell him you are sorry and the make up will be worth it
• to wear a sweater and pants and have your heater on in your office in June in Texas because its -12 in your office
• to play off of your beauty in a man-dominated profession (who said its wrong to be a woman?)
• to google a point of law before you charge the client for westlaw or lexis
• that I am going to pretend that my latte is non-fat even though I know I saw the lady use 2 % milk....
• that I spent hours researching the wrong thing when I find the right thing by accident

What's OK with you this week?

When Work Attacks

I have a love/hate relationship with my job, well rather my job has a love/hate relationship with my body. File folders have killed my cuticles. Stress has chipped away my nails. Stress has also caused me to eat (ok well I know its hasn't forced me too, but emotional eating happens and we do have cake for birthdays... yes blame the birthday cake). Brain drain has depleted my sense of humor and random pieces of law have overtaken my thoughts. I quote statutes not movies and people ask me questions and my internal billable clock begins. Driving home I see torts and negligence, in my home I see the same. That wet spot in the grocery store... negligence? The plane crash on the news, the derailment of a train... The street widening project by my house is not just good, its condemnation in action!

They say law school teaches you to think different, but practicing law makes you react differently. But the best part is finding the perfect case after hours of researching or getting a great judgment for your client. Yes I love my job, but sometimes I'm not a fan of what it does to me!

When the Hubs is Away...

The wife:

• takes the trash out
• gets up 15 minutes earlier so she can take the dog out
• opens the gate
• closes the gate
• must remember to:
• lock the door
• turn up the A/C
• close the door to the dining room
• open the doggie door
• close the garage
• takes the dog out before bed
• eats Lean Cuisine pizza for dinner
• feeds the dog a snow cone
• mows, weed eats, edges (ok maybe not that, but I could if I needed too)
• has dinner with her girlfriends
• gets her nails done
• paints the dog's nails
• wakes up every 10 minutes to weird noises outside
• takes baton to bed in case of intruder (and then forgets its next to bed and trips over it in morning and face plants)
• misses husband like mad!

Will play....

Men v. Women

Just had to throw these out there. Happy Monday ya'll!

Friday's Letters

Dear Hubs - Don't worry I will handle everything while you travel for work again. Dear Chloe - Not sure if I am proud that learned how to open the door to the dining room or upset that you broke out! Dear Work - Seriously I'm not ready this for. Dear Big Girl Panties - I've been wearing you a lot lately and I am not in the least bit happy about it. So this weekend back in the drawer you go, its all about my inner child! Dear Hubs - Love the Cubs gear you got me in Chicago! Besos mi amor! Dear Past Associate - Please come back to work as I am not ready to be you, nor can I hope to be as good as you. Dear Body - Yeah so I have been working out extra hard, watching what I eat so can those last 3 pounds please go away now? Dear baby birds in my Boston Fern - I check on you everyday so keep growing. I feel like your second mom (pics soon). Dear Kiddie Pool - its you and me this weekend. Dear Men of the World - get it together!

TGIF ya'll! Link up and let's see your letters.