Author: Suz

Categories
Photography

Shot Away…

for week 27 of project 365! A photo every day. This might be a first in months if not all year!

Day 190: Saturday night we met up with friends for dinner at the local Mexican restaurant. I attempted photos on manual without a flash for baby Reagan’s benefit. This {along with the lighting} resulted in red photos. Here’s the best I could do to fix. Regardless, it was a fun dinner! [flickr id=”5952410843″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Day 191: Sunday, I was at the pool with my friend Tammy for over 5 hours. I grocery shopped on the way home then did sandwiches for dinner. The only photo I snapped was of my almost empty beach bag at the end of the evening. {my bag is 2006 Lilly Pulitzer that I gave my bridesmaids & myself. It’s faded but I love it!} [flickr id=”5952964172″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Day 192: Monday I wore my newish Lands End cardigan set {$18 total}. Of this is the day they decide to recirculate air in the office & it goes from 60-80 degrees at my desk. You’re seeing a end of a hot day photo that I didn’t use in last week’s WIWW post.  [flickr id=”5952411399″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Day 193: I stopped by Target after work & picked up Essie polish as well as a few other things. I’m a fan. We also made yummy burgers for dinner. [flickr id=”5952964524″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Day 194: Wednesday Moe kitty was looking cute after I took a WIWW photo. [flickr id=”5952971420″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Day 195: Thursday should have it’s own post. Instead, I’m gonna do a quick recap & bunch of my favorite photos here. My work friend Kim’s last day was Friday; we decided to take off half day Thursday & go to a local bar for drinks & laughter. Much of both occurred ~ there was beer & a few shots {lemon drops in top right & July 4th} & more beer. Good times. & yes, that top right is a very drunk fly that was in my friends beer. [flickr id=”5952538073″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”] [flickr id=”5953092236″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”] [flickr id=”5952534559″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Day 196: Negative pregnancy test Friday morning. But I was still hopeful & even called the RE to schedule blood test Monday morning. Instead, I started spotting Friday night hence the wine & skinny Firefly drinks. [flickr id=”5952411891″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Categories
Travel

Going to BlogHer part 3 {nerves?}

So I was going to save my BlogHer thoughts to last, but I’m too excited to not hi-jack my own guest post series now. I’ll probably do another pre-BlogHer post before I leave. Then you can bet I’ll have a few after I return from sunny San Diego.

It seems like there have been a lot of posts popping up this week about BlogHer. Ones like Katie‘s, Suzanne‘s, Diana‘s, Miranda‘s & Alena‘s about their nerves. I commented on all these awesome womens’ posts reassuring them that it’s all going to be fine {except for the kid-at-home parts because I got nothin’ on that}. My comments made me realize, I’m not nervous {at least not yet} & should I be?!

I don’t feel nervous about clothes & other things I’m packing. I’ve read a bunch of BlogHer advice posts (like Kate from Guavalicious Life’s on clothes & on packing, Mandy whose includes her outfit photos as well as Suzanne‘s), & checked out photos on Facebook, & blog posts from last year. I know I’m over packing, but I’d like to have options {another post of this subject to come}.

I’m not nervous about being a newbie. Morgan from the 818 made me smile last Saturday as a I read her surviving the BlogHer panic post. Lindsay from Linz Loves You had me laughing out loud with her own twist on BlogHer advice for newbies like myself {those photos got me too}. I know they’ll be lots of  newbies & BlogHer veterans alike all there to learn & meet people & have fun.

Maybe I should be nervous that Suz’s Treats is a “small potatoes blog” in comparison to so many others. But honestly, I think that makes me not nervous. I think because a lot of people will not have already heard of me/this blog, there won’t be unrealistic expectations that I will have to live up to. I can just be me. I hope that brings people here, but if not, I can honestly say I’m happy with my current readers & still typically blog for me.

I’m guessing the nerves might hit for me the week before? That night I fly in & try to find Miranda & Katie in the airport/hotel or meet my Wed night roommates for the first time? But all of that will be cured by the first glass of wine or hug or tweet from a new BlogHer11 friend or text from one of my roomies!

Over all, at this point excitement is winning over those pesky nerves. I can’t wait~ only 3 weeks to go!

Categories
Food

Burgers anyone?!

So the food treats here have been lacking recently. Not holding out on y’all. I just haven’t cooked or baked much recently. First it was my work traveling, then just being out of habit, then it being hot out & Jason working late, but yeah I think it’s mostly lazy.

I’ve been trying to do better, but admittedly, most of our “cooked-at-home” meals recently have come from store {aka rotisserie chicken} or freezer {pizza, pasta bag}.

But since this was cooking-at-home for us, I thought I’d share Tuesday’s dinner. Kraft Caesar pasta salad mix {on sale for 94 cents at Food Lion} & burgers. Angus Bubba burgers cooked in the skillet for Jason & microwaved black bean burgers for me. Both topped with fresh tomato slices & served on 100 calorie white wheat buns. The pasta salad was enough for us & then again as a side for lunches.

Easy, simple, pretty quickly put together home-made meal.

[flickr id=”5938311987″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]

Categories
Everything Else

WIWW {first edition}

Two posts in one day! Be sure to read down to see Suzanne’s Going to BlogHer? guest post.

I’ve been seeing WIWW {what I wore Wednesday} posts popping up on some of my favorite bloggy places. I decided I’d attempt to join in with Lindsey from the Pleated Poppy. So far I’ve learned it’s hard to take a good self portrait in our house {we don’t have a long mirror in a well lit room} & Jason isn’t always home to be my photographer.

Thursday after work.
[flickr id=”5931937063″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]cardigan: Lands End
tank: LOFT last year
skirt: Boden
jewelry: Tiffany heart necklace, random silver ball earring, DY ring.

Friday work & then dinner out with friends. Also learned these super comfy khakis are not flattering.
[flickr id=”5931907745″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”] [flickr id=”5931907821″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]ruffle top: LOFT {real color is more like the bottom right}
khakis: Old Navy {changed into} jean skirt: Boden
flip flops: Lilly Pulitzer McKims {from Ruelala}
jewelry: swiss army watch, DY bracelet, random silver cuff, silver drop ball earrings
headband: 25 Design

Saturday dinner out with friends.
[flickr id=”5931853831″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”]top: LOFT last spring
under tank: Old Navy
jeans: Gap
flip flops: Jack Rogers {from shoes.com}
jewelry: stella & dot coco bracelet, usual watch & DY bracelet, Belk gold studs, gold English coin necklace passed down from Ma.

Monday work & Target run.
[flickr id=”5931959681″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”] cardigan & tank: Lands End {yep, at $12, I bought it in two colors}
khaki capris: Loft {also looking frumpy at 6p}
flip flops: Jack Rogers

I liked my Tuesday outfit {light pink Lilly tank, black 3/4 length Loft cardi, black & white Target skirt}. But the 100+ degree temps made me look more drowned rat than cute Suz after work so no photo.

pleated poppy

Categories
Travel

Going to BlogHer part 2 {guest post}

Welcome back to my Going to BlogHer, now what? series! {Here’s bebehblog Suzanne’s post, the first in the series, if you missed it}.

Awesomely this week, another Suzanne is sharing with us {I love having multiple Suzanne friends!}. Suzanne lives nearby & I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her a few times. She’s so nice & fun & makes beautiful little girls! You can see Small Fry & Sunshine at Pretty*Swell & tweet with Suzanne too. Suzanne went to BlogHer last year in NYC & was willing to share some BlogHer wisdom with newbie me!

(Almost) Everything I Learned at my First BlogHer Conference
[flickr id=”5918999356″ thumbnail=”medium” overlay=”true” size=”medium” group=”” align=”center”] If you go to BlogHer, you may end up with a McDonald’s bag on your head. Everyone was doing it. Really.

Don’t be afraid to approach strangers.
This is the biggest lesson I learned at BlogHer. I had to wiggle out of my comfort zone and talk to complete strangers. Some I recognized from their Twitter icons or their blogs, others just happened to be next to me in line or sitting beside me in a session. It was nerve-wracking, but SO worth it. I met all sorts of people and made some wonderful new friends.

If you spot one of your blog idols, say hello (but don’t stalk).
This is the most fun. When I ran into Gabrielle Blair in the hotel lobby, I gushed all over her. She was so gracious, and it was a thrill to meet one of my favorite bloggers in person. Same goes for Jenny Lawson, Maggie Mason and Laura Mayes. We swapped cards, took pictures and chatted. And they were all nice as could be, even as I babbled and tackle-hugged.

But, be careful not to overdo it. One of my pals who is pretty famous in the bloggy world became very uncomfortable at BlogHer by a woman who seemed to be following her around. She’d corner my friend often and asked probing questions. Too much. Don’t let this be you!

Go to the parties.
Dancing, cocktails, cheeseburgers, unicorns. Enough said.

Stay in the conference hotel with bloggy roommates.
I only had a one-day conference pass, so I chose to stay with a friend who lives in New York. While I loved hanging out with my pal, I missed so much of the BlogHer action: late-night chat fests, drinks at the hotel bar, gatherings in people’s rooms. Some of the most valuable time at the conference happens outside of the sessions and parties. Don’t miss out.

Carry your business cards AT ALL TIMES.
Most folks tuck away a small stash in their lanyards, so that cards are easily accessible on a moment’s notice. Swapping cards is synonymous with saying hello at BlogHer. Be prepared.

Map out the sessions you want to attend in advance.
The sessions range in topic from techie tutorials to blog ethics. Choose wisely. And don’t be afraid to skip one if another opportunity presents itself.

Try not to get too caught up in the swag hall.
Yes, free stuff is cool. And the volume of free stuff at BlogHer is overwhelming. I got sucked into the swag hall for WAY TOO LONG and ended up missing a little adventure in the city with some pals. Get in, get some stuff, and get out. Or, tackle it in pieces. The swag will be there all weekend. Also: if you end up with way too much stuff, there’s a “recycle” room where you can leave unwanted items. And a shipping station where they’ll pack and ship your stuff home.

Stay on top of Twitter.
This is how EVERYONE communicates.

Explore your surroundings!
San Diego is a neat city. Be sure to get outside the hotel every now and then.

Do some homework before you go.
Here are a few of my favorite BlogHer-related posts:
A Newbies Guide to BlogHer, by Jill from Scary Mommy
Awesome business card showcase, by Melissa at momcomm
BlogHer Field Guide from Liz at Mom 101
A Brief History of the CheeseburgHer Party by Lindsay at Suburban Turmoil

Thank you so much Suzanne! Love your advice & awesome photo. Off to do a little BlogHer homework myself now.

Be sure to come back for the next guest posts in this series are from my BlogHer roomies!