Forever In...Watches

An ex-boyfriend used to celebrate career milestones by purchasing a new watch. Every watch he owned was tied to an accomplishment he was proud of...if you asked about a watch in his collection, he could tell you what he did to earn that particular watch.  

Four years ago, I accomplished something in my career that I agreed should be celebrated but didn't consider a career milestone. In retrospect, I still see it as a huge accomplishment, but not a milestone- it wasn't career defining or even something I call out on my resume. My then-boyfriend disagreed and bought me a watch to commemorate the accomplishment. I still have-and wear- that watch.

I do think watches are practical and that everyone should have at least one good watch in their collection. If I were in a the market for a watch, here are a few I would consider buying:

Image via Hudson's Bay

Mesmerize Stainless Steel & Swarovski Crystal Bracelet Watch by Calvin Klein- I love the stainless steel and black contract...this is such a classic look.

Image via Hudson's Bay

Riley Rose Gold Watchby Fossil- I am a fan of the chunkier band/larger face mens-style watches. The stones added a feminine feel.

Image via Hudson's Bay

Stainless SteelBracelet Watch by GUESS- I love that this looks more like a bracelet than a watch.

Image via Kate Spade New York

Metro Navy LeatherWatch by Kate Spade New York- While I like the contrast of the smaller band with the big face dial, the reason I like this watch is the cocktail where the five should be. The watch also says "somewhere" on it. I love adorable details like this that Kate Spade is known to include.

Image via Ralph Lauren

The Slim ClassiqueCollection 38 MM While Gold by Ralph Lauren- Ralph Lauren as a brand is known for being timeless (ha!) and classic. This is a watch that will never go out of style.

Image via Tiffany & Co

Tiffany 1837Makers 22 mm Square Watch by Tiffany & Co- Is there a better way to celebrate than with Tiffany & Co?! Love the pop colour that the Tiffany Blue adds to this watch and any outfit it's worn with.

Happy Galentine's Day

As Leslie Knope from Parks & Rec claimed, Galentine's Day is only the best day of the year. February 13 is a day to celebrate your favourite gals, the friendships we have and how much these ladies mean to us.

I am so fortunate to have some AMAZING gals standing by my side, that I can call at any time and for anything. The men in my life are important too- and I have some GREAT guys in my life- but there is nothing like strong, supportive, fun, female friendships. I celebrate my gals year round, but it's nice to have a 'holiday' specifically to celebrate our friendship.

Image via TribLive

Reach out to your favourite gal pals and let them know how much you appreciate their friendship. Make plans to meet them for lunch, drinks after work, or Netflix and take out. Send them flowers or chocolate...if you are unable to spend today with your favourite gal, send her flowers or chocolate, or cupcakes, or pizza and let her know you're thinking of her. Do your favourite things, with your favourite gals, make memories and celebrate the fabulous friendships you have. 

Book Club: Mrs.

Image via Chapters Indigo

Book: Mrs.

Author: Caitlin Macy

Chapters Indigo Summary:

In the well-heeled milieu of New York's Upper East Side, coolly elegant Philippa Lye is the woman no one can stop talking about. Despite a shadowy past, Philippa has somehow married the scion of the last family-held investment bank in the city. And although her wealth and connections put her in the center of this world, she refuses to conform to its gossip-fueled culture.

Then, into her precariously balanced life, come two women: Gwen Hogan, a childhood acquaintance who uncovers an explosive secret about Philippa's single days, and Minnie Curtis, a newcomer whose vast fortune and frank revelations about a penurious upbringing in Spanish Harlem put everyone on alert.

When Gwen's husband, a heavy-drinking, obsessive prosecutor in the US Attorney's Office, stumbles over the connection between Philippa's past and the criminal investigation he is pursuing at all costs, this insulated society is forced to confront the rot at its core and the price it has paid to survive into the new millennium.

What I have to say:

Beautifully written and loved the depth of the characters- so many characters each with their own stories and layers. This is a talented author! As for the plot...I read the entire book and I have no idea what it's about! The summary above does sum up the book in a way...having read the book and the summary, I can say 'yup, I see that'. But when reading the book, if I hadn't known the summary...well, I would have summarized it differently. The books is mostly about mother's who children attend the same pre-school. Two mothers- Gwen and Philippa knew each other during their childhood. They hangout with new mom at school, Minnie. Gwen and her husband Dan knew Minnie's husband John in college.John also knew Philippa before she married her husband. By the end of the book, not only did I not have a clear idea what this book is about, but there are a ton- TON- of unanswered questions. 

Final Verdict:

If you are looking for a nicely written book and/or characters that are well developed, and you have zero interest in whether or not there is a plot- I would recommend this book. If you need your books to have a plot that you can follow, give this book a pass.

10 Ways To Celebrate A Valentine's Birthday

February is the month that most people associate with love. It’s all hearts, candy, flowers and romance. Or disappointment, heartache and tons of ice cream or other comfort food to drown your lack of love/romance in. Thanks Valentine’s Day.

I’m not going to go into how much I loathe Valentine’s Day and the commercialism of this “pretend” holiday. Or even how I’m bitter that Valentine’s Day overshadows and gets in the way of my birthday, which happens to be February 14.

Instead, I’m going to highlight 10 ways to celebrate a Valentine’s Birthday:

1.       Have pizza delivered to them for lunch along with flowers. Everyone loves pizza and pizza, for most people, was a childhood birthday food staple. As for the flowers, flowers just make people happy. But stay away from roses…too “Valentine”.

2.       If you take them out for dinner, try and go to a place that will have live music, like a piano player. Arrange to have the musician(s) play “Happy Birthday” when they enter the room.  Everyone in the room will know someone’s celebrating a birthday and that things besides Valentine’s Day happen on February 14.

3.       Get them a really cool gift that is in no way related to Valentine’s Day and/or love. I suggest the Beanie Buddy octopus named Inky. It’s an octopus named INKY! A friend gave me this in high school and I LOVE it. Especially the name.

4.       Throw them a surprise party. Who doesn’t love a surprise party? The birthday person will be beyond touched that so many people gave up celebrating Valentine’s Day to celebrate the day of their birth instead.

5.       Bake a cake. This is a thoughtful thing. One of my best birthdays involved my roommates making me a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and ‘Happy 19^th Birthday Melissa’ spelled out in licorice. It doesn’t have to be perfect…it really is the thought that counts. I don't have a picture of that cake, but I do have a picture of this cake that a friend and her daughter made for me and surprised me with:

6.       Take them out. Blow off work/school/responsibilities to take them to a bar and do birthday shots with them mid-day (or right after work). Valentine’s Day hasn’t really kicked into full gear yet, so they’ll be able to enjoy their birthday without a ton of couples around celebrating Valentine’s Day. If things get a bit wild, that’s ok. And let’s be honest…shots really do make things better.

7.       Spa day. Nothing says birthday like being pampered. Even if you can’t afford a full spa day, send them for something…manicure, pedicure, facial even a massage. This really is the best way to spend your birthday.

8.       Dance party. Just make sure there are no ‘love’ songs on the playlist. Many of my birthdays have included impromptu dance parties and they are ALWAYS fun. Plus, this is so easy to do! Turn on some music and start dancing.

9.       Do something they love but not Valentine’s related. For example, if their favourite restaurant is having a Valentine’s special, skip it. They like to bowl and the local bowling alley is doing rock-and-bowl, this would be good.  I spent a lot of my birthdays at rinks watching hockey games.

10.   Remember their birthday. This really is just basic. Year round so many people remember my birthday because it’s on Valentine’s Day. But then, the actual day arrives and no one remembers/cares because they are so busy and focused on Valentine’s Day. Try and remember their birthday outside of Facebook- send them an e-mail, text message or pick up the phone and call them- all are better than a Facebook message (which points out who’s celebrating a birthday that day).  And for goodness sakes, do not give a combined Valentine/birthday gift and/or card.  Separate the two events.

If you know someone who is born on Valentine’s Day, do something nice for them- forgo celebrating the fake “holiday” that is Valentine’s Day and instead celebrate the day of their birth. They really will appreciate it. Trust me.