Blonde Rosie Blog

favorite lunch boxes

Published on June 26, 2017June 20, 2017 by blonde rosieLeave a comment

My college was a bit obsessed with recycling and protecting our planet that after four years, I too became a bit obsessed with preventing waste and recycling. At my first job after college, I enforced recycling efforts and put recycling bins in everyone’s offices. If I saw someone throw out a water bottle, I would ask if they were going to recycle it to nudge them a bit. I am sure I was really annoying, but after a few weeks the office cleaning staff had a lot more recycling to cart away than they ever did before.

Now post college I don’t have signs up everywhere reminding me to recycle or the appropriate bins to throw out my aluminum cans or water bottles. While it may take me an extra few steps to recycle something or to bring it home with me to recycle later, I still am committed to protecting our planet.

One of my biggest life changes is no longer using plastic bags to pack up my lunches or dinners if I am working late. I bought Sistema plastic containers to pack up my lunches and most of the time I just bring my entire bag of goldfish with me instead of putting it into an extra plastic bag.

I also bought a few small bags that I can bring my lunch into work everyday, no cartoons are included! I walk into work with my purse and lunch bag everyday, and sure I look like a bag lady, but I know I am doing the right thing for my planet.

Head on over to Target and buy yourself some tupperware and a cute lunch box. Homegoods always has cute ones too and it is a great way to help the environment!

Friday Favorites

Published on June 24, 2017 by blonde rosieLeave a comment

That awkward moment when I get home from work and realize it was Friday, but I had no idea. Oops! This post is a little late to go up but that also describes the type of week I am having. Always lots to do and very little time to get everything done. I recently took on another job so now I am balancing three jobs, sleep, personal hygiene and sleep as well as a Netflix episode or 20!

Here are some of my favorites this week….

One of my goals this week was to take more walks. I spend so much time going from place to place, but rarely take the time to just go on a walk with no destination. I came across this sign on one of my walks in town and fell in love with it.

What I Bought

Victoria’s Secret Just a reminder that it is the Semi-Annual Sale at Victoria’s Secret and while all of us gals stock up on undies for $3.99, now is the time to pick up a new traveling case as well. I went in this week to buy underwear that I didn’t need, but saw that their traveling cases were on sale. I purchased the classic pink stripe one and while it is sold out online, it should still be available in stores. I usually have to pack more than one travel case when I go on trips, but I love how handy this is because I can use one bag with two compartments to store my products.

Target Every trip to Target begins with the intention to buy one thing and leaving with things you don’t need! I went to pick up a new razor and hand soap…. and scored in the clearance section. This palm print is perfect for summer and I am so happy it finally made it to clearance! Also, their monogrammed towels finally went to clearance so grab them quick!

placemats // pillow // towel

Kate Spade Okay, so I didn’t actually purchase these items but I had to share on the blog! I went into the Kate Spade Outlet on my lunch break this week and look at how cute these summer bags are!! Ugh if I had money I would totally buy that pineapple!

My Favorite Products

As always, my week would not have been made possible without dry shampoo. I opened up my cabinet to realize I had 3 full bottles of Batiste. Ha! I found a bottle on clearance at Target and I always get mine at TJ Maxx because it is always less than $5. You can read my full post about it here.

Still obsessed with all of these products from last week’s Target haul.

What I Wore

dress // shoes

tank // jeans // shoes

summer to do list

Published on June 23, 2017June 20, 2017 by blonde rosieLeave a comment

It was a cold and rainy spring, but then over night the sun and summer heat arrived! With all of this sunshine it makes going to work everyday a little bit more difficult. I have a lot I want to get done this summer. So I made a list and hope I can get it all done!

Here is my summer to do list!

Go through my wardrobe and purge
Every season when I bring out new clothes out of storage and I have to justify putting it back into my closet. Since my days are spent in the office, I donated a lot of my going out or casual summer clothes because they only collected dust in my closet.

Update Your Resume
Now is a good time to update your resume so it can list all of your accomplishments and skills.

Work Out
Since all of my free time is spent on the beach or at my pool, I need to make sure my body stays in shape! With the warmer weather, it makes it easier to go for a run on the boardwalk or long walks on the beach after work.

Visit Other Beaches
Even though I do live on a beach in Jersey, my family and I rent a beach house every summer in LBI to feel like a tourist on a beach. There’s a long list of beaches I want to visit in Jersey this summer and I hope to cross them off the list!

Ice Cream
I don’t know how I don’t gain 100 pounds because of my ice cream consumption every summer.

Farmers Markets
This may be my favorite part of my summer. There is a farmers market that is in walking distance from my house and I could spend hundreds of dollars on fresh veggies and fruits.

Start a Project
When the summer temperatures prevent us from going outdoors, have a project you can work on indoors. To be honest, that is how I got most of our home renovations done because I was bored and couldn’t go to the beach. One summer, I was able to organize all of our family photos and last summer I painted and redesigned our second floor.

Explore Your City
Take advantage of those summer days and walk around your town or city like a tourist. Go to a restaurant that only the tourists go to and spend time walking around.

Try a New Fruity Drink at the Bar
To be honest, I am a little intimidated by the drink list at bars. This summer I hope to just go down the list and try a few things to see what I like. Obviously, not all at once, but throughout the summer I hope to check them off my list!

Drink More Water!
With the warmer weather, your body needs more water! I just bought a new tumbler from Starbucks so now I can carry it wherever I go so I can keep up with this goal.

Wear More Lilly
It is officially summer for me when I take my Lilly Pulitzer dresses out of storage!

It’s not about the dress you wear but the life you lead in the dress

Published on June 21, 2017June 22, 2017 by blonde rosieLeave a comment

dress / shoes / necklace (old from J. Crew Factory)

Good morning, everyone! Working two jobs with very different schedules really messes with my sleep schedule. At one job, I often work until 10pm and then for my other job I have to be in the office an hour away by 9am. Luckily, I have it worked out with my boss that I can make my own schedule and clock in when I want as long as I get all of my work done. (Thanks, Tara!)

Most mornings, I sleep through my alarm and have to rush out of the house to get to the office. Yesterday morning, I once again slept through my alarm, grabbed this dress from my closet and ran out the door. One of the reasons I love summer is because I can wear cute dresses everyday. Most days I just throw on a dress, wear my Jack Rogers or Tory Burch Miller Sandals with a statement necklace and poof, it’s an outfit!

I recently bought this dress from The Loft and now it is on major sale! It is super comfortable and soft so it feels like I am wearing pajamas to work. It is office appropriate, but I can also wear it as a beach cover up or a simple day dress. Best part is… did I mention it has pockets?!?

I had a dozen people ask about this dress when I wore it to work yesterday and it is a must have for summer!

Celebrating Jeffy on Father’s Day + A Gift Guide

Published on June 13, 2017June 13, 2017 by blonde rosieLeave a comment

I love my family so much. I know a lot of college graduates who moved home after college, jumped through hoops to move out of their parents house so they could get their own apartment. This is my third year after college graduation and I am still living with my parents, but at the same time I am not trying that hard to move out either. My family is the world to me. I was blessed to grow up in such a supporting and loving family. I am taking this new phase in my life, being an adult living with my parents, as this opportunity to get to know my parents better as people.. For years our parents drove us places, made a home for us and did a million things on the side for me to grow up as a happy child with everything I ever wanted.

When I was a little kid, I never really understood the significance of Father’s Day. I would get a card, a gift and we would do a family breakfast before heading to the beach. When someone is in your daily life everyday, I think we don’t realize how much they do for us. When I went away for college, I would call or text my dad when I needed someone to listen. He would always respond with something corny or a classic dad quote. I called him crying one day because I got a B+ as a final grade in my Management course, and he told me that “a B is for beautiful like me”. I was sobbing, but had to cry because it was so corny. He never cared about the grades I got because he knew the pressure I put on myself. He wanted to know how much fun I was having in college and tease me for being in the library insisting I go out and have fun.

When I moved back home after college, my family and I went through a rough few months dealing with my dads health. There were days we had to rush him to the hospital and there were times I was hyperventilating on the hospital floor afraid he wasn’t coming home. My dad was hooked up to wires after heart surgery trying to make me feel better when I should have been the one reassuring him that. My dad always puts the needs of others before his own. While he was on bed rest in the hospital after his stroke, I remember climbing into bed with him and my mom had to pry me off when the nurses had to do his checkup. I never took my dad for granted, but when I saw my dad sick I realized I needed to show him more how much he means to me. He is the strongest guy I know with the biggest heart. Always willing to help out and always giving me money before I walk out the door in case I need it. We still walk together and hold hands even though I am all grown up. That is one thing that will never change between us.

The funny thing is that we bicker a lot when we are doing projects together because we have the same exact personality. The bickering quickly turns into us laughing I promise! I get my reckless driving and parallel parking skills from him along with his sense of humor. I am my father’s daughter in every way!

I made a goal to tell my dad everyday how much I appreciate him by saying good night before I go up to bed or putting his shoes away. It is the little things that show someone how much we really care. However, you cannot just say you love your dad on Father’s Day and show up empty handed. So I put together a little Father’s Day gift guide to inspire you to run to Target and grab a card as well as get a little something that dads need.

J Crew Factory Mens Button Down Shirt / J Crew Factory Shorts / Ray Bans /Record Player / Jord Watch/ Coffee Travel Mug / Snacks / Multi Port Phone Charger / A Card

Friday Favorites

Published on June 9, 2017 by blonde rosieLeave a comment

It was the first week of summer with the kickoff of Memorial Day and I am so excited. With every summer, I like to make plans and goals that I want to accomplish in the warm summer months. I made a list of things I want to get done this summer, and I am hoping that with my work schedule I can get them all done.

Travel

Being an adult who works leaves very little free time in my schedule. If I get a rare day off between my two jobs, I run errands and do laundry while catching up on my Netflix shows. So many new shows just added new seasons like Jane the Virgin, House of Cards and Bloodline. So many shows, so little time! But with a smart schedule and planning in advance, I can plan a few trips here and there. Since I live on the beach, it feels like everyday is a vacation! My family and I have a trip planned to go to North Carolina this summer and a few other trips planned. With this sunny warm weather, it is difficult to stay indoors.

Moving Out and Finding a New Zip Code

This has been a year in the making, but my parents are making plans to retire and move down south. No matter what they decide, I will have to reexamine my living situation. I have been very lucky to have my privacy and independence while living at my parents house the last two years. However, as much as I love living with my parents I am finding it is time to start my next adventure. Right now I am applying to jobs in different states and seeing where the job takes me. This is something I hope to have figured out by the end of the summer!

The Blog

I love my parents and how they are always willing to do a little photoshoot for the blog wherever we go. For a few months, I haven’t been able to dedicate that much time to the blog, but I hope to get better at adding my outfit pictures to the blog. Let me know what you would like to see more of on here. The Blonde Rosie blog holds a special spot in my heart and I hope to get new content up here on the blog.

Getting Together With Friends

When it is actually warm outside I have more interest in leaving my house after work! The summer months are filled with get togethers, happy hours, picnics and eating outside at restaurants. Right now I am setting up weekly lunch dates with friends and plans to go to the summer bars with coworkers. Make the effort and make the plans with your coworkers.

Spend More Time Outdoors

Living on the beach means I live near dozens of restaurants right on the waterfront. I always make a list of places I have to go to during the warmer months and I want to eat at as many of them as I can. I try to get outdoors as often as I can in the summer even if I have to park a bit further away from the Target! During my lunch breaks at work, I make an effort to walk outside soaking in the sunshine. Living on the beach also means plenty of beach days or lounging by the pool. Vitamin D does wonders for the body!

Now onto my weekly favorites….

Shopping

New Products

I love a good coupon and with the campaigns I have done with companies in the past, my address has traveled around to different companies. Now I am constantly getting coupons in the mail for products I wouldn’t normally purchase. I decided to go to Target and pick up a few new things to try.

Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo I have seen the Garnier Whole Blends Shampoo campaign everywhere so I am really excited to try this new shampoo. I love my Loreal Extraordinary Clay shampoo, but sometimes I just want to mix it up a bit. In the summer I wash my hair more often, so I am looking for an inexpensive shampoo that I can use daily to get my hair clean.

Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer I finally ran out of my bronzer I purchased last year from Wet & Wild. It was a large bronzer with highlighter and blush mixed in that gave me amazing color all over. I have seen a lot of other bloggers rave about this one and I wanted to try it. I fake tan in the summer with Jergens, so I go through bronzer like crazy to fake a summer tan. I am hoping the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer gives me the natural bronze I am looking for! So far I love the warm color on my face because it looks more natural than fake.

Garnier Moisture Bomb Moisturizer Remember that goal I had this summer to spend more time outdoors? Well, to do that I need SPF to protect my skin while outdoors. I like to layer a moisturizer under my foundation in the summer that won’t melt with the heat. I used this moisturizer before work one day and just put on some bronzer and blush and my skin looked amazing all day. I love a moisturizer that gives me a glow without looking oily. The Garnier Moisture Bomb Moisturizer is worth every penny!

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse I use a lot of foundation, and while I am loving my Loreal Infallible Foundation because it gives me a very natural look with amazing coverage, I was looking for an alternative I can wear when I just need to run out and do errands or want to wear just a little bit of makeup. I am hoping I like the Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse foundation and gives me the light coverage for summer I am looking for.

Let me know if there are any other products I should be trying!

What I Purchased This Week

I had a blog post up about this necklace earlier this week , but I have to share it again on my Friday Favorites. This necklace is very affordable and perfect for any outfit. Best part is that it is on sale right now!

Sale Alert! These shorts from J. Crew Factory went to clearance and I scooped them up as soon as they were marked down. Shorts at J. Crew Factory are my favorite and at these prices it is difficult not to get them in every color.

What I Wore

White Jeans / top (old from Ann Taylor) / Necklace (old from J. Crew Factory)

skirt (old from J. Crew) / Top (old) / Necklace

Skirt from Goodwill (similar here) / Shirt old from J. Crew

Shirt (old from last summer)/ Necklace (old from J. Crew Factory)

dress (old from J. Crew Factory)

shirt // shoes

What I’m Watching

Right now I am watching the new season of House of Cards and I find myself rewatching episodes so I don’t miss anything!

I am also watching Grey’s Anatomy from the beginning before bed and it is the best decision I ever did. It is interesting to see how themes and references from the first season reappear throughout the series.

I watched The Keepers, a documentary on Netflix twice because it was THAT GOOD! Pick a day this weekend, sit down and watch all of it in one sitting.

Around The House

This week I finished (kinda, sorta) the walk in closet for my parents. I went into work Thursday night covered in paint from finishing up a few little things. We just moved the furniture back in and working on the final design now. Here is a sneak peak!

Of course I celebrated National Donut Day!

I was nice to a customer one day this week at work and they came back 20 minutes later with cinnamon sugar pretzel bites for me and the girls. Proof that being nice does pay off in the end!