Rainy Day Friday

Hi! Does anyone else find it nearly impossible to wake up on a rainy day? There's something about the sound of rain falling outside that makes me want to stay in bed and sleep for a few extra hours. Unfortunately, I had to get up at 6:15, just like any other day! I've had a few exams already today, and thankfully I am almost done for the day! Even better, I dont have school tomorrow, so I am just 3 short hours away from the weekend, which I could not be happier about! Tonight will be a lazy night spent at my friend Alexa's house with Brynn, Rosie, and Kara. We have big plans of watching 500 Days of Summer, eating too much food, etc! These girls are some of my closest friends and we always have a great time together, no matter what we're doing! It's always nice to loaf around at the end of a long stressful week!

Tomorrow I will be waking up early (on my day off.....) to go pick up a friend at school in Connecticut. We plan to stop in the beautiful town of Westport for a nice lunch and also to go to Vineyard Vines! This VV store is one of the closest to where I live, and it is still an hour and a half (or so) away from home. It's always so exciting being in a VV store.

Even though Halloween JUST passed, I am so excited for everything the Holiday season has to offer. I am seeing more and more Christmas-y things everyday! I'm getting holiday edition magazines in the mail everyday already! Also, the red Christmas cups are out at Starbucks (SO EXCITING!!!). I love EVERYTHING about the Holiday season and I am a certified Xmas freak. I literally am a different person arount the holidays. I am so excited for seeing family, giving gifts, snow, hot cocoa, cuddling, etc!!! So much excitement from here on out!

Does anyone have any fun weekend plans??
xoxo
MEF

I'm Back!!!

Hi!

I have been a terrible blogger for the past couple months. I stopped blogging over the summer when life got busy and now that I am done with all of my college applications, I am absolutely going to start blogging again! For the past two months or so, I have been busy and stressed with college applications! I applied to schools here on the East Coast and in the Midwest for Physician Assistant programs. I would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to go to school in Boston and eventually work at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. Now that my apps are all sent in, I just have to focus on keeping my grades up for the next couple of months!

FALL is finally here and I could not be any more excited for the leaves changing, my wardrobe changing, my FALL colors makeup palate, etc!! So exciting :)

Gotta run to class now, but I will post again soon!

MEF

Vineyard Vines Themed Crafts

Hi! I hope everyone had a great weekend! Weekend Recap:
Friday- I went to a Greek festival with the girls in our town! We go every year and it's always a great time! The food, music, and jewelry was amazing! It's so interesting and the Greek dancing is beautiful and so enjoyable!
Saturday- I took the SATS (so exhausting!). Saturday night I had a movie night with a good friend and we watched Valentines Day. It was good but kind of a knock off of He's Just Not That Into You and Love Actually (my favorite movie EVER). It was cute (only because I love love!) but also very complex and confusing.
Sunday- I went to my friend Phil's graduation party. The venue was beautiful, the food delicious, and the company great!

Now on to Today! Jeanne and I sat outside and painted some Vineyard Vines themed crafts! It was so fun and I think they came out pretty well! Jeanne made a big VV whale with her monogram underneath and I made a VV themed picture frame with my monogram at the bottom as well! :)




Please excuse the bad picture quality- they were taken on my blackberry.

XOXOXO

Prissy and Preppy Flamingo Giveaway

Go check out Prissy and Preppy Flamingo's Lilly keychain giveaway! Her blog is too cute and she is just as sweet! XOXOXO

Another Award!

Sweet Southern Prep gave me the 'I Love Your Blog Award'! She is extremely sweet and has a BEAUTIFUL blog! She also leaves the most charming comments! AND she has the most beautiful children! Check out her blog, it's lovely!!!



For this award, I am supposed to write ten things I love :)

1. God/my faith.
2. My amazing, loving, and generous family.
3. Especially my sister, who is my best friend. And I am very close with all of my siblings, which I am oh so very thankful for!
4. The girls! I would NOT survive without them!
5. My health! I am so lucky to be healthy!
6. My whole extended family- on both sides. I'm so lucky to have a huge Irish family!
7. Sports- playing and watching!
8. Clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories, etc!!!
9. Chocolate!
10. The music of Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, CCR, and many others.

Now I will pass this on to ten blogs I simple love to read!

1. Prissy and Preppy Flamingo
2. Que Sera Sera
3. Seersucker Scrapper
4. Sweet, Sassy, Southern and Classy
5. The Life of a Suburban Princess
6. Living Well
7. Pink Preppy Lilly Lover
8. Miss Southern Prep
9. Summer Wind
10. Champagne and Cupcakes

'The Life of a Suburban Princess' Giveaway!

Go check out The Life of a Suburban Princess' Sex and the City Giveaway!!!!!! She has such a cute blog and it is always a great read!! Check it out and go enter! :) XOXOXO

Memorial Day Weekend Recap

Hi! I hope everyone had a GREAT Memorial Day Weekend. I love MDW because it gives me a taste of summer and motivation to kick into high gear for the last week of school before summer begins!
Friday- Did some chores during the day, hung out with the girls!
Friday night: I made dinner for the girls (Wine&Dine!). It was a great time, filled with chatter and laughs! I can never get enough of my best friends, we all mesh so nicely! After dinner, Jeanne and Kir set up the bonfire for us (putting those 'girl scout' skills to good use!) We had some s'mores around the fire and stayed up late chatting!

Saturday- Jeanne, Kirsten, and I went on a hike! It was so great! We are all athletic girls but we have never done something fun like that together! It was a great way to exercise, chat, and bond all at the same time! The weather was perfect and the reservation we were hiking in was very picturesque.


Saturday Night: Jeanne and I got a bite to eat and then saw SATC 2!!! I loved it. Even though I may have liked the first one better, and the critics are giving it terrible reviews, I can NEVER resist ANYTHING SATC. The clothes were fabulous and the filming/scenery was beautiful as well.


Sunday- A beautiful day at the beach! Jeanne, Jill, and I went to visit our best friend Marie at her summer home. The weather was perfect and we hit up the famous local Mexican food joint, Surf Taco.

Sunday Night: A FUN night out with the girls! Wild Wild West themed... :)

Monday- Breakfast with the girls at the local bagel place, Bagel Chateau (BEST breakfast place around). We also had friends over for a Memorial Day BBQ Monday night. All of the summer food (watermelon, burgers, etc) put me right in the Summer mood! Ahh, so close! Only one week and one day away!! Yayyy!


Did anyone do anything fun this weekend?!?! XOXOXOXO

Award!

The LOVELY Prissy and Preppy Flamingo gave me this fab award! She has SUCH a cute blog, is a Lilly LOVER, is very relatable, and leaves the sweetest comments! So THANK YOU, mFw! :)

For this award, say where you want to see yourself in 10 years and then pass it on to fellow bloggers!

In ten years, I will be almost 28! (soo weird to think about!!) I can see myself working in a hospital as a PA (hopefully at the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC! This hospital means a lot to me because I had a knee surgery there a few months ago...I have had knee problems for years and after a failed knee surgery a few years ago, I think this one finally did the trick!) I also hope I am settling down or just married with aanywhere in between 3-6 kids! I'm sure I will still be living in the tri-state area!

What about you lovely ladies? :)

Sweet Southern Prep
Miss Southern Prep
The Life of a Suburban Princess
Preppy 50 and Loving Lilly

Happy Tuesday!

Good morning! I am currently sitting in math class bored to death. This is already such a long week but I am looking forward to this weekend..Memorial Day Weekend!!!! I also can't stop thinking about how badly I need to go shopping..ASAP! A few weeks ago my FAVORITE Kate Spade tortoise shell sunglasses got lost/stolen :( So I need to head over to Lord and Taylor today and purchase either some new Kate Spade ones.. or Ray Bans! I think good sunglasses are so extremely essential to any outfit- any day! Also, I need to purchase a new Longchamp bag. I love Longchamps but the only one I have is the smallest size. I am going to France in about three weeks and I think Longchamps are soo practical- especially for travel! Just the fact that they fold up is amazing! It's just a matter of time before I am HERE...

Ahhh! So excited! Did I mention I am going with about 6 of my closest friends? :) I wish I could pack Jeanne in my suitcase... I just got used to having her back for the summer and it's going to be sad leaving her! But I arrive back home on her birthday :)

Does anyone have any packing tips??? :) XOXOXO

Back!

Hi! I'm sorry I have not been blogging for so long because it is the end of the year and I feel like I am writing a paper a day and constantly studying! Also, all the girls are home from school now so we have been inseparable! Recap: The wedding in Boston was great! Great to see the bride and groom so happy, my family together, etc! Here are some pictures :)

The four cousins! Don't we look like we could all be sisters? :)

Me and Jeanne with our little clone Gracie!! She is the sweetest thing alive!

Off to studying... wish me luck!!! XOXOXO

Christ the King Service Project

Good afternoon! OK, so my mom volunteers at a school in Newark that just started up three years ago. There are three classes now, freshmen, sophomore, and junior. These kids are granted scholarships in order to attend the school because they can't afford the tuition. They come from poverty stricken areas in Newark. In order to help pay for their tuition, they work 1 or 2 days a week and attend school for the rest of the week. These kids are truly inspiring; most kids from the inner-city would roll their eyes at the idea of wearing uniforms, but these kids see it as a blessing and even a luxury. They come from dangerous inner-city public schools where the graduation rate could be about 40%, to Christ the King, which has a graduation rate of about 99%. I went to the school to help with my mom one time and was TRULY inspired. The kids are amazing and are so happy to be in a safe, loving, Catholic environment. SO a few months ago I came up with the idea that I would collect slightly used prom dresses, bags, shoes, shawls, etc. for the girls at Christ the King for their senior prom next year. I have been successful so far but I still have much more to do for them! I know this is a big request- but if ANYONE has anything to donate, it would be GREATLY APPRECIATED! If anyone would be so kind to do this, I will cover shipping costs! Please email me, my email is maggie.fitzpatrick@verizon.net. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I am so happy I have a year to complete this project, and I am confident that I will be able to get it all done! XOXOXO!!!

College Prep Giveaway!

Be sure to head over to College Prep's blog to check out her Stationery giveaway!!! I LOVE her blog- it is soo adorable and preppy!!! XOXOXO

Happy Tuesday!

I hope everyone had a good start to the week! Tomorrow is hump day already... another day closer to the wonderful weekend :) It is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL this weekend- getting up to 90 degrees on Sunday! I am planning a picnic with friends in the beautiful weather with some homemade sandwiches, sweets, and lemonade! (or shall I say, my favorite drink: Arnold Palmers!!). Take advantage of the weather this weekend and do something outside! XOXOXO

Sunday!

Hi everyone! I hope everyone had a good weekend! I am oh so tired- I have just gotten back from leading a Catholic retreat this weekend for my parish. I got very little sleep and was running all over the place all weekend. Did anyone do anything fun this weekend?! XOXOXO

Sunday purchase

Hello again! I must learn better blogging etiquette- I go a week without posting and then post 3 times in one day! I promise I will get better, I am just so busy during the week! Today I was upset over some (seemingly) big deal... so I headed over to Lord and Taylor (always a bad idea!) for some impulse purchase. I ended up in the Kate Spade Jewelry section and bought two pairs of beautiful earrings I am in love with!! I can't find a great pic online and they weren't on the website, but here is an OK pic...

I got them in that light blue stone and just clear. Love 'em :)

In advance...

I will be attending my aunt's wedding in Beautiful Boston in a few weeks- so it is the perfect time to find the perfect dress for the occasion! The wedding is at the Beautiful Endicott Estate in beautiful Dedham, MA.







I am beyond excited to watch my aunt and her fiance have their beautiful day together!

Now, for a dress... my first instinct was a Lilly dress, but then I realized it is an evening reception. I am now considering these:


J.Crew Blakely Dress


I love this J.Crew silk taffeta bow monde dress, but I am not sure if the color (which I ADORE) is appropriate for an evening reception? What do you think? (comments appreciated on this!!!) I think it is a good color for me, but at this point in my life I have not even found out what "my colors" are! I have blonde hair, blue eyes, and slightly fair skin which gets a "light tan" in the spring/summer. (some freckles, too!). Is anyone good with figuring out good colors for certain complexions etc?


This J.Crew Waterfloral pastiche Taryn dress is beautiful, but again.. I'm not sure if it is event- appropriate.

If anyone has any advice/comments/opinions, etc. regarding dresses or colors that may be flattering for my blonde hair/blue eyes/(will be)light tan, blah blah blah, please let me know! Also I am about 5'4" and a size 4. (I think all 3 of these dresses are somewhat flattering on my body type- I hope!)

Thank you oh so much! XOXOXO

Good morning!! I hope everyone had a fabulous week! The weekend is almost over which means I have a whole day of school work ahead of me! This weekend was cold and rainy, but hopefully it'll warm up this week! I hope it starts to get nice out, so i can wear these:


Adorable Vineyard Vines tunic! And these...


Vineyard Vines jeans!!

With my...

Navy and White Jack Rogers

It all gets me soo excited! I am loving everything nautical right now!

Have a GREAT day!

Catch up!

Hi! Hope everyone had a great weekend! It is Sunday morning, and I am exhausted from a fun weekend visiting me and Jeanne's dearest friend Kirsten at college. It was a great time and I miss her already! I am up to my ears in work to do because I am finally allowed to go back to school tomorrow! I missed so much- and naturally I waited three weeks- the day before I go back- to begin all of it. Also, Jeanne is home this weekend, which is a huge distraction because we always get sidetracked and usually go shopping (while we should be doing work!). I promise to leave more posts this week, but as for now I must tackle some of this work. Have a great week everybody!

I realized today that I never made a New Years resolution- Usually it would have been the generic "diet and exercise" resolution that we have all tried! However, I was recovering from a knee surgery I had done two weeks prior to the new year, so I did not have the chance to do that. Today I decided I do not need a holiday and new year to follow a resolution- and I decided to start now on this beautiful day!! Here is what I am working on doing this Spring...

1. Wake up earlier! When I am fortunate enough to not have a reason to wake up early (most Saturdays, breaks from school, summer) I usually sleep in to get some extra rest, and I start my day later. However, I find that when I wake up early to work out or even meet a friend for breakfast, I get so much more done and feel better throughout the day!! It also ensures that I sleep better at night! With the beautiful weather I can not resist waking up early and making the most out of EVERY single day.
2. Get creative! Whether it is hanging up pictures in my room, making little gift baskets for friends for holidays and special occasions, or painting, I always feel great after doing something artsy! I am not overly artsy at all, but I get so much enjoyment out of it!
3. Work out because I want to, not because I have to! When I think of working out, I usually just hit up the gym for a few hours and do all sorts of machines. However, I am just seeing how easy it is to work out and have soo much fun while doing it. Whether it be taking a walk with a friend (there is always something to chat about), or playing some pick-up basketball with my brother, I can always count on getting a good workout in the company of others WHILE having fun! Working out should be a treat, not a chore!
4. Getting in touch with family and friends who now live far away. While facebook is so easy and convenient, there is true beauty in hand-written letters. I vow to write more letters (how can you resist when there is soo much cute stationary out there!?).

Does anyone have any Spring Resolution?!

Easter!

Hi! I have been a terrible blogger lately! I have been so busy with Easter, spending time with everyone while they were home for break, and resting! I hope everyone had a blessed Easter and was able to spend time with loved ones and eat more chocolate than necessary. I know I did :)

The weather is beautiful here- I was finally able to go to the gym this morning after being on bed rest with mono for two weeks. It was great to be working out again... even if I did ruin it right after by indulging in a bagel from our town's BEST breakfast place- Bagel Chateau (it's one of those places where the workers are constantly singing and know me and Jeanne's orders by heart). I am oh so happy to be feeling better after being sick!

My entire family was together this Easter and I was very thankful for that! Everyone is usually so busy that it is hard to get all six of us together at one time! In addition to the family, we had many, many visitors- as always. Our home is the place where all of our friends flock to during summer and over breaks. I am so happy our home is the usual meeting place. With my mother always whipping us up something to eat, Bruce flowing through the iPod speakers, and friends joined together for great conversation and laughter, I am blessed to be a part of it all!!

Jeanne and I after Easter Mass

Sisters & Best Friends!

I hope everyone's holiday was as wonderful as mine!!

Sperry Crazed!

Hello- I hope everyone is having a great start to the week! I am going crazy not being able to go to school, the gym, out to eat with friends, and out shopping! I have been getting plenty of rest, so I am hoping this mono moves on soon!

Last week I bought these lovely pink Sperrys above, and I LOVE them. I LOVE Sperrys and I LOVE anything pink- so when I saw them, I knew I had to get them. While resting this weekend, I was perusing my regular websites for a little pick me up, and I saw these new patent Pink Sperrys!! Despite the fact that there are very few differences between the pink Sperrys I bought last week and these patent Pink Sperrys, I think they are JUST what the doctor ordered!

I Have Been Crowned A Socialite!

I have been crowned a socialite by the Preppy Mafia! Here are the rules:
Click on the above button and paste onto your blog/website
Answer the questions below
Pass onto 10 bloggers you love, go to their blog and let them know they've been tagged!


1. Who is your style icon? Very tough question... probably Lilly Pulitzer!
2. What is your favorite Socialite lit book? The Preppy Handbook.
3. Favorite party theme? I love Holiday themed parties. In the end it's all about the company you're in!
4. Go To Halloween costume? A flapper? Anything I can get dressed up for!
5. Extravagance you cannot live without? Chocolate and spa pedicures.
6. Living person you admire? All family and friends- especially one of my closest friends, Kirsten.
7. Greatest fear? Dying.
8. Trait you deplore in yourself? I always expect the worst/ have low expectations about things.
9. Which talent would you like most to have? I wish i was a great cook!
10. Greatest achievement? Knowing that I am capable of whatever I want to do if I apply myself and work hard!

Thank you oh so much to Prissy and Preppy Flamingo!!! You're great! XOXOXO

I tag...
1. Pleasant as Punch
2. Carolina Prep
3. Preppy 50 and Loving Lilly
4. Sweet, Sassy, Southern and Classy
5. The Life of a Suburban Princess
6. Tickled Pink and Green
7. Adventures of a Southern Newlywed
8. Champagne & Cupcakes
9. Pink, Green & Southern
10. Preppy Paper Girl

Photo Friday!!!

Even though I just started my own blog, I have been reading others for months now! I have seen Hopsy's "WASP Wednesdays" and my own sister's "Music Mondays", so I figured I would start my own themed day! This is the first (weekly) Photo Friday!! I have decided to post a picture and tell the story behind it! So for the FIRST Photo Friday, I have chosen this picture...

[Me, Jillian, Jeanne, Sara, and Kirsten!]

This is us last summer celebrating Sara's 19th Birthday!! I absolutely love getting dolled up and going out to eat- and this was one of those nights- full of great outfits, great food, and great company!!! Growing up, I was so lucky to be surrounded by a great sister and her wonderful, loyal group of friends. Now I am blessed enough to have a great group of friends my own age, and ALSO an amazing sister (slash best friend!) and all of her best friends, who in turn are also extremely close friends of mine as well! So thanks to you girls for being great friends! XOXOXO

Spring Has Sprung!

I am so excited for this nice weather- finally! This has been a long and dreary winter, even for NJ! The sun has finally come out, and all I can think about it is spring and summer clothes!! I can't wait to break out my favorite J. Crew critter chino shorts! On my wish list for this spring/summer, I have...

This new Vineyard Vines tote is CUTE AS CAN BE!!

This J. Crew Zebra Trench is fabulous and great for the spring!

And finally, this J. Crew silk taffeta bow dress is perfect for my aunt's May Wedding in Boston!

First Post!

Hi! I am so excited for my first post! I have been reading wonderful and preppy blogs for a few months now, especially my sister's! Jeanne has been trying to convince me to start my own blog for quite some time now, and I figured now was a great time to start! I just found out I have mono, and I am not allowed to attend classes for a few weeks. The doctor has ordered at least three weeks of pure rest, no going out, and no working out. When I heard this, I instantly thought it would be the perfect time to start up a blog and catch up on online window shopping and hopefully to try out some new recipes when I am no longer contagious! I have a HUGE sweet tooth, and whenever my sister Jeanne is home from college, we find ourselves baking up a storm! I miss my sister very much, but she is coming home for break next week and she promised to bake me something sweet while I am taking the doctor's orders and resting up! Here is a picture of me and Jeanne from this past Christmas season!