{26} Lately…

Lately I’ve been…

reading Finished a few good ones recently.  First up was The Fault in Our Stars.  I wanted to read the book before watching the movie.  Of course, it’s predictable and a total tearjerker, but I was pleasantly surprised with how well a male author (John Green) was able to capture the mind of a sixteen year old girl.  Next, I read Dark Places, by Gillian Flynn.  This author never disappoints.  Although the main character, Libby, is a little unlikable in my opinion, Gillian Flynn is always keeping you on your toes with her novels and makes you want more.  Heading to the beach this weekend, so if you have any beach reads to recommend, please do!

writing  A ginormous to-do list of everything I need to get done before our trip to the Outer Banks.  And a packing list.

listening  Summer…my summer anthem by Calvin Harris.  Prepping a little playlist for our road trip.

thinking  That this beautifully written blog post from my friend Sascha really hits home for the working mom.

smelling  The delicious homemade eggplant parm the hubby cooked this week.  Fresh eggplant, tomatoes, and basil from the garden.  Melt in your mouth amazingness.

watching  The Bachelorette finale really threw me for a loop!  I realize I am delayed on watching my shows, so sorry for being late to the party.  I won’t throw out any spoilers for those who may also be behind on their TV watching, but let’s just say I was really surprised!

wishing  Time would slow down a bit.  My little baby is almost a year old already!  I can’t even take it.

hoping  I can pull off this fabulous fishtail braid at the beach next week shown in this tutorial by Nikki.

wearing  Lots of leopard print this week.  Feeling feisty.

loving  The end of summer sales!  ModCloth, Free People, J. Crew, & Zara have some pretty good ones going on right now.

laughing  At how Nico loves to be chased around the house.  I will crawl after him, and he will start crawling away squealing with delight…then come back and start chasing me while laughing.  That belly laugh is enough to get me laughing and smiling all day long.

wanting  To be with my little boy today.  In case you couldn’t tell, I’m missing him a lot while at work this week.  Looking forward to spending a whole week with him at the beach and introducing him to the place I have vacationed since I was a small child.  Also excited that the whole family will be able to see how much he has grown.

needing  A little girl (one day) so I can buy these adorable ribbons from Brit!

feeling  Totally inspired by hometown friend Candice as she becomes the first plus-sized model to appear in next year’s Pirelli calendar.  Doesn’t she look fantastic!!??

craving  Something sweet.  What else is new?

clicking  On 1st birthday party ideas for my little guy.

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What have you been up to lately?

Hope you are all having a fantastic week!

XO,

Gina

***I was inspired by Tina of Like Ordinary Life to create this post, and she was inspired by Lauren of siddathornton, who started The Sunday Currently.

Fall Wish List

Fall Wish List
LOVE Pave Bracelet – BCBGeneration / Burgundy Nail Polish – OPI / Over the Knee Boots – Sam Edelman / Military Boots – ALDO /  Moto Jacket – French Connection / Burgundy Beetle Loafers – Tory Burch / Tuxedo Pants – AG Jeans / Burgundy Fedora – Miss Selfridge / Swag Sweatshirt – Miss Rebel / White Blazer – Roberto Cavalli / Leopard Pumps – Nine West
Fall has finally arrived in NYC.  The leaves are multi-colored, the air is crisp, and it’s time to start layering.  I’m looking forward to (and already enjoying) everything autumn including apple cider, pumpkin carving, football, pumpkin spice lattes, and hiking outdoors.
Now that I’m no longer shopping in the maternity section, this season’s fashion excites me even more than usual.  Some of the current trends I am digging are the color burgundy (or bordeaux according to my sorority sisters), the tuxedo pant, winter white (no white after Labor Day is so outdated!), over-the knee boots, and more.
What trends are you into this fall?
XO,
Gina

Happy 1st Birthday to Popcorn and Pandas

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Would you believe that today marks one whole year that I decided to make the change to my little ole blog, popcorn and pandas?  I know, I can’t believe it either.  It’s been a crazy year full of adventures and travel, fashion and fun, pregnancy and now a new baby.  It’s been wonderful and therapeutic to have this creative outlet to share with you all, and I am completely grateful that you all have chosen to follow along for this past year.

Below I have reflected a bit on some of your favorite posts this past year:

My first two outfit posts with the amazing photographer Marisa

Reminiscing a Rockin’ Summer

Reminiscing Rockin Summer

Summer Stripes

Summer Stripes

Lettered sweaters were my jam

Amaze

Sported my favorite Halloween costume

Hunger Games

Rang in the New Year in Winter White

Winter White

Foxes became super trendy

Foxy Lady

I had some ups and downs, announced my pregnancy, and did a cool photo shoot with Justin to find out the sex of our Little Monkey

It's A BOY

I added some Flair to my wardrobe

Flair Promenade

Craved everything peplum

Navy Peplum and Black

Felt a little Guilty

Guilty Spring

I ate my first mangosteen

Mangosteen

Went to Arizona and saw the Grand Canyon

Desert Florals

Grand Canyon

I made some waves with Waveborn

Waveborn

Made fresh homemade tomato sauce and pesto from the garden

Tomato Sauce

Pesto

Enjoyed the sunrise on Branch Lake in Maine

Branch Lake Sunrise

Watched as my belly grew larger and larger

Neon

Retro Rainbow

Electric

Beachy Keen

And gave birth to a beautiful baby boy

Nico

It’s been such a great year, and I am hopeful that this year will bring even greater joy.  Thank you so much for following my adventures.  Would love to hear any feedback that you have of things you want to see from me in the coming year.  What you like/don’t like.  What you want to see more or less of (outfit posts, lately posts, shopping posts, personal stories, photography, baby stuff, etc…)  I have less free time on my hands, but hopefully I can make things happen!

Happy Friday everyone!!!

XO,

Gina

Promenade Brooklyn Heights {Flair Accessories Series #4}

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Photos By: Zack Notes

Coat: ASOS / Jacket: Macy’s / Top: ASOS / Leopard Skirt: ASOS / Bag: ALDO – similar / Shoes: Cynthia Rowley / Scarf: Christmas Gift / Earrings: ALDO / Druzy Stone Necklace, Pyramid Cuff,  Cage Ring: Flair Accessories / Spike Bracelet: ASOS / Buckle Bracelet: Wanderlust + Co. / Watch: Betsey Johnson / Lip: MAC Venomous Villians Cruella de Vil Heartless w/ matching gloss

This post concludes my Flair Accessories Series, and this look is actually my favorite of the bunch.  I hope you have enjoyed my little styling adventure!  The hubby has been wanting to take me to the promenade in Brooklyn Heights for awhile now.  We decided to stop in before a dinner and movie date a couple weekends ago.  There is a beautiful walkway along the water as well as a gorgeous skyline view.  What’s not to enjoy?  Well, I will tell you, I did NOT enjoy the windy cold temps that I felt up there!!!  While I displayed a smile for many of these photos, I was secretly freezing my bum off, and could not wait to get off this promenade.  I can happily say I will not be returning until the Spring!

Today, I would like to say “Happy Birthday” to our dear old friend Abraham Lincoln.  I am celebrating tonight by going to see the movie, Lincoln, on our little Race to the Oscars here at work.  I have heard a lot of great things about this film, and I am very excited to see it for myself!

Happy Tuesday everyone.  Hope you have a great day!

XO,

Gina

Animal Instincts {Flair Accessories Series #2}

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Photos by:  Zack Notes

Cheetah Coat: Ann Taylor LOFT – similar here and here / Blazer: Macy’s – similar / Top: GAP (old) / Jeans: Seven for All Mankind / Shoes: BCBG (old) – similar / Earrings: ALDO / Necklace: Flair Accessories / Lip: Lancome All Done Up

I cannot believe it’s actually Friday.  It feels like I have been in non-stop motion all week long.  I was looking forward to a night at home last night, and then I ended up getting stuck with a project at the end of the day.  I have not been home before 9:30pm any night this week.  Insane in the membrane.  I am starting to think maybe I have too much on my plate right now.  Then again, when don’t I?  Better than being bored I suppose.

Anyway, I can hardly think while writing right now, so I am going to keep this short.  We are buckling up for a Nor’Easter up here.  I am supposed to go to a fashion show/party tonight for a friend’s new collection, but I’m afraid I may end up having to stay in with this crazy whether we are supposed to get.  Stay safe and stay warm everyone.

TGIF!

XO,

Gina

Accessorize Me {Flair Accessories Series #1}

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Here is the first outfit post for my Flair Accessories series.  I started off with a simple business casual look — colored button down, black denim skinny jeans, black pumps.  Simple right?  What brings this look to the next level is the accessories.  A little leopard print belt and gloves take this look up a notch as well as the vintage sunglasses.  And lastly, the fabulous flair that was added to complete the look.  Take note of the purple pop to my ears and the chain bling around my neck.  I also added this fun cage style ring.  Without the accessories, the look would honestly be quite boring in my opinion.  Accessorizing is a key element to my getting ready process and can turn a look from “nice” to “amaze” in a matter of seconds.  Definitely check out Carly’s amazing store online.  I guarantee you will find a piece of flair you adore!

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Photos by: Zack Notes

Coat: ASOS / Button Down: StyleMint / Pants: ZARA / Belt: J. Crew – similar / Shoes: Cynthia Rowley / Sunglasses: Vintage / Gloves: Dorothy Perkins / Necklace, Earrings, Ring: Flair Accessories / Lip: Lancome Red Haute

It’s a busy week here with work conferences, clients in town, movie nights, meetings, photography class, photography homework, etc.  Hopefully I can find some time to fit some sleep in there.  Right now I’m just whirling on through.

I saw Argo over the weekend and Beasts of the Southern Wild last night, which are two more Oscar nominated films to check off my list.  Both were absolutely amazing.  Beasts was especially impressive coming from a first time director, and that little girl was such an amazing actress.  I would recommend both films though!

In other news, how was everyone’s Super Bowl?  I really didn’t have a team to rally behind (since my beloved Redskins did not make it), but being from Maryland, I must say I have a lot of happy friends this week!

Hope everyone has a Happy Hump Day!

XO,

Gina