University of Louisville to the ACC!!

IT'S OFFICIAL!! The University of Louisville, my Alma mater, has accepted an invitation to join the Atlantic Coast Conference. I am soooooooo excited for this move from the Big East Conference as the Louisville Cardinals will finally be in a great basketball conference. I love college basketball and think this is an amazing move for the Cards!! My husband went to the University of Alabama and is a big fan of the SEC (He wears the Smathers and Branson old SEC needlepoint belt before Mizzou and Texas A&M got added and refuses to buy the new one.), so we are already feeling a slight bit of ACC/SEC rivalry going on.

http://www.theacc.com/genrel/112812aaa.html

Stack of the Day: Louisville to the ACC. All Hail.

Fossil Gold Watch // J.Crew bangles

Stack of the Day

Michele Watch, J.Crew bracelet, and David Yurman pearl bangle

Lets All Jump Off The Fiscal Cliff Together

I'll be perfectly honest: I have not been reading up on the oncoming fiscal cliff situation. Yes, I'm a bad political junkie, but hey, I have been working. I feel like working is an honorable excuse, but today, as I was doing a light workout in my apartment, I got distracted by an article published on Politico on Sunday discussing the current status of Congress and the Fiscal Cliff it will face. The article states that Republicans are in a very difficult position during this situation. As the fiscal cliff looms in the distance and the order of sequestration begins, Democrats want to ensure that taxes rise on the wealthy and that there are no cuts to welfare programs. Republicans want lower taxes on the wealthy, so they can spend their money to boost their economy.  I think we all know my opinion on welfare programs as it is better to "give a man a fishing pole, than a fish." Federal government spending has gotten ridiculous on both sides with both the Pentagon and social programs not being able to use a checkbook properly. The Democrats want an agreement on the fiscal cliff on their terms and are willing to wait until the start of a new Congress in January to get their agreement. I am starting to think any attempt at bipartisanship cannot happen if the agreement has to be completely on either party's terms, but Republicans will have to "play nice" as they will be the ultimate losers of the situation as Democrats recently won in the last elections and still retained their majority in the Senate.  While Congress squabbles over things they do not understand or even research, (Come on, politicians do not read bills before they vote on them. They do not have the time.) the American people suffer and make even worse divides down party lines. 

Here is the article I read and referenced by Politico Reporter Seung Min Kim:

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1112/84207.html?hp=t1

Another article about the looming fiscal cliff's effect on holiday consumers by the Associated Press 

on Fox News:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/11/26/white-house-tax-hike-threat-could-hurt-retailers/

In other news, the looming fiscal cliff did nothing to stop me from single-handily boosting the economy during my outlet mall extravaganza on Sunday. I am proud of my haul. Shoes, a new makeup bag, and a new clutch...I already know I am getting an iPad for Christmas and can't wait to put it in it's Tory Burch case!!

Safe in the Sun for Coastal Living

Since I was in high school, I have always been ridiculous about slathering on the sunblock. My Mom is from sunny, humid Louisiana, but also suffers from vitiligo. Her condition causes a loss of pigmentation in certain areas of her body, which means she has to stay out of sun and wear sunblock religiously. While I will not say her age, my Mom's skin looks as youthful as a late 30-year-old's due to her diligence of wearing sunblock. I was a lifeguard when I lived in Louisville and wore sun hats, sun shirts, and religiously wore sunblock everyday during the summer. During the year, I typically wear sunblock on exposed areas of my body. 

     

I live near the coast of the North Shore in Massachusetts now and love coastal living, but living near water makes wearing sunblock even more important now...and I don't want premature wrinkles. (Sunblock should be worn everyday all year regardless of season.)

Here is the sunblock products I use:

Safe in the Sun by theconservativeprep

1. bareMinerals SPF 15 Original Foundation: I looooooooove this foundation. The sunblock is natural and the powder does not cake up or make my face super greasy. I like light makeup because I do not like wearing it, but this foundation does the trick for me.

2. Baseball hats: I wear a baseball hat when I am dressed down to help cover my face for added protection. This one is by Southern Proper.

3. Shiseido Sun Protection Eye Cream SPF 32: I wear this eye cream under my eye makeup. I have read reviews of it saying that the eye cream is drying, but it isn't for me. I liked this eye cream because the sunblock ingredients are natural.

4. Shiseido Sun Protection Lip Treatment SPF 36: I am obsessed with this lip treatment. Most sunblock lip treatments turn lips white, but this one doesn't. I put lip gloss over it when I am out and about.

5. bareMinerals Correcting Concealer SPF 20: Okay, I admit it. I am not perfect and get the occasional blemish. When I do, I use this concealer because it contains sunblock, but also lemon peel extract to conceal dark spots over time after use.

5.  Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40: I use this moisturizer everyday because It serves two purposes as it moisturizes and protects. I have noticed that any fine lines that I am starting to get are going away since I began using this product.

Stay safe in the sun all year-round,

OOTD: Outlet Shopping

Shirt: Sacred Heart Academy Rugby Shirt
Denim: LC Lauren Conrad Red Cropped Denim
Boots: Tory Burch Sienna riding boots
Watch: Fossil gold watch
Bracelets: David Yurman cable bangles
Ring: David Yurman pearl

Thanksgiving in New England

This is the outfit I wore on Thanksgiving!! My husband, Dad, and I went to the Marblehead/Swampscott high school rivalry football game to see if it compares to St. Xavier/Trinity. (It doesn't.) I hope everyone had a great holiday!!

Thanksgiving in New England by theconservativeprep featuring h&m

J.Crew cotton shirt / J.Crew mini skirt / H&M , $13 / Ankle booties / Post earrings, $230 / Michael Kors chunky jewelry / Miso bangle bracelet, $13 / J.Crew patent leather belt / Best Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes