“The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.” – George Washington

President’s Day is a day to honor our first president George Washington as well as the current president and all former presidents. George was born on February 22, 1732 and the US has declared the third Monday of every February as President’s Day.

This quote from George is such a simple one, yet holds so much power. How many times have you been working on something, whether personal or professional, and just felt like giving up? It’s too hard, you are too far off your timeline, are lost and don’t know how to get back on course, etc. But then, you start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, find some hidden motivation buried deep down inside of you, and get the job done. This feeling can only be explained as the triumph that George is speaking of. It is an incredible feeling when you accomplish something, big or small. Keep this thought in mind throughout the year as you work towards accomplishing your goals.

President’s Day also means sales, like big time sales. Some of the sales I have my eyeball on are:

Ann Taylor – 40% off with code SOSWEET

Loft – up to 70% off all sale styles with code XOXO

J.Crew – 40% off with code YESPLEASE

Nordstrom – they are in the middle of their winter sale, 40% off

Macy’s – President’s Day Sale – honestly it looks like the whole website is on sale, home, women, men, kids, beauty, all of it

Gymboree – oh my Gymboree – Everything *up to* 60% off

Target – 25% off Home – think curtains, bath, home decor, bedding, rugs, patio

Pottery Barn – 20% off + free shipping with code WEEKEND

This week The Monday Post is a fun one. I’m sharing desk to drinks looks, my favorite eye patches for mornings when I look in the mirror and scare myself, and my current reading list (which I’m super pumped about.) Enjoy!

Desk to Drinks

Sometimes all it takes is a little freshening up, and you are ready for after work drinks. Touch up the lipstick, pop in a stick of gum (or brush your teeth), use a sheet of blotting paper, and maybe throw on a spritz of perfume. Oddly enough, another thing that always makes me feel fresh is washing my hands really thoroughly with cool water. Sometimes a good readjusting of everything at the end of the day can also help. Ok, ok, that sounds weird – but you know what I mean. Just make sure your tights aren’t twisted, your skirt is where it should be and hasn’t twisted either, your dress is smoothed down, blouses are straight and tucked in, etc. Just do yourself a solid and do a thorough rundown in the bathroom mirror before heading out.

Some examples of desk to drink looks:

Look 1

All you need to do for look 1 is switch out the tote for the wristlet. Also, throw that hair in a pony or low bun, it’s time to relax.

Look 2

I really like look 2. Switch out the heels (which are awesome btw) with the flats, throw on the sunnies, remove the cardi, and you are ready to go.

Look 3

This beautiful lilac dress can be worn on it’s own, but if you prefer the more conservative cover the shoulders look for the office, all you need to do is add this navy cardi. Then, after work, leave it in the car like you left your take home bag of food at the restaurant….but now what am I going to do for dinner? Sigh.

Purederm Eye Patches

These Purederm collagen eye patches are all the rage right now. I’ve seen many many many fashion, beauty, and lifestyle bloggers writing about them. I reached out to a beauty blogger I follow, @kathleenjenningsbeauty on insta a while back, seeking her advice on how to make myself look alive in the mornings (this was when the twins were still waking up to take motn feedings and I was getting less sleep than I am now and it was kind of rough.) She recommended a really good moisturizer that I’ve started using and love (more to come on that) and I stumbled across these eye patches on her blog. All you do is place them underneath your eyes for 15 – 20 minutes and voila! Instantly revitalized! They are cheap, get the job done and you can order from Amazon, so bonus points on that.

Reading List

One of my goals for 2019 is to read more. I have 65 books in my Audible library and do most of my reading (listening) on the way to and from work, but I want to physically read more. I really enjoy writing, which was part of the reason for creating this blog, and I know that the more I read, the better my writing will become. Below are 10 books that I’ve either just finished or will read and/or listen to in the upcoming months. What books have you read recently that you just couldn’t put down? Or in my case, pull into the parking garage and want to sit in your car and listen and risk being late to your first meeting because you have to know what happens to Marie-Laure? Let me know – this is only a small part of my total list, so I’d love to add your recommendations.

Educated: A Memoir

Truth: I finished this book at the end of 2018, but I think it is so good, I am recommending others to read it. I got into a habit of only reading/listening to fictional stories for the longest time, mostly detective/crime fiction types, and had to remind myself over and over throughout this book that Tara is a real person and this is real story. The story is so incredulous, though, it is hard to believe that it is real.

All the Light We Cannot See (finished)

I cannot say enough great things about this book. Marie-Laure, who is a blind girl growing up in France in the early 1940’s, is a very special girl. She never lets her blindness stop her from learning and exploring, and she shows such bravery and courage throughout the entire story.

The Lost Girls of Paris (in process)

Talk about women empowerment! A secret band of female agents in Occupied France during WWII who risk everything for the sake of the future of Europe….need I say more?

Where the Crawdads Sing – Part of Reese’s Book Club

I am excited to start this one. It’s another historical fiction, I guess kind of my jam right now.

The Woman in Cabin 10

Thriller! Suspense! Sure to keep you on the edge of your seat!

A Piece of Cake

When I mentioned to a coworker how much I enjoyed Educated, she recommended I read this memoir as well. From what I can tell, Cupcake Brown lived a pretty terrible life, until she turned it all around. Everyone loves a good success story 🙂

Bad Blood

There has been a lot of press recently about Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes. ABC’s podcast The Dropout covers this story. There is also an HBO documentary coming out soon. And who better to tell the story than the reporter who broke the story at the Wall Street Journal, John Carreyrou.

The Nightingale

Apparently I’m really into stories about Nazi occupied France during WWII. But, the word on the street is they are making this one into a movie, so even though it is an older book, it’s time to review it.

The Proposal – Part of Reese’s Book Club

This is Reese’s book for the month of February. To complete the story, you might want to start off with The Wedding Date, the first book in this series. There is another story in the series set to hit shelves in July, titled The Wedding Party.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Another Reese favorite, and apparently soon to be motion picture. I really don’t know much about this book, other than people are obsessed with Eleanor’s character. I’ve heard to expect tears, laughter, and confusion while reading this one.

Well, that’s all for now, folks! Have a fabulous week and look for me on insta stories. Cheers!