A Blonde's Moment

The Girl Behind The Blog

February 16, 2017 by Rachel McCarthy

Happy Friday Eve, friends! Today’s post is a little different from the ones I usually share and something that I have been meaning to compile for a while. With so many new faces around the blog, I wanted to share a more personal post: the girl behind the blog.

Having an online life is funny: you can read blog posts everyday and feel like you really know someone without having met them in person. I have “met” so many wonderful people and friends through A Blonde’s Moment, but I’ve actually only met about a handful in person! If you aren’t in the blogging community, I’m sure this sounds absolutely, positively insane!

My goal for ABM is to create a little spot on the Internet where anyone can come and find inspiration — whether it be fashion, food or anything else — and have a virtual friend to bounce ideas off of. I feel like I may mention some personal things, like weekend plans or other things I am up to, but there is still a lot that you probably don’t know about me. Needless to say, as a virtual friend, it’s time that we get acquainted! If you would like to play along, tell me something I don’t know about you in the comments section below!

Ok, here we go!

Why did you start a blog?

A Blonde’s Moment started off as a way to keep up with family in Ohio. We were living outside D.C. and it was an easy way to share what we were doing, what I was cooking and what new clothes I had found. My day job is spent working with legislation (more on that later) and ABM is a creative outlet that allowed me to share and express everything I love, including fashion, food, cooking, exercise and anything that happens to be pink. Yes, A Blonde’s Moment is my creative outlet. I know, how many times have you heard that from a blogger? It really is true though!

I took a Web 2.0 class my senior year of college to learn all about “the wave of the future” aka blogs and social media. It counted towards my English minor and my friend and I often referred to it as “Facebook class” because it seemed like such a ridiculous class to have in college! Obviously, I regret that comment! It’s ironic how things have turned out. If you would have told me that today I would be using what I learned in that class 7 years ago, I would have thought you were crazy. And if I could count the number of times I have said “I wish I would have started my blog in 2010” I would probably be in triple digits by now.

Where did the name “A Blonde’s Moment” come from?

I will never forget the moment I thought of my blog’s name: I was driving home from work, stuck in traffic (welcome to Washington, D.C.) and brainstorming ideas. I had always felt there was a lot of repetition and similarities in so many of the blog’s names, I knew I wanted something different. I wanted this space to be a place where I could share anything and everything and really did see the opportunity as a “moment” of sharing. And if you notice the placement of the possessive “blonde’s”, I like to think this blog is a place where I can share all my moments, whether it be fashion, food, beauty, or anything else. I have always hated the reputation blonde’s get and by using this name, it was a positive spin on a not so positive saying. Although, I can’t say I’ve never had a blonde moment 😉

What is your full-time job?

As a political science major in college, I knew I was going to move to the Washington, D.C. area as soon as I graduated. Thankfully, I was able to find a job and moved just outside the city the summer after graduating. I work as a legislative analyst in Arlington where I spend my days reading, interpreting and summarizing each state’s laws, regulations and recently introduced legislation. You can see why I needed a creative outlet!

Where are you from?

I grew up in a small town in Ohio, I went to college in Pittsburgh and now live in Northern Virginia!

phone case | watch | bracelet | ring

Who takes your pictures?

My husband takes the majority of my pictures and when he is too busy with work, my mom takes them. They are by no means professional photographers. It’s been a learning process for all three of us, with lots of reading and watching of YouTube videos!

Favorite food?

Avocados and pasta, and sometimes together.

Current exercise?

I love running (I’ve run three half marathons!), Pure Barre and recently started BBG. Let me tell you, I like to think of myself as a pretty fit person, but BBG is no joke! I will be sharing my experience in a fitness post in the coming months.

similar cardigan | similar hat

A few fun facts:

I’m an only child.

My husband and I grew up in the same town (he’s 4 years older), 5 miles from each other, but only met when he moved back to Ohio from D.C. to run for State Representative. I had just completed my sophomore year of college and was in Ohio for the summer, volunteered to help on his campaign and became his campaign manager. He likes to say that he lost the election but won me haha!

I played Division 1 tennis in college (GO DUKES!) and hold the record for most wins in school history.

Ella is our cute, 15 pound puppy that we treat like a human. She will be 5 years old in March and is a Maltese/Yorkie mix.

I was 23 when my husband and I got married. We were married on May 21, 2011 — the day the world was supposed to end haha!

I can’t live without coffee. The darker and bolder the better, and no cream. Unless it’s a cortado 😉

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Thanks for stopping by! I will be announcing the winner of the $25 Nordstrom gift card in Monday’s post. There is still time to fill out the reader survey and enter your e-mail for a chance to win — you can fill out the survey here.

Spring Favorites: Splurge vs. Save

February 15, 2017 by Rachel McCarthy

Splurge vs. Save is back and today it’s all about a few of my spring favorites. I always love sharing my finds in this series because I’m the first to admit that I love a good deal. Don’t get me wrong, I think there are definitely times when splurging on the more expensive item is ok, but when there are so many good, and cheaper, alternatives out there, it’s hard to pass these up!

Let’s jump right into these splurge vs. save finds! Here are a few of my very favorites:

Off the shoulder tops and tassels are here to stay! When browsing any store or website, they are everywhere and I can’t say I’m upset about it. I love the blue and white pinstripe on both of the OTS tops, and with the exception of the price tag, they are virtually identical. Can you believe the splurge version is almost $200 more! And speaking of a huge difference in price, when you compare the two pink tassel earrings, the splurge is a little more vibrant than the save but it’s also over $300 more! As I mentioned, I’m all about investment pieces, but personally, I don’t think I could justify a pair of hot pink tassel earrings for over $300 — even if they are the most perfect color of pink! These save earrings are a great, more affordable option.

Moving onto the shoes. First up, the Valentino rockstud ballet flats. I think I have wanted these flats for as long as I can remember, but for me, they seem a little too trendy for the price tag. But, I recently found THESE that are virtual clones of the designer style, at a fraction of the price. For those that are familiar with the designer rockstuds, this save option also comes in several of the same colors. As for the espadrilles, I bought THIS save version last summer and wore them all the time. Not only do they look cute with shorts, skirts, dresses and jeans {basically anything in your closet!} they are super comfortable with the platform style. This year, the designer style does have a scallop edge {how cute is that!} but with the $500 price difference, I think I can skip the scallop edge!

Last, but certainly not least, THIS YSL satchel. I have loved this bag for a few years now — the style, the color, clean lines, everything about it. I figured it was something I would just have to lust over, especially with it’s high price tag. A few weeks ago, I discovered this amazing save option and knew I had to have it: it’s super similar in color, size, shape and it’s priced below $60! I actually already ordered one for myself and it just arrived the other day. I have to say that I’m impressed with the quality and can’t wait to take this spring-perfect bag out for a spin!

There is still time to fill out the reader’s survey from Monday’s post if you would like to. I am giving away a $25 Nordstrom gift card to one lucky reader who completes the survey!

You can fill out the survey here.

I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday! Be sure to stop back tomorrow for a little bit of a different post that I’ll be sharing here on ABM. As always, thanks for reading!

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Valentine’s Day Brownie & Raspberry Trifle

February 14, 2017 by Rachel McCarthy

Happy Valentine’s Day, friends! Since sweet treats and Valentine’s Day go together like peanut butter and jelly, I’m sharing a quick and easy dessert that you can throw together in under 10 minutes.

When Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday, it makes coming up with a special dinner or dessert difficult. And since here we are on a Tuesday, having a fancy dessert after a long day of work is probably a little out of the question for most of us.

I whipped these cute trifle desserts up in under 10 minutes a few weeks ago and I’m ashamed to confess that I ate one entire bowl. Coming from someone who doesn’t even like whipped cream, this is so bad! But there is something about the mixture of brownies, raspberries and chocolate sauce that make a dessert too good to resist. And although I did make my own whipped cream {it doesn’t take too long and tastes SO much better} the other ingredients are easy to pick up on your way home from work and throw together after dinner. Just a quick note on the whipped cream: I used the ratio of 1 cup whipping cream to 2 tablespoons of sugar. Depending on how much you like whipped cream, you can also double that ratio and use 2 cups whipping cream to 4 tablespoons sugar.

Check out the simple recipe below. It’s a delicious treat that will give off the appearance of taking forever when in reality, it’s an under 10 minute dessert!

Valentine’s Day Brownie & Raspberry Trifle

{ingredients}

1 package store bought brownies {I bought the bite-sized}

1 pint raspberries

1 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tablespoons sugar

Chocolate syrup, for garnish

{directions}

To make the whipped cream: Place the sugar and whipping cream in the bowl of a mixer and whisk until stiff peaks begin to form. To assemble the trifle: place a dollop or two of whipped cream in the bottom of the glass dish followed by raspberries and brownie bites {I tore the brownies in half to make them even smaller}. Repeat with another layer ending with the brownies. Top the brownie with a dollop of whipped cream, 1 raspberry and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Serve immediately.

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I ended up using individual bowls for this recipe {actually, they are stemless wine glasses!} but you could also use a large glass bowl if you are feeding a larger crowd. I do always like to use glass serving pieces so you can see the distinct layers!

Do you have any fun plans for Valentine’s Day? We have the same tradition every year: we eat dinner at Qdoba. In college, I always had a tennis match scheduled on Valentine’s Day and since there was a Qdoba close to the tennis facility, my husband {then boyfriend} would run out to pick up dinner to have after the match back on campus. It was a tradition that stuck and 9 years later, we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day at our local Qdoba haha!

If you missed yesterday’s post, I shared a reader survey and would love to know your input on how to make A Blonde’s Moment better in 2017. I am also giving away a $25 Nordstrom gift card to one lucky reader who completes the survey!

You can access the survey here.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great Tuesday!

This post is linked up with: Tasty Tuesdays | Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday | Two Cup Tuesday | Weekend Potluck | SITS Girls

Blush Pink Coat & Reader Survey

February 13, 2017 by Rachel McCarthy

With Valentine’s Day tomorrow, there’s no better time for a black lace dress and blush coat and accessories. I wore this outfit to dinner on Saturday evening for a night out in D.C. and felt perfectly festive for celebrating the holiday a little early.

Blush Coat: cabi, old {similar style HERE} | Lace Dress: C.Wonder, old {similar HERE} | Clutch: Mark and Graham, sold out {similar version with red HERE, similar style HERE} | Pumps: Ivanka Trump | Earrings: Panacea, sold out {similar HERE & only $14!} | Sunglasses: Le Specs | Lipstick: Snob & Turkish Delight

I have had this blush pink coat for a few years now and find myself constantly wearing it. Not only do I love the color, but it’s hard not to be completely obsessed with the bow detail around the collar. And when I found THESE blush pink pumps, I knew that they would be a perfect match for this coat and I would be able to wear them a lot as we head into spring. With the pointed toe and chunky heel, it’s a super comfortable pump that would even be ideal for extending wearing at work!

Although my plan was to post this the first of January, 2017 is already getting away from me! I have created a reader survey that I would be so appreciative if you filled out. There aren’t too many questions and be sure to leave your e-mail at the end of the survey: one lucky reader will win a $25 Nordstrom gift card as a thank you for your input and following along!

You can fill out the survey here.

Thanks so much for dropping by and thank you for filling out the survey. I will keep the survey up until the end of this week and announce the gift card winner in next Monday’s post! Have a great start to the week, friends!

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Casual Weekend Cardigan

February 9, 2017 by Rachel McCarthy

Today’s look may have you thinking it’s March or April, but in real life, it’s freezing today! If you caught yesterday’s post, you already know that I am dressing for the weather and that means 70s one day and 30s the next. Needless to say, this was a warmer day and I had planned on saving this post for a couple weeks down the road, but I couldn’t wait to share these sunglasses with you!

Cardigan: Halogen | Tee: BP., sold out {similar HERE}| Grey Jeans: old {almost identical HERE} | Lace Up Flats: Chinese Laundry {under $60 & available in several colors!} | Sunglasses: Le Specs {under $60!} | Earrings: Panacea, sold out {similar HERE & only $14!} | Bag: Chanel, buy it pre-owned HERE {similar style under $300 HERE} | Ring: David Yurman | Watch: MICHELE | Lipstick: #10 & turkish delight

I understand that I probably have waaaay too many pairs of sunglasses, but it’s one accessory I just can’t get enough of. I had been searching for {another} pair of cat eye frames when I stumbled upon THESE a few weeks ago. I fell in love with them because of the different spin on the classic cat eye shape: the cut out detail offers a more angled frame, making them bold statement glasses. While these look like designer shades with a $300 or $400 price tag, they are actually under $60! Needless to say I couldn’t pass them up.

Now to the cardigan. You may remember this cardigan from a couple weeks ago when I attached the faux fur stole for a cozy winter look {post HERE}. I can’t rave enough about this cardigan: the linen blend will be the perfect weight for heading into spring and the long style with patch pockets makes it ideal for layering. Also, it’s available in several colors {I actually bought a few!} and under $70.

You may have noticed that I have been carrying this bag a lot lately. My husband bought it for me as a wedding gift almost 6 years ago {!!!} and gave it to me at our rehearsal dinner. When he first gave it to me, I didn’t carry it too much because I was afraid I was going to ruin it! I’m trying to carry it more now because a bag is meant to be used! Sorry for the bag on repeat, I want to carry it as much as I can before the temperatures warm up for good and it’s time to break out the bright colors!

I hope you all have a great weekend! We are headed into DC for dinner on Saturday evening to celebrate Valentine’s Day a little early. We hardly ever eat out, especially in DC, so I’m pretty excited for a night out on the town! Do you have any fun plans for the weekend? I’d love to hear in the comments section below. See you back here on Monday, friends!

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Spring Workwear Outfit Inspiration

February 8, 2017 by Rachel McCarthy

Since the weather goes from winter one day to spring the next, you will have to excuse my outfits over the next few weeks {or until we experience a real winter or spring!} as I feel like I’m going back and forth between the two seasons in the same week. I’m dressing for the weather on that particular day and lately, you don’t know what you’re going to get! But since yesterday we broke a record of 70 degrees in Northern Virginia, it’s safe to say I have spring on my mind. At least for now…

Dressing for the office can be challenging no matter what the season and with the crazy weather we have been experiencing, it makes it even more difficult. For the purposes of today’s post, let’s pretend that we are having a real winter and we have just started to think about adding a few spring pieces to our closet. Regardless of our unseasonably warm winter, I know I’m ready for the warmer temperatures to stick around for longer than a day!

It would be hard to start the post without addressing the most fabulous piece {at least in my opinion} in this set: this gorgeous midi skirt with a bow. Out of everything on my wish list for spring, this has to take the top spot. Not only do I love the length {very office appropriate} but the bow detail is just icing on the cake. Personally, I am can’t get enough of this year’s Pantone color of the year {see a post about this greenery color HERE} but the skirt is also available in the most stunning lilac and linen colors. The skirt is a new release and is backordered just until next week. With the price tag just over $100, I would think this skirt would sell super fast.

With all this talk of greenery, it’s hard for me to think of a better color to pair it with than pink. We all know I don’t discriminate when it comes to shades of pink, but I love how this blush shade pairs with dark green — it’s a fabulous spring match! I stuck with a lot of blush and neutral shades for today’s set, like this cute satchel bag with the bow. Can you believe it’s under $60? When it comes to other accessories, I love how THESE earrings work so well with the colors in this outfit — and who doesn’t love pom poms!

Since today’s look is all about workwear, I wanted to include a few office accessories as well. I have always had an obsession with pens and this blush pen would add the perfect amount of sophistication to any workspace. Sugar Paper makes the cutest office and home decor accessories. You can see more of the collection HERE.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful Wednesday!

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Easy Mexican Lasagna Roll Ups

February 7, 2017 by Rachel McCarthy

You all know how much I love a quick weeknight meal. I’m constantly trying to come up with new ideas on easy meals during the week because it seems like our schedules get more and more hectic each week. I’ve made these Mexican Lasagna Roll Ups a few times in the last couple of weeks and they are now my go-to Mexican dish.

Faux Fur & Beanie

February 6, 2017 by Rachel McCarthy

Dressing for this winter has been challenging. One day it’s unseasonably warm and the next it’s absolutely frigid! Needless to say, this was one of the colder days over the weekend — turtleneck, faux fur vest and beanie were all necessities!

Faux Fur Vest: cabi, old {similar style HERE} | Turtleneck Sweater: Chelsea28, sold out {similar HERE} | Leggings: Zella | Ankle Booties: TOMS {on sale!} | Bag: Chanel, buy it pre-owned HERE {similar style under $300 HERE} | Beanie: Burton {on sale!} | Lipstick: #10

I can’t tell you how many times in the past month I’ve been ready to pack away the winter clothes and pull out all my spring pieces. And as much as I hate the up and down temperatures we’ve experienced this winter, I’ll definitely take it over the snow. Although, I can’t say that I wasn’t excited to wear this faux fur vest and beanie again. I can never pass on a cute hat and in the colder months, you will typically find me in a beanie. I found this beanie right before Christmas and just loved it’s slouchy style. Now, it’s on sale for under $20 and is available in three other colors.

Speaking of sales, last winter I searched high and low for an ankle bootie with a wedge heel. I discovered THESE that were not only the perfect heel height, but super comfortable. They are still available and are also on sale. They look cute with leggings, jeans or even casual skirts. Also available in grey, these suede booties are a keeper!

I hope you all enjoyed the weekend! It was a super productive one in our house: I had a cortado at our favorite coffee shop Saturday morning and didn’t stop all.day. Talk about a day powered by caffeine! Have a great start to the week, friends, and be sure to stop back tomorrow for a quick weeknight casserole dish!

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Leopard in the Spring: Cardigan & Lace Up Flats

February 2, 2017 by Rachel McCarthy

On Monday, I shared an outfit idea for wearing leopard in the winter and today, I’m continuing my leopard through the seasons theme and sharing a way to style leopard into spring. As you may have noticed from yesterday’s post, I’m more than ready for spring weather to arrive, and thankfully, leopard is one neutral that can be worn year-round.

cute-outfit-for-transitioning-into-spring

Leopard Cardigan: Tobi c/o {I’m wearing a size medium} | Tee: Nordstrom | Distressed Boyfriend Jeans: BLANKNYC, last season {skinny jean version HERE} | Bag: Tory Burch | Lace Up Flats: Halogen {almost identical HERE} | Sunglasses: Karen Walker | Lipstick: Kim KW & Turkish Delight

As soon as I laid eyes on THIS leopard cardigan, I knew I had to have it. The oversized leopard print is under represented in my closet and I love the cardigan style. This time of the year, I’m always looking for pieces to add to my closet that can be worn in both winter and spring and I knew the weight of this sweater would be perfect for both heavy and light layering. It actually reminded me a lot of THIS cardigan I saw on Shopbop, but at a fraction of the price: my version is on sale for only $24!

As for styling leopard for a winter to spring transitional look, I paired the sweater with the softest white tee, distressed boyfriend jeans and my go-to lace up flats. Unfortunately, these jeans are from last spring, but the same brand is making a distressed skinny jean, as opposed to my baggier, boyfriend style. When it comes to the lace up flats, I bought these {almost identical HERE} during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale and wore them throughout fall. I love that this tan color can be easily worn as we transition into spring, too.

I hope you all have a great weekend! Any fun plans for the Super Bowl? There has been talk of a snow/ice storm for us on Sunday, so we will just be staying in the house and off the roads! Speaking of the Super Bowl, if you are still looking for an easy and quick snack for the big game, I shared THESE buffalo chicken wonton bites on Tuesday. They are delicious, just the right amount of spice and a little crunch in each bite!

Thanks for dropping by and see you back here on Monday!

This post is linked up with: Mix & Match Fashion | Twenties Girl Style | Stylin in St. Louis | Living in Color | Pumps and Pushups | Thursday Fashion Files | Rachel The Hat | Fashion Friday | Friday’s Fab Favorites | Daily Style Finds | East Coast Chic | Friday Favorites | Casual Friday | My Refined Style
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Primary Colors for Spring

February 1, 2017 by Rachel McCarthy

spring-trend-primary-color-outfit-inspiration

Happy first day of February, friends! With January behind us, it’s safe to say I’m thinking ahead to warmer weather and brighter colors. After having a “spring tease” last week — I actually had the windows open at our house! — I’m more than ready to say goodbye to winter. Sadly, I don’t think we have even had an inch of snow yet here in Northern Virginia so there is still a chance winter could rear its ugly head. I guess I will just dream of spring clothes for another month or so…

One trend that I have been seeing a lot of and I am very much looking forward to is the primary color trend. There is nothing better than a bright dress, clutch or pair of shoes after a cold winter. Although I am more about shades of pink during the spring {let’s face it, I love pinks year-round!} I am ready to fully embrace this bright and vibrant trend in the coming months. Here are a few of my favorites:

Dresses and skirts take up the majority of my closet — it’s basically the only thing I wear to work! When I first spotted THIS dress, I instantly fell in love. Not only is this a-line silhouette my very favorite, I love the vintage inspired pattern. And those colors! So bright and welcoming, how can you not be ready for spring? Speaking of spring and colors, THIS skirt is the perfect warm weather piece. The pattern mixing of floral and stripes is always a favorite of mine, and this skirt has it all! With it’s longer length, it would also be perfect for the office.

I’m a sucker for a fun clutch and THIS perfectly on-trend, tassel clutch is almost a complete primary color rainbow! You can carry this clutch all through summer — wouldn’t it be cute with a white sundress?

Of all the primary colors, yellow is probably the color I wear least. I always feel like it’s difficult for a blonde to wear yellow — don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen SO many blondes rock yellow like nobody’s business, but for me, it’s hit or miss. I typically like to stick with yellow accessories instead of a bright yellow dress! And when it comes to accessories, there aren’t too many things more fabulous than THESE sandals and THESE statement earrings. Like the tassel clutch, you will be able to style these all summer long!

How do you feel about the primary colors trend for spring? Thanks for stopping by and see you back here tomorrow!

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