gym bag beauty essentials...

There is nothing more frustrating than finishing a workout (good for you!) then discovering your basic, post exercise needs cannot be met.  Stash these essentials in your gym bag to ensure a stylish* exit from Fitness Planet/World of Workout/insert your gym's cheesy name here.  Again, these are the essentials - if your gym has showers there's a lot more crap you'll need to pack...

* Be they actual face wipes or the baby variety, wipes are essential to removing sweat from face, neck, chest and underarms.  They will help to cool and calm the skin as well as freshen you up a bit before interacting with people who have not just sweat their asses off  to a mambo beat.


* Body mist - a little spritz of a floral or fruity scent is a great follow up, post wipe.  Choose something on the lighter side for a more fresh feeling.


* Your face might be a tad flushed so rather than slathering on cosmetics blot your skin to remove excess oil.


* To hydrate your lips as well as add a bit of pretty polish, without bothering with makeup, slick on a lip balm with a bit of color.


* Your tresses are more than likely not looking their best at this stage so stash a few hair solutions in your bag such as dry shampoo spray, a few elastics and a headband.


* Let's not forget about the actual bag itself...they tend to get a little funky so toss in a diaper pail deodorizer (see, another benefit to having kids) in the bag to keep it as fresh as possible.  If you store your shoes in the bag invest in a pair of sneaker balls to combat additional odors.


*we leave stylish up to you...it's enough to be motivated to even walk in to the gym, we really don't need to added pressure of looking good...

what to wear to the ball park...

You don't have to dress as if you intend to play...you shouldn't dress as if going to a club...something riiiiight in the middle is most appropriate.

A clean cut pair of khaki shorts, a simple tee or tank and a team logo hat are the basics.  We poo poo the idea of heels at the park but a moderate wedge could be fine...a flat sandal or flip flops are our usual picks due to lots of time spent on foot.


All that being said, ball parks can be filthy and supremely sticky so wear whatever the f*** you want...it's only baseball (though we still strongly eschew any team gear with bling).

And fellas, we really can't think of a reason to ever wear a tank top...especially if it's really a tee shirt with the sleeves cut off!

Play ball!!!

granny style...

The Olsen twins didn't necessarily invent the Granny Chic look but they certainly perfected it!  While this look can be fun and interesting, it's not for all people, places or times...below are the main elements you'll need to pull it off:

over sized cardi - belt it for an additional look...


small floral prints...on anything and everything...


use a mesh grocery bag as a day bag or a kiss lock handbag for some vintage polish...


cat eye glasses with or without a pearl eye glasses chain...


straw hat with flower or for a 90's Winona Ryder kind of vibe go for a felt bowler...


white ankle socks with Oxford or spectator shoes...


Writing this post conjured up Elaine Benes...hmmm, maybe she was the first to make Granny Chic cool?

host a movie night...

NWS loves watching movies...especially with family and friends.  Upgrade your normal movie routine and host a movie party!

* Keep it intimate and cozy in your living room or take it outdoors to accommodate a larger crowd by using a large white sheet and a DVD projector (you can rent locally instead of buying).  Provide large picnic blankets and folding chairs or even some inflatable mattresses or couches so your guests have options if outdoors.  If indoors, place large floor cushions around and bring in extra seats (move out non essential tables, etc for more room).



* Serve easy to eat finger foods rather than dealing with silverware.  Provide TV tables and divided melamine plates.  Keep the beverages simple by chilling bottles of beer in an ice filled tub, pitchers of water with lemon, strawberries or cucumber and a festive punch (feel free to spike it but be sure to have kid safe options too if it's a family affair).


* Set up a popcorn bar with sweet and salty varieties of popcorn along with salt, melted butter, cayenne pepper powder and classic boxed movie candies to mix in.  Provide paper popcorn bags for each guest.


* When you see images from a movie premiere of the celebs walking the red carpet they are working the "step and repeat", posing for pictures and answering questions over and over again.  Set up your own mini "step and repeat" by rolling out a red carpet (or bath mat) and hanging a banner with a fun title for your party.  When your guests arrive snap a pic of them in front of your banner then post within your Facebook photo albums with the same title as your party for all your guests to enjoy later.  Ask your guests standard red carpet style questions tailored to your crowd or the theme of the movie and post their answers as comments with the pictures.

* Ask your guests to dress up as characters from the film or inspired by the theme...or keep it casual and comfy and have them come in pajama's and slippers.

* Before the movie starts play a few shorts or cartoons or even a few vintage news reels for fun.

* For festive decor go to your local party supply stores for movie themed gold star confetti, banners, invites, napkins and balloons.

Friday's Five Favorites...charity websites!

NWS strives to be as philanthropic as possible...but we could always do more and we try to remind ourselves how lucky we are on a daily basis.  The below organizations make giving more interactive and thus a part of your life...

Small Can Be Big - This organization gives donors "a more direct, more personal, more local and more shared way to help those in need."  SCBB is Boston based but we're hoping more like minded charities pop up for communities around the globe.  To know 100% of your donation is directly and immediately impacting a struggling family is so gratifying!

Donors Choose - This site connects donors to classrooms across the country in need of funding for school projects.  We all know our nation's schools are in dire need of more support and money and Donors Choose lets you see how your money will impact and shape the student's learning experience.  You'll receive updates on the progress of said project and other various correspondence from the teacher and classroom.

Drop in the Bucket - We first heard of Drop in the Bucket from a close friend who helped to found this organization.  She traveled to Uganda to help build the first few water wells and to shoot video footage to share the story with others.  What she saw was life changing...the fulfillment of one of the most basic needs for sustaining human life for a region used to going without.  Drop in the Bucket is involved in all aspects of funding and building of the wells and have completed an astounding number of projects thus far...but with much work yet to do!

Kiva - Rather than a donation per se, Kiva asks for loans to help fund entrepreneurs around the globe, what they call microfinance.  The borrowers pay the money back to you once their business has been sustained.  This is giving at its finest as it encourages personal and professional growth and helps individuals provide for themselves long term.  Once the original loan has been returned to you, roll it into a new loan for a new borrower and so on...

VDay - Inspired by the stories shared via the Vagina Monologues, Eve Ensler founded VDay, a "global movement to end violence against women and girls."  The website quotes an alarming UN statistic: "one of every three women on the planet will be physically or sexually abused in her lifetime."  Through VDay there are multiple ways to help women and girls across the globe fight against rape, violence and genital mutilation.  Give money, participate in an event or help to organize a local performance of The Vagina Monologues, "the proceeds of which are invested in local anti-violence activities."