Concrete Catwalk // Very Velvet

I feel like I may resemble the pied piper in these pants.  At first glimpse, I'm sure you think it's because I've got a gentle beast running towards me at full speed, but at second glance, you'll see it's the velvet. 

Yep, I'm almost certain that the pied piper wore velvet.

Check out the outfit details and the rest of the look below, and find out why I feel most at home when I'm near the coast. :)

Elsewhere // Saks 5th Ave POV Blog

When you get a call from one of the most iconic stores in NYC asking you to appear in a special feature on their blog, and giving you the opportunity to write a piece to go with it - You pick your jaw up off of the floor and give the most emphatic YES you can muster.  

I am still pinching myself (several weeks later!) after spending a day full of primping, playing dress-up and & picking out my favorite cold-weather pieces from Saks 5th Avenue, and I suppose I wouldn't really be surprised if you told me it was all just a wonderful dream.  Be sure to pop over to read the piece and check out the fun photos on their site!

A huge THANK YOU to the Saks POV team, and an even bigger thanks to the love of my [food] life, frozen yogurt, for weasling it's way into the spread. ;)

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Shop Her Style // Tawny

Image via Vanessa Jackman

Ever since the last Shop her Style post a few weeks ago, it seems like I simply can't stop spotting adorable outfits to share!

I love this look for the cozy sweater paired with the dressier skirt + shoe combo, and I rarely meet a hat I don't like.  Extra points for purple ombre hair!  (Easy to achieve temporarily with these little guys!)

Shop her Style...

one // two // three // four // five

*Layout by Sarah Sherwood

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Peppery Picks // Cyber Monday Deals!

Shop the Look:  ring $29, coat $423, scarf $72, booties $160

jeans $94, earrings $90, handbag $395, sunnies $290

A special little round-up of Cyber Monday deals, as promised! 

• Piperlime // 20% off with code 'CYBER' at checkout
• kate spade new york // Surprise cyber sale... up to 75% off on select items until midnight tonight
• The Outnet // Free shipping with code 'GOODIE48' at checkout
• J. Crew // 25% off and free shipping with code 'MONDAY' at checkout
• Saks Fifth Avenue // Up to 40% off designer items, plus free shipping/returns with code 'HOLIDAY' at check out
• Bag, Borrow or Steal // Free shipping and up to 80% off all orders
• Asos // 30% off everything (including sale) with code 'CYBERMONDAYSPECIAL' (always free shipping both ways)
• Last Call Neiman Marcus // Free shipping on orders over $75 with code 'LCNOV75'
• DVF // 30% off all sale items, in store and online using code 'HOLIDAYSALE' at checkout
• Need Supply // Extra 20% off sale items with code 'EXTRA20' until Tuesday at Midnight

AND if you're still considering joining us for Pepperologie this weekend:  Purchase your ticket today (before registration closes at midnight!) and get a second one, 50% off with code 'CYBER' at checkout.  The perfect two-for-one opportunity to spend a little girl-time with your favorite friends!

Happy shopping, and let me know if you find anything great!

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Concrete Catwalk // Breezy at the Beach

We had such an amazing time on our trip out west for the holiday week, but are excited to be back in Hoboken for the upcoming holidays.  Hard to believe that it's been a whole year since we moved here, and am just blown away by how incredible the past 12 months have been!

Now that I'm back in the swing of things, it's time to get the final details ready for Pepperologie this weekend... Today is the last day to purchase tickets for December 1st, so don't miss out because we'd love to have you! 

Because of a slight delay in posting, these photos were taken a week ago today, and I can't believe how cold I was when I threw this light sweater on over my maxi-dress.  With snow in tomorrow's forecast, something tells me I'll be just a bit more bundled up for the remainder of the week! 

Check out the rest of the look below, and stay tuned for a special round-up of Cyber Monday shopping deals later this morning...

Pepperologie // Entertaining with Roxy Owens

Images // Drink, Bouquet, Notecards, Roxy

The final course of our Pepperologie workshop is not only perfectly timed to prep you for a busy holiday season, but it may also very well be the most fun of all the sessions - All of the experts agree!  Our resident Entertaining-Extraordinaire, Roxy Owens of Society Social, is going to be covering several elements of throwing a fabulous fete, and then as the day draws to a close, we'll be launching into a special little cocktail party of our very own.

This portion of the day will include:

• Setting the Table // We'll learn about both formal and informal table settings, how to whip up a DIY table runner in mere minutes (you'll leave with your own!), and what are possibly the simplest high-impact floral arrangements that you've ever seen.
• Hostess Gifts + Party Etiquette // The importance of hostess gifts and follow-up thank you notes are two very easy, but thoughtful ways to show how much you enjoyed your time in someone's home.  Pepperologie guests will be receiving gorgeous original frame notecards by Sarah Reynolds that you can use for either situation, and taking care to show your gratitude will ensure that you're invited back as a guest again and again.  (Another favorite and shamelessly sweet hostess gift?  Droga Chocolates and their darling Mr. Boddington packages!)
• Clever Cocktail Creation // Roxy has teamed up with one of our sponsors, BluePrint Cleanse, to create some delicious party-worthy adult beverages that are high in nutrients and big on taste.  She'll walk us through the simple recipes for each, and we'll also be making our very own DIY rimming sugars to add that special touch to your tasty drinks!

This last session will be bringing us right up to the close of the event, and will be a great segue into our cocktail party (at 5pm), making for the perfect finishing touch on an already wonderful day. 

Find out more about Pepperologie's four other courses (DIY Statement Jewelry with Grace Atwood of Stripes & Sequins, Hair & Makeup with Donna Kim of Donna Daily, and both the Style and Health & Fitness portions taught by yours truly!), and don't forget to grab your spot before ticket sales end on this coming Monday night (11/26/12) at 11:59 EST!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

  Images

Art by Brett Cody

Roasted Beet Salad by Bev Cooks

Giovanna by Vanessa Jackman

Table Decor by Me! :)

From one sunny city to the next, we're finishing off the rest of the holiday week here in Scottsdale, AZ and I'm feeling so blessed by tonight's delicious Thanksgiving dinner and a gorgeous southwestern sunset on the patio with my sweet family.

Beyond what I mentioned on Sunday, I'm so thankful that we've been able to spend time with so many different pockets of family and friends over the past few days, and it's sure to be one of the brightest spots of my year.

Speaking of bright spots, I'm looking forward to continuing to introduce some fun new topics and features here on S&P over the next few weeks, and the lovely goodies you see above are just a small hint at what's to come. 

Here's hoping that you've had the best Turkey Day ever, and in case you're looking for a few extra fun clicks to explore while you're resting up and recharging this weekend:

• Check out my Thanksgiving outfit from our final day in Kansas City last year
• A fancy-sounding (but totally simple and healthy!) fall recipe to try this weekend 
• With all of the massive sales happening around the web, I'm feeling a little "shoppy" - are you?

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Guy Style // Red Wing Boots

Hey all - Mr. Pepper, here.  Given that we've been faced with some slightly inclement weather over the past few weeks, I thought it might be time to address the importance of all-weather boots in today's Guy Style feature.  See below for my tips plus more photos, and feel free to let me know if you have any menswear-focused style questions in the comments at the bottom of this page.

Pepperologie // Health & Fitness

Image via EbbaLilliestrom

I don't talk very much about body image here on the site, but it can play such an important role in how we feel about ourselves and the way we approach the world around us.  I believe that the way we treat both our insides and outsides have a direct correlation with cultivating the confidence we need to achieve great things (Can I get an "Amen!"?), and that's why I am so excited to include my own take on wellness in our upcoming 5-course study of style.

I'm very passionate about living a healthy lifestyle, and I try to do so by creating a balance of staying active and eating a nutritionally-focused diet.   During the Health & Fitness portion of our Pepperologie workshop on December 1st, I'll be sharing a rundown of tips and tricks that I've found to be successful along my own journey of health.  I think that regardless of your own current goals, you'll find a least a few nuggets of truth that will point you towards caring for yourself in the best way, and below is just a sneak peek at some of the things that we'll be chatting about:

• Top Kitchen Swaps // Over the past few years, I've discovered many simple swaps that you can use to jam-pack your day-to-day cooking & food prep with the vitamins and nutrients your body needs most.  I'm confident that by replacing just a few of your current ingredients with my stand-ins, you'll be on your way to cooking in a healthy kitchen of your very own.
• Creating the Right Mental Cues // I'll be sharing a handful of helpful mantras that are meant to inspire and challenge you to strive towards your best self.  Collecting and reminding yourself of these encouraging words will give you the boost you need to take on the self-doubt that many encounter as they work towards their wellness goals.
• My 20-min Fat Burning Workout // A simple formula for a fool-proof routine... I'm going to share my fave HIIT sequence, comprised of moves you already know that you can complete anywhere and will have no excuse to skip. 
• Bonus Recipes // In addition to the Top Kitchen Swaps, I'll be sending our attendees home with some of my favorite low-calorie & nutrient-rich recipes that I've created.  I will also be taking requests from a few of our ticket holders on turning some of their favorite seasonal dishes into healthier versions of the original classic. 
• BluePrint Cleanse Tasting // We're very fortunate to have a representative from BluePrint Cleanse who will be joining us for a special juice tasting session and I'm looking forward to sipping all on their yummy flavors and learning all about the nutritious options from their line of healthful juices.

I know that loving my body in this way keeps me mentally and emotionally healthy, boosts my self-esteem, and helps to keep me feeling physically great, and that's why it was a priority for me to include it in our workshop content.

Whether you are hoping to lose weight, gain muscle strength, increase endurance or are simply trying to put healthier food in your mouth, you are not going to want to miss out on having this helpful guide for the upcoming holiday season, and hopefully it will inspire some long-term positive and practical habit changes for more than just the weeks and months that follow. 

One last item of business // The Pepperologie giveaway winners have been drawn at random (we decided to pick two!), and will be contacting the winners via email very soon (needing to keep their information anonymous for privacy reasons).  

Getting more and more excited as December 1st draws near... There are still a few openings left, so if you're hoping to join us, be sure to nab your spot before the ticket sales end on November 26th (one week from today) and we'll hope to see you there!

*Curious about what the other courses will include?  Check out the previews of our DIY Statement Jewelry, Hair/Beauty & Style sessions from past posts!*

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Sunday Sprinkles // Giving Thanks

Seems like there is so much to be thankful for this year, and I'm constantly counting my many blessings, including Mr. Pepper, Sadie Mae, my brother, parents and sweet sweet friends and family all over the country. 

Today's Sunday Sprinkles are just a few things I love that don't get quite as much gratitude as some of the more obvious things in life, and I loved taking a look back at my instagram feed from the year and reliving some of the highlights while I picked out my faves! 

See below for the run-down, and feel free to share some your own quirky things that you're grateful for in the comments...

1. Some are surprised to find out that stand-up comedy is a huge part of our marriage and friendship (it was one of the first things we bonded over when we started dating!), but moving to the NYC-area has made it so much fun to live with countless clubs and amazing performances right at our fingertips. 
2. I feel most at home when I'm near the ocean, and I'm immensely thankful that for the next few days, this is my current view out the window while we spend the first part of the week with friends at my in-laws beach house in Southern California.
3. G and I got in the habit of eating dinner together by candlelight when the power was out during Sandy, but now that we have electricity again, we've had fun keeping up the new habit. Nothing like a little natural-disaster-inspired romance, right?
4. Might sound cliche, but my health and the ability to live an active lifestyle are things that I count myself very lucky to have.  As someone who struggles with a few chronic issues, every day that I wake up feeling even remotely close to great is a true blessing.  (Plus, who wouldn't feel thankful for the chance to take gorgeous runs along the river, with the NYC skyline in the background?)
5. Last, but certainly not least: Hot Sauce (capital letters, intentional).  If you know me, you know I love it in everything from breakfast oatmeal to cocktails to vanilla ice cream!  Plus, as something that may have had somewhat of an influence in the name of our spicy site, it just had to be included. :) 

Thanks for indulging me in this more personal glimpse at some of the things I'll be celebrating with family and friends this week.  Hopefully it goes without saying, but JUST IN CASE: I'm VERY thankful you, friends, and am so glad you decide to stop by when you do! 

Wishing you a blessed week full of reflecting & relaxing, and enjoy the scheduled posts I've got set up for you while I'm gone!  

XOXO - Jessie

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Four to Adore // Flipping for Flats

Shop:

B Brian Atwood Glitter Cap-toe Flats // Natalie Loeffler Randall Polka Dot Flats

Elizabeth & James Leather Fringe Flats // Scarlet Loeffler Randall Snakeprint Flats

Another Four to Adore for your Friday morning!  Do we like these little shopping posts?  I love picking a few things that I love to share with you here, but you'll have to let me know if you want me to keep 'em coming... I've been having fun experimenting with some new content lately (as you may have noticed), but I want to make sure that you like what you see, as well.

Today's post features a few very different pairs of flats, but I honestly love each and every one.  I'm more of a "heels" girl myself, but having just a few amazing comfortable options is key to making your way around NYC.  In my mind, the perfect pair even justifies a higher price point that I'd normally spend on a pair of shoes, and these are just a few of the options that I've been considering lately.

Are you more of a flats-girl, or are heels more your style?  If you had to choose from the options above - Which would be your first pick?  (I'm leaning towards the polka dotted pretties!)

*Layout design by Sarah Sherwood*
 

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Concrete Catwalk // Sweaterdress & Sandals

You may have heard that the weather here in the Northeast has been a bit wonky lately (to say the very least), and these photos are the perfect proof of that.  A few days before, there were several inches of snow covering every surface in Hoboken, and then a day or two later, it was warm enough for bare legs, sandals & a date night on the patio of one of our favorite neighborhood spots.

All I can say is that it's getting me VERY ready to escape to the West Coast this weekend for an entire week of celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends, and I could NOT be more excited.  First, we're spending a few days at the beach in San Diego, and then several more at my parents home in Scottsdale... Bring on the sunny skies, big hugs & belly-laughs.

Check out the rest of the in-between-season-style below, and don't forget: Our Pepperologie ticket giveaway is open until tomorrow at Noon EST, so you have one more day to leave a comment on that post to enter, and can earn an extra chance to win by tweeting about it, as well! (Details here.)  

Beauty Bite // Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

I don't write much about beauty products here on the blog, but it's definitely one of the topics that gets most frequently asked about via emails/tweets from readers (and it has also become one of my favorite parts about my newsletter, the Spicy Scoop!).

I come across so many different hair & make-up products I love, and new regimens I'd like to try, so I thought it might make sense to start chatting a bit about it here on the site!  Now, to officially welcome the newest addition to the S&P feature family: Beauty Bite!

The Beauty // The first little love lucky enough to be included is this Midnight Recovery Concentrate by Kiehl's.  When I popped by my local store the other day, my favorite sales associate started raving about this nighttime facial oil that I just "haaaad to try".  My typical getting-ready-for-bed routine has included their Acai Serum & Moisturizer set in the past, but I had recently started to notice that the moisturizer was feeling a bit heavy for my skin.  After using it every night for the past 3+ weeks - I've seen amazing results: softer skin, fewer fine-lines, and quicker healing of blemishes/disappearing of scars!  Honestly can't wait to buy a full-sized bottle, and am heading to Kiehl's today.

The Bite // The only downside that I can tell so far is that on the one or two occasions that I accidentally used more than 3 or 4 drops, it takes much longer to soak in to my skin and gets a bit messy.  Obviously, that's more user error on my part, though.  The $46 price tag for a 1 oz. bottle may seem a bit steep at first, but the teeny tiny samples of Midnight Recovery Concentrate have lasted an impressively long amount of time.  A little goes a very long way, and I plan on using it in place of the Acai Moisturizer part of my bedtime regimen, so it's really just replacing something in my usual routine for the same cost (but better results!). 

Pretty delicious bite, I'd say!!  Have you tried the Midnight Recovery Concentrate for yourself, by chance?  I'd love to hear your thoughts, and if not - let me know what other fabulous beauty products I need to get my hands on these days!

*Disclaimer // This is not a sponsored post.  No compensation or product was exchanged for the review, and all opinions/thoughts are 100% honest and my own.*

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Concrete Catwalk // Weekend Warrior

An outfit full of basic pieces, worn for a weekend of playing tourist.  I almost didn't even post these photos (yes, there are some looks that don't make the cut) because it felt a little boring to me, but I figured that it would be fair to admit that I don't always feel like my style decisions are spot-on.

After the jump you'll find a few more photos, this outfit's details, and what kind of activities warrant such plain pieces...

Pepperologie // Dec 1st Ticket Giveaway

Good stuff today, friends - GOOD STUFF!  If you've been thinking about joining us for Pepperologie, but haven't pulled the trigger yet, this post is for you!

First I'm going to be giving you a tiny sneak peek at the mission behind the style session I'll be teaching at our Dec 1st event, and then you'll have a chance to enter at winning a ticket for yourself!  See below...

Style // I absolutely love helping women feel great about themselves, and I live for adding flavor to the lives of those around me.  One of the main reasons that I started Pepperologie is because I wanted an in-person opportunity to connect with other women who are interested in refining their personal style. 

When I used to do more full-time personal wardrobe styling, I was always floored by the transformation that occurred during my one-on-one sessions with clients.  I fell in love with being able to help women to gain the confidence they needed to express themselves by projecting their best image to the rest of the world, and now am excited to do the same thing in a hands-on, small-group setting. 

One of the things that I'm most excited about for Pepperologie, is that we're not only talking about clothing and accessories, but approaching a confidence-boosting day of style from every angle!  Take a peek at the course previews for the DIY and Beauty sessions from weeks past, and enter the giveaway below for a shot at winning a ticket!

NOW for the GIVEAWAY...

There are two ways to enter (up your chances and do both!):

• Leave a comment on this blog post letting us know which topic you'd be most excited to learn more about if you win (visit the event menu to choose from the five different courses that the experts will be teaching), and make sure to leave your email address so that we can contact the contest winner.
• Tweet this message [I'm entering the #Pepperologie ticket giveaway because I would love to learn more about __________! http://bit.ly/OEYgZB], and fill in the blank answering the same question as above.  (Be sure to make sure that the link and hash-tag are included in order to be eligible.)

Entries will be accepted up until Friday, November 16th at Noon EST, and the lucky gal will be notified by the end of the day.  So happy to be able to offer such an exciting gift, and here's wishing you all lots of luck!


Getting so excited to share our best health tips, beauty tricks & lifestyle secrets at our workshop on December 1st, and we can't wait to celebrate a day of creative living together!

*Fine print - The prize ticket will be for admission to the December 1st Pepperologie workshop only.  It may be given as a gift, but is not eligible for future events.*

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Four to Adore // Gems & Giraffes

Just popping in to share a few adorable 'gems' that I've spotted around the web this week...

• Iosselliani Stackable Sage & Gold Rings from Anthem Wares - I love combining a selection of my favorite rings on one finger, and this stackable set would ensure that I get a chic collection together every time.  Bonus points for splitting them up and sharing with friends!
• Lanky Giraffe Wall Decor from Anthropologie - A sweet rendition of my favorite animal (they always remind me of my Sweet G!) this would make the perfect finishing touch to our quirky home; I'm picturing him on the wall, overlooking our place to love.
• Brass Clip-on Lamp from The Land of Nod - My desk lamp recently shattered to pieces when it fell to the ground (who knew "giraffes" were so clumsy?), so I'm in search of a replacement.  This one from a somewhat unexpected source would be great for clipping right to my desk hutch, but easily moved to the arm of the couch for an after-work reading lamp.
• Snake Buckle-clutch by Foley & Corinna - Always a sucker for snakeprint, I was instantly drawn to this sleek clutch.  It would compliment nearly every outfit I can currently come up with in my head, and I typically take that as a sign that something would make a great purchase.

Which of the four to adore is your favorite?

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Concrete Catwalk // Bright White

White jeans after Labor Day?!?  I know - you may think I'm nutty, but it just seemed like the right choice for running a slew of errands on a chilly day in the city (which happens to be looking sartorially darker and darker as the days go by).  If my colorless choice of leg-wear can reflect a little extra sunlight into someone's life, then I'll consider my fashion faux-pax totally worth it.

Check out the full outfit, plus shopping resources below, and let me know in the comments:  Are you brave enough to break this (ridiculously antiquated) fashion "rule"?  I'd love to know: how are you styling your white denim up, post-summertime?  

P.S.  Check out all the other times I've rocked white pants, and brace yourself for some blasts from the past! :)

Inspired Style // Pink Prisms

Happy to introduce a new feature today, called "Inspired Style".  I'm a firm believer that you can find inspiration for your own personal style nearly everywhere you look, but great art is definitely at the top of the list of best places to start. 

I've been a big fan of Matt W. Moore's work for quite some time (after realizing that much of what populated my pinterest was from him!), but this particular piece of his called "Crystals & Lasers" is my favorite.  When I spotted these angular pink earrings on Bauble Bar a few days ago, I knew I wanted to connect the two, and that's how the new column was born! 

We swoon, we shop, and everyone wins, yes?

Art // Crystals & Lasers by Matt W. Moore
Earrings // Bauble Bar

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Concrete Catwalk // Leopard & Laid-back

Hey, look!  I'm wearing something besides an over-sized sweater and leggings!

To be completely honest, these photos were taken a few weeks ago, and I'm still wearing the aforementioned lounge-wear as I write this post.  Still haven't really gotten dressed to go anywhere since all of the madness of the past week, but I think posting a new look will be just the ticket to getting me out of my storm-induced rut. 

Other things that are keeping me inspired?  I could pretty much live in the gorgeous custom agate necklace you see above (handmade for me by a sweet friend!), and I've always considered leopard print a neutral (keep reading to see my cute new kicks below) so both are going to be making themselves quite at home in my early-winter outfit rotation. 

Keep reading for more photos (including one of me laying down on the job), and don't forget to go VOTE today, friends! :)

Pepperologie // Hair & Beauty

Starting fresh this Monday morning, and it feels great to be back at my own desk with the electricity ON (Praise the Lord!), a hot shower behind me, and a fresh cup of coffee and a busy week of catching up in front of me.  

 

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I'd be sharing a few snippets of each of our Pepperologie courses during the time leading up to the actual event, and this morning we're taking a look at the Hair & Make-up portion of the day.  This highly hands-on part of the workshop is being taught by Donna Kim, who is one of the most amazing beauty experts I know, and a total sweetie-pie to boot!

Before I tell you more about her session, I've got three very important announcements I wanted to mention...

1. We've extended the early bird ticket discount, and instead of ending tomorrow night, it will now be available until this coming Thursday night at 11:59pm EST.  Obviously, Hurricane Sandy hit us pretty hard here in the NYC-area, and I thought it might make sense to give more time to the people out there still thinking about nabbing the deal.  
2. In an effort to continue to help those still in need in our community, I've decided that 10% of each Pepperologie ticket sold will go towards the local efforts to recover and rebuild here in Hoboken.  I love my little city so much and desperately want to channel any effort I can into trying to help my neighbors and my town start to get back to some semblance of normalcy, after the devastation from Hurricane Sandy.
3. We're having a giveaway!!! The exact details will be announced in a few days, but I wanted to let you know that if you're unable to attend due to financial reasons, you'll have a shot at winning a ticket for our December 1st event.  Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more info, and I'll be sure to let you know when it's all up and running.

Now, let's talk about getting pretty with Donna, after the jump!

In Pictures // Hurricane Sandy

The marina that is just steps from our front door...

All of those docks normally rest right on the water, 

and the storm twisted them up like pretzels.

Wow, I had NO idea that when I scheduled that last "Storm Survival" post, that I'd be needing more than nail polish and comfy pajamas to sustain our family for the week.  We've had QUITE the experience over the last few days, and now that we've temporarily moved in with our sweet friends across town, I'm finally taking a minute to sum it up so that we can get back to regular programming around here - Sound alright?

Click through for many more photos, our personal account of the storm, the top ten things I learned throughout the week, and a few ways that you can pitch in to help with the relief efforts...