Vineyard Vines Love Vol. 39871

**Nothing like a little VV talk to break me out of my normally programmed tweets and bring my thoughts to blogger.

While sitting in traffic I looked down at my collection of Vineyard Vines totes and thought gosh I NEED TO CLEAN THESE PUPPIES! And I posed the question on Twitter and got a few different suggestions, one was to put it in the washing machine on gentle and that did the trick, one said to NOT put it in the washing machine and to spot clean it or dry clean them. I have spot treated them over the years and it has worked but to be honest, I just don't want to take the time over and over. And if at the end of the day that is what it takes, I'll do it, but why not throw the question to all of you (though most of you are on twitter, maybe I just want a collection of answers!)! If you have any tricks, suggestions or even horror stories please share!


To pass a little time I decided to try out intense spot cleaning on my VV clutch. Below is a before picture, believe me that things was DIRTY, I use it daily as my normal wallet and though it's a bit of a pain to always search through it to find my coffee punch card or whatever else I've shoved in there, I love it and don't foresee changing my daily use until fall/winter!

I sprayed it with Shout Advance, inside and out. I wanted to test out the inside too as it is the same lining as the inside of the tote bags.
This is a little flawed as one picture I did not get was me scrubbing it inside and out with my nails to get the Shout in and to hopefully get the dirt out (hands were covered in Shout, forgive me). I then filled the sink with cold water and submerged it while rubbing it together using my nails yet again. I kept squeezing out the water and making sure I was getting all of the Shout out once I could tell it was getting cleaner. Lots of rubbing and rinsing, you all know how that works.


Because it is so humid out, I figured I would let it air dry outside! If it was sunny out I would have put it in the sun, but the rain decided to YET again make an appearance so the porch was my only option. You can really tell it did a great job, not going to know for sure until it dries, but i'm happy thus far!

AND when you're on the Cape and you're passing time, what else is more fitting then adding a "Kimba Cocktail" into the mix. Vodka, Soda Water and a splash of Light Cranberry Juice. (Though you should really all know that by now)!

Figured it would dry better upside down!

Now as I sit back and enjoy my "Kimba cape Cocktail" I will wait for all of your tips on how to keep these gems clean! Also i'll spare you from suggesting to just buy a new one though it's a great thought and it did cross my mind, it's not happin' anytime soon!

Mini-Cape-Vaca

Tuesday morning I packed up 4 tote bags drove to work and couldn't wait to be done for the week! That's right, we took off Wednesday-Friday and headed to the Cape! We drove separately so at about 4:45 my bossed kicked me out of the office to start my vaca and away I went!


I had tons of traffic and pour rain for the full two hour ride, but I didn't care and turned on the radio and my iPhone charging and was rocking my way down Rt. 3 Cape bound!!!
The continued into Wednesday morning so we headed into Hyannis for brunch at The Daily Paper and to walk around the downtown which is something we would never do unless well we never would. That tells you how much we wanted to feel on vaca and to take it all in! This is my egg beater cheese and broccoli goodness! And of course my standard "dry rye", it was so good! Thursday we had to take the Jeep in to get an oil change, we only take it to the Jeep dealer down there as we want to keep her in tip top shape and they will have records of any work we have done. While waiting we headed to Osterville Fish Too and got a little lunch. I was so excitied about the coleslaw, and it was as good as I remembered!

Finally it was nice enough to take the Jeep top off and it felt so good to cruse around and give the "Jeep wave" in style! RJ formally known as Music Guy is proudly wearing his 2009 FIGAWI Sailing Mount Gay hat! It is not an easy hat to get, and I've already been told the "what's mine is yours and yours is mine" does not apply to this hat!

We headed to the beach for cocktail hour and I had to snap a picture, and then was made fun of, but hey, my mom would be proud! If you spy my neacklas, that was our fab bridesmaid gift from Sara's wedding, a true KEP classic! Some of you have asked about my sunglasses, they're RayBans, and not the typical ones you find, I've been searching for the link, so please stay tuned!

A perfect cocktail for the beach Sam Summer and a super cute monogrammed koozie! Thanks Liane!

A ride on the boat, no better way to spend a summer day!

It was too windy on Saturday to take the boat out, so we hit the beach, it was a great great day, and I loaded up on the SPF, more then I needed to, but this Irish gal needs her SPF more then you know!

All in all we had a wonderful vacation, and I'm not 100% ready to go back to work, but it's does feel fabulous to be home!

Very Proper Improper @BostonTweet

For those of you who either do not live in Boston or use Twitter, you may be a bit sick of hearing about BostonTweet, but get use to it. Kidding, I don't plan to have to many more post about it, but one never knows!

In the latest Improper Bostonian which is the Boston's Best Issue Tom of BostonTweet was pictured and @BostonTweet got a nice write up! And if you click on the link you'll see he used my picture and I got a little shout out on his blog, how cool do I feel you ask...extremely! So if you're local pick up the issue with Conan O'Brien on the cover and flip to page 19 and check it out for yourself!

Big cheers to Tom and @BostonTweet, much deserved!!!

Happy Happy Birthday.....

to Suz (@Suz8)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wishing you a fabulous birthday, you deserve the very best and I love you dearly!

I love these pictures as her super fun sassy personality shines through!
Suz=Sass

AND finally Suz & Kimba at Fenway!!! It was a great day when we finally met in person, though it was as if we do this all the time!

I look forward to our daily email banter and enjoy your incite on pretty much everything, how can one not love your dying love for the Mets, all things preppy, horse racing, cute boys, O.A.R., blogging, twittering, Bud Light, the Hamps and last but not least your love for your family and friends!

Cheers to you Suz! xoxo

Short and Sweet

As soon as I get pictures from the wedding I'll put them up here! Here was one I quickly snapped as we got ready! LOVED the dresses, the green really popped! AND Sara gave us KEP necklaces, how lucky are we!

In other sad news, Music Guy's grandmother past away Friday evening. He went to the Cape to be with his family, so I flew the wedding solo. Funny how much you miss someone when you're in a room of 200 wonderful people. It was hard not having him there, but as an Irish Catholic family we keep it close and know the importance of being together at times like this.

She was a wonderful lady and up until her last day she had everyone around her laughing.

BUT to close out on a happy note those of you in New England know how much freaking rain we've gotten this summer thus far, and as of Friday the forecast called for rain. AND I tell you what, someone was looking over them as here is a pic I snapped right before we left for the Country Club. Best summer day thus far for 2009! Sara is one of my best friends and I could not be happier for her and Ben, she is truly one of a kind and they're perfect for each other! I lost my bananas when she read the vows she wrote to him.

BTW, if you follow me on Twitter, none of this news is new! :)

I rarely give advice when not asked...but...

If ONE more blog says "I think I'm going to shut my blog down" i'm going to well i'll going to do nothing. But I don't get how people don't see the ONLY reason their doing that is so you can leave a comment about how your blog is their favorite and how much they would miss you. I give up.

But what do I know I got a DM on twitter this morning that stated the person hated me. How's that for a morning email!

In other news, Sara's Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner last night was fabulous! Tomorrow is the big day! I'm so so excited for her and Ben, love you dearly S!!! I'll post pix next week! The rain will clear for you my little lover!

Sad Sad Sad

A sure way to ruin my Sunday would be to tell me Billy Mays is dead. Oh wait...

Love love love, that guy!

A few details are coming out on TMZ about him being hit in the head while landing on a US Air flight after a tire blew out. Seems it could have been a concussion and then he went to sleep, but who knows. So so sad! We're huge PitchMen fans in this house, not to mention HUGE Billy Mays fans! Its just tragic!

A tough week in the public eye indeed!

I would say my favorite Billy Mays clip is The Awesome Auger so freaking funny! We're also very proud OxiClean users in this house!

Sad day at Chez Jones! It's all you now Sully!

Happy Father's Day Dad!!!

I wish I could have been in Wisconsin today to play a round of golf with my father!

I love this picture, my dad is picking on me for always tilting my head when I take pictures!

And our father daughter dance!
I love you lots!!!

A few last thoughts...

So the big run is tomorrow! And I am pretty nervous, I know i'll do well but still the nerves are there. MG said he'll take some pictures so I can post them tomorrow, you'll all enjoy the matchy matchy outfit I have planned to run in. Oh also have I told you yet that it is suppose to POUR rain the entire day. The upside is I love running in rain the down side is we're throwing a "Bunker Hill Day par-tay" after the race and before/during/after the parade. (Rolling cooler, check!). So we may not be able to extend the "BHDP" onto the deck, but we'll figure it out! I'll be happy to have the race out of the way! (And start training for my next one!)

I also have to tweak my running mix, not enough "jazzy" songs in the beginning. I need to add some more hip hop and switch the flow.

Had drinks with work people yesterday, it cracks me up when they tell me how they perceive me. I come off as: buttoned up and that I don't have any fun. HA, pretty sure that's an inaccurate statement. Also gave my boss the ins and outs on blogging and twittering. He knew about my blog, but explained the "tweet up" and he thought I was crazy. I also told him that I have referred to him as Rob Lowe on twitter, he was flattered. ha!

It feels good to be blogging again, highlight of my day reading your comments!

Also for those of you who have emailed me about the BostonTweet Widget, head on over to BostonTweet and get one for yourself! I've been surprised by the number of emails I've gotten around it, happy you guys like it! The guy behind BostonTweet is pretty cool himself! 

Thanks for all of your support, i'll make Team Kimba proud with a good showing tomorrow! OH and Fave Couple are running it also, good luck A & B!!!! MG is watching Baby Will, so good luck to him too! 

Team Kimba Race Mix

I’ve put many more songs on my mix as I sometimes get bored and don’t feel like listening to a certain song at that point of my run, it makes it easier to skip to the next and know I have enough songs to get me through.

It’s a very random mix of genres but they’re all songs and artist I enjoy listening to when not working out. BUT thank you for sending me your songs I can’t wait to get them in my next “Kimba gym Mix” playlist!

Right Round – Flo Rida
That Was a Crazy Game of Poker – O.A.R.
Better Than – John Butler Trio
Heavy Things – Phish
Wordplay – Jason Mraz
Who Knew – Pink
I Write Sins Not Tradgidies – Panic! At The Disco
Zebra – John Butler Trio
I’m Shipping Up to Boston – Dropkick Murphys
Don’t Stop Believin’ – Journey
Happy – Martin Sexton
Wonderful Day – O.A.R.
Mr. Jones – Counting Crows
Umbrella – Rihanna & Jay-Z
Ride Wit Me – Nelly
Trapped (live) – Bruce Springsteen
You and I Both – Jason Mraz
Float On – Modest Mouse
Jesus of Suburbia – Green Day
I’m Yours – Jason Mraz
How Good It Can Get – The Wallflowers
Hardest Way Possible – Rustic Overtones
Martini – The Brightwings
Holiday in Spain – Counting Crows
The Adventure – Angels & Airwaves
The Only Difference Between… – Panic! At The Disco
American Idiot – Green Day
Lucky – Jason Mraz

AND a big THANK YOU to my girl Suz for putting this post up for me, she’s truly the best blogging BFF!!!

I have my last run today and then I’m off for dins/drinks with work folks! I’ll check back tomorrow and get some “better” post rolling here at ATK!

*****GOOD LUCK KIMBA************ (from, Suz)

iBlogging

I am about to put together the "final final" Team Kimba running mix! I want to finish it tonight so I can give it a test "run" tomorrow during my final mini run. Not sure about some of you, but I am a huge fan of song placement. Not only do I love to have great songs to motivate me but how the songs are aligned is key for long runs!

Any suggestions?!

Not the biggest fan of blogging from my iPhone. But am lucky to have it!

Last "Big" Run before Sunday...

Which I waited until after work to complete as I knew it would be raining/misting and I LOVE running in the rain! And that it was a consent mist, more like it was spitting on you, I ended up running twice what I was suppose to, but who's counting! (Be careful on wet brick, I almost bit it while running around Kendall and MIT, but saved myself before I had a issue on my hand!)

This past weekend was Sara's big bach party, it was so much fun and I'm waiting to get pictures from the other girls to upload and show you just how freaking cute she was! 

A busy week and weekend ahead, ahhh...summer is in full swing! Happy to be staying in the City this weekend, will be able to give a little TLC to my blog! Also I nixed the idea of putting "Follow @KimbaKimba" on the back of my running shirt. Funny but not sure the audience would get it! Though i'm a little bummed my "TEAM ATK" shirts haven't arrived! Next race!

I'm back...slowly...but back!

About Time ATK & Tweets

After some time off, I'm finally ready to get myself back into the blogging world! 

A big part of my time has been taking up by this thing called "running"! I have been training for my first road race and am happy to report the race is this weekend! It was reported one of the hardest races in it's class for official certified races in the US. Good job Kimba, way to pick em'! 

Last Thursday I attended my first TweeUp at the Rattlesnake in Boston, I would hope all of you would know what a "TweetUp" is by now, but if you're not on Twitter you may not so it's exactly what it sounds like. A Twitter Meet Up, and it was a great time. I will tell you I stuck out more then you could imagine. When you're in a room (or in this case a roof, "roofup") with a group of people who have been ahead of the technology curve most of the blogs they follow are not preppy blogs! Which was great for me as I was able to talk to them about a whole other world in the blogsphere. 

Long story short I was of course nervous going as I didn't know anyone there (well one gal!) and 99% of the people I follow are my preppy blog friends, so I was about to walk into a room (roof) and just have to put myself out there and it was fabulous! I met a bunch of great people and finally got the push to do something different with my blog, and who knows what else! I'm happy I went and at the end of the day it shows how truly small of a world it is and how great it can be when many different interest come together through something we all love! Twitter!

Check out my sassy new BostonTweet Widget on my sidebar (as if i needed to point it out) if you're in Boston you should stop on over and add it to your site! You know me I don't use the word sassy unless I truly mean it! 

I am HAPPY to be back back back!!!

Suz & E!!!

I think this pictures says it all, Kimba and Suz got to hang out last weekend and it was fabulous, about as fabulous as she is!

And if my day could have gotten any better, I met E for a yummy dinner and drinks. 
AND then the three of us together at last!!!

Thanks for hanging Suz, next time I need to get you down to the Cape! 

PHENWAY

Music Guy and I are heading to Fenway tonight to see Phish! If you follow me on Twitter you're probably sick of hearing about how excited we are!!!

Besides fishing, Phish is MG's other love, when ever he play's them I pretty much know I shouldn't speak for the duration of the song! (In a good way of course!) Who else would write their college thesis on one of their closing songs?

Preppy Blogging meet up vol. 8349379

I know I know, I may not even have any readers left as I took a little break and didn't give you a heads up. BUT I'M BACK!

A few weeks ago I met up with the freaking wonderful Sarah and TSINH (the sister i never had) E, we had a great dinner and of course even better cocktails! Every time we all get together we say "why don't we do this more often", it is always such a blast!

I went home last weekend and have some fun pictures to share. All is well at chez Kimba, just working a lot and getting ready for summer!

Random Thoughts...

While having drinks at Fave A's house last night it came to me I started dating my now husband when I was 22. Gesh, why was I exclusive so young. 

You all know the term "Dress for the job you want not the job you have", i'll take that thought and apply it to this, "Dress for the activity level you want, not the activity you are". So with that I am in gym clothes blogging/twittering. 

Off for a run, and yes my foot is still sore, so if my next update is from the ER, you can all say "i told you so". 

Everyone wave Hi to my new blogging LA buddy Paisley Peunia, she is so super cute! Speaking of blogging BFF, my super super fave Suz, sent be the best email this morning, she wanted to let me know my boyfriend Joe Scarborough was on The Today Show, love it!

I was coming back from getting coffee this morning and a realtor was showing these young gals the one rental on our street and said this place is great if you're drunk and forget your keys as the door is always open, if it's ever locked just buzz the people above and tell them you just got back from the bar and have beer. SO what do I do, look at him give him this look and say "wow", and walked in our house. Yep, I am now old and don't want riff raff on our street. You can slap me now, i deserve it. 

My wonderful friend Kate is running the Kentucky Derby Marathon today, good luck Kateson, you'll be great!!!

Off to enjoy the 80 degree day we have here in Boston!!!

Chalk this post up to "ALL THINGS KIMBA, ATK". 

Jacked Up

If you've been following me on twitter you know i've been running a lot the past few months. Well yesterday I was about to head to the gym and I noticed my left achilles was hurting and ended up taking the day off from running. Well today it's 10 times worse, if anyone has ever had achilles problems they know how freaking painful it is. 

I'm super bummed as it's very nice out and what a perfect day to go for a run outside around the Charles River. My right achilles is the one I've had looked at over and over from different doctors so now that i'm having pain in my left I official have bad achilles. Darn Greeks!

I've blogged about it my darn feet before. No way no how will I be back in any boot, so i've decided to let my heel heal. 

So on this beautiful day I'm inside watching the Celtic's first playoff game and trying to force myself to read Class with the Countess, more on that later.

A few fave ATK Tunes

Alon: Right Now (Na Na Na), Beautiful, Don't Matter

TI: Dead and Gone, Live your Life, Whatever you Like

Ne-Yo: Miss Independent

Flo Rida: Right Round**

I thought you might like to see a few songs I listened to over and over on iTunes (30 seconds each over and over) Feeling pretty sassy getting in touch with my gangsta side!

**Right Round is the only song I own, and did listen to it on repeat for an entire 45 minute run!

Sox = Spring

The Red Sox are on and I am ONE happy girl! 

Another All things Kimba moment:

I got these new shoe inserts that have grip on them as my shoes are a little to big after a few wears. So Monday I put them in my shoes and thought these are different but hey if they work then great. No real issues with them, just felt different, but what do I know, I've never used grips before. But thought the color blue was an odd color to have as the top of the insert, use to tan or black to match the shoe. Well I was cleaning out one of my desk drawers and found the package they came in (it was a 3 pack), for some reason I turned the package over and read the directions....SEEMS the "blue" side goes down. Yep, for three days I've had these fancy new inserts in upside down. 

Tomorrow I will try a new pair the right way, stay tuned.