T&P's Top 10 of the Week | No. 61 | Beachwear, Bathing Suit and Sarong Set, One Piece, Amazon Swimsuit, Raffia Bag, Summer Sandals

T&P's Top 10 of the Week | No. 61 | Beachwear, Bathing Suit and Sarong Set, One Piece, Amazon Swimsuit, Raffia Bag, Summer Sandals

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Classes I Took in Law School

One of my most popular blog posts to date is about the classes I took during my four years at Wake Forest.

I thought I would do the same and share the classes I took in law school.

Unlike my Night at the Museum class and French Conversation class in undergrad, most of the classes in law school were pretty dry topics (sorry, just speaking the truth) even though they were super important classes.

Unlike undergrad, the classes for your first year and a half of law school is set for you, even your schedule is set of when you are taking those classes, without any say.

To graduate from an accredited law school there are certain classes you must take. All of these topics will be tested on the Bar Exam. Every law school also mandates some classes that the ABA does not require law students to take, so it might be a little different for you if you are at a different law school. Also, other law schools assign different classes for different semesters, so this was my schedule, but it may be different than yours.  

Below are all the classes that were selected for me and the electives I eventually got to select for myself, with a quick one-liner of each class.

1L: All required classes. I did not get to pick when I took them.

Fall:

Civil Procedure: How to file a case in court, in which court, discovery, how to get to trial and what to do once you are at trial

Criminal Law: All the crimes: homicide, inchoate crimes, crimes against property, you get the idea

Legal Writing: Objective memo, research on Lexis and Westlaw, complaint

Torts: Intentional torts (battery, assault), negligence, strict liability

 

Spring:

Contracts: Offer, acceptance, consideration, statute of frauds, merchants, UCC

Property: Real property, intellectual property, acquired land, interests in land

Constitutional Law 1: From the beginning of the United States

Legal Writing 2: Appellate Brief

2L: Constitutional Law 2 and Foundational Lawyering Skills were required classes, the rest were electives.

Fall:

Business Organizations: Partnerships, corporations, LLCs, Federal Security law, shareholders

Constitutional Law 2: Equal protection, fundamental rights, state action, freedom of religion

Foundational Lawyering Skills: How to take interview witnesses, how to take depositions, how to give closing arguments

Externship + Seminar: Highly recommended! Read more about externships HERE!

Family Court Review Journal + Seminar: I got two credits for being on my journal and working on my student note

 

Spring: Evidence and Ethics were required for graduation, but we could take them anytime in our 2^nd or 3^rd year

Evidence: How to get evidence into (or kept out of ) court: hearsay, impeachment, character evidence

Family Court Review Journal: I got two credits to continue to write my student note

Externship + Seminar

Ethics: Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which sets you up to take the MPRE

3L:
Fall: (My favorite semester of law school)

Wills, Trusts and Estates: How to convey property, rule of perpetuities

Social Media and the Law: Content ownership, social media and hiring, social media service of process, social media discovery, juror use of social media, free speech, advertising/FTC rules

Law and the Role of In-House Counsel: Attorney client privilege in-house, regulations, who is liable, self-reporting, press relations, internal investigations, negotiating deals

Mediation Seminar: Different modes of mediation and alternative dispute resolution

Entertainment Law: Royalty agreements, manager agreements, content licensing, work for hire, negotiations

Family Court Review Journal: Two credits to be an Articles Editor

 

Winter:

Trial Techniques: Read more about this class HERE

 

Spring:

Criminal Procedure 1: Search and seizure, stop and frisk, right to counsel, Miranda rights

National Security Law: Powers of the President, Guantanamo Bay, Drone Strikes

Perspectives: Pre-Bar Exam prep

Intellectual Property Colloquium: Copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, patents

Family Court Review Journal: Two credits to be an Articles Editor 

 

And that’s it folks! If you have any questions about what professors I had or would recommend (or not) feel free to reach out and we can chat.

 

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T&P's Top 10 of the Week | No. 60 | Floral Appliqués, Sofia Richie Style, Black Heels, Little White Dress, One Piece Bathing Suit

T&P's Top 10 of the Week | No. 60 | Floral Appliqués, Sofia Richie Style, Black Heels, Little White Dress, One Piece Bathing Suit

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Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island

 

A little party never killed nobody.

On Saturday, we transported from 2023 to 1923 on Governors Island for the Jazz Age Lawn Party.

I have been wanting to go to this roaring 20s themed party for years now. Last year we had a last-minute family event come up and the year before the party was canceled because of Covid.

This year was the year!

 

Event:

The Jazz Age Lawn Party is a picnic party with live music and dancing on Governors Island. There are two dance floors with live jazz music. Surrounding the dance floors are picnickers, tents selling hats and vintage accessories and food trucks. There were even some vintage cars on display to pose with.

We brought our picnic materials before heading to the island. 

You are allowed to bring in food, but not drinks to the roped off section of the island, but you can find a way… You can buy drinks and food at the event too. 

 

Outfit:

I went for a day style 1920s dress (I wanted to look like I stepped out of an episode of Downton Abbey), accessorized with a hat, pearls, parasol and a make-shift bob (I watched this video and put my own spin on it).

I highly recommend wearing closed toe shoes. It was very dusty and dirty. I actually pulled out my old character shoes from my days in the theater department. 

 

Overall: 

We spent most of our time lounging on our picnic blanket and on the main dance floor watching people Lindy Hop. The music was great. It was such a fun event. Most people dressed up and got into character. It was a great people watching event.

I really felt like I was back in the 1920s.

 

My friends and I really enjoyed the day. We wish there was more explanation about what type of dance should be danced during each type of song, but besides we had a great time.

 

If you want to go, there is going to be a 2^nd weekend this year in August, on Governors Island.

Also, if you haven’t been to Governors Island, you are missing out. It is my favorite place in NYC.

 

Cheers!

Law School Graduation: Class of 2023

On Monday, May 22, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of graduating law school. This week I completed a big step towards the ultimate goal of becoming an attorney (the following major step is the Bar Exam). 

 

The saying is true: “the first year: they scare you to death, the second year: they work you to death and the third year: they bore you to death.”

 

The first year was terrifying. Cold calling, one exam for the whole semester, bell curve, and COVID. It was scary for more than one reason, but I got the hang of it. Living at home, having good friends nearby and a built-in support system definitely helped throughout all three years, but especially the first year when I was adjusting to a new school. There was an adjustment, but thankfully it wasn’t too difficult, all thanks to my alma matter, Wake “Work” Forest. Wake really prepared me well to continue to work hard.

The second year, I was worked to death. I have never been more stressed in my entire life. There was so much work I didn’t know how to do it all. I felt up to my ears in reading and writing. I was externing, writing my student note for my journal, editing footnotes for other articles and I was a TA. The fall of my second year was all about survival mode. Thinking back on that semester makes me sad. I have never been so miserable in my entire life. But when spring came around, the work lessened. 

The last year, I was partially bored, and extremely stressed. To be honest, the last year of law school seems like a bit of a waste. Most of the required classes you need to graduate have been completed by your last year. So, my fall semester I took FUN and easy classes. I took a social media law class, entertainment law and mediation. I will be sharing a post in the coming weeks listing out all the classes I took in detail, like I did for Wake, HERE. This semester was my best semester academically. And then the spring semester started off fine, got extremely stressful with lots of tears and anxiety over finding a job, and then the stress subsided after I accepted a position!

 

As Sarah Jessica Parker would say, “and just like that,” it was over.

It was three hard, both mentally and emotionally, years but at the same time highly rewarding. The academics were rigorous, but I learned so much. I have never felt smarter than I do now. I also learned so much about myself. 

While I was in the thick of it, I would say I would not recommend law school to anyone. And to be honest, I wouldn’t recommend it to “anyone.” I would only recommend it to a very select group of people that have the grit, determination, drive and perseverance to join the J.D. club. 

I would do it again if I had to, but I am so glad I don’t! As my mom used to remind me, it is a means to an end. If you want to be an attorney, this is what you must do. 

 

And after three years we celebrated!

My parents threw a backyard party for me on Sunday and then on Monday, I graduated from Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University.

I was awarded Gold Distinction in Public Service for more than 750 hours of pro bono work.

Our elected graduation speaker was Professor Sample, one of my favorites. The Honorable Letitia James, Attorney General of New York was our commencement speaker.

I shed some tears as the President of the school conferred upon my class our degrees and when she said, “you are now entitled to all the rights, privileges and opportunities afforded to you by your degree.” It hit me! That was it! I was officially a law school graduate. Law school was over. 

I also teared up as the Dean of the law school asked us to stand and face our parents, family and friends to say “thank you” for all their support over the past three years and all the years before.

And then it was time for our five seconds of fame. My favorite professor, who I TAed for hugged me and hooded me when my name was horribly butchered. I crossed the stage, was handed my diploma and waved to my family and friends.

You can watch the full ceremony here!

 

It is with great pride and honor that I share that I am now Elizabeth Mary Guariglia, J.D. My lifelong dream of graduating law school is complete. Thank you to all my family, friends, professors, mentors and the T&P Fam for their love and support throughout all my years of academia but especially these last three! 

Next stop: Bar Exam!

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Five Friday Favorites | 48 | Cheap Broadway Tickets, Peloton Workout Classes, Athletic Shorts for Tall Girls & More

 1.          And Just Like That on HBO- I know I am the last one to watch this show, but it’s amazing. I was nervous it wasn’t going to be as good as the original Sex and the City, as a spin off, but it is. The clothes are incredible. The show feels like a continuation of the original. Highly recommend.

2.          Lucky Seat- Do you want to see Broadway shows for cheap? Sign up for the daily lottery on Lucky Seat and you can score $40 tickets the day before the show. Lauren won two tickets a couple of weeks ago, and we saw Book of Mormon, front right mezzanine for $40 each. Book of Mormon is available, as well as Moulin Rouge (my personal favorite! I’ve seen it twice), Hades Town and Funny Girl (with Leah Michelle).

3.          Peloton App- I love the Peloton spin classes but the Peloton App offers so much more. There are amazing HITT classes, running classes, strength training (with and without weights), barre, Pilates, dance cardio, boxing, muscle specific workouts and more. I love the app! Highly recommend trying it out for effective workouts. Peloton has a free version of their App, and then paid versions. Test it out! 

4.          Abercrombie athletic shorts- I did not own a single pair of athletic shorts until now. I was going on a walk one day, and Alex asked me why I wasn’t wearing shorts; I had on a pair of cropped leggings. I told him, I don’t own a pair. He asked if I wore leggings even when it is really hot out, my answer: yes. I was blessed with super long legs which means some clothes are very hard to find. Shorts is one category of clothing I have difficulty with. Shorts rarely come in “tall” and are not made for ladies with my length of legs. I ordered this pair and this pair from Aerie, and they were unsuccessful. Too short in the back and they cut me off on a weird spot on my thighs. Now comes Abercrombie shorts. I ordered this pair of split shorts for running and this pair of ultra high waisted workout shorts. Round of applause Abercrombie. I love their leggings. They are the only leggings I wear for all my work outs, but now I have shorts to wear too! The splits are short, but not too short, and they are flattering. The other shorts are not too short in the back or in the front, on my thighs. So good! I am now a proud owner of three pairs of shorts!

5.          California- I absolutely loved visiting California. It was beautiful. There is no other state like it in the US. The food was delicious and so was the wine. Check out my new blog post all about our trip, as I continue to dream about the west coast. 

T&P's Top 10 of the Week | No. 59 | Colorful Dresses, Two Piece Set, Statement Shoes, Beaded Bag and Cocktail Dress

T&P's Top 10 of the Week | No. 59 | Colorful Dresses, Two Piece Set, Statement Shoes, Beaded Bag and Cocktail Dress

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72-Hour Travel Guide to Santa Barbara: Harbor View Inn, Restaurants, Wedding and More

Over Memorial Day weekend, Alex and I headed to the west coast (the first time for both of us) for a weekend wedding! The happy couple live in New York but are both originally from various parts of California. So, they called us back to their home state to celebrate and we happily obliged. 

 

Friday:

Hopped off a plane at LAX! Took us over an hour and a half to get our car rental from Hertz/Thrifty/Dollar. It was horrible. After that painful ordeal, we drove the 90 miles up the Pacific Coast Highway to Santa Barbara. It was the most amazing drive. Straight out of the movies. We saw surfers and Malibu. Past all the houses on the cliffs, high up on stilts. We made a pit stop at In-N-Out! Our first time ever! Delicious.

Hotel: 

We checked into the beautiful Harbor View Inn steps away from the beach and all the best restaurants and wine tasting rooms. We were greeted with a complementary bottle of wine.

I was given a media rate for the hotel, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The room was spacious and comfortable. The bathroom was clean and beautiful with a tub and shower. L'Occitane products covered the counter tops. We had a beautiful terrace overlooking the pool and the harbor, hence the name. If only it was warmer, I would’ve been tanning on the balcony and dipping my toes into the pool.

The best part about this hotel, besides all the amazing accommodations, was the walkability to everything in Santa Barbara. 

We rented a car, but it sat all weekend and collected dust. 

We were steps away from the beach and the pier. We were walking distance from all the shops, restaurants and wineries on the main street, State Street and in the Funk Zone, an area with lots of breweries and casual spots for food and drink.

After checking in, we walked up State Street and grabbed Mexican food for dinner at Santo Mezcal. All our Californian friends told us we had to have Mexican food while in SoCal, so that was our first matter of business. 

Alex approved of the Mexican food. 

Everyone always talks about how expensive California is, so we were afraid about that, but honestly, the prices and the taxes were the same in New York. Expensive, don’t get me wrong, but there was no sticker shock for us.

Saturday:

We woke up at 8am eastern standard time which was 5am west coast time, so we slept in some more but still seized the day by 9am.

Alex took a run on the water, and I walked up and down State Street. So many restaurants and piano bars. Wineries, beer gardens, you name it, they had it. Bakeries, coffee shops (2 Starbucks actually on one street), consignment stores, and then everyone’s favorites: H&M, Old Navy, Banana Republic, (no J.Crew surprisingly), Sephora, CVS, Men’s Wearhouse (which we needed when Alex forgot a tie)—you get the picture. They had just about anything you could need or want.

Saturday was all about exploring. All in all, I walked 10 miles on Saturday and I’m not complaining. It was lovely. Not too hot, not too cold, just right. For brunch we had smoothies from a shop where we waited 45 minutes for our two smoothies… so I won’t be recommending it.

We met the bridal party, friends, and family for a beach welcome party Saturday afternoon. We walked the mile from our hotel. Alex played some beach volleyball, I spectated. I even got a little sunburnt in the clouds, oops.

We then walked back past our hotel and grabbed a late lunch in the Funk Zone. It’s just a little area with trendy breweries, restaurants, and wineries. Such a fun spot that we returned to later in the trip.

The Lucky Penny was great for pizza. It’s a food truck in the Funk Zone. We had the Californian which had pesto and ricotta cheese.

We then started drinking some amazing wine and beer. I had a glass of rose at the Lucky Penny. 

Next stop was Validation Brewery, right across the street. Really cool concept. The more people that order each drink, the more “votes” each drink gets and the more popular the drink becomes.

From there we hopped across the street again to Pali Wine outdoor garden. There was live music and tasting flights.

I am an over packer and an over planner but for this trip I just went with the flow. We didn't make any reservations or have any set plans. We just decided what we wanted to do everyday morning of or throughout the day. It was really fun!

For dinner we went to Louie’s California Bistro. It was about a 20-minute walk from our hotel. We walked all the way up State Street. It was a great people watching walk.

I had the filet of sole for dinner and Alex had the salmon. The fresh hot bread is divine. 

We stopped at McConnell’s for ice cream on the trip back. The triple chocolate was delicious, I had it twice while we were in California.

Sunday:

Wedding day!

We slept in, and did our respective athletic activities along the beach and grabbed brunch at Dawn Patrol. We made our own hash brown bowls. Yum! And stopped for coffees and pastries.

I took my sweet time getting ready, which is always so fun for me. 

I did my hair and makeup and then we drove over to church in Montecito. It’s a beautiful church but unfortunately very hot inside. Unfortunately for me I sweat through my dress, but that wasn’t the last of the issues with this dress. 

We dropped the car off back at the hotel after the “I do’s” and I took a blow dryer to my sweat stains. They mostly came out. We Ubered to the Cabrillo Pavilion, a mile down the road from our hotel. I walked by it that morning. A beautiful event space right on the beach.

We had cocktails, dinner and then my dress strap snapped. I was in the bathroom freshening up when the strap popped out of the socket. Lucky me.

I took the hanger strap (you know those annoying ones that don’t stay tucked into your shirts or dresses but you need them to help hang the garment) and put it over my shoulder and ran back to my table. Luckily, I had a wrap and was able to cover myself. We waited for after the first dance and the father of the bride speech and then hopped in an Uber back to the hotel to change. Just when the party was getting started, I had a fashion emergency.

I was thinking of safety-pinning the strap but then I was concerned about the other one…so lucky for me, I’m an overpacked and my overpacking came in handy.

I had a less formal, short dress, that I usually wear for date nights, and changed into that. All in all, I was back to the dance floor in under a half hour. 

But wait, there’s more. Within 5 minutes of being back, I’m on the dance floor, dancing and I get splashed with a whole glass of Prosecco, right on my hair, dress and face… I could not stop laughing. You cannot make this stuff up. 

It was a very fun party with great music and great people. 

After the bride and groom said goodnight to us all and made their grand exit, we headed back to State Street for more drinking and dancing. We went to the Red Piano for live music. So much fun! 

Besides my dress drama, my accessories were amazing. I wore my Loeffler Randall Camilla heels in platinum for almost 8 hours and they were so comfortable. No blisters or anything. The balls of my feet did hurt by the end of the night because there is no platform on these shoes and the footbed isn’t padded but I survived. My bag was also a big hit. Beautiful bag, such an elegant statement. Surprisingly it fit a lot. And 5 stars for my wrap, that I borrowed from my mom, which helped shield my dress situation from the public. 

Monday:

We slept in and had one last day before ending our trip.

We had brunch at Helena Avenue Bakery. Get the giant cinnamon roll! So delicious.

Alex found a spot on the top of the mountain that was about a 15-minute drive straight up-hill from our hotel. It was at Franceschi Park. It was beautiful to see the whole city, beach, and mountains. The mountains in Santa Barbara are the only mountains in the US that run east-west. Fun fact!

From there we drove to the cliffs on Cabrillo. 

We had a light snack and tasting flight at Margerum Wines Company, which was delicious. We truly didn’t have a bad meal or drink this whole trip.

Then Alex wanted to go bike riding. We rented bikes right across the street from our hotel. It was $7 for an hour. Pricier than Citi bikes in NYC, but I’m glad we did it! We rode up and down Cabrillo along the beach. Highly recommend.

For dinner we went back to the Funk Zone, right next to Helena Avenue Bakery, to The Lark. It’s a family style restaurant. The food was incredible and unique. It was tough to get a reservation, so I knew it was going to be good. We sat outside under some heat lamps and enjoyed our last meal in Santa Barbara.

We had the loveliest trip. It was the perfect mix of relaxation, exploration and fun. We were so happy to get to go to our sweet friend’s wedding and explore a new destination. We absolutely loved California.

 

Next summer we will be back in California for another wedding (!!!), but this time in the north of the state in Sonoma. We are so looking forward to it!

 

Thanks for reading and thanks again Harbor View Inn for working with me!

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