A Fresh Start for Spring

I really do love springtime. Despite the fact that I may gripe about the pollen (and as I have come to realize, the intense allergies that I have this time of the year), spring is probably my favorite season. I love getting to wear cute, warm clothes, but that there's still a breeze and it's not as humid as it is in the summer. I have started my spring time off right this year. This morning I got up and joined a gym! I found one that is about 10 minutes up the road from where I live. It's only $20 a month, which is the cheapest that I found of any gyms around me, and it opens at 5 AM in the morning. Since I am paying for it (and no, it's not coming out of Mom and Dad's wallet) I think I will be much more motivated to go and get up in the mornings. I'm super excited and I am definitely going to start this new life venture bright and early on Monday morning.

I also cleaned. Well, my minimal version of cleaning....I dusted my room and cleaned the bathroom. That's a big step for me (especially if you know me). I reorganized my dresser and thought about cleaning out my closet (although that will probably be another day).

Of course, my fresh start for spring involved shopping. I got my tax returns and purchased a couple of things to keep me fresh and happy at the start of this season.

Happy Spring!!!

Window Shopping Saturday

So, this week's window shopping is going to focus on spring and summer items. In case you haven't been following the weather, which has been quite terrifying where Mom and Dad live, it has been in the 80's down here! I busted out the sandals on Wednesday and haven't gone back since. After getting my tax returns, and still trying to decide what my next pair of TOMS is going to be, I've been looking around for some fun, warm clothing to not only look into purchasing, but to also motivate me to get my but in gear and get to the gym! I am planning to join a gym after my next set of tax returns come in. So, here it goes!

1. Michael Kors Sondra Sandal

I was unaware that MK actually made shoes in my size. But now that I have discovered that he does, I have become addicted to his shoes. I bought a similar pair of sandals to these from JCREW last year (see in a previous post), but these are much more versatile than those. I love the color of these shoes (they also come in a light gold and orange) and that I could wear them either with a pair of shorts or capris or with a cute sundress. It's a pleasure to meet you Michael Kors. I look forward to our future together. 

2. Lilly Pulitzer Jia Dress

After finally receiving my Sloane Dress, which I LOVE and cannot wait to wear!, I have become even more obsessed with Lilly Pulitzer. I was obsessed in college, but I never pursued my obsession in buying a dress. I guess it was because her dresses always seemed out of my price range and I couldn't ask my parents to spend so much money when one of them had been out of work for so long. Now that I have my own income, life has changed OH so much. :) I like this dress in that it looks like it's long enough for me to potentially wear to work with a cute cardigan. In addition, it's in my new favorite color combination, coral and turquoise. Be on the lookout for a post exclaiming my excitement when I have finally bought  this as a present to myself. 

3. JCREW 5 inch Chino Shorts

I recently purchased a couple of tops from JCREW (addiction I know) and I had these shorts in the shopping bag up until I actually checked out. I ended up not buying them, but I think once spring break hits I will be changing my mind. I LOVE that these shorts come in all different inseams, meaning now that I'm a grown up I cannot wear the super short shorts that I did when I was in college. I also love that these shorts come in different fun vibrant colors. This green is only one of the fun colors they come in (they come in pink, too!). I'm definitely going to be picking these up in the near future.

4. Talbots Watercolor Rose Full Skirt

I can hear my mother saying, "Ugh, you like that? It looks like a sofa pattern." I am not one who normally likes prints, but this is adorable. I love that this is a full skirt and that it has a springy feel, but it can also be worn in the summer. I just think it's super cute and would be a great addition to my wardrobe. :) 

It is now pouring outside. I'm going to an oyster roast at a bar with my friend today at some point, while my other good friend wants to go out tonight. Now, as most of you know, I am not much of a bar person. I'm okay every now and then, but going out is stressful for me. I think it's a combination of mild social anxiety and because once I start drinking, there's no telling how much money I'll spend. Not to mention, I always feel like a giant when I go out, unless I'm with my college friends. I have this bad tendency of having really good friends who are short. In college, that was not the case. And truthfully, my best friends from school are all tall. However, my friends in Chucktown are not. And it's raining, did I mention that? Going out in the rain is just NOT something that is appealing to me. WE shall see. Happy Saturday everyone! 

Life Update

Sorry for the hiatus.....work and work sort of took back over my life and I have been so exhausted that I have not had time to blog. So here's a quick life update.

Work: I had one of the two observations that I have left before my evaluation is over. My kids were FANTASTIC. I made them cookies because they were so good. I have my last piece of paperwork to turn in on Friday and then one more observation before it's over. THANK GOODNESS. I have been thinking, over the past couple of days, what I want to do next with my life. Grad school is a good option, but I can't decide WHAT I actually want to go to grad school for. And after next year (I am not having any major life changes until May 2013), what do I want to do? Do I want to stay in my little Mayberry town to teach? Do I want to move back and potentially teach at my alma mater? Do I want to move away and pursue a different career, possibly in book editing? I don't know. But I do know I have my unit work sample due Friday and I need to focus on that for now!

Friends: I had lunch with one of my sorority sisters today! It was so good to see Broms and hear all about her upcoming wedding plans! I am so excited for her. It's so much fun to catch up with good college friends. The best thing about it is not only catching up on life, but it's like you pick back up where you left off. No stressing or anything, it's like you have literally talked the day before. I love it and it made me so excited for her wedding. PS.....hoping this summer to rent a beach house for my birthday. If that happens, CU REUNION. Pencil it in your calendars.

Style: Lilly dress was purchased and came in! It's adorable. I have a new obsession. I want EVERY Lilly Pulitzer dress. Floral TOMS? ADORABLE. I have a new Coach bag and wallet to start off the spring, in addition to some fun earrings from Handpicked and Versona. I have been shopping like a crazy girl. But I'm excited for it to finally be warm, and stay warm, to wear all my cute new clothes.

And, finally, dating: As some of you know, nothing ended up working out with guy number 1. Totes fine with me (he was a Yankee and didn't open the door for me. Yeah, I'm serious. Hence, why I'm okay with it). I went on a little pitty party for a couple of days, but I'm back at it. Nothing official to report yet, but if something is meant to be, it will be. I'm remaining optimistic.

That's all for now! Will write again soon.

The Waiting Game

Life is full of games. One of the most typical games that people have is the waiting game. Waiting to hear about a job. Waiting to get a new car. Waiting to move into a new house. Or, as I have come to realize, waiting for someone to call after going on a date.

Up until a couple of weeks ago, I had waited 23 years to go on a date. After waiting for a rather long time, I finally did not have to wait anymore. The dating gods sent me a very nice guy to go on a first date with. And, might I add, it was a great date!

Now, after a casual couple of drinks for date number 2, I sit, waiting. There was no definite plans made for date number 3, and while I thought the conversation flowed pretty nicely and had fun, how the hell am I supposed to know what he is thinking? I mean, overanalyzing is what I do best, but, why do I have to sit around and wait? And, mind you, I am not sitting like a bump on a log and doing nothing, but it just is such a crappy feeling to not hear anything when you've had 2 pretty good dates. Waiting = shitty. I'll keep you all posted.

Super Bowl Sunday

I read my post from last year's super bowl because I don't remember where I was or who I watched the game with last year. It did not give me any indication as to what I did last year, so I guess I can only move forward this  year! I honestly don't care at all about the game. I'm watching it this year simply for the commercials. Quite frankly, if the 49ers had been playing, I may have been more inclined to watch. Or if the Packers were playing again, I would definitely be more inclined to watch.

Yesterday, I did not finish my window shopping, because I went actual shopping! First, I went to one of the suburbs with one of my dear friends and her mom. We perused at Staples, where I bought several much needed things for my classroom, before pit-stopping at McCallister's for lunch. I love that place. It's seriously delicious and I always feel a little bit better when I eat out if I eat there because their salads are so delicious. After lunch, we went to Ulta. Now, I don't usually wear a lot of eye makeup. For one, it usually flakes off into my eyes and then it's a miserable day for me. I'm a put on foundation, brush on some bronzer, blot some lip gloss, and go kind of girl. However, for my date a couple of weeks ago, my friend put just a little bit eye liner on with a little bit of mascara, and I LOVED how my eyes looked. It wasn't a lot, but it definitely went a long way. I bought Almay waterproof mascara, Ulta eyeliner, and this fantastic lip balm that's tinted, scented, and has vitamin B in it. It is the most AMAZING stuff! After Ulta, we ventured to Target, where I bought some Maybeline eyeshadow, eye makeup remover, and, of course, a bottle of wine. :) Very rarely do I leave Target without a bottle of wine.

After leaving Target, I went to meet another friend at the mall to get fitted for our tux jackets. Yes, as in tuxedo jackets. Who knew that being young, vivacious, and excited about things at your job would land you as the leader of the Mardi Gras parade for the entire school? Yes, my co-sponsor and I will be leading the parade to kick off our first "International Week" at our school. Still not really sure how we got roped into this, but we are wearing tuxedo jackets with tails, gold vests, white dress shirts, boas, and lots of beads. It will definitely be an interesting event.

After this little venture, I told Maria that we had to go to NY and Company. I haven't been in the store since I was looking for something to wear for date number 1, but I walked past trying to meet Maria, and saw LOTS of cute things in the window. They have a lot of bright colors out for spring already, which I was glad to see. I bought a couple of simple tops, one black and one pink, earrings and this dress:

I don't know what made me pick this dress up, because it's a little funkier than I usually wear, but it is SO cute on. It comes down to my knees, so I don't feel super skanky wearing it (which is a positive because their dresses are not made for long legs and above average height girls). It is flattering, and while I will probably need to now invest in some Spanx, I fell in love with it. I'm hoping that on my new dating adventures, I'll have an opportunity to wear it soon!

Speaking of dating ventures, I did get something else to wear for date number 2. After the mall, Maria and I ventured to the outlets. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, but I did find a great cardigan to go with some super cute shoes that I got for Christmas:

I love these shoes, but I have found that I don't own a lot of pink to wear them with. I wore them with a white shirt and pink scarf, but I didn't have a sweater or top or anything to go with. Yesterday at the LOFT outlet, which I am now in love with, I bought a lightweight long sleeve cardigan that matches this pink to a T. As I was checking out, I stopped by the jewelry counter and found a pink and black necklace that is adorable. New black Tshirt, new pink sweater, and cute new pink and black necklace? Perfect option for date number 2. :) 

Window Shopping Saturday

I decided since renaming the blog, I would devote this entire window shopping Saturday to my favorite store, Nordstrom. :)

1. kate spade new york 'crystal confetti' long necklace

I love the combination of green and gold, almost as much as I love Kate Spade! This necklace is adorable and definitely getting me in that "I'm ready for spring mood!" And the best part? Right now at Nordstrom, it's on sale!

2. kate spade new york 'anchors away' mini stud earrings

I am on a bit of a Kate Spade kick at the moment, I know. But I am also on a bit of an anchor-kick. I feel like the nautical style is coming back. But I also like that these earrings could be paired with any color and a long necklace all at the same time. They aren't super expensive, and I definitely think they would be fun for spring.

I think I'm going to save the rest of the window shopping for Sunday. I've got to go actual shopping to find something cute to wear on my next date!

The Dating Games

I know in my last post, I partially explained why I have not dated in my 23 years of life. But now, I feel that I should further explain why I think the "rules of dating" or the "dating game" is so contrived and silly.

First of all, if you like someone and want to see them/talk to them, there should not be an amount of days you have to wait before contacting them. This whole "Oh, wait 3 days before calling" is such BS! Because as adults, life gets busy and what if in 3 days you end up having to do something for work, or you have a presentation, evaluation, or something else life will throw at you and you can't actually pick up the phone to call/text? And then, what happens if you do in fact want to call/text, but you are literally booked up all weekend, so you can't make plans for the upcoming weekend, but you also don't want to call/text to make plans for 2 weekends away.

Second, I know that this is the 21st century and so it is totally appropriate for the girl to make the first move and call or text the guy first. I mean, hell, if you really are interested, usually, I feel, the girl IS the first person to make the move. But I'm sorry, I'm 23 and have not really dated someone. Is it wrong that I want to be pursued? Is it wrong that I want to continue to believe in chivalry? Chivalry is NOT dead, for those of you who think it is. :) I mean, in my head it is not dead.

Now, I'm sure you all are wondering why I am blogging about this a week later, after I've only had 1 date. Well, folks, I was asked on date number 2 on Wednesday. :) I thought I was going to have a work commitment to help out a friend today, so when he asked to go to lunch today, I had to try to reschedule. After discussing our pretty busy schedules, we are meeting for either a quick bite to eat and/or a drink on Tuesday night. (I have to go downtown for a sorority meeting, so it worked out well). Although, I am a little peeved that my plans for today ended up falling through, so in theory we could have had lunch today, I did not want to seem flaky and be "Hey, my plans ended up not happening, so let's go to lunch today." Whatevs. Date 2 is set.

Again, despite the fact that date 2 is set, all these rules and stipulations are so stupid in my opinion. I was reliving all of my past "dates," that is to say, all the times in college that I was set up for a date function, and I realized how much I have grown since college. Yes, I'm still the same awkward but lovable turtle, but after going on a date where I was NOT completely wasted before meeting the guy, I'd say I was pretty cool, calm, and collected for me. We will just have to wait and see how date number 2 goes!