So remember this post? Well, I wrote another ”My Last Hundred Bucks” detailing last weekend’s damage but this time I made it official and submitted it to The Billfold. Lucky for me, they took it. Read my article here!

internet not available until: june 11th. must find a way around this.

[ sweater & white top - American Eagle. pink top & chiffon skirt in coral - Forever 21. shoes - Nine West. heart ring - Topshop. handbag in fawn - Theit*. ]

I’ve been back at work this week. Back to the 530a wake up and the hour long commute. Back to breakfast and juice in the car while I’m waiting at the stoplights. Easy to say, I miss the long easy days of being on Vegas vacation.

The funny (or ironic, or ridiculous) thing is, I thought that once school was over I’d have more time. To myself, with Chris, with friends. I have read four books (already 1/3 done with #21 on my goals list) but have completely neglected working out and blogging. Spent early nights talking in bed with Chris until we both unintentionally drift off from exhaustion. Enjoyed hours passing by as I sit on the couch listening and exchanging stories with my best friend. It’s been a hard adjustment from seeing her twice a day during school to our current schedule—me working days and asleep super early while she does a summer class and works nights. 

I keep finding myself rolling the same questions in my head: when will I settle into this new rhythm? I look around and admire those around me. Dealing, making it work, owning it. I want to get there—feel in control of my life again. My answer is the new house (that we move into over the Memorial Day weekend!)

The house is closer to work (by like ten or so minutes, nothing hugely significant) and offers so much more space. Chris and I can go back to eating at a table again. This means more time together, more home cooked meals (it’s insane how alluring drive thru’s or take out is when your energy seems nonexistent), and less money spent eating out. In our house we are in now, our kitchen has so little counter space we had to fold down our table so we could have somewhere to put the microwave and an area to chop vegetables/etc. We can also move our gym from its current location, in the detached garage, into one of the spare rooms in the new house. I can’t wait to get back on the treadmill without choking on the muggy and humid heat. (Reminder to self: time to invest in new running shoes) And lastly, I want to save and buy a big, comfy, and vibrant colored reading chair to put into my office in the new house.

I’m ready to get to feeling in a routine again. The packing, unpacking, sorting, and decorating will ease a lot of the anxiety I’m sure. But I can’t wait for all the other things that this house can offer—time by myself, time with Chris, and space to finally entertain guests.

*Here are some shots of the beautiful camera bag Chris bought me for my birthday back in March. I’ve been using it like crazy because it’s so versatile. I use it whenever we go off somewhere and I plan to take photos (the inside padding protects my camera) and I use it when I go to work, taking out some of the inserts and putting in my planner and moleskine.

[ Packing list & outfit planning doodles ]

Monday morning I’m heading out to Las Vegas (along with Chris, my two sisters + one hubby) and I can’t wait to arrive.  Even though the temperatures next week in Oklahoma are supposed to be close to 70s°, I’m ready to feel the hot weather of Nevada with open arms.  Packing for a trip is hard enough, but deciding between what’s more fun to wear or more practical for what we’re doing (more than just gambling—can’t be wearing a dress and heels to go zip-lining!) is challenging. Despite all the activities and pool side lounging we’ll be doing, I may end up sneaking in a more formal outfit before the suitcase is all zipped up and ready to go.

Here’s a look at the items that I’m bringing along with me to Las Vegas!

[ Outfit 1: Forever 21 top and belt, American Eagle bag and shorts, assorted rings and cuff ]

[ Outfit 2: Forever 21 top and shorts & Old Navy leopard flats ]

[ Outfit 3: Express Top, Victoria Secret bandeau swim top, Forever 21 shorts, Old Navy sunnies, Forever 21 Threaded Thong sandals ]

[ Close up of previous outfit / Outfit 4: Dress, Old Navy hat & leopard flats ] 

[ Outfit 5: American Eagle top, Forever 21 sunnies & jean shorts, Old Navy tassel sandals ]

[ Night outfit: Forever 21 top, BDG cigarette jeans, Alloy heels ]

[ Polishes I’m/will be wearing: Revlon’s 932 Copper Penny, 950 Top Coat, 915 Creme Brulee ]

[ Pool wear: Victoria Secret Bandeau Swimsuit, Forever 21 sunnies, Old Navy hat, Hollister String Bikini ]

[ All the sandals being packed ]

[ Beauty Essentials: Paul Mitchell Color Care, Bath & Body Works lotion, make-up bag, Elf brushes c/o Lipstick & Stockings, MaryKay Ulitmate Mascara, and Clinique base ]

$100! It is a lot of money, and yet, it is also not a lot of money at all. Where did your last hundred bucks go, Alissa?

$8.13: 12oz Baked Potato Soup from Panera with French baguette with two extra baguettes. I could eat this everyday.

$69.13: Essential groceries, detergent, and shower stuff. Oh yeah, and a new dog toy (this crazy looking orange pretzel) for the boys.

$12: Fee to take my online class final. It doesn’t matter that I already paid for books and tuition for the class, it still costs $12 every time I take an exam. This was the third time. 

$5.40: Revlon ColorStay Liquid (eye) Liner. I cringed as I ran my debit card at the cash register. I could buy a Subway sandwich with that money. Or a matinee movie ticket to see anything other than the Avengers because its hype (and the fact that Scarlett Johansson is in it) is killing me.

$6.24: Mother’s Day cards and photo prints at WalMart.

*Idea thieved from The Billfold

[ Cardigan - Old Navy, top, trousers - Forever 21, shoes - Old Navy ]

Yesterday I…

• made Chris get up with me at 530a as I got ready for work.
• found Ossie snuggled back in the bed when I kissed him goodbye.
• sent something special back.
• attended my first Monday morning meeting with the entire division.
• was being killed by my allergies. 
• drank my body weight in water.
• stopped in the bathroom before leaving work and realized that I rubbed the majority of my eyeliner off my eye. but just the right one.
• missed some good friends.
• didn’t fold the fitted sheet because I’m pretty sure it’s impossible.
• planned for a date night out but didn’t.
• ended up in sweatpants on the couch watching River Monsters (one of Chris’ shows).
• fell asleep during River Monsters. woke up half way through River Monsters.
• crawled into bed at 9.

Cardigan and shoes paired before here.