[ 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.

[ Sunnies, sandals - Old Navy, top - Forever 21, shorts - American Eagle, bag - Steve Madden ] 

So I’m a bit behind on posts and my mind is so jumbled from the crazy weekend (graduation! graduation party!) and now from this hectic week (working full time!). This was from Friday. After my last final and before we jumped in the truck to go help Chris’ dad move. 

Weirdly enough, I am not a sunglasses person. I own only three pairs—these, my fake raybans (seem before here), and gold/nude sunglasses (seen before here). I just never buy them and if I do, I forget to wear them. But this my 100th outfit post and to celebrate I popped out my Queen tee! Also, my bangs are too long.

What’s been playing on my Pandora station:

Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, You Da One by Rihanna, Perfect Mistake by Cartel

[ handbag in fawn - theit, top - mom’s, sunglasses - forever 21, shorts - abercrombie & fitch, flats - gap ]

The nude flats (from this post) are out for the bright, sunny, and hothothot weather. I wore this out to my parents for the Easter weekend. I should also address here is, yet another, favorite item I thieved from my mom’s closet—this striped long sleeve. Maybe I should start a tag dedicated to outfits featuring all the clothes I steal from her…

Also take a small notice at that new handbag camera bag! I’ll do a proper post for all its glory—but here is the thoughtful gift Chris gave me for my birthday. It’s a beautiful Theit camera bag, and I can finally carry around my camera without worrying about damaging it! It’s absolutely perfect to store my camera along with everything else I toss in my bag! Love, love it. Big props to my man!

Awkward moment of the day: Realizing the soap in the bathroom you’ve been using for the past three weeks is actually hand sanitizer. But it explains why it was so slippery and hard to wash with.

Plugging the #stripesarebest for previous striped outfits!

[ Cardigan - BDG via UO, romper - Forever 21, boots - Gordman’s, bag - Steve Madden ] 

Spring break is over and even though I spent the whole week working, I have to admit that I’m not ready to go back to classes. If anything its made me feel even more ready to be done with school and start working full time.

My weekend was amazing. After coming home Friday from work, Chris whisked me away on a secretly planned date night. On Saturday, we packed up the pups and spent time with my family and my newly arrived sister (and her two adorable little girls) who is here visiting for a few months from Germany! And tonight, as an early birthday gift from T, Chris and I may end up going to the Thunder/Heat game. I feel so lucky to be surrounded by such a great bunch of people in my life.

Cardigan paired before here. Boots worn previously here. I was lucky to snag this Steve Madden satchel—$98 at retail price for $18 courtesy of T. 

*Click HERE to see if you won the 50% off at Sugarlips!

[ Sweater - Forever 21, romper - Old Navy, ring - Express, moccasin boots - Forever 21 ]

It’s Monday and I’m looking at my planner & to-do list and I’m smiling. I took my last midterm today, I have no homework for the night—and can just sit on the couch all evening, catching up on shows with Chris. It’s a big smile, guys.

On Sunday, Chris and I had brunch down at my parent’s house. Waffles, bacon, and eggs. Then as it rained, we worked in the garage on a light box project made from wood. My dad and Chris are quite the carpenters!

The rain passed (come back!) and the weather nearly reached the eighties today. I can’t believe what little of a winter we had! Psh, already showing my (ghostly white) legs this early in the year…

Romper paired before here.

[ Blouse - Image, top - Forever 21, pants - BDG via UO, flats - WalMart ]

These are shots from Tuesday. Since my and Chris’ anniversary is so close to Valentine’s Day, we don’t usually do much celebrating of V-Day. Our romantic evening included eating $1 McChickens, sharing french fries, and a movie marathon. He knows how to please my heart (and stomach). Good man!

I spy another WalMart find! Remember my WalMart find from the summer? This little dress! Well earlier this week I was waiting on some photos to print, I stumbled upon these $14 dollar flats. Now, as you already know I am all about wearing black—and I have seven pairs of black flats. But I’m so picky about the ones I buy that the last pair of black flats I bought was three or four years ago! So I was thrilled to find these shoved onto a shelf. I love the soft imitation leather and the contrast shiny toe—aka a great find!

Moment of the day: Monday it snowed. Monday it was very cold and very windy. Monday I had to go across campus to take an exam. Literally ten yards into my journey, I tripped and fell into a snow drift. Snow/water filled the insides of my gloves. Snow/water completely drenched my pants. Only 120 yards left to go.

Awkward moment of the day: The lady administering the exam notices my wet pants and pink nose, “It cold outside?” I give a polite fake laugh. She tells me to put my backpack against the wall, I dump it and my soggy gloves on the floor against the wall. The lady then says,”Oh honey…you have grass all down your backside.” Yeah, I’m just here to take my exam please.

[ Cardigan - BDG via UO, top, leggings, boots, bag -Forever 21, necklace - unsure ]

I really can’t tell you how glad I am that its February. Because I’m assuming that unlike January, February won’t be back to back to back bad days. I’m in that spot where things seem to be piling up fast and its starting to overwhelm me.

How I “cope” aka yesterday:

• Think. Keeping thinking. Over think.  Make lots of lists.
• Drive home, under the speed limit, listening to the same two songs on repeat (and thinking “these artists really get me”) for an hour drive from work. 
• Only to get home aggressively run two miles on the treadmill listening to angry music (and thinking “these artists really get me”). 
• Which leads to brooding in the shower until all the hot water runs out when all I’ve managed to do was wash my face and shave below the knees on both legs. 
• Put demands on Chris. Like two of those insanely delicious Valentine’s Day sugar cookies from Panera and pizza and a depressing movie (which wasn’t so depressing and quite good). And cuddling too, dammit.

Oh, and I get my hair cut/colored this weekend (good) between doing endless amounts of homework (bad) and studying (bad) and the superbowl (good—but only if the Patriots win).

Coat and shorts -Forever 21, sweater and tights - local, top - Silence and Noise, wedges - Deena & Ozzy

Things that I don’t understand and don’t want to talk about:

• This outfit. It looked better in my head.
• Keeping up with the Kardashian’s. Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami. Kourtney and Kim Take New York. Khloe & Lamar. Why can’t I look away?
• When professors invite undergrads to a party at their house. How it’s “professional” but someone last year “totally dumped Everclear into the punch bowl” and it got “totally crazy”. Teacher/student boundaries, please. Unless there’s bonus points.
• Oklahoma State. The BSC. National Championship.
• How flattering it was to be complemented by a nurse at my gyno appointment. Just to clarify, nothing dirty.
• Why children’s toys are so expensive. Barbies that costs $26.99. Between Chris and I, we are buying for four little girls. I’m going to become that cheap aunt that never sends gifts or money in cards real fast
• Returning this top because of Chris’ severe discomfort/confusion over the back. “No, no. It’s just weird. I don’t like it. Where would you even wear it?”
  
• Things I do when I have alone time at the house. Like watch every TLC wedding show and special (Nick & Vanessa’s Dream Wedding) that aired while eating more than half of the leftover chocolate pie. With no pants on.
• 20 more days until NBA basketball. Can’t.Wait.

Poncho (from this post!) - ASOS, scarf - Forever 21, boots - Old Navy
Camera c/o my dad: Nikon D3100

this week = midterms

What have I been doing? Well. I’ve been buying textbooks, reading textbooks, high lighting in textbooks, carrying textbooks, re-reading and memorizing textbooks.

I’ve been making lists on what do to and when to do it. I’ve been juggling studying between coursework and actual work. I’ve been sending out birthday cards (when did cards get so expensive?). I’ve been noticing my “black spot” (aka my roots growing out) becoming more and more noticeable. I’ve pulled out my tea kettle again as well as my long sleeve shirts. I’ve (okay, mostly Chris) been teaching Ossie to catch frisbees in the air.  I’ve been spending too little time at home.

I’m happy with how well I’m doing in classes and loving my internship/job, but I’m tired and I’m romance starved. I’m ready to spend a solid day/night with my man.

I’m ready to catch my breath, if only for a day.

Goldfish umbrella - gifted, cape - Old Navy, top, leggings, boots - Forever 21
Camera c/o my dad: Nikon D3100

The weather forecast is rain today, through the weekend, and til Tuesday. I’m huddled up for another weekend in the library, this time studying for midterms instead of writing. It’s so empty here on Fridays and Saturdays. (What? College students usually go out and binge drink on the weekends?) I even have a semi-routine going now. I bring snacks, a comfy hoodie, and big fluffy socks to change into once I slip off my shoes. I find a secluded spot and plug in my earphones then get down to business.

Been listening to Jack’s Mannequin new album since Tuesday. And, pop over to my friend Alex’s blog to watch this video about the album.

On a different note, I’m dying to plop down on my couch and catch up on all my shows that recorded this week. Dexter, Boardwalk Empire, Real World, The League, & Project Runway. We recorded the pilot episode of American Horror Story on FX, anyone watching that? It looks different and c’mon, it has Dylan McDermott. Haha, reliving my crush on him from the 90s when he was in Steel Magnolias and Miracle on 34th Street.