Well. It’s too late to be up. But after quietly sneaking out of bed [not that quietly because Olivia followed me] into my office to write a post about being twenty-four. A day late.

You know how people always ask you if you feel any older? And, well at least for me, I never did. Even on the big ones like 16, 18, 21. But this birthday feels different. Maybe it’s because 23 was such an incredible, confusing, miserable, and eventful year for me.

I graduated college. I was hired on at my company full-time after interning for seven months. Chris’ parents divorce began. I got married [!!]. We started paying my students loans. We bought a car [hello another loan + insurance payments]. And adopted our third dog.

I feel like I’ve shed the skin of who I was in college. And with that I’ve changed how I face decisions, deal with sacrifices, and swallow responsibilities as well as consequences. I got kicked in the face hard with reality when I left college. 23 was full of beautiful memories, life changes, regrets, and a lot of me questioning myself. I still feel scared and unprepared and unsure but I’m growing into myself. And as long as I have Chris next to me, I feel that it will all work out [or so he says ;) ]

I feel very weird being 24. [who and what things will I be looking back at for age 24?] Last year I made a “23 Things by 24 List”. I accomplished all but six of them. Haven’t decided if I want to do a 24 Things by 25 List. Life is keeping me pretty busy right now!—but I probably will once things settle down a bit! April is promising to be just as busy as February & March.

NOW ABOUT THESE BOOTS. These studded leather Steve madden beauties. I woke up Wednesday morning to find these bad boys & those pretty petals waiting for me—along with a quick breakfast before work. I doubt they’re exactly “work appropriate” but I wore them all day smiling ear to ear. The mister did good, real good!

After work, we had a quiet birthday celebration. Dinner at my favorite Mexican place and some homemade Oreo shakes on the couch while watching a Netflix flick.

xo

—

FOREVER21 leopard cardigan & white top / ALL SAINTS black racerback / ASOS jeans [on sale! / similar ] / URBAN OUTFITTERS Steve Madden boots 

[ Top - Gordman’s, jeans - American Eagle, flats - Zigi Girl , handbag - Steve Madden c/o T ]

So heres’s what’s up:

• this outfit is from last week. (casual) friday at work. meaning jeans. and lookie there…a new background for outfit photos? meaning…
• we are moved into our new house! our new, beautiful house. our new, beautiful house that is currently stacked full of boxes. and furniture. and millions of WalMart sacks containing cleaning supplies or tape or lightbulbs. we’re getting around to settling in—the kitchen, our bedroom, and our bathroom are the only priorities at this point. it’s been a nightmare to locate certain things. like hairspray.
• may or may not have developed baby fever after following series of events: picked up a bottle of Merlot, White Zin, and Post Moscato courtesy of my dad and his wonderful winery. between Chris, Melissa, and myself, we each got a bottle. it was either consumed at my house and/or in the theater disguised in water bottles that we hid in my bag. success. went to see What to Expect When You’re Expecting at the theater, courtesy of my man. was the movie good or was it the wine consumed before/during that made the movie good? or because of the brief appearances of Joe Manganiello. you decide. either way, the results: two drunk girls with newly developed baby fever jabbering on and on about baby names, etc all the way home.
• currently we have no internet. meaning no blogging. meaning i use my iphone to check my email or the weather. but i have gone through the vegas photos and hopefully i’ll have them uploaded later this week.
• and no satellite. meaning no game of thrones. or tosh.0. or keeping up with the kardashians (don’t judge). also meaning no nba playoffs.
• but we do have a back patio. and back patio furniture. it’s been amazing grilling out and having margaritas. or at night, sitting with my feet propped up on Chris while the dogs play and a (citronella) candle burns.
• really, it’s all been nice and i’m feeling pretty happy.
• (but i won’t mind if the internet/cable guy comes a few days ahead of schedule)

Flats paired up before here and here.

[ 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!