Spring Has Sprung

Ahhh. The beginnings of the floral-adorning, lace-flaunting, and wedge-wearing season have officially begun. This here little nifty thing, made using the handy dandy Polyvore, is a display of things I want need for this lovely and fresh and new season. What's on your wish list?

1. Essie- "Play Date"- Such a vibrant/fun shade.
2. Urban Outfitters- Lookout Sunglasses (in Pink)- Playful and versatile.
3. Monsoon- Summer Floral Clutch- Perfect for date night or girl's night.
4. Pull&Bear- Lace Dress (in Water Green)- Just precious.
5. Net-a-Porter- Rosamosario B-Amami Lace Shorts- Girly yet structured.
6. Oasis- Glitter Toepost Sandals- Beach, anyone?
7. Kate Spade- Dotz Bib Necklace- Statement necklace of the spring, in my book.
8. Zara- Platform Sandal- Just... just perfect.

Happy spring, guys!

Totes Caj

{button-up, earrings, ring, bangle, headband: Forever 21; leggings: Express; boots: Madden Girl}

I only talk in abbreves about 10% of the time. Although of that, I'm only kidding half of the time. Real stats guys. But really, you can't get more casual than an oversized button-up with some thick leggings (a.k.a. non-see-thru... we've all seen this happen to some poor soul) and riding boots. And to top it off, I finished the easygoing look with some trusty slash forever cheap Forever 21 accessories. Totes fun. Totes comfy. And totes giving you a close-up of my frecks today, my friends. You're welcome.

Long or Short?

That is the question.
I cut my hair about shoulder length a year and a half ago and absolutely love-love-loved it. But, per usual, I did miss my longer locks and have since been trying to grow it back out. I rarely go to a hairstylist to get trims; in fact, I've trimmed my own ends the past three times. I know, I know, this is like hair sin numero uno, but what's a broke college student to do? It's worked out just fine, but I'm home on winter break and my mom wants to send me to a "real" hairstylist. The anticipation of such a luxury is sending me into an anxiety haywire!
So of course I want outside opinion. In all truthfulness, I would love and appreciate any and all advice on a cut, especially from all you wise bloggers out there! Do I go with just a trim, a few more layers, side bangs, or back to my shorter, layered 'do? What do you think?
Thanks for your help, dolls!

{before ever cutting le locks}

{after the short-chop}

 {as it grew back out}

{most recent picture of my hair}

Bun in the Sun

{top & belt: F21; jeans: H&M; boots: Madden Girl; necklace: Stella & Dot; sunglasses: Betsey Johnson}

Okay okay, I know I wore these jeans yesterday, but I'm home for winter break and could only take so many jeans with me...these happen to be the favorite of the bunch. I hate playing favorites with my clothes, but for some reason I always tend to do it. Anyone else?
Anyway, I feel like I'm channeling my inner Audrey Hepburn/Carrie Bradshaw/Kourtney Kardashian/fellow fashion bloggers with this topknot bun. I've always been timid to try it out, but my fears were washed away after realizing how simple it is to throw together and how nice it is to have all my hair up and out of my face! And I couldn't love it more.

Be Happy

{graphic tee: Sans Souci Clothing; jeans: H&M; belt: J Crew; boots: Minnetonka; incredibly warm circle scarf (pictured below): Charlotte Russe; bangle and bicycle necklace: F21}

Have you ever heard that saying: "Do more of what makes you happy,"? That's what this shirt reminds me of, but in a Sparknotes version. Be Happy. What an incredible reminder to wear around all day, not only for myself, but for anyone I see, meet, come into contact with.

So often I find it so easy to slip into mundane daily routines of tasks and obligations- school, work, exercise, whatever it may be. I know if I took the two seconds to remind myself a few times a day that happiness is a choice, and I want to choose it, those routines that I sometimes drag myself through would turn into a contagious and genuinely joyous beam of light. Okay maybe that's a tad froo-la-la, but you get the picture, right? Not to say I won't have a few bad days here and there--I think that's only natural--but I'm talking about those days when I catch myself in a grumpy mood for no good reason? Be happy. That's all it takes. Happiness is a choice and an action and I choose it today.
Do you?

Lists, Inspiration, & A New Year

I've been doing a lot of thinking and brainstorming through lists lately.  I don't know why, but my brain has just been able to think clearer in this simplistic, to-the-point method of listing.  And seeing as I've been MIA from my blog for over a whole stinkin' month (um, yikes), I figured I'd try to get back into it via this new and trusty list shenanigans.

Concerning, oh, I'd say about the past month, here are things I have done and am currently doing:

• I finished my third semester at TCU.  It was not my strongest ending academically, but sometimes it's more about actually getting past the finish line. That's all it takes to inspire me to keep going, on certain occasions. At least for me. Can you tell I'm not a big school person? I'm more of a runner.
• I got a camera for Christmas, and let me tell you, this camera is perfection. It's a Canon Rebel T3i and I'm in love. To say the least.
• I got promoted from Lifeguard in the pool of our school rec center to 1 of 11 Team Leaders of the entire facility. Big step up for little old me! I'm ecstatic that I'll be able to interact and help more people on a more frequent basis. Ecstatic.
• I also got another internship in NYC for the coming summer, this time at Eventbrite.com. I'll be organizing, attending, maintaining, helping with, and social networking for all the events for clubs, charities, etc. that the company deals with in the city. I'm. Stoked.
• I've been training for a half marathon in February with my sister. Not only have we been bonding through the physical pain and perseverance, but we both also look a heck of a lot better in a pair of jeans...just saying.
• I got a New Years kiss from a complete stranger. And I did NOT like it. No further comments on that one...
• I keep getting faced with big life decisions. Not only my own, but friend's and family's, too, that I naturally want to help them with. What is this?! Am I growing up or something? I guess it had to happen eventually.

Even though all these outstanding things have been happening to me, I've been uninspired a lot creatively. Especially in my writing, in case you haven't noticed. But then I find myself getting inspired by the silliest things. Making it to a beautiful overlook while hiking with my family. Going for 3-, 4-, 5-mile runs with my sister and our Border Collie, Charlie. Watching my brothers and interact and laugh with the rest of my family, like actually, genuinely enjoying our company, for the first time in at least two years. These things all make me happy to my core, and even if they're temporary joys, I hope to remember them and embrace them when they do occur.

That, ladies and gentlemen, is my main resolution for 2012. What's yours?

Full of Grateful

{sweater: Gap, dress: Everly, boots: Minnetonka, across-the-body bag: Forever21, ring: I cannot remember for.the.life of me where I got this cutie... probably F21}

I am so utterly grateful to be in South Dakota with my best of friends, my sister and mom.  To laugh about the oddest, silliest things and eat (way too much) and pester each other and sip coffee together in Starbucks and visit sister on her lunch while she bites the bullet of working on the holiday.  

I'm grateful for the cool, breezy fall weather and these socks my grandma knit me to keep my toes warm and fuzzy when those breezes get nippier.  And for the quick phone call I had with her and my grandpa today.  To listen to their sweet voices that I don't pick up my phone and dial often enough to hear.  

I'm grateful for the hurt and hard times that only bring me closer to the people I love, and make me a stronger, smarter individual.

I'm grateful for my opportunities. My TCU education, summer internships, jobs, privileges, traveling.  For the comfort in knowing I'm rich- no no, I'm not talking in the monetary sense, but rich in love and laughter. In health and hope.  I'm rich in support and solace.  And, above all, I'm Bill-Gates-rich in family and friends.

Lastly... I'm grateful for The Hunger Games. Those books are so stinking good.  They're taking over my life (for the second time) and I'm really, really okay with it.

Happy Thanksgiving, beauties.

Birthday Blessings

{birthday cookie cake; the tastiness of it compensated for the teeny misspelling of my name}

I feel so lucky to have such amazing people in my life to celebrate my 20th year with.  Two decades of my life complete; how does that even happen?!  I had such an incredible birthday week, and even though I was hit with a bit of the post birthday blues yesterday- as well as an oncoming, brutal cold- I can't help but just be thankful for the celebrations held all for little old me this past week!  Even the littlest things mean the world to me.
And now, I only have two days of school to power through until I get to jet off to South Dakota to see my sister, who has to work on Thanksgiving, unfortunately.  My friends always make fun of me for being excited to go to South Dakota; "I forgot that was even a state," is one of the most common reactions.  My mom and I are going to keep her company around her work schedule, and, regardless of friends' remarks, I couldn't be more elated to get to spend time with just those two, even in South Dakota!

{new boots from my amazing mama} 

{what I like to call my "birthday cake nails": OPI- Bring On the Bling & American Apparel Nail Lacquer- Coney Island} 

{brown-sugar cinnamon apple crisps. so delicious. the simplest recipe ever found here} 

{a few of my great friends at my my birthday dinner Friday night} 

{a gorgeous bouquet of tulips from my mom}  

{birthday present to myself: new piercing. hellloooo industrial} 

{such a stunning sunset that I got to witness on a run last week. I took it as another birthday gift} 

{the cutest fold-over Ugg socks, knit by hand by one of my heroes, my grandma}

From Day to Night,

with denim on denim.

{denim button-up: A.N.A., denim shorts: See Thru Soul, belt: Target, sandals: Bamboo}

Versatile pieces fill up the majority of my closet.  Hence the repeat of a couple pieces in this post from recent outfit posts.  Can you find them?  It's perfect for days like today, where I can go from a casual, loungey, daytime outfit and swap a few ingredients to create a cute, sassy, nighttime getup.

On a side note, my family is going through a bit of mess.  Every family has them.  No family's not dysfunctional.  I know, a double negative.  But it's true.  Even knowing that, though, I can't help feeling a little disappointed, sad, and above all else, worried.  Sorry for the vagueness; I'm still kind of sorting out my feelings.  All I know is that this prayer has been getting me through my day.  

The Serenity Prayer

"God grant me the serenity 

to accept the things I cannot change; 
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference."

{jeans: H&M, scarf: Ann Taylor LOFT, wedges: Guess}

Life Saving Sandals

{cardigan: Scrapbook, dress: Buffalo Exchange, belt: Target, sandals: Forever 21}

Funny story about these shoes.

My first day interning at Teen Vogue last summer, I was absolutely terrified, euphoric, nervous, unsure, ecstatic, and, above all else, I was in 5-inch pumps.  Hey, I wanted to look professional!  Professionals wear high heels, right?  As it turns out, I was reminded very quickly and painfully that I wasn't a professional yet; I was an intern.  The lowest of low in the office; the coffee getters; the errand runners; the closet organizers; basically, the people without offices, desks, or even chairs at all.  

Needless to say, about two hours into my day my pinky toes began going numb.  By the time my 3 PM lunch break rolled around, blisters were popping and food was the last thing on my mind.  Instead of using my 30 minutes to scarf down a sandwich, I hobbled to the Forever 21 a block away as fast as possible and snagged these bad boys.  My feet have never been happier.  

Oops, did I say that was a funny story?  I meant tragic, with a hint of graphic.

{Thanks, little guys.}

Lumberaud

{flannel: Forever21, tank: Forever21, shorts: Nordstrom, boots: Lucky Brand, headband & stud earrings Forever21, cheesy laugh pic: me}

Today consisted of sleeping through my alarm, getting a midterm back with a big fat C on it, skipping the gym (for the second time this week...it's only Tuesday y'all), crossing absolutely nothing off of my day's to-do list, consuming my water weight in coffee, and committing carbicide all day long.

Regardless, I still look at it as a good day.  I got to start my day with a phone call from my mom, who got me up in the knick of time to get ready for classes.  Speaking of classes, I miraculously made it to all four, consecutive, hour and a half classes that demolish beautify my Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I got to watch Sleepy Hollow in my popular culture class (such a Halloween treat, especially that Johnny Depp. Yum.).  I broke out my veeery favorite lumberjack-esque flannel that was totally inappropriate in the 80 degree weather, but I was so comfy it didn't even matter, especially during the six hours of class in which I normally freeze my booty off.  Not today!  And above all, after an devastating reminder yesterday, I couldn't help but just be thankful for life today.

I hope your Tuesday was as beautiful as mine.