Crazy week!

Hi all! I've been away for far too long! Two weeks ago today my grandmother died, she was in pain and I am in peace knowing she is in a better place now. So I had to fly home unexpectedly on Thursday. I was supposed to fly home the next Thursday for a wedding so I just decided to stay for the week. It was so good to be home, but my routine that I love so much was thrown out the window. My anxiety was hitting me full force and my stress level had skyrocketed. It was hard to stay on top of the schoolwork I had to do for my online classes. I did manage to have a really good week though, I connected with some old friends, saw a lot of people, took a shift at my old job, and went to a good friends wedding.

 

Sunday morning my half brother and I went to see Divergent. I LOVED it. I absolutely love the books and the movie was such a great adaptation. I honestly think it's a better series than the Hunger Games. The main character is so brave, it's actually really inspiring. Go see it and tell me what you thought! The soundtrack is also worth checking out.

I wore this Anthropologie Vernalis Maxi Dress to my friend Laura's beautiful wedding this past Saturday. I paired it with a scalloped bolero jacket from Target a few years ago because it's Michigan in March, AKA still cold!

The Look for Less

Let's be honest, I love Jack Rogers. Their quality is great and their marketing is on par. 

But... I can't always spend over $100 on a pair of sandals when I can only wear them 

several months out of the year. Enter: Hot Cakes. 

This shoe company has a look-a-like version that is spot on. 

Check it out:

I love the gold pair, I think this will be my staple summer shoe!

Do you have Jack Rogers? Are they really worth the price?

Desk Essentials

Working from home two days a week and taking online classes has really made me think of how I study/work. I always curl up on the couch and proceed to get distracted by the TV, then I think it's time to light some candles, oh now I should vacuum. It's not good. I decided I needed a real work/study area. We have some room in the bedroom for a desk so here's what I got:

Kate Spade XL Desk Eraser. But it HERE.

#whistlewhileyouwork Pencil Set from Design Darling. Buy it HERE.

Hustle print from Design Darling. Buy it HERE.

One Day at a Time Notepad set. Get it HERE.

 I love, love, love this notepad set!

Ashley Brooke Designs Mug. Get it HERE.

Flash Furniture Ghost Side Chair. Buy it HERE.

 

Linnmon Table from Ikea. Buy it HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{Frozen}

I saw Frozen maybe a month ago and I fell in love. Not since brave have I been so inspired by a strong willed Disney Princess. And the fact that they addressed the 'love at first sight' conundrum within the Disney universe made me so happy. The soundtrack is gorgeous but one song really sticks out above the others, Let it Go. I've pretty much been listening to Let it Go on repeat, on the metro to work, at work, running after work, you get it. There are so many beautiful versions on Youtube that I have begun to discover. Here are some of my favorite versions:

This is the original version from the movie!

Let It Go - Frozen - Alex Boyé (Africanized Tribal Cover) Ft. One Voice Children's Choir 

How amazing is that little girl?? I get shivers listening to her! Such a great interpretation and spin on the song!

The Demi Lovato version is a frequent pick on my music playlists!

Let It Go/Let Her Go (Frozen/Passenger MASHUP) - Sam Tsui 

This mashup is very catchy, one of the new versions I've discovered. 

This is another video from the Disney Animation page, it's Let it Go sung in multiple languages, it's very cool to hear the differences!

Getting fit!

Guys, I'm on a mission.

After watching Allyson at the Rock 'N Roll Marathon last week I decided I needed to kick my training into high(er) gear. My asthma has been a lot better since I started running more, I think I just needed to get my lungs used to that kind of work again. I'm going to start teaching swim lessons again and I can't wait to get back in the pool, that was the best lung excersize I've ever had. While trying to get myself in the mood to run and swim I realized one reason I've been hesitant to do it is because of my inadequate workout wardrobe. 

It may sound vain, but I don't really feel like working out in ripped leggings and an old t-shirt. I want to look cute (and sweaty as all heck) while running. I've been drooling over some new training clothes and I think before my race next month I will purchase a new outfit. Here are some of the things I've been crushing on:

 

 HA! How perfect for my race in DC! You can find one (and tons of other cute tanks) HERE

I don't usually go for this brand, but I read some reviews of this top (plus an endorsement of it from a coworker who also works a Lulu) and I fell in love. The ruffles on the shoulders? I die. Come on, it matches my blog background! Find it HERE

I saw a lot of runners in tutus! How fun! I am all for a great way to jazz up anything, including working out! I may be ordering one for my race! Check it out HERE

KT Tape is a lifesaver. I have terrible arches and I get bad heel spurs, and this stuff actually helps a lot. They have a ton of videos on Youtube on how to tape for the problem you may have. Buy the take HERE

Swimming is my first love, I have been teaching lessons and coaching for about 5 years now and I love it. I will always teach part time! I love being in the pool and getting my aggression out with some hard core butterfly. Swimming is definetly my sport. 

I own this suit by Splish and I get so many compliments (and laughs!) on it! You can get one HERE

What are your workout essentials? What makes you feel fancy when covered in sweat/chlorine?

NOLA!

My good friend Allyson and I have been planning last weeks trip to New Orleans since last spring! We bought tickets in the fall and have had the hotels booked for months. Allyson went to run the Rock 'N Roll Marathon and I was supposed to run the half but my training didn't go over so well (darn sports induced asthma!). We ended up having an amazing time. I hadn't been to New Orleans in almost ten years, so it was like I was discovering it again. Thanks to some great tips from a coworker we made it to some pretty great spots!

Photo by Allyson Putt

See more:

101, in 1,001

73. Take a calligraphy class. (in progress)

Yesterday my good friend Kathleen and I started our online calligraphy class from Skillshare. 

Since she is in Michigan and I am in Virginia, we used Google Hangouts screenshare (awesome, BTW).

My mom and I bought her the class and supplies for her birthday, and as a treat I bought the class and supplies for myself so we could do it 'together'.

The lessons are easily laid out and the instructor goes nice and slow for beginners (plus she's gorgeous and she gets so excited about calligraphy). 

So far we've been loving Skillshare and I can't wait till we have time for our next class!

Check the class out and make sure you order the paper she suggests, my notebook totally bled through!

I'm Baaaaack!

Wow. 

It has been a whirlwind couple months. 

I staffed my second American Model United Nations Conference as the president of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.

I ran the Turkey Trot 5K in Detroit on Thanksgiving day.

I finished the semester strong and the day after my last final I got on a plane with 4 giant bags and moved to Washington DC!

I celebrated Christmas by traveling pretty much all over Michigan.

Then I went to Chicago for the Alliance Management Institute (during the polar vortex, UGH!) and became a Certified Nonprofit Professional (and had some awesome deep dish pizza). 

  

Now I'm finally back in my apartment and trying to get into a routine.

I never really realized how much I depend on routine, even at my old job where I could be at any of our offices (or a combination of all three!) in one day, I still knew I was working tomorrow from this time to this time. I realized I crave routine, and now that I am settling into the new place I am trying to create that routine!

My new routine includes blogging more and I will be sticking to it!

Apartment Decor

There's less than 4 weeks until I move into my new apartment in DC! I cannot wait! I've been drooling over throw pillows, sheets, candles, and general decor. Here are some of my favorites:

Washington DC Metro Poster

The Metro and I might not get along but I love this minimalistic print from Etsy.

Gold Wishbone Wall Hook

I love this for keys/coats next to the front door or in the bathroom for towels.

Waterfall Ruffle Duvet Cover 

Sigh. I am so in love with this duvet cover. 

Del Mar Knob

I plan on buying a couple of these to spice up an Ikea dresser.

Passport Toss Pillow

I would love to have my two homes on toss pillows to throw on our futon!

101 in 1,001 - Recipe binder

I found the perfect recipe binder. Emily Ley paper never ceases to amaze me. I have had my eye on her Simplified planner for some time now but when she introduced the new binder this past summer, I was an unpaid intern who needed to buy groceries and not pretty paper. She posted an AMAZING deal on some imperfect planners and I am in love. I will start using it full time in January, it's currently sitting on my desk looking pretty.

So, Emily Ley has some amazing sales. I've been on the lookout for Christmas presents and I saw a great deal on her Simplified Recipe binders. Well, I had to have it. And I purchased extras for gifts. 

 

When I ordered I didn't really know what the inside of the binder looked like but when it arrived I was pleased to find a large D ring that was large enough to hold ALL of my recipes! 

I love Emily Ley's online shop, check it out http://www.emilyley.com/