What I Wore #1

Similar to my weekday wardrobe last week, I'm starting to just kind of document my outfits by the week. That way, I can look back and see what I'm wearing a ton and what outfits I really like (and which I don't!)

Don't judge my bathroom phone selfies.

Monday

Dress: Marshalls (Similar); Cardigan: J. Crew Factory; Bracelet: Talbots (Old- Similar);

Shoes: Marshalls (Similar)

Tuesday

Dress: Loft (Old-Similar); Shoes: Marshall's (Old - Similar); Glasses: Warby Parker; Bag: Longchamp

Wednesday

Shirt: Banana Republic (Similar); Skirt: Banana Republic (Old - Similar);

Bracelet: Gorjana (Similar); Shoes: Same as above

Thursday

Dress: Marshalls (Similar); Blazer: Target (Old - Similar);

Shoes: Target; Necklace: Forever 21

Friday

Shirt: Forever 21; Skirt: Hollister (Super old - Similar);

Bracelet: Target - Similar; Shoes: Wannabe Jack Rogers

PS: Check out that perefct J. Crew sleeve roll!

Saturday Night

Shirt: J. Crew; Shorts: J. Crew Factory;

Bracelet: Gorjana

 Saturday Dinner

Shirt: Banana Republic - Similar; Skirt: Forever 21 (Old - Similar);

Shoes: Wannabe Jacks

Starting a New Adventure

Lately I have been in a mental panic about my future. As has everyone else over the age of 20. But with Andrew deciding to go to portfolio school and my future location resting in his hands, I have been a little more neurotic than usual.

I walk the line between being excited to be a grown up in a cool city somewhere and have my own place and finally get a puppy, and being absolutely horrified. I'm afraid of going somewhere I've never been. I'm scared to try and find a job (doing what, I'm not sure) and I'm scared nothing will work out. I want to be supportive and have an open mind but it's hard when there is so much uncertainty, and when it feels like so much is out of my control.

When Andrew updated me the other night on his top choices, I finally spilled my concerns to my parents. When I thought they would be concerned that I could potentially move far away, they were actually very supportive.

They assured me that my potential locations were all good choices and that I shouldn't worry about it. They expalined that when you're young and have only yourself to be responsible for, it's okay to travel and have adventures. It's okay to move far away and live in a big city, because when I finally do settle down and start a family, there won't be time for that.

They made me realize that there will be plenty of time later in life to make responsibe decisions and be lame. My twenties are my time to go live 8 hours away and take a subway to work and take myself to J. Crew with all my big girl paychecks.

I was really worried about being so far from my family, but now I have a little more confidence that I will be okay taking this adventure in a year or so with Andrew. I am scared. And nervous and afraid. I hate not having everything planned to the detail and not being able to call all the shots. It's so far away but it feels so close at the same time.

At this point, I take things one day at a time. I can't plan things out and I can't want to be in control all the time. I need to have an open mind and an open heart and be willing to discuss and voice my feelings and concerns and stay as positive as I can.

I'm only twenty. My life should not be laid out in front of me. Part of the fun is the journey and all of the twists and turns along the way. I'm learning how to be brave and face them without completely losing my sanity along the way.

Weekend Relaxation

What I desperately needed this weekend was a lot of relaxation and time spent on myself. Work has been sucking the life out of me and I just needed to rejuvenate. And that I did.

Friday night I met my friends at a bar on the Lake and had a margarita followed by a beer or two. It was so nice to just laugh and enjoy the music and drinks on a pretty summer night. I really do appreciate hanging out with my friends and it made me so happy.

Saturday morning I woke up and went to the farmers market with my dad. It's one of our favorite things to do together, and we got so much fresh food, it's almost ridiculous.

I love it there and it's so exciting to come home with so much fresh food to cook with. For dinner we had lemon pepper talapia with fresh zucchini and green beans. I die.

After the market, my dad and I stopped for bagels and coffee at Brueggers, another one of my favorites. I swear they have the best iced coffee in Rochester.

My mom and I spent the afternoon at the Pittsford Plaza buying a few groceries (sunbutter, pretzel rolls and kettle corn) at Trader Joe's and then spent a lot of time at Marshall's and T.J. Maxx.

And my shoe shopping obsession finally came to an end. For months now I have been searching for a pair of sandals remotely similar to the J. Crew Mari Sandals. As in, a neutral pair of heels. I looked everywhere and then some more, and today at Marshall's I found these Franco Sarto ones. Perfection. (These are a little similar).

Now I just need somewhere to wear them.

And then I came home and me and Andrew took separate naps in different rooms of my house. Yes.

Sunday morning I woke up to my dad's homemade pancakes. My absolute favorite. And then the entire family (plus Andrew and Edwin) headed to the outlets where I picked up two pairs of shorts and three tees. There was so much more that I wanted, but I couldn't bring myself to buy anything knowing I will be at the Kate Spade outlet in Rehoboth.

It was also super hot. After we got back (and I inhaled half the food in our pantry) we headed over to our close friend, Ryan's house to swim and soak some sun. It was exactly what I needed.

This weekend was perfect and exactly what I needed. Now I just need to push through these next few weeks before we escape to Maryland for a whole week.

Magic Summers

Every few years, I get, what I like to call, a "Magic Summer." When every get-together with friends is perfect and I am perfectly happy and I'm actually looking forward to what lies ahead, but also just really loving the present.

The first Magic Summer I can remember was the summer before seventh grade (circa 2004). I just remember having so much fun with my friends and so many end-of-the-year parties and so much excitement for finally starting Junior High. lol. That summer seems so far away now, but I always remember it as one of my favorites, even if I'm not even friends with a lot of the people I hung out with then.

The next Magic Summer I can remember was the summer after I graduated High School. The Honeymoon Summer. At that point, I formed a solid group of close friends -- all of which I am still close with -- and we had so much fun and bonded so much. It was also the summer I started hanging out with Andrew, making it an extra special time.

And now this summer feels magic to me. A few of my close friends didn't make it home for the summer, but with the friends that are here, everything is perfect. Maybe it's because we're all acting like adults during the day, so we're super welcome to relaxing and hanging out at night, or maybe it's because this is our last real summer together before we have to be real people, but the times I've had this summer are some of my favorites.

It's sad to think that after this, I probably won't ever have a real summer break again, but I'm positive that there will be more happiness to come in the future.

Weekday Workwear: 1

Dress: Loft (Old) Similar, Cardigan: J. C. Penney, Necklace: Loft (Old) Similar, Shoes: Target, Bag: Longchamp

I really love when other bloggers do outfit posts, so I figured I would start, too. 

This is one of my favorite dresses from Loft, and it fits perfectly. And the wedges are my absolute favorite. Please disregard the fact that I am in the bathroom at my work. We have nice mirrors.

Finally Getting Excited

 

Last year was tough on me. Although I had so many amazing experiences and grew and matured so much, the growing pains actually hurt a lot. I finally separated myself from cheerleading and started creating an identity that was completely my own. It was tough, but in the end, I am very proud of and happy with the person I am becoming. (Because let's be honest, I might pretend to be a fully functioning adult, but I am not even close in some respects).

 

One thing I am so excited about is the way I was able to create friendships that mean a lot to me and with people who make me feel my best. For the first time in a terribly long time, I am actually excited to go back to school. I have frineds that I have been in touch with all summer and who I have plans to see before the semester even starts. For the first time EVER I am moving in before the last possible minute. When I was cheering, I would move in the night before I had to be ready to practice, and even last fall I moved in the night before the first day of class.

 

This year I am moving into my apartment the weekend before classes start. I know, such a big deal. (lol). But for me, being able to force myself to be at school and having fun like a normal person is exciting.

 

And the fact that I get an apartment off campus is SO exciting to me. All summer I have been collecting things and ideas for decorating and for things my roommate and I will be able to do. It's so weird, thinking that I will be (almost) 21 and able to just casually go for drinks after work in the city if I want.

 

The fall is also one of my favorite times at school. I love when it's still warm outside and when I have so little to be worried about with my work. Fordham is always exciting in the fall because it's the first of everything. The first day of class, the first football game, the first night out.

 

And no, I'm not a wild party animal, but I am excited to hang out and go out with my new friends. And I'm super excited for Senior Nights to start. (Read, getting dressed up and going out on the last Thursday of every month, fueled by Fordham U).

 

I'm really excited to be a senior in general. Not a common sentiment, I know. I don't want to be a senior because I am not ready to try to be a functional adult, because I'm not. (Apparently, grown adults don't open doors on their faces and get bloody noses. News to me.) I'm excited for the excitement and for everything to be about me and my classmates. I remember my senior year of high school so fondly, and I have heard from so many people that even though college starts off rough, senior year is always fun. And I'm really really hoping that's the case for me.

 

Of course, I'm nervous and frightened and stressed out, but for now, I just can't wait to finally have the college experience I've been waiting for.

 

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4th Of July Recap

 

I say it every year, but the Fourth of July is honestly one of my absolute favorite days of the year. This year I went up to my friend's cottage on the Lake and almost died of happiness.

 

Wednesday evening after work we rushed out to the cottage, blasting Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke (it gets better every time, I swear). Despite the muggy temperatures, we spent the whole night playing games and drinking and laughing. Being in such a wonderful and beautiful place with the people I have known and loved since grade school is one of the most amazing feelings in the whole world.

 

Thursday we woke up to showers which quickly cleared and the rest of the day and night was gorgeous. I obviously got burnt, because I apparently can't handle sunlight, but it felt so good to be outside I didn't even care.

 

The night ended with wine and chocolate cake and fireworks over the water and I was just so content and happy I could have cried. Days like that, when all conditions are perfect, happen so rarely that when they do it's just the absolute best feeling.

 

It was the happiest I've felt in a long time and I'm already trying to figure out how to get back there as soon as possible.

Happy Fourth: Gone Lakein'

 

Like most Americans, today is my favorite day of the year. I don't know what it is, but the Fourth of July has always ranked high in my list of favorite days of the year, second only to Christmas. Probably because it happens during the nicest time of the year and it is so universally celebrated here.

 

This year I will be spending my holiday up at the bay, as I have for the last three summers. I love that lake. I love the boats, the water, the people, the wine. I'm totally looking forward to this mini vacation, which will be preparing me for my real vacation in three weeks.

 

Happy Fourth!

Wishlisted: July 2013

As June comes to a close and July comes flying in, it brings in real summer. 80 degrees is a normal temperature, it's perfectly okay to wear sandals everywhere and drink margaritas on the rocks on Saturdays by the pool. And it's okay to do a little closet updating for the season, too.

So obviously, there are a few things here and there that I've been eyeballing. And July might just be the time for me to finally invest.



links: Warby Parker Preston Sunglasses;  Coach Factory Romy Bag; Dogeared Elephant Ring;  Joe Fresh Silk Short; J. Crew Mari Sandals

I'm absolutely obsessed with the subtle blue in the tortoiseshell sunnies, and those silk shorts would be perfect to wear anywhere.