"I've never been so ashamed to be a crayon."

This weekend, I didn't dress up as the Black Swan as originally planned. Instead, I was a Sky Blue Crayola Crayon.

And it was so much fun.

My roommates and I all wore different colored crayon costumes while our other friend dressed up as the box. They were great costumes in that we still felt cute while not looking looking tacky (as in trashy/slutty/dirty/etc). 

We went to our favorite neighborhood bar Saturday night and were asked to be in the group costume contest. Obviously flattered, we agreed. 

One of the bouncers attempted to get everyone's attention as the contest began. He called our group first. 

NO APPLAUSE.

No one even noticed we were up there besides one sole friend who was not a crayon.

"I've never been so ashamed to be a crayon," my friend, Mike (AKA the Crayola box), sighed, bowing his head down low.

A group who dressed like the characters from the Disney movie Up ended up winning. They really looked fantastic. No ill feelings.

And we still had an amazing weekend as crayons. 

Happy Halloween everybody!

Yes. I am totally going to class and work like this. 

This is not your bed so why are you wearing pajamas?

This morning I was walking to an advising appointment when I spotted a fashion faux pas that always makes me cringe.

A guy wearing his red flannel pajama pants.

This man has the time to search for the perfect pop but not change into pants. 

He was also on the phone, and I obviously eavesdropped on his conversation. I surmised he was talking to his girlfriend.

"Yeah. I'll try to call you later today okay? But oh my GOD, I just don't know when I'll even find the time."

That's right girlfriend, he didn't even have time to change out of his pajamas so there is no way he can fit in another phone call today!

Seriously. Put on a pair of pants.

My first OOTD post!

So I have never done an OOTD post before.

But I've totally always wanted to.

A few weeks ago, one of my favorite bloggers, Ivana at Style in the City, posted an ensemble featuring a beautiful lace dress from ASOS.

I had never shopped on ASOS before, and when I clicked on the link to their website... Well. I fell in love. Head over heels.

I've placed two orders with them so far, and I cannot stop raving over the fact that they have FREE (!!!) international shipping and no tax.

Seriously. Amazing.

Anyway. Here is that lace dress from Ivana's blog that I just had to have! I LOVE IT.

Dress: ASOS
Handbag: Kate Spade
Leggings: Target
Watch: Marc Jacobs
Flats: Tory Burch

Wednesday Weigh-In

So I have been anything but a healthy eater this past week.

With the craziness and stress of midterms, eating healthy was the least of my concerns.

Because I have to admit- when I am staying up until two or three in the morning writing a paper or studying, I want to have some chocolate by my side.

It's the least I can do for myself.

Weigh-in has been postponed until next Wednesday.

Besides, I have a Crayola crayon costume to fit into this weekend. I can't risk seeing a terrifying number on that scale and having my self-confidence dashed!

I really don't want to wear that headband. It interferes with my braid.

Exactly what I needed

Sunday evening, my poor mother happened to call me during a very stressed out homework/study session.

Needless to say, I was very rude and short with her as she asked about my day, how midterms were, etc.

"I HAVE SOO MUCH TO DO! I AM GOING TO FAIL OUT OF SCHOOL. I'LL TALK TO YOU LATER!" I dramatically proclaimed.

Later that night, I texted her an apology.

I was still feeling stressy and overwhelmed at work last night when my mom randomly stopped by with a bag of containing soup, a sandwich, chips, and bread from Panera Bread.

Yum.

I love my mom! <3

Making your own happiness

Recently, I have realized that I let other people and their actions affect my mood waaay too much.

I can go from feeling very happy to very glum in a single moment.

A classmate loudly smacking gum in class will make me feel irked and edgy or a rude client at the salon might put me in a grumpy mood.

And who likes feeling irked, edgy, or grumpy?

Not fun.

I obviously have no control over how the people around me act, but I can decide how these actions will affect me.

This is awesome.

My goal for this week is to keep a positive attitude and remember that there are just some things in life I can't ever have control over.

I need to make my own happiness! :)

"You're beautiful! I love you. Marry me?"

I am spending my Sunday writing a paper and studying for my stats exam (blah and blahhhhhhhhh).

To make my day a little less terrible, I also have one of my favorite movies ever playing- While You Were Sleeping.

Is anyone else a huge fan of this 90s film?

I can remember watching it for the first time with my mom on a quiet New Years Eve in when I was probably six or seven. I loved it then, and I love it even more now.

The setting of Chicago at Christmastime is amazing. The plot is completely outrageous yet strangely believable. There are so many funny lines (see title of this post), and the soundtrack pulls at my heartstrings every time.

And to top it all off, I think this movie may have one of THE most romantic endings ever.

Oh my gosh.

Sigh.

Ahhh heavenly!

This morning, I woke up in my parents' king size bed at 10AM after a wonderful eleven hours (!!!) of sleep.

I felt so cozy and warm in their down comforter with Ellie sleeping down at my feet looking cute and fluffy.

The autumn trees outside the window looked especially beautiful in the morning light (yes, we will count 10AM as morning light), and the ceiling fan was blowing a nice breeze across my face.

It was heavenly.

The only thing that was missing was Michael Bublé appearing with a plate of chocolate chip muffins and a cup of hot tea.

Good morning!

Mom and Dad, please go out of town more frequently. I could get used to this.

A Friday evening with Eleanor May

Since my parents will be spending the weekend in Columbus with my little brother's golf team, I get the pleasure of going home tonight and enjoying some quality time with Ellie.

Ellie the pirate!

I plan on...

Grocery shopping at my favorite Kroger's where it is hardly ever crowded, and I know exactly where everything is at

Not my actual Kroger store.

Working out on my much missed and beloved family treadmill while watching TLC wedding shows

Work it!

Taking a long bath with fall scented candles lit and one of my favorite Sophie Kinsella novels.

This is totally what my parents' soaking tub looks like.

Having a glass of white wine

<3

Working on a paper that is due on Monday (Um, maybe)

This picture just made my morning.

Watching SATC episodes with Elle Belle

Love these ladies.

Going to bed early and sleeping in late

I miss my full size bed!

Happy Friday everyone!

Isn't it ironic, don't you think?

Monday night, I was telling my roommate all about my nearly decade old straightener.

"I got it when I was twelve! It's almost ten years old," I boasted proudly.

Pink straighteners make me happy.

True, I have poker straight hair, and I only have to use a straightener to keep my ends from flipping out all crazy, but ten years is still a LONG time to last for a straightener, right?

The next morning, I went to plug my straightener in.

Nothing.

No heat. No power. It was dead.

Sigh.

Wednesday Weigh-In

Whew! Wednesday Weigh-In is back and sorry for its absence.

I used to always get annoyed when people would tell me, "It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle."

I wanted to shout back, "YES IT IS A DIET WHEN I FEEL DEPRIVED AND CANNOT EAT CHOCOLATE WHENEVER I WANT! ARGHHHH!"

Of course, I never yelled that. Especially not that "Argh." How unladylike! And awkward.

But now, I have to admit...I no longer feel like I am on a diet. Instead, I truly just feel like I'm living a healthier lifestyle.

I may or may not be eating chocolate icing right now.
Okay. I totally am.

Exercise and eating better foods have become part of my daily routine. I no longer feel guilty when I indulge in a cupcake or eat after dinner (not eating after supper is probably my best advice for losing weight. It really helps).

I get this "lifestyle not diet" mentality now, but I think I'd like to rephrase it.

Losing weight begins as a diet. At first, you DO feel deprived and bitter that you're missing out on your favorite foods and can no longer veg out on the couch all day (um, not that I ever did that). But then, healthy eating and exercise just become part of normal life, and you get to a point where you accept that and also know when it's okay to indulge in high-cal food or skip a day (or two) of exercise.

Does that make any sense?

Hopefully it does.

Weight today: 136.5

38 pounds down and only TWO MORE to go!

Please let me graduate!

So my Tuesday has been off to a stressy start.

Since I am allowed to schedule my winter quarter classes tomorrow morning, I spent yesterday afternoon looking up class times.

Next quarter is my last quarter of undergrad (!!!!), and I felt my stomach drop when I realized that the final class I need for my business minor is not offered.

I quickly emailed the new business minors advisor about my dilemma, believing she would find me a substitute course and it would all be fixed.

Possibly will not be me.

Because in the A&S college, it works like that.

My little English major heart was then broken when she sent me back a simple reply saying that there were no alternatives to the class.

Just like that. A single sentence response to my crisis. Oozing with apathy.

I am working on talking to other faculty members in the business college in order to straighten out my problem since I do not plan on staying an entire additional quarter for one class that doesn't even pertain to my major.

Stress, stress, stress...!

Gee thanks Mum

Yesterday evening, my mom popped by my campus house after dinner.

When she saw the mums she had bought for our front porch were now all brown and mostly dead, she sighed, "You are going to be a terrible mother if you can't even take care of your plants!"

Not my mums.

Lesson of the day: Negligent plant ownership translates to horrendous future parenting.

Logical.

On the hunt for the perfect pea coat...

Since I have lost over 35 pounds now, all of my favorite pea coats are waaay too big.

Even my beautiful red one with the pearl buttons.

Photo courtesy of Meg Vogel Photography

Depressing.

On the bright side, now I have a reason to buy a few new pea coats! They are my favorite fall/winter item, and I like to wear ones in bright colors and vintage styles.

Has anyone found any good pea coats lately? I need help!

Making the bad things a little less awful

This quarter, I am taking quantitative analysis. Also known as business statistics and/or class that sucks the joy out of my soul.

When I enter that classroom each Tuesday evening, I feel as though I am Harry Potter, and a dementor has just invaded my personal space.

I am taking QA as a night class, which is nice in that I only have to sit through that class once each week and terrible in that the class is THREE AND A HALF HOURS LONG.

In order to get through QA class each Tuesday, I have begun these little habits.
1. Buy a grande iced pumpkin spice latte before class. Not only do PSLs taste divine, they also provide much needed caffeine!

2. Pretend like I am a member of the CSI trying to utilize statistics to figure out an international crime. This doesn't really make any sense but whatever.

3. Wear an outfit I feel very comfortable in. Three and a half hours is a long time to sit so I may as well be comfortable!

4. Plan something fun afterwards. Whether it is grabbing fro-yo with a friend or simply watching a SATC episode, it always helps me get through class knowing I have something to look forward to once class is over!

What about everyone else? What do you do to make the bag things just a little less awful?

A new artist obsession: Walk the Moon

Remember the charming guy I went out to coffee with last week?

Well, the charming guy recommended a group called "Walk the Moon" to me during that coffee date, and now I am hooked!

Catchy, isn't it?

A friend recently passed me in her car as I was walking to class and she asked, "Why do you smile and bump your head up and down while you walk?"

This group (okay, and the Hairspray soundtrack) is why!

Saturday Morning Scare

This weekend, I am staying at my parents' house with my little brother since my mom and dad are in Denver.

Our house is a complete MESS right now since my parents are having the kitchen and family room completely renovated. Seriously. I feel super stressed out, and I've only been staying here a few days now!

But anyway.

This morning, I got up early for work. I let Ellie out of my bedroom and hopped in the shower.

When I came out of the bathroom, I heard Ellie barking like crazy downstairs. Then, I heard the creepiest thing ever- a door open and close followed by the sound of male voices.

One said, "You need to stop barking!"

OH MY GOD. THERE WERE INTRUDERS IN THE HOUSE. AND ONE WAS CHASTISING MY DOG.

via

I figured the first thing I should do was put on clothes.

Then, I called my brother's cell phone. He didn't answer. Awesome.

I couldn't leave poor Ellie downstairs with the robbers so I took a deep breath and began to stealthily make my way down the steps.

In my head, I rehearsed what I would say to the robbers. Would a stern GO AWAY or GET OUT OF HERE do the trick? I just didn't know.

When I finally made my way around the corner to where I was hearing the men's voices, I found Ellie getting her stomach rubbed by my parents' contractor.

"Sorry I didn't call and give you a warning we'd be here," he said, "but we didn't get around to staining the floors yesterday."

Happy Saturday to me!

When worrying takes over your life...

One of my most exhausting problems in life is my anxiety.

Me?

I worry about absolutely everything from schoolwork to having an incurable disease. I am continuously thinking up worst case scenarios and imagining that these events will happen to me.

Mostly, my worrying has to do with some action of mine hurting someone else.

I hate this problem I have. I've done research on the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and there really isn't an easy fix to this condition.

I want meds people!

Kidding.

Maybe.

Currently, I try to make my mind stop whirling about in worrisome scenarios for a few minutes and actually think through the worrying thought logically. The weird thing is, I know I am worrying over something that's silly or highly improbable, but I just can't shut off my worry concerning the issue.

Does anyone else have a severe worrying problem?

Halloween 2011 Costume Announcement

After waaay too many years of throwing on a robe, painting a lightning bolt on my forehead, and calling myself Harry Potter for Halloween, I have decided to be a bit more creative this October 31st.

Halloween costumes are tough if you are a twenty-something woman. 

Miranda sums up a lady's Halloween costume options very well in the Sex and the City movie.

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"The only two choices for women: witch and sexy kitten."

Amen Ms. Hobbes! 

What is up with girls and women thinking it's okay to dress provocatively on Halloween? Why would you want complete strangers to see you like that?

During my freshman year of college, I knew a girl who simply wore lingerie out. THAT WAS HER COSTUME. 

Okay. I'll stop my rant now because this topic could keep me going for a while.

Back to the subject at hand here.

This Halloween, I am going to be the Black Swan!

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I can't wait to wear a tutu and try to mimic Natalie Portman's creepy face makeup.

It should be a fabulous Halloween!

A lovely start to the week

My week has been off to quite a lovely start.

At the grocery store yesterday, Goldfish were three for four dollars! I came home with regular, pretzel, and saltine Goldfish.

Delicious and inexpensive!

My bedroom smells like pumpkin spice due to my Yankee Candle Plug-In.

via

I am proud of the story I submitted for creative writing class and am excited to have it workshopped this Thursday.

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I just got my hilites done. No more roots for me!

My Hufflepuff banner came in the mail and is now hanging outside my bedroom (now known as the Hufflepuff Common Room).

I had a package from ModCloth waiting on my bed when I got home from class today. I found a pretty gray dress in Mod's "Last Hurrah" sale, and I am happy (and relieved) to report that it fits perfectly.

I have a coffee date tomorrow with someone I find very charming and funny ;)

Who could it be?

Here is hoping that the rest of my week is as splendid as these first few days!

The wonders of sleep

This quarter, my earliest class is at 12:30PM.

I've always taken early morning classes, and this is my first quarter without a single one.

And it's been amazing.

Morning classes are nice in that you get your courses done with early in the day, but I am really appreciating all of this extra sleep I've been receiving.

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My mood is happier. I feel less stressed. I can better concentrate on homework.

I am like a whole new woman.

Watch out Cincinnati.

Sleep is awesome.

Welcome October! A recap of September favorites!

Goodbye September! You were a very good month indeed. Here are just some of the things I enjoyed most during the ninth month of the year.

1. Pumpkin spice lattes: Words cannot express my love of this Starbuck's drink. I got a bit carried away for a while, but I think I've gotten to a healthy point where I only indulge in one PSL (I got this acronym from Claire) once a week. 

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2. Roommates: I moved into my campus house on September 1st, and I think I've laughed more in the month of September than I did over my entire summer. School nights are typically spent with at least three of us (there are six girls in my house) sitting at the dining room table attempting to do homework until 2AM while we laugh at things that aren't that funny.

3. Hogwarts Floor: Speaking of roommates, the two other girls who live on my floor share the same love and passion for Harry Potter that I possess. We decided to make our floor the "Hogwarts Floor" and have assigned houses to each other. We even went and bought our house banners off Amazon, and they will soon be hanging on our bedroom doors. I'm a Hufflepuff. Obviously. 

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4. Sister Wives: I absolutely love this TLC reality show. While I don't necessarily agree with polygamy, I really find it fascinating getting a look into this family's life. 

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5. Whirlybird Granola: This granola is incredible. It comes in three flavors (my favorite being chocolate- no surprise there), and each is delicious. I love that it tastes like an indulgent dessert, is healthy for you, and actually fills you up. You can visit the website here. 

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6. Statement necklaces: I like to wear a lot of simple dresses and tunics, and I find that the easiest way to dress them up is with a good statement necklace. I find almost all of mine at Francesca's Collections. 

I get a lot of compliments on this one in particular.

7. Dinners at home: Living on campus has made me appreciate spending time with my family so much more. I love going home every Sunday for dinner and getting to catch up on everybody's weeks. Of course, I also love getting to see Ellie then too.

We look just like this.

September was a nice month, but I am ready for October and all of its fall glory.