Bloomin'

While I'm so excited to be in between houses, I'm unable to grow the herbs and flowers that I've grown used to starting up around this time of year. I can't wait to not only have an outdoor area (being on the second floor, we really only have a couple window sills right now) and to have some hanging flowers, flowers in window boxes, and maybe, just maybe, a small plot in the backyard with herbs, and veggies! I have so many antique bottles begging for some fresh cut flowers. And some recipes asking for fresh herbs. I suppose in the meantime, I'll just have to share some inspirations with y'all. Happy Monday!

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Happy Birthday, Mama

Today is my mom's birthday and in celebrating it from afar, I just wanted to let her know that...
You are the best. You put up with me, took care of me, rescued me, taught me, guided me, lead me, inspired me, saved me, and made me who I am today. You lift me up everyday, even when I don't know that I need it. I will never be able to thank you enough.

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I don't know what I'd do without you. I love you.

Happy Birthday!

<3 Your favorite daughter :)

Spring has sprung... for today.

I love the weather up here in PA, sometimes. I can say this because it's constantly changing. Today, we hit 70 degrees and I wore my flips (flip flops) to school for the first time this year(!). But the forecast is calling for snow on Wednesday. So with that in mind, I'd thought I sneak in one last bit of winter fashion that can also be worn during these awkward springs. A Christmas present from the boyfriend's mom has sparked my infatuation with scarves. Not the wool-y kind or the knitted kind, but the lightweight fabric kind that can worn, like I said, even in the spring. I've started a small collection* and have worn them with several variations of outfits and can't wait to start pairing them with cooler weather clothing. Here are some of my inspirations.

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This is perfect in the winter-I actually have a white one that looks just like this.

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I love this whole outfit; shoes, jacket, tights, bag, scarf and all.

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The sweater/sweatshirt thing is great for the weather up here- keeps ya warm, but not too warm.

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Getting a little fancier! See what I mean about them being worn with anything?

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I know I'm repeating Kim K. but the gal has some fashion sense. I want this whole ensemble. 

Again, perfect for today's weather, and even a little cooler.

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I want this scarf pretty badly. All mine are simple with little to no pattern, but this floral design is darling.

*PS- I know I'm probably way behind the times with this trend, but at least it's still "in" enough for me to enjoy it, while it lasts.

Happy Monday!

Kitchen

In the spirit of going to look at a house this weekend (finally!) and now looking into the possibility of being able to buy a place (more or less a "flipper"), I thought I'd share some kitchen inspirations. I'm well aware that some most of these are waaaay out of our price range and will be for some time. But it's nice to look at, right?

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I love the words above the sink area. Such a simple reminder of what the kitchen is all about.

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I'm loving these dark cabinets. They add such depth and warmth.

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Love, love, love the backsplash and the stonework around the oven. It's so bright and happy in here.

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The funny thing about this space is that it looks remarkably like the one we have now. We even have the plants on the window sill and the same style chairs. We're not allowed to paint though, so our space is currently a little "drabbier" than this one. 

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 I'm also really into gray in kitchens, and any room for that matter. The brick-ish backsplash is so classic, and goes with the marble (a nice alternative to granite) so well. Note the dark hardwood floors too. Love.

Birfday.

I turned 23 on Tuesday. It was a fantastic birthday, but it not only made me feel old, but really made me miss my kid birthdays. (Don't worry- I looked just like this. Curls and all.)

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We'd have the kids over for cake and hot dogs or hamburgers my dad grilled, then came the classic pony ride party (I got to feed one a carrot!), then Chuck-E-Cheese or Celebration Station, then the mini-golf parties (especially popular in Florida, while living in a golf course community-go figure), then the Disney World trips, about 4 (also while we lived in Florida). I got to ride in the front of the monorail, and Goofy talked to me on the phone. And no, it was not a recording...ya it was; he's really busy!

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My mom plans on living in Minnie's pad (above), or the castle. Whatever works.

After Disney, I didn't really try to top it and I honestly don't know if I could. Props to my parents. They went all out. My mom was the best at bringing the food in for the class. She made these amazing cupcakes in ice cream cones- pretty original at the time, and a huge hit with the kiddos, and me.

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They've also kept the tradition up of making me chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast and homemade noodles for dinner, even if I can't make it to their place on my birthday. But on my own, I've kept it pretty simple. For my 21st, I had a really laid back get together with my best friend and some Key West shrimp I made and Blue Moon. While this birthday was amazing-I got to spend it with my boyfriend and had a darling lunch with the family last weekend and my best friend made a special blog post that caused some waterworks, I'm realizing that the pony rides are over. The time has come for grown-up parties.

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And I'm okay with that. At least I have my chocolate-chip pancakes to count on.

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Growing up.

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Growing up feels more like madness than anything else sometimes. Spring break is ending and I don't feel very productive. We got some leads on places to live but with time running out, we still don't have anything set in stone. Which is getting to both of us. Not to mention trying to balance my workout routine that I've timed so perfectly (not) with school that's finishing up is also getting to us. One would think the end of school relieves and not stresses. But it adds SO much more pressure to finish strong and make sure that you actually finish (graduate). Most of my college career, I've had the attitude that if I didn't do well or needed to drop a certain class, I'd just take it next semester. There IS no next semester anymore! This is it! And while it's so exciting and I feel like it can't come fast enough, sometimes it scares the you know what outta me.
I've been taught for 5 years how to succeed and move up in the world and now, we're being thrown out into it and I'm not sure that I can do it. Maybe not right away. But there's a opportunity for me to do so right away and if I miss it, I'm probably not going to get another chance for a good while. I don't even want it for the glory; I not only want to be able to live a comfortable life, but to be able to contribute to that life with my boyfriend, his life, and our future, which includes kids, and their lives.
I think that's another thing that growing up is teaching me- it's not just about me anymore. There are other human beings whose lives and happiness can sometimes depend on me. My boyfriends life is constantly affected by me, which I've realized I need to try harder to improve. While we continue to be so blessed, have an amazing life and much to look forward to, it could be taken away very quickly. We need to remember this in all our lives.
A lot of lessons have been learned in the last year. I was in a very different place not long ago and I don't care to think about where I could be had it not been for those lessons, my family and friends, and my amazing boyfriend. I'm the happiest I've been my whole life and I cherish the things I have and try not to think about what we don't have (yet). And I know everything will work out the way it's supposed to.
My mantra has always been:

With this much happiness and this many good things in my life, I really have no room to complain or worry. 

Life is good.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend- have an even better week. And remember to...

Swimsiut Season

I've started to add some more reasons to my new working out routine. Besides just being able to fit in some pants in order to save money, I also want to be in shape, stay that way and feel good! And... I wanna tan this summer. Last summer, I got a wicked sunburn in the first month of work and was dodging the sun for weeks, not to mention hot showers, little-too-tight clothing and sheets. When I was finally starting to lose some of my color (the tan, not the red) and was ready to soak up some sun again I had 2 unexpected surgeries that left me without a gallbladder, four really attractive scars on my tummy and a doctor's ban from swimming AND tanning for at least 2 months, which at this point was the rest of my summer. Needless to say, I was one sad, pale little girl. It didn't help that my boyfriend works at the marina on the docks all day and looked like a bronzed angel all summer, and for many months following. Well, the tables have turned- in my urge to organize just about everything in this apt. yesterday, I found a coupon for one free tan at a salon a couple blocks down from me. Was this a sign? I think so.
My attention has now turned to swim suits! My boyfriend's sister and their brother's girlfriend were looking at Victoria's Secret ones the other day, making me not only jealous, but even more ready for summer. While I don't plan on spending that much money on one, I do like to look. And it only fuels my fire to shape up. Here are a few inspirations.

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This one might leave some funny tan lines, but the color and design are so cute, I wouldn't even mind.

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I love the simplicity of this one, and the ruffles. I dunno how I feel about the white- might have to break this one out after I get a good tan.

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I pretty much love all of these (minus the zipper one). I've never worn the strapless style before but these are darling enough to make me wanna try.

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A little random, but in the spirit of getting ready for summer, I couldn't leave these off. And you better believe I'll be rockin' em all summer. :)

Step it up.

Yesterday, we went house hunting (didn't find anything) and we also stopped by the lake resort where I'll be returning  in about 2 weeks. Which means the following:
~ I need to lose about 5-10 lbs. Yup- in two weeks.
~ I need to do it before I buy new work pants since last season's pants are never gonna fit again.
~ Despite these things, I'm super excited to get back to work. :)

I started working out last night; turns out our cable includes several (and by several I mean hundreds) of workout routines, many under 10 minutes, which is perfect for my attention span. I did 3 of those today and, no exaggerating here, can already feel a difference. Only problem is, I'm on spring break. Will I be able to keep up with these when school picks up again? Odds (normally) are, no. But my boyfriend is an amazing motivator and has already recommended running at our local state park tomorrow. So I'll have little room for excuses. And really, if I don't shed some of this post-surgery weight by the time I start work again, I'll need to buy all new pants, then when I do reach my goal weight, I'll need new pants again. Which is mula I don't have. So I just have to look at it that way.
Anyway, I recently read in a magazine that you're not supposed to dress for the job you have, but for the job you want. I won't lie- during my internship at this place, I didn't dress like anything but an intern. But with my graduation coming up and returning for a third year, I think the time to step it up in all areas, including attire, would be now. Here are some of my inspirations.

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I love, love love, these pants. I just need em in khaki...

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Something like this would work! Especially for the colder temps we're still having.

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I want these pants, with these shoes. Please.

Which brings me to my shoes...

You may have noticed a theme here- we're required to wear khakis and brown shoes. I went through three pairs of brown flip flops last summer and with Old Navy's amazing deals (2 for $5), I plan on stocking up.

crocs.com

I've been thinking about making the switch to Crocs, and this particular pair is the "toning" kind (which is all the rage), and with as much walking around as I do at work, they could be worth the investment... just maybe later on in the season.

White Picket Fence

Through numerous searches of apartments, townhouses and actual houses, I came across one place today that has two things I wasn't even really aware that I needed wanted- a porch and a fence. The porch comes with a porch swing (score!) and the fence out front is simply adorable. I've always loved white picket fences but not until today did I realize how darling fences truly are. Case(s) in point:

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So now, not only do I have a new-found love of fences and another place to showcase flowers, but I've added another unattainable item to my house hunting checklist. My poor, patient boyfriend.

Spring Break

It's Spring Break...! And while most of our peers are aiming to not remember theirs, the boyfriend and I are going house hunting. I won't bore you with our sad story and the endless search, but I will share some inspirations for the bedroom that I've been getting excited to recreate in our next (or next-next-next) place.

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Love the layout, the hardwood floors, the beams, the fireplace, the over-sized bedside tables and the bed itself. My best friend actually sent this to me because she thought I'd like it- she knows me well. :)

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I really like the bed and the chaise, and the color of the room. Of course, I would love to have a fireplace and an attached bathroom. Probably not gonna happen for a while, but it's still pretty to look at.

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This is more in our price-range; love the headboard, the cute quote and sconces above the bed. Not a huge fan of the color but still love those hardwood floors.

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I like this color a little more; it's still bright but not as obvious. I really want to make a headboard like this, and have a chandelier similar to this one.

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I love these curtains and the sitting area(s). I know we won't have enough room for something like this right away but I pretty much love everything about this space.