School, Sew, Run

These are the 3 things I have been up to lately...

School - I got accepted into Graduate School! Starting in January I will officially be a student again! I am very excited! Lately, however, I have begun the task of figureing out how to manage my new student-status along with my other responsibilities such as working full-time, being a caring and present spouse, and of course continuing my sewing. I know I will have to use my time more effectively, which ultimately is a good thing. I am also a bit concerned with weather. Indiana winters can be a pain. I am thankful that I have dear friends I can stay with if weather is bad. I also plan on saving up vacation days in case I get stranded in Indianapolis for a day or 2. If weather is awful, and I can't make it to class, that will have to do. I value my education (and the money I spend on it), but I value my life more! So no need to worry Mom and Dad! :)

Sew - Oh man, I have been a crafting machine lately! I've been finishing up a project involving crinkle- stuffed animals. This project took for.ev.er. Small tedious projects are not my thing... but it did improve my hand stitching and applique. I still haven't figured out the blind-stitch, but I will eventually. Anyway, I finally finished the project a few days ago! Hooray! I am now on to making making masks for a masquerade ball the the husband and I are going to through my work! After that I am making a gift for a friend that is getting married, and then I will make my first dress for myself! I have everything bought for it - I just need to make it! I also have a friend getting married in December and will be throwing her a shower/hen night and helping with wedding decorations. I can't wait! Obviously Sewing will have to take a back seat to school, so I hope to get a lot of it done in the next few months!

Run - I am up to running 18-20 minutes and walking 16! I am pretty proud of myself! I haven't noticed a change in the way my clothes fit, but that is okay. I have been eating too much bread and chocolate... so it is my fault. I like having more energy though.

On another note, my former roommate from college just got married in Barbados and I couldn't be happier for her and her spouse! I watched the video of their nuptials during work today. I cried, smiled, and laughed; all the hallmarks of a good wedding in my book. I know their marriage will be even more beautiful! Congrats Rose and Joe!

In Summary...

Sorry to take such a long blog vacation, loyal followers (all 20 of you)! Let me re-cap what I have been up to in the past few months:

• Studied and completed GRE (I did well enough)
• Applied to graduate school
• Picked out a pattern for a dress I am going to sew (my first!!)
• Started walking in the mornings 3 times a week
• Took a vacation to DC
• Watched 5 seasons on Bones
• Worked
• Paid down loans
• Got a smartphone

Overall, these past few months have been pretty productive! of course it could have been more productive, but let's not forget that this girl loves naps, watching the same movies over and over, and being lazy. Also, I have the feeling that I will not be able to be lazy like this forever, so I might as well enjoy it while I can!

On a completely un-related note, I just have to say that lately I have (once again) realized what awesome people my friends are. Sorry to brag, but these folks are not afraid to follow their passions no matter what. They inspire me to strive to be the woman I want to be professionally, socially, and intellectually. It's surreal how much we have all grown in the past year. I am so proud to call my friends just that!

Turning a new leaf... again.

Over the past 2 months I have digressed in my life change. I have eaten way too many sweets, given up exercise, and have not been watching my portions. Suffice it to say i've fallen off the wagon. Is it disappointing? A bit Am I going to beat myself up over it? No. It is a '2 steps forward one step back' kind of thing... so at least ive made it one step!

Now that I am once again committed to a healthier me, I have decided to try a few different things. I am taking the advice of this article I read in Eating Well magazine and setting goals. My goal is to make it to a size 12 by losing 1-1 1/2 pounds a week. Of course my ultimate goal is to be healthy and have optimal cholesterol and triglyceride numbers, but losing weight will help me achieve that goal! I am also going to give myself a reward. When I reach my goal I will be able to go to a neighboring town to buy a cute vintage dress!

I have also just started an online journal to keep track of the foods I eat. I tend to think that if no one sees me eat unhealthy things than it doesnt count. That way of thinking has not served me well over the past couple of months, so it is time to change. By writing down all that I eat I have to face the fact that all food I eat contributes to my health.

I also need to start exercising again. Last week I walked to work all week. Doing little things like this is a goal that will help me achieve better 'good' cholesterol levels, which I need in order to be happy. Exercising also gives me more energy throughout the day.

All of this leads me back to you, my support system. I will need you to encourage me and be there for me while I get things back on track. I know I can count on you all to help me live better... you have all been wonderful so far!

Thanks!

[Insert Clever Title Here]

Sorry i've been MIA lately friends! Many things have been happening here for the husband and me. Here is a quick run down:

• Ive started therapy again! I like my therapist so far; she seems to know her stuff and she also tries to make things fun. Plus she called me smart. :) I'm doing therapy for my anxiety.
• My sister's baby shower is next week (yay!!) so i've been busy preparing for that as well. I can't wait to see her and Baby Girl!
• The husband and I have paid off about 22% of our school loans! 3% more and we are upping the allowance we give ourselves each month! Woo-Hoo!!
• Our anniversary trip went splendidly! We piddled around small towns, ate out a lot, went to a state park, and finished the weekend off at Apt 16's Werewolf Bar Mitzvah Party. We had SO MUCH FUN!!

Ill post pictures of our fun times soon!

What Outfit Makes You Feel Your Best

Last week Mrs. Attempted Domestication, Ms. Apt 16, and I were discussing the new real Simple magazine. Well, more like drooling over it. I didn't have anything to offer to the conversation since I hadn't read it yet (my mom gives me her copy when shes done reading). I have since read it and agree that it was FANTASTIC! Mrs. Attempted Domestication came up with the glorious idea that all three of us blog about the editors question of What outfit makes you feel your best?

If I were 9, I would have said a sweat-suit (matching with my Granny of course).

If I were 12, I would have said baggy Nike Shorts and an over-sized t-shirt.

If I were 15 I would have said a child sized goodwill t-shirt and my holey Mudd bell- bottom pants.

If I were 18 I would have said 'anything my friends would tell me'.

Right now, at the age of 25 I would have to say the outfit I feel best in is my teal 1940's inspired dress I got at Banana Republic in 2008. The dress is perfect for me: it highlights my natural waistline, has ruched shoulders, and falls perfectly at the knee. It is also silky and oh so comfortable! I bought it on credit for my cousins wedding when I was a VISTA and making 9,000 dollars a year. I justified buying it because it was on sale (as is everything I buy at BR) and because it had been such a rough year for me I decided that I deserved to splurge once in a while. Even though it might not have been the responsible thing to do, I believe it was the right thing to do. Ive had the dress for 2 years and still feel gorgeous in it!

I have worn the dress to weddings, swing dancing, and to a housewarming party I threw for myself! When I wear this dress I am completely in my element. I put seamed stockings and small heels on , and complete the look by adding a vintage hairstyle. This is when I feel my best (however, a close second are my pajamas. When I get home from work everyday, the first thing I do is change into a comfy nightgown).

What outfit makes you feel your best?

Swingin Weekend!

No, not that kind of swinging, swing dancing!

This weekend the husband and I are meeting some friends down in Indy to go swing dancing! I am very excited! I've been daydreaming all week about my hair and outfit... here is what I have so far:

Hair: Faux victory rolls as taught by Lisa Freemont. This style is so easy to achieve with my haircut (called a middy) and it looks kick-ass.

Clothing: Not this is a bit more difficult to decide because most of my cute dresses don't fit very well these days. However, I am thinking that I may wear my wedding dress with a colorful cardigan. I'm hoping the cardigan will make it look less 'wedding-ish.' Seeing as it is was a casual wedding dress, I think I can pull it off. Plus, I really want to wear my awesome petticoat again! Im debating on the fully-fashioned seemed stockings. Oh, but if that doesn't work out I have a back up dress.

Shoes: Something stylish and comfortable!!

Arm Candy: Husband

The last time we went swing dancing we got our picture in the the local newspaper; it was so fun! The above picture is me in all my vintage glory on that night (40's inspired dress was bought at Banana Republic).

And now for something completely different; congrats to Rosy and her live-in for a successful move to Chicago! We are slowly and surely becoming adults. I am very excited to visit her this summer so I can see her place and have her cook me a delicious meal!

Well, I am off again to search for the perfect summer dress... wish me luck!

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*Note: Myrtle, my fish, is miraculously still alive! He is mostly dead, but as we all know there is a big difference between mostly dead and all-the-way dead (for those who don't know that Princess Bride reference, shame on you!)*