Back at the keyboard again

 Guys! Big news! For the past month or so, I've been working my rear end off looking for an apartment and this weekend, I'm moving into my first big-girl place with one of my best friends! On the way to the place tonight, my mom had this epiphany that I should start blogging about the tons and tons of things I've learned in my first year of life after school. I have learned a lot, and it's stuff that I think might be foreign to many of my fellow not-a-girl-not-yet-a-womans, so stay tuned for  (hopefully) lots of new content and sage advice from yours truly.

Completely swooning for Kate Spade

I know it's no secret that Kate Spade is completely fab and very hot right now. And like everyone else, I totally love it! But today at work the rest of my co-workers learned my love for the brand. I was walking back to my desk and passed by my co-worker's office. As I passed I totally gave another co-worker's bag the up down and apparently was not very discrete about it. I completely go called out. It was a little embarrassing and a lot funny. If I didn't have loans and a car payment and all those other random expenses that come with semi-adult life, I would totally be in the Kate Spade store every two weeks blowing my paychecks.

Life's a beach

I am headed to Tampa for Memorial Day in just over two weeks and I could not be more excited! I know it's only been seven months since my last trip to the beach (South Carolina, I love you), but after the crazy winter we've had, I need an escape and I really, really need to catch up with my big sis! I can't wait to jet off (I love flying) and spend four days in Florida with my (sorority) sister and my boyfriend. As I've fantasized about it, I've also been trying to plan what I'm going to pack (and buy) before the trip. This would be such an ideal outfit for a day at the beach.

 

earrings// sunnies //hat //bag//sandals//dress

Life lately

I have taken quite the hiatus from blogging. I guess I just haven't been very inspired lately. I don't know. I'm hoping once I get in the rhythm of blogging, I'll post more frequently and have more ideas on posts.

Anyway, here are few snapshots of my past few weeks ... mostly just of my latest shopping endeavors :)

 I have been eying this dress for MONTHS! I'd say for the better part of a year. A few of my favorite bloggers have posted about it and I've been waiting for a good sale and it finally happened ... two weeks before my boyfriend's graduation. I can't wait to wear it this weekend!!

 Two weeks ago, my boss took all of my co-workers out for lunch for Administrative Professionals week and my whole department got me a gift card to The Limited - my FAVORITE! I stocked up on a fab leopard pencil skirt and this beauty. I've been looking for some new necklaces and this one is great for my mostly black-and-white work wardrobe.

 I've had this necklace for a few months and I wear it all. the time. Again, mostly black and white wardrobe. It works great. The dress in the background is the more recent find. It's from Target and super cheap and bright and high quality and I can't wait to wear it with my jacks and at work and just everywhere. Navy and pink is the perfect combo.

 I can't get enough of May Designs. Their Instagrams are the cutest and I love the tons of patterns you can choose for your notebooks. By the time you're ready to check out, you've got a totally one-of-a-kind journal! Obsessed!

And for good measure, here's a picture of my Daisy girl. How cute is she?

To the class of 2014

Fifty-one weeks ago, I slipped on a black, polyester robe, curled my hair and pranced across that stage like I was the queen of the world. It was the moment I had been worked toward for 18 years and all I wanted to do was cry my eyes out. I was a college graduate. What an accomplishment! Gosh, I was so sad.

Today, my Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat were filled with photos and messages from my sorority sisters as they got ready to go alum. I really empathize with them because one year later, I feel the exact same way they do today.

I still long for a night out with my friends as we ran into every person we knew. The singing, the laughing, the gossiping.

When it's nice out, I gaze out my office window and wish I had one more day to walk around campus basking in the sun and reveling in this perfect life I had.

My four years in college really were perfect. I know I'm still young, but I really feel like they'll be the best of my life. I met my best friends there. I grew up there. I found my passions there. I gained confidence there. I learned to love myself there. Although every day wasn't perfect, my time there will be irreplaceable.

Looking back, my  college experience can be summed up in one night. The week of graduation. My sisters and I had enjoyed one too many margaritas and we were lying on our quad reminiscing and planning our first reunions. I was so happy at where I was in life but so terrified and so sad that it was all over. It's still hard for me to describe that time in my life. All I can say that it was perfect. Every tear, every bad grade, every embarrassing moment, every frustration was perfect.

Although I'm telling you that you'll still be sad a year from now, I can say that it gets better. Life is great! I have a good job,  an amazing boyfriend, new hobbies, a new car, new clothes and a self respect I never would have if it weren't for those four years. Even though you'll miss your home every single day, there is life after college. You just have to make it happen.

Adventures in not-so-healthy eating

Yesterday I wrote about my attempts to step up my healthy eating game. But before I made the decision to eat more fruits and veggies, I had quite the culinary adventure in St. Louis.

Matt was home on spring break last week, and it was great seeing him after work. We made plans to go to trivia with some friends and made a night of it by finally trying Pappy's BBQ in downtown St. Louis. It did not disappoint. It's got all the hole-in-the wall barbecue staples —checkered tablecloths and Styrofoam everything, and it's just got a great atmosphere.

And then we got our food ...

... And it was divine!! To me, it says a lot when meat has such good flavor that you don't need to add sauce. This was definitely the case for Pappy's pulled pork. But, I am a huge barbecue sauce fan, and all four flavors are unique to each other and completely delicious. My pork was complemented with fried corn and the best sweet potato fries of my life. Yes, I totally broke my no-fried-food lenten promise and my diet, but I have absolutely no regrets.

After dinner, we had a little time before trivia, so we checked out the Flying Saucer right by Busch Stadium. It had a huge craft beer selection, so I knew Matt would love it, but it certainly was not what I expected. The space was gorgeous — wood paneling, cool decor and nice lighting. And I loved the beer selection. I had a raspberry beer, an old favorite from Belgium. So so good and such a fun night!

Adventures in healthy eating

This week, I really started to become frustrated with my weight-loss progress. Yes, I've lost seven pounds and kept them off for about 3 weeks, but I really need to keep losing. Now that I've got some motivation to keep running (I've run six more miles and lifted since my last post), I'm going to add to that by kicking healthy eating into gear.

I'm relatively healthy for breakfast and lunch. I eat LOTS of spinach and fruit, but dinner is hard and the weekends are almost impossible. I eat out and drink lots on the weekends. I decided that limited drinking and eating out on the weekends will help me shed pounds faster.

I also had a ton of motivation to head to the store and plan meals in advance for the week.

 We bought some amazing chicken sausage that went great with whole-wheat pasta and red sauce. I also stocked up on fruits and veggies, Skinny Pop and hummus. I had never really had it before, but it's great with carrots!

It's 9 p.m. Sunday and lunch is totally ready for tomorrow and breakfast should be a snap. We also have a breakfast and dinner schedule hanging on the refrigerator. This will really help me stay focused on eating healthy throughout the week. Today I also spent three hours cooking for the week.

This cup of green beans should last for two lunches. I cooked them in olive oil, salt and pepper.

I divided this chicken into three, 3.5-ounce servings. It's cooked in olive oil, fresh garlic and lemon pepper. It's 122 calories per serving.

Fruit salad, yummy yummy. This mid-morning snack is about 65 calories. 

I'm very excited about my Monday lunch. I cooked quinoa for the first time, and it's pretty good. I mixed it with a serving of chicken and a half-cup of fresh green beans. Obviously I had to sample it, and it tasted great! Can't wait for lunch.