It's nice to see you again, Fall

For the most part, summer in St. Louis has been pretty mild. We wore jackets on the 4th of July and had maybe one or two days with 100-degree temperatures, which is very rare for St. Louis. I definitely can't complain about this summer's weather, but I'm still so happy that we got our first taste of fall this week. Some of my favorite things about the falling temperatures have included:

1. Awesome running weather The temperatures turned very cold Thursday — just in time for the three-mile run I had planned! I finally got to break out my long sleeves and enjoy the crisp air filling my lungs instead of the thick, humid air I've grown accustomed to during my half marathon training. I could get very used to running in this weather. My long run Saturday was just as enjoyable and I even stayed relatively cold throughout the ten miles, which was a nice change of pace (pun intended).

Shameless selfie to commemorate my first double-digits run. So many endorphins. So many miles.

2. Pumpkin flavored beverages Friday was another chilly day and I had a little time before work so I obviously stopped at Starbucks. I was ready to walk in, order my first PSL of the season (possibly ever) and celebrate the fall-y Friday, but I caught a glimpse of the calories and I just. couldn't. commit. (self-five for the self control). Instead, still feeling very festive on Saturday, I opted for a six pack of pumpkin beer. For some reason, I feel much more comfortable consuming empty, pumpkin-flavored calories if there's alcohol involved. This Sam Adams seasonal certainly does not disappoint.

3. THE CLOTHES I've made a few purchases to amp up my fall 2014 style, but I'm so happy I got to break out some of my favorites from last year. First and foremost: my riding boots. I've had my Lands End brown leather beauties for three years and they are a staple of my wardrobe for sure. I might have jumped the gun a little bit Saturday — fleece, flannel and leather boots was a little much once the sunny afternoon rolled around, but I looked good so that's all that matters, right?

Denim Day at work + Fall temps = a leopard print and blazer kind of day

A 'positively' new blog title

Wow! Has it really been almost three months since I last posted? What an insane three months it's been. Summer 2014 will definitely go down as one of the busiest/craziest/most wonderful times of my life. A lot has happened, including the big 2-3 and with it, (well, two months later) a new blog title. I felt that I could not lie to my dedicated readers (hi, mom and Matt) by continuing to call my blog "Twenty Two in St. Lou" when I most certainly was not 22 anymore. 

So... welcome to "Positively Katie"! Why "Positively Katie"? Well, Ive always prided myself on being a positive person. Positivity is always one of my answers when someone asks me what my strengths are (a more appropriate answer than tequila-shot-taker, Netflix marathoner or overly-obsessed-dogowner). It's also something I genuinely try to incorporate in my everyday life. Yea, life is hard sometimes. You work long hours at work and sometimes feel under-appreciated, but at least you have a job. It's raining the day you have tickets to the baseball game, but at least it's not 100 degrees. Am I right? To me, having a positive outlook makes all the difference in life, and it's something that I'd love to encourage and share with others. So, as my inaugural post as the author of "Positively Katie," I'm going to share a few things I've been struggling with lately and why, in spite of those things, I'm still doing pretty darn good.

For the first time in my life, I'm really struggling with money. I've had a job since the day I turned 16, so I've always been able to go out to eat, buy drinks and indulge my love of clothes. But, in the past nine months, I've added a car payment, student loans and an apartment to my list of expenses. And you know what, it sucks! I still go out to eat and drink and shop, but on a much more limited budget. I'm learning the difference between 'need' and 'want.' I want a J. Crew down vest in every color. I need food and gas.

I've been trying for so long to lose weight but can't seem to get anywhere. I've always struggled a bit with body image and have tried multiple times to lose weight and look better but I just love pizza and beer and tacos and cheese way too much. I'm probably in the best shape of my life. I started running back in March in an effort to lose weight. I didn't expect to stick with it for very long. But now, in FIVE WEEKS I'm running my first half marathon. Six months ago  I could barely run a mile and today I ran ten for the very first time. I'm amazing myself every week when I add miles to my long runs and I could not be prouder of my progress.

I've been plagued with migraines most of the summer. Have you ever had a migraine? No? You're so lucky! With the busy-ness of the summer and the stress of moving and adjusting to a new routine and a crazy work load, I've gotten five migraines this summer and each has sent me home from work and straight to bed. They're literally a huge pain and anticipating when you'll have one next is so annoying. I'm learning to listen to my body. The interesting thing about migraines is the amount of things that can trigger one. My triggers might be stress, too much caffeine or strange smells. In an effort to avoid a migraine, I've started paying attention to how stressed I am, what I'm eating, how much water I'm drinking and, overall, how I'm feeling. I think being able to listen to your body is so important and I'm glad I've been forced to acquire that skill.

Overall, life has been wonderful. I'm kicking butt at work, loving my very first apartment and have been having so many fun times with Matt lately. It's been such a pleasure having him home full time. Sure, I have some struggles. Everyone does, but I don't let them take over my life. I'm so lucky to have all that I have and that far outweighs any struggle that could get in my way.

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.