School is Back in Session!

School Badges: ML Badges // Gingham Bracelet: Tory Burch // Bag: Cambridge Satchel Company // Shirt: Quiksilver // Blazer: Lacoste (on sale!) // Leggings: J.Crew // Boots: Tory Burch

 

While I didn't make any resolutions for myself this year, I did sit down and think about what sort of career I want in the future. From this I created a career plan where I wrote out what I needed to accomplish in order to obtain my ideal job. The first part of the plan began with going back to school. I need to complete a few courses before I can move on to the next part of the plan, which is grad school and passing a series of exams to become certified to work as an actuary. 

In my excitement of returning to the classroom, I put together a "school uniform" mixed with my own personal style. I won't lie, if I were required to wear something along these lines to class all the time, I'd be one happy camper :)

Matthei Botanical Gardens

Shirt: LOFT (similar) // Coat: H&M (similar) // Leggings: Paige Denim // Shoes: Lacoste (old, want these!) // Purse: Milly

This afternoon I went with my parents to the Matthei Botanical Gardens. We used to visit often when my sisters and I were very young but I hadn't been back since those days, so I was really excited to check it out. I was especially looking forward to practicing my manual and macro photography skills I have been reading up on...until I got there and my camera screen read "charge battery"...oops :(. The conservatory was too pretty though to not capture on camera, so enjoy some not so great iphone photos!

Tropical Getaway

Tote // Tunic // Necklace // Sandals // Solid Swimsuit // Striped Swimsuit

Winters in Michigan can be cold. very cold. I often find myself this time of year daydreaming of going on a luxurious vacation to somewhere in the tropics where I can lie on the beach, enjoy the warmth on my face, and forget about the cold and snow I left behind. With many designers introducing their resort collections this month, it makes daydreaming much more specific yet imaginative. Now if I could only find the time, extra money, and good travel companions to join me...I guess I'll be living in my daydreams for a little while longer ;)

Leopard & Leather

Jacket: thrift shop find (similar) // Sweater: Urban Outfitters // Skirt: Urban Outfitters // Tights: Capezio // Booties: Report // Necklace: Unknown (liking this one) // Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs // Purse: Coach (Similar)

Greetings and Happy (belated) New Year! We spent our Christmas in North Carolina as we do each year and when we arrived back to Michigan we came back to a winter wonderland! While some (aka me) were happier about this than others (aka the rest of my family), I think we all agree that days where the skies are clear and the wind is still are picturesque. I mean, who can be totally upset when they look out the window and see the snow glittering like diamonds? Albeit, it doesn't happen often but when it does it is a beautiful sight!

Holiday Photos turned Impromptu Photoshoot

Yesterday night we got all dolled up and took a holiday photo to send to our family and friends. Of course, once we were all dressed we couldn't waste the opportunity to take even more photos :) Our good friend Marion joined in on the fun with us and it was almost like we were all 16 again hanging out, laughing and having a grand old time! There was lots of christmas cookie eating and baking throughout the night and we all knew it was time for bed when our sugar highs came crashing down, oops! Who could blame us though? you only get Christmas cookies once a year ;)

Life in Pictures

 New coat arrived just in time for the office holiday party!

Cute little raccoon that was hanging out outside the office. Don't worry, this picture was taken behind glass!

 Finally made peace with the cat I was taking care of while housitting!

 Scamper the Dancing Penguin, my new desk partner at work.

Flats I returned...they were cute, but I should have read the fine print when ordering them to see that they were metallic gold glitter! Ah, the follies of online shopping ;)

 Delicious margarita from the new Cuban restaurant Lena downtown. They use their homemade sour mix and "dirty" salt with basil and other herbs to garnish the rim. Tasty!

"Swaggy" - J.Bieber

Dinner from my recently new favorite restaurant, Antonio's. I sent this picture of the bread to my sisters at school and to say they were jealous would be putting it mildly ;) 

Trying to master the art of the bun

Getting personal

I hope everyone is having a fabulous week so far! Today was the first day of a diet I'm trying out where I don't eat gluten or dairy aka the Miley Diet. Like Miley, I'm trying out this diet plan to help prevent symptoms from an autoimmune condition that I have. With the holidays here, this is probably the hardest time to jump on the no-gluten band wagon...everywhere I look there are cookies and candies and everything that I love. While making this post I practically had to wipe the drool off my chin while loading the pasta/bread pictures haha my department at work is having a brunch on Friday which will be my first big test with these new eating guidelines. Wish me luck!

Operation Overtime

I currently work for a mortgage lending company and to say we've been busy would be a huge understatement. Every month it seems we have another month of record-breaking in the number of loans we receive and close. I had been told when I started working we would be able to relax some in the winter since the mortgage business as a whole tends to slow down, but if these last two weeks were any indication then I don't think that will be happening anytime soon.

Due to the amount of work that is piling up, we are encouraged to work overtime as much as we want and can handle. I don't have much else going on in my life right now, so why not work and earn some more? :) I've decided to use the money I make working overtime as a fund to buy the bigger items on my wish list that typically I can't make myself buy because of the price tag. This way these pieces will feel even more special because they are more of a reward.

Some of the items on my big wishlist are shown above and can be found at these sites:

Loafers, Sunglasses, Leather-trim leggings, Purse, Necklace

Borrowed from the Boys

Outfit Details: Vest - J.Crew | Sweater: AE, Men's (old but similar here) | Jeans: Forever 21 | Booties - Report, Piperlime | Watch - Target | Sunglasses - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Sometimes the best thing to wear isn't your own, it's a sweater from an old boyfriend or guy friend. In this case, it's a sweater from your sister's freshman college roommate's ex-boyfriend. Paired with an oversized gold watch, this makes for the perfect Sunday uniform.

Wishful Thinking Wednseday

Sweater: Aerie | Jeans: James Jeans | Watch: Michael Kors | Trench: Burberry London | Purse: Coach | Ankle Booties: J.Crew

The work week is nearly through, woohoo! While I sit at my desk sending emails and crunching numbers, I'll dream about adding these pieces to my wardrobe with the overtime money I am slowly accumulating ;)

Arts and Crafts

My work is having a contest on who can make the best sign and most creative for their department and the winning group gets a free lunch prepared by our CEO. Two things I've learned in the short time I've worked here: 1. Competitions are serious business 2. Competitions involving food are extremely serious business. Today our group reserved a conference room where for the next hour and a half we get feathers flying all over the place that I'm not sure the cleaning crew will ever be able to fully clean up.

My name monster and his girlfriend/cubby partner

 We all really got into the sign idea and decided to make our own mini signs to go with our department sign and to have a common and unified theme. Next Friday will be difficult to get through next week not having arts and crafts time (and all the desserts and tasty dishes from our potluck we had today!)

My daily morning coffee from the local coffee shop across the street (nail polish | Essie "Wicked")

Outfit: Shirt | Forever 21, Sweater | J.Crew, Pants | Ann Taylor, Bracelet | J.Crew, Watch | Fossil, Shoes (not shown) | BCBGeneration

Loving polka dots lately ( I want every item from Kate Spade's "Art of the Dot" collection!)

P.s. I bought my camera last night!!! :) I bought it last night and didn't have time to play with it and I practiced shooting macro photos with it after work today. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it soon and will have some blog-worthy pictures up shortly!!

 :)

Weekend Adventure: Running Around Chicago

The weekend is here again! I'm currently sitting at my sister's kitchen table typing this post, and I almost forgot I had a week of work in between being here again and visiting for Art Prize on Sunday. I arrived here late this evening and had dinner with my sisters and dad that was filled with yummy food, coffee, and laughter :) My dad traveled to the west side of The Mitten to watch my younger sister's cross country race, where she won and had a huge PR! Good job lil sis!! Unfortunately I wasn't able to get off work early enough to catch her race, but it was nice having some time with both my sisters again enjoying each others' company.

Shirt | Ann Taylor, Trench Coat | Banana Republic, Skirt | J.Crew, Tights | J.Crew, Loafers | Me Too via TJ Maxx, Purse | Dooney & Bourke

Why did I drive out here if I wasn't going to watch my sister's race you ask? The reason for my visit to Grand Rapids is because...*drum roll*

(image via photorun.net)

 The Chicago Marathon is on Sunday! My older sister and I will be participating in the race through the Windy City this weekend and are driving there tomorrow where we will stay with our good friend (who is also running!) at her apartment. Just thinking about the race right now causes little butterflies in my stomach to flit around...I haven't been this nervous yet excited for a race in years! Never running anything like this before, I honestly have no clue what to expect and just hope to finish in one piece :) You can definitely expect a post soon after the race about the entire experience and inevitable pain and if I'll ever considering running a marathon again! Until then, enjoy this Ellen video I found that has helped me take my mind off of the race (Atticus is too cute!)