Discoveries

(Target Tank Top; Swapped skirt; Borrowed scarf (thanks mom!); Target belt; UO shoes)

Sometimes I go through an intense period of obsessing over one thing and one thing only...FOOTWEAR. It all starts with a seemingly harmless desire to search for new boots for the fall. See, I have this pair of boots that I absolutely love and have been showcased several times on this blog. But those boots have a problem - they are coming apart. Literally. The top of one of the boots is unfortunately parting ways with its sole. Doesn't that sound tragic? This time last fall I was debating whether to buy a new pair or just get them taken to a boot repair shop. The debate is back. So what do I do? I search for boots with the thought that if I find a pair that I like as much, if not more, than my current pair I will retire the other ones and welcome the new pair into my life and introduce that pair to my wardrobe. And they will be friends. And things will be good.

But I can't stop at just boots. See, all the summer sandals and shoes are now on super sale and lets not forget some incredibly cute new fall trends in footwear including heeled loafers. So what do I do? I spend an embarrassing amount of time looking at shoes.

But yesterday, I had a small epiphany. Since my recent move, I only had my "summer shoes" out for use. It hit me that I actually have other shoes in boxes waiting to be worn. I unpacked a box of shoes and what did I find? Two pairs of shoes that function along similar lines as heeled loafers would. Good lord, did I feel silly. So for now, I am putting my footwear frenzy on hold.

On to the outfit: Its nothing to write home about and it wasn't the outfit I intended for today but it was hotter that I hoped it would be and this seemed a willing choice in the heat. Speaking of shoes, these little guys have been worn so much the right sole is cracked. I love them anyway.

Home is Where the Heart is

(target tank top; thrifted skirt; Buffalo exchange necklace; gifted earrings; Target Belt; DSW wedges)

Oh my goodness, what a glorious weekend it was! Having J come visit was so nice. We picnicked (twice), saw friends, made food, walked around town looking for books and then sat on a blanket and read them. The last night he was here involved a tandem bike, games with friends and Back to the Future projected on our friends' house in their back yard. I, of course, have no pictures of any of this except a few of myself and a friend on the tandem bike. Pictures or not, the weekend was truly wonderful, almost a throw back to the early days of our relationship.

I have been thinking about the title phrase these past few days. I recently had the realization that home is no longer a place but a feeling and that feeling is most strongly felt with J. This was particularly felt this weekend. Even though I am comfortable in my new place of residence, it felt much more like home with J there. I guess this is a good thing as we will, in fact, be making a home together in the not so distant future. I guess I feel thankful to have home be, truly, wherever my heart is.

Pink Lady

The pink dress with the pink wall is almost too much. Now that I live in a room that has half pink and half red walls, I'm starting to wonder if this is influencing my sartorial choices. I definitely wore red twice this week and some form of pink twice as well. Weird.

The first week back came and went. And it ended with the most wonderful gift of all...a visit from J! Long distance is hard but oh! the joy of seeing each other again!

I've worn this dress more times than I can count but never seem to have the camera around to document it. Such an easy dress to wear (I biked all around town in this attire) and on a day that was 90+ degrees, it was nice to wear something that kept me cool.

dress: Buffalo Exchange

tank top: Target

Compass necklace: Buffalo Exchange

Earrings: gift

Bangles: F21

Flats: Target

Luxuries

Today was the first day of the semester. At 27, I have had my fair share "first days" both as a student and a teacher. For the first time since undergrad, this was my first day as just a student. No preparing to teach classes, no staff meetings. Just me and my learning. It felt a bit luxurious.

One of the great things about not having to commute for grad school is the beauty of biking to class. No parking meters or parking garages. Just me and my bike. This also felt a bit luxurious.

On Mondays I take an introductory course to museum studies. I feel a bit sneaky taking it. Though it is considered an education course, it is only minimally related to education. Even my advisor didn't know the class existed! But after taking what feels like every education course in undergrad and still needing to take them to fulfill my grad requirements, I think I'm allowed to take an Ed course that is "a little out of the box". And since I will be moving to D.C. in less than five months, it seemed fitting to take a course in a field I may actually get involved in. The class is even in a historic building. I was definitely nerding out a bit to myself in class. This, too, feels a bit luxurious. One more luxury...checking out required textbooks from the university library. Hello free textbooks!

This was an easy outfit for the day. Light, breazy shirt with some sturdy shorts made biking around town comfortable and fun.

Owls top: Buffalo Exchange

Shorts: Forever 21

Bangles: Forever 21

Sandals: Kohls

Any luxuries for you today?

Transitions

The month of August can only be described as a series of transitions. Transitioning out of my life as a teacher and into my role as a student teacher supervisor, transitioning into new spaces (my parents' house, J's parents' house and, finally, my new home for the next 4 months), and transitioning into a new phase of J and my relationship (engagement, wedding planning and long-distance). Overall, it has been an exciting transitioning peppered with exhaustion, anxiety and, sometimes, frustration. Now that I have moved into to my new space I feel more able to look back, reflect and say, " Hey! Not bad!"

One thing the month of August has not left much time for was outfit photos. My camera was buried under piles of items in my car and I have only just recently rescued it and my tripod. I have been experimenting with outfit photos in my new room (check out the pink wall!) and maybe, just maybe, will feel brave enough to venture outside for photo-ops.

This outfit was worn to run errands and catch up with some friends. I loved this outfit. The shirt was a recent purchase on sale at Old Navy. Although it wrinkles pretty fast, the silky feel of the shirt makes it incredibly easy to wear on warm and cooler days. I'm excited about remixing this piece.

Dress (worn as skirt): Swapped

Shirt: Old Navy

Belt: Thrifted

Compass Necklace: Buffalo Exchange

Earrings: Forever 21

Bangles: Target, Forever 21

Wedges: DSW

Any new transitions in your life?

whirlwind

In the last week I have done the following:

1. Finished final project for summer class

2. Finished summer class

3. Packed all my belongings into boxes and tupperware bins

4. Moved some of said boxes to place I will live in the fall

5. Stuffed rest of boxes into car headed toward parent's home

5.5. Deep cleaned entire apartment

6. Traveled home to parent's house

7. Visited reception hall for wedding

8. Panicked

9. Helped create 10 page list of wedding details

10. Bought a wedding dress

In the past week J has done the following:

1. Traveled to Des Moines to take Bar Exam

2. Spent two FULL days taking the Bar Exam

3. Traveled back home to then immediately start packing up his belongings

4. Moved some of said belongings to basement of house where I will be living in the fall

5. Stuffed remainder of things into my car headed toward my parent's house

5.5 Deep cleaned apartment

6. Dismantled bed frame and ducked taped entire thing to roof rack of my car

7. Traveled home with my to my parents house

7.5 Bought a keyboard for his computer that does not have a functioning "h" key (only to find the new keyboard does not have a functioning "p" key)

8. Visited reception hall for wedding

9. Witnessed my panic

10. Created 10 page document of wedding details

11. Called/researched places for rehearsal dinner

12. Worked on article he will will be submitting for publication to law journals

13. Spent evening with law school friend who lives near my parents who has another friend that purchased a game from China that involves being electrically shocked when you are the last to buzz in.

14. Exchanged keyboard (see 7.5)

That is where we are at right now. It has been a whirlwind filled with getting a lot of things accomplished but always something more to do.

With all the moving around, outfit photos have been a bit tough. This outfit was worn the week before the craziness. When it was 90+ degrees out, this outfit kept me cool and content.

top: Target

cami (under top): Ragstock

skirt: swapped with friend

shoes: DSW

belt: Target (?)

bangles: Forever 21