Fall/Birthday Wish List

As Fall is approaching, I am starting to get in the mood for the change in fashion. The pastels are getting old, and I'm almost ready to break out the cozy sweaters. The only thing I'd like to keep for a little longer is the warm weather. After being in Paris and London for a week of 60-70 degree weather with only two pairs of jeans, I am really enjoying being back in the warmth! 

I'm trying not to get too antsy because I know that once the cold comes, it is going to last forever here in Michigan! I will be wishing I was back in the current weather once November rolls around. Although I am going to hold off on buying these pieces for now, I like to look around at what I may be wearing this season. My birthday comes at the perfect time because in October, fall is just getting good, and I'm ready to stock my fall/winter wardrobe. It's the perfect excuse to hold off on buying the things I think I need now :). These are some of the items on my wish list at the moment. I'm still on the hunt for some fall booties. 

(If you click on the photo, it will lead you to the site so you may see info on the product.)

Fashinspiration

Hello world! As some of you may know, I will be leaving for Europe in three days! I will be traversing Paris and London with my parents and my sisters. Unfortunately, my husband Brent will not be able to come due to his job. Even more sad is the fact that he will be leaving on a business trip to China for four weeks the exact day that I arrive home from Europe. How lame and incredibly bad timing is that?! Well, they say absence makes the heart grow fonder, which is what I hope will come out of this trip. 

With that said, hit me up in the next month to come visit me, hang out and do fun things, and catch up with long phone conversations! I am all yours, and I'll be very lonely by myself in Michigan! There has not been much friend-making yet, and it'll be even harder without Brent here. 

While I'm on the subject, I hope to be getting a job in the next few weeks or as soon as possible. If you know of any openings in Michigan or you have suggestions of places for me to apply, I'd greatly appreciate your knowledge! It's a struggle here deciding what to do after college, which I'm sure lots of other people my age are experiencing. Especially in my case since I have such a specific educational background and I need my masters to practice in the field. Prayers would be appreciated that I would be accepted into the program in January!

This weekend is sure to be one of the best so far this summer! Date night with Brent tomorrow, a friend's wedding on Saturday, and off to Paris on Sunday. I'm in the process of packing right now, and did some research on what to wear in Paris and London so I don't totally stand out as a tourist! Here are some tips that I have found. I'll let you know what I see once I am actually there :).

Paris: 

1. High fashion!
2. Knee length skirts and dresses highly recommended. 
3. Flats, gladiator sandals, ankle boots, but definitely no sneakers!
4. Espadrille edges...avoid the stilettos unless you want to be stuck in all the brick and cobblestone.
5. Dark skinny jeans and slouchy tees or an oversized sweater
6. Go for unisex-looking pieces
7. Motorcycle leather jackets or a trench coat
8. Logo-free bags/purses
9. Scarves, hats, and accessories please!

London:

 
1. Bring out the quirky and eclectic pieces in your wardrobe!
2. Avoid looking overly prepared for hiking or for a rain storm
3. Sundresses are a go-to
4. More dark colors...black is always good
5. Chic sunglasses and scarves
6. Try to avoid jeans and go for something more exciting!
7. Overall, try to dress nicer than your normal casual standards in the U.S.

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The End of An Era

I'm really close to becoming a real-live grown up! Only 6 days until I graduate from college! This is a bittersweet time, and to copy one of my friends on Facebook, it's a lot bitter, and only a little sweet. I would like to focus on the sweet and be thankful for this wonderful time in my life, while I am still super sad that it is coming to an end!

I think that the following quote sums up my time here at Miami. "To think that in such a place, I led such a life." It gives perfect closure to this wonderful experience in this wonderful place. To quote Friends, "It's the end of an era". I am moving on to new experiences, and will undergo a lot of change this summer. It was a wonderful time and I will miss it so much, but I need to stay positive and be excited for this new era. It is an era of starting my life with Brent, of getting a real job or going to more school to get a job, moving to a new state, making new friends, choosing a new church, and becoming a grown-up. These are all exciting things! For the first time, I am looking forward to all of these changes, and am excited to make my own life! While I have made my own identity and lifestyle here at Miami, I will continue to learn about myself after graduating. I can't wait to see what this summer and rest of the year will bring!

One of the major sins that I have been working on overcoming is worry. I have a lot of things in my life right now that I could be worrying about. I could worry about gaining admission to graduate school this fall, I could worry about my wedding, moving to Michigan and not knowing anyone but Brent, adjusting to my move while Brent works long hours this summer and travels to China for a month without me, and about what I am going to do for my career for the rest of my life. I have decided to give my worries to God and let him handle them. I trust that whatever happens in my life is in His plan. I think that this time in which I am waiting on grad school has taught me a lot. I have learned not to place my identity in my intelligence or my accomplishments. I have also learned to be a positive example for others who are struggling with worry about their futures. If I have to be that example of the person who has a positive outlook on not getting into grad school right away, I will do it. I will trust that it is in His plan and that it is best for me. I may not know now, and I may never realize it, but I will not worry about what I cannot control.

I have also gained more motivation and passion for my career since it is not coming as easily as I had expected. I thought that everything would be easy and that I'd move on to grad school because that is what I have to do. It's the next step in my career. What I am realizing now is that I can do anything I want, and that I do not have to follow any set plan. I can enjoy this time off to learn more about myself or to pursue other interests. I can think more about what I want to do with speech-language pathology. Since this road hasn't been what I expected, it has given me more appreciation for my education. I want to make the most of it and really try my best to utilize everything that graduate school offers. I have time now to get prepared and to re-focus my mind for this new stage.

In the meantime, I am going to evaluate myself and my interests and think about how I would like my life to look in the future, and how I want to spend my days. I have the opportunity to think about all of my options. There are so many paths in life, and I can make my own. I am just now realizing that the world has endless options, and I have the chance now to re-evaluate what I want to do. Although I still want to pursue speech-language pathology and attending graduate school, I have time to think about what I can do in between, after, and maybe on my own time while I am in my career. I am excited at the prospect of not knowing what I will be doing in four months! I do not know where life is going to take me, but I am confident that God has it under control, and that I will be happy!

This next week will be full of lasts, and I will soak up every moment! Thank you to everyone who made my college experience special! I am so excited for all of our futures!

Tying the Knot

I would like to say that I've been so busy and I just didn't have time to blog, but I simply got out of the habit. I've been blessed this last semester of my college year with a very flexible and open schedule! I've taken only two exams this semester (aced them both), and can say with pleasure that I only have two more exams before graduating. These will be sign language and deaf cultures, and are final exams. With my free time, I've struggled with productivity. I can say that this semester so far I have accomplished the following...

-Watched the entire season of The Mindy Project in 3 days

-Gained enough sleep for about a year

-Eaten about a hundred lean cuisine pepperoni pizzas

-Worked on homework an average of only 3 days per week

-Started the Insanity workout regimen (hopefully will complete)

-Spent lots of time imagining my married life and wedding :) 

(Typical date night with Brent)

Just in case you were all wondering, I'm going to be a wife in 86 days! I cannot wait for all of the festivities! I've already received some gifts, and it's so exciting! You all may not be thrilled about receiving kitchen tools and towels as gifts, but they symbolize my new adult life with Brent! These things will belong to us, and will assist us in the new exciting daily routines that we will be able to experience together for the first time! These kitchen tools will allow me to cook for my husband, and for he and I to bond over our love for food. The throw pillows and candles will create the ambiance in the new place that we will both call home. It's exciting to me that we will come home to the same place and will make our first married memories together with these belongings! 

Some of the many things I'm looking forward to in marriage! 

1. Cooking for my hubs

2. Decorating our new home together

3. Coming home and having him there

4. Growing alongside each other and making each other better

5. Glorifying God in our marriage

6. Having my best friend there for support at all times

7. Being able to snatch Brent off the market and claim him as mine :)

8. Date nights in Michigan

9. Waking up and having lazy weekend mornings

10. Finding our own church home

11. Making our own family traditions

12. Making new married friends to add to our already amazing friend group!

13. Kissing him goodbye in the morning as he leaves for work

14. Surprising him with little things to make his day

15. Having a cuddle buddy when I go to sleep

16. Those moments when I ask him, "Are you wearing that?" right before we go out ;)

17. Watching Duck Dynasty or HGTV together before we go to bed

18. Making cookies-in-a-skillet

19. Going out to dinner and enjoying some fine cuisine

The Blog is Back!

And I'm back!! Sooo...it's been about a month and a half since I last posted. Ooops! It was a very busy and very fun Christmas break! So much wedding planning is finished! Right now we've got lots done, but some of the details will remain secret...

1) Booked the photographer (Stinky Feet Photography)
2) Took engagement photos
3) Booked the florist
4) Booked the venue (Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills)
5) Chose the flowers
6) Registered at Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Macys
7) Chose bridesmaid dresses (Kathryn's Bridal in McHenry)
8) Chose MY dress!! (Kathryn's Bridal in McHenry)
9) Chose the rehearsal dinner venue
10) Chose our officiant
11) Booked the church (Bethany Lutheran in Crystal Lake, Brent's home church)
12) Tasted and chose the cake
13) Tasted and chose the food
14) Chose our honeymoon location
15) Chose our wedding rings
16) Booked our DJ
17) Set aside rooms for out-of-town guests (Holiday Inn in Crystal Lake)

And the big day is in 162 days!! June 28th!!

So that was my break! I also had tons of fun with my friends and family, especially Brent :). I'm a little sad we are back in school because we do not see each other as much! Senior year with opposite schedules is not fun!