Small Victories

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There hasn't been a lot of thrilling excitement around our house lately.  Its been a whole lot of work, snow, work, cold, work, sleep lol.  But I'm a big believer in celebrating the small things, so I thought I'd take a look at a few of my small victories from this week...

I went to the dentist for the first time in an embarrassingly long time.  And I mean a reeeally embarrassingly long time.  (As in like, 5 years.)  So bad, I know.  People often comment on how white and pretty my teeth are and I've used that as a crutch to not go to the dentist.  Even though my "white and pretty" teeth are 100% due to my parents spending bookoos of money on orthodonics.  Bookoos which resulted in two sets of braces, 3 retainers, oral surgery, rubberbands, and oh yeah, headgear.  (I'll pause with you as you laugh at the headgear mental picture.)  I was certain the dentist would tell me I needed 7 root canals or a set of dentures, but thankfully it wasn't quite that bad.

I lost 2 pounds this week.  Heck yeah, my new plan is working!  (And its a healthy, non-crash diet plan, don't worry.)  I'm pretty sure an entire pound of that loss was due to the fact that I took everything, even my hair rubberband, off before stepping on the scale lol.

I was featured on Amy K's fabulous blog sporting spring florals in the dead of winter.  If ya'll don't read her blog, you should, because her outfits are adorbs.  (I have no idea why I just typed adorbs; I've never said that in my life.  Weird.)

Matt and I finished our Chicago puzzle (mentioned in my last post.)  We'd hoped it would have taken a little longer (to stretch our entertainment dollar) but the thing was so dang addicting we couldn't stop working on it!  And after we finished last night, I totally get why some people glue and frame their completed puzzles.  Don't worry, we are not going to start lining our walls with completed puzzles, but its hard to just undo all of the hard work we did!  We're going to leave it out for another day or two and then break it down, put it in its box, and start again another day.

I took advantage of Gap's 40% off one item Facebook deal.  And guess what, I only bought ONE full price item (and two sale items.)  Yessss!  I feel so powerful over their clever marketing tricks which aimed to make me buy multiple full price items.  (And don't mention that because I bought one item I was still a victim to their tricks.  One is better than seven, so let me have my moment.)

One of the above sale items was a big, black, chunky cable knit infinity scarf.  Score.  It was $5.  Double score!  (I've been eyeing several on etsy, but couldn't pull the trigger on a few of the prices, so I say this one was meant to be.)

We finally took down our Christmas decorations.  Yes, I realize its the end of January.  I was starting to think of our tree as a nice touch of the outdoors that perhaps could stay all year.  Matt didn't agree.

Matt snagged us tickets to the opera (thanks Groupon!)  Should be interesting.  (Interesting as in I'll love it and Matt will fall asleep ten minutes in.)  But I'm hopeful.

I've only had Starbucks once in the past week.  ONCE.  My wallet and my thighs are totally thanking me, and it feels good to have some self control and stop throwing money at the man in the green apron.

We sent off the last of our Chirstmas presents.  Oopsie, sorry dear brother-in-law.

I got tickets to a reality-TV celebrity's book signing this weekend.  More details to come, but here's an early hint: She is a fellow KKG.

We finally saw Black Swan (last people on the planet, I know.)  And to the dad sitting a few seats down from me, you probably should have done your research before bringing your 14 year old daughter to the movie.  Just saying.

I made a yummy, healthy dinner without burning the house down or poisoning Matt.  Go me, go!

What small victories have you had this week?

Pick Me Up

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I could definitely use a pick me up today and this rock candy would totally do the trick!  These lovely sweets are such a throwback from my childhood!  Love them!

Happy 101 Award!

I was so delighted to open my laptop this morning to see a lovely, and thoughtful shout out from Chelsea at The Vintage Chair.  I’ve seen the Happy 101 Award floating around blogland, and I was so honored that she thought of me.  I also wanted to say a big thank you to Ashley at As a Matter of Opinion for bestowing me with the Honest Scrap Award a while back.  It came in the middle of a crazy time for me, and I’m sorry I didn’t respond sooner  (Ashley, please forgive my scatterbrainess!)  So if its ok, I’m going to cheat a bit and respond to them at the same time, with ten things that make me smile-from-ear-to-ear-happy!  (I stole a few of these from the Happiness Challenge I did a few months ago.  No reason to completely reinvent the wheel right?)

1. My husband.  Predictable, I know, but my life has changed dramatically since I met Matt, and I can honestly say that I’ve never met someone who makes me laugh as often or as hard as Matt.  He gets me, even the parts of me that I sometimes don’t get, and he loves me unconditionally.  I am so so blessed and thankful to be sharing my life with such an fun and incredible guy.

2.  My family.  We have always been that crazy, strange family who loves hanging out together and laughing at things other people just don’t get.  Even as a kid, I would gladly pass up a sleepover invite to stay home and watch a movie and with family.  My little brother is the light of my life and the motivation behind so much of what I want to do.  Being a good big sister is the accomplishment I’m most proud of to date.  (This picture was taken in Positano, Italy two summers ago.  If you haven’t been, add it to your must-go-to list!)

3. Celebrating the small stuff.  In my family, we celebrate everything, no matter how big or how small.  Every year on the last day of school, my parents would print out a banner with something like, “See ya second grade, hello third grade!”  We celebrated Valentines Day as a family with heart shaped pizza, we celebrated St. Patty’s Day with a green dinner where my mom would add green food coloring to everything (yes, we had green milk and green mashed potatoes, and yes, it was awesome), and when my mom was pregnant with my brother, we had a “congrats you’re gonna be a big sister” celebration.  I’ve translated this into my “adult life” having parties to celebrate Matt’s first solo publication, friends getting accepted into various programs and internships, and having a 100 followers party.  Life is short, celebrate the small stuff!

4. Diet Dr. Pepper.  I’m from Texas, and no Texas girl can survive life without this delicacy.  For real yall.

 5.  Thrifting with my mom.  I love things that have history, things that tell a story.  I love things that have been loved by someone else and things that show they can stand the test of time.  There is no better way to discover these things than thrifting, and my mom and I have made this experience into quite the adventure, though we prefer the term “treasure hunting.”  It’s a bit more inclusive (garage sales, flea markets, family hand-me-downs, thrift stores, etc.)  Our treasure hunting was put on hold when my parents moved overseas, and it’ll be put on hold again when Matt and I move to Chicago next month.  But I have no doubt what we’ll be doing when my mom comes to Chicago to visit!

6. Longtime friends.  I love all of my friends, and I am all for branching out and discovering new relationships with each phase that life brings you.  However, I think there is something to be said for longtime friends, friends who have known you for years and friends who have experienced you at so many points in your journey.  No matter how often we see each other or how often we talk, there’s just something about the bond you share with longtime friends that makes me happy.  And these three ladies certainly fit that bill!  (That’s me on the far right.  Short hair is a definite “never again” for me!)

7.  Tiny, local restaurants.  Don’t get me wrong, I love a good trip to Chili’s or Olive Garden once in a while, but sweet, small, hole in the wall restaurants just warm my heart.  I don’t know if it’s the people, the food, the cozy atmosphere, or the feeling that the spot is someone’s pride and joy, but something about these places makes me really happy.  Matt and I have our own favorite spot where we live, and it’s so special to us, we got engaged just outside of it, on a wooden bench.

{we heart it}

8. Christmastime.  I know lots of people enjoy Christmas, but I actually prefer the 24 days before Christmas (though I try to always be mindful of the reason for season.)  The tunes, the spirit, the weather, the get togethers, the trees, the family traditions, the Nutcracker…I could go on and on.  Oh how I looove me some Christmastime!

9.  Finding an old mix cd. In college, it was the cool thing to do to make your friends mix cd or mark a special occasion or roadtrip with its own soundtrack.  Though that idea has now evolved into an iPod playlist, there is nothing like finding an old mix cd stuffed at the bottom of your car console, desk drawer, or suitcase.  I found one from my junior year in college and was literally rocking out like a crazy person to Wilson Phillips, old school Gwen Stefani, and early 50 Cent for weeks.  I encourage you to dig up an old mix cd; I promise you won’t be able to stop smiling!

10. Blogging.  I started my blog about six months ago, and I had no idea how much joy it would bring me.  There is something magical about intentional reflection, connecting and sharing encouragement with so many different people, and having a little place to call my own.  But blogging wouldn’t be blogging with each and every one of you, so thank you, for being a part of my daily happiness!

To pass the happiness around, I am excited to share the Happy 101 Award with ten other delightful bloggers who keep me smiling each and every day.

Amber at Amber’s Notebook

Kelly at Just a Girl in a City

Jessica at Living the Swell Life

Anne at Get Your Martha On

Anh at 9 to 5 Chic

Jordan at Living in Leopard, Relaxing in Rhinestones

Amy at kelinda.KELINDA

Melissa at Martinis and Football

Lauren at Busy Bee Lauren

…and Belle on Heels

Happy Thursday to all of you!  May you find yourself smiling from ear to ear sometime this afternoon!

The Best Kind of Morning

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This morning, I got to have my favorite type of morning.  Snoozing for a while, then slowly getting up, not in a hurry to jet off to work or class.  I got to enjoy a cup of coffee and a bowl of Life cereal, while reading through emails, checking blogs, and listening to my favorite Pandora station.  All of this while wrapped up in my favorite, cozy leopard robe.  It was simply delightful and the perfect start to my Wednesday.  What are your favorite kind of mornings?

Character Quirks

 {we heart it, and yes, I know they wrote "off" instead of "of."  Minor detail.}

Whoever made this we.heart.it image must know me.  Seriously, it’s kind of creepy.  Although I’d definitely have to add “drinking everything through a straw” and “leaving half-drunk/half-dranken water bottles all over my house, car, office, desk, and nightstand.”  My mom once cleaned out my car for me (isn’t she nice?) and found nine, count them, NINE half empty (go ahead, call me a pessimist) water bottles rolling around my car.  But since none of these things are going to kill me, I will refer to them as “character quirks.”  Muuuuch better than bad habits don’t you think?  :)  So spill…what are your bad habits character quirks?

The Happiness Challenge

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So my sweet friend Rachel, tagged me in a blog post, and a secretly did my own happy dance, because I’ve always wanted to be tagged in one of those things.  As she described having to tag a friend in the post, I scrolled down thinking, “pick me…pick me…pick me…yesssssss, she picked me!”  Side note about my competitive-psychoness: In first grade, I had this crazy teacher who gave out a “student of the year” award (who the heck does that in FIRST GRADE?!) and it was based on how many stars you had on the chart on the wall.  (Yes, she publically posted stars so we could all see who was beating who.  Can you say PSYCHO?!)  Anyway, I was totally in the lead before I was out sick for three weeks with the chicken pox (on my birthday I should add.  Major suckiness for a first grader.)  When I came back to school, I’d fallen behind in the sticker stars and she wouldn’t let me make up the daily math quizzes to earn some potential stars.  Three weeks later, we had our end of the year program and the “student of the year”  award was handed out in front of the whole school and all the parents.  As she called another first grader’s name to receive the best student ever award, I cried hysterically on stage in front of everyone, coveting the public recognition.  It was horrible, scarring, and the start of my competitive-psychoness and need for reinforcement.  Dang you Ms. McMahon.

But anyway…back to my happiness post (just thought you all should know that my craziness is totally warranted lol) I must tell you something about Rachel.  She takes FABULOUS pictures.  For proof check out some of my favorite images that she captured during Matt and I’s engagement/wedding.

Like I said.  She is the shiz.  Seriously, I love her and think she is insanely talented.  Her professional blog is here (our wedding post is here.)  She’s is the bomb.  Yes, I really just said “the bomb.”  I break out the big guns for her.  Anyway (do I always ramble this much?) the happiness challenge was to make a list of 10 things that make me happy, and do at least one of those things today.  It was a challenge to create this list, not because I can’t think of things that make me happy, but because I had trouble getting the list down to 10.  In the end, I made it (well technically, I got it to 12, but who’s counting…)

My Happiness List (in no particular order)

1. Hanging out with my BFF and little brother Ryan.  Even if you’ve only read this blog a handful of times, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that I am slightly obsessed with my brother.  (If not, read here or here for a quick refresher.)  There is no one else in the world who I’ve laughed more, louder, or harder with.  My mom said to my dad once as my brother and I chatted, “Do you ever feel like this is their world and we’re visiting?”  Haha, we do speak our own language and get each other without having to say much at all, so how can I not be happy when I’m around the little dude?

2.  Candles.  I have two pieces are furniture that are dedicated to housing my candle collection.  It’s a serious addiction, and I can admit it without the slightest bit of shame.  If I am home for more than 15 minutes, I will light at least 1, if not the all of 30 candles in our apartment.  Sure it might look like a séance, but I love the instant coziness candles give.  Plus, the hunt for good candles at a bargain price is another source of happiness in itself.

3.  Turning on the TV and seeing my DVR has caught an episode of Criminal Minds that I haven’t yet seen.  I gasp, do a fist pump, and then hunker down for an hour of total awesomeness.  Seriously, me and the BAU team are like this (fingers crossed.)

4.  Celebrating the small stuff.  In my family, we celebrated everything, no matter how big or how small.  Every year on the last day of school, my parents would print out a banner with something like, “See ya second grade, hello third grade!”  We celebrated Valentines Day as a family with heart shaped pizza, we celebrated St. Patty’s Day with a green dinner where my mom would add green food coloring to everything (yes, we had green milk and green mashed potatoes, and yes, it was awesome), and when my mom was pregnant with my brother, we had a “congrats you’re gonna be a big sister” celebration.  I’ve translated this into my “adult life” having parties to celebrate Matt’s first solo publication, friends getting accepted into various programs and internships, and having a 100 followers party.  Life is short, celebrate the small stuff!

5.  Finding an old mix cd. In college, it was the cool thing to do to make your friends mix cd or mark a special occasion or roadtrip with its own soundtrack.  Though that idea has now evolved into an iPod playlist, there is nothing like finding an old mix cd stuffed at the bottom of your car console, desk drawer, or suitcase.  I found one from my junior year in college last week and was literally rocking out like a crazy person to Wilson Phillips, old school Gwen Stefani, and early 50 Cent.  I saw three people laugh at me as I was driving, no joke.  It was awesome and has not left my cd player in my car since. 

6.  Ballerinas.  Ballerinas are like magical Barbie dolls in my eyes.  Graceful, unique, and captivating.  I was a dancer for most of my life and there was always an overwhelming sense of joy when I was on stage.  Now that I’m semi-grown up and my body can’t bend like it used to, I remain captivated by all that is ballet.

7.  Pillowtalk.  One of my favorite moments of the day is when Matt and I settle down and head to bed.  Our schedules are crazy and sometimes we aren’t able to see a lot of each other during the day (or night if one of us is writing or reading for school.)  But on those nights where we venture to bed at the same time, I love chatting about our days and laughing about something that happened earlier in the day.  They’re simple moments, but certainly some of my favorites.

8.  Tiny, local restaurants.  Don’t get me wrong, I love a good trip to Chili’s or Olive Garden once in a while, but sweet, small, hole in the wall restaurants just warm my heart.  I don’t know if it’s the people, the food, the cozy atmosphere, or the feeling that the spot is someone’s pride and joy, but something about these places makes me really happy.  Matt and I have our own spot where we live, and it’s so special to us, we got engaged just outside of it, on a wooden bench. 

9.  Shopping.  I can’t lie, it really does make me happy.  Shallow and silly, maybe, but I really really really love shopping.  Though our budget doesn’t always allow for it, when it does, I’m totally there.  Nordstrom, Banana, Anthro, and J.Crew are my first stops should I make this particular happiness venture.  Online shopping does not fall into this catagory; it just doesn’t do it for me (which makes my bank account happy!)

10.  Snail Mail.  Though it’s almost a thing of the past, I work hard to keep it current for my friends and family.  I love browsing for cards and finding a card that was made for a certain friend.  I often buy cards months ahead of time and have created this giant expandable folder-box-thingie for all my cards.  My mom gave me this happiness gene because I got cards for just about everything growing up (see #4), and I always felt so appreciated and loved.

11.  Coke.  (For those of you who aren’t from the south, Coca-Cola.)  The red can, the sweet fizziness…nothing is better.  Plain and simple.

12.  Having friends and family who know your heart.  Nothing needs to be said, time can pass, hundreds of miles exist between you, yet they know you, they get it, and you feel it.  Friendships like this are precious and I’m so lucky to have a handful in my life. 

Just typing those twelve things made me happy!  So just as Rachel passed it on to me, now, I must pass it on to someone else.  Who will it be…(is your Ms. McMahon inspired competitive-psychoness kicking in yet?)  Just kidding.  I’m pretty sure I’m the only person who is that nutty.  I’m tagging two of my sweet friends (blog and real life) to see what makes them happy… 

Kelsey from Stuck in the Sticks, who has an insanely beautiful talent as well as a competitive-psychoness similar to mine,  and Kendall from The Stoy's Story who is one of my sweet tell it like it is friends and is about to be a new mommy.  And for anyone else out there who also wants to take the happiness challenge, I tag you as well!  Go for it and let me know what you come up with!

Bliss

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“Nothing is more important than reconnecting with your bliss.  Nothing is as rich. Nothing is more real.” -Deepak Chopra

One Step Closer

Whats better than passing prelims?  Coming home to find flowers from your husband congratulating you for passing prelims.  Helllll yeah, one step closer to those three little letters...PH.D!

Miley Made Me Do It

Have you ever heard a song that just made you wanna dance? Better yet, a song that didn't just make you WANT to dance, it just straight up MADE you dance? This has happened only a few times in my life, and I've recently realized that Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" is tooootally one of these songs. I know, I know, people hate on Miley for the pole dancing and her 21 year old boyfriends, but Miley feelings aside, you cannot ignore this song! (For the record Miley, I think you're precious). The song just gets in your head and you can't help but jam! Last night in the middle of Cold Stone Creamery (don't judge me that I ate 5,000 calories in a single cup) I literally lost control of my body, and was rocking out, spoon in hand. A few hip swings and mini hair tosses, I realized "I freaking love this song!" I thought my moves may have been influenced by the long day, the ice cream, or the curls I was rocking yesterday. But today at work, I took at chance and jammed the song through my headphones. Same effect; total loss of control. In office hair tosses, arms rocking, there was no denying my moves. So at this point, I'm embracing my Miley motivated moves and rocking my mini hair tosses. I mean, what can I say? Miley made me do it.

25 Random Things About Me

1. I’m a die hard Britney Spears fan and have been since her first hit. Even through her head shaving, umbrella attacks, and marriage to Kevin Federline, my love for her never faltered.

2. I absolutely love my name and didn’t have to think twice about whether or not I’d drop my last name when I get married. Growing up with a strange last name, you spend a lot of time correcting people, so I became attached pretty early. Needless to say, I’ve embraced the hyphen.

3. Anthropologie is the most magical store on Earth to me. It is like a fantasy world, full of endless treasures and surprises (see photo above). I wish I lived in that store, literally.

4. I love potatoes and would be completely fine if that’s all I could eat for the rest of my life.

5. My little brother is my hero. He moved halfway around the world with my parents as a freshman in high school, not knowing a soul. In two years, he traveled to sixteen different countries, learned British lingo, and grew into a fantastic young man. He encourages me to take risks, step outside your comfort zone, and just go for things.

6. I have a running list of baby names in my Blackberry. I do not want children any time soon and am absolutely terrified of childbirth. Strange I know.

7. Shopping is my therapy. I would like to have my ashes scattered outside of Northpark Mall.

8. Tears are the manifestation of almost every emotion for me. I cry when I’m sad, happy, frustrated, angry, scared, surprised, and excited.

9. I buy candles on a weekly basis and have multiple drawers throughout the house dedicated to storing them. I light candles if I’m going to be home for more than 10 minutes. It’s an instant stress reliever.

10. The two best moments of my life were becoming a big sister and seeing Matt when the church doors opened at our wedding. I remember both moments with ridiculous detail and get choked up thinking of both.

11. In the last six months, I have become terrified of aging. I see new signs of aging every day and spend at least 10 seconds freaking over each sign.

12. I do a monthly Facebook cleanse. If I have to think twice about who you are or can’t think about a memory with you…remove friend.

13. I’ve never been a casual dater, I’ve been in 3 serious relationships my whole life. I have absolutely no idea how to casually date.

14. I’ve tanned almost by whole life, until 2 years ago when I got skin cancer. Now I drive by tanning beds and cringe thinking how many of us think only about the here and now.

15. I am a sorority girl and proud of it. People think they know what goes on behind those walls, but if they had any idea, they’d stop judging and want in on the fantastic friendships.

16. I don’t understand why young people smoke. It’s horrible for you and not attractive.

17. I take my camera everywhere. You never know when you’ll see Jessica Simpson or Britney Spears. Gotta be prepared.

18. I have the best friends in the world. They’re totally different, yet they each love me as I am and aren’t afraid to give me crap when I deserve it.

19. I can’t wait till the day Matt and I buy our first house. Years of watching HGTV has caused some serious excitement buildup.

20. I haven’t been able to pull off red lipstick since college. For some reason the classic Kappa look just doesn’t translate to my “grown up” life.

21. When I was little I fell off the diving board onto the concrete giving me a not so attractive scar. I was talking and waving trying to be the center of attention. Go figure.

22. I’ve never really been into the bar scene. Even in college, I just didn’t get it. Don’t get me wrong, drinks with friends is a hobby of mine, just not in a crowded crazy bar with creepy guys hitting on us.

23. I hate sad movies. If I want to see sad, I’ll watch the news, not pay $8 bucks for it.

24. I am a big fan of snail mail. Nothing is as comforting as getting a card in the mail, knowing someone took the time to pick it out, write a sweet message, and slap a stamp on it. I’m pretty sure I inherited this gene from my mom.

25. I keep all my old planners/calendars. They are like my diaries. I write almost everything in them and become sentimental looking back through them.

Ok, I cheated and added one more...

26. I’m complicated and completely ok with it.