Dissertation Celebration: Part 1

By now, I'm sure you're sick of hearing me talk about my dissertation defense.  And to that, I say "too bad." :)  I worked for a looooong time on that dang thing, so you better believe I'm going to revel in the excitement of being done.  I was pretty creative in the scheduling of my defense, which allowed me to squeeze in some extra friends and family time.  Here are a few snapshots from the big day, with more pictures of the long weekend coming later this week...

This was me and my anxious self an hour before the defense.  My old boss and dear friend Jenny let Matt and I hole up in her office prior to the big to-do, and I kept vacillating between my presentation and my i-Phone, reading all the sweet and thoughtful texts coming in from friends and family.  (Have I ever mentioned that I have the best friends and family in the whole wide world?)

Two hours later...DEFENDED!  This is me with my chair and advisor, Dr. Castillo.  I meant what I said in my dedication, when I said that she has been an incredible source of support through this project.  I'm not sure I could have made it without her.

Immediately after my defense, my parents (who were waiting anxiously on campus but not in the room), Matt, and I headed straight to Dallas to celebrate with my friends and family.  It was SO wonderful to be able to celebrate with most of my best friends and family in one place.  It felt like a mini repeat of Matt and I's wedding; all the people we love in one place at one time!  There were several times I looked around the table, from my parents, to Matt, to my friends, thinking, "I want to hold onto this moment forever."  It was that special.

These girls are pretty incredible, and its funny to think that we all met in sequins and cowboy hats.  (Thank you CHS drillteam!)  I love them so much and was extra excited to meet Kendall's baby bump.

The next day, we headed up I-35 to Norman, Oklahoma where to we got to see this little guy.  The cherry on top of my celebration!  Naturally, I took a bazillion pictures while at OU, so I'm going to post those later in the week.  Looking back through all of these pictures and remembering the weekend, makes me all warm and fuzzy inside again.  The only thing better than defending was being able to share it with my dear family and friends :)

Hope you're having a fabulous day.  It's almost mid-week; hang in there!

Happy Lately List

{via pinterest}

It's been forever since I've done a happy lately list.  And since it's officially Friday and one step closer to Thanksgiving break, I figured today was the perfect time celebrate the small stuff!

The fact that my DIY manicures are finally getting legit...
Beyonce's "Girls Run the World."  My pump me up/get me through the day song...
This chunky, fuchsia infinity scarf I scored from The Loft.  (40% with friends and family going on!)...
Snagging tickets to see The Nutcracker the weekend before Christmas.  I haven't been the past few years, and I think Matt was getting sick of my whining...
Finally downloading Ellie Goulding's album and having Lollapalooza flashbacks...
Manly flannel shirts...
Breaking out the extra blankets for winter.  Beds are so much cozier when they're stacked with blankets...
Getting flowers at work from my sweet husband...
This belt tying tutorial.  Perfect for my trench coat which has been an everyday thing the past two weeks...
It's Friday.  Enough said...
Looking forward to Thanksgiving break.  4 whole days with Matt, heck yes...
Crockpot dinners, the lazy girl's guide to warm and cozy weeknight meals...
Tights and cable knit boot socks...
Defending my dissertation, booyah!  (You didn't think I'd be sick of saying that by now, did you?)...
Harry Potter comes out on DVD today.  Hell yes.  Date night planned...

What's making you happy today?  PS: I want to get back in the habit of posting readers' happy lately lists.  So if you wanna make a list of your own and email to me, I'll do my best to feature here on this little blog!  Happy weekend yall!

The Art of Layering

This season has been a big one for me.  After a year and a half of living in Chicago, I'm finally learning to be prepared for the weather.  (A big accomplishment, I assure you!)  Several occasions this fall, Matt and I have ventured outside, and each time I've been surprised to realize I was wearing just the right thing.  And the answer hasn't been a heavier coat or thick wooly socks.  I'm attributing this achievement to layering, a complicated art that I'm just beginning to master.  In Texas, we work in two layers...light cotton dress or naked.  Thankfully, Midwesterners have several more layers to their wardrobes, and to be honest, I'm starting to dig the extra options.

Jacket: Nordstrom
Cardigan: Gap {similar here}
Long-sleeved tee: Ann Taylor {similar here}
Jeans: J.Crew
Scarf: Ann Taylor {similar here}
Boots: Burberry {here}
Earrings: gifted from a friend

I swear by Ann Taylor's long-sleeve knit tees.  I have quite the stockpile, and I wear them all.the.time I love them because I can layer them under a cardigan or blazer for a more casual look or with a pencil skirt and statement necklace for work.  I literally have to force myself not to buy them in every single color.  I love them that much!  I also rarely leave the house without a scarf these days.  It's an easy layer that takes about 2 seconds to add.  How can you go wrong with a 2 second layer?  So now that my layering secret is out, I'm curious; what's your secret to the art of layering?

Insta-Sprinkles

1. My latest read 2. Breakfast at Blueberry Hill 3. My favorite beer (and the only one I drink!) 4. Impromptu picnic at the park

5. Beatles spray painting on campus 6. Our simple yet delicious dinner with goodies from this trip 7. A brand new box of crayons snagged for this project.  Seriously, is anything better than a brand new box of crayons? 8. A red velvet birthday cupcake for a fellow intern

9. Manicure of the week (Essie Pop Art Pink with OPI Rainbow Connection from the new Muppets Collection...love!) 10. A fun surprise from a coworker following a presentation I gave last week 11. The beautiful OU Kappa house which I got see this past weekend visiting my brother at school.  His fraternity house is right across the street! 12. The coffee mug that got me through my dissertation defense :)

Defended

{via pinterest}

Thursday afternoon at 3:10, I got the official word.  I passed.  I freaking passed my dissertation defense. I never thought I'd see the day.  Though I was insanely anxious in the hours leading up to my defense, I felt the weirdest sense of calm come over me a few minutes before I started.  (I completely attribute this to all the prayers and positive thoughts people were sending my way.)  I won't lie, there was an intense amount of anxiety as the committee deliberated and I stood out in the hallway, but when my chair came out with a handshake and "Congratulations, Doctor," I almost couldn't believe it.  I did it.

This whole thing has been a crazy ride.  There have been so many ups and downs, it's hard to believe I'm this close to being done.  As the hours have passed since Thursday, it's started to sink in more and more, and as I've celebrated with friends and family, it's begun to seem more real.  I did it; I really did it.  But I didn't do this whole thing alone, I had an insane amount of love and support from friends and family, and because of that, I wanted to share the dedication portion of my dissertation.  It was by far the best part of the paper to write, and I've reread it a thousand times, giving thanks for the people who helped get me through.  A big thanks also goes out to all of my blog readers who have sent words of support and encouragement along the way.  However small they seemed to you, they meant the world to me!

This dissertation has been an incredible labor of energy and determination.  Though my name is printed on the title page, many more deserve to have their names listed there, as this project wouldnot have happened without the love and support of so many.  I want to first thank my husband, Matt, for his unending support and guidance.  You are my partner in both personal and professional pursuits, and I am continually inspired and blessed by your love and desire for us to dream big.  To my parents, who have provided me with unlimited opportunity and support.  You have always encouraged me to follow my heart, staying close beside me for moments when I feared and wondered, “Can I really do this?”  Without your guidance and love, I would be lost.  To my brother Ryan, one of the biggest influences on my life, thank you for inspiring me in ways you will never know.  You motivate me to step outside my comfort zone and embrace life for all it has to offer.  To my friends and extended family, I am so grateful for your encouragement and influence over the course of my life.  Even when I am unsure of what I need, you know my heart and remind me of what matters most.  I am beyond grateful.

Thank you to Dr. Castillo, who in many ways, has been an unexpected but incredible source of support through this process.  You believed in me when it seemed no one else did, and I cannot thank you enough for your ability to both challenge and support me, a balance that is always difficult to find.  Thank you to my committee members, for your guidance and support during this project.  Lastly, thank you to my Access family, who has been a continual source of inspiration and support for the past five years.  You have been a safe haven in the face of sometimes daunting obstacles, and I am forever grateful for the impact you had on my personal and professional development.

I'm off to soak up the rest of the weekend and celebrate until I'm blue in the face.  I've whispered to Matt at least ten times since Thursday, "I defended my dissertation," and I can't help but smile each time I say it.  This whole thing is living proof that with a whole lot of hard work and determination, even the impossible is possible!

Go

{via wax paper design}

Sorry for the silence around here this week; I've been busy putting the finishing details on my dissertation defense.  I'm currently at the airport, waiting to fly back to Texas to defend a project that has almost consumed the last several years of my life.  Sitting at the gate, I'm a weird combination of insanely nervous, semi-excited, and if I'm honest, slightly terrified.  My defense is tomorrow at 1:30, so if you believe in the power of prayer, positive vibes, affirmations, meditation, or anything else...please send a little my way :)  Until then, I'm trying to take deep breaths and remind myself that this is a moment I've dreamed of for a very long time...

A Fall Day at the Beach

Two weekends ago, after our morning at the apple orchard, Matt and I were feeling adventurous.  We'd made the almost 3 hour drive to Michigan, and we felt a little silly heading back to Chicago with so much of the afternoon left.  So as we paid for our bags of apples, I asked the man behind the counter, "What else is there to do around here?"  He looked a little confused at first, but after I explained we had some time to explore, he suggested we head to the beach.  He warned it would be windy, but assured us that we wouldn't complain once we saw the view.  And boy was he right.  It was BEAUTIFUL!

We headed to the small beach town of St. Joseph and found out we pretty much had the whole beach to ourselves.  I think there is something really special about exploring something during its "offseason."  Even when most people have packed up their umbrellas and beach towels, there's still so much beauty to discover.

It was crazy windy, and the waves were rolling in, but I couldn't stay out of the water!  I was so thankful I had my wellies on so I could splash around and have a little fun.

Isn't it divine?  Cameron did a great job at capturing the moment; I feel like I can still hear the grass blowing in the breeze.

Matt and I must have stood in this spot for almost an hour.  He'd wander off to take a few pictures, I'd wade out in the water, often squealing at how high the waves were getting.  I'd get lost in the moment, only to turn and see my man, bent down, taking pictures of some tiny beach detail.  It was so serene and comforting, just the two of us.

Eventually we ventured out on this narrow pier where we ran into a local who said he hadn't seen the waves so big in years.  We stood there for while, dodging right and left as waves rolled in, crashing over the railings.  It was so simple, yet so fun.  And with Matt and I spending Monday-Friday apart, days like these are even more special.

I've been whining for a beach vacation since our honeymoon, and though this wasn't quite what I had in mind, I milked it for all it was worth.  Cheesy sand writing and all :)

Just like a postcard!

After trying our hand at being beach explorers, we headed to Silver Beach Pizza for some dinner.  The restaurant was housed in the historic train station and had the yummiest pizza I've had in a long time!  The crust was perfect, not quite Chicago deep dish, but not quite thin.  A big accomplishment in my eyes.

We sat in their enclosed patio, which offered perfect views of the water, but the right amount of protection from the wind.  Did I mention I loved the pizza? :)

I'm so glad we asked the man at the orchard what was nearby and took the time to explore.  We often get so caught up in life's to do list, that we miss out on unexpected surprises.  And this little beach trip was certainly one I'll remember for a very long time!

PS: My blog got a ton of hits today, but my statcounter is acting up and won't tell me where people are coming from.  If you're new here or were referred from another blog/site, will you please leave comment letting me know how you got here?  Pretty please?  Thanks :)

The Impossible

{via pinterest}

Five years ago, when I started my Ph.D program, a dissertation sounded impossible.  It seemed so big, so vague, and so out of reach.  Two years after that, I got started and realized just how incredibly hard and overwhelming it was.  It was hard to even know where to begin; it seemed impossible.  A year after that I faced a huge obstacle, and suddenly, it seemed like my academic world was crumbling around me.  I was emotionally drained and defeated; I was sure I couldn't go on.  It felt impossible.  Since then, I've had multiple moments where I sat at my computer, sometimes swearing, sometimes crying, burying my face in my hands, thinking, "I can't do this anymore; its impossible, I give up!"  But a week from Thursday, I'm defending my disseration.  Defending the project I swore was impossible, the project I was sure I'd never ever finish.  It's here, its almost done, and suddenly, I'm realizing its not so impossible after all.  Somehow, in those moments of impossible, I found a way to press through.  Sometimes because I forced myself to, but usually because I had a loving group of people standing beside me, saying "You can do it.  We believe in you."  Between Matt, my parents, my brother, and my dear friends, I found just enough energy to keep going.  And suddenly the impossible is possible.

Thinking about this journey and how close I am, makes me reflect on the things in my life I'm currently finding "impossible," the things I'm currently swearing I won't survive.  As daunting as they feel, as overwhelming as they seem, I've realized today that I've got history on my side.  Things have seemed impossible before, yet I've managed to survive and overcome.  With a little bit of hope and courage, and a lot of support from those closest to us, even the overwhelming is doable.  So today, I'm challenging us to take a closer look at our lives and realize that we can do it; we can make it.  The impossible is possible after all.

Photography Bootcamp

I'm almost three months into my internship and almost three months into living apart from Matt during the week.  Outside of our trips to Texas and NYC, we've been able to spend every weekend together, in Chicago.  This means that every single Friday after work, I load up my car and make the 2 hour drive back "home."  Besides the weekend we moved me down here,  Matt hasn't spent much time in my sleepy little college town.  But this weekend, we changed things up, and Matt made the 2 hour weekend commute to visit me.  And since there wasn't a single thing on our agenda, Matt came up with a unique challenge for me.  Photography bootcamp!  (The name was my doing, not his lol.)

Ever since we got Cameron, we've been taking her almost everywhere.  And about 90% of the time, she's around Matt's neck.  Matt's had a fancy camera before and has some beautiful shots that he took in his high school and college days.  (You remember, when people still used film.)  I was content just snapping a quick pic here and there, but thankfully, Matt came up with a fun way to get me more acquainted with Cameron and photography in general.  Before we left the house on Saturday morning, Matt gave me a list of things to shoot: lines, pattern, color, depth, texture, etc.  The result was a lovely afternoon, spent doing nothing but wandering and clicking away.  I didn't quite get all of the things on my bootcamp list, but I got a good start and thought I'd show you my homework :)

Pattern
Downtown street grate

Color
Lettuce at the local farmer's market

Shape
Potatoes at the local farmer's market

Height
Center of downtown

Depth
Flowers outside a local spa

Texture
Ivy covered wall

Lines
Historic brick building

Monochrome
Flowers outside our lunch spot

I was actually pretty pleased with myself for my first round of photography bootcamp.  I took a ton of pictures (some worked, some didn't) and got over my habit of constantly handing the camera over the Matt.  We managed to snap a few more pictures during our outing that didn't count as homework, but nonetheless, captured the spirit of the day...

Both Matt and I left the market wondering why we don't make it a point to visit farmers' markets more often.  You can't go wrong when its yummier, cheaper, and local.  And the weather this weekend couldn't have been more perfect!

The weekends have a whole new meaning for us now, and we literally try to soak up every single second we have together.  And ps: don't be jealous of my hair; it took me eight hours to get it looking like this, ha!

Jacket: Ann Taylor Loft
Gingham shirt: American Eagle {on sale here}
Scarf: Urban Outfitters
Jeans: J.Crew
Boots: Macy's (total steal at the end of last winter!)
Sunnies: Nordstrom BP (the best place for cheapies, these were $10!)

This weekend was just one of those lovely, lazy, and wandering weekends that I wish could have gone on forever.  But sadly, it didn't, and I'm back to work tomorrow.  But Monday is just that much closer to Friday, so I'll take it :)  What were you lovelies up to this weekend?  Do tell!

Fat Talk Free Week

 

This week, as part of my job, I have been working on promoting an international campaign on the college campus where I work.  The program, Fat Talk Free Week, is aimed at combating our society's thin ideal and standard of beauty.  Its goal is to raise awareness of how our everyday language affects the way women and young girls everywhere view themselves, their bodies, and the world around them.  Fat talk is around us every day, and I can't pretend them I'm innocent or immune to it.  It's so woven into the fabric of every day life, that its often hard to even detect when we use it.  But we do, I do, almost all of us do.  But after promoting this campaign and doing what I do every single day (which yes, I know, I'm still vague about), I'm starting to see just how dangerous fat talk is.  So I encourage you to watch this video and realize just how destructive our words can be.  I'm not perfect, I'm not always good to myself, and I often speak before thinking.  But after watching this video a million times and working with college women on a daily basis, I'm trying to be more mindful of my words and the impact they have on me, my friends, my family, the strangers I meet in line, and the daughter I hope to maybe one day have.  So this week, I'm making a conscious effort to watch my words and find new things to focus on.  Won't you join me?