Rebelling Against the Shoulds

{via pinterest}

It's been a while since I've blogged.  Three weeks to be exact.  And while I thought about saying, "Things have been busy," I decided against it.  Because, in all honesty, they haven't been that much busier than normal.  Sure, work has been a bit hectic, we've been traveling, and I'm back to working at Ann Taylor for the holiday season, but things haven't been too crazy.  The truth is, in the past few weeks, I've adopted a new mentality.  I've decided to rebel against the "shoulds" lately, letting go of all the things I think I "should" do, instead focusing on the things I want to do.  Instead of thinking, "I should blog tonight," I've decided to enjoy my evenings at home with Matt.  Instead of thinking, "I should curl my hair," I've embraced messy hair on the weekends.  Instead of thinking, "I should do laundry," I've been fine to reach into the back of my closet for less worn items.

The "shoulds" often get us into trouble.  They cause us to give priority to things that society or someone else value, rather than the things we value.  The "shoulds" serve as that nagging voice, trying to make me feel guilty for what I'm not doing well, rather the things I am doing well.  The "shoulds" cause me to live in the future, rather than existing in the present.  The "shoulds" drain joy from the moment, sacrificing spontaneity.  So as we enter this holiday season, I'm choosing to rebel against the "shoulds," putting aside what others want from me and focusing on what makes me happy.

Do the "shoulds" get you into trouble?  If so, will you rebel with me and embrace the life you truly dream of?

Oversized

{via pinterest}

I don't know what it is about fall, but it makes me want to oversize just about every top I wear.  The bigger the better.  Oversized knits, men's flannels, button ups, and heavy sweaters.  I can't get enough.  I can't help myself.  It just lends itself to feeling oh-so-cozy.  Paired with leggings and boots, its a no fail fall outfit.  I think I may need an oversized intervention.

Am I the only one out there who can't get enough of all things oversized?

Pictures of Pictures

It's been a bit quiet around SASWS this week, though that certainly isn't a reflection of life being calm or slow-paced.  It's taken me some time to get in the swing of things after saying goodbye to my grandmother last weekend.  I want to sincerely thank all of you who emailed, Facebooked, commented, and texted regarding my grandmother's passing.  I have spent the last two weeks thinking of how I wanted to honor her amazing life on this  blog, and after spending quite a bit of time thinking about it, I've realized it's okay for me keep things simple.  My Grammy was an incredible woman.  She was thoughtful, passionate, and kind.  She was intelligent, driven, and a little bit sassy.  She said what she meant, and she had an incredible ability to remember life's littlest moments.  She graduated with a college degree in the 1940s, setting a wonderful example for so many women.  She waited for my granpa as he served in World War II, eventually marrying him and honeymooning in Chicago.  She raised three boys, had five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.  She was a big believer in snail mail and a passionate lover of purple.  She was an avid weather watcher and a collector of way too many things.  She played the piano and called me "Princess" in nearly every phone conversation.  She made happy birthday phone calls every year without fail and sent the most talked about camp care packages.  She was proud of me for being the first Ph.D in the family, constantly calling to ask about coursework and dissertation progress.  She loved my granpa with all her might, sharing 67 years of marriage with her longtime sweetheart.  She set a wonderful example of true and unfailing love, and she will be missed beyond belief.

As we gathered last weekend in Ohio, I was reminded just how many people knew and loved her.  It was so comforting to meet people in their small town, sharing their favorite stories of her.  The owner of the old-time five and dime, longtime friends of my dad and uncles, and friends of her and my granpa.  Even the news anchors recognized her passing on air.  At her funeral, we all wore purple as a way to pay tribute to her incredible life.  We cried and laughed, remembering special times and sharing treasured stories.  It was particularly fascinating to see pictures and hear stories from her younger days, a time when I of course did not know her.  In the last years of her life, when I became more aware of her age and health, I pushed myself to ask questions, hear stories, and soak up details about her and my granpa's early years together.  I'm particularly grateful for those memories now that she is gone.  She was a beautiful woman, inside and out, and I'm so grateful to be her granddaughter.  

Thank you again for your kind and thoughtful words of support; they mean so much to me and my family.  I couldn't help but share a few pictures of pictures, taken over the weekend in Ohio.  The first and last pictures might be my most favorite.  Have a wonderful week and hug those most dear to you.

Dorothy

{via we heart it}

This weekend, my family said goodbye to a very special person, my grandma.  After several months of health complications and challenges, my grandmother passed away on Saturday night.  My Grammy was a strong and intelligent woman who cared deeply about the people closest to her.  She had an unmatched ability to remember the details, celebrating the small moments with love and joy.  She will be missed beyond belief.

Friday my family will gather in Ohio to celebrate my Grammy and love on my granpa, as he mourns the loss of his longtime love.  I ask you to please keep my family in your prayers, as we remember a wonderful woman.  My grandma was a passionate lover of the color purple, so this week, I am noticing shades of purple in the most unexpected places, smiling at my most favorite memories.  I hope to be back later this week to share some of my most treasured moments with her, but until then, I encourage you to read this special tribute to a real life love story.

Brooke's Happy Lately List

It's been a while since I've done a Happy Lately List, which is so unfortanate, because Happy Lately Lists are one of my most favorite things on this blog!  This week, I am excited to share a Happy Lately List from Brooke over at Belts and Bangles!  Take it away, Brooke...

{via pinterest}

For those tough days and weeks when nothing seems to be going right, I like to take some advice from Julie Andrews and revisit "a few of my favorite things." Although raindrops and roses and whiskers on kittens are nice, they tend to not make me nearly as happy as my guiltiest pleasures from a new pair of shoes to a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. To indulge in a few things that make every day better-- and get a few ideas for getting happier on your own-- check out my top six list of things that make me happy.

1. Claire's. When my bank account is low and my style standards are high, Claire's is always there with the latest fashion accessories at an affordable price. If I feel like revamping my wardrobe without suffering from the guilt and credit card debt later, I always turn to Claire's to give my next outfit that "wow" factor that ensures several feel-good compliments throughout the day.

2. New Underwear. Boyfriend or not, wearing a new set of cute and/or sexy underwear immediately makes me feel more confident about my body and my overall appearance. In line with the previous thought, underwear also tends to be on the cheaper side of the scale as far as clothing goes. So this indulgent purchase can make me look and feel good even when I'm broke.

3. Ice Cream and/or Hot Cocoa. Depending on the season, nothing feels better than curling up with a pint of ice cream or a cup of hot cocoa while reading, watching movies or just relaxing at home with friends. It even makes housework and homework better, which is a major victory for someone like me who needs that little extra motivation.

4. Sweaters From J. Crew. Alas, it's only in my dreams that I'll ever be able to afford the huge collection of J. Crew sweaters I want. However, for birthdays, Christmas and any other holiday I can think of, you better believe I'm mass e-mailing links of the entire sweater collection at J.Crew to all my friends and family as a helpful little hint for making the holiday extra happy.

5. Lucky Jeans. I recently became obsessed with Lucky brand jeans and have now made their store my go-to destination for a satisfying shopping trip. The styles and colors of these jeans are always gorgeous without going too over the top the way some upper-end denim suppliers can be.

6. Scarves. Can you tell I love fashion? For my final item, I've decided to expand upon my love for scarves, which I believe can truly make an outfit. The best part about scarves is that they're versatile for several different seasons and outfits. For example, you can wear a thick colorful scarf over a dark coat in the winter or tie a pretty silk scarf around the waist of a pretty white dress in the summer time for an extra unique look.

Indulging in a little "me time" is crucial for building the motivation and feel-good attitude I need to more efficiently complete all my unappealing daily chores. These are just 10 of the things that make me happy, but you can take advantage of any small activity or special item throughout the day that fills you with delight. Feel free to adopt a few of mine and share some of your own in the comments!

A big thanks to Brooke for sharing her Happy Lately List, and remember, if you want to have you list featured on Smart and Sassy with Sprinkles, just send me an email for more information!  Have a fabulous Tuesday yall!

Starved Rock

A few weekends ago, Matt and I spent a beautiful fall Sunday at Starved Rock State Park.  The 2,630 acre park is known for it's fascinating rock formations, beautiful woods, and breathtaking views of the Illinois River.  We made the hour and a half drive from Chicago mid morning and were on the trails by noon.  We packed a simple picnic and ate our lunch on a bench overlooking with river.  It was beautiful!  It was a bit chilly when we started, but once we got moving and got our heart rates going, we warmed up.  The fall colors were vibrant and bright, reminding me of just how much I adore all that is fall.  The pictures turned out pretty delightful, so I'll let them do the talking... 

If you live in or near the Chicago area, I'd definitely recommend a weekend trip to Starved Rock.  Their website shows gorgeous pictures of the park in both the winter and spring seasons, so I have a feeling we'll go back sometime in the near future.  But for now, I can feel winter creeping in, and I know it will only be a matter of time till these sunny weekend hikes will be a thing of the past.  I hope you all are enjoying your weekends, soaking up every last little bit of fall possible.

Insta-Weekends

Now that I am finished with internship and living in Chicago full-time, weekends have taken on a new meaning for me.  Last year, Matt and I spent most weekends relaxing, soaking up time together, and doing all the normal, everyday things that we missed doing together during the week.  But now that we get to have those small, everyday moments together during the week, we have been enjoying getting out on the weekends, trying new things, and enjoying this great city that we live in.  So I thought I'd take a second to show a peek into how we've been spending our weekends lately...

*Friday outfit: thrifted blazer, Ann Taylor skinny black pants, Dillards tank, Ann Taylor necklace and bracelet, Nordstrom watch, David Yurman ring.
*Date night dessert at Magnolia Bakery on State Street.  The German chocolate cupcake was insanely amazing!

*After two and a half years of living in Chicago, we finally saw a show at the Chicago Theater.
*For all your podcast nerds out there, we went to a live Radiolab show and absolutely loved it.  I initially went for Matt, as he loves Radiolab, (I'm more of a This American Life kind of girl), but in the end, we both really enjoyed it!

*The lobby of the Chicago Theater has the most gorgeous chandeliers!  However, the lobby was just a teaser for the gorgeousness that was going on inside the theater.  Simply breathtaking, and probably the most beautiful theater I've ever been to.

*We've also been enjoying some beautiful fall weather as of late, which means we've done our best to get outside and enjoy it.  On this sunny Saturday, we headed to a nearby forest preserve to hit the trail and get moving.

*A few weekends ago, we went to a local arts festival and had fun wandering through all the booths, admiring all the beautiful work.  We played a lot of the "if we were millionaires..." game :)
*Date night at our favorite sushi spot. 

*Since living in Chicago, I have learned that if you're wanting to get out and do something, but you aren't wanting to spend a lot of cash, just grab a blanket, a book, and a yummy picnic and head out to somewhere green.  Suddenly, the ordinary becomes much more special, and all for the fabulous price of nothing :)
*We had a special little friend with us a few weekends ago.  (Look closely, you'll see him!)  Clearly this chipmunk is used to people and had no problem chilling near our blanket, especially after Matt tossed him a few pita chip crumbles.

*A few weeks ago, some longtime family friends were in Chicago, and we met them for drinks at Rockit.  I grew up with these three guys around my house, as they are really close with my siblings, so it was really wonderful to see them again.  I hadn't seen one of them since I was twelve, so it was pretty surreal to swap stories about the olden days.

*A few Christmases ago, my parents gifted Matt a gift card to Rick Bayless' Chicago restaurants, and though we used some of it at Frontera last year, we still had a ton left.  And since we weren't in the mood to deal with the three month waiting list that is Topolobampo, we thought we'd give Rick's casual restaurant, XOCO, a try.
*I was ehhh not so impresseed with my torta, but oh my goodness, when they brought out the dessert, I was in heaven.  Those churros were the among the top ten things I've ever eaten.  Served with chocolate and homemade Mexican vanilla softserve, they were over the top good.  (For proof, note my crazy face in this picture.)  And since we still have a ton of money left on the gift card, I've calculated that we can afford about 40 more orders of churros.  You think I'm joking...

So there is a little peek into how we've been spending our weekends lately.  What have yall been up to?  Leave a link or comment below so I can come visit!

It Matters

I love this quote for so many reasons.  It puts into words something I've been thinking about a lot lately.  Big things are hard, big things take time.  Good things require effort, good things need care.  As I think about my future, there are so many things I dream about.  Big things, big dreams.  But almost instantly, I feel scared away by the amount of risk, effort, and work it might take.  I think about all the ways I might fail, I think about all the time and tears it might take.  I start to think about saying, "Nevermind."  But then I remind myself that if its big, if its important, and if its something few people do, then it's going to take time and hard work.  It's going to require risk and pushing through my fears.  Because, the good things, the important things, the meaningful things, well, they matter.  And things that matter don't come easy.

So today I challenge us.  To work hard, to take risks, to push through our fears.  Because our hopes and our dreams may be big and scary, but they matter.  And when things matter, we've got to go for them with all we've got.

Apple Picking

Last weekend, Matt and I headed out for my most favorite Midwest activity, apple picking!  Since moving to Chicago, I have looked forward to this activity every year.  Because of the frost late last spring, apple orchards were low on supply this fall, so we headed out a little earlier than usual just to make certain we could partake in our favorite fall tradition.  We've tried two different orchards in our time here, and our favorite is by far Jonamac Orchard in Malta, Illinois.  About an hour and a half outside of Chicago, it's a beautiful drive and an easy daytrip.

Sweater: Rachel by Rachel Roy Leggings: Gap Scarf: thrifted Socks: Target Boots: Clarks Sunnies: Nordstrom 

And of course, we finished the day with a delicious and fresh apple cinnamon donut.  I'm certain heaven will have will have an unlimited supply of those little lovelies; they're so yummy.  We heard the orchard expected to run out of pick-your-own apples later in that afternoon, so if you're planning to go apple picking this fall, make sure you call ahead to ensure you get a good supply.  Is anyone else excited to go apple picking?

And of course, a few Instagrams from the afternoon at the orchard...

PS: You can view other apple orchard outings here and here.

Insta-Roadtrip

At last, I am finally posting the rest of the pictures from my brother and my roadtrip.  Given that these are almost two months ago, I'm convinced I'm trying to hold on to summer and the freedom of my month-long vacation :)

1. Balcony view at The Peabody for the March of the Ducks.
2. Early morning cruising made bearable with Starbucks, good tunes, and lots of laughs. 

3. Macarons at Sucre.
4. Lattes are always better when made with love. 

5. Sibling jazz on Frenchmen's Street (love the classy ATM sign in the background lol.)
6. Live jazz at The Spotted Cat, one of our favorites of the trip.

7. Cafe Du Monde, oh how I wish you were closer to Chicago.
8. Happy Allison. 

9. Enjoying blue sky, open roads, and sibling bonding time.
10. The Pringles duck beak never gets old. 

11. Shorty after crossing into Texas, we stopped for some of our favorite Texas staples, fried chicken, crinkle cut fries, and Texas toast.  Yeehaw!
12. Last stop of the roadtrip?  Picking up my graduation gown.  An awesome end to an awesome trip!

It was so great to be able to spend so much time with my little brother.  He is turning into such a little grown up, and it was so fun to share this experience together.  I'm thinkng roadtrips are going to be a mandatory summer activity!  PS: you can see our other roadtrip posts here and here.