What would I do without the Olympics

I honestly couldn't be happier that the Olympics started this week. On Thursday of last week, I got my wisdom teeth removed. My dentists have been telling me for the past 5 years that I needed to have them removed, and I finally found the time to take off work and do it.

And boy does it hurt. I've never felt this kind of pain before in my life. I've cried from pain. Passed out from pain. And today I'm feeling like I might vomit from pain. And this is not for a lack of taking pain killers. I've taken plenty.

So I've been sitting on my couch for the past four days, barely moving at all. And I couldn't be happier that I actually have something entertaining to watch. Thank god for the Olympics.

Now, because I have all this free time, I figured I'd do an outfit post. So while I'm definitely not wearing this outfit today, I did wear it last week. Enjoy!



Shirt: Target - Skirt: F21 - Sandals: Steve Madden



Sunday Storytime: Fifty Shades of Grey

I've finally jumped on the bandwagon and read Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James. Well, I read it a little over a month ago, but finally decided that I might as well write a little something up about it.

For those of you ladies that have not yet read this book, it's worth the read if only to know what everyone else in the country is talking about. But I would warn you to not expect much. I'd relate it to going to a hyped up movie and being dramatically let down, probably because your expectations were set so high.

So here we go.


Anastasia (Ana) Steele is a senior in college in the pacific northwest. Ana is extremely introverted. She's shy and awkward, but she's also smart and is personable with strong friends and admirers. The character development of Ana came through as very insecure who is often taken advantage of by her friends.

The story begins when Ana conducts an interview for her university newspaper with the rich, famous and gorgeous entrepreneur, Christian Grey. She stumbles over her words, and over her feet in a pile of nerves in Mr. Grey's office. Yet, her vulnerability entices Christian Grey, and from that first meeting he became smitten.

Ana questions how someone as perfect as Grey could like a Plain Jane like her. She runs scenarios in her mind of how he's toying with her or using her. Yet, he can't get Ana out of his mind but does not have the words to tell her, or doesn't want to say those words out loud.

And you all know where the book goes from here.

Sex. And lots of it.

At first this was entertaining.  Just enough excitement to make my cheeks turn red when reading the book in public.

But then Grey hits her. And as much as she didn't want to be hit, she let him. And I got pissed. The feminist in me came out and got upset at what a weak woman Ana is. Why won't she stand up for herself? Why is she accepting a beating, for nothing? And then for days after the event, she cowers from him, instead of standing up and saying how she felt.

Really, there's not much of a story beyond this. Sex. Ana slowly learning about Grey's past. More sex. Ana being confused about their relationship. More sex. And more sex.

There's no storyline. There's no character development. This book is truly like a soft core porn, in which it's 90% about the sex and only 10% an awful story. Not that there's anything wrong with that if it would just own up to what it is.

The one amazing thing that this book has done is brought women's sexuality more into the forefront of our culture. No longer (or not as much) is it taboo to talk about sex with your friends - or even acquaintances for that matter. And for the most part, I think this is wonderful.

But I will admit that I'm disappointed whenever I hear a woman state that this is a "great book", because it is far from great. It is a very poorly written book. But much like Harry Potter and Twilight, it appears to have brought reading to the masses again. It makes it 'cool' to read. And I can't disregard that as something great.

So, I give this book one and a half stars. And no, I will not be reading the other two books in this trilogy.

Baby it's hot outside

I think for the south, they should re-record the "Baby it's cold outside" to "baby it's hot outside." Because, damn it's hot here.



Shirt: Marshalls - Skirt: F21 - Sandals: Steve Madden - Jewelry: Target 



What I wore the day I got hit by a car

But before that story, I first wanted to thank you all for the kind words and support from my last post. It meant so much to me to see all of the comments and emails that I had received and to know that I've got all of you to help me through whatever may come my way.

Now onto my "I got hit by a car" story. Man, I've had a rough week. :)

On Tuesday, I woke up and put on this pretty dress thinking it was going to be a good day. I had a good attitude and was ready to turn things around.

Instead of the good day I was hoping for, I got hit by a car on my walk to work.

Yup. It happened.

I'm fine. The driver was going slow enough because he was rolling through a stop sign (and crosswalk. that I was very clearly half-way through). So no injuries other than a slightly twisted ankle from jumping out of the way.

After crying from pure adrenaline for at least 30 minutes and making a fool out of myself in front of my coworkers, I realized that I'm still wearing this pretty dress.  And the day got a little bit better. Thank god for pretty dresses.



Dress + Belt: Target - Sandals: Lorenzo Chelini
And don't judge, my hair is still wet from the shower...



Appreciating what I have

Today is not going to be an outfit post.

Instead it is a post to all of my dear friends and family that I know read my blog.

Last week, my co-workers wife passed away from cancer. She was 39 and the mother of two little girls.

Now, I'm not extremely close to this coworker and have never met his wife. But the tragedy does not go unnoticed by me. I've cried tears and had emotions that I did not expect over this news.

And today was the funeral.

Wanting to show my support and condolences, I was devastated when I was told that I could not go to the funeral.  I was not "allowed" to go. Instead, myself and a handful of other coworkers were told that we needed to say in the office to continue working on our hot projects that just could not be delayed the mere two hours that the funeral would last.

Needless to say, I was devastated. And absolutely furious.

What type of a boss/job doesn't realize the importance of life, love and support of a coworker over work?!  I thought that people understood that some things are more important than work, but I guess I was naive.

This experience has opened my eyes up to two very different, yet important things.

1) This is obviously not the the type of agency I want to work at. Their priorities are not the same as mine and I have come to the realization that there are more important things to life than work.

This should be no surprise to anyone that's read my last couple of posts about my quarter-life crisis in which I'm contemplating changing, not only jobs, but careers. 

2) I know it's cliche, but life is short and it should not be taken for granted. I need to appreciate the time and the people that I have in my life, right now. Before it's too late.

I started my career seven years ago completely gung-ho and planning to work my tail off so I could make a name for myself. I'm beginning to realize that my priorities need to change.

Working 70+ hours a week doesn't allow me any time to spend with my husband. Or call my grandma. Or hang out with my friends. Or even just to be happy and enjoy myself.

So friends and family, my priorities are changing.

The transition may be painful. And it may be long. But I appreciate you and miss you all.

I still may not spend as much time with you as often as I should. But I'm sure as hell going to try.

I'm tired, but I'm back

Ok. Here it goes. My first outfit post in over five weeks. Please bare with me.

It's not like five weeks is really that long, but I feel like I'm a first-timer all over again.

What do I say? Why would you care? Am I really just talking to my friends and cousins who read this on a daily basis? (yes, I know you're out there!)

Here we go.

I have a few outfit pictures leftover from weeks ago when I was still taking daily pictures. And I chose these pictures to post because you can see the tiredness in my eyes. And I feel just as tired and exhausted today as I look in those pictures, so it's almost like it's a picture from today!

It's a stretch, I know. But roll with me here.



I actually wish I had these pants on right now. They're the perfect kind that they look nice, yet kind of feel like you're wearing yoga pants. And after exhausting days like this, relaxing in yoga pants are all I think about.

I want to be relaxed just like this cat.

Alright. That's good enough for the first day back. 

I'm not dead

I've gotten at least a dozen emails, facebook posts and messages from people wondering where I've disappeared to. I've obviously caused some alarm, but no worries friends. I'm alive.

The past two months of my life have been ridiculously busy, stressful, exciting and most of all, life changing. Today is quite literally the first day since the beginning of June that I've been able to even attempt to blog. So let me get you all caught up on my life in the past two months.

1. I've decided I need a job change. Possibly even a career change. 

I'm not sure if you remember, but #3 on my 30 before 30 list is to find a job that I love. Six-or-so months back, I thought I could cross off my list. But I was sorely mistaken.

The main reasons I haven't blogged in forever is the extremely long hours and stress of my job. I work a 11-12 hour day, only to come home to eat something and then continue working until I go to sleep. That's not the life that I want, especially since I should be out enjoying what's left of my 20's.

I chose this job and packed up hubby and my's life for Richmond because I was promised a great work/life balance, working with a great team on the biggest and best client in the business. I must say, they haven't fulfilled any of those promises.

At my job in Colorado, I was working longer hours BUT I was having a blast doing it. I worked with the most amazing people I know and boy, did we know how to have FUN! I miss those days.

Now, my entire office walks around like drones and we work for a bitch of a client. I swear, if I see any more girls in dresses and cardigans I may throw them down the stairs. I feel like this office is a cross between Stepford Wives and Mad Men (because of all the old, fat, 50-year-old men that run the company).

So, a new job is definitely in my future. For my resume's sake, I'm going to try to stay here for at least another 9-12 months. But we'll see if I can actually hold out that long.

2. The job change will (hopefully) bring us back home to Minnesota.

The one great thing that has come from living in Richmond, Virginia is it makes us realize how much we love and miss Minnesota.

We lived in Colorado for 2 years, and absolutely loved it. And it is by far the most amazing and beautiful state in the country. (I've already told hubby that we will be retiring there, so we'll be back.) But nothing can compare to home.

I miss wandering the streets of Uptown or St. Paul. I miss going on my run around Lake Calhoun and cook-outs with the hubby at Medicine Lake. I miss friends, and family. And I can't believe I'm going to say this - but I miss the weather too. I swear to god, I can't live through another 3 months of 105 degree days with 90% humidity. I'm melting. ...oh, and I'm gaining mega weight because I can't be active when it's 105 degrees every day.

100% true. I never realized this until I moved away. 

3. I turned 28!! Hot damn, I'm getting old.

My birthday turned out pretty decent. Email and phones were down in the office from a big storm the day before, so most of my birthday was spent at the bar "pretending to work"since it's the only place that had internet, but really drinking and eating all day. So much more fun than being in the office all day! Then Justin and I went out to eat at a fire grilled pizza at a place on our block.

And it was a week long celebration for me! A week before my actual birthday, a group of us went to a Bourbon, Brews and BBQ Festival to celebrate a few June birthdays too. We drank endlessly for hours and had a great time. Go June birthdays!

The birthday crew! 

4. One of my very best friends, Carissa, asked me to be her Maid of Honor!

I was so shocked and excited that she asked me to be her Maid of Honor. She has so many girlfriends, that I was crossing my fingers that I'd be able to be a part of her wedding. But, after one of the most stressful days of my career, when all I needed was a pick-me-up, I had a package in the mail from Carissa asking me to be her Maid of Honor. I jumped up and down a few times. Cried a little bit....or a lot.

And last week, hubby and I made a wonderful trip back to Minneapolis so Carisa and I could go wedding dress shopping with her mom. It was so much fun! She hasn't found 'the dress' yet, but she's got a great start and I know she'll find the most beautiful dress ever.

Hubby told me that I looked like Farrah as I was crying hysterically

5. We took a trip home to Minneapolis.

Last week, we were in Minnesota for the 4th of July and the following weekend. We had a blast with friends and just wandering around the city. In the airport, hubby and I actually contemplated NOT flying back home to Richmond and just staying in MN. It kind of hurt to get on the plane...

The best part of Minnesota? CHEESE CURDS!!!!!!

6. We've been keeping ourselves busy and exploring the East Coast.

As y'all know, we're not the biggest fans of Richmond or Virginia. But luckily, we have some great friends within a few hours of us that have provided us some sanity. So we've been keeping ourselves busy and have been taking advantage of living on the East Coast while we do.

After a day of rafting, paddle boarding and ropes courses.

Thank god for this group of friends. 

7. I've signed up for another half-marathon. 

I'm just doing a half this time, instead of a full marathon because it's too damn hot out here in Virginia to run anything more than 13 miles. My motivation for running? Trying to lose the 20 pounds that I've gained since moving to Virginia. It's honestly ridiculous.

I'm going to try to eat healthier too in hopes that it will make a difference. I've changed my diet habits a couple of months ago, but haven't seen any changes. Crossing my fingers that this new motivation to run more than 3 miles every morning will help.

8. Hubby and I have booked an AMAZING vacation! 

We're going to the Dominican Republic in October and I can't freaking wait. We booked our all-inclusive hotel through Living Social and got a great deal. October can't come soon enough. Seriously.

OK. I think that's pretty much everything that's happened in the last two months. I'll try to start posting outfits again soon, but it likely won't be every day like it was. I'm shooting for twice a week. Let's see what happens....

Thanks for hanging in there.