Childhood Explorers

Today's topic is a childhood memory, with as much description as you can muster. I don't remember a whole lot of things from my childhood very vividly - or at all - but here's one story that sticks out.

I've lived in the same house since 1993, in a neighborhood full of trees and animals and hidden things that you don't often find in the city. Charlotte has so much nature left, which is one of the things I love about it. Our tiny yard is full of trees and plants, and it's not uncommon to have a family of deer walking through our yard in the early morning hours. My neighborhood was originally a fox hunting ground, and sometimes I can imagine what it must have been like then.

One evening, our family was at our next-door-neighbors' house, the parents enjoying an evening cocktail while all the children played in the backyard. I don't remember how we got the idea, but we decided we wanted to be explorers and see what there was to see in our little suburban yards. So we set off, slipping through the trees and out of the yard before our parents even noticed. We walked down the hill, tripping on the underbrush and banging on all the trees with sticks. In the middle of this tiny forest, the canopy is so dense that you can barely see the sky. It really did feel like a different world.

We continued our trek until we hit a wall. We wanted to see what was on the other side, so we continued around and ended up on the playground of our neighborhood pool. We hadn't gone more than five hundred yards, close enough not to get into harms way but far enough to feel like an adventure.

To be honest, I can't remember how we got home. I can't remember if we got caught. I can't remember if our parents even noticed - through the filter of memories, I don't even remember how long we were gone. I walked that exact path so many times growing up - it connects my street with my best friend's back yard, and was the most direct path for many years. But I very vividly remember feeling like I was discovering something new, exploring the world around me. Maybe that's why I'm so eager to explore the world now, and at 23 there's even more of it I want to see.

Friday's Fancies: Stripes!

{kate spade mariella dress} {j.crew earrings}
{tory burch clutch} {baublebar bracelets 1, 2, 3}
{coach lucy heels}

Today's Friday's Fancies topic was stripes. It's like Alison read my mind. My closet is full of stripes, and my Pinterest is full of even more! I've got weddings and wedding showers on the brain as my summer calendar fills up. This outfit would be perfect for an afternoon wedding - fancy but not too formal. I've been obsessed with Coach's latest shoe collection, and these are at the top of my wishlist. Although I have to admit, I always bring a pair of flats for the reception!

A Favorite Photo

Today's topic is a favorite photo of yourself.

There are a million reasons why this is one of my favorite pictures. My brother and I just hanging out with my Grandma, while I'm rocking a particularly awesome Aladdin sweatshirt. I've been stylish since birth. Note the groovy wood panelling (still standing but soon to be painted) and the 80's Southwest print rocking chair (which was reupholstered and is still in the basement).

My grandparents, along with a whole side of my family tree, lived in St. Louis and they didn't get to come to Charlotte very often, but I have so many good memories from this visit. My grandparents have since passed, so pictures with them are particularly special to me. These are my favorite kinds of photos - ones where I'm smiling and surrounded by family. And if you're willing to overlook the hair, I was a pretty cute kid.

I Don't Know If It's Going to Work Out

This is one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite movies. If you haven't seen the graduation speech from Crazy, Stupid, Love, you're missing out. There's a line in this scene when Cal is talking about his marriage and he says "I don't know if it's going to work out." I know how you feel. I've been chasing after something for a long time and I don't know if it's going to work out.

I've been debating how much of this I wanted to put online, and I've decided to keep it short and sweet. I've wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember, and I've been working on the med school application process for almost as long. Right now, I'm stuck in the purgatory known as the wait list. I don't know if I'll get in. I don't know if I'll reapply. I don't know if I'll change direction completely. And as a person who loves nothing more than charging full-steam-ahead down a path, having no path at all is maddening.

I haven't really been overcoming it - I'm still working on accepting it. I've been distracting myself and spending time with friends. I've been reading articles like this and reminding myself that I'm only 23. I've been having meetings and overworking google and taking pages of notes. All that's left is to make a decision about anything.

I'm a big believer in things always working out, but I don't know if this will. I have faith that I'm going to find something I love, whether it's medicine or not. And for now, I'm reminding myself that I always have the freedom to change my mind.

A Day in the Life

Today's Blog Every Day in May topic is "a day in the life". My days all consist of pretty much the same things, just in different order. Work, gym, blogging, cooking, spending time with family/friends. I'll be honest - these photos aren't all from the same day. But they do represent how I usually spend my time. So here we go:

I love this picture. So meta. I do most of my blogging sitting on my bed, usually with Harry Potter playing in the background.

This is one of my latest favorite recipes:

thawed frozen edemame + olive oil + garlic salt + pepper

mix & roast for 15 mins at 400, tossing halfway through

The workout in this picture is from Tone It Up. I'm obsessed with their workouts, even if I can almost never finish all the reps. I like to have the workouts printed rather than reading them on my phone, so you'll usually see me carrying papers around at the gym. And then hobbling the next day.

The only full length mirror I have access to right now is in our stockroom at work, so that's where any #OOTD posts get taken. These seersucker pants are one of my more recent purchases and I'm obsessed.

And this is Phoebe, my doggy companion. When everyone else is off at work, she hangs out with me and eats anything I drop on the floor. It's hard to get a good picture of her because she's so dark and wiggly. This was achieved by holding a treat next to the camera. Bribery always works.

Today is actually my day off work (after a late floorset last night), so I'm planning on getting things done. My room looks like a hot mess so I'll be doing a ton of cleaning, and I need to start prepping to head to Charleston next week!! Packing, scheduling blog posts, stocking up on snacks and wine are all on the to do list today. Happy Wednesday everyone!

My Happy Place

Lisbon from above

Today's topic is 10 things that make you really happy. And I have to say that coming up with my list actually made me really happy. There's nothing like thinking of things that bring joy to your life to start your morning off on a good note. In no particular order:

{spending doggy time with phoebe}

{fresh flowers}

{a good book}

{the smell of the ocean}

{traveling to new places}
{the perfect croissant}
{shag dancing}
{organizing}
{inside jokes with my family}
{reuniting with friends}

This is by no means a comprehensive list - just the first ten things that came to my mind. Now I think I'm going to have to go find a croissant...

What makes you happy?

I'm Sorry, Mom...

Yes, Mom is quickly becoming the star of this blog. It was inevitable. Today's Blog Every Day in May topic is to issue a public apology. There are plenty of apologies I owe people, but many are too personal to share online out of respect for others involved. I'm choosing to go with a less serious, although no less valid, apology to my mother for one of my many childhood tantrums.

Thank you Mom, for making sure I didn't turn out like her, although I'm digging the 90's crop top. {Image}

When I was in elementary/middle school, the style icons were Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. Let's put aside for the moment the horrible role models these women were (no wonder my generation has body image issues) and think back to what they wore. Crop tops, booty shorts, bras as tops, tiny schoolgirl outfits. And what they wore, everyone copied.

I remember having countless fights with Mom at the mall (usually in Limited Too) over what I was and was not allowed to wear. In my mind, Mom was basically trying to ruin my life. Looking back, I thank the Lord Mom saved me from looking like a preteen prostitute. Instead, she taught me that not everyone looks great in the same clothes, and that it's more important to wear what fits you than what's trendy.

So Mom, I apologize for embarrassing you in public more times than you can count. Thank you for saving me from as many cringe-worthy childhood pictures as you could.

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A little housekeeping note:

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