Ho Hey

The Lumineers, Ho Hey 

I been trying to do it right
I been living a lonely life
I been sleepin' here instead
I been sleepin' in my bed
I been sleepin' in my bed
...
I belong with you, you belong with me
You're my sweetheart
I belong with you, you belong with me
You're my sweetheart
 

Dark Roman Wine

I do love this song. Recently saw Snow Patrol live and it was fantastic.

But the dark roman wine in our bloodstreams
Make the cold just a word, just a sound

Sleepy

Top: Forever 21
Slacks: Target
Loafers: Target 

Watch: Charming Charlie 

So this photo was taken at 8:30am. Yes, 8:30am. Internet, I am not much of a morning person, and out of probably 10 pictures this was probably the only one that I didn't look super tired. 

I wore this for my second day interning at the planning office. I really like that these slacks stop at the ankles, I like the little bit of ankle showing! 

Anyways, off to bed! 

You want to be a planner? Like a wedding planner?

No internet, not that kind of planner. ;)

Blazer: Old Navy (thrifted)

Top: Old Navy

Jeans: Target

Shoes: Payless

Watch: Charming Charlie

Today I started my internship at a Planning and Development office! If you didn't know internet, my current career goal is to become a professional land use planner (with an environmental resources perspective) for a city or a county. I was fortunate enough to land an internship this summer in an actual planning office! So far its been a great experience and I can already tell that I am going to be learning a lot! Yay! 

(I gave this blog the title it has because when I forget the 'land use' part when I say I want to be a planner, that is usually the response I get, which I would probably think the same!)

The office is very business-casual, leaning more toward the casual side. I'm really happy about this because my wardrobe consists of little full-on business attire. I recently bought these pair of super dark-wash boot-cut jeans so that they felt more 'professional.' They are Denzien by Levi's, and so far, really comfortable! 

Side Note: My shoes also have a slight wedge on them and are dark purple (I know you were having the internal conflict of, "are they black? no wait, purple? no, they are black. no, purple. no, definitely black.") Well, sorry friend, they are indeed dark purple. 

In other SUPER EXCITING PLANNING NEWS (I know that planning probably sounds really boring if you are not a nerd about it like I am, so I added some caps lock for you. You're welcome.) as a student member of the American Planning Association (APA), I received my first issue of Planning Magazine! I was probably a little too excited when I realized that 1. I had mail (which never happens) and 2. That it was a whole magazine about planning! (Told ya--nerd alert)

To top it off, internet, St. Louis was on the cover! St. Louis is where Intervarsity's global missions conference, Urbana, is held every three years, which I attended in 2009 and will hopefully be going to again this year! 

(I should probably get paid for this endorsement, right? You're welcome APA, I know membership is probably going to sky rocket now)

Until tomorrow, internet. Goodnight. 

Forever 21 Dress Dilemma

Chambray Dress: Forever 21

Cardigan: Target

Watch: Charming Charlie

Flats: Payless

Belt: Coach (thrifted)

As an average height, fairly curvy girl, it can be difficult to find dresses at Forever 21. Typically, they are really small and too short. I was happy when I tried on this one and saw that it actually fit decently! However, it definitely was one of those like-it-in-the-store-but-when-you-take-it-home-every-time-you-put-it-on-it-seems-to-fit-weird type dress. Fortunately, that doesn't seem to translate through the pictures! Despite not being the most comfortable dress, I'm making it work! 

(Watch out! Dog Xing!)

Worn out to lunch with a friend followed by some shopping for business-casual clothing  for my summer internship.

Decorative Outdoor Tortoise

Hello internet. Hello 51st post. 

Dress: Target
Vest: Old Navy
Necklace: Gift
Bangles: Forever 21
Sandals: Target 

Earrings: a boutique (now out of business)

Hat: Kmart

Worn for a very warm day spent with friends in Solvang, CA. 

I try to stay serious when taking outfit pictures...

...but I usually just feel really silly and end up with these types of photos:  

What up decorative outdoor tortoise? 

Summer Entertainment (and 50th post, yo)

Just want to start out this post by saying that after years of having a blog I have finally reached 50 posts! Here is to 50 more blog, we did it. (It is all about small goals, right?!)

Anyways, because I haven't taken any outfit shots (mostly because I've been living in leggings and long tops the last few days, which you see enough of, internet) I thought I would document some of the media I have been entertaining myself with lately.

One of my favorite parts of summer is being able to watch way too much TV, see a lot of movies, and generally fill my mind with way too much media- all without guilt (I pretty much do the same thing while in school but my guilt level rises significantly).

So, with that, here is what my brain has been consuming:

TV: 

Supernatural 

Source 

Netflix provides the first six seasons and I am just now starting season three. There has been a huge void in my life after finishing the whole Buffy the Vampire Slayer series a few months a go and Supernatural has helped with the pain (yes, I am being dramatic on purpose). 

Firefly 

Source

Again, thanks to Netflix, you can watch all 14 episodes of the short, but great season of Joss Whedon's (Creator and writer of Buffy) Firefly. I am currently on episode 10 and am looking forward to finishing the season and watching the follow up film, Serenity. Love you Captain Mal. 

True Blood 

Source

True Blood is a series based on the novels by Charlaine Harris. I have read a few of the books and found the series to be entertaining, which prompted me to watch HBO's adaptation. The first few seasons were pretty decent and followed the plot of the books fairly well. However, the last season, as well as the current, seem to be going off in really weird directions, far from the plot of the books. I get attached to characters, so I will probably continue watching, but have found the series as of late to be rather disappointing.

EDIT: Just watched another episode of this and it was pretty dumb, not sure how much longer I'll keep following it. (But I still love you, Alcide). 

Books:

A Song of Ice and Fire 

Source

Currently reading this beast of a series. I just started A Storm of Swords. I love this series so far (as well as the HBO adaptation) and am looking forward to pushing through it! 

Movies: 

Movies I have seen so far this summer:

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, The Avengers, Brave, Magic Mike, Wanderlust, Footloose (the new one), Ted, and Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.


...and I hope many more will be added to this list! (Especially The Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spiderman, and Moonrise Kingdom)

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July America!

Captain America T-Shirt: Wal Mart

Cardigan: Gap

Jeans: Levi's

Loafers: Target 

Usually one of my favorite parts about holidays (or even just leaving the house) is getting to come up with an outfit. I recently saw the Avenegers and absolutely loved it and fell in love with each super hero. I thought the 4th of July was not only a good time to celebrate my beloved Avenegers, but my country as well! ha! 

 Just call me Mrs. Thor Stark Banner America Hawkeye.

Stay safe America. Party responsibly.

You Useless Reptile

If you can't tell by the title, I watched How to Train Your Dragon tonight! That movie is just too cute.

Shirt Dress: Forever 21
Scarf: Forever 21
Leggings: Old Navy
Sandals: Target
Earrings: Wal Mart
Rings (not pictured): One is vintage, the other a gift 

Comfy outfit required when movie watching and cards-against-humanity playing are paired with consuming Chipotle, pizza, and cake all in the same day for a friend's birthday.

Business Up Front, Party in the Back

That is how I feel about this current trend of tops, dresses, and skirts being short in the front and long in the back. I suppose though that when this idea is applied to a dress, business would be the long side and party would be the front.  It seems that whenever I go to a store, everything I pick up is following this style. I'm not sure how long this trend will last, but I must say this blouse is quite comfortable and great for summer.

Shirt: Ross

Skinny Jeans: Levi's (purchased on Amazon.com)

Sandals: Target

Earrings: Papaya

Watch: Charming Charlie 

A really silly pose to show the length of the blouse.

Worn for a day of hanging out with two of my closest friends at Avilla Beach and San Luis Obispo. 

A thought from Coco:

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” ~Coco Chanel

Let's do the Polka

Top: Forever 21
Skirt: American Apparel (purchased on Amazon.com)
Shoes: Payless
Belt: Coach (thrifted)

Bag: thrifted
Sunglasses: Target 

Earrings: Forever 21
Watch: Charming Charlie

Worn for a day in San Luis Obispo, CA with my family as well as my friend's going away party. 

17 Animals That Became Extinct In Our Lifetime

17 Animals That Became Extinct In Our Lifetime

Sad realities. Especially because as you read the descriptions, a lot of these animals were pushed to extinction due to habitat loss.

“People need wild places. Whether or not we think we do, we do. We need to be able to taste grace and know again that we desire it. We need to experience a landscape that is timeless, whose agenda moves at the pace of speciation and glaciers. To be surrounded by a singing, mating, howling commotion of other species, all of which love their lives as much as we do ours, and none of which could possibly care less about us in our place. It reminds us that our plans are small and somewhat absurd. It reminds us why, in those cases in which our plans might influence many future generations, we ought to choose carefully. Looking out on a clean plank of planet earth, we can get shaken right down to the bone by the bronze-eyed possibility of lives that are not our own.” 
― Barbara Kingsolver

Lauren, of the Ralph Variety

Dress: Ralph Lauren (free)
Shoes: PayLess
Bag: Charming Charlie
Watch: Charming Charlie 

(NOTE: I understand that I should probably start ironing my clothes...wrinkle city up in there.)

Sunday afternoon spent in Arroyo Grande, CA with the family. Simple outfit, but includes my new favorite purse.

Friday, Friday

Friday seemed like a day with no stops. It was get up and go. For mornings like that it requires things like these:

  

 

Coffee bright and early.

Quick breakfast. I love these Luna Bars- so tasty and filling when paired with a piece of fruit.

And...

...more coffee while running errands!

I had to gather a few things for baking for an event that evening as well as preparing some Mother's Day gifts for my Mom and Grandma.

While perusing the gift bag section I cam upon this lovely bag courtesy of the one and only Taylor Swift. Good job, T. Swift, what an entrepreneur! However, Taylor, if you read this, I'm a bit disappointed in the product. You see, the butterfly only had glitter on one side of the bag. I'm sure you could afford to glitter both sides, right? I mean, it's not much to ask for.

The finished gift wrapping (plus my pillow pet, Alfred. He is quite the ham for being a moose):

After a full morning followed a well deserved lunch break:

This is "healthy" egg-salad. Normally egg-salad is high in fat and calories because of the globs of mayonnaise in it. Don't get me wrong, it is delicious, and still much more delicious than this excuse of an egg salad sandwich. However, this was still pretty good and had kind of the same affect. 

I hard boiled two eggs. Once boiled I removed the yoke of one egg, but kept the other for flavor. I smashed them up with two healthy (healthy as in large) spoonfuls of roasted red pepper hummus and chopped up celery. I added some pepper for flavor as well and combined it with some organic baby spinach on a organic spelt English muffin. Then, a little asparagus on the side. Pretty good, I must say.

You know something else that is crazy? I actually managed to get an outfit photo today! It's been a while, blog.

Chambray Shirt: Gift
Floral tank: Gift
Black Skinnies: Levi's (purchased on Amazon) 
Flats: Madden Girl flats (purchased at Ross)
Earrings: Claire's

  

Looking away shots are always so much deeper. 

My housemate was kind enough to take a few photos of me and decided that she wanted to jump in herself. :) 

 Then we were a bit silly...

Interesting things out there...like other people's apartments. What up creeper.
 

Can we get some whine with that cheesiness? ;) 

Then there was cupcake baking with a few friends... 

 

Rest of the night consisted of InterVarsity large group, talent show, and roommate hangoutage.

More on the weekend later, it is definitely time for some sleep.

Songs on Repeat

I feel like we all have those songs that once we hear them, they are stuck with us- constantly in your brain, consuming all the musical beats in your head. Then, you add them to your Spotify playlist, download them to itunes, listen to them in the car and during your work out. Or, that is just me.

Here are some of those songs that just won't let me be:

Take Care- by Drake featuring Rihanna

I don't particularly like Drake or Rihanna, but this song has constantly been stuck in my head lately and has accompanied me almost daily on my bike rides to schools.

 When you’re ready, just say you’re ready
When all the baggage just ain’t as heavy
And the party's over, just don’t forget me
We’ll change the pace and we'll just go slow

This Isn't Everything You Are- by Snow Patrol

I love Snow Patrol, they are definitely one of my favorite bands. This is from one of their most recent albums and I just find it beautiful. The video is interesting as well despite the awkward close ups of the lead singer. It's one of my favorite belt-it-out-like-you're-auditioning-for-American-Idol-while-driving songs. You know- we all have those!

And in one little moment
It all implodes
But this isn’t everything you are

Breathe deeply in the silence
No sudden moves
This isn’t everything you are

Somebody That I Used To Know - Boyce Avenue (Gotye ft. Kimbra Cover)

I also love Boyce Avenue. They became pretty big on Youtube through their covers of popular songs. They now do a lot of original music, but continue to do covers of current popular songs. The lead singer's name is Alejandro and I am in love with his voice (and him a little bit ;) ) . I like the different tone and feel they give to their interpretation of the song. If you haven't heard of them before definitely go check out their Youtube channel or most of their music is on Spotify!

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing
And I don't even need your love
But you treat me like a stranger and I feel so rough

CONFESSION: I did a music post because I took ZERO pictures of my day, outfits or food. I know you're disappointed in me blog, but hey, I could have just not posted at all? So, I still deserve a pat on the back for this. Give me credit for something, okay? OKAY?! okay.

Weekend is almost here- just one more class to get through in the AM! Goodnight internet, stay classy.

You Guys Like Cookies?

Second day of posting in a row. Good job, self. Looks like we're onto something.

Today felt long and slow, but will be made up for tomorrow with a full day and it being my roommate's birthday! And then, with Friday, comes the weekend.

Healthy eating went well today until a guest speaker in my Land Use Policy class brought in a large white box and was like, "You guys like cookies?" Like cookies? LIKE cookies? I love cookies. Of course I want a cookie. It definitely made a three hour lecture on the California Coastal Act a little bit easier.

Breakfast:

Egg white and spinach scramble with Ezekiel 3:9 toast topped with 1/2 banana and cinnamon

I know the banana toast combination is a staple in most peoples lives, but honestly, this was the first time I've tried it. I now see what all the fuss is about and I see why it would be even better with peanut butter. Wow, with frappy hour under my belt and now this...who knows what could be next!?  Obviously my life is really exciting.

Lunch:

Organic spring mix salad, sugar snap peas, turkey burger, topped with a greek yogurt/Roasted Tomatilla salsa mix

This combination might sound weird but greek yogurt and salsa taste pretty wonderful together- like a creamy, spicy, dressing with a lot less calories, fat, and gives it a little extra protein.

Dinner:

Organic brown rice noodles, Organic Tomato Basil Sause, 1/3 can of canned chicken, and covered in a generous amount of Parmesan cheese. I probably should have added a veggie or fruit but was in a bit of a rush to class.

My goal with posting my food here, blog, is to show myself, and others, it is possible to eat healthy without being able to cook much and with only using a few ingredients. Most of these meals today only had 3-5 ingredients and were super quick to put together. Wow, go me! Just kidding. Kind of. 

Ending the night on a not-so-healthy note, I made some brownies for the roomie's bday and decided it would be cute to decorate them.

Literally looks like a 3rd grader made them.

DISCLAIMER: This is to not appreciate the beauty that is 3rd grade art, but when you're 21 and a junior in college, I don't know if it can really make the cut. 

Anyways, the night is young and I have brownies in my future. Goodnight, internet.