Spring Wish List

Spring Wish List

If you live in the DC area, you'll know that today has felt nothing like a beautiful spring day. It was cold, rainy, and while I enjoyed a day off being cozy in bed, it would have been nice to be out and about enjoying myself outdoors. I know I'm not the only one who gets excited about warmer weather, fewer layers, and fun accessories after sporting winter coats, sweaters, and messy buns for months. Ok, did I just type that because I'm such a liar. At least about the messy bun part because let's be honest: messy buns are forever. 

It my have been wet and windy outside but that didn't put a damper to my unbridled enthusiasm for my favorite season. I love going to Spring and checking out their accessories and clothes. With over 850 brands, there's something for everyone. And if this current weather isn't cooperating, at least I can still feel happy about the sun, flowers, and some bare skin by posting some of my favorite accessories. 

So here it is! My top 10 spring accessories. Click on the link above each picture if you're interested but make sure to head over to the site for the latest fashion styles here and here to see the entire accessory store. 

 Sofie Fringe Suede Clutch | Velvet by Graham & Spencer 

Lilou Leather Choker  | Are You Am I by Rumi Neely

Leonard II Half Half Cream | Illesteva 

Madison Sunglassess | Derek Lam

Gigi Burris X Baja East Rachel Hat | Gigi Burris

Its Perfection Black on Black Panama Hat | Sarah J. Curtis

Isolde Silk Scarf | Are You Am I

Poser Mules, Bone | Dear Frances

Fina Velvet Choker | Are You Am I

Apolis + Scribe Wine Tote | Apolis 

holes in my pants

holes in my pants

Shoes: Modern Vice | Jeans: Revolve | Coat: AllSaintsLive | Top: Topshop 

I'm currently trying to clean out my closets as part of my spring cleaning chore list and I always find that this task is my least favorite thing of all. Did I mention that we are on week three of this project? No? Well we are! And not because I have that much stuff to begin with, it just seems that whenever I try to get it done, my mind wants to do other things... like say for example, trying a new recipe or breaking out the paint and doing something crafty or planting some fruit trees in the backyard. It's bizarre. 

Today, however, I did manage to go through my pants and set aside some for donation and I came across these lovely pair of jeans. They are one of only two pairs of jeans I own with holes. During my last closet cleanse, I got rid of all the distressed denim I owned because they weren't really my thing anymore and here's why: they are, in my humble opinion, hit or miss. It really depends on what look you're going for and distressed denim can go horribly wrong really fast if you don't pair it just right. 

These jeans are more on the liberal side of holes but in case you ever felt like you wanted to rock a pair, this look is how I style them. You're half distressed but also put together. Which, oddly enough, is how my personal life typically falls. I'm half a mess but also half with it. Who else is with me on that one? Anyone? Anyone at all?

That being said, let it be known that I spent the majority of this day rocking red lipstick and going from one food joint to another. I mean, it may look like I had places to go but truthfully, the only people that got to see me today were workers from a Chinese restaurant, Chick-fil-a, and the Great American Cookie store. So yeah, very productive day off if I may say so myself. 

the time i didn't go to coachella but looked like i did

the time i didn't go to coachella but looked like i did

Jeans: Express | Top: F21 | Sunnies: F21

It's officially spring and I'm still in love with these bell bottom jeans, probably even more than I did when I first bought them last fall. The love is so strong that I am pairing them with a bell sleeve shirt. That's right, guys... flare all around! It's a little too hippie, a little too Coachella, a little too crazy for a casual trip out of the house but I'm also completely ok with that.  

YOLO, right?

the socks that tried

the socks that tried

Dress: Zara | Socks: F21 | Shoes: F21

You guys. It's December. And it also means this post is about two months late. You see, out here in DC, it's already feeling like winter and in these pictures, I'm wearing a dress with over-the-knee socks. So, can we talk about this outfit for a second?

I don't claim to be fashionable or anything but I know when I'm breaking rules. Or 'taking a risk' as some would put it. I'm not tall or couture enough to take these risks but I take them anyway because if I wear 4 inch heels, maybe I can get away with it. It all started when I wanted nothing more this fall season than to purchase some over-the-knee boots. The problem with buying them was finding the perfect pair. I wanted them black, snug, and with high, skinny heels. And not leather. Oh, and no ties either. After I couldn't find them, I basically threw my arms up in the air and said screw it.

Enter my obnoxious over-the-knee socks which I hadn't worn since I bought them a few years ago. I'm not sure these socks will ever be cool or stylish but let's pretend one day they will be. Let's also pretend that one day it will be ok to wear socks with open toe shoes.

I kind of want to care that that I'm going against some basic fashion 101 but really, #wearwhateverthehellyouwant.

look what's flaring up again

look what's flaring up again

Jeans: Express | Top: F21 | Hat: F21

I'm not going to lie but I can't properly write this blog post if Sonny and Cher aren't playing in the background. If this is what bell bottoms do to you, it might not be the worst thing to happen. Are you listening to The Beat Goes On and Baby Don't Go yet?

Isn't it funny how fashion styles always make their way back? Enter flare jeans. Or as I call them... bell bottoms. You know, briefly when I was in the fifth grade, bell bottoms were in. Does anyone else remember that? 1996 maybe? Sometimes it would even have some color going down the side. So when I saw these at the store, my heart kind of pitter-pattered as if I were reclaiming a childhood trend. Truthfully though, I do like these pictures because they remind me of my mom. She wore bell bottoms when she was my age and I think we look a lot alike. Also, it's a good excuse to channel my inner 60s Cher.

on being a nurse and why you should marry one

on being a nurse and why you should marry one

Jumpsuit: Madewell | Shoes: F21 | Purse: Target

Oh hey, blog, hey. I didn't forget about you, whoever you are that is reading this. I'm always surprised that when I log in, my stats tell me that I still bring in a good amount of readers even though it's usually radio silence over here. Maybe my regulars are just good old 'bots.

Is it just me, or did this year just fly by? Summer is winding down and there are lots of changes happening! I'll be starting a new job and after almost two years of renting in the city, I'm finally taking a big step in adulthood and am looking to buy my first house. Am I even allowed to buy my own house yet? In DC no less!

You guys, it's about to get rillll.

And on that note: storytime.

Ok. So as excited as all of the above sounds, I'm actually a walking bubble of fear. At any given point, I could burst and expose a huge side of weakness about me that I don't want anyone to know about, except here I am exposing it for the world to read. The thing is, I get it's completely normal to be nervous and scared about a new job. It's just part of life and about moving on to more challenging things. But in my profession, the expectations are set really high from the beginning where there isn't much room for mistakes. Mainly because the consequence is too heavy. The consequence is a persons life. And if you really let that sink in... HO-LY. CRAP. I'm pretty certain that during my first year as a nurse I would always say a quick prayer before getting out of the elevator. Something along the lines of Dear God, please don't let me kill anyone. And just to throw this one out to the heavens, I'd love to be able to eat sometime during this shift. Or go pee. Amen. 

Switching specialties and moving to a new unit is like starting from scratch. I think this is what I'm the most nervous about. I have to find a good balance between showcasing just enough curiosity while exhibiting intelligence yet not exposing too much for fear of it being translated to ignorance. And even though I'm more than two years out from graduation, I'm just beginning to muster the confidence to feel like I really know what I'm doing but more importantly why I'm doing it. Critical thinking skills, guys. You can't just write it in your resume. I always am so grateful to have those veteran nurses because their knowledge is never-ending. They are, no doubt about it, superheroes in my eyes. While others are busy checking emails in the morning and sipping their coffee at their desks, nurses have already begun their shift hours earlier, saved a patient who went under cardiac arrest, all while taking care of three other patients at the same time. This profession is great. It's meaningful and overly rewarding. It's also the wild wild west out there so really what I'm saying is: if you meet a nurse, know they are the best in the world. Snag one. Put a ring on it. Nurses are the next best thing after Beyonce.