Here is something for ya

Is anyone else overheating where you are?  I mean, summer couldn't be hotter this year!  This melt your face and hands and legs off heat means that my hair is in a constant bun and I need a sweat rag (which I don't have).  Here is an outfit post for ya, even though I only wore this for a few hours and my hair only stayed frizz free for as long as it took to take these photos.  Summer is brutal on my naturally wavy/curly hair...so I guess I'll just go with it.  More posts to follow!

{Linen trousers, ZARA; Tank, boutique in Galena, IL which I don't remember the name.}

Happy Thursday

Because sometimes I need this and you may too.  Happy Thursday, all!  

The end of May

I can't believe May is over in a mere 2 days.  Where did it go?  For our family, May has always and will always be the busiest month of the year.  We have 3 birthdays, 1 mother's day, usually a graduation or 2 and Memorial day to celebrate.  This weekend was one of those weekends that encompassed a graduation, a little sister's birthday and a national holiday...needless to say, we ate a lot of BBQ and drank lots of iced tea.  Happy birthday, Maddie Grace!  Congratulations, Jordan!  Thank you, soldiers!

(3 out of 4 siblings)

Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday.  Yep, another year older.  Friends and family messaged and called me all day yesterday and made me feel like the most special thing...saying nice words and taunting words about my aging self.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  Then the husband put on his fancy shoes and I put on my fancy dress and we went to the city to eat at the tastiest restaurant called Aria (Aria plug: If you are ever in Chicago, be a good kid and go there).  

Oh and there were NATO protesters out celebrating my birthday too.  

25 was a perfect little year (ups and downs and all) and I am hoping that 26 turns out just as wonderful.

Fruits, vegetables and babies

And that about sums up my week... 

My iPhone says...

This week was full of cute kids, new babies, relaxing moments with delicious foods and inspiring words reminding me of my God.

Husband and I are heading to Galena, Illinois for the weekend.  Look how cute this place is.  We will be golfing, shopping, dining and sipping.  It's fun to go out of town.

Something to tell you

{Top, TJMaxx; Belt, thrifted; Skirt, Target}

Sorry I have been MIA this past week.  I have been having a hard time finding a nursing job and it seems that the only thing I do when I get on my computer is search hospital job listings.  It has actually been a lot rougher than a process than I even expected.  Not the actually job finding part...I knew that would be hard, but the emotional aspect of it all.  I have wanted to be a nurse since I felt the Lord calling me to nursing in 2005.  Since then, I had searched nursing schools, started school, worked my butt off, studied like a madman, graduated, passed my national boards...all these things have come to a head and wow, it's kind of emotional.  I love nursing and I want to be a nurse.  I have never felt so called to something.  So the fact that I apply and my phone never rings is a hard spot to be in.  Each day I wait and wonder.  But one thing I do know...that the Lord has promised me this and the only reason I am a nurse is for His glory.  And I know that when I find a job it will be for His glory as well...not because I worked hard and have a great resume, but because He gave it to me.

Thanks for listening to my heart today.  Next week, there will surely be some more posts and light-heartedness.

xo!

Husband approved

{Dress, F21; Cardi, lulus.com; Headband, Anthropologie}

I feel like I am wearing a crown with this metallic silver headband.  And the hubs seems to like it.  I love getting a "Ooo, pretty.  You look good, girl.  I like that thing in your hair."  He is such a good man making his wife feel so good.

I hope you are all having a lovely Thursday.  xo.

Spring closet must-haves

Spring is one of my least favorite seasons...is that bad to say?  I mean, I love the blossoms and the flowers popping up from the ground and the fact that summer is coming out of hiding.  But, I have zero clue what to wear.  Case-in-point: Yesterday's POST.  Is it going to be cold or warm?  Wet or dry?  And it is usually somewhere in between.  So, these are my closet staples for keeping me warm, cool and all places in between as we make our way to more summery weather.

1.  Anything lacy.  It is the epitome of spring and girly. (Zara)

2.  Chambray shirt.  Wear it buttoned up or open as a cardi. (Anthropologie)

3.  Stripes.  Blazer.  Done. (H&M)

4.  Color and a peplum!  Is this shirt for real? (Zara)

5.  Maxi skirt in a light gray.  Covers you and is still breezy. (Max Studio)

6.  A bold pattern.  Can't go wrong when paired with a simple bottom. Perhaps the maxi? (BCBG)

7.  Any sort of leather detailing.  (H&M)

8.  Black knit.  It is just always good. (Urban Outfitters)

FAIL

Here, in Chicago today, it is just icky out.  Cold, but humid so who even knows what type of temp should be blasting in the car...heat (but oh goodness I am stifling), AC (but oh goodness, goosebumps have covered my body), windows down (cold and dear I feel like I just worked out I am so sticky).  So, since the weather was blah, I didn't plan to look blah, but wow...didn't I succeed in doing so?  All black is usually a flattering look, but this time, in attempts to be not too hot and not too cold, I ended up looking like a nun.  Yup.  A nun.  I was anticipating someone coming up to me and asking where my little head covering thing was.  Sheesh.  What a fail.

Long ago

{Photos cerca 1980-2006...me and dad exchanging a smooch, mom and little sister in China after we had finally gotten our little babe, big sis and I with our Grapa, a kind note from my best friend, mom and dad at dad's graduation, family vacation in Door County, dad and grapa, mom looking gorg, and my trip to Paris}

Sometimes I find myself being more sentimental than I ought to be.  Maybe a song and a photo of my dad and I kissing when I was 3 shouldn't automatically bring tears to my eyes, but somehow, it does.  Family and memories and love and friends and laughter and old letters...just move me.  I can't believe how blessed I have been in this life.  The goodness that has poured out on me is undeserving and I hope I can always act in gratefulness and love.

Yesterday, after I had worked up the energy to go through our hutch to organize/pitch/clean, I began what ended up being a very sentimental task.  Looking through all these old photos (and like 200 more) and listening to soft music is just a good bad combo.

Matt Wertz's "I will not take my love away" + family photos + me = crying and joy and a confused husband. Confused until we listened to music and danced in the kitchen.  His eyes were all weepy after that one.  

Un-noteworthy outfit days

{Dress, thrifted jcrew; Blouse, nastygal.com; Belt, thrifted; Aviators, Target}

When I was a kid, my parents said I would change my clothes 6x a day and I'd come down the stairs in outfits they had never seen and in combinations they hadn't put me in before.  I would layer my socks, mix and match leggings, skirts and tops like a good 90's girl should.  From the beginning, I had so much fun with clothes.  I'd imagine new combinations of outfits and pair them with my coolest of hightop tennies and jelly shoes.  But as I get older and more tired (ugh) the time I have to stand in front of my closet and dream has shrunk.  I now prefer a minimum of 2 pushes of the "sleep" button, a long hot shower and a cup of coffee over closet staring.  So...this is my go-to.  A simple, sometimes un-noteworthy outfit.  Turn a dress into a skirt and throw a blouse over it (that way you don't even need to worry about a cami, etc).  And if bagginess starts to take over your body, throw on a belt.  Tricking people of put-togetherness is a Taylor specialty.  

xo

Weird and wonderful

A weird and wonderful vacation

Weird

- The amount of food we consumed.

- Our six hour time-share presentation and tour which ended with us getting a stern talk because we didn't buy real estate.  Lay off, lady.

- The people watching.  I mean, seriously...what are you wearing?!

- That our hotel room had two double beds in it instead of one king (hotel mistake, oh well).  And each night we slept in separate beds.  And kinda slept great.  Ha.

- Me taking off my wedges while watching the water show at the Bellagio because my feet almost fell off.  This is Vegas and it's dirty.  I didn't get any looks from anyone but I was completed disgusted by myself.  

- Me being carded and called a minor and told me she would call security...I am not 17 people! Sorry your wife looks like a highschooler, hubs.

Wonderful 

- The amount of food we consumed (yes, this is on both lists).  When else do you get to eat goat cheese pizza and truffle and blue cheese homemade potato chips?  

- The sun. The pool.  The mojitos.  Nuf' said. 

- The Hunger Games.  I read it in 3 days and am officially obsessed.  I am so trendy.

- Visiting extended family and sitting around my Grama's table eating her home cooking.  Delicious and lovely does not do it justice.  

- Husband dates for 4 straight days.  Bliss bliss bliss.