A little improvement to the decor

Nothing makes a girl feel special like a surprise delivery of flowers to the office.

even if they come from your boss...  that was just in a meeting with you. :)

ZZZZZ....

Last night was a lot of fun, but man, am I tired.  This girl cannot function well on four hours of sleep (not even good sleep).

Today, I wish that I could pull a Costanza at my desk.

My last week

My last week in DC is already promising to be a week filled with emotions.  Being my first time going through the process of leaving one job for another, it is difficult.

There's an odd feeling of wanting to get as much done as possible to help out in my absence, mixed with the fact that there literally is nothing for me to do.  There are no new projects, the meetings have completely died down, and I am rarely asked for my opinion on things anymore.  It's definitely weird.

I also have a lot of mixed emotions about the people I am leaving.  A few months ago, I had a hard time saying goodbye to my Monday night volleyball team.  Now, I am having to do the same.  I feel lucky that I have made a handful of really good friends, friends that I hope to see again in the future (and some of them I will since they have excuses to visit Chicago).

Today after work is going to be the "Sara and Megan" show.  My coworker and I don't get to go out together very often anymore because I live a million miles away and she has a one year old.  BUT, it is so much fun when we do.  She is one of the people I will miss the most since she was really one of the very first people I became friends with out here.

*sweater, skirt & belt - JCrew, top - Express, shoes - Nine West

The Oscars

I stayed up to watch most of the Oscars... when I eventually passed our right after the memorial tribute.  A few comments.

1. Never expected The Artist would win, so that was a nice surprise this morning.  Guess I should actually see that one now like I intended to.

2. Angelina Jolie needs to eat something - PRONTO.  Girl is skinny, and not the good kind.

3.  I love Emma Stone.  Seriously, LOVE. HER.

Image

1st packing accident

And I'm going to be feeling it for a while.

A little Audrey

If only I had a spare $1,000.... I could see this chair in my next bedroom.

 Namedesignstudio on ETSY

#5 - Clean out/organize my closet

Nothing gives you a good excuse to REALLY get rid of stuff like having to move.  All those times that I cleaned out my closet and thought "This sweater is in good shape and even though I haven't worn it in almost a year... I might wear it now."  Moving is the perfect time to make some harsh decisions.

So since I had to pack all of my belongings for the drive to Chicago, I went through and got rid of all those pieces of clothes that seemed to make the cut in previous donations.

It's liberating to get rid of stuff.  I imagine that when I make it to my final destination and fully unpack, more things will go then.

First bag of three

"Megan, you haven't worn me yet...."

I have a problem.  I can't let new clothes sit in my closet unworn for very long.  They call out to me.... "why haven't you worn me yet?"

I think it's mostly the excitement of new things.  Plus that fact that clothes never look as good after the first wear.

Which is why I'm wearing THREE new purchases today... and why my outfit looks crazy spring-like for February.  Oh well, I'm wearing a sweater, so we're counting it as appropriate.

*sweater & skirt - JCrew Factory, shirt - JCrew, shoes - Nine West

I don't know what it is but right now I am obsessed with cobalt blue.  I was thrilled when I found this skirt last weekend and am on the search for some great cobalt blue pants.  I'm even considering repainting my pink dresser cobalt (only time will tell).

Blog, I have a secret...

I feel like I have been lying to you this whole time.

I knew that blogging without that cloak of anonymity would mean that at times I needed to be careful with what I said and how I said it... especially when it came to anything work related.  (Almost all bloggers know Dooce's story of getting fired for blogging about work)

My point, because I do have one, is that there are things that I have purposely not been talking about on here.  And that's been difficult.  If you recall, I started this blog following my break up because my grandpa encouraged me to journal.  And for the most part, I think I've been pretty open about everything.

I had two rules for myself when I started this blog.  First, I would do my best to remain neutral about my ex, and second, that I would not write about anything related to work that wasn't common knowledge or specifically related to me.

So there have been things going on in my life that I couldn't write about.  Until now.

So here's my secret blog, I'm sorry for keeping it from you...

Since my breakup, I have been looking for a new job back in Chicago.  And I mean LOOKING.  I applied and applied and applied resulting in a handful of interviews that never went anywhere and a disheartened feeling in my gut.

Until last week.  Last week I was offered and accepted a new job in Chicago.  So, I am moving... to CHICAGO!

Words cannot express how excited I am about this new development.  I'm so excited to be closer to my family and friends.  I will date and have an actual social life.  The possibilities are endless.

Any day now, Spring!

My wardrobe is just screaming for it to be spring.  I want to wear bright colors and pastels.  But it still feels wrong in February.

This was my compromise today - Navy skirt, grey shoes.... new green cardigan!

These are my favorite cardigans by JCrew by the way.  I have it in four colors now.

*Let's just call this "outfit by JCrew" since everything but the shoes is from there, shoes - Nine West

Also, I need to reinvest in a curling iron.  Pronto!

The shopping excursion

This past weekend I did some shopping.  It had been a long time since I went out with the intent to purchase things.  With spring coming soon (hopefully) and some major sales over the holiday weekend, I wanted to treat myself.

I did quiet a bit of purchasing and most of it was on sale.  Overall, a successful weekend.

 *Sweater - Nordstrom, tank - Jcrew, pants - Macys, shoes - *new* Nine West

I desperately needed to replace my favorite pair of plain black leather pumps.  Shockingly, I am super picky about what they look like and there is nothing that is just a plain leather.  I found these peep toe mary jane's with the help of the sales girl.  I wasn't sold on them at first, but now I love them.  A little change of pace (and less boring) than a standard pump.

Also, I made a few make up purchases over the weekend.  The only items that were not on sale (unfortunately).  I've been dying to try out the new "hot pink" lip.  What do you think?

*lipstick - MAC Viva Glam Nicki

The woman in MAC said I had beautiful skin (what a nice compliment) and asked what I used.  I laughed and told her that I had nothing on - because I was wearing very little makeup.  And she laughed at me and said, "no, I know you aren't wearing anything now, but what do you use on your face?  Like lotion, soap..."

Guess it was that obvious that I was wearing very little makeup.  Does anyone else feel awkward in a make up store with a practically naked face?  

It's a miss

Today is one of those days that I'm totally thrilled about my outfit and was too tired to start all over.  This was not the outfit I was thinking when I jumped in the shower.... this one is the improved version.

Now that I've had an hour drive in to work to think about it, it's not all bad.  The top half has promise... I think it's the bottom half that I don't like.

I think a navy pencil skirt would've gone a long way with this one.  But that would've met I had to shave my legs today and yeah....  too tired.  :)

*shirt - Jcrew, tank & pants - Express, shoes - Target

I think I am almost completely "off" work trousers.  I love my new ankle length pants from Macys and am adoring that new ankle crop trend.  But trousers....  negative.

Impatiently waiting

This month is turning out to be one of the longest months of my life.  I feel like I am just waiting for things to happen... waiting for some sort of resolution with the house.

I don't exactly pride myself on being the most patient of people, but I have been trying my hardest.  It's just so difficult to sit and wait when there are so many things up in the air for me right now.

Hopefully I won't have to wait much longer and I'll get some sort of update soon.  Last week, we found out the bank approved us for the short sale but they wanted $14K more than the offer was for.  The attorney is now appealing the appraisal in hopes of getting to a number that we can actually sell this house for.

I think I may get an update this week.

I'm still praying that things will work themselves out with this, because the thought of having to start all of is just unbearable.

A little funny

I couldn't resist.  I knew there had to be a reason why this is my favorite movie!

via pinterest

Happy Valentine's Day!

My outfit today reflects how tired I am, not my anti-valentine's day sentiments.  Although, this is a "holiday" I have a love-hate relationship with.

*Sorry the photo is so blurry... apparently, I was in a hurry this morning.

 * dress & belt - Target, sweater - Jcrew, shoes - DSW, Necklace - F21

I love this neon belt... I need to find more things to wear it with.

Also, I plan to sneak out a tiny bit early today so I can spend some quality time with my valentine... even though he mostly does this when we are home together....

Love you buddy!  Even when you are a pain in the butt.

Movie Weekend

I spent this weekend watching movies... lots and lots of movies.  On Saturday morning, I picked up five movies from Redbox and then taped 5 or 6 from TCM.  It was mostly to catch up on some recent movies I haven't seen and $6 for 5 movies is better than buying one movie from ondemand for $5.

I would have to say, my favorite of all of them that I watched was Midnight in Paris.  Owen Wilson's character feels that he should've been living in the 1920's in Paris.  I can totally empathize with those sentiments.  I often feel like I should've been living in a different area.

According to IMDB,
"Gil and Inez travel to Paris as a tag-along vacation on her parents' business trip. Gil is a successful Hollywood writer but is struggling on his first novel. He falls in love with the city and thinks they should move there after they get married, but Inez does not share his romantic notions of the city or the idea that the 1920s was the golden age. When Inez goes off dancing with her friends, Gil takes a walk at midnight and discovers what could be the ultimate source of inspiration for writing. Gil's daily walks at midnight in Paris could take him closer to the heart of the city but further from the woman he's about to marry."

I really loved it... probably one of my favorites.  Also, the movie had a great soundtrack.

And, it really made me want to go to Paris.  Way to good Woody Allen.  :)

A new 'do for 2012

I love my stylist... no, i LOVE my stylist!  It took me moving to DC to find someone that I trusted completely to just do whatever they suggested to my hair.

I love how I can make suggestions and she will either agree, or suggest something similar that would look better.  So a few weeks ago when I asked her about Jessica Biel's hair, so was totally for it.

I managed to snap a picture while I was enjoying a glass of wine and letting the color do its thing.

Here's the before and after....

And then the after compared to the inspiration photo....

I seriously LOVE it.

Friday aka hair cut day

I am not usually this excited about getting my haircut, but there are two reasons this time.  First, it's honestly been since the summer, so I am WAY past due.  And second, because I'm getting it colored.  I'm pretty excited.  Plus, I love my stylist, so it will be nice to catch up with her.

Speaking of love... I am LOVING my new jeans and how long they are.  They are giving me an opportunity to wear shoes I rarely get to wear.

 *shirt - Nordstrom, vest - limited (old), jeans - Rock & Republic

*shoes - Jessica Simpson (similar here)

I don't usually buy Jessica Simpson shoes because I have a love hate relationship with their style and quality. Style - good, quality - bad.  But when I was in Seattle in April, I just could not pass these up!

I have a problem

I've realized that when I get home from work and finish walking Samson, I am eating dinner like it is the last meal I am ever going to have.

I don't know what it is because I try to have a little snack at the office around 2pm, but by the time I get home and am done walking Samson, it's 5:30 and I am STARVING.

And cooking/eating while you are starving is exactly like grocery shopping when you are hungry.  You eat WAY more than you want to.

I have to make a better effort at it.  While it's usually pretty healthy for me, it's a lot of food.  For instance, I might roast a whole head of cauliflower, intending to have some of it then and save some for another night.  But ultimately, I end up eating the entire thing.

My name is Megan... and I'm a food-aholic.

Red Lips

With my recent surge in interest with makeup last year, I was determined to attempt the ever iconic "red lip" look.  Two problems.  One, I have thin lips; and two, finding the right color.

Finally, I found the right shade while I was in San Diego in January and have just been trying to convince myself to actually do it.

Well, mission accomplished!

*lipstick - Mac Ruby Woo

I think it might grow on me.

Tired...

Last night I was tired....  feeling groggy sitting on the couch at 7:30.  So I did what I usually do on a week night....  I let Samson in and we went up to bed.

I laid in bed and watched TV until 9 and then decided I had made myself stay up long enough.

An hour later, I was still staring at the ceiling, unable to find a comfortable position and struggling to quiet my mind.  So I read for another hour before I gave up and tried sleeping again.

Today is going to be a long day.  I am tired.  This outfit (and actual makeup application...it's been over a week since I bothered) is my attempt to fake my body into a state of restfulness.

I'm not sure it's entirely working.

*sweater - Express (old), scarf - Old Navy, skirt - Nordstrom Rack, tights - Welovecolor (same baggy quality as the pink ones), shoes - Nine West

The Jason Wu Disappointment

I'm not sure how many of you were aware of this, but designer Jason Wu (of the First Lady fame) had a line at Target.

This is one of Target's continued programs to have a well-known designer create a brand line for Target.  Most recently it was Missoni, which sold out IN MINUTES after hitting the shelves.

Personally, I was really excited for the Jason Wu line because he designs really classic inspired pieces with a bit of retro flare.  So I got up early, walked Samson, showered and made it to Target 5 minutes after it opened.

I beelined right to the Jason Wu pieces (along with several other ladies) and was really disappointed.  I had looked at all the pieces online before hand and was looking forward to a few in particular.  My target had NONE of them that I was looking for.

So I grabbed a few things to try on anyways and see how they fit.  

I should've known, this was not my first shopping attempt, that all the pieces would be cute - just not for me.  A cute chiffon dress was that awkward "it's a mini, no... it's just too short for her" length.  The same thing goes for the rest of the skirts/dresses.  So I tried a few blouses.  Blouses that were unnaturally boxy, and not in a good way.

Needless to say, I left extremely disappointed (though my wallet was happy).  I did pick up a few toiletry items I needed, along with this adorable scarf and a skinny neon pink belt.

Who doesn't love a chartreuse green polka dot?

It's Friday!

This morning, I seriously regretted my decision to test myself by wearing purple for the rest of the week.  Thankfully, it's Friday... so that little expedition is over.

*Cardigan & shirt - Express, jeans - Rock & Republic, shoes - Nordstrom rack

I'm wearing my new jeans today.  Since these are technically my first designer brand jeans, I'm definitely realizing the difference.  While they are significantly more expensive than jeans from Express (during the sale) and Gap....  man, are they way more comfortable.  The denim is better, they fit better, and these jeans are LONG.

No joke.  These are the shoes I am wearing today and the jeans are still dragging along the ground. (total side note - I'm feeling kind of awesome wearing these shoes to work.)

Now, I'm definitely not complaining.  I'm actually THRILLED that this little happy accident happened when I first tried these jeans on.  But how do normal sized adults wear these?  They have to have them hemmed which I think sort of ruins the shape of the jean, right?

Well, anyways.... here's to Friday and jeans that are long enough. :)

Day #4

*sweater - jcrew, shirt - Simply Vera (kohls), pants - Macys, shoes - DSW

I love these pants... no, really... LOVE them.  Though I really do need to have the waist band taken in.  I bought them bigger because they were the only size they had AND I didn't feel like I was wearing spandex around my thighs.  But the waist band is way too wide and they slip down all day.

Aside from that, I've already worn them enough times to be worth what they cost.  AND, I'm starting to see ways in which I can wear them outside of the office (a novel concept). :)

On a totally unrelated note, I'm supposed to get an update on the house any day now.  My title attorney seems to be confident that we will get approved.  I am probably going to hold him to that.

Goals Update: January

Where the heck did January go??  


Sorry for the late update.  I had left myself a mental note to complete this update last week, and completely forgot.  My mental reminder calendar is completely unreliable!


So here we go.

1. WORK ON MY 101 IN 1,001 LIST - Technically yes.  :)  As I mentioned before, I accidentally completed something on the list while I was in San Diego.  I've noted a few more things I want to try to accomplish so hopefully February will be productive.

2. SAY "YES" MORE OFTEN - Haven't really had much to test this one with.  Let's just call January a complete wash.

3. SAVE, SAVE, SAVE - Got started!  YEAH!  I restarted my automatic transfer for each pay period.  I will be filing for my tax return this weekend and that money is going directly into the savings.  (I'm not even going to buy myself a "happy tax return" gift.... well, most likely I won't).  Also, I'm waiting to hear from work about a potential increase in my salary (yeah compensation counselor).  If I get an increase, it will be retroactive to January 1 and that extra lump of cash is going right into savings.  

So, all things considered, not bad really.  I'm hoping for lots of movement in February, especially since I hope to hear about the house any day now.

Purple Day #3

* sweater - Nordstrom, shirt & belt - JCrew, Skirt - Macys, shoes - Target

You know... there is a significant difference in dressing for your mood, and dressing because you want/have to.

It was almost annoying that I gave myself the challenge to finish the week in purple.  :)  Thank God it's Wednesday.

P.s.  Still love the sock bun!