Goals Update: September

As I sit here and think about everything I did and that September is nearing a close, I can't believe how close to the end of the year it is.

That means I have been writing this blog for almost 2 years.  I have been back in Chicago for 6 months.  Time is FLYING by!

We can reminisce later.  For now, on to the update!

1. WORK ON MY 101 IN 1,001 LIST - I'm struggling to finish some things I've started on the list the last couple of months - like movie watching and book reading.  I think in October I will try to focus on some of the easier things.  I've been so distracted with house decorating (which technically counts towards TWO goals).

2. SAY "YES" MORE OFTEN - This is happening... and I feel good about it.  I grab dinner on a weeknight more often.  I make an effort to do what I can without over extending myself.  I feel like this will be better once my hectic work schedule is over with.

3. SAVE, SAVE, SAVE - Yes.  Well, it's been stagnant.  I'm not losing money anymore, which is good.  I pay my rent without any issues and have been buying necessities for my apartment without worry about having to use my savings to pay bills.  I goal is to add more to my savings each paycheck once this initial out pouring of expenses for the apartment is done.

Technically my Friday

I actually made an effort to wear a nice outfit, blow dry my hair, AND put on makeup every day this week.  That includes wearing heels each day.  Something I'm pretty sure I haven't done consecutively since I moved to Chicago.

Flat out, I've been lazy.

Subconsciously, I actually feel better when I look better and put forth the effort.  Some days when I'm my most tired, I need to remember that.

*blouse - Jcrew, jeans - Rock & Republic, shoes - Steven, necklace - DC Food & Wine festival

I love this blouse... wish I had bought a couple when it was on sale.

On a side note, today is my Friday.  I took tomorrow off to run errands (oh, the joys of adulthood).  I'm hoping to get some things done as far as apt decorating and set up.  I saw this great idea on Ikea Hackers (if you don't know this site and love DIY - Check it out!).

source

Then I also saw this great idea to hack a bookshelf into a banquet for your dining room.  I have a huge wall space and would love to have somewhere to serve food from when I have a party.

source

So I will be heading to Ikea tomorrow to pick up some things - the list keeps growing. :)

Busy, busy, busy

I'm super super busy at work right now, hence the lack of actual posting.  You will have to deal with iffy outfit posts for a while.  Hopefully by the middle of October, I will be back to normal (schedule wise at least). :)

*sweater - Express (old), skirt - Jcrew, belt - Target, shoes - DSW, necklace -  Very Jane (JCrew knock off)

Too late for White?

Do you think the end of September is too late to wear white???

I'm undecided. (the new iphone is definitely a better camera!)

*skirt - Limited, shirt and sweater - JCrew Outlet, shoes - Nine West (old)

Also, I need more sweaters.  ASAP.

The first weekend home in a while

Not the catchiest title, but it summarizes my weekend for sure.  I was finally home from traveling and able to accomplish some things at my place.

First, I headed up to the Hales' house to meet Brody.  Of course, I was equally excited to see Kayla - she's just so darn funny.

She just LOVES the phone!!!  (PS, all photos taken with my new Iphone 5.... honestly, the photo quality (especially with the front facing camera) is WAY better!)

Little Brody is such a sweet boy.  He was sleeping most of the time we were there, but I did get some time holding him.

After that visit, I was able to get some things done at my place.  I FINALLY spray painted the rack I got from MEM as well as most of the black frames in my hallway (sorry, forgot to take a photo of those).

I'm so glad I decided to paint this rack.  It adds some color to my bathroom.  Now I just have to buy some new towels so I can fill it.  I also spray painted the garbage can I had in there as well to match.

I did run a couple errands this weekend.  One was to World Market to return these curtains I wasn't completely sold on.  I saw these two couches that I think would be great in my sun room.  This teal option can fold down to a sleeping space, which would be nice.

They also had the cute button loveseat that I have pinned before.

 Finally, I took a trip over to the Marshalls down the street from me just to check out what they had.  They had a set of two bathmats in a pomegranate red that I bought to use in the kitchen.

Of course, last night I couldn't find Samson in all his usual spaces so I got up to investigate...

Apparently, Samson approves of the new rugs.

I've been seriously overwhelmed with everything I need to do in my space.  My mom reminded me to just focus on one space at a time... so I'm going to try to remember that.

Madonna - World Tour

The Madonna concert was A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!

I had an absolute blast.  She performed for a solid 2 hours and was incredible.  I'm so glad I went. (Even if I am really tired today).

It's so hard to grab photos at a concert, but I did my best.  First, my outfit - leggings, boots and lots of jewelry.  I felt like I fit right in.

Here is the view from the suite I was in.

And here is a shot of the opening bit.

Finally, I got this mediocre video.

It was seriously AWESOME.

!!

One guess as to what I am doing tonight....

That's right... going to see Madonna at the United Center!!

Recap and hopefully some photos tomorrow.

An Outfit post

I feel like it will be officially fall soon.  My body is not ready for it.

I had to get dressed up for a client meeting today and threw this together.  I wish the shirt was a tiny bit longer to wear with these pants, but when I threw my blazer on it looked better.  More like a black suit with narrow pants (which I would LOVE to own btw).

*shirt - Jcrew, pants - Macys, shoes - DSW, necklace - Old Navy

A little Samson love

Just a little howling on a a lovely Tuesday evening.  :)

I love this dog.

Welcome Brody Lawrence

My family has been BUSY!

While I was out last week (and I will definitely post on that), my sister Melissa finally had her baby.  A 9lb 14oz  sturdy little guy - Brody Lawrence.

I haven't had the opportunity to meet him yet, but I will this weekend.

In the meantime, enjoy these photos I stole from facebook. :)

 mama and Brody - feeling great

 little (big) man - can't wait to meet him

big sister

Nighttime

I love nighttime flying for a few reasons... Less annoying people for one. But I also love it for the lights.

Especially when your flight is only 23 minutes and you only fly at 19,000 feet. (only 5,000 more than our skydiving height FYI)

City lights from the sky are so cool.

Skydiving Videos

FINALLY... after hounding the CSC, we finally got online access to the skydiving videos from our jumps in July.

Before I go on my trip, I thought I would share them.  They are AMAZING.

I'm sorry I can embed them here directly, but trust me - they are worth it to watch each of the videos.

It's also important that you watch them in jumping order. :)

MY VIDEO

BROOKE'S VIDEO

AMANDA'S VIDEO

Each is hilariously awesome in it's own way - and I had a blast reliving the day all over again.

ENJOY!

Leaving again

Tomorrow I leave for Palm Springs to work a 7 day conference with one of my most difficult groups I have ever had to work with.  Then, I get 3.5 days to enjoy Palm Springs with Amanda.  Which will basically consist of us sitting out at her parent's pool drinking all day for 3 days.  And maybe some vintage shopping.

See you September 17th!

Goals Update: August

Somehow the end of August just blew past.  I completely forgot to write a goals update.

August was busy - very busy.  I ate too much fried food and cream puffs at the WI State fair, closed the sale of my house, picked out color inspiration for my apartment, hung some artwork (finally), and welcomed a new family member.

On top of all that, I also tried to accomplish things on my list...

1. WORK ON MY 101 IN 1,001 LIST - Nothing checked off in August, but I'm working towards finishing some things.

2. SAY "YES" MORE OFTEN - Definitely.  Last week I actually went out three week nights.  THREE WEEK NIGHTS.  I can't even tell you the last time that happened.  Was I tired?  Yep.  Did I feel a bit guilty because Samson just hung out at home by himself?  Yep.  But was it worth it...ABSOLUTELY.

It made me really glad that I moved back to Chicago and live so close to so many friends.

3. SAVE, SAVE, SAVE - Yes and no.  I had to use a bit to help finish payments for the closing of the house, but I'm back on track.  Luckily, I was able to use most from my checking and leave my savings alone. With the move to the apartment, I've had to cut back a little on what I save so that I can buy the couple of things I need to make my apartment functional, but it's worth it.  I'm most happy about what I'm accomplishing with this.  Like the other week, when I had to take my car in... I didn't have to panic about how I was going to pay to get it fixed!  Progress.

Family Weekend

On Saturday morning, Samson and I trekked up to Milwaukee to hang out with my family and meet little Liam.

It was really nice to just get to visit with everyone.  I'm glad I was able to go up to do that before I go out of town for 10 days.

Here's a few pictures from the weekend - mostly of little Liam (he deserves as much blog time as Kayla did.) :)

 proud mama

 just a little snuggling

 little man

 I should dig up this exact picture of Kayla...  they look similar - though I think Liam looks more like Kevin than Lauren right now.

Auntie with her two peanuts - can't wait for the 3rd to join us!

Apartment Update

On Friday, I FINALLY gained access to the storage area I get in the basement of the building.  Because of that, I finally cleared out my dining room.

It looks so big now that my table looks tiny.

The items against the radiator are pictures that I still haven't decided what to do with.