Summer Musings

Ahhh... Today is the first day in a long time that I do not have to work or do something major (like travel to Davenport for a DCI show).  Of course, I don't know what to do with my free time... and I feel like I've wasted my day.  It's 2:30 p.m., and I've hardly done anything.  Ugh.  I hate that I can't relax... I feel stressed when I have nothing to do...

Anyway, I've done some fun things these past few days. I saw two DCI shows and a fair parade, hung out with my friend who drove 11 hours one way to see me, and saw a bunch of my Kappa Kappa Psi brothers.  So having nothing to do today is a let-down.  Fortunately, I have this weekend to look forward to!  I'm going shopping with Lisa and Laura in Des Moines.  Here are the places I want to stop at to buy CLOTHES:

1.  Target (they have some really CUTE stuff, including lots of dresses)
2.  Forever 21 (I am hoping they have tunics/dresses to wear over leggings, as I'm trying to expand my style to more than jeans/shorts and fashion tops)
3.  Charlotte Russe (I have 18.25 left on a giftcard, and it's burning a hole in my pocket!  When we went shopping with Amanda and Amanda this weekend, I bought two rings there; however, I'd like to buy new shirts/dresses when I go shopping this upcoming weekend).
4.  American Eagle (I'm not usually a big fan of A.E., but Laura swears by them and their sale prices.  I hope to find a v-neck t to replace my magenta one).

Hope you're enjoying the sun and staying cool :)

Outfits for Outings

During the past few days, I've taken a few outings.  On Friday, I went to Iowa City (boo Hawkeyes) to see my little sis, Laura, play her end-of-band-camp concert.  Of course, that called for a nice, cute outfit that demonstrated effort and looked stylish for a college town.

Outside the old capitol building in Iowa City

Hence, my dark yet (in my opinion) sophisticated outfit!  A black fitted-t: truly the perfect addition to any wardrobe.  They are so versatile... I can dress it up (with khakis or skirts) or down (with sweatpant capris).  I chose to pair it with my new silk scarf from Roma, pearl earrings (classic, but overworn by me), a black belt, my nude sandals from Greece (not seen in picture, obviously), and jean shorts.  For once, they aren't short shorts.  And I'll tell you why.  As a runner/marching-band-geek (love it!) my thighs are very muscular.  I love my legs, but longer shorts and capris look better than short shorts.



Anyway, yesterday found me at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo with one of my bestest best friends, Jared. That called for another picture-worthy outfit but of a different caliber.  As it was hot and sunny (for most of the day), I needed something light-weight but with enough coverage.

In the Desert Dome at the Henry Doorly Zoo

My magenta v-neck is perfect for summer!  It's a little worn out (so it might get thrown away at the end of summer).  I tucked it into navy cargo shorts for a more grown-up look.  My magenta bracelet from Morocco matched perfect, as did my small, navy purse from Strawberry (in NYC).  Again, the nude sandals completed my outfit.   My legs ached by the end of the day (I should have worn my pink Chucks), but it was a great day!  I loved seeing the giraffes, zebra, tigers, fish, and the jungle, but most of all I enjoyed spending time with a good friend.

Update on my summer to-do list!

So far, I have done a lot on my list!

I have:
Read 3 books (check!)
Scrapbook-ed 10 pages (halfway there!)
Sewn up the collar on my Windsor t-shirt (check!)

It's not even July yet!

Every time I start to get restless, I remind myself that once this summer is over, I won't get another one like it.  On to summer classes, a summer in Houston, and then REAL LIFE.  Scary, I know.

So here's to summer things I love:
blogging
reading
scrapbooking
sleeping
shopping (NEED TO DO THAT MORE)
walking with Mom
jogging with Lisa
journaling

And here are the things I need to stop (or at least cut back on):
Facebooking
Tweeting
eating ice cream at work
stressing (it's summer, right?  WHY DO I STILL STRESS OUT?!?!)

European Clothes with an Iowan Twist

 So, seeing as my sister returned from her time abroad with lots of beautiful souvenirs... thimbles, a cute box, a fan from Spain, but mostly clothes, accessories, and shoes... I decided to write a blog detailing my soon-to-be use of these gifts!  So here are pictures of my gifts and my plans for what to wear them with:
1. Teal skirt:
I thought this would look fantastic with my black fashion t-shirt tucked in.  Add my black sandals for a simple touch, or wear my zebra-print, sparkly silver-and-black flats for a slightly more glam-rocker feel.  Not that this skirt says glam-rocker.... it more says sweet, flower-child.  I could also wear this shirt with my maroon v-neck for a color-block effect.

2. Bracelets:
I won't go into lots of detail on what I could wear these with, mostly because they'd go with lots of things.  I just need to make it my mission to start wearing bracelets...


3. Headband:
First of all, I LOVE THIS!  It surpasses my usual jeans, nice top, and TOMS outfit choice. I'm going to have to be a little bit creative with this... One thought I had was this with a flowy top (help!  I might need one of those!) with khaki shorts/capris and my new sandals from Greece (see below).

4. Ah... the scarf from Rome.

This is simply elegant.  I plan on wearing this with my black fitted-t, my favorite Levis, and my black sandals or plain black pointed-toe flats. I could also wear my Greek sandals with it since there is a hint of tan in the design... LOVE!

5. Other scarf.
I love this because of the multiple colors.  I have two pink fitted-t's. It would also look good with a white shirt (although I don't really like white clothes).  I wore it the other day with my pearl earring (personal favorites of mine--classy AND lovely).  Finally, it just looks like a scarf I would throw on under my black-and-white jacket for a pop of color!

6. Swansea Sweatshirt:  I just wish the weather would get a little colder so I could wear this!  I plan on taking it to school with me in the fall and wearing it to marching band when the weather gets colder... I'll brighten up those fall days for sure!

7. The cheap boots... win.

These boots cost Lisa two pounds... so like 3-ish dollars.  I think they will look stunning with my super-skinny jeans and a boho top. I would also like to look into buying a tunic to wear with these boots and leggings.  Again, I wouldn't mind the weather dropping back into the 60s so I could wear these beauties :)

8. Sandals from Greece:
Personal favorite gift, and surprisingly, they fit perfectly!  Ah!  I could pretty much wear these with anything.  I plan on wearing them with my all-black romper (which, by the way, would look great with my scarf from Roma), but first I have to get brave enough to try the nude-with-black.  We'll see.  They look great with khakis (as they made their debut at church).




Thanks, Lisa, for the awesome gifts!  I love them, but mostly I'm happy that you're home safe and sound!  Much love!

Shopping List

I'm going through old clothes... throwing lots away and taking lots to Goodwill/West Central.
Mom even said I need new clothes.... which means... I sense a SHOPPING TRIP coming up!  Once my dearest twin sister gets home, my mother, sisters, and I are going to hit the mall and Kohl's, of course.  :)   I also will do some online shopping (TOMS.com will be the ruin of me).  

So here is my list (specific and sometimes not):
1. TOMS (at LEAST one more pair, possibly two... definitely the grey/black striped ones)
2. A pencil skirt (necessary for dress-up occasions and parties)
3. A nice sundress... I am tired of stealing Lis's!
4. New jean shorts... I'm a little iffy on this... I only really wear them in the summer.  But jeans are definitely too hot for an Iowa, Indiana, or Texan summer.
5. New tops (hello. I've been wearing some of the same ones since middle school... yeah).  Some simple V-necks, some really dressy/stylish

Things  NOT to buy:
1. Sandals.  I just got a black pair, but I don't need any more
2. T-Shirts.  Never wear them at school except for marching band practices/jogging/Ultimate Frisbee.
3. Jewelry... let's face it.  I wear earrings, my KKY lavalier, my Swarovski necklace, my key necklace, and maybe my Class ring and my Championship ring.

Summer Goals

Lately, I have just been sleeping in, reading, and working.  I have to confess: I am very unaccustomed to doing nothing. Which is why I have decided to list my goals for the summer.  I am purposefully making them not too lofty because I want to relax a lot too.  But here they are:

-Make 20 scrapbook pages (either for my Europe or Purdue scrapbooks).

-Read at least 3 books (I've already read the seventh Harry Potter book)

-Clean up my room and recycle/throw away a TON OF CRAP.... haha. I need to make room for new clothes and things from college.

-Prepare for my NASA Co-Op... read my books on Fortran and start buying nice work clothes.

-Practice my clarinet at least a little... haha 

-Hang out with friends... I need to stay in better touch with my Harlan girls :)
-Sew the collar of my Windsor T-Shirt that Courtney and I cut/improved... lol

My Sophomore Top 20

As today is my first day back home in Iowa, I decided to reflect on my past two semesters at Purdue.  I've changed so much since last summer... grown older, wiser, and slightly more serious; made new friends and became closer to my old friends; lost friends; studied way too much for some exams and way too little for others; been disappointed; interviewed for, received, and accepted my dream job.

So here is the Top 20 things I've done my second year as a Boilermaker (in no particular order):

1. Marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Purdue All-American Marching Band

2. Was awarded one of two interview slots with NASA-Johnson Space Center

3. Got the Co-Op at NASA-Johnson Space Center (I can't wait to start in January 2012).

4. Joined Purdue Women's Club Ultimate Frisbee team... and played in my first (and only) tournament.

5. Designed an mass cargo transport airplane with my AAE 251 Design Team and received the ATK Space Award for best aircraft design.

6. Became friends with my Little Brother for Kappa Kappa Psi, Ryan, and watched him complete his BIT semester.

7. Successfully organized the painting of the string storage cabinets for KKY's Spring Service Project and created a Google Doc to help band students find study buddies for finals week.  

8. Rushed SGT (Aerospace Honor Society) and TBP (Engineering Honor Society).

9. Asked a great friend to band prom... he's now my boyfriend :)

10. Played clarinet in the North Central District Intercollegiate Band.

11. Became a '10' for the tenor saxophone section of the AAMB and section leader for Boiler Brass.

12. Made some new good friends in: Sarah M., Mark D., and Brent M.

13. Played in the Purdue Symphony Orchestra... I finally got to play Pictures at an Exhibition.

14. Premiered Anthem by Steven Bryant with the Purdue Wind Ensemble (commissioned for us to celebrate 125 years of Purdue Bands).

15. Earned a 4.0 in the fall, and did well this past semester (final grades aren't in yet).

16. Went to Amanda's house for Easter, where I saw "Tangled", enjoyed getting to know her family better, toured Shipshewana, and found 55 Easter eggs. 

17. Wrote a write-up for the District Outstanding Service Project Award (KKY) and accepted the award on behalf of Gamma Pi at our own convention.

18. Saw my first hockey game in Indianapolis, stole Scott's iPod, and signed up to march at the Indy 500.

19. Ran the Freezing 5K (part of Engineering Week) and placed 3rd for women (with no training!)

20. 

I'm leaving the last two blank for now because I don't really know what they are yet... I need more time to reflect, but Mom is Skyping Lisa and I want to say hi.