Back to school...

Ah college.  I confess: I love it.  Sometimes it is stressful (okay, most of the time it is stressful), packed with homework and quizzes and exams, and so-cold-I-don't-want-to-leave-my-bed mornings, but seriously, when else in our lives do we get to essentially make our own schedule, live nearby a Starbucks and multiple coffee shops, and not feel guilty about wearing black all the time?  Okay, so maybe the last part is just for me (BOILER UP).  While it took me awhile to get back in the swing of things... college is quite the adjustment from working full-time... I am now living in college mode again.  Ultimate Frisbee practices, easy-peasy reading for my Music Appreciation classes, and memorizing when teachers have offices hours.  Fortunately, the storm of homework hasn't hit yet.  After posting this blog, I'm going to attempt to finish my Spacecraft Dynamics homework... that is due on Friday.  And note: I only have 1/8 of one problem left, and I know how to do it.  Of course, there is this dread in my mind that the storm is coming... I'll be waiting though. 

Check out my first day of school outfit (the purple v-neck and scarf) and the outfit I wore yesterday.  Same jeans, but I like them way better with the TOMS as opposed to with the fake Sperry's.  Note to self: don't pair American Eagle jeans with gold Sperry's.  Seriously, why does it look so weird?!?!  

As a bonus, I've posted a picture of my new climbing shoes, made by Evolv. They're cute and useful: they met my approval bouldering the other day in Purdue's kick-ass new recreational center.  I am so glad I get another year to enjoy it! 

If you want to see more of my outfits, check out my Tumblr blog: http://spacedoutfashionista.tumblr.com/

I tend to update that more frequently!  Anyway, have a happy Hump Day!

Snow(y) Days...

Last week: sunny, warm Orlando.  This past week: cold, snowy Iowa.  I'm not really complaining though... there is nothing quite like a white Christmas. It's snowing again now, and it looks so beautiful and white.  I know in January I'll be sick of it, but for now, I'm just going to enjoy the weather. 

I had a great Christmas with my family, and I've been fortunate enough to have seen some of my friends from high school for coffee or lunch in town. 

Here are some pictures from break so far:

Our car after coming back from Orlando...

Christmas card for next year? Please no. 

Goofing around...

My gifts!

Gifts from Santa... :)

I liked that a lot of my gifts this year are USEFUL.  As I get older, I realize that I need less crap and more things that I can use.  Hence why I like the fanny pack for running, the 2013 planner (semester at Purdue...come at me, bro), and the Vera Bradley duffel bag.  They're cute and fun gifts, but I'll be toting them everywhere this coming year... which is great!

Anyway, have a fabulous New Years Eve, and stay safe and warm :)

Saying goodbye is the hardest part...

I can't believe it's that time of the semester already... time for the end-of-tour dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse.  All the co-ops dressed classy and ate delicious food.  We started a new tradition too: co-op awards.  That was a blast... I wrote all the awards on notecards, but a friend came up with most of the clever ones. 

Anyways, I was at Kohl's earlier during the day, and I fell in love with the black, polka-dotted top... I had to buy it after I tried it on.  I can dress it down with jeans and flats or dress it up with black slacks or a skirt.  I plan on wearing it for some KKY stuff this spring. 

I also curled my hair for the first time in... well, a long time anyways.  It took me forever, and it was pretty much gone by the time I got to dinner, but it was fun and a nice change of pace. I thought the black top and flats, dark skinny jeans, and gold jewelry were sophisticated, but the red nails added some edge.  

The outfit... head to toe! 

I don't usually do selfies in the mirror, but I wanted to show off my hair!

Boys in sweaters... definitely the best thing ever ;)

The dinner was fun despite the fact I didn't get to sit by a certain someone... I was slightly disappointed about that.  But I just held my head up and enjoyed the people I sat by.  Trying to live in the moment and enjoy every minute of every day.  These tours are going by too quickly to not appreciate all the people and memories!

Next time I write, I'll be home in Iowa.  Texas, it's been real :)

Work hard, play hard

I can't believe my second co-op tour ends on Friday.  It amazes me how quickly time flies by...  I think the best advice I could give myself would be to enjoy every minute of every day.  While I need to take care of chores and work and such, I need to make time to enjoy the blessings I've been given :)

I've been spending a lot of time with a certain guy, but I'm not sure where things are going... work has prevented me from really having time to think about things before we talk again.  I plan on making some time today to get my thoughts down on paper (probably in my journal).  

Anyways, I have a lot of chores to do before dinner at a friend's house.  Right now Kirstyn, Sarah, and Becca are planning our Christmas party for next week.  I was invited, but I need some 'me time'.  Here's to getting lots done and seizing the day. 

The following two pics are from when it was actually a little chillier.  However, the grey sweater from H&M sheds everywhere... I had to de-fuzz my shirt multiple times during the day... which is a shame since I love the rhinestones.

Another grey-sweater-black-shirt outfit.  I just think the colors are so chic.  Especially with my grey-and-black pumps and my white watch and pearl earrings.  Classy.  

Of course, some days I get to wear jeans, so I go for a lot more laid-back style.  I wore this to work one Friday.  I think it's still grown-up, but the light pink and the floral-print shoes are girly.

I hope you have a week full of peppermint mochas, sunshine, and Christmas music. :)  

Rainy Sundays

It's warm (in the 70s) and rainy today.  I think that factored into the difficulty I had dragging myself out of bed... I slept close to 8.5 hours and just wanted to keep sleeping.  I wanted to get up to blog, read PostSecret, email my roomie at college (she sent me a Halloween card), and download T-Swift songs :) before church at 10:30 a.m.  I also need to vacuum and wash my dishes before volunteering at a nursing home at 1:30 p.m.

Last night, a group of us went to see Cloud Atlas.  I honestly did not like it.  There were excessive amounts of murder and too many time/place jumps.  I got frustrated that I couldn't watch good portions of the money because I was covering my face.  Ugh.  And then my stomach actually felt upset after the movie!  What a waste of 10 dollars and 3 hours. 

Okay, I'm doing bitching now.  I'm just getting nervous because I only have five weeks of work left... five more weekends in Houston.  It makes me feel panicky.  Like if I'm not enjoying every minute of every day, I'm wasting my time.  And it also frustrates me that nothing is happening between me and this guy I like.  We're running out of time... 

Friday night on the other hand was a blast!  We went country dancing, and Chris and Lucas joined us!  They were both good at two-stepping and polka-ing :)  And then the pop songs came on and we rocked it.  Also, Footloose.  Love that line dance. 

Portia, me, Kris, and Sarah... love these ladies!

Carpe diem!

Weekends...

My crew in the Osprey,

... are the best.  I love them.  They go way too quickly though, as I'm sure you know.  My weekend was crazy busy.  Saturday consisted of shopping, a soccer game, pumpkin carving, chicken-pot-pie-making, and a Halloween party.  Today was IHOP (yummmm) followed by the Wings Over Houston Air Show.  The air show was amazing!  I don't know the names of planes, and I can't tell you their history.  But I can appreciate the roar of the jet engines and the coordination of the Blue Angels.  And I can enjoy every minute of being with my fellow co-ops.  It amazes me that I never tire of being with them. 

The Blue Angels

And lastly, a shot of my new shoes.  I'm about to plan my outfit for tomorrow, which is definitely feature these babies. :)  Anyway, have a totes fantastic Monday! 

SO PUMPED

October skies...

Wow.  It's been more than a month since I last wrote, and of course, a lot has happened since then.  I've survived beach party, improved at rock climbing (but only when three of my experienced friends are there to coach me), ran a half marathon (13.1 miles... piece of cake, well, if you're Lis anyways), passed my specialist mastery (an oral exam) for my job... and so much more.  I can't believe how fast time flies... it amazes me that more than half of my second co-op tour is over.  I've resigned myself to just being present every day and enjoying every moment. :)   I loved going home to Iowa for a weekend, and when I was there, I felt like that was were I was supposed to be.  But when I came back to Houston, Sarah picked me up at the airport, and we went to Olive Garden for Kris's 21st birthday.  And sitting there, talking to my friends, laughing, and not caring that it was 10:45 p.m. and we had work the next, I realized that I also loved being in Houston.  How blessed am I that I really have three places I can call home?  Of course, where my family is will always be my true home... they're my greatest blessing <3  Lisa, Laura... if you're reading this, I love you!

Okay, I'm done being deep and philosophical. I've obtained lots of new clothes lately :)

Co-Op/Intern t-shirts... love it!

Front of new sweater I bought at Target for $9 on clearance :)

Back :)

Shorts for volleyball... they have Spandex (and funky Spandex) underneath

Cytennial t-shirt to commemorate Lisa being on the Cardinal Court :)

Shirts my family made for our half marathon.  Lisa, Laura, Mom, Nanny, Uncle Tom, Stephen, and I all did it together.

Shirt from the half marathon :)

Shirt from JC Penny's.

Who knew JC Penny's still had cute clothes?!?!  I was shocked, but the shirt above and the pink shorts were super cheap, and adorable!  I wore the Cytennial t-shirt last night to Capture the Flag, because it was actually chilly here in Houston.  Note the word choice of chilly and not cold.  It's in the fifties and windy, but I know it's probably colder back home :)