Friday, May 25, 2012

Approaching Summer







Wow was it hot today! I'm pretty sure it was close to 90 degrees (and I live in the mountains). I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Its almost June and almost officially summer. As always, spring goes by way too quickly.
This is also the time of year when it gets too hot for me to hold a hair dryer to my head for too long. Today I opted for my natural waves instead of blow-drying it straight like I usually do. After it has air-dried, I use a little styling cream to add shine and definition. 
I'm also getting very excited to visit my friend, Carrie, next week. During the semester I literally saw her everyday. She's one of my favorite people and I can't wait to have some girl time with her (makeup, chick flicks, shopping....the usual girly stuff). Hopefully I'll get some good pictures during my trip that I can share next week.
Top: Maurices (years ago)
Skirt: New York & Company
Sandals: mark.
Necklace: JCPenney
Purse: mark.
Ring: mark.
Nail Polish: Sephora in Jealous

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Change of Scenery







This past week my husband and I went out of town to visit our parents and see friends for a couple of days. It was great catching up with those we had not seen in a while. I also realized how much I miss my hometown, which is much larger than the college town where we have been living for almost two years. I wouldn't necessarily call myself a city girl, but I certainly enjoy the bustle of a busier town.
We also got to spend time with our adorable dog, Gracie. She has been living with my husband's parents because we can't have her at our school apartment. I love seeing her any chance I get. I miss her so much :( I was glad I could get her to sit still long enough to grab a good picture of her.

Shirt: H&M
Vest: DIY from an old jean jacket
Pants: JCPenney (St. John's Bay)
Heels: Shoe Dazzle
Bracelets, Earrings and Watch: JCPenney
Sunglasses: Liz Claiborne

Friday, May 18, 2012

Adventures in Marriage: Part Two

Adventures in Marriage: Maggie and Tom 
Part Two



Father’s Day

A roar went out toward the unsuspecting television.

“No!” 

“Come on, ump! Are you blind?”

“There’s no way that was a foul!”

          The guys settled back down on the couch with bitter muffles as the network switched to commercials. Maggie giggled to herself as she brought them a refill of Father’s Day snacks. Her father, Bill, her brother, Edward, and her husband, Tom, all had a lift in their spirits when they spotted the garlic chicken wings on the platter. 

            Bernadette, Maggie’s mother, brought out a fresh round of drinks that the guys also devoured as the women made their way back to the kitchen.  

            Bernadette gave her daughter a knowing smile. “So…When are you going to tell him?”

            Maggie feigned ignorance. “What are you talking about, Mom? Tell who what?”

“Oh come on, Maggie. You haven’t drunk anything but ginger ale all afternoon and the boys were lucky they got those chicken wings. I saw the way your eyes pounced on them when they came out of the oven.”

            “Mom, nothing is going on.”

            Bernadette dropped the subject, for the moment, and began stirring a pitcher of lemonade. “So, you and Tom are coming up on three years now, right?”

           “Yep, in September,” Maggie answered. “I’m excited we’ll get to spend our anniversary in the new house.”

            “How much longer until the kitchen remodel is finished?” Bernadette asked while handing a sheet of cookies to Maggie to plop in the oven.

            “They’re telling us ten days but you know how these things go.”

            The ladies sat down at the kitchen table to play a hand of gin while the cookies plumped in the oven. The aroma of chocolate and dough skipped through the air and Bernadette inhaled deeply. The smell pummeled Maggie’s senses and she felt a sudden kick of nausea. She slapped her hand over her mouth and raced from the kitchen into the bathroom.

            Tom saw her make her dash and jumped up to check on her. “Maggie, are you OK?”

            He heard the toilet flush and the stream of water from the sink. When Maggie emerged from behind the door her pale face hung with exhaustion. Despite her protest that she was fine, Tom decided to take her home.

            Maggie felt like a princess when they got back to their appartment. Tom fluffed the pillows on the couch before she sunk into the perfectly broken-in cushions. He then draped a blanket over her and brought her a glass of ginger ale and saltine crackers to help calm her stomach. “Do you have everything you need?”

            “Yes. Thank you, sweetheart.”

         He protested that she try to get up for anything until she had time to rest. She insisted he finish watching the ball game before she drifted off on a nap.

           Maggie woke to Tom cheering at the screen. The Orioles had won. With his high spirits it was the perfect time to give him what she had been waiting for all day. She leaned down and fetched a card from her purse. 

            “Tom, I have something for you,” she said.

            He gave her a puzzled head tilt while taking the card from her hand. “What’s this for?”

            “Just open it.”

            He slid the card from its envelope. The front read “Happy Father’s Day”

            “Did you mean to give this to your dad?”

            Maggie smiled and shook her head. “Keep reading.”

            The inside was blank but for Maggie’s quick cursive.

            I could never imagine sharing this moment with anyone else. You are my confidante, my hero, my rock and more than I could ever want in a partner. You are an amazing husband and I know with all my heart you will be a phenomenal father. We have been trying for six months to start our family and we have finally done it, darling. We are going to be parents! You are going to be a father! I thought of no better way to tell you than on Father’s Day. This will be the first of many for you.
            I love you with all my heart,
                                                            Maggie

            Tom looked up at his beaming wife. The card slid out of his hands and flopped on the floor. Maggie wasn’t sure what was going on. What he happy, or terrified?

            Tom then let a grin sweep over his face. He picked Maggie off the couch and spun her around. He squeezed her tight and then remembered her nausea from before.

            “I’m fine,” she said to his concerned face.

            Maggie and Tom went back to her parent’s house to announce the news and confirm Bernadette’s suspicion. 

           The following afternoon the couple got a call from their contractor, who told them the renovation would be completed earlier than predicted.

            They could move in on Friday.

Friday, May 11, 2012

The Intern





My first article as an intern (on the right)

This week I began my internship with The Princeton Times, a local newspaper close to my college. I have been working as a freelance writer for them for the past year. I'm excited to learn more about the trade and do what I love this summer. Below are some pics from what I wore on my first day (and some goofy ones thrown in for fun).
Just as a side note, I never imagined how much I'd love journalism until I decided to go back to school for my bachelor's degree. As a shy teenager, the thought of talking to strangers and asking them questions terrified me. But now that I've broken out of my shell (with many thanks to my husband) I enjoy interacting with others. Everyone has a story, you just have to find it.

Cardigan: JcPenney
Tank: Forever 21
Pants: JcPenney (Worthington's Curvy Fit)
Shoes: Nine West
Bracelet: JcPenney
Earrings: Probably JcPenney too (I kind of LOVE that store)
Scarf: Belk
Sunglasses: Liz Claiborne
Polish on Toes: Thataway by China Glaze