I GOT A NEW CAR... and a loan to go with it.

What do I do after graduating from college and acquiring millions of dollars in student debt? (Okay, not millions...)
Take out a loan for a new (to me) car.

A little bit about my decision to get this new car, as well as what it's like to change up what you drive...

My old car (Speedy Claxton) is a 1992 Buick regal that was hoovering my bank account for repairs. It still "works" but I had just put brakes on it for the umpteenth time, and it needed a new strut. Plus it was always stalling for no reason (no "fix" any repair men made actually fixed it). So, I was fed up with the thing.
Then, my dad was saying he had seen an '09 Honda Civic when he went in to test drive a car earlier that day. (I was hoping to purchase a Honda due to their longevity). So I looked at it online, and IT HAD A DIGITAL SPEEDOMETER! Which Speedy Claxton also had and I was disappointed to have to give up when I made the leap to the current millennium of cars.
So, I went and test drove it. Judging a book by it's cover - or car by its looks - I loved it. Love at first drive, however? Eh.
It was a bit awkward at first. I could actually touch the pedals (unlike Speedy), so it was more sensitive to my foot movements. And the steering wheel was smaller than mine so it seemed awkward at first.
But, still, I knew. I knew I wanted this car. I knew I would grow to love it. (And I have!)

So after all of the financing and such - I drove home my Honda Civic that following Monday evening. It took some getting used to, and still does. I went from a 2-door to a 4-door, I went from a boat to a Matchbox Car, I went from a broken antenna to a working radio, I went from having to try three times to get Speedy started to always *knock on wood* starting on the first try. Overall, I would say I "upgraded," but some of these changes did take some getting used to. And watching my 15 year old brother driving for the first times, I realized that driving was awkward at first - and I'm sure it will be awkward each time I get into an unfamiliar car.

So, if you're looking to buy a car - it might be kismet, AND you might have to learn to love.

Doing Nothing and Organizing...

Not surprising, I'm still working on unpacking from moving home after graduating college. I'm trying to purge as I go (I'm getting better at letting go of birthday cards from when I was 14...) as well as pack away things I don't need until I move out (toaster oven, pots, pans, etc..). So, it's a slow process!
I also house sat for a week, which put a "pause" on the unpacking while I was staying with their dogs and cats!
Here are a few helpful tips/ideas that I think could help anyone!!

Doing Nothing
It seems like a dream, right? "A WHOLE DAY TO DO NOTHING!"
That's what I thought...
But, let me tell you - it was horrible. I didn't actually do nothing; I knit, I read, I took care of the animals in the house I was house sitting... but at the end of the day - I felt like crap!

A few days later I had another day with "nothing" to do. But, I made sure to shower, get dressed (in a new pair of sweats anyway), and stick to a somewhat normal schedule (for meals). It helped! Even though I still knit, read, took care of the animals, etc... doing it in an organized way made me feel less groggy at the end of the day!

So, the next time you are SO excited to do nothing - DO SOMETHING! :)

Organizing 
I'm not the most brilliant "organizer" and I probably read this idea on Pinterest once upon a time. BUT, here's what I did with all of those extra/little things you find when organizing!

Every year when I moved in to the dorms (I lived in the dorms all 7 semesters I was in college) I would receive a bunch of samples - face wash, dish soap, laundry detergent, shampoo, you nanme it! Personally, I think that samples aren't really going to do anything - how do you know if a product works for you by using it once?! You can't!
Anyways, so I have a bunch of samples just sitting in random bins in my room because I always say "Oh, yeah, I'll use that" - and then never do.

Here are a few close ups of samples I found:

 

Overall, I found shampoo, conditioner, heat activated hair product, body wash, body lotion, feminine pads, a lot of face wash, and a few facial moisturizers. I also found travel sizes of  body wash, lotion, and body spray.

So, that's what I did! This thirtyone bag, which I only use to carry toiletries when travelling, became my storage place for all of them!
In on of the zipper pockets I put all of the small samples. In the elastic bottle holders I put the travel size body wash and lotion.
In the side mesh pockets I have the body spray and a bottle of Pure Romance Coochy conditioning shave cream. (There's still a tiny bit left of the shave cream - but I have a newer one in a scent I prefer in my shower).
In the front zipper compartment I put a travel kleenex and some feminine products. Seriously, never travel without some feminine products - even if your "time" is like clockwork, you might save someone else by having it with you!
In the large center compartment I added a couple more travel size lotions and body washes (not pictured) as well as a travel pack of Q-tips!

Now, next time I go on a trip or just away for a night, I don't have to stress about packing! I can throw in my toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, and makeup! I suggest if you have a certain bag you always use, and if it's already taking up space - use the inside of it as well!

Google Maps, purging, and "Chicken and Peppers" - The first 6 days of 2015

Like I promised, here's a brief summary of what I did during the first six days of 2015! And see the corresponding numbers below for tutorials, tips, tricks, recipes, and other fun facts! 

1. Had dinner with some family friends.

2. Took a dance class in Minnesota. 

3. Went to an empowerment workshop with Madre.

4. Enjoyed dinner with my boyfriend's family.

5. Organized (and purged) all of the papers I've been hoarding.

6. Made a really delicious meal!

2. My first post-college dance class. I would suggest reading any directions a place provides for you before typing it into your GPS (or google maps app). Google maps got me there, but failed to mention that I had to turn into a little driveway and go to the building behind the Subway restaurant. 

But actually, when driving somewhere new (even if you're familiar with the area) I would suggest looking at the map ahead of time. So you get a feel for where you're going. Especially if you're driving alone - it's no fun to be going highway speeds and trying to glance at your phone telling you which exit to take! 

5. I will admit many of the papers I threw away were actually (somewhat) necessary up until I graduated. But, I completely reorganized my file folder with important documents. And I plan go through my 3 different "dance" binders next. 

My suggestion when going through anything is to ask yourself "do you actually need this?" and "is there another place where this information is available?" For example - credit card statements. I receive mine in the mail, but can also access them online. Therefore, once I look at them, there's no need to keep the paper copy! 

6. RECIPE! I call this "Chicken and Peppers" but maybe you're more creative...

I'm giving amounts that I make for myself - which usually is one or two servings depending on my hunger...

Ingredients

4 oz Chicken breast 

1 Bell pepper

1 serving Pasta sauce 

1 serving Pasta (any noodle will do)

Olive oil

Garlic

Salt

Pepper

Directions

Put water on to boil for the noodles. And start heating some oil in a pan.

Cut pepper(s) into small pieces.

Cut the chicken into bite size chunks.

Add peppers to pan when hot

Season with salt, pepper, garlic (I sometimes do an Italian seasoning as well)

When fairly cooked, add chicken (should be right around the time the water is boiling)

Add seasoning as desired.

Add pasta to water when boiling, cook as directed.

Continue to stir both the pasta and the chicken/peppers.

When chicken is cooked through, add pasta sauce and stir.

Strain pasta and add to pan with chicken, peppers, and sauce.

Stir.

Serve!

Another New Year

Well, it's that time again. Time for people to make resolutions that they'll forget (not that I'm guilty of that or anything...). But, here's a reminder: each day is a chance to better yourself. Don't let January 6, September 15, or July 27 keep you from being a better person - the "New Year" is just one of 365 chances to make your self a better person in 2015!

With that said, I do have two resolutions for 2015.

1. BLOG. I'll admit, I had this one last year and I didn't follow through. But, I'm hoping that without school (YAY, I graduated!) I will be able to focus on myself - and therefore blogging - a little bit more in 2015.
My goal for this is to blog at least once a week. A diary, if you will, of my experiences. In addition, I hope to add some tutorials, reviews, and other bloggy things to make it more interesting than a reiteration of every moment of my life!

2. Live in the moment. Now, this doesn't mean I'll be making rash decisions in 2015. But it does mean I hope to put down my phone more. Candy Crush and Facebook can wait until I'm done experiencing life!
My goal for this is to check my phone for texts/emails in down time. And check social media only 3-4 times per day - when I wake up, lunch, and before bed. Now, this has been a struggle thus far, but it'll only get better.

Does anyone have tips for making either of these goals happen?
What are your new years resolutions?

The Unveiling

We often portray an image or persona which we feel is acceptable or desirable in society.

This is our external self.

We also have an internal self.

Only certain people are allowed to view this private unmasking.

When we unmask, we let people in.

They see our true colors, our internal selves.

I may appear to be one thing, but really I am another.

But how hard is it to leave the mask off?

Why not let it lie?

It’s a security blanket, this mask.

Like a shield – protecting us from judgment.

Masks come in all shapes and sizes.

From a simple “I’m great!” on a shitty day, to a completely second and opposite personality.

The “unmasking” doesn’t have to be a dramatic event.

Sometimes you slowly shed small pieces of your mask, letting people in one shard at a time.

Whenever we are in a new and unfamiliar environment, our mask becomes thicker.

I want to be liked.

I want to be accepted.

I don’t want to be judged.

But aren’t you judging them by saying they’ll judge you?

What are other peoples’ masks?

Do you know when someone is wearing one?

Do you know how thick it is?

How do you know when they’ve completely taken it off?

Is the layer underneath your mask constantly changing?

Mine is.

But my mask is constantly updating and evolving as well – to new situations, new information

Is it possible to show someone your partial unmasking and still remask?

Or are you forever without that part of your mask in their eyes?

Dress to Impress - Week 2

Well, week two wasn't nearly as easy as week 1. Not only was I more tired, but it went from being in the 80's on Tuesday, to being in the 40's by the weekend (and it didn't just go down nicely - it was a definite DROP in temperature!)

I've also realized that being aware and attentive to what I wear doesn't mean I have to avoid wearing "not dressy" clothes. It just means that I shouldn't wear the same outfit in different colors every day of the week. ;)

Monday: I wanted to wear this shirt before it got too cold - it's comfy, cute, and longer in the back (yay leggings!). 

Tuesday: It was supposed to be 80 today, but I didn't really feel like wearing shorts (I don't remember why...) So I opted for the skirt - unfortunately it looks a lot like the maxi skirt outfit I wore last week - but I don't have any light colored tshirts, so the tank and jean jacket route had to be repeated. 

Wednesday: I bought this shirt a while ago because I was in love with it. Then I barely wore it for probably a year - and when I did I always felt uncomfortable. But now, I love it again! 

Thursday: I didn't get a picture of Thursday's outfit. Dark jeans, plaid loose fitting flannel, and my new wine combat boots (See Friday)

Friday: So, I fell in love with these Target (C9) leggings, and these wine colored combat boots. Like I've said, Friday I only have dance classes, so why wear normal clothes? These leggings were the perfect cover up, and I wore them later for teaching dance. The fleece sweatshirt was also nice because it was quite chilly out! Ps. I'm in love with these boots!!!

Saturday: Okay, so I didn't actually wear this all day... After running I was warm - so I sat in my sports bra and running leggings. But, then, when I had cooled off, I got really cold. So I threw on a sweatshirt, and some socks, and slippers... 

I actually wore black leggings and my grey UWSP sweatshirt today. I rearranged my dorm a bit and went grocery shopping, so I wanted to look decent, but didn't really feel like wearing anything too fancy. 

Dress to Impress

I started my final semester of college this last week. Exciting, scary, and bittersweet are just a few words that describe the emotions of finally reaching this point in my life. More on that later.

But, first, I want to challenge myself to "dress to impress" this semester! I'm hoping that if I start now, it will become a habit, and eventually it won't take effort!
Basically, in past years, I've gotten into a "let's toss on leggings, a sweater, and a scarf" rut. (don't get me wrong, I will still be rockin' my sweater/scarf combo - just trying to mix it up and wear more of my wardrobe!

So, with this challenge comes some pictures and explanations!
Disclaimer: I don't think I'm the most fashionable person in the world (definitely not!) But I do think these outfits are cute, comfy, and most of all - they are functional! I hope they can inspire you to try out new things in your wardrobe and avoid wearing sweats to class everyday (Hey, everyone gets an off day now and then)

ps. sorry for the crappy pictures, crappy lighting, and messy backgrounds...

Tuesday: first day of school! I only had a modern dance class on Tuesday (which I wore different clothes for) but I then had to work for four hours at the campus library. So, I wanted something comfy for all the walking/sitting/up/down that I had to do, but also something cute. (for the record, the stitching in the tank top matches the color of the sweater). I also later worked at the Shoe Day at the studio I teach at, and again, I wanted something easy to move in for the up and down of trying shoes on kids!

Wednesday: ALL academic classes! As a dance major, I've usually had at least one dance class in a day in the past. But, not this year. On Mondays/Wednesday's I get to sit in desks all day and listen to professors talk... But... bright side, I get to look cute and not worry about sweat! So, it was supposed to be pretty hot this day, but also not rainy (like the rest of the week) so I opted for a maxi skirt. Which is basically crotchless yoga pants - and who doesn't love that? Plus, in a maxi I don't have to worry about my thighs sticking to the desk chairs - ouch! And the jean jacket was nice because I had the option to take it off when I got a little warm!

Thursday: More Library work! (ps. I didn't wear the cat slippers to work - though it was tempting) So once again I worked for four hours... but it was supposed to be in the mid 80's.. So I opted for shorts. The desk chair at the Lib is fabric - so no sticky thighs. But, I thought these shorts were an appropriate length, and the sweater was nice while in air conditioned buildings - but the outfit still looked cute when I took the sweater off while walking!

Friday: ALL dance classes, plus auditions! So, since I only had dance classes (Pilates, Ballet, and Modern) on Friday, I don't really need to wear real clothes. BUT we had auditions in the evening (which also meant being on campus from 8:30 AM till 8:30 PM) so I wanted to still look like I tried a little. Plus these pants are brand new (WALMART!) so I wanted to show them off. Yes, I wore a matching leotard, too. 

Saturday: Today we had department orientation and a picnic. I wanted to wear this super cute skort (which I got for $4.30 at Target) before the weather got too cold. I can't take all the credit for this outfit- my mom is the one who suggested I pair this shirt with the skort. But, I do enjoy it! Plus the skirt is super flowy and comfy!