skittles and cheetos paid with quarters always get the best of me

dress: Target // necklace: INPink // watch: Fossil // knuckle rings: Style Lately // heels: Lauren Conrad via Kohl's

Since nursing school has started, I have definitely noticed an increase in my appetite, and not in a good way. Craving soda, wanting chocolate or anything sweet or with caffeine, I feel like I am in high school again! Except this time I am no longer a growing teenager, and putting on the pounds seems to be getting easier. Seriously, the soda and vending machines right outside our classroom do not help. All I can think about half way through the day is how much a soda will perk me up, or just one little pack of m&m's won't hurt, especially if my friends share it with me, right? Ugh excuses, excuses. Working out? What is that again? Getting the energy to get in the car to drive to the gym is exhausting just thinking about it. Rough life, huh?

So, what are your secrets to those mid day cravings? Do you sit at your desk wanting that snicker's bar down the hall? Or do you indulge yourself because you know you'll work out later? Or do you all around eat healthy (I admire and hate you people all at the same time). Let me know how you people keep your rockin bods!

On a side note, I think the vintage couch sitting in my grandparents garage stole the show during this outfit shoot. Can't always be the star of the show I guess. It's okay couch, you are pretty cute.

my fridays are on thursday, and what a good day thursday is

sunnies: Target // shirt: Old Navy // vest: Target // necklace: Fossil // bracelets: F21 & InPink // knuckle rings: c/o  Style Lately // leggings: c/o Style Lately // shoes: Target 

Overwhelmed is not even an understatement when it comes to this week. I mean 5 tests in 4 days on stuff we've learned in 48 hours? 6 body systems in less than a week and a half? Not the best mood lifter. Surprisingly though, today is my Friday (welcome weekend!) and I don't even know where the week disappeared to. Most likely my nose in a book half asleep. Have you ever felt like that? Like days just pass and you feel like it is an out of body experience? Somehow you land in your bed every night and wishing you could just stay there forever?

The one thing I look forward to almost every night is seeing my amazing man. I feel very, very lucky to look forward to seeing the same face after over 5 and a half years. Not many people can say that. And even on those nights when I feel like my brain might explode, he makes me laugh it out, and I feel better. Like tomorrow won't be so bad after all and I will get through it. It's the best I tell you.

Also, let me just take a second to talk about these leggings. Not much to say besides they're awesome and I want to wear them every day. Maybe even under my scrubs. Okay that's a little excessive. But for real, you should get them. Aaaand their knuckle rings are. the. bomb.

That is all.

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Today is the last day for the amazing Uncommon Goods Giveaway! Get you entries in and winner will be announced tomorrow!

a thankful monday

circa 2010

today currently: what a difference in looks and life

I don't know if you've noticed, but life for me has gotten pretty crazy. Between nursing school and work, my days are pretty occupied. I've been slacking on this site of mine, the outfit posts have gotten less and less, and my room is constantly begging me to clean it six days out of seven. I feel as though the topics on this blog could take a turn, just as my life is rotating a full 180 degrees. As my life gets crazier, he, the man in the picture above, is always there.

I lost my first patient last week during my first round of clinicals. I've only been in school for less than two months and at the time my worst fear was hitting some one's leg (including my own) with those ever annoying wheelchair legs (they have a mind of their own I tell you). I could have never prepared myself for the emotion of losing someone I had only known for three days. And I know it sounds crazy, trust me. Knowing someone for three days is hardly means to be sad over their death, but nursing is so personal, more than skin deep. It's a connection of taking care of someone when they physically can't anymore. To lose someone after such a short time of knowing them, and feeling the way I did and having the emotions I had was something I could have never prepared myself for.

I was challenged in ways that I never though possible last week and I know I will be continually challenged; through all of that, I feel Jared is sometimes forgotten. The guy above is there the nights where I only see him for an hour; heck maybe only thirty minutes, just to see me. He is there to talk to, give his opinion, and never let me forget that he is there, even if he doesn't always say it. He is there for me, in ways I can't count or name. So thank you Jared, for being person you are to me.

Life is so short and fleeting and I am so happy, to be so happy, so young in my life because I know people wait their whole life to feel like I am right now.

Blessed I am, and I wish the same to you.

friday favorites: first clinicals

>>Those past two days were some of the most stressful, exciting, nerve-racking to the point of shaking, frustrating, and tiring days of my life.

When waking up on the morning of my first clinical two days ago, I honestly had no idea what I was in for. Going to class everyday, my routines were practiced and my skills tested and I felt prepared, like I would walk in and know what to do. Needless to say, simulators are not real people with real problems, and I felt way over my head, and in a way defeated. Not just defeated, but side-lined by a two ton tracker is more like it. I felt like the time I had spent in class practicing was a waste.

Yesterday was a different story. I knew the routine better and the patients schedules, I got more hands on with the patients (and honestly I cannot believe I actually did the things I did. I'll save your stomach, but just so you know, I can handle the bathroom duties, just not cleaning the mouth. Weird, right? Good thing I didn't become a dentist.) I learned how to take care of the people that cannot take care of themselves.

>>With that being said, those past two days were some of the most humbling, human-centered, blessed, and empowering days I have ever experienced.

To bathe someone, to wash their feet and brush their teeth and do all of the things for them that we (including myself) take for granted everyday. Being able to sit up in bed and get dressed alone is a feet. Doing these tasks that we so easily take for granted for other people is a life changing experience. It's wonderful and it's sad. More sad than I anticipated. We have been blessed with so much and most of them have so little. About 20 feet to call their own, a bedside dresser, a closet, and maybe a few pictures. Some have family and some don't. Their life is in that building and their bed where they sleep is where they bathe and use the restroom. Just think about it. Life would be so different, and it is their reality.

The line of work I am getting into is not what I expected, but I have been shown to many things by putting myself in their shoes. Every little thing I do can make a difference in some one's life, and hopefully I already have in some small way.

Anyways, thanks for letting me vent (and I'm sure there will be many more posts like this). And if you feel like sending up some prayers, I could use all of the strength I can get. Lord only knows what I am getting myself into.

friday favorites: scrub life

Aren't we just the cutest? No but for real. I think we make a pretty cute scrub couple. Don't be scared of my no make up face and wrong color for my skin tone scrubs. Giving bed baths doesn't mean I have to wear make up, right? But more than that, I am just so happy where we both are in life. Striving to reach our goals and doing it together.

I love that we both share the pain of scrub wearing. Okay, maybe me more than him, but some days you just want to wear jeans. Uniforms are no strange subject for us, wearing them in private school most of our lives. It's pretty ironic we both found ourselves wearing them daily again.

I love that we can have an intellectual conversation about the human body. Most of it may consist of telling each other that we are wrong because we go to two different schools and were taught differently, and when something is drilled in your brain, there could not possibly be another way of doing it. But we can also learn from each other.

I love that we are both so dedicated. This is a new subject in the school area for Jared since it comes naturally to me (and he hates it) but I am so proud of him.

I love that when I come home to him in the future with nursing struggles or how working with people can be difficult (did you know we all die? And it can be pretty sad), he can somewhat relate.

I love that our schedules are more matched now. School during the days, work during the night. We may be up to our heads busy, but at least we both are.

I love that every day I look forward to telling him something new that I learned, and the same for him. It usually consists of "show and demonstrate," which usually ends up with one of us on the floor or in a weird bed position. Hey, at least we have a dummy to practice on.

I love that we text each other our test and quiz grades daily. Supporting our accomplishments and being sad in our downfalls. Reassuring each other that one test does not determine our lives is always a comforting feeling.

I love that we love to help people. Simple as that.

in the last 72 hours...

I rocked the middle part. Ah! Still can't believe it. And I don't think it looks half bad. I've been talking for months about how I wanted to grow my bangs out and part my hair in the middle. Needless to say my boyfriend just about gagged every time I did, probably because he doesn't like any of my ideas when it comes to fashion and hair. Little does he know all my ideas are good ones. Silly boy. You know what? He likes it. Just add it to the list I'd say.

Just look at this vintage coaster/tray set. Pure beauty I think. There is just something about so delicate about the lace underlay and pressed flowers and butterflies. I found this baby at the little thrift store I talked about here for $2 since the ENTIRE place was 50% off. Nothing better than thrift store and sale in the same sentence. Wouldn't they be just perfect for a future bar cart like THIS one from A Beautiful Mess? I WILL have one of these one day. Maybe it doesn't have to be stocked with liquor, but I'm on a look out for you, you industrial cart.

This chipotle burrito bowl was amazing. Is there anything more that can be said for all that cheese, chicken, rice, beans, and corn? I think not.

This would be part of my uniform these days. Can these grandma shoes count as vintage? No? Well I tried at  least. I also found a little sanctuary in my school where the sun shines bright, it's quiet, and there's a nice view. This will be where I will be if I feel like I need a few seconds to pull my hair out, okay?

Last but not least, these babies are on their way to me as we speak. There's a new buzz around the instagram world and that is setting up your shop and selling items through there. Genius! Geniuses you people are. I knew they were to be mine as soon as I saw them. I have been on the hunt for laceless oxfords and Steve Madden no less? I'm sold. To see other amazing items check out Brandi's shop @stylish_treasures and try this new way of insta shopping.

Happy hump day and I'm sure I'll see you around here for Friday Favorites!

if you asked me...

photo taken earlier this month, when life seemed oh so simple

If you asked me how my first week of LPN school was, I would tell you that...

>>I could not sleep the night before.
>>I got lost driving around the parking lot the first day.
>>I finally found the right parking lot after following other classmates' cars.
>>I felt like I was in high school again.
>>packed lunches and 8 hours of classes will do that.
>>I made new friends, yay!
>>school is hard; LPN school is harder.
>>I am overwhelmed and I have the pimples on my face to prove it. While I'm on the pimple note, I received the pimple from hell last week. My chin literally looked like I got punched in the face, or that I had dip. Either way, it was not pretty.
>>people are generally nice.
>>the teachers want us to succeed.
>>it is going to be a long road.
>>my brain is fried everyday.
>>bed baths are complicated.
>>changing the sheets with someone in the bed is hard work.
>>there IS a proper way to take off gloves.
>>5:50am is too early.
>>it was hard to keep me eyes open.
>>my teachers still don't know my name (maybe a good thing?).
>>I still feel unprepared.
>>it's hard to hard to have a dating life when you and your other are both in medical programs.
>>coffee, and lots of it, is a NECESSITY.
>>another caffeinated drink should also be included.
>>uniforms are the pits.
>>I missed this blog.
>>I missed you all.
>>I will never wash my hands the same.
>>I have already asked myself why I am doing this.
>>then I remember that people out there need help. They simply cannot help themselves and need someone compassionate, thoughtful, and hard working to take care of them, no matter what they're situation is.
>>my philosophy for getting though the not so pretty part of nursing is: ask yourself how you or your loved one would want to be treated and taken care of. You have to think this way or else you'll throw up.
>>this road that God has me on, it's worth it.

Monday, funday, right?!

a start of something new

There's something new in the air, or rather my brain and stomach. Tomorrow I start the new adventure in my life of coming an LPN (licensed practical nurse). Ah! For a whole year, from February to February, Monday through Thursday, I will be diving head first into some completely new territory. Since December 16th of last year, I have become pretty accustomed to working and only working (oh and this love of mine of course), but now everything is about to change. This is where my stomach and brain come into play. Mentally, I feel ready for this to happen. Always being strong academically, I feel as though most of the work will be something I can accomplish with no problem. Emotionally, it's a different story. I am not going to lie when I say that doubts are circling around in my mind. What if I don't like it? What if I don't have what it takes to see all of the things that most people run away from? Is this really the career that I want to do? I could probably come up with ten other questions to ask myself over and over.

I'm sure some of you can agree with me when I say that starting something that starts the rest of your life can be scary. When thinking how other people's lives are eventually going to be in my hands, I only become more anxious. But I feel as though this is the path that God has laid out for me. Therefore, I am going to give it everything I have. Whether I faint, cry, or continually have doubts, I will be back here in a year with a passing certificate. Because I have hope that this is what He wants me to do.

via

By taking this leap of faith, I am hopefully starting into something amazing. It may not be what I feel as though will fulfill me fully because there are so many different things I love, but I do feel as though this is where I am supposed to be. And hopefully, after starting my classes and becoming accustomed, I can say about myself:

via

The future is something that is so foreign to me, but that is something that is to great about life. I will never know what life plans have been set for me; I can only trust that I am in somebodies hands who is all knowing and who will allow me to be the normal confused human that I am.

Prayers are appreciated as I start this new career path! Also, my outfit of the day may change, but that doesn't mean my love of clothes will not. So I would love if you stick around to watch the hot mess that I will soon become. Who knows, it might be fun!

Happy Monday!