flying light.

When I'm traveling, I'm usually tight on time, space, and money (hence no checked bags if there is a fee). Trying to stuff everything into a carryon leaves very little space, and once I am there, I don't feel like messing around with outfits and accessories to find something that looks both professional and fashionable. As I've settled into partially grown-up life, the need to look more professional, especially on work trips, is essential, and I've found that jewelry and other accessories are a great way to make everything look more professional and pulled together. That being said, I find it much easier to have a few selected pieces on hand that coordinate with each other and most of my outfits. This past week in Indianapolis, I took along just a few bracelets that could be mix-and-matched with each other and my outfits.

top to bottom: sculpted white bracelet from my mother, large faux pearls from Urban Outfitters (old),
thin gold bangle from Claire's (old), bracelet my uncle made for me, Henri Bendel cuff (current).

Just these few bracelets made it much easier waking up at six am when I was practically a zombie and getting ready to go. Coordinating this with simple earrings and a necklace or two was very simple and made looking professional and put together an afterthought so I could focus on what I was there for -work (and a little shopping).

indianapolis.

This past week I have been crazy, not sleeping busy because of work - that is nationals for debate, held in Indianapolis this year. While a little stressful at times, it is such a reward to not only work with, but see the success of such talented students. That being said, we had some time for fun and exploring the "Racing Capital of the World" (according to the sign coming into the city). While we did not see any real racecars, we did find some miniature ones, along with a huge van, and some really breathtaking art. 

Diamond Hotwheels car at the Indianapolis Children's Museum.

Glass ceiling by Chihuly at the Children's Museum. 

Tower of Fireworks, also by Chihuly, at the Museum. 

My new van which I've been driving around Indy. 

pardon the finals.

I am incredibly sorry how absent I have been the last few days. Finals week has left me feeling like this:

http://bit.ly/Lrm4Oj

This is one of the joys of grad school: working full time while still trying to do finals. I would not recommend it. In a few days I (and thus this blog) will be back to normal.

three good things about coming back from spring break.

The notion of coming back from spring break (or if you have a real job, spring vacations) is never fun. However, through my (slightly) excessive amount of schooling in my life, I have learned how to make the  days back from spring break/vacations a little more bearable.

1. Seeing work friends.
Now, I'm not saying these are not your real friends, because they most definitely are, but you always share something special with these people because you do see them everyday. You can share your many inside jokes, as well as your disdain for coming back to work after a restful weeklong vacation. Plus, who else will you listen to sappy Ricardo Arjona songs with and complain about your need for a pre-5 p.m. cocktail, at least in my office?

2. Seeing your friends on their breaks.
Having your friends plus family come home on their spring breaks, before or after yours, is perfect because you can catch up on work and school and life in general. This past week I went to lunch at a small Italian restaurant with my cousins, one of whom was visiting from Arizona on her spring break, and it was so nice to catch up on life and all the little things that have happened.

3. Looking forward to the next time you get to take a wonderful adventure.
This past break, where I was in Maine, was super enjoyable. I spent the first few days home looking at pictures of my boyfriend and me in many different spots, as well as the funny photos I took on our many adventures. Everytime I do this, it makes my day a little bit brighter and makes me look forward to my next trip!

***

I will post some pictures from said spring break adventure soon, cross my heart. 

latest finds.

In my "down-time" at work, I wonder through Pinterest and other random websites in some attempt at entertaining myself.While I sometimes just end up going back to work, I sometimes find some really intriguing things that brighten up my day. I thought I would share a few with you to help put a little spark into your day.

This Wild Idea:Photographer Theron Humphrey is on a journey through the US to chronicle the oral histories of people from all walks of life across the country. The stories he finds in his interviewees, though often bittersweet, show a very different piece of life than what most of us urbanites are used to.

http://thiswildidea.com/map

Spike Jonze: Mourir Auprès de Toi: I have been slightly in love with Olympia Le-Tan clutches for awhile. While quite outside of my price range, the designer collaborated on this short film with director Spike Jonze. A very sweet and surprising love story that comes to life out of her clutches, it is a very fun five minutes. It is, however, a bit risque, so don't watch it with children. 

http://www.olympialetan.com/#collections/the-doors-of-perception.html

Rifle Paper Co.: I just love the design of their stationery and notepads. Colorful, adorable, and vintage themes decorate the collection, and make you want to rededicate yourself to the art of letter-writing.

 

 

 

http://riflepaperco.com/item/Hat_Collection_Print/93/c2

 

 

 

 

In other news, my boyfriend is here and wanted to make sure he was mentioned, so here you go! I will be sure to share some of our adventures soon.

fridays in the office.

So Fridays are pretty lonely in my office. I do have two men to keep me company though.

Walker on the left and Pancho on the right.

Clearly, I had to name them so that I wasn't just talking to nameless cardboard figures. I can give them a little humanity after all. They must get lonely spending so many long hours in Zimmerman library by themselves. Anyway, back to normality...

Fridays, over this past semester, have slowly morphed into lazy days. Pretty much because after Friday morning yoga I have no energy to put on real clothes, although I can usually manage a little blush and mascara. Also, after Thursday nights at O'Niell's, I'm not sure I could fit into actual pants on account of all the queso consumed. Ideally, Fridays consist of yoga, a little work, a little reading for school, and a lot of napping. The napping part I can do without a problem, the other ones I need to work on, like, ahem, the working one. Back to Pancho and Walker...

the pantyhose conundrum.

I really, really like my jobs. Working in an art collection is really great, and I love getting to learn so much while managing an entire collection by myself. I also adore teaching debate. I never really fancied myself the teacher type, but helping out with the debate team at my high school is oftentimes the highlight of my Tuesdays and Thursdays (and many a weekend in far-off locales like Dallas and Minneapolis). Unfortunately, as much as I love this part of graduating college and getting a real person job, I cannot get into pantyhose, which are often de rigueur in chilly winter months.

 I wish I could make pantyhose look this cute...
http://bit.ly/wDEUYy

I've got a solution for winter. I just wear lots of cute stockings from Anthropologie and Wolford with summer dresses and sweaters and call it a day. My big problem comes in the warmer days, a couple of which we have been having lately. Of course I just want to wear dresses and more dresses because it honestly feels like spring. Well, sundresses sans legwear are not exactly appropriate for high school teachers and grad students in a semi-professional position. And wearing hose in spring is just not cool. I would rather be skipping around in a field or walking on a beach, or even just walking to class, and none of these activities should involve hose. So, please let me know if you have any solutions to make dresses work-appropriate, and in the meantime, I will be rocking many a maxi dress.