When I Grow Up, I Want to Be...

This week in the class I teach I’ve been talking to my students about career preparation.  Specifically we’ve been looking at our personal abilities, aptitudes, and values and kind of seeing how each of these might contribute to their future career choices.  They’re mostly 13 years old and already some of them have clear visions about who they want to be when they grow up.  It’s pretty remarkable.  Especially considering that at age 31 I am still asking myself this question.  


It’s a strange age, 30-something.  All our lives, we’ve moved in steps together with our peers.  We all choose our high school sports at the same time.  Within a few years, we’ve all gotten our driver’s license and probably our first jobs.  A few years after that, we’ve got a high school diploma and then a college degree.  We’re all off in the workforce.  We’re all newbie adults just finding to find a place to settle in.  And that’s where all the similarities end.  Suddenly we’re on different paths and time tables, falling in and out of touch for reasons other than problems and it gets tougher and tougher to determine if you’re on the right path.  Are you growing up to be the person you’re meant to be?  Are you doing what you meant to do? 

I can look back on friendships, great great friendships, that have almost fallen to the wayside recently not because of any personal issues, but because our lives have grown soooooo drastically different that it’s hard to find common activities.  I have peers whose fashion sense ranges from full out “mom” wear to slinky sexy club wear, and I’m still unsure of where I fall on the spectrum.  
So what do I want to be when I grow up?  I can think of a few....

I want to be a poster of wellness.  Think Karina and Katrina, aka the Tone It Up girls.  Holy girl crush.  I think I’m in love.  And on top of that their advice is sound and their workouts are legit.  Right at my level and leaves me feeling refreshed.  Try this Bikini Body Challenge workout and tell me you’re not drawn to them.

I want to be real. Not real like I don’t give a f**k about anyone’s feelings and I’m going to start swearing all over the internet.  Not like that.  I want to write honest pieces that people are affected by.  I’ve found few bloggers as real as Erin Gray in this post.  If you don’t follow her, you should.  She’s inspiring and normal and a phenomenal writer to boot.

I want to have a kind heart.  I’ve been successful at this in some realms of life and failed in others.  I have a ways to go.  I tend to internalize things and toil over them when I don’t feel comfortable and put people off.  I’m hoping to stop doing this one day.  I’ll let you know how it goes.  I wish I could maintain a FUN, bright attitude all the time, but it seems I have a dark side that haunts me.  


I want to be successful.  I’m sick and tired of feeling like the best successes of my life were in my early twenties.  There has to be more.  Otherwise, why would people live so long?  I want to establish new goals and ideals and values and hey.... maybe I ought to take my own class this year.  After all, everything happens for a reason, and I've found that a great way to learn a new skill is by teaching it to others ;)


  Brave Love Blog 
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Wedding Flashback: Getting Ready!

Looking back on the morning of our wedding, I can't believe what a whirlwind it was.  I had bagels and pastries catered from Panera and mimosas galore, but do you think we enjoyed any of that?  No way!  At least I didn't.  It was a mad rush from the moment I woke up to pushing everyone out the door to get to the church on time!  Luckily everyone came half ready so we were all totally beautified and ready to go in time!  

We got ready at my house while the boys were at the hotel suite where my fiance stayed the night before.  I wanted it that way because a) I knew I'd feel more comfortable and b) I didn't want to risk leaving any of the 23,956 things a girl needs to get ready behind, especially on my wedding day ;)

I went for a glittery heeled sandal from DSW.
Similar design here.

Bracelet from Icing; Earrings from Old Navy.  I had envisioned these earrings in my mind when I bought the dress and hadn't been able to find them.  I found these on the day of the funeral of a close family friend who was very sad she was unable to see us on our wedding day.  I felt like she sent these for me when I saw them.  I know she did.

Stemless wine glasses I ordered for the girls.  Meant to actually drink out of them and get some pics, but turns out ain't nobody got time for that!  In fact, I still have a few sitting at my house that they forgot.  lol

Makeup by my good friend Lauren.  She is amazing!  Foundation custom made by Smooch Studio.  Most amazing product ever with the best ingredients and custom made to the color and consistency you desire.  Check it out! 
The girls picked their own dresses.  I just gave a color scheme of white/off-white/beige, and this is what they came up with.  Couldn't have chosen better myself!

Great photo of us.  I'll admit it.

Bride robe from Target!

MOH buttoning me in!  She's kind of professional at this.


And Kate tying the perfect bow.  Needed a cheerleader for this job ;)

Buttons, buttons, and more buttons.  My FAVORITE thing about this dress!

Jack 'er up!  Adding the veil and we're ready to go!

Stay tuned for more details of our wedding day to come, and see our fun rehearsal dinner!  

Photos by Maureen Pacheco.



NC Belle In Boots


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Three Days are Better Than Two

First weekend since school started and it's a 3-day.  Can't hate that!  Too bad I'll be spending the extra day all wrapped up in work anyhow.  Since taking my new position, I feel like a first year teacher all over again and I can't wait until next semester when I can get into a routine again.  

In the meantime, I seem to be having a tough time getting out of "summer mode".  I know there are things to get done, but I just done wan't to do them.  Procrastination is the theme of my life this month for sure.  So instead of getting all my work done in chunks like I probably should have done, I spent every night hanging out with friends and days shopping and laying on the couch.  

Friday night was one of my best friend's birthdays (or at least the celebration of said date) so we headed to my hometown of Frederick to celebrate.  We all gathered at The Reunion and it was great to visit with everyone at the same time!




Saturday we headed downtown to watch the Oriole's and eat some classic bar food.  Wings and oysters were on the menu and I can't wait to do it again soon!  (Post season anyone???)



Sunday I was so excited to go on a date with my husband.  I even wore a nice dress and lipstick.  I love getting all dolled up for him.  I was excited to go on our first non-celebratory, regular date night as husband and wife and of course we spent it at our favorite date night spot, the Catonsville Gourmet.  On the way home, we realized that it was August 31st, exactly 2 years since we closed on our house.  So much for the non-celebratory.  Happy Houseiversary to us!!  



Weekend Recap


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