NURSING SCHOOL LESSONS TO APPLY TO LIFE

• Comfortable shoes beat all else.
• Smile, no matter how bad your day is going. Someone else is having worse.
• Teamwork, teamwork, teamwork. You are not Superwoman. You cannot do it all by yourself.
• Don't forget to take time for yourself, or you won't be any help to anyone.
• It depends.
• Friendships come from unexpected places. Keep an open mind and heart.
• Prioritize.
• You will not find the answer in a book.
• Knowledge is power. Arrogance is not.
• Clean hair. Clean nails. Clean clothes.

WE DON'T NEED NO WATER

Thursday night, I went out with some classmates to burn
our aggravatingly useless study guide for Fundies. It took
hours to complete, was required for a grade, and when it
came down to effectiveness in preparing us for tests, it failed.
We made sure that we passed the class before commencing with
the burning. I mean, it only makes sense.

And how frigging awesome are my classmates? I love you guys,
and look forward to going forward with you for the next year!

BLAH BLAH BLAH

{Gettin' old school!}


10 Years Ago...
I was 15, dreaming that in ten years I'd be working as a criminalist or working through the ranks to detective.

5 things on my to do list...
1. do NOT fall into the bonfire/fire pit tonight
2. get contacts
3. homemade cinnamon buns
4. spend time with friends and family before the next semester starts
5. work on some of the DIYs I've pinned!

5 snacks I enjoy...
1. mini quiches - fast and a great protein pick-up
2. Red Bull - so need it
3. raw broccoli and dip - that crunch is the best
4. popped corn chips - hard to explain, so a picture soon
5. sharp cheddar - by the friggin' brick

5 favorite things...
1. nephew
2. polka dots
3. hunting for bargains or specific pieces
4. a hot soak with cold glass of vino
5. relaxing with friends after a hectic week

5 places I have lived...
1. Sussex, WI
2. Indialantic, FL
3. Tampa, FL
4. IHB, FL
5. Marshfield, WI

5 things most people don't know about me...
1. I was a bystander in three armed robberies within the span of a month.
2. I was a freelance photographer/journalist working the club circuit.
3. I'm a hopelessly jaded hopeless romantic.
4. For a number of years, I worked as an artistic model, mostly nude. Some fashion shoots for small companies, but mostly I posed for artists or art classes.
5. Total snuggle-slut.

VINTAGE AFFAIR

One thing I've been increasingly searching for is vintage items. I've heard the argument, and use it to my advantage, that there is a reason old fashions are donated to Goodwill. Obviously, with the various re imaginings of past fashions coming back into vogue, going for the true article is a wise way to avoid trendy pricing and quality.

If you're lucky enough to live near a number of thrift stores, spending a day off browsing can pay off big time. Get friendly with the workers. Be a regular. Ask questions. If you find out when local stores send their excess stock, you can hit a jackpot of nice, current threads without the retail price tag. If you are friendly with a worker, they may set aside some items for you.

Even better, volunteer. I know that my church thrift has some amazing pieces, and that the volunteers get first pick of the donations. You can find out if your local thrifts have similar policies. If they don't, another trick people I've worked with have done is to hide a particular item in a hodge-podge area, where it's less likely to get snapped up. So, if you volunteer, or are a thrift hunter, check those overflowing miscellaneous piles first!

If you are not a fan of thrift stores, there is always EBay. If you are tenacious and determined, you can find some amazing things for very good deals. I paid less than $30 for a pair of vintage Gucci loafers and vintage Salvatore Ferragamo heels. Those were both on my lust list for AGES. And for less than a tank of gas. BOOYAH.

Start an affair with vintage today!

STUDENT APPRECIATION

I finally wore real clothes today, instead of scrubs. It was "Student Appreciation Day" so they let us dress down and eat BBQ. (Actually, it turned out to be hot dogs, which was disappointing.) Since I wasn't coming home only to slip into my nightie, I thought I should document the occasion. If I did real OOTDs everyday, you'd get to see my wide range of lounging nighties. And it would get boring pretty quick talking about them, although it could boost my traffic.

I look cranky above, despite my classic comfort threads, because I'm surfing the red tide. I love that euphemism. If you say that where I live (where surfing is a perk), you'd be asked why anyone would surf during the red tide. Red tide is also an algae bloom we get around here. I like the fact that our blooms can be deadly, as I think it is quite fitting to my mood during my red tide. That is a nerdy way to describe my period. I apologize.

As for the outfit, I was feeling laid back, and think I portrayed a decent air of chillaxness. Since the A/C is always so cold, I grabbed a decent weight jacket from Ecote to top off the basic tank and jeans. Adding some personality into the outfit with the bold necklace. I love ethnic or costume-ish jewelry.

Also, I got my hair styled! Back to the long shag with bangs. I love how it looks on me. Maybe this time, I'll keep my hair as is!







{Thank goodness for tampons!}


Tank: Forever 21
Jeans: 7 For All Mankind
Jacket: Ecote
Shoes: Converse
Necklace: Forever 21



Happy Hump-A-Hump Day!

WARNING: CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE

So, how'd all you on the East Coast enjoy your brush with Irene? New Yorkers, I'm specifically looking at y'all. It was surreal watching hurricane coverage without having to get prepped for the landfall. Hope everyone survived it alright!

I'd hoped to get some real posting taken care of this afternoon when I finished class, but was hit with a wicked sinus infection this weekend. Sorry, lovers. I plan on taking it easy tonight, and picking up on the ridiculousness tomorrow.




Happy Monday!

GET YOUR ARMS T-REXIN'

{I've got a fever. And the only prescription is more cowbell.}

Do you remember the glorious days where I was serious and demure and not tacky? (HINT: That is a trick question.) If you do remember those days, sorry to say, it was probably a dream or acid flashback. Yeah, bummer, man.


I had a doctor's appointment today, and managed to remember that oh, hey, I'm a fashion blogger. Let's get some outfit shots! before I came home to slip into my PJs. The above snap is a fever shot; desperately trying to fan the fever down. On the plus side, I'm getting better, and don't have to worry about dying from a heart attack before I'm 30. Hooray!















Top: Urban Outfitters
Skirt: thrift
Belt: thrift
Wedges: Ebay find
Earrings: Forever 21
Necklaces: gift (cornicello); GILT find (wishbone)
Title: The Creep - Lonely Island (Can't embed the video here, but it is HILARIOUS. Check it, yo.)




Speak easy, lovers!

WAKE ME UP WHEN YOU GO GO

Pardon me, but the medicine is making my loopy. Loopier than normal, that is.

Yes, yes, lovers, your dear blogtress has fallen ill. With the sneezing and the coughing and the fever and the shivers.... Oye gevalt! (Please read that in the voice of your preferred Jewish grandmother/babushka.) Fun fact: Having a fever during 90+ temperatures is not fun at all. So, I've been doping on antibiotics and NyQuil quite a bit, please pardon moi.

One thing I've been working feverishly on is thrifting. Expect a summer DIYODS tomorrow. I'm going to dose up some more.



UPDATE:
My vintage kimono is not going to work for the DIY I had planned. Will have to hunt out some maxis at the thrifts. Sorry!

OOTD: BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL

Today is a big day. Instead of just seeing me in my chosen wardrobe, you all will see what I really wear to work and school. Not a big deal? Well, I wear uniforms by dress code to both. Cue dramatic music.

The following are what I truly wear Monday thru Friday from 7 AM to 6PM.



Monday, Tuesday and Thursday:





I was interrupted with a phone call during my snaps. Oh well!


Wednesday and Friday:










Aw, yuss. Fancy pants.

IN MEMORIUM

For the USA readers, I hope you had a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend. It's one of the holidays that means much more to me as an adult then it did as a kid. Twenty years ago it was a day off school and my best friend's birthday. Now, I think of the men and women who serve this country, who fight for this country, and who've died for our country. My political protests mean nothing without their sacrifices, and I never let a day go by without thanking them for the America I live in.



{Best friend and her boy.}

On Saturday, there was a surprise party for my best friend at the Outback attended by her family and a few of our friends. She almost didn't go out to dinner with her boyfriend because they had a late lunch, and she wasn't hungry. Oh, her face was priceless. After dinner, the friends and siblings went bar hopping.




{Almost-Brother-In-Law, BF, and Brother. Jagerbomb. Yeah.}




{Steve Jobs is taking over the youth.}

The next day was her birthday BBQ. We played Liar's Dice with horrible pirate accents, drank lots of beer, and tried not to cry at the sight of fifteen year olds setting up a beer pong table. (They filled the cups up with pool water, but knew what the game was. Depressing.)


{THAR BE THREE FIVES YARR}



Top: Forever 21 | Jeans: Hugo Boss DIY | Shoes: Converse | Earrings: Forever 21




Back to the grind......

SIP OF YOUR LIPS

Whew! It has been a whirlwind of a month, but I finished my first class as a nursing student. It feels so amazing to be actively getting my life back on track and challenging myself to do what I thought was impossible. Fighting through depression and fear has been a long journey, and meeting it head-on is such a rush. I have the best support team a gal could ask for.


Finals is "casual day" at Keiser, so I got to wear something other than my scrubs, which, let's be honest, are pretty dang comfortable. No way was I going to miss out on a chance to show off my knock-knee glamor, AS YOU CAN SEE. :D









Top: Forever 21
Skirt: Kristin Davis
Flats: Forever 21
Earrings: art fair buy
Ring: gift
Purse: Ebay



Now I'm off to celebrate Sister-In-Law's birthday with dinner and a birthday party for my buddy Seb. :D

Have a lovely weekend!

DIYODS: Button Skirt

Last week I checked the wonderful blog, Made by Lex. She has so many wonderful pictures and tutorials, one which I shared with you all: Making a skirt from a men's buttondown shirt. I finished my first attempt, so here it is with pictures!



I started by laying the shirt out flat and cut off the bottom hem and sleeves. I didn't measure, since I wanted to keep the pockets, so I then snipped off the collar and around the side seams of the shirt. As a gal with wide hips, I made sure to keep trying on the skirt as I went.






After all the cutting, I sewed the botton seam down and the two pieces together. Tried it on again. Hemmed the top and bottom of the skirt, and sewed the elastic hem to the top. Everything closed up, holding good, and fits. I love it!







Thanks Lex, you are brilliant!

HINT OF VINTAGE

After my midterm, the lovely and talented Rene and her beau Jeffery kindly invited me to celebrate with them. A feast of Chinese take-out, beer, games and laughter. So stuffed, and so many belly-aching laughs. What a night. Thank you, friends! I appreciate your love and fun.











Top: Vintage
Jeans: DBG
Shoes: Deena & Ozzy oxfords
Purse: Ebay
Belt: Thrift
Earrings: Gift
Necklace: Forever 21

Have a great weekend, lovers!