Busy

I've been busy lately, and neglecting this little space.  I've recently started going to the gym in the evenings after work, and then studying for the GRE daily.

I'm taking the GRE in January, and in the time leading up to the test I'll be continuing to research schools and programs. I'm trying to find a good fit for myself with my work experience (and undergrad experience). This is proving to be difficult. My BS in Biology can be transferred to other areas fine (not worried about that), but my work experience is scattered all over the place. I'm trying to be optimistic that something will work out and I can get myself on a positive track.

 I am at the point of my life where I am ready for a new challenge. Things are getting boring and I haven't been setting new goals for myself. So, I'm finally setting some goals. 1) Getting back in shape 2) Working on career development. No more laziness!!

5-Year Journal

I've always liked keeping a journal. The only problem is (as seen here and elsewhere), I sometimes suffer from writer's block and lack of creativity. Whenever I'm going through a problem in life, I can't stop writing, because writing is one of my coping mechanisms. However, when everything is going well, or just a little on the boring side, the pen stops.

I'd like to push past this and force myself to write through all experiences-good and bad-but in the meantime, the 5-year Question a day journal has caught my eye. I've seen the 5-year journals before and I think they are a great idea. This journal prompts you with a question a day, on multiple topics, for 5 years. It would be fun seeing how your answers change through the years. But, another aspect I like is the new random topic to write about. This journal has very little space, but the question might be the little spark that you need to write a more substantial journal entry or essay.

Definitely an item I can see myself buying in the future.

Journal and photos from Modcloth.

Thanksgiving 2012

Jessica Pratt

I recently stumbled upon the music of San Francisco based singer, Jessica Pratt. Her voice seems to be of a different decade, 60s or 70s perhaps?  Beautiful and haunting. Definitely worth a listen.
Her album just came out November 6.

This is the first track on the album: Night Faces

Halloween

On Halloween night I went over to my friend Kati's house to watch scary movies. Halloween is usually the only time that you will see me watching a scary/horror movie. I'm such a wimp! We didn't dress up, but Kati's dogs did. They looked adorable in their jailbird and skunk outfits.

Sunday Owl

Etsy Love: Sunday Owl

Beautiful gold jewelry and gemstones.

Lake Sunset

Last weekend my family took a trip to Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. I took a ridiculous amount of pictures this trip, including some of this beautiful sunset. It was the last boat ride of the summer and a great end to the season.

Polka Dots

I probably have way too many shirts/sweaters with stripes or polka dots, but I am loving these polka dot sweaters from C Wonder.

27

Celebrated my 27th birthday with family on Monday:

Time to enjoy what is left of my 20s!

Madewell Dresses

Liking these Madewell dresses (especially the black one!):

Teagarden Dress

Parkstroll Dress

Silk Swingdot Strapless Dress

Silk Windowlace Shirtdress

Movies for October

These movies (and TV show) all give me that warm and fuzzy feeling of Autumn:

When Harry Met Sally

The whole movie is not set in Fall, but the scenes that are set in Fall are beautiful.

Sleepy Hollow

A spooky movie for Halloween-which is on a level of spookiness I can handle.

Good Will Hunting

One of my favorite movies. Collegiate atmosphere and fantastic soundtrack.

Dead Poets Society

The academic atmosphere always reminds me of Fall and the beginning of the school year excitement.  I miss school days! 

Gilmore Girls

One of my favorite tv shows. I miss the show being on the air, but I do enjoy rewatching episodes on DVD. Once again, not all of the show is set in Autumn, but out of the 7 seasons, quite a few episodes are set in the Autumn months. The fictional small New England town of Stars Hollow is a perfect Fall setting. I think I'm going to need to watch this series again.....

Any favorite movies/TV shows that you like to watch in the Fall months?

Taste of St. Louis

Last weekend I went to the Taste of St. Louis with my family. The weather was perfect, the Rams, and the Cardinals were playing in town (and both won!), and it was overall a great atmosphere for a day downtown.

Some of the food we enjoyed:
-Extra dark chocolate sea salt bark from Kakao. My favorite.
-General Tso Chicken from Hot Wok Cafe
-Sweet potato casserole from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse
-Creamy Reuben soup from Monty's Sandwich Company
-Green Curry from Manee Thai
-White Chocolate Raspberry Gooey Butter Cake from Park Avenue Coffee
-Shrimp & Scallop Cerviche from Yemanja Brasil Restaurante
-Tamale from Siete Luminarias Mexican Restaurant

We loved everything we tried. Maybe we went a little overboard? But, we did share all of these dishes! I am now looking forward to the Shaw Art Fair and Best of Missouri Market.

Built-in Bookshelves

Even though I have an ereader I still find myself accumulating traditional books. Every year I go to a few book fairs and I can't help but buy a tote full when books are as cheap as $1. I end up sharing books with friends, but then I end up holding on to them. This would be fine if I had a little more space. Currently I have books everywhere, with no organization. I'm looking forward to the day that I can have room for some bookshelves. Built-in book bookshelves would be especially nice. I think through the years I will cut back a little bit, but I'd like to hold on to my favorites and my hard back Penguin classic collections.
Here are a few built-in bookshelves that caught my eye on Pinterest:

Via iVillage

Via Mark Sikes

Via iVillage

Emmys 2012 Fashion Faves

My 5 favorite looks from the 2012 Emmys:

Julie Bowen, Monique Lhullier

Allison Williams, Oscar de la Renta

Ginnifer Goodwin, Monique Lhullier

Zooey Deschanel, Reem Acra

Padma Lakshmi, Monique Lhullier

Apparently I really like Monique Lhullier!

Photo credit: Just Jared

Recent Beauty Faves

I'm not usually a big beauty product person, but lately I've found some products that I really like, so I thought I'd share them here.
 1. Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo and Conditioner. If your hair tends to get a bit of a "dried out" look I highly recommend these products. My hair feels and looks silkier after using these products.

2. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Cream. I use this product to tame flyways after blow drying my hair and straightening my hair. It helps give my hair a silky finish. Love this product!

3. Olay Age Defying Daily Renewal Cream, Beta Hydroxy Complex. I'm not sure if this product is really reducing my wrinkles, but the cream does help to plump them up and I think they look much better. My face feels so great after using this product. My skin feels so smooth and I think overall it looks healthier.

4. Essie Miss Fancy Pants nail polish. I love this shade for Fall. It is a bit of "greige" shade with a hint of purple in certain lighting. It is my current fave polish.