My Blisters Have Blisters...

Worn Monday, April 15

 

Jeans, Handbag-Target/Sweater, Flats-Old Navy/Jewelry-F21, Black Sheep, Shopbop

This outfit was styled out of a necessity for comfort for a day of errands and carpool. 

 The one important part of this outfit you cannot see is my toes and the bottoms of my feet.  You might be wondering why this is significant...that each toe has a blister and they are extremely sore...my whole body is sore.  All my body aches are for a good reason.  Yesterday was my longest training walk yet, 8 miles, for the Avon 2-Day Walk For Breast Cancer I will be participating in June 1st and 2nd.  I will be walking a total of 27 miles over the course of two days...saying it out loud like that does not make it sound as bad as my poor throbbing toes think it is.  I think I am in pretty good shape...I work out 3 or 4 times per week...3 miles of intervals on the treadmill, followed by an hour of weights on two of the days.  But, the walking at 15:30 minute mile pace, for 8 miles is exhausting....I a can only imagine how "fun" 13 miles per day is going to be.
It is all worth it...the money I raise will be managed and disbursed by the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade to help provide access to care for those who most need it fund educational programs and accelerate research into new treatments and potential cures. who will walk up to 39.3 miles over I know I talk about it a lot, but, breast cancer prevention is a issue that is near and dear to my heart, and should be important to all women out there! My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000 and again in 2002. Then in 2003, it was determined that I had the BRCA1 genetic mutation. In 2010, at age 34, I had a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy. I am a previvor....for me,  my mom, and my sons!!

I hate to admit this, but I am behind on my fundraising.  I signed up for the walk a few months ago and have been preoccupied by the job search, the subsequent nursing school applications/admittance and the daily joys of my two little men to focus on my fundraising, so now I am doing a big push...mailing out letters and emails.  I cannot realistically send a letter to all of my blog friends asking for help, but I would be honored if you could donate anything...even just a dollar...I hate asking you all, but it is for a good cause!!



Just check out my fundraising page!!


Thanks...I appreciate any support you can give...the blisters on my feel also appreciate your support!!

Finger Toes Are Fabulous...

Just some casual styles I have been rocking this week.

Monday...errands...treated myself to a pedicure...hopefully mother nature will cooperate and my feel will feel the suns rays on a regular basis...

Jeans-Gap/tshirt-LOFT/denim shirt-Madewell/Shoes-Kenneth Cole/Jewelry-Accents Plus, Old Navy, Nordstom's

My and my fabulous finger toes...

Wednesday of errands and doctor's appointments...shots and physical for school (wow that sounds weird to say)

Top-Old Navy/Jeans-Wit & Wisdom/Shoes-Bass/Bag-DSW/Jewelry-Jcrew, craft show, F21

A few little things about this outfit...
Oh my gosh was it cold...41degrees in April...at least there was no snow.  Two days earlier, when I wore the first outfit it was 60 degrees!! The leather bracelet in the last photo, my mother bought for me this morning at a craft bazaar.  I love jewelery with good luck and protection symbols like the hamsa hand and evil eye.  Also, there is nothing like a fun stack of neon print bracelets to perk up an outfit! And finally, a DSW steal...a new little pink purse for days when I just don't fell like lugging around my whole life in my big mint tote!

It Is Only Just The Beginning...

So...I am going back to school...I applied and have been accepted... On May 28, I start the first leg of my journey to become a nurse. 
If you follow me on instagram or twitter (if you don't, you are missing out) you will remember me trying to decide what to wear last week for school interviews...for two nursing schools.  I wanted to dress professionally, but still show some of my personality through my outfit... I must have tried on 5 or 6 different outfits before I settled on this one...

Pants-Gap/Blazer-Target/Shoes-Kenneth Cole/Jewelry-Girlshop, Old Navy, H&M

The decision to go back to school was not a small one, for me, or my family. After these last few months of not working, I felt there was a giant void that I needed to fill.  I had to stop the echoing of all my fears an neurosis that had been lounging around. I felt like I had this opportunity in front of me to try something new... I had been going to school for or working in TV production and advertising since 1995 and now there was this chance to start a new path... When I was a kid, I always said that work-wise I never wanted to buy something or sell something, I wanted to do things for people...all my bright eyed optimism as a child was amazing.  So, I have decided nursing school is my journey with a stop at CNA...then LPN...and finally RN....the trip should take about 2 1/2 years...wow...

On Friday, I had an interview and placement testing for the summer Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program, the first step for schooling.  I have not taken a test of any academic sort since 1998, so I was a little nervous about the math and science portion of the entrance exam...but no worries, I passed and was accepted!  I am just giddy thinking about what the future holds... I am just so excited to go back to school and learn...

What I wore for my interview and testing

  Pants, blazer-Gap/Shirt-LOFT, Shoes-Akira/Jewelry-Old Navy, Macy's, F21

I know it is going to be hard...going to school, taking and picking up the boys from school, studying and finding time to breath, but I know that this is the right thing to do.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride!

Spring, Where Art Thou...

No more socks...that's it!  It is spring and the darn weather should be warmer.  My feet are sick of being covered up and want their freedom!

Jeans-Wit & Wisdom/denim shirt, t-shirt-Old Navy/Shoes-Minnetonka/Jewelry-H&M, Black Sheep, JCrew

40 degrees call for no socks...right?? Well, 40 degrees on April 3 definitely calls for no socks...and a call to mother nature because she must be pretty pissed to be jilted by spring like this!

Today was just a casual day of a play date and carpool, so I wanted to be comfy, but still stylish.  This friend of Alex's mom is one of my favorites to hang out with.  Alex loves her son, she is actually older than me, she is totally relaxed and funny and she is a nurse....so of course I asked her all the questions that have bee floating around in my brain since my interviews.

In honor of Doctor Who being back, I present you with this...

 

And, in case you wondered why I actually get dressed everyday...

We Want To Pump You Up...

So, Saturday I did something different...  I attended the Mid-Illinois NPC Figure and Body Building Championships to cheer on my friend Sarah, who is also my trainer.  Sarah has taught me to love the body I have...that healthy is not skinny, it is fit...muscles are a good thing...it is not just how many calories you put in your body, but what they are made of that counts.  Once or twice per year she competes in these shows.  It is amazing the discipline she shows while training for these events, it is inspiring.  This is the second show I have been to, cheering her on from the audience.  Only for Sarah, will I drive and hour and a half, to the middle of nowhere and miss the Doctor Who premier...don't worry, I watched it as soon as I got home at midnight!!  I know some people think she looks a little extreme, but this is her in show shape...not everyday.  I think she looks amazing!!!

After the show, we always go to BW3.  After two months of a no sugar, no "white carbs, high protein diet, it is her favorite place to indulge.  It was so nice to have a day out, no kids, great friends and a few beers. 


Now, what I wore...

 Jeans-Gap/Top-Old Navy/Jewelry-Black Sheep, Old Navy, F21/Shoes-Steve Madden via Gilt

A little pattern mixing and necklace layering for a day of muscles!

I am obsessed with these Gap jeans. I love the subtle polka dot pattern...my first dive into the printed pants trend.  They are the 1969 legging skinny jeans...so soft and comfy.  They stretch out a bit with wear, I plan to order them in red and I think I might just size down.

I hope you all have a great weekend...here's to a busy week!!

Fabulous Finger Fix

Every once and a while, when I find a product that I that I love and makes my life easier, I have to share with everyone.  While reading the Everygirl...a fabulous website and blog that is a daily must read...the budget find section featured CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss.  Since I was in the market for new nail polish, and did not feel like shelling out big bucks for a trendy new color, I thought I would give the ColorGirl a whirl...I am really glad I did.

First purchase, I went with Reliable Red...not sure why they call it that since it was bright pink, and that is what I was looking for.

Oh my, this nail polish is wonderful.  First, it only costs $5.99...woo hoo!!  Second, goes on smooth, not clumpy...total color coverage in two easy to apply coats.  I hate it so much when the color is too sheer, even after two coats... Third, dries quick, which is so important when I only have about 5 minutes before a little boy screeches he needs something or other.  The bottle says no top coat is necessary, but I always use one.  The most wonderful thing about this CoverGirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Polish...still looking great after two weeks...amazing.

My next pick up was called Mint Mojito...more blue tan mint...but i loved it

Two weeks later...today...I decided I want to switch up the color to something more subtle...professional.  I have two school interviews on Friday and I want to make sure I carry a professional, serious about my degree vibe. So, I went with megawatt mauve.  I love the subtle pink.

 

 

I highly recommend you pick up a bottle the next time you wander into Target or such... There are tons of shades...trendy brights and bolds...metallics...as close to nail polish perfection as I have seen!!

Time And Relative Dimension In Space...

Me...trying not to look too much like the hot mess I am feeling like... There is just not enough coffee or sleep to keep my puffy eyes open lately...

Friday

Sweater, shirt-Old Navy/Jeans-Level 99/Shoes-OTBT/Jewelry-Target, Old Navy, Nana

Saturday

Sweater-The Limited/Jeans-Level 99/Shoes-Target/Jewelery-In God We Trust, H&M

There has just been a lot of running around with boys...and there is no end in sight...spring break has started!  We have many plans this week...it the boys stay home together too long, I am afraid they might kill each other while I hide in the bathroom!

The only thing keeping me from hiding under the bed lately, is the promise of spring.  Just the one or two days of 40 plus degrees is enough to keep me going.  Of course, it could possibly show in the next 24 hours...what the what...is is is end of March!!

Only 6 more days until the Doctor returns...I am pathetically excited to see him!!