summer looks: neon

I love green. My room is a pale lime green. My bedding has a heavy amount of that same green in it, and actually -- as I write this, my nails are a pleasant shade of sea green.

See? I speak the truth!

Neon? I know. But seriously, ah-mazing. To my delight, I'm seeing neon green everywhere this summer. Bottoms, tops, shoes -- you name it. And I'm absolutely loving it.

Check out my latest favorites:

pin this

pin me

pin me

pin me

pin me

In other news, have I mentioned I'm moving out?

;-)

Making choices

Before my grandmother passed away in 2008, she declared she only wanted two simple words on her tombstone -- "No regrets."

Two short words that hold so much weight.

Now, as I continue to grow up, make big strides forward in my life and occassionally - let my fears get the best of me, I'm constantly reminded of those two words and what they mean to me. Hence, why I'm so big on bucket lists, always aspiring to be more and getting the most I can out of every day -- because I want to look back and know I did everything I wanted to.

So when I saw this pin from one of my favorite PR gurus, Sarah Evans (@prsarahevans), I was instantly reminded of my grandmother and how she founded much of my aspirer mentality.

Easier said than done, right? Well, kind of. Sometimes I think you would be surprised how easy something is if you just do it.

Take me moving out for example -- currently the source of all my excitement AND major anxiety. Not having a safety net is scary. Buying your own T.V., new bedroom furniture and throwing down a security deposit + a first month's rent is scary. But when I look back 10 years from now, married - perhaps with a little one (or two) running around, do you think I'll remember the months I lived at home and saved money -- or the months I tested myself on my own and became an independent twenty-something?

I think we all know the answer. (Myself included.)

So as much as I'm scared, clinging to the bedpost I've known my whole life in the comfort of my parents' home, I'm striding forward -- with no regrets.

Moving out, and on!

Love this cute DIY key holder idea from purplecarrotkc.com

I’m moving out. Like for real moving out – like taking all of my home furniture, personal belongings, etc., and not going back.

(Bucket list, check!)

While I couldn’t be more excited (seriously), I’m also a bit nervous. When I lived on my own before, I knew I was returning home at some point – so there was a lot less pressure. I also chose to pay less rent for a crappier place – where as now, I’m entering my mid-twenties professional phase and opting for a nicer place (my own double-sink bathroom AND a walk-in closet!) for more rent. More rent, more money, less cushion if something happens. Scary, right?

Regardless, I'm eager to finally feel like I'm making a stride forward in my life. The last two years have been a HUGE journey for me - professionally and personally. Between not getting a job, getting a job, getting a promotion and finding a work/life balance (again and again) - life after college is, of course, a never-ending learning experience.

When you graduate college, you anticipate the next phase of your life being a more polished version of yourself, twenty-something, successful, living solo, loving your job and loving life. (AKA the mid-twenties professional phase.) Most of us learned very quickly that that phase is more difficult to achieve than we think - and comes after a lot of hard work. Now I have even more of a reason to feel like my hard work post-college has paid off.

So I'm putting all of my fears out on the table - because like the seemingly impossible feat of finding a job I love post-college, I'm confident I can squash these, too.

My biggest fears:

·         Not being able to make rent

·         Running through all of my savings

·         Feeling financially trapped (what happens when I can’t afford that new pair of shoes I’ve been dying for?!)

What I’m most excited for:

·         Being closer to work (2 min vs. 1 hour)

·         Being closer to the bf (30 min vs. 1 hour)

·         Cooking more (I’m a total aspiring foodie)

·         Decorating

·         Bonding with my new roomie, whom we shall call LC (follow her – @laurlye)

·         Having a space to call my own

What has your post-college journey looked like? If you're still in college, what are your goals two years out?

Why a little sass is a good thing

Being “sassy” is really underrated these days. A lot of people (especially men) associate being sassy with being a brat – or with having a bad attitude that’s totally uncalled for. Sure, sometimes sass can come out at the wrong time – but for the most part, I think it gets a bad rap.

For me, sassy is the fine line between a woman that knows what she wants and a bitch. A sassy woman doesn’t get walked all over, is totally confident in who she is and won’t take “no” for an answer if she knows she deserves a “yes.” Sassy women are VPs of companies, politicians and entrepreneurs. They’re tough, resilient and not afraid to speak their mind – even if it’s the minority.

Needless to say, I’m proud to be a little sassy.

Tina Fey said it best when she defended Hilary Clinton’s bad rap for being too tough a few years back. Don’t get me wrong – I was in no way a Clinton supporter, but I enjoyed what she said during an SNL skit:
 
“Bitches get stuff done.”

And it’s true if you think about it. All of the great women in history – even the women today who are CEOs and top dogs in large companies – didn’t get to where they are today by being “nice.” I’m not saying we shouldn’t be nice, because we should – but we have to be unafraid of being tough. While the days of female persecution are for the most part behind us, I think there are still a lot of men out there today who have a hard time with a strong female personality. I see it all the time – men immediately assume that just because you’re a cute girl, you’re brainless.

Wrong. Just because I prefer 4 ½ inch heels on a Saturday night doesn’t mean I don’t also kick ass at my job.

Another example are the beloved characters of "Sex and the City." Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte are all sassy in their own way – whether it be their careers, love lives or personal aspirations, each of their characters is willing to put their foot down if need be. Hence, why most of us love each of them for different reasons.

So the next time someone tells you you’re sassy – say “thank you,” because I would surely rather be sassy than sit silently on the sidelines.

What do you think? Is there a stipulation against strong women today? And if so, are men intimidated by it?

Sweet summer

Dear friends:

I've totally been M.I.A., guilty as charged. I know it's my usual excuse, but things have been crazy at work - in addition to me being on vacation for the last week (woo!). I was in gorgeous Wilmington, NC with the BF - and let me tell you, it was hard to come home.

But upon returning to my favorite city on Earth (Chicago, of course!), I was excited to feel like summer has truly begun. My summer hours at work are in full effect, the weather is nice and the Chicago festival schedule busier than ever.

So, of course, what's my next step? A summer bucket list. Needless to say, this also knocks out a few of my "25 by 25" items - given 25 is quickly approaching!

1. Attend a concert. Already planned and in action! Tickets to see Gavin DeGraw (an old favorite) on June 29.

2. Play volleyball on North Avenue Beach. If you're a Chicagoan, you know this is the place to be in the summertime. I've never been real athletic, but always admired the girls who get after it on the v-ball court. Maybe next time you visit, it will be me!

3. Camp. It may sounds weird, but I've kind of always been a camper. Ever since I was little, my family and I would venture to the shores of Michigan every summer, spend a few nights in a tent (with air mattresses of course) and roast marshmallows by the fire. I've kept up the tradition with my boyfriend the last two summers and hope to do so again this summer (although it's always a hassle to plan). Stay tuned!

4. Pick apart a garage sale. Breaking news: I'm moving out! More details to come, but I'm dying to see what I can find to furnish my new place with via local garage sales. I know there are bound to be hidden treasures.

5. Learn to grill. I must admit, the grill scares me a bit. I'd love to learn how to grill shrimp, steak, veggies, chicken, etc. - especially as I'm moving out.

What's on your summer check list?