Just Love's Illusion // What I Wore

{skirt//made by me :: top//Talbots via T.J. Max :: wedges//Steve Madden :: purse//Francesca's :: necklace, bracelet and rings//borrowed from work :: sunglasses//H&M :: denim jacket//Francesca's lipstick//Revlon Colorburst Crayon Matte Balm in Unapologetic}

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There was a time when I would have believed them 

If they told me that you could not come true 

Just love's illusion 

But then you found me 

And everything changed 

And I believe in something again

- I Choose You by Sarah Bareilles

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This song plays at work from time to time and I'm totally smitten with it - it's such a catchy song!

This is what I wore to work on Saturday. We've had so many cute crop top/skirt combos come into the store lately that I decided to brave an attempt at one. I didn't hate it so that's great! I probably would have liked it more if it had been warmer out, but it was only 60-65 degrees despite the weather man's reports of a high of 80 degrees. Boo!

I was going to try to write a more editorial style post tonight, but I'm just not in the mood. One of the reasons I decided to start blogging again was that I missed having a record of my daily life. This place is the closest thing I have to a journal (just with more friends), and I really want that documentation of this year. From the very beginning I've felt like this would be a really big year for me, and so far it's living up to that expectation. I just feel so full and so happy and so alive. I'm seriously happier than I've ever been in my life.

There's a song we sing from time to time at my church. It's called Beautiful Things, and the chorus is:

You make beautiful things,

You make beautiful things out of dust.

You make beautiful things,

You make beautiful things out of us.

It's become one of my favorite songs, and not a little because I so see that in my life. Six months ago I was a wreck, and now I just feel so complete and happy... It's incredible, and I thank God every day for all He's done for me. ♥

Memorial Day Weekend Recap

1. Friday night at home alone with my Chipotle burrito, pie and He's Just Not that into You

2. What I wore to the drive-in movie theater on Saturday night, the cute retro commerial there, and the amazing popcorn I made.

3. Delicious food at Chilli's + diet coke for a tired Katie

4. A great cookout at my friend Kelsey and Jack's house Sunday night

5. Bonfire after the cookout

6. An early 3.7 mile Memorial Day run with Kelsey

I hope you all had a good holiday weekend! Mine was super great. My parents and my two little sisters were out of town, so Maddie and I had the house to ourselves - which was a nice change of pace. Here's how I spent my weekend:

Friday: On Friday night I was home alone since Maddie had a party, and it was great to just chill out alone with good food and one of my favorite movies: He's Just Not that Into You while texting some of my best friends.

Saturday: I worked Saturday morning but after I got off Maddie and I met up with some friends at the local drive in movie theater to see X Men and half of Godzilla (we got tired and quit half way through). It was super nice to just chill out with some good friends, under the stars with a great movie - even if it was a little cold.

Sunday: Maddie and I had to get up early for church Sunday morning (which was super hard after being up till 1am the night before!), but after that I got to go out to lunch with some of my best friends while Maddie went home with some of her friends to hang out. I love having actual friends at church - it just never gets old. Then I went home to hang out with Maddie and her friends before going over to Kelsey and Jack's house for a cookout/bonfire which was a blast! The food was amazing, conversation entertaining and all around just a great time. I seriously just love my friends.

Monday: I had to work Memorial Day, but Kelsey and I were able to sneak in a run down to the harbor beforehand. 3.7 miles later we were hot and sweaty, but it was worth it. I really love having someone to talk to when I run, and I definitely want to do more runs with this awesome lady in the future!

Always One Foot on the Ground // What I Wore

{top//Francesca's :: jeans//American Eagle Outfitters :: sandals//Steve Madden :: purse//Francesca's :: watch & bracelet//Francesca's :: scarf//Francesca's :: lipstick//Kat Von D's Painted Love in Underage Red}

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I never loved nobody fully

Always one foot on the ground

And by protecting my heart truly

I got lost in the sounds

I hear in my mind

All these voices

I hear in my mind all these words

I hear in my mind all this music

- Fidelity by Regina Spektor

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I've been hurt a lot in life. I don't want to get into the details of it because to be honest with you I'm trying to forgive everyone and not play it over in my head, but that is a reality of my life. A lot of times I haven't felt like I could depend on anyone but myself. I've had the ground fall out from below me about a hundred times too many. But even though it totally sucks to have that in my life, I don't regret it. All that pain made me who I am today - but that doesn't mean I don't still bear the scars from that hurt.

The mind is such an interesting thing. It controls so much of our lives and often times we don't even realize what it's doing. Over the years I've developed hundred of little trips to keep people at an emotional arms length, and all because it's just so hard to admit when I really care about someone. I'm always waiting for the other shoe to drop, and if I let other people know how much I care, that means that I can't pretend that I didn't later on when it does "inevitably" happen. 

Does that make sense? I hope so because it's 2am and I don't feel like trying to make this make more sense...

Perfect Love // What I Wore

{dress//Francesca's :: shoes//Steve Madden :: purse//Francesca's :: watch//Francesca's :: belt & necklace//borrowed for work from Francesca's :: sunglasses//ModCloth}

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I open the door and there you are standing right before me
You open my hand and put your heart right in it
cuz you are my,

Love, love, love, love
You are my perfect kind of
Love, love, love, love
You are my perfect kind of love

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 

Today was a perfect summer day. ♥

One of my favorite things about working at Francesca's Collections is getting to use their jewelry when I'm at work. We're required to wear three pieces from the store while at work, and it's a great way to try out new trends/styles before committing to them. I'm not usually into orange/corals, but lately I can't get enough of them! I love that this necklace is a nice light orange instead of being too bold.

Also, the amount of "Frannie's" that I'm wearing lately is bordering on the ridiculous! Sometimes I'm not sure if getting a job here was such a great idea... lol!

Wait for the Home Run You'll Find the Right One // What I Wore

{dress//Old Navy :: shoes//Me Too :: necklace//Francesca's :: watch//Francesca's ::  purse//Francesca's :: bracelet//thrifted :: sunglasses//Francesca's :: denim jacket//Old Navy via Ebay}

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Such a hot crush

Makes your face blush

But try to take your time

'Cause every goose chase

Makes your heart race

And you wonder why'

So wait for the home run

You'll find the right one

And you'll figure this all out

~ Hey Anna by Owl City

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Hello, all! Hope your weekend is going well so far! I had to work at both of my jobs on Saturday - which is always exhausting. I'm looking forward to sleeping in a little before church/work tomorrow.

On a fashion-related note, this is my new favorite dress and that totally shocks me! This is so not something I'd have picked out for myself last year, but I absolutely love it! It's like wearing a giant tee shirt but way more stylish. So glad Rachel twisted my arm about it (I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Like I'd need a reason to buy a cute, new dress!)

Not much else to say right now. Lately I'm just really loving life - well, that and being completely exhausted from working two jobs and trying to keep up with friends/family/church stuff. Speaking of which I better head off to bed - it is 1:30am, after all...

Hope the rest of everyone's weekend is amazing! ♥

Waking Up Sad Isn’t So Bad If You Look Outside // What I Wore

{shirt//F21 :: skirt//Plato's Closet :: necklace//Francesca's :: shoes//Me Too :: watch//Francesca's :: bracelet//borrowed from work :: purse//Francesca's :: jacket//Top Shop}

This morning I woke up in a terrible funk for no good reason. Don't you just hate when that happens? So I hopped on the treadmill for a while and got a quick run in before getting all dolled up for work. That actually helped a lot.

I can't believe how much my style has changed in the past couple years. It used to be very girl/retro, but lately it's starting to pick up a more J Crew-esque feel. In fact, this morning I was trying to figure out a new way to do my makeup so I tried Googling "J Crew Makeup" for ideas and the first tutorial that popped up was basically what I've been doing the past couple weeks. Lol! So I decided to just stick with it anyway.

Happy start of the weekend! I don't have a day off till Wednesday, but at least I start late enough on Sunday for me to go to church. It's the little things in life. ♥

Unspeakably Awesome // What I Wore

{shirt//my moms :: jeans//Target :: jacket//Top Shop :: scarf//Franchesca's :: ballet flats//Me Too :: purse//Franchescas :: necklace//vintage}

In the words of Lizzie Bennet: 

"You know, some days are bad. Like when you trip in the hall after science class and your skirt flips over your head just as the senior you have a crush on is rounding the corner. Then there are days that are just 'ok.' Maybe you find a twenty on the sidewalk, but you also get a parking ticket. Then there are days are just so unspeakably awesome and everything is perfect and wonderful."

That was this past weekend for me. After working eleven days in a row I got a three day weekend - which was ah-mazing! Friday I got to hang out with three of my favorite people in the world, Saturday I had a good ol' lazy day, and Sunday I actually got to go to church!

Friends make the world go 'round. Sometimes you just need a weekend of shopping, laughing, deep talks, chocolate and smiles to make the world seem brighter, and the load lighter.

I can be insecure sometimes. I hide it well, but it's there. I'm loud - very loud - klutzy, a dork and I definitely don't weight what I'd like to. Sometimes I have trouble remembering that other people see more than just that. I like myself the way I am, but sometimes I think I just annoy other people or that all they see is the loud, crazy side of me. I don't know why, but it definitely helps to hear that someone thinks I'm cute, enjoys spending time with me, etc - even if I do kind of think "me!? I'm just the dork with three inch long un-dyed roots!"

And speaking of crazy-long roots: one of my coworkers honestly told me today that she loves how my hair is going out and how it's like a reverse ombre. Glad to know I don't look like a total looser - even if I didn't plan this at all and it is just from total laziness. Who knows, maybe I'll keep it a while. Maybe...

All Good Things; All Good Things // What I Wore

 {shorts//Francesca's :: top//Francesca's :: cardigan//my mom's :: shoes//Ked's :: lipstick//Kat Von D's Painted Love in "Underage Red"}

I was talking to Laura today about how life is finally starting to look up and she responded with "All good things. All good things." in her best Olaf impersonation. So she's pretty much my favorite person ever now.

The latter half of 2013 was pretty depressing and awful. My kitty died and I was stuck in a dead end job that I hated every minute of. I gained 18lb in 5 months, and felt alone and just blech! But I have a new job now - that I love; I've lost 13lbs and am happy with how I look; run my first 5k; and I'm moving out in the autumn. Things are definitely looking up!

So now that things are starting to get better I'm trying to focus on getting back to the things that I used to do and that made me happy - like blogging and putting more effort into my appearance (which is a heck of a lot easier when you actually like the way you look!) I'm also trying to get more into the Word, and am starting a new devotional this week, which I'm really excited about! It feels good to getting back to my old self. ❤