My Favorite Shops {Blogtember}

Hi friends! I realize this post is extremely late, but since it deals with shopping...I couldn't not post it (even if it is later rather than sooner)!! I love the idea of this post.  It's like getting an ultimate inside to everyone's wish lists!  I do have a wish list board on Pinterest, but I think it's a bit outdated.  

I have actually been doing quite a bit of online shopping recently, but with the Labor Day sales you really can't go wrong.  I had some orders from Forever 21, Old Navy, Banana Republic...oh, and other order from Forever 21 is on it's way, oops ;)

Tim and I went to the new Fashion Outlets of Chicago a couple of weeks ago, and it is insane! The designer stores had lines! No, not lines to checkout, but lines to go inside the store!  The line for Prada was crazy long.  I really wanted to go inside Coach to see if I could find a new big girl wallet.  I'm so happy I did!  I was going for a more neutral color at first, but this green was just calling my name! I think it can work for all seasons :)

 

We also ventured into Forever 21, which had the longest line to checkout ever (poor Tim).  We checked out the necklaces because they're super cheap and I adore little pendant necklaces.  We saw this adorable cat necklace, and for some reason I didn't get it in the store. When I got home,  I wanted it so badly, and Tim said "you should get it!" I didn't know if I wanted it in silver or gold, and Tim said I should get both, ha!....So I did!

I have been dying for a monogrammed necklace, but am contemplating waiting until I'm engaged so I can wear it for years to come!  This Etsy shop makes the cutest, and simplest monogrammed necklaces...which is the style I like!

I've also been wanting a Fitbit Flex! I know I posted about it earlier this year, but I haven't bitten the bullet.  While I do walk a lot being in a city, I think it would be interesting to see how far I walk on a daily basis.  I also love the alarm clock feature, and that it can sync to your phone wirelessly!

I've also been wanting a Marc Jacobs bag to hold everything when I run errands!  I love crossbody purses, I feel like shoulder and tote bags get in the way haha.

I also love amazon.com and Target! Bargain shopping makes my world go round :)

I have been sooo busy with grad school, but that is another post in itself! Can't wait to update you all soon!!!

 

ISFJ {Blogtember Post}

I decided to start off Blogtember today for the personality post!  Since beginning my Masters program in School Counseling, I have been bombarded with information (and homework unfortunately)!  One of the things my professors have stressed the most about a counseling career is, you really need to be self aware in order to be successful.  Before coming to school, I never really thought about that before, but after doing some (more like a lot) of reading, I completely understand why counselors need to know themselves inside and out so they can help every person who walks through their door.  

I probably will have to take the Jung Typology Test at some point within the next few weeks, so I figured this was a good opportunity to give me an idea of where I am now!

I am an ISFJ!

I for sure know and have come to terms with the fact that I'm an introvert.  While I love being around people, I only really enjoy being around a small group.  Bars are fun sometimes, but going to one every weekend is draining for me!  I would much rather go to a concert, or stay at home playing games with some friends.

"While their work ethic is high on the ISFJ priority list, their families are the centers of their lives. ISFJs are extremely warm and demonstrative within the family circle--and often possessive of their loved ones, as well. When these include Es who want to socialize with the rest of the world, or self-contained ITs, the ISFJ must learn to adjust to these behaviors and not interpret them as rejection. Being SJs, they place a strong emphasis on conventional behavior".  This quote really hit home for me.  While I love working, I realize (for me) that I work to make my home life better. I truly do want to make a difference in the lives of children, and I believe if I can accomplish that I will feel like a better version of myself :)

P.S. Tim and I found the cutest little pizza place in our Chicago neighborhood.  I just can't get enough of this unusually warm weather...I want to be outside all the time! *I'm not ready for winter in the slightest

That's all for today! Have a fabulous rest of your Monday! :)

Summer Recap

Long time, no blog! (aka, this summer has been crazy!!!) While I haven't been too busy this summer, I do have to give myself a little credit for my first time at working full time! And it obviously won't be my last...give or take another 40+ years, ha!

Nannying definitely has its pros and cons.  I love how everyday is different and the fact that I get to go to cool places - like the zoo! A major pro is gaining experience working with children; not only gaining parenting tips for my future children, but I am learning how to work with children for my job as a school counselor! Let's just say I cannot wait to begin my graduate program!!!

Which leads me to my next point... Chicago is in TWO WEEKS!

I am so thrilled that Tim and I finally figured out where to live! We are living in the cutest (and one of the safest) neighborhood north of the downtown area! We are extremely lucky to have a townhouse to call home, with a one car garage.  That is unheard of in Chicago! We are even going to have a hammock on our back patio :) 

Luckily we already have most of the furniture we need.  Now we just need sheets and bedding. Neither of us ever had anything but a twin bed until now, ha!  We don't need to spend a lot, especially since we will probably get nicer bedding once we're married. 

In the meantime I'll be dreaming of a room like this..

Good thing I have a Bed, Bath, & Beyond 20% off coupon to use :)

Also my bathroom will be strictly under the sink storage (sucks, I know).  If anyone has ideas on how to organize this area, send them my way please!!

Something I Read Online!

I have recently been researching this cool, little device called the Fitbit Flex! It is a bracelet that you can wear all the time (even in the shower), and it keeps track of your movement, sleep patterns, and inactivity as well.  All of the information syncs wirelessly to your phone app so you can look at it, and decide to make adjustments if you need to!

Click this link to see people's reviews!

Fitbit Flex!

You can even have a calorie goal! I think the Flex can also vibrate to wake you up...how cool is that?!

Also it's only $99 so I think I will invest soon :)

What do you guys think about this and what color should I get?

somebody told me...

Today's Blog Every Day in May Challenge is to write about something someone told you, good or bad.    I decided to write both a good and bad thing someone has told me.

Let's start with the bad first, and end on a positive note :)

The Bad

Multiple people in high school told me, "You're too skinny...you would be so much cuter if you put on some pounds"

In high school, I was even thinner than I am now.  I didn't even break 100 pounds until my sophomore year in college.  Yes I have a thin frame, and yes I ran cross country.  Anyone who runs that much, will probably lose weight if they don't eat absurd amounts of food like I did.  (I even saw this first hand...one of the boys joined cross country to be healthier, but he ended up losing more than what he wanted to lose!) Bottom line, criticizing someone's weight to their face does no good for that person or yourself.  I have learned to be happy with who I am, and ignoring the "haters" is something I have always struggled with but am getting better with over time.

The Good

Someone told me, "I can tell you are a genuine person. You care so much about making people happy, and I am so happy you work hard to relate to us and make each of us feel special"

One of my campers told me that last summer! I wasn't sure if I was helping the girls in any way, until one of them said this to me.  I was beaming the rest of camp!  This is one of the events in my life that has made me want to become a school counselor.  I love working with kids, and making them feel loved and important is what I feel like I am supposed to be doing in this world.

my worst traits

I have been slacking on the blog everyday in May challenge! Even though this month is almost over, I kind of hope there will be some sort of blogging challenge every month! It has been really interesting to hear things people normally don't discuss on their blogs, and I have discovered some new blogs as well!

Today's topic is your 3 worst traits.  While discussing this may not be easy for everyone, I have come to know myself pretty well throughout my life, and I don't think it is a bad thing to admit your faults.  In fact that leads me to worst trait number one....

1. I apologize too much sometimes

People have told me that I apologize too much on a number of occasions.  I am a very empathetic person (...which leads me to another fault I have - I can be too sensitive).  I want everyone to see the best in me so I feel like I have to compensate every time I do something wrong. Even if it's little.  I realize I need to apologize once, and trust that people take my apology to heart.

2. I am shy

Once I am with my best friends, I am the complete opposite of shy.  However, throw me into a new situation with new people, I go inside my shell (and want to run away sometimes haha).  When I met my campers for the first time last year, they were all very comfortable with each other and I was the new person in the cabin.  I felt very uncomfortable for the first two days.  I slowly opened up, and it felt like home by the end of the first two weeks! 

Another thing to mention, I get terribly nervous for presentations/anytime I have to speak in front of a group of more than 5 people.  I realize this is something I have to work on this summer before I start my Masters program.  I am also nervous about meeting everyone in my program, but I am confident there will be some great girls I will meet :)

3. I am somewhat lazy

One of my favorite aspects of weeknights are the fact that I can come home from work, and relax however I want.  I enjoy my nightly television (which usually includes multiple episodes...guilty), painting my nails, and journaling or reading.  I enjoy the weekends because that means relaxing time with Tim.  (I am so glad he is just like me when it comes to relaxing! We love our Parks and Rec time haha).  I have more pajama pants than actual pants I'm pretty sure.  I don't feel as guilty for doing this now, because I know shortly I will be working and going to school full time, and Tim's job will be stressful and time - demanding.  The weekends coming up in the fall will be much more cherished :)

I hope you all learned a little more about me today! 

My Public Apology

The phrase "I'm Sorry" and this blog post idea is actually a funny one for me...I'm actually trying to stop saying "I'm Sorry" so much.  I am an empathetic person by nature, and I want everyone to see the best in me.  So whenever I think I do something wrong, I immediately say sorry.  

The people I would like to apologize to the most are my parents.  After countless hours and years of babysitting, I now have a little taste of what my parents experienced raising kids - good and bad.  I was definitely not an easy child to raise (I had my few share of temper tantrums...).  So here it is!

Mom and Dad,

I apologize for being difficult when I was younger.  I apologize for all the stress I had caused you.  Here's to many more happier years together! 

Love, 

Kara