This is 22


 Over the weekend, I flew solo to Oregon for an interview. It was my first time renting a car on my own and staying in a hotel on my own and it was a very grown up thing for me. The weeks leading up to the trip I was definitely nervous. There may have been a tear shed over the idea of having no one to travel with and then I realized that I am 22 years old and I need to suck it up. (to put things lightly)

It was one of the best weekends. 

On Friday I arrived in Portland, rented my car, and drove the (should be) 45 minutes to Forest Grove. I hit lots of traffic but eventually made it in to what can only be described as a fairytale land. Oregon from the air reminded me of Italy in the spring with its green rolling hills and rivers. Driving through Oregon into Forest Grove made me feel like I was in some Cameron Crowe movie and my life was about to begin (when I'm alone in the car I tend to get dramatic). I put on a spotify playlist and just drove. 

On Saturday I had my interview and briefly talked to one of the other girls interviewing about possibly exploring Portland. But after sitting in my hotel room for an hour and a half waiting for her to get out of her interview so we could decide what to do, and watching the sun shine so brighly out of my window just beckoning me to explore outside, I knew I had to just leave. 

So I did. I drove to the coast.

I drove through the Tillamook forest (stunning!) and blasted my playlist as my excitement grew over finally seeing the Oregon coast. It was a liberating experience and definitely something I know I will look back on and smile. 

This time in my life is for spontaneous trips to the coast, eating at little hole-in-the-wall diners in Seaside, OR and drinking a glass of Chardonnay. This time is for embracing this single season and planning my own adventures. And this time is also about getting off a plane and 30 minutes later arriving to work as a waitress. 

This is 22.

Weekend Links


Haaaaaaaaappy Friday!

I think I am going to agree with everyone when this week felt like the looooongest! On Tuesday I was ready for it to be Friday. I have a pretty hectic weekend planned and feel like the blog could take a dip next week because of that so here are some fun links I've found to keep ya busy!

First off, I may need to splurge and get THESE SHOES for spring because I already know I would wear the heck out of them.

THESE SISTERS dressed up like the Best Picture nominee posters and it may be the cutest thing I saw all week.

Have you seen the trailer for Aloha yet? If not, watch it NOW. I am a huge Cameron Crowe fan (We Bought a Zoo anyone??) and so I seriously cannot wait to see this. Also, Emma Stone, Bradley Cooper, John Krasinski, Alec Baldwin AND Rachel McAdams??? Stop.

Umm yum! THESE COOKIES look amazing! Someone make them for me??

Continuing with food, I plan on making THESE for breakfast one day.

Have a great weekend!!

Currently Coveting

Coveting
cards, notebooks, top, jacket, waterbottle, bag, scallops

I haven't done one of these in a while and I love throwing them together. Life has been carazzzy lately and I am trying to find moments to fit in this blog but I struggled a little bit last week. I'm going to try and post 3 days a week like when I was in school but just know, sometimes it will be twice a week or on a really crazy week, maybe just once. :)

I have one of the S'well bottles like the one above and guys, they are amazing. I bring it with me everywhere and I always have cold water. Also, the Rifle Paper Co. and Paper Crown collaboration is making me swoon. I want to see more of the clothing designs that came from this partnership!

What are you currently coveting?

The one with the turtleneck



 So I definitely sneaked onto the University of Nevada-Reno campus to take these photos. I was also feeling slightly homesick because the buildings behind me looked a lot like those on the UA campus. We were in Reno because my mom and dad surprised me and my sister with some spa treatments at the Peppermill and we also got to escape to Tahoe for a day. I seriously lucked out in the parent department.


 This is me obviously pretending to be walking in Fashion Week.



Speaking of Fashion Week, call me bitter (which I probably am) but I can't wait for it to all die down. Same with the constant press for 50 Shades. ENOUGH ALREADY! Yaknowwhati'msaying???

Can we talk about this turtleneck though?? I am a HUGE fan of turtlenecks. I have been rocking them since the last time they were "in". Then my friends surprised me with this turtleneck for my birthday and let's just say, it's a weird day when I don't have it on. I would wear it to my Bio class every Tuesday and Thursday if I wouldn't think my classmates would start thinking it's the only thing I own. BUT IT'S SO COZY! (this one is kinda similar. It seems to have sold out at Old Navy! Petition to get it back??)

Also, if you didn't notice, I got the Madewell Transport Tote for my birthday as well and it basically goes with me everywhere. Now I just need to get into graduate school so I can put it to work! (side-eye grad schools... I'm horrible at waiting)

I hope you guys had a wonderful Valentines Day weekend surrounded by people you love. Because that's the point, isn't it? :)

To continue...

 
Being back in my hometown is weird. Some days I feel like I'm still in high school and others I feel so very far removed from high school. I created a life for myself elsewhere and then moved away so this time at home, this transition, feels very much just that. It's a transitional period. But I want it to be more.

I read Hannah Brencher's post yesterday about the waiting game and I think it is so true how we can place ourselves in a waiting room. I'm waiting to see what my next step is, if this relationship is going to go anywhere, if I will get that job or if I should move to that new town etc. etc. etc. We place ourselves in these waiting rooms and let life pass us by. 

These days I am trying so very hard to not sit myself down in a waiting room with an old People magazine and some stale coffee. I'm trying to embrace this season of change with new friends, new jobs and this time with family. January was hard. As I think most January's are. I suffered with a lot of insecurities and anxiety wondering what my next step should be. I worked hard to make sure I stayed busy but much of the time I let my mind take over and that's never a good thing. 

Now it's February. And I'm feeling optimistic about February. I don't feel as anxious or frustrated with where I'm at. I don't feel as much FOMO for all my friends still in school because I know that no one else made this decision but me and I can live with that. 

So back to that waiting room. 

I am actively trying to remove myself from the waiting room and forcing myself to create a life. Maybe you have also placed yourself in some kind of waiting room and if so, I'd love for you to let me know so we can encourage each other. :) 

Oh, and happy Wednesday!

Let's Go for a Stroll



Howdy.
(I had to)

How adorable is that house?? It reminds me of something you would see in the south even though I am definitely in gold country. Sutter street, where I took these photos, is where one of the original gold mining towns took place. There are saloons and old hotels that are most likely haunted and it's also one of my favorite spots of town. 

One of my dreams is to own a little B&B in a house similar to the yellow one with my future hubby once we both retire. It's probably a lot of work and you have to promote yourself a lot but I think it could be the cutest little thing ever. Maybe I'll run an SLP practice out of one of the rooms too. 
Dream big people! Dream big. :)


 Here's the facts: sweater, hat, pants (older-similar), booties-similar, purse

I practically live in this outfit. Meeting a friend for coffee? This outfit. Going to dinner? This outfit. Just hanging out? This outfit. It's perfect for any and everything! I got my mom the hat for Christmas and I'm not sure which one of us has worn it more... whoops! 

Do you have one of those go-to outfits that works for everything?

Let's Chat.


If you read a fair amount of blogs, you've no doubt heard about the NYT article about the questions that help you fall in love. I think it's a really fascinating article but I still have my doubts. Anyways, Hallie from Corals + Cognacs started asking some of the questions to other bloggers and answered them herself. I decided I would like to contribute my bit and let everyone get to know me a little better. :)
  • Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest? 
    • Ethel Kennedy. She is such a force and I am a huge fan of her documentary that her daughter put together. After watching that, I was blown away by her strength and wit. I would love to ask her about life, love and everything in between.
  • What would constitute a “perfect” day for you?
    • A day of exploring a new place with a small group of close friends & family around. We would start with delicious coffee from some quaint coffee shop and then get lost in the streets of wherever we are (obviously I'm partial to any place in Italy). We would stop at a yummy place for lunch that is pushed back from the streets and then we would continue the exploring. For dinner we would pick up a baguette, cheese and wine and sit somewhere to watch the sun set. 
  • For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
    • My family and the opportunities I have been blessed with. I was able to graduate from college in 3.5 years while also having studied abroad and the whole time had the support of my family behind me.
  • If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?
    • The ability to put things into perspective a bit more easily. I tend to get lost in my head too easily and it clouds my thoughts with what could happen instead of what is actually happening. 
  • If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?
    • I'm copying what Annie said on her blog because it's the truth. I would love to know who & where my future husband is and when we will meet. I would also love to know if I am getting into grad school, where I will be living come September etc. etc. etc. you know, the little things. ;)
  • What do you value most in a friendship?
    • I value someone who makes an effort and outwardly cares. With this new season in my life, I am definitely witnessing the people who express they want to be in my life and make the friendship work and others who were obviously friends meant to be in my life for a season. I believe friendship is all about give and take and lots of laughter as well. 
  • What is your most treasured memory?
    • A couple of my most treasured memories are the family trips we would take every year to Yosemite and Disneyland with the occasional trip to Hawaii. We often went with extended family and sometimes got to bring friends but because those three places were such frequent stops, I have so many vivid memories associated with each one that will always be with me.
  • How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?
    • I feel like this could be a novel in itself. My mom is one of my best friends, a mentor and a supporter of everything I do. I have felt confident in living my life because she has always supported me and let me know she is proud of me. I owe pretty much everything to her and now that I am getting older, I seriously don't know how she does such an incredible job at being a mom. I can only hope to be half the mom she is.
  • If you were going to become a close friend with someone, please share what would be important for him or her to know.
    • My love language is gifts and words but not touch so please don't be offended if I'm not overly touchy-feely because that's just not where I show my love. I definitely hug but it's not something I would do more naturally.
  • If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet?
    • I would fear that I did not express how much the people in my life mean to me. I try and let people know often but if I were to die, it would carry a little more weight. I am so blessed with amazing people in my life so I would want to let them know that they are all special and I see big, fantastic things in their future. :)
  • Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?
    • Probably my grandmother's pineapple necklace. I firmly believe that necklace brings me luck and gives me confidence plus it's one of the more special items that I own. 

    So? Are you going to tag along now? 
    If you do, let me know in the comments section!!

{Why Knot} Do a Bathroom Renovation

Bathroom Redo

mirror 1, 2, 3    wallpaper 1, 2

The downstairs bathroom in my parents house has always been the most dramatic bathroom in the home. When we moved in the original owners had a beautiful French themed wallpaper all throughout the room and a huge gilded mirror. I loved that bathroom but my mom quickly got tired of it. One day she decided to see how easy it would be to rip off the wallpaper and ripped one piece off but then left it like that for at least a year.

A couple of weeks ago she told me that since I'm home now, it's time to redo the bathroom. So one morning we locked ourselves in there with the shower filling the room with steam and we went to work. Unfortunately, we didn't think too far ahead and the room has now been wallpaper-less for a week and a half. Not very attractive.

So these are our ideas! The first one is Emily from Cupcakes & Cashmere's powder room wallpaper that I absolutely fell in love with. It's ultra dramatic and makes you take notice. Unfortunately my dad was not as excited about the room being filled with flowers. So then I thought of marble....
(classic me and my marble obsession)

I did some digging through the internet and found this incredible marble wallpaper. I LOVED the light blue but my dad still thought that was too feminine so we are going with the black & white. (yay!!)

I knew we would need a new mirror because the original one really only worked for the previous wallpaper. I would love to go really simple and get the Eleanor frameless mirror from Potterbarn in the oval and have it hanging. My mom kind of likes the West Elm one (the 1st one) but I'm trying to convince her to go simple because the wallpaper is so dramatic.

Hopefully we will be ordering the wallpaper within the week and I can show some before and after shots soon!

Any thoughts? What kind of mirror do you think we should do??

Fun & Fancy



I got this dress on sale right before Christmas at Anthropologie. It was a little more expensive than I would typically spend but I figured it would be a good statement piece. I've already gotten a decent amount of wear out of it so it has definitely paid itself off. Oh and did I mention is has pockets?? An instant win in my book.



While taking these photos I was debating switching spots and taking some in front of this giant red barn when these boys saw us and began yelling and hootin' and hollerin'. So naturally my sister and I raced back to the car and found a different spot to continue. ;)

Speaking of my sister, I mentioned that she left to study abroad in Italy and she is going to be dearly missed when I am in need of a photographer. She has been the perfect photographer since I moved home and no longer have my roommate, Monica, to take my photos. Now I am trying to recruit my younger sister but she doesn't seem as enthusiastic about the prospect.

Stay tuned for more about The Case of the New Photographer... 

haha totally kidding