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Hey there! If you are looking for more from this blog is has moved to Life Through My Closet! Please visit me there! I am also on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LookBook.

Adventures of Girl and Her Dog

Its that weird time of year where snow hasn't quite ended and spring hasn't quite begun. We get rain one day and snow the next. The mountains of snow turn into puddles that flood the grass and streets. During one of our first warm days of the year I decided to take Blitz on a longer walk than usual. In retrospect, I should have stuck to our normal routine! 

Since I was only wearing gym shoes there was no way I was going to walk through all this water! I was not going to risk getting my feet wet since we were at least a mile and a half from home. So I came up with the bright idea of walking on top of the snow! Fool proof, right? Wrong.

I feel through the snow that was originally holding me up. I went through the snow and landed in ankle deep freezing cold water! I had to walk the rest of the way in soaking wet socks and shoes.

Luckily for our next adventure I was much more prepared! I bought these boots because they were pink, I didn't realize they would actually be needed!

Spring Showers

Its finally that time of year again where the blackened snow melts and the flowers come back to life. For those of you in Chicago we have waited quite some time for spring! We deserve a hell of a great summer! Here is an outfit I put together. Can you tell I'm very into neutrals with a pop of color?

Jacket: The Buckle

Top: Peter Pilotto

April is the cruelest month, breeding
lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
memory and desire, stirring
dull roots with spring rain.
T.S. Eliot

They Say You Learn Something New Everyday

I'm on sort of a stay-cation at the moment so I finally had some time to re-vamp my blog! Please, please, please let me know what you think! I appreciate all feedback! I'm pretty slow about learning all this blogging stuff so please be nice! Ha!

I recently discovered a few ground breaking things. Bloglovin. And LookBook. Please stop laughing, I know I'm slow. Also do you see those nice buttons to the right of my blog? I made those. I'm feeling pretty high and mighty right about now. But I can't take all the credit. 

While scrolling through Instagram and newly discovered Bloglovin I came across some posts by Sara, which lead to more posts by her, which lead me to her facebook, which lead me to messaging her and asking her for some tips. She introduced me to LookBook today and I can't get enough! So here is one of my outfits on LookBook. Feel free to leave any comments! More to come in the re-vamping of Blonder Blogger!!

And thanks again to Sara at The Ivory Diary!

I Love My Jawbone

For the new year Nick and I got Jawbone Up bands to just keep our focus on being healthy. I kept meaning to post about it but the thought got away from me and here I am just remembering! This is possibly the greatest invention ever (you know, besides the iPhone, iPad, thin laptops and the internet). As many of you know I work in retail and I always wondered how much I walk a day. Turns out I walk about 10 miles a day! Insanity! No wonder I'm so tired after work! 

Another great thing about the Jawbone is that it tracks your sleep. It also scolds you when you don't get enough sleep, which is motivation enough for me to turn off the TV and get to bed at a decent time. It also tracks your calories so you can quit that stress eating and start eating right!

To top is all off, if you know people who have a Jawbone you can add them to your team so you can see how others are doing with their steps and sleep. I don't think I will ever stop using the Jawbone. Unless, of course, they come out with an even higher tech one! However, I don't know what that would include ha! Take it from me, having a Jawbone wristband is worth the money. It's a great motivator to get  yourself back into shape. I've already lost 10 pounds!

Overcoming Fears: My Fear of Elevators

During the summer of 2009 I went on a mission trip with a group from my church to Los Angeles. It had been my third mission trip and my first time in LA. We had the best time sharing the word of God, building homes with Habitat for Humanity, feeding the homeless in soup kitchens and homeless shelters, and bonded over touring LA, Hollywood and Beverly Hills. 

During my trip to the soup kitchen we were giving a tour of the building where the homeless people can seek shelter, if only for a night. After the tour, eleven of us squeezed into a small elevator to do back down to the ground floor so we could head back to where we were staying. And that is where my fear of elevators began.

It was only a couple of floors, but it was a very old elevator in an even older building. The elevator got stuck between the second and third floor. For the first fifteen minutes, I was okay. Feeling a little claustrophobic, but manageable. We had help on the way and I was sure we would be out of there soon. Keep in mind we were in LA in August, the hottest month of the year. 

Twenty minutes in and the heat really started getting to me. I started feeling like I couldn't breath and I could tell the others in the elevator started to recognized the panic on my face because they started to try to calm me down. I tried really hard to hold it together, but it starting feeling like we were never going to get out of there. I think the worst part was that we packed people in the elevator so there was no room for anyone to sit. We stood for an hour and a half, while I hyperventilated. Condensation was dripping down the aluminum walls, and sweat literally dripping off of us. Once they were able to pry open the elevator doors, we had to climb through about a foot of space while two guys held the door open, since we were in the middle of two floors. 

Once I was out of the elevator and calmed down, I swore to never use an elevator again. Legitimate fear after that experience, am I right? So for about a year I choose to always find the nearest staircase, explaining each time to the people I was with why I refused to get on the elevator. After that first year I decided to take an elevator every once in a while. Usually only when I was with someone else, since I got tired of explaining to people why I was afraid, they just didn't seem to get it. For a long time, when I would use an elevator I would only go if it wasn't crowded, I would stand in the corner and grip the hand rails while my head would spin. 

Starting last year, I took the elevator a lot more often. When I would go to class I would take the elevator to avoid walking 14 flights of stairs. Since then, I don't always feel like I'm going to fall over when I take the elevator. The past couple days I have taken an elevator multiple times a day and I just realized that I don't even think twice about getting on an elevator!

The moral of this story is that while overcoming your fears is hard, it takes baby steps. It took me years to get to a point where I don't need to search for the nearest staircase. Its funny to think that something so small can control you. Most people don't think anything of taking an elevator. You can overcoming anything and everything simply by believing in yourself, praying, and taking little baby steps. 

What fear is holding you back?

Pop Of Pink

As much as I love winter fashion, I love fashion that isn't covered by a knee length parka even more! Here is what I wore on me and Nick's latest trip to Chicago. The best part about this outfit is its casual, inexpensive and super cute! I love dressing in all neutrals with a single pop of color!

Scarf: The Gap

Sweatshirt: Khols

Pants and Boots: Target

Another Day in Chicago

Recently Nick and I spent another day in Chicago! For most of the day the weather was pretty nice but it is still colder than I would like it to be!!

When I go to Chicago, I try to act like I fit in but I always end up taking pictures like a tourist. Its embarrassing but I can't help it!

This was the beautiful orchid on the counter where we ate lunch. It looked so perfect I have to feel the leaves just to decide weather or not it was real!

We decided to be both thrifty and healthy for lunch so we stopped at Jewel to get chicken wraps! They were delicious! We sat at a counter inside the Jewel and naturally started people watching. There are both very strange and beautiful people in the city! 

We decided to wait for a later train instead of jam onto the train everyone was running for. We had fun goofing off at the train station. We also enjoyed delicious smoothies from Jamba Juice! (Sorry for the fuzziness, the front iPhone cameras aren't always the greatest)

Me: "Let's take a picture drinking our smoothies!" Nick: "Why?" haha

Me: "Come on, take a picture with me!" Nick: "..."

"Ahhhh!"

Just missing a smile!

Thought I would get him in the pic... Not quick enough!

Finally a good one!

I hope everyone is having a terrific Tuesday and here's to hoping for warmer weather!

My Favorite Smoothie Recipe

If you're looking for a great smoothie recipe that has all the good ingredients your body needs but actually tastes good you have come to the right blog! 

Here is what you'll need:

• pure coconut water (can substitute with water)
• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup fresh kale
• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen berries
• protein powder of your choice (I use Herbalife Allergen-Free)

The best part of this smoothie is you cannot taste the kale or the coconut water! 

Here is the break-down of the nutritional info:

• Calories - 400
• Fiber - 14g
• Unsaturated Fat - 1g
• Carbohydrates - 86g
• Protein - 15g
• Sugar - 54g
• Saturated Fat - 0g
• Sodium - 602mg
• Cholesterol - 0mg

Saint Patrick's Day in Chicago!

While it technically isn't St Patrick's Day yet but yesterday was St Patrick's Day in Chicago! It was truly an experience I will never forget! We got a little bit of a late start because Nick slept in therefore I slept in (not that that was a problem). We caught the 12:29 train after getting some Starbucks.The train station was packed with green people and one odd man in a kilt. It was also about 25 degrees so he must have been freezing!

Ironically, St Patrick's Day is the only day of the year you can't drink on the train! Our train ride down town was filled with people who clearly were already drunk, but non-the-less uneventful. Our first stop downtown was the green river! Who knew it would be so green!! It was very exciting! 

This is another one of those things where I've lived near Chicago my whole life but have never actually been in Chicago for a big holiday. It was nuts. People were drunk everywhere, stumbling, screaming, smoking weed. It was pretty entertaining! It was also very cold! I was very disappointed that I had a cute green tank top on that says Shake Your Shamrocks but it was never seen. It was way too cold! 

We walked around the river for a while and then decided to go by The Bean since we knew we had missed the parade. When we got there, there were people running around with green balloons attached to them! It was complete madness!

Unfortunately, they had The Bean blocked off so we weren't able to take pictures there. After a little more walking around and getting some food we decided to catch a train back to drink green beer outside of the city, where it is cheaper and a little calmer!

This is a picture of my mini Polaroid pictures! They never fully developed because it was so cold but what can you do.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Time With Friends!

It's amazing how much time you have after work when you don't have to go to class! These past couple weeks I have used that time to catch up with some people I missed while I was busy cramming for tests and doing homework. 

My first semester of college I went to Concordia University in Wisconsin. There I met a couple people that I am so happy to still be in touch with! One is Sarah, my roomie! We hit it off at the CUW visit before we were officially enrolled. We kept in touch and when we both decided to enroll we requested each other for roommate (you know, so we don't get some random weirdo!) We live about an hour apart so it is difficult to always see each other but luckily we were able to catch up in person instead of just sending 50 Snap Chats a day!

We met up at Buffalo Wild Wings for some friend pickles, mojitos and beer! It was definitely a good night!

The other friend I was so happy to catch up with was Steph! Now, we had not seen each other for three years! You know how it is, texts every once in a while, likes and comments and pokes on Facebook. We were both so busy with school and work. But it was like a day hadn't passed! 

Just like old times!! I wish she didn't live so far away! We had a great time though! She came over first so she could see the dogs first, then we went out for dinner and drinks. We stopped at Redbox on the way back and got a very corny scary movie (I still was a little jumpy!) and ate a lot of popcorn! I can't wait until I get to see her again, I hope its not another 3 years!

I also was able to go to the city with my sister! It was my first time drinking in Chicago, and it was so much fun! It was also my first time ever riding in a cab. Talk about pathetic... ha! I have lived in the Chicago suburbs my whole life, born and raised, and have never been in a cab before. Let me tell you, there was times I was afraid for my life.

We went to Howl at the Moon and it was a great time! Who knew a piano bar could rock so hard! When we walked in there was a reserved table that had a sign that said Adam Levine and we were really hoping we were going to be meeting The Adam Levine, but no dice. But we got there at the perfect time, it was pretty quiet but soon enough it was packed! Our table was the closest to the dance floor which was fun except when the strobe lights came on and almost blinded us out of our seats! 

Overall three great nights!

Every Tattoo Has a Story

Every tattoo has a story. Weather it is meaningful to someone, or just the story of how they got it. Mine has both, and that's why I love it so much. 

Ever since the thought of having a tattoo crossed my mind, I knew I wanted a cross. I wanted to show the world that Jesus is my King. I didn't want anyone to be able to doubt my faith. It is also a reminder to myself of what I live for. Pretty simple meaning.

When I decided to get it, I went to Chicago with one of my friends. My parents said I could get a cross as long as it was only an inch in height and length. I had every intention of sticking to that rule. But after meeting with the artist I realized getting what I wanted that small wouldn't work, there is too much detail. So after waiting for a couple hours (there was a long line), I decided I needed to get what I wanted because I was going to have it for life, not my parents. (They ended up liking it, so it worked out well!)

Once it was my turn, it was about 11pm. I was nervous and exhausted. It took about an hour and a half to do and I was falling asleep during it! The guy that was doing it was a very interesting fellow, in the middle of the tattoo he asked me if he could stop for a cigarette break! (as if I wasn't waiting long enough!) Also, you see that orange that's in the cross? I didn't ask for that! I told him no color! I didn't realize it had color until about a week after I got it, I'm not sure how I missed it! The color has grown on me, but needless to say I won't be going back to that guy ever again, ha!

I get many questions about my tattoo, what it means, why I got it. Honestly, I don't want anyone's opinion on whether or not they like it, like so many people offer. Its my body. Here's my story.

If I'm so Happy, Why Do I Keep Doubting Everything?

Ever since I graduated I've felt a little lost. Ever since I was 3 years old I was in school. I started my first job at Dairy Queen when I was in high school, and ever since then I have been consistently working. There were times I've had two part time jobs while going to school. Even taking extra classes! I'm so used to being super busy and not having a ton of extra time. When I came close to graduating in December I kept having doubts. I would worry that I didn't actually have all the credits complete like I thought I did. I would think, maybe I should change my major, what if I don't like management? What if I wanted to be a physical therapist, like I have originally thought going into college. What if I wanted to be a teacher? It would be nice to have summers off again. 

I still have those doubts. What if I went back to school? Should I get my masters? Should I get a teaching degree? What if I went and got a different bachelors? But the truth is, none of those things will make me doubt less. None of those things will make a difference, and when I really think about it, I wouldn't follow through with any of those things. I'm actually pretty happy with my life. 

So if I'm so happy, why do I kept doubting? Its because I lost sight of God. Honestly, I've gotten pretty comfortable with my life. Maybe too comfortable. I have more time on my hands then ever. I don't remember a time when I could easily get 8 hours of sleep a night, make healthy food to eat instead of buy fast food, and spend time working out and taking care of myself. 

I want to make sure I'm using my time wisely. I'm afraid if I don't use my time wisely I'm going to wake up one day working the same job, making the same amount of money, and having gone no where. Its time I learn how to focus my life on where I want it to go. Its time I work on myself, my faith, and my life. The only difference is I don't have set deadlines and someone holding me accountable for my life. It's up to me to hold myself accountable to the person I want to be and the life I want to lead.

This is something that has been bothering me for quite some time. After reading a few posts by Mo Isom I realized I don't have to worry. God has it under control and if I trust in him I can go anywhere I want. It doesn't mean I can trust in him and everything I want to achieve will just happen. I will still have to work very hard towards my dreams and my goals, but I don't have to worry. And worrying is something I do often (just ask Nick), but in Him all things are possible. 

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." Psalm 32:8

I don't need to go back to school to make a difference in my life, yes education is very important, but faith in Christ is what will really move you. I know it has moved me many times in my short life. And I know it will continue to move me. 

Chicago Auto Show

This past weekend Nick and I went to the Chicago Auto Show. We got onto the train, sat on the train for an hour, and walked three and a half miles to the McCormick Place to go see all the 2015 cars. Despite the freezing cold weather, we were sweating in out jackets by the time we got there! But it was most definitely worth it! We enjoyed hot dogs and beer while waiting in line and looking at all the cars we may never be able to afford! HA! But we can dream!

Needless to say Nick fell head over heals for this truck! (Maybe I'll get it for him for his birthday when I'm a millionaire) It was pretty cool though! And it was his favorite color (and the right shade of it too!) Thing like the auto show make this long winter a little warmer! I just can't wait until were taking the train to the city for Cubs games!

Kids Will Be Kids (with embarrassing pictures)

Last weekend I volunteered with Chicago Cares and helped paint this mural at the McGraw YMCA! It was so much fun! While we were painting this, the kids in the nursery lined up on the little wall that separated the different play rooms and watched us. It brought me back to the things I did as a kid...

(These are all true stories, as accurately as I remember them, and pretty embarrassing, so enjoy!)

When my parents would go to the gym to work out, I would go to the kids center with my brother. I remember bringing my barbie with me as often as I was allowed to because Angelica in The Rugrats always brought her doll names Cynthia with her wherever she went. (I thought I was cool...)

When I would swim in the pool in my grandpa's back yard, I swear every time I would "swim like a mermaid" and pretend I was straight out of The Little Mermaid. Please don't tell me I was the only one who did this.

My brother and I always loved music. I was a singer and he is actually a real life drummer now (playing the guitar in this pic tho!) Click here for his band's (Nodaway) Facebook page! Anyway, we would put on concerts for all of our stuffed animals and sometimes our parents. This is us totally rockin' out! (Don't I look like a young Hayley Williams?)

This was our tree set growing up. Let me tell you, I absolutely wanted to live in this tree house! I think I actually slept in it once ha, wasn't all it was cracked up to be.

Right behind the tree house pictured above was "The Forest." This is my brother and I being totally bad ass, toughing it out in the forest behind our house. Let me inform you by saying this forest is one line of trees and bushes separating our back yard from the house behind ours. We felt we were truly in the wild.

This just proves I was always a dog lover. Here I am smothering my Aunt's dog with love. I remember playing tug a war with this crazy pup. She was so strong she would literally pull me across the floor! I'm sure we have a video of it somewhere...

Let me explain two things. First of all, I love fishing (I just don't like touching the fish). Second of all, I love Wisconsin! I think all of my trips to Wisconsin involved me getting one of those hair wraps that I am donning in this picture. I swear I wouldn't go to Wisconsin unless I could get a hair wrap!

So first of all, who doesn't love my fish sweatshirt? If I recall correctly, this was another trip to Wisconsin we took as a family. We were fishing, my brother, Ryan, thought he caught a huge fish and tried ti reel it in. But then he fell into the lake because he actually caught the bottom. Once we recovered him from the lake (within seconds, don't worry) it was actually quite funny.

This is my dad, my two sisters, my brother and I. Seeing this picture reminded me of the Christmas the tree fell on Ryan. (This picture may have preceded that Christmas) (Also, Ryan, sorry many of these stories are revolved around you) We were all relaxing and we heard a crash. I don't remember what he was doing but luckily he wasn't hurt!

My brother and I loved sleep overs! I remember that even though we each had our own rooms, we both slept in my room (I had bunk beds in my room). I would sleep on the top bunk and I remember when I would have nightmares, I would jump from the top bunk to the bottom bunk, most likely landing on Ryan, and run into my parents room screaming. (Those nightmares mostly involved creepy crawling things)

Now this picture does not help me recall any memories. Actually I saw it and I laughed out loud because I am such an animal lover, yet I don't remember holding that bunny, or where we even got that bunny? What the heck.

I think it is so much fun to think back on the games we used to make up and the fun we used to make out of nothing. If only we kept that creativity as we grew older! 

6 Things My Boyfriend Has Taught Me

1. Cars, cars, cars...

I have learned a lot about cars in the time I've dated Nick. I know what things are (like struts), I can recognize a flat or leaning tire on the car driving in front of me, and I notice scratches and dents a lot more than I used to. (Apparently I used to be blind to them, and now they're all I see. Go figure). Nick has taught me more than I ever thought I would know about cars. Who knows, by next year maybe I will be able to change a tire!

2. How to drive in the snow.

Now this has to do with cars, however it is very different. I now have a little 2 door Honda Civic and let me tell you, it slips when it rains. I'm not sure if you are all aware of all the snow we got this year, but when the city decided they're too good to plow the streets, my car doesn't go any faster than 20 MPH. And even at the speed I'm sliding sideways. Not only have Nick placed sand bags behind the front seats (because if they were in the trunk my car would spin easier), but he as taught me to keep one hand on the wheel and one hand on the emergency break. I feel I can fully handle all weather now (but I don't really want to... summer come back!)

3. When to cut myself off.

And for this I will be forever grateful. I'll never forget the time Nick decided to cut me off and every time I got ahold of a new drink he would take it away and give me water. I was so mad at him! But he has taught me when I need to do that to myself and man has that been helpful!

4. That boy movies are way better than girl movies.

I can hardly sit through a chick flick anymore unless its a really good one (like Safe Haven!) I now enjoy movies where there are pretty cars and things blow up. Truth be told they have better plot lines! Plus they are much more unpredictable. Lately we have seen Lone Survivor which was so extremely sad but very well done and we actually just got back from seeing Ride Along with Kevin Hart and I seriously chocked on my skittles is was hysterical.

5. Never stop working hard.

Through the ups and downs, I have never seen Nick take a break from working hard. Not quite sure how he does it. 

6. That trust is key to a great relationship.

I don't know what will happen 5 years from now. If we'll be rich or poor; employed or unemployed; healthy or unhealthy. All I know is that I can trust him with my life. He is always there for me to lean on. Whether I need a shoulder to cry on (sorry for always getting mascara on your shoulder), or a friend to talk to. He's my friend, my motivator, and the one who keeps me on the straight and narrow. Oh and my teacher of cars, ha!