My Weight Loss

One more "About Me" post to share...what really got me motivated to start running and getting fit.

Like I said in the previous posts, I have always struggled with my weight, and I initially started working out to drop a few pounds.

Christmas Day.  AKA...me feeling huge.

Since January, when I first started working out, I have dropped a total of 26 pounds.  26 freaking pounds.  I have managed to bring my BMI from the "overweight" category down to "normal."-I'm hovering around a BMI of 23 right now.  I initially had set a goal on my Wii Fit of losing 25 pounds by June, and as of last week, I achieved my goal.  Wee!

I would like to lose another 10 or so pounds, and bring my BMI down to slightly lower than 22.  I think that with all the running I'm doing, I should get pretty close.  I had been dropping about 1-2 pounds per week until about the past week, where I've seem to hit a bit of a standstill, and actually gone up about 2 pounds.  I'm attributing some of it to muscle building, and trying not to become fixated on the numbers.  I'm sure a few more pounds will drop in time.

However, I feel amazing right now! I no longer look in the mirror, or look down at myself and see a tub of lard looking back at me.  I've noticeably shrunk, and it has given me a boost in self-confidence that I desperately needed.  My bra size has dropped by at least an entire cup (I really should go get myself measured), I went from a L/XL in shirts to a size M, and went from a size 12/31 to a size 6/28.  Thats cutting my pants size in half (and I tried on a pair of shorts I bought recently and may even be closer to a 4).  To me, thats the most incredible.

Easter Sunday

Looking at that picture compared to the picture at Christmas, I can definitely see some changes.  And I really must say, I feel great!  I want to keep doing a weigh in, keeping myself motivated to drop these last few pounds I'm hanging on to!  Join me, and share with me your weight loss story!

My Story: Part III

Welcome back for the third and final part of the beginning of my weight loss journey :)

So like I said in my previous post, after joining the gym, I was hooked.  I started going nearly everyday, and sometimes I would go for nearly 2 hours at a time.  I was working myself hard on the elliptical, occasionally running on the track, and beginning to lift weights.  Around this time, I started seeing the numbers really begin to drop on the scale, and I was notching major changes in myself.  I was becoming more confident, and feeling way better about myself on the inside.

It was around this time that I really started to get into eating healthier as well.  I was scouring the internet for delicious yet healthy recipes, and trying to incorporate as many fruits and vegetables into my diet as I could.  Since then, my diet had dramatically changed, and I know this is helping me to feel healthier and stay slimmer.  

After a few months at the gym, I was really feeling major changes in my endurance.  One day the boy met me at the gym after work, and we decided to run some laps on the track together.  This was something I was not looking forward to doing.  He is a super athletic guy, had played soccer his whole life, and works out all the time.  However, I decided to tough it up, and do the laps with him.  We ran together, side by side, for a mile...and then I kept going.  I ran one mile, then two, then three...and I felt great!  I was so proud that I was able to stay next to him, and then exceed him.  He dropped out after the first mile, and I kept going.  INCREDIBLE!  

Before this run, the idea of racing had started in my mind, but I was always talking myself out of the idea.  I am not a runner, I am not good at running...why would I want to run in a race?  Dumb.  Well, after this day of running with the boy, my mindset changed.  Maybe I could do it.  Maybe I'm not as weak as I think I am.  And so it started...

I decided I was going to run a half marathon.  I did some research, and found one in June that sounded perfect.  I bought a book on my Kindle about training for and running a half marathon, and then I started.  I read the book, made a schedule, and started running.  Before this, I had run outside a few times when the weather was warmer, and was logging some indoor miles at the track at the gym, but nothing big.  When I started the training, I had 11 weeks before the race.  That was 3 weeks ago.  I'm now 8 weeks pre-race, and training well.

Surprisingly...I have found that I love the runs!  At first, it was hard to get myself out the door and starting running.  The weather in Chicago has been rapidly changing, the motivation was lacking some days, and some days fatigue was taking over.  However, after the first week or so, I realized that I'm not terrible at running.  I have been keeping track of my times and my average mile splits, and I'm doing shockingly well!  I have discovered that I actually like the feeling of when I run, and have found myself looking forward to my runs.  I've become addicted.

And now, I want you all to be a part of my journey! I want to share recipes, workouts, favorite gear, and motivation! I feel like my life is rapidly changing, and running is becoming all-encompassing.  I can't wait to blog more about it, and continue to grow and change.

PS...I also signed up for a MARATHON this week.  October 7th, 2012.  Milwaukee, WI.  yikes :)

My Story: Part II

So like I said yesterday, Christmas was my rock bottom.  I decided I was going to make changes and start living healthier.  At the time, I didn't really know what this was going to entail and what changes I was going to make, but I knew I needed to start incorporating exercise into my life.

The boy and I on Christmas Eve

Actually, I think I had decided to make this change a few weeks earlier, around Thanksgiving, but wasn't planning on starting until the new year.  I knew I wouldn't be able to stick to anything through the holidays, and I didn't want to disappoint myself yet again.  On Black Friday, I bought myself a Wii, and knew I could start making some healthy changes in a fun way.

Flash forward to new years, when my journey was supposed to begin.  I developed a cough Thanksgiving weekend, and it never really went away.  The doctors I work with had listened to my lungs, started me on an inhaler a few times a day, and I figured I would just tough through it.  Shortly after New Years Day, I had a day at work where I felt completely lousy-I was struggling to breathe and the cough seemed to take a turn for the worse.  I finally went to an adult doctor the next day (I work for a pediatrician) and I was diagnosed with a double whammy...pneumonia and whooping cough.  Hello a bag full of antibiotics, steroids, cough medications, inhalers, etc.  This put a serious dent in the beginning of my workout plan.

Luckily, that bag full of medications did the trick, and within 2 weeks, the cough was gone and I was finally feeling back to normal.  At this time, I started using the Wii, and was beginning my journey to get fit and lose weight.  I bought Zumba 2, and started working out for at least an hour nearly every day.  It was fun, I was burning calories, and most importantly, I was sticking with it!

After a few weeks of Zumba, I pulled out the Wii Fit I had gotten for Christmas, and started incorporating this into my workouts as well.  I set a weight loss goal, and started doing some more aerobic activity using the Wii Fit.  Mine also came with a Biggest Loser Wii game, and I started using this as well.  I was working out for an hour or two at least 5 times a week, and I was starting to feel great.  I was slowly starting to lose some weight, but more importantly, I was starting to feel good about myself.  I was able to tolerate an hour of exercise and not be totally wiped, and it was getting easier for me to bear.  I wasn't gasping for breath after 20 jumping jacks, and it was actually starting to be fun.

Everything changed again on February 14th, where the boy and I had a hot Valentine's Day date at a gym near my house.  I had been wanting to join this gym but didn't want to go by myself for the first time, so he finally agreed to go with me that day.  So that morning, we met at the gym, I signed up and paid my membership fees, and officially joined.

And then I got hooked...

My Story: Part I

So like I said in my last post, I have lately been making major changes in my life, which have lead me to start feeling better about myself.  I am eating healthier, working out nearly every day, dropping weight, and overall...feeling great!  Perhaps I should start at the beginning.  Welcome to my journey...

I feel like for as long as I can remember, I have struggled with my weight.  I've always felt like I have been heavier than I wanted to be, and bigger than most of my friends.  It has always bothered me, but I have never done much to make myself feel better.  Sure, there were times when I would start exercising and setting goals for myself, but working out was painful and miserable, and I would quickly make excuses and give up.  This has been the cycle I have been in for years.

Throughout college, I felt like my weight was going up and up.  I hated it, but I honestly felt too busy and too stressed to make any changes.  I would try to eat a healthier diet, but the junk would keep calling my name, and it was often my comfort during stressful times.  For me, nursing school was downright stressful. I have always been a perfectionist, and I strived to get the best grades possible.  I spent long long hours studying and sitting on my butt, all while watching the weight pack on.  The little exercise I got was basically walking too and from class, but I didn't have the dedication to make any other changes.  I was dedicated to school, and at the time.  It was all I could handle.

Fortunately, my hard work did pay off, and I was able to graduate in May 2011.  I graduated with top grades, won an amazing award at graduation, and really felt successful.  The beginning of my summer was spent studying for boards, and in July 2011, I successfully passed the NCLEX and became an official RN. At this time, I was already accepted to graduate school for the fall, and I was prepared to tackle graduate school and a part-time nursing job.  

Come August, and graduate school started.  I had found a temporary part time job, which I thought would be perfect to do while I started my first semester of graduate school.  Less than a week after starting, I realized I was MISERABLE.  Complete misery.  I had never felt so stressed out in my life, school had never felt so overwhelming, and I felt like all I was doing was crying.  It was terrible-nothing at all like what I was expecting.  I had a few days of some deep soul searching, and decided I was going to make some changes.  I dropped a few classes and changed my student status from full time to part time, and I began to look more dedicatedly for a job.

A few more weeks pass, and I really decided that graduate school was not for me.  I was going to finish this semester, and then say goodbye to school.  Once I made this decision, I felt about 10,000 times lighter. It was difficult-I felt I was letting everyone down, and I mostly felt I was letting myself down.  But I knew deep down that this was the right decision, and I was feeling some inner peace for the first time in a while.  Around this same time, I had several job interviews, and in the middle of September, I was hired!  I started my first official job in the end of September 2011 at a pediatrician's office near my home, and so far, I love it!

It took a while for me to get used to the new job, the new routines, and learn all the new information that I needed to know.  I was working a crazy schedule as I was training, and I was frequently so tired at night I would come home and sit on the couch and do nothing.  Again, I started feeling terrible about my weight and the way I looked, but didn't really have the motivation for change.  However, around this time, the seeds were planted.

I think Christmas was really the rock bottom.  I felt like a whale, I had reached the biggest size and heaviest weight ever, and was just miserable.  I decided things had to change, and my goal for the new year was to become a healthier person.

Come back tomorrow to read about the beginning of my journey!

A Re-Vamp!

So, I've been blogging for quite a while now, but I have recently decided that I am going to do some major changes to my blog.  Big, big changes.  Since I started this blog, it has been basically about one of my passions in life...home design/decorating.  Of course, there have been a splatter of other posts along the way, but the majority of my posts have been about design.  And while I still do love this and still look at design photos, I'm getting a bit tired of blogging about them all of the time.

Since this is my little corner of the internet, I am going to start sharing more about me.  My life, what I am doing with my life.  Over the past few months, I have started making conscious effort to live a healthier life, which has led to me feeling healthier and more fulfilled!  I am working out everyday, eating well, and trying to be as earth conscious as possible.  I want to share workouts, recipes, tips, and learn from other people about the same!  

Since spring is always a good time for a fresh start, thats what I'll be doing.  Cheers to new beginnings!

Special Memories

To my Dad,

You were taken from me way to early.  You have missed out on too much, and I am so saddened by all the time that has passed that I haven't gotten to share with you.  All the birthdays, graduations, and exciting days that you missed.  Even though I know that you are somewhere, smiling down on me and sharing these special days with me, I hate that you cannot be here.  I cannot believe its been 9 years since that terrible day that stole you away from me much too early.

I think of you every single day.  I miss your smile, I miss having breakfast with you before work, and I miss calling you when I got home from school.  I miss eating dinner with you, miss saying goodnight to you, and most of all, I miss hearing you say you love me.

Mom told me the other day about the day you came downstairs crying not too long after I was born.  Crying because you realized you officially bonded with me.  And that makes me cry...because our special bond was ripped apart years and years too early.

I miss you more than you'll ever know.  

But I hope you know that you will always, always be a part of my life.

I love you.  Forever.

Big Changes

Big changes are coming in my life, and as everything is starting to come together I am getting more and more excited about what lies ahead for my future.  I will share more with you all soon.

But for now, I am staying busy with my temporary job giving flu shots, which has been an interesting little job for the past two weeks.  I spend nearly 10 hours a day running a flu shot clinic, and give about 10 shots a day.  Yes, that is right my friends, that equals about 1 shot an hour.  For TEN HOURS.  Good thing graduate school is filled with plenty of reading to occupy those extra hours.  And good thing I'm now a good two weeks ahead in school.

Stay tuned for more!

Back to the Daily Grind

Howdy friends! I've been a bit absent around here lately...but I have a good explanation as to why.  I started back at school again this week!  Like many people, this was my first week of school, but unlike many people...it was my first week in graduate school! Yikes! Its been four days, and let me tell you, I am already completely overwhelmed.  I had to drop a class yesterday because I could tell that it was going to be more than I could handle.  Basically all of my classes are online, and are focused on independent learning.  I am not used to this, so it is going to be a big adjustment.

And since I will be spending so much time at home sitting at my desk behind my computer or with my nose buried in a book, of course I started looking at images of beautiful office spaces (yet again...I know!). I came across one of the most perfect offices I think I have ever seen:

Seriously...HELLO BEAUTIFUL! I love the huge desk, and all of the storage this space offers! I would be able to have a storage spot for all my books, notebooks, folders, pens, papers, highlighters, etc. and would still be surrounded by beauty! I would die for an office space like this.

For now, I am left studying in my bedroom.  But I actually love my bedroom, and I do have a great study area set up.  I think pictures should be coming soon :)

Good luck to anyone else starting school this week!  For anyone who has suffered through online classes...any tips or words of advice?  They would be greatly appreciated!

Image via DecorPad

Its Official...

I'm a REGISTERED NURSE!! woohoo!  I took the NCLEX, which is the nursing licensure exam, on Friday, and was able to get my results today.  A big fat PASS!

I cannot even explain how excited and relieved I am!  I feel like I can finally enjoy the rest of my summer, besides applying for jobs.  I am moving in two weeks, and was able to pack up almost my entire apartment between yesterday and today.  I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it is going to be a great rest of the summer!

For now, I am off to celebrate my new title :)

Happy Fathers Day: Missing You

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy ever.  I miss you more than words can describe.

Hello iPad

Weee...I finally got an iPad!!  I have been waiting and waiting to get one, but they have been sold out for the past month!  I have literally been calling Best Buy everyday, and today I was finally successful!  I'm so excited!

I already have an iPhone, but I was wondering if anyone has any favorite apps you want to recommend?

Nerves

Wishing I had a peaceful bathroom like this tonight where I could hide out and soak in the tub for hours.

Via Windsor Smith via DecorPad

I have my graduate school interview tomorrow, and I am beyond nervous. Seriously, my stomach is in knots.  The interview is at 3, and I am going to be a ball of stress until then.  I tossed and turned all night last night...I can't even imagine how tonight is going to be.  So hopefully all will go well, I am really dying to get accepted into this program.  Please be sending good thoughts and positive brain waves my way tomorrow around 3:00, I could really use them!

Keeping Romance Alive

Valentine's Day is quickly approach, and all over, posts of love, romance, dates, etc. are popping up.  Some people think that Valentine's Day is a stupid Hallmark holiday, while others really appreciate the day as a day made for them and their loved ones.  My boyfriend and I aren't ones to go over the top on Valentine's Day with flowers, balloons, gifts, etc., but we do like to indulge ourself in a nice dinner alone together.  A formal date night...which doesn't happen too often.

Which brings me to the topic of this post...how do you keep romance alive in your relationship?  Whether it be with your boyfriend, husband, or significant other...what do you do to keep romance alive?  My boyfriend and I have been dating for almost 5 years, and I admit, at times, the romance is wearing thin.  Its difficult because we are both finishing up our bachelor's degrees at different schools, so we don't see each other often during the week and lately our time together on the weekends has been limited.  With the stress of school and his job, sometimes I think we are too overwhelmed to take time to enjoy each other.  However, I've been thinking of a mini list in my head of things we do to keep romance alive...and I'd like to share them with you.

1. One nights we are apart, the first one up always texts the other good morning.  Its nice to wake up with a sweet text, it makes the start of my day a little brighter

2. We make a point to call each other during the day, or at least shoot a quick text or two when we are unable to talk.  We like to stay in touch to know what each other is doing.  And we always call each other right before we go to sleep to say goodnight.  It makes me go to bed happy.

3. When we are together, we make sure we leave plenty of time for cuddling.  

4. There are some TV shows that we both love, so we record them so that we can watch them together.  Seems silly, but it is something we both look forward to doing when we are together because it is something we both enjoy.

I know we do lots more to keep the spark in our relationship, but these are some of my favorites.  

Head over to MyPleasure to share how you keep romance alive in your relationship, and be entered to win The Ultimate Romance Kit.

About Me Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show

Day 3-A Picture of the Cast from Your Favorite Show

Of course, I have more than one favorite show, and since you are getting to know me better...I'm going to post them all.  Now you can see all my guilty pleasures :)

Private Practice.  Probably one of my favorites.  I just adore Kate Walsh.

Guiltiest guilty pleasure of them all.  But I can't resist.  It cracks me up

Dexter.  My new show...I'm currently watching all the old seasons through Netflix.  Hot serial killer...sign me up :)

My favorite, favorite design show of all time.  I'm swooning by the end of every episode for the room she just designed.  Until a few weeks ago, my DVR was 95% filled with Divine Design.  It was terribly hard to delete them. 

Gossip Girl.  Love.  Enough said.

Haven't been a huge fan this season, but this weeks looks good.  Hoping for it to turn around. 

Law and Order: SVU.  The longest running, and one of my absolute favorites.  Perhaps because I see a future for myself in this area.  I've been watching all the old episodes on Netflix...I think I'm on season 8 of 11.  

Although not on TV anymore, I have all the seasons on DVD.  And I could watch them over and over.

So...now its your turn to spill.  What are your guilty pleasures?

If you are interesting in doing the photo challenge, clink here for the complete list!

About Me Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest

Day 02 - A Picture of You and the Person You Have Been Closest With the Longest 

Okay, I realize that I am already a day behind...but I spent all day working on my graduate school application.  The monster of an application has been hanging over my head for the last few weeks, but now all I have left to do is answer one more essay question and put together my resume.  Not too bad!  I need to have it completely done by Monday, but I'm hoping to have it done by Thursday.

So my pictures for today...I'm going to have to include several.

 Me and my momma.  I have to admit, when I was younger (read-rebellious teenage years), we didn't get along so well, but now we are wonderful friends.  I look up to her so much, we learn from each other, and I truly don't know what I would do without her.

 Me and the boyfriend this past Christmas Eve.  We have been dating for over 4 years now, and he probably knows me better than anyone in the world.  We have gone through a lot together, but it only makes us stronger, and closer.

 Me and my best friend H.  We've been friends since high school, and though our relationship continues to change, we will always be together :)


I'll be back with Day 3's post later today.  I've had a headache all day, I'm seriously hoping to go sleep it off.


If you are interesting in doing the photo challenge, click here for the complete list




I am participating in another blog hop today...come join in the fun :)

About Me Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts

About Me Day 1- A Picture of Myself with 10 Facts

Brussels, Belgium in May 2009

This is the most recent picture I have of just myself.  I love taking pictures, but I hate taking pictures alone.

Soo...10 facts about me:

1. I am currently in nursing school in downtown Chicago.  My final semester starts next Monday...graduation day is May 5th, and I cannot be more excited.

2. I hate needles.  Yepp, I'm going to be a nurse, and I cannot stand needles.  Looking at them makes me nauseous.  

3. For a really, really long time (like, since I was 4), I wanted to be a midwife.  Well, when I was 4 I didn't know what a midwife was, but I knew I wanted to be around babies.  I have a very distinct memory of watching TV in my parent's bedroom one night and seeing this lady stuck on a cruise ship having babies.  She ended up having triplets.  After I saw that, all my Barbie's and all my dollhouse people were constantly having babies (cotton balls make great pregnant bellies for Barbies).  Anyways, I have pretty much been positive on the fact that I wanted to deliver babies as I got older, and I decided that I wanted to be a midwife sometime during my first year of college.  That all changed this past semester...

4. I am now going into psych nursing.  Thats right...me...a psych nurse.  Honestly, I was completely and totally dreading our psychiatric clinical rotation, I knew I was going to hate it.  Well, so much for knowing.  During the semester, I decided that I completely loved it, and it is what I want to spend the rest of my life doing.  I'm still surprised at the change, but I am now super excited for my future.

5. I am currently applying to graduate school to become a Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.  And I'm terrified.  I have never failed at anything, I've gotten into every school I've ever applied to...and I am terrified that I won't get in.  The program I am applying to only takes 7 people, and while I have very high academic qualifications, I have no job experience as a nurse, so I'm scared I won't get accepted right away.  Worst thing that could happen is I work for a year and apply again, but I really want to start the program right away. After I'm done, I have future goals to work with victims of rape and domestic violence.

Enough with the school facts, now to more fun ones...

6. I love salty foods.  If you offered me a piece of dessert or a bag of chips, 9 times out of 10 I'd chose the chips.  And I hate chocolate cake.

7. I am extremely close with my family.  My mom is seriously one of my best friends, and I love the relationship we have.  We talk every single day, and I wouldn't trade that for anything.  I consider my two  pretty much my sisters, we lived 9/10ths of a mile away from one another growing up, and even though they are quite a bit younger than me, I'm so looking forward to the future with them.  I don't have any sisters, but I think they are even better!

8. I really love interior design.  I'm obsessed with interior design blogs, I subscribe to about 8 design magazines, and I have an entire folder on my computer of design pictures that I love.  I've got big plans my future house already...hey, a girl can dream, right?

9. I have been dating my boyfriend for more than 4 years now, and am extremely happy with him.  We are so different, but thats what makes things special.

10. I am obsessed with the movie Titanic.  Seriously, I know every single line of the movie...I watch it every time it is on TV.  Celine Dion's My Heart Will Go On is going to be my wedding song-I pretty much decided that when I was like 10.  Maybe not the most appropriate wedding song, but it is soo appropriate for me!

Wow...after this monster long post, I think you got to know me a little better!

Again, if you decide to do this on your own blog, please let me know, I really want to see what you are writing and learn more about you :)

If you are interested in doing the photo challenge, click here for the complete list.




I'm doing a blog hop today, I'd love to get more followers :)

About me in 30 days...picture style

Since it is a brand new year, I am going to be trying some new things here.  So yall can get to know me a little better, I'm going to do an about me in 30 days photo challenge.  I will be posting 30 pictures over the next 30 days, starting tomorrow, so that I can easily share a little more about myself.  Please feel free to join me, and let me know if you do...I'd love to get to know you more too!

Day 01 - A picture of yourself with ten facts 

Day 02 - A picture of you and the person you have been closest with the longest 

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show 

Day 04 - A picture of your favorite night 

Day 05 - A picture of your favorite memory 

Day 06 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day 

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item 

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh 

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most 

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most ****** up things with 

Day 11 - A picture of something you hate 

Day 12 - A picture of something you love 

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist 

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without 

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die 

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you 

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently 

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity 

Day 19 - A picture and a letter 

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel 

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget 

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at 

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book 

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change 

Day 25 - A picture of your favorite day 

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you 

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member 

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of 

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile 

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss 

A Little Bit About Me

So, I have been blogging for about 9 months now, and I have loved it everyday.  I love reading new blogs and sharing my thoughts and opinions, there are some many amazing people out there that the blog world allows you to interact with.  Crazy!  I'm really trying to expand my blog right now, and I have recently decided to work with  Wacky Jacqui's Designs to have my own personalized layout.  I finally found some time to contact her today, and I can't wait to see how it will turn out.  So stay tuned for a new look!

I decided to share a bit more about myself today, because I like to know a little bit about the bloggers I follow, so I figured you might too :)

1. I'm a nursing student living in downtown Chicago, and I am currently in my last year of undergrad!  Woo-hoo!  Although I complain about school all the time, I actually really do like being a student, and I know I am going to love being a nurse.  

2. Come winter break, I am going to be applying to grad school.  Ahhh, scary I know.  I'm applying for a double masters in Women's Health and Midwifery, which has been my passion all my life!  I remember when I was really young seeing a TV show where triplets were born, and my obsession began!  My Barbies, my doll house people...they were regularly pregnant and giving birth (or what my idea of all this was).  It's stuck with me ever since, and I can't wait to start this journey.  

3. I have a secret (or...maybe not so secret) love for interior design.  A lot of my blog is about inspirational design that I find, because it is the only place I can share these beautiful pictures.  I think it is so fun to transform a plain room into a beautiful place to be, and you can constantly change it as your loves change.  You can design beautifully on any budget, you just have to be willing to work hard at it.   

4. Coming from my love of interior design, I have recently taken to painting furniture.  I love all things white, and over the summer, I began to take this love and put it to work.  I found several old pieces of furniture (Goodwill, some laying around the house, some even garbaged picked) and transformed them to work for me.  Feel free to scroll through my older posts to see some of the transformations, and I have a few more to share!

Well...that's just a little bit about me.  I hope you continue to enjoy my postings, and as always, I love new followers.  Thank you for taking time to stop by!

xoxo, Erin

Blog Hop

Today I am participating in my first blog hops.  I have been writing my blog for a while now, and am looking to gain some new followers.  Right now, my blog is a mismatch of stuff, from decorating, to party planning, crafts, school...and more.  I would really love to expand what I am doing, because I love reading other's blogs so much.


For some reason, I cannot get the Acting Balanced blog hop button or her regular blog button to work on my page right now, I keep re-coping and re-pasting it, but it doesn't work.  Here is the link to her page to join in on the fun:
Acting Balanced

Lately, I have added a lot of "mommy blogs" to my reading list, which may seem strange to a lot of you.  I'm a 21-year old who is not pregnant and I do not have any children.  However, within the next 6 months, I will be applying to grad school, and am applying for a double master's degree in Women's Health and Midwifery.  Women's health, and the process of pregnancy, labor and delivery have been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I can't wait to start school again to be able to do exactly what I want to do.  I have started following some mommy blogs because I think it is great for me to hear real mom's reviews of products, breastfeeding, and just to hear what has been working or not working for them.  Eventually, I will be working a lot with pregnant women and new moms, and I think it is great to be able to make product recommendations based on what other real moms have experienced.  

Anyways, I would love to expand my reader base, so hop and board and follow me along my adventure!  I have begun to get a few offers to do reviews and giveaways, but I feel to be fair to the company, I need to gain some more followers first.  So welcome, I hope you enjoy!!

xoxo, Erin

Things to Do...

Today is my day off from school, and let me tell you, I love having Wednesdays off. I have a list of things to do...make a new "professional" email account, learn my stack of patho notecards among other homework, and create a blog. I have been reading several blogs lately and fallen in love with reading them. People amaze me with their creativity and their wit. So, here is my shot...

My name is Erin, and I'm a 20-year old nursing student living in Chicago. My day is filled up with up with school and studying... Luckily, I have only 1.5 more years of school, and I'm free!! Nursing school has been way harder than I ever expected it do be, but I do find myself actually enjoying it from time to time. I'm so looking forward to doing the labor/delivery and mother/baby rotation, because this is where I want to start my career. 7 more weeks, and I'll finally be there!

Anyways, I think that blogs are a fun way to express your creative ideas and show other people what you are thinking. I don't really know many people who have blogs, so I probably won't have any followers, but I think it will be fun to do anyways. Let's see if I can keep it up amidst school and studying. We'll see... :)