In which I made a blog BFF IRL.

Want to hear the story about how Jackie from travelgirl and I fell in blog BFF IRL love? Because you can read the full report here. And for the record, I would just like to reiterate how amazingly fantastic this girl is, and how jealous you all should be that I have her as a blog BFF IRL. Because she is fancy and awesome. That is all.

p.s. Happy last day of February, friends! xo

Six Confessions

1. I will never get a tattoo over a freckle. I only have a few of them, and I happen to really like them!

2. I love getting tips at work, but it makes me really, really uncomfortable to accept them.

3. I secretly want to be a pastry maker or cake decorator.

4. I get really, really sleepy after I've put on eye makeup, or have had my eyebrows waxed.

5. I want to live at Hogwarts. I just finished re-reading the series in January, and I already want to start, again.

6. All the sudden, concerts (especially inside-concerts) make me really uncomfortable and claustrophobic.

Happy Sunday, everyone! :)

p.s. Do you like the new banner?

p.p.s. If you do your own version of "6 confessions..." please link up, here! 
I'd love to have a look at yours! xo


p.p.p.s. There are some new blog buttons to the lower right if you wanna add one to your page,
or switch from one of my old ones! 

That big, exciting decision.

So, I have been telling you guys a little bit at a time (and even dropping a few hints!) about what this big decision I am making is.

I have been working at PetsMart for about three months now, and I absolutely love my job. I wouldn't have it any other way, than to be able to work with animals for a living... it hardly even feels like work! It's honestly the first job I have genuinely liked since World Market closed. That being said, I have a few friends who are either vet techs, or in school to be a vet tech, and the idea has sounded so good to me lately.

I brought it up with Nick and my friends and family and most of them are strongly in favor of my staying in school to complete the two-year associates degree (that would only take me a year and a half because of my education degree). There are several reasons why this decision is a hard one for me:

• I have already spent five years and countless thousands of dollars on a degree. Thinking about this decision is not to say that I don't love teaching, because I really do. And the fact that I have spent so much time on this path makes me a little hesitant to change my mind so late in the game. Deciding to go back to school after I graduate in three weeks would mean two more years (ish) of school and a few (ish) thousand more dollars in loans. Is this something I am willing to take on?

• I haven't even tried teaching freal, yet. I know I have had practicums and student teaching, but these aren't much compared to what the real first year of teaching is like. And while I can honestly say I have never felt as strongly about teaching English as I do about helping animals, I also cannot truly say I have given teaching a 100% try. Doesn't five years and many, many loans deserve a real try?

• Two more years in school means two more years I put everything else on hold. I am going to be 23 soon. I am ready to move out of my parents house (which would probably still happen) and maybe, possible, someday soon start thinking about the possibility of getting married. Not only this, but I have been living the "student's schedule" for a long time, now, and before I started at PetsMart, I was all ready to have a full time job + awesome salary when I graduated. I have so many plans for actual money. None of these plans would happen for another two years. 

• Being a vet tech means making a LOT less money. I would probably make about 20k less a year being a vet tech. I keep telling myself that this is not the thing I should base my decision off of, but more money IS appealing, right?

• When I emailed the director the program, she wasn't very easy to talk to/nice about scheduling an appointment with me. I feel like this might be a sign. 

I realize that this is a huge amount of text and I love you if you have read all the way to this point. It definitely helps that I get this all out on the blog, and I appreciate any input that you guys might have for me. 

I keep thinking that the best idea would be to find a job and try teaching for a while. And if I don't find a job, go back to school. But it seems so much harder to go back to school once you stop. What would you do?

<3 xo 

S

Bloggin' Ladies: Strataflora

This week's bloggin' lady is none other than one of my favorites, Amy, from Strataflora! She was one of the first to begin following and supporting Femmena Mala Blog, and she still does! She even won my very first giveaway! :) <3 her. 

Name+Age+Site/Blog

Amy – 24 – Blog: www.strataflora.com

What is something interesting about you?

Hmm, I’m just your average gal.  I dream about leaving everything behind one day (except the boyfriend and dog of course!) and traveling the world…maybe a world cruise?  How fun would that be?!  Also, I’m a big believer in karma…being kind and good to other people is really important to me.  You get back what you put out in this world, and we could all do with a little more kindness.  :o)

Why did you begin blogging?

 Initially, I just really needed a creative outlet; I wanted a place where I could catalog ideas and inspiration.  But it has turned into so much more than I ever thought it would – I’ve met so many wonderful people who share the same interests as me.  I feel like I’ve finally found my niche…and it’s fantastic to be a part of such a friendly, supportive and close-knit community! 

How long have you been blogging?

Almost a year now!  I started last March.

What is your inspiration for writing?

Oh, so many things!  Nature, traveling, art + design (anything residing in the visual world, really), LIFE, other cultures, fashion inspires me endlessly, the unexpected…POSSIBILITY.  Dreams.  Music!  I love to blog, paint/draw/design while my boyfriend is working on music…we constantly bounce ideas off of each other.  He’s my number one collaborator! 

Where do you get your ideas?

When I’m on a run, out in nature and my mind can just wander.  First thing in the morning and right before I’m falling asleep at night – I keep a sketch book under my bed to jot down ideas so I don’t forget.  I also love to get up early in the morning when it’s still dark (and so peaceful!) and sit down with a coffee to browse the internet or flip through my favorite magazines for inspiration.  A couple of my favorite mags:  Lula, V, Nylon, Jalouse, Elle Décor.

Do you have any advice that you want to share with fellow lady bloggers?

I don’t know if I’m in a position to be giving advice, as I’m still a newbie myself, but I think it’s important to be true to yourself.  Write about what you like no matter what.  Letting your guard down and opening up can be so rewarding…it’s something I’m working on too.  And quality over quantity always!  :o)

What is one thing you are looking forward to most in your future (blog or otherwise)?

I can’t pick just one!  I’m really excited to be finished with my design degree (about a year and a half away!) and hopefully find a cool job I love.  I really look forward to taking on freelance projects as well!  On a personal note, I can’t wait to get engaged to my boyfriend of 5 years…we may add another pooch to the fam as well (currently just one plump, er…well-loved puggle).  And on the blog side of things, my first giveaway is coming up soon…I can’t wait to do it!  I have a few more DIY ideas to tackle too. :o)

Today, a good day?

I found a dollar on the sidewalk on the way to school today. I am hoping this is a good omen for the rest of the day [or maybe even the week??]. Either way, I would like Saturday's goodness to carry over to this week. Regardless of it's sopping-wet-from-rain state, and the terrible face George is making on the photo above, I am counting on it meaning something good.

Hope you are all having a great Monday! <3 S

Happy, happy Saturday :)

This week has been pretty fantastic, so far. (And that's pretty excellent, considering it's almost over!)

Did you all notice the new buttons on the right sidebar? What do you think?

I know you all are probably wondering what my last post was about, but I was very excited to tell you all about it (yes, that means it's a good thing) but I don't want to do a post until I truly know more details. I think that should be around Tuesday evening, so look for a post sometime this week!! I will, however, share some pretty big, and awesome news with you towards the end of this post ;)

Here in Cincinnati, the weather has been absolutely beautiful for the past week. Warm enough for just a light jacket, and today I wore capris and TOMS (thanks, Kate!) and got lots of awesome compliments on my tattoos :) I love those! We also went thrifting today, and I found Harry Potter Scene It? for SIX BUCKS. This is awesome because I was looking for it around Christmas on Amazon, and coundn't find it for under $80, so woo!! But, I am so eager for spring to get here, so this has been pretty fantastic! Spring means: graduating from college, Bonnaroo (?!), and sunshine! 


Also, this week, I got to take Guillermo on tons of four-legged walks, and let him play in the backyard for a while while I read on my Kindle:

Speaking of my Kindle, I am finally finished with all six and a half seasons of Grey's Anatomy (thank you, Netflix) and have gotten back to reading. Sometimes when I read a huge series like Harry Potter, I have to take a break from it and do something a little less mind-consuming. Grey's was perfect for that, but I am back to reading, again! I am currently immersed in one of the books from my list, Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger. 

Now for that big, awesome news! You all know that I work at PetsMart, right? Well, I do. I also work at Family Video, but that's beside the point. I have worked at PetsMart as a bather in the groom shop since a little before Thanksgiving, so that makes almost three months. This past week, I got my first review, an itty, bitty raise, AND they asked me to be a dog trainer! This is exciting because: I was told that this doesn't normally happen for people who are a) so new to the store and b) bathers. AND this is also exciting because I don't get a raise, but I do keep my hourly rate, plus I'll be making 20% commission on any classes I sell. This probably doesn't interest you in the slightest, but I am so, so, SO excited to do this, and a little bit nervous. I love animals, you guys know that. And I can't wait to combine my teaching skills and my love for puppies into one great job. 

So that's my week! I am pretty sure I had much more to talk about with you guys, but I can't remember all the ideas that were flooding around in my head, so this is what you get!

Happy weekend, everyone! <3 S

Thinking...

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about making a pretty big decision... More on this when I know more... Happy Thursday, all. <3

Wednesday Wonders v.14

1. Having an excuse (see Shakespeare party) to put makeup on and get out of the house!

2. Finding out that I really do have the reputation I have been aiming for on Twitter. ;)

3. Funny screen caps from weheartit. This is totally something I would do.

4. Realizing a little too late that while I was documenting Guillermo's first successful, four-legged walk of the spring, I was also capturing the random roadkill that happened to be nearby. You can bet that when I put the camera down and saw? I ran. 

Happy Wednesday, all! <3

Bloggin' Ladies: The Curious Pug

Name+Age+Site/Blog
Hi! I'm Alycia age 28 from http://thecuriouspug.com

What is something interesting about you? 
Hmm, well I don't know if this is interesting or just plain weird but I'm an xray tech and I love seeing crazy/gross/weird pathology or bone fractures! Not that I enjoy seeing people suffer, I just like to see what the human body is capable of and it keeps things interesting at work :)

Why did you begin blogging? 
I started my blog originally to go along with my Etsy shop but it has since turned into a personal blog where I share about life, craft projects, and favorite finds from the web. Since I changed the direction of my blogging, I've met lots of interesting other folks from the handmade community!

How long have you been blogging?I've been blogging for over a year now! Looking back, I think my writing has improved quite a bit and I am excited to see where it will go next :)

Who is your inspiration for writing?
Mainly myself and things that happen in my life. It feels good to write about those things. It's therapeutic in a way!

Where do you get your ideas?There's a few places where I get my ideas from. One is just myself. Sometimes out of nowhere I'll get an idea and know that it would make a great post. Other times it's from a craft related project or a picture of Cyrus my pug that gets me writing.

Do you have any advice that you want to share with fellow lady bloggers?The best advice that I've received is the advice I'm going to share here: be yourself and be honest in your writing. It will come through to your readers. And don't worry about how many followers you have. The ones you really want to have won't ask you to follow them back in exchange.

What is one thing you are looking forward to most in your future (blog or otherwise)?
I can't pick one! I'm really excited for having my new blog layout installed shortly! I And I also have a few giveaways planned for the future and those are always fun! Finally, I'm excited to meet new bloggers/crafters through this blogging community over the next year :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

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Want to subscribe via email?

Now you can!

I've added FeedBurner for nothing more than to allow people the option of subscribing via email. I now do this with some of my favorite blogs, and have found how convenient it is! Let me know what you guys think :)

To get started, just enter your email in the box below (it's also to the right of this column, under the 'followers' section) and you will receive a confirmation email. Just click the link and you're off!

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Happy emailing :)

S

P.s. Don't forget to check out my weekend re-cap before you go!

Weekend re-cap!

Friday: An awesome, awesome guy I work with at the video store offered to take my shift on Friday night, which allowed me to spend the evening with some girls (and one guy) from cohort. It was SO fun. A Shakespeare themed party, we donned mustaches and beards, and posed for Shakespearean-play-themed photos:

I had an awesome time, and I can't wait to hang out with these ladies (and gentleman) really, really soon. 

Saturday: Unfortunately, since I had to work 8-4 today, I couldn't stay as late as I would have liked at the W.S. party. But today at work was pretty awesome. I was tired, and I had about 11 dogs in a row, didn't have time to take a lunch, and barely got any tips, but I had AWESOME dogs. They were all so, SO sweet, and it was a really awesome day at work.

Since Nick and I both have to work Monday night, we decided that Saturday night was our pseudo Valentine's Day this year (hence the photo above). When I got home from work this afternoon, these were waiting in the apartment for me: 

These ones in a red (yum.) vase by the window, and more in the Warsteiner boot bookends on the desk. And a really lovely card from Nick to me:

In which he said some really awesome, mushy, gushy things :) I'll spare you. Ha!

Then we went to a restaurant-by-day/night-club-by-night for dinner (and were the only ones there). Here's what I had: (p.s. sorry for all of these lame photo booth and cell phone pictures. I can't find my camera. Sad face.)

DELICIOUS A.A.C roll (avocado, asparagus, and cucumber) and a sweet potato roll (sweet potato, avocado, cream cheese) and Nick had a [boring ;)] Philly roll. The menu wasn't much to look at, but the sushi was fantastic for only costing $6 a roll. 

Then, we met up with Lynzie, Brandon, and Brian for some board games at Highlands (the place Nick and I went on our very first pre-first-date. 

First we played Cranium:

We had tons of fun with this game. I have only played this once or twice, and years ago with my parents. So playing it with a bunch of friends/family was awesome :). Then we played "Things... the Game." This was the first time I'd played this game, as well. The object was to pick a card, respond to it on a strip of paper, and then take turns guessing who wrote what for points. This was one of the funniest we came across: 

Tomorrow: Puppy training class, and then birthday dinner at Olive Garden for Lynzie and Brandon. Can't wait!!! 

Hope everyone had an awesome weekend, too :)

Stephanie

Wednesday Wonders v.13

This chapstick is awesome, and if you know me, you know I LOVE chapstick.

WANT.

(reblogged on tumblr via hellovannyyy)

Kind of loving old photos, lately. Check out Susannah Bean's new feature!

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I have a shirt that says this, and got an applause for wearing it on the subway in NYC, once.

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This actually doesn't describe me at all, because I rarely drink (maybe once or twice a year), 

but super bowl Sunday, I had my first Four Loko... as in ONE of them, and nothing else (except water). 

Got sick, passed out. The end. Horrible. 

Links to love....

1. Vegetarian? Try this awesome, yummy risotto recipe! 

2. Just a pretty picture of a pretty feather.

3. Want to make these string chandeliers. 

Happy Wednesday, everyone! I am off to read The Duchess of Malfi for my British Lit class...

<3

Bloggin' Ladies: My Girl Thursday

Name+Age+Site/Blog  Thursday / 27 / My Girl Thursday http://www.mygirlthursday.com

What is something interesting about you?
Interesting, you say?  Well, I think I might be the messiest organized person I know.  My house (mostly my craft room) is in constant disarray, but somehow I manage to move about my day in a rather orderly manner.  I am a list freak.  Every single thing I need to do is on my daily to-do (seriously, you can find brush your teeth right near the top).  I have a calendar in my craft room that maps out my blog posts for the next three months.  But you would never know this level of organization comes from a girl that has to wade through piles of laundry, cracker wrappers and sippy cups just to get to her bed.   

Why did you begin blogging? 
I started blogging a l-o-n-g time ago.  I've been through a few addresses.  My first one started back in 2006.  I was really active in the Craftster community and I wanted to have a dedicated area to show off my work.  For years I was the poster child for sporadic bloggers and it showed - absolutely no one read my stuff.  It wasn't until I took an online Indie Business course that I began taking my blog seriously.  I moved from Wordpress to Blogger, bought my domain and started posting on a near daily basis.  That was at the beginning of March 2010 and I can't believe how far I've come.  After just ten months of blogging I've developed a stronger sense of myself and made connections with so many stunningly creative people.  I'm definitely in this blog thing for the long haul.

Who is your inspiration for writing? 
After being in blog writing mode for so long I have to say that I find inspiration most everywhere.  I have to keep a notebook in my purse so that I can write down ideas at a moments notice.  I find that I'm struck with a lot of ideas when I'm thrifting, going for a walk and even in the shower (I've considered stocking up on bath crayons so I can write on the walls).  Another huge source of motivation is the handmade blogging community.  Check out the good reads section of my blog - I am so in love with each of these sites and the women behind them.

I think everyone is capable of endless inspiration, they simply need to listen for it.  Since I have started writing down my ideas I have never ever run out of blogging ideas. 

Do you have any advice that you want to share with fellow lady bloggers?
Someone asked me this on Formspring the other day and I think it's deserving of it's own blog post.  While I'm brainstorming on that post I keep coming back to the same thought - be yourself.  There is a difference between being inspired by someone else and trying to be someone else.  The blog world is full of copycats and the simple truth is that they are forgettable.  Use your own voice, speak from your own perspective and and blog what you want.

What is one thing you are looking forward to most in your future (blog or otherwise)?

One of my goals is to become a freelance writer.  I'd love to write for some of my favourite magazines and blogs.  Of course, this would all be in addition to writing my own blog - I couldn't give that up!

Happy Super Bowl!

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1. Happy Superbowl day, everyone! This morning, we took Guillermo to his fourth week of puppy training class, even though he’s not really a puppy anymore! We are so proud of him. He’s doing such a great job learning all of the commands and tricks thrown at him. He’s also losing weight, finally! The vet said that he was perfect at 8 pounds, but a little overweight at 9 pounds. And just to give you a little idea of what that means, one pound equals about 15-20 pounds for a human on a dog as small as Guillermo, so it can be really beneficial for him to lose that little bit of weight! He’s also pretty much regained full use of his bad leg, again. He walks, runs, and jumps on it, and only sometimes does he hold it up (usually in the snow ;)).

2. Tonight, we’re going to hang out with some friends for the Superbowl near my parents’ house, and that should be awesome to get to see everyone. :)

3. Also, we’re getting satellite, sometime this week! We haven’t had cable since Nick moved out of his dad’s house in 2008, so I am a litttttle excited. My parents have it at my house, but since I am rarely ever there, I don’t get to watch much. Although this has made me spend more time on other things… reading, blogging, puppytime… haha!

4. There are plans in the works for Nick and I to officially move in together in the fall, taking for granted the fact that I will for sure have a job come that time. We are planning to move back to Clifton, but to the Ludlow side. For those of you who are not in Cincinnati, that’s the side of the university that is called the gaslight district. It’s a little nicer than the opposite side of campus, and there’s so much that draws us to that area. After being in school in Clifton for 5 years, and Nick’s living there for 2, I got really used to being within walking distance from everything I could need!

5. Speaking of finding a job… I have so many plans for next year that ALL hinge on my finding and having a full time teaching job. I actually have a lot of anxiety about this, because the job market has been so terrible as of late. I have contacted my old communications professor in hopes that she will help me make a spectacular resume and cover letter, and I plan to get licensed in Indiana and Kentucky once I get my diploma in the mail at the end of this March. I also plan to apply to every district possible in the tri-state, to make absolute sure that I find a placement. This might mean changing our plan of moving to Clifton, because there’s the possibility that we’d have to relocate. This is all SO overwhelming! It helps to get it all out here. If any of you have any tips for me, I’d love to hear them!

Check back later today or tomorrow for another “What Guillermo Wore” post! [He just got a new sweater!]

xo,
Stephanie

Looking for something?

Ever since I posted about the Keep Calm and Carry On war poster in this post and also way back in December on v.9 of Wednesday Wonders (you can look at the other 11 versions by clicking the link under the banner above!), I have been getting a few requests for a black template. I thought I would revisit those posts, and also post the black template as I have been meaning to for AGES!

Here are a few of my favorites....

The first one is made by me, and the last three are ones I found using a google search a while back. I unfortunately don't have the photocred for them, but they for sure aren't mine!

Here's the black template I promised you all:

There are more where that came from! (click here for different colored templates)

I hope you all have a fantastic Friday! I'm currently in class, should NOT be blogging. Oh well :)

I have a midterm exam later today, and then work tonight. 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

xo

Happy birthday, Boyfriend!

Today is Nick's birthday. He's 24, and simultaneously the best boyfriend in the entire world.

Happy Birthday, Nick! I love you! 

Love,

Stephanie

Wednesday Wonders v.12

I know it's Thursday, but since I got the little bug to post about juice fasting yesterday, I put this off until today! Happy Thursday, everyone!!

[SO pretty. wish i could do this for myself!]

[agreed.]

[SRSLY. craving after craving]

[i just might set this as my desktop. so pretty and just in time for spring!]

photo sources: one. two. three. four.

Other Wednesday Wonders....**

1. Did you ever wonder how to make a string wall tree? Seriously, this is a great idea, and I can't wait until I have a space of my own to try this out for myself!!!

2. For all you bloggers out there, some creatively re-imagined war-time posters. These are fun social networking themed posters. Enjoi!

3. All I have to say is: Snoutlet. HAHA!

4. Be an optimist prime, not a negatron. Something to live by, especially for those Transformers fans out there! I'd love a framed print of this for my one-day classroom! 

Happy Wednesday on Thursday, friends! <3

Stay tuned for a boyfriend birthday post!

Juice fast!

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Happy Wednesday, everyone! This week, I have been heavily considering embarking on my first juice fast. I have been reading up a lot on the healing properties of juice as a cleansing mechanism, and I can't wait to try it out. Thinking about healthier eating has prompted me to think about the toxins that go into my body even from more accepted processed foods like cheese and granola.

I have to first invest in a blender, and then splurge on some great ingredients. I have found a few recipes that I really want to try:

Healing Juice

Ingredients:

3-4 Carrots

125g Fresh Spinach

Handful of Flat Leaf Parsley

2-3 Sticks of Celery

Water

Skin Cleanse

Ingredients:

1 Cucumber with skin

1/2 bunch Fresh Parsley

1 4-oz. tub Alfalfa Sprouts

4 Sprigs Fresh Mint

Water

Ginger/Lemon Cleanse

Ingredients:

1-inch slice Fresh Ginger Root

1 Fresh Lemon

6 Carrots with tops

Apple

Water

I have questions for those of you who have tried this!

1. How long do you usually fast?

2. Do you have some great recipes to share? 

3. What were your results? Were you happy you tried it? 

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Happy Wednesday! <3