What I Bought: Sheer Drape Dress

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Patience is a virtue, and this dress is the proof. I first saw this dress on Aeropostale's website a month or two ago. I thought it was gorgeous, but I didn't want to spend $38 (plus shipping) on it because I'm cheap I'm trying to be good and save money. So I told myself probably wouldn't look good on me anyways, and I told my friend she should buy it (she didn't).

But then I was perusing again because I heard rumors of sales. And lo and behold, it was now on clearance for $18.99. How could I resist? Even better, I found a code for free shipping (I despise paying for shipping). It just arrived today, and I haven't tried it on yet, but I'm excited! I'm glad I bought it after all.

Also, unrelated, but I'm tempted to make an Instagram account for my dog. But then what would I post on my account? #lifestruggles

New Year

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I originally planned on writing this post much earlier this month, but then it hit me: I don't actually know what I want my resolutions to be.

I feel like every year, I say the same things over and over again. Clearly, they're not happening, because they keep being resolutions year after year. After some thought, I think I've finally figured out what I want my resolutions to be. Here's to hoping it's a successful year!

1. Start running again. I'll admit, part of this goal is wanting to lose weight-- it's been a struggle my entire life. But I also want to start running again. I miss the accomplished feeling I got this summer after I would run my furthest distance, even if I probably could have walked it faster. The point was that I didn't stop jogging. And I felt really proud of myself, knowing that I was pushing myself. I live close to a path along the water that I've been meaning to run along, but actually getting out and started is often the hardest step.

2. Overcome my picky eating. I have a confession. I am probably the pickiest eater that you'll meet. I eat like a five year old. Actually, when my brother was five, he ate more things than I did. Part of it is fear of trying new things, part of it is bad experiences when I have, some of it is texture or appearance, and a whole lot of it is mental. Thinking about food often stresses me out, and I typically avoid eating out with people I don't know, because what if there's something I don't like? I know my friends and family will accommodate me when choosing restaurants, but with those that I don't know that well, it's nerve-wracking trying to find something on the menu that isn't totally scary. And it's embarrassing. I'm 22, I shouldn't be eating like I'm a picky five year old. It's going to be a very long process, but I'm hoping that this is the year that I start making process and broadening my food horizons.

3. Be more creative. Sometimes I write, sometimes I take pictures, sometimes I draw. I go through phases where I'm really into something for a few days (or weeks) and then I get bored of it, or get stuck, or get busy and stop altogether. I want to keep pushing through, to continue to be creative on a regular basis. And maybe, finally, finish one of the countless stories I've started writing. Even if I only finish the first draft, it would better than stopping and letting it sit around for months (or years) untouched, just because I've hit a bought of writer's block.

4. Read more. I love reading, but I find that I go through phases with it. I'll have months where that's all I want to do, and then I'll go months without reading anything. I've been in one of my off phases for awhile, but I'd really like to get to the point where I read more. And I'd like to broaden what I read to. As someone who calls myself a fan of reading, I feel like I need to branch out. Right now, the books I pick up are almost always young adult books. If I'm feeling like I need to branch out, I usually find chick lit in the normal fiction section of the library. Occassionally, I'll also read a classic (typically involving 19th century England), but that's about it. I'd like to start exploring other types of genres as well. I may hate it, but at least I'll have given it a shot.

5. Get out more. Now that I've moved to Seattle, I really don't have any excuse to sit at home all weekend watching tv (like I'm currently doing). I live close enough to walk to both the Seattle Center and downtown, with tons of other fun neighborhoods just a short bus ride away. I truly don't have any excuse not to get out there and get discovering. I've always wanted to live in Seattle, so what am I doing sitting around at home for? Even just taking my dog on a walk, it's fun to people watch and discover little cafes that sprinkle ever block.

What about you guys? Any New Year's resolutions?

Disappearing Act

It seems that I've made quite the disappearing act. While I can't promise that I'll be posting nearly as regularly as I was during the summer, I do want to start posting again. I think I was pushing myself too hard to regularly post content, even when I wasn't inspired. That, combined with a style rut (I hate everything I own) makes for a hard time blogging.

Anyways, quite a lot has happened in the past few months! Just to get you up to speed: 

Chop chop.

1. I chopped off my hair. I've been going thinking about it on and off since spring, but I started seriously considering it in July. But it's me, so it takes me approximately 5 million years to do something once I start thinking about it. Like now, I want to dye my hair (for the first time ever) and it will probably take me months to do. Though I want my hair to be longer first anyways (naturally), so I don't mind waiting. Anyways, I was all ready to make the appointment in September when I decided to be Katniss for Halloween. So, y'know, I couldn't because you can't be Katniss without the braid. Procrastinating aside, I did eventually cut it off.

Please ignore the horrible quality.

2. I was hired full-time. I started working as an intern a couple days after I graduated from college. In September, it was extended without a definite end date. It was kind of a "stay as long as you want" arrangement. In October, it was made official though and I was hired on full-time. Needless to say, I was pretty excited! I love the company I work for and the people (and animals) I work with, so I'm psyched that it's official now.

3. I moved out. I've moved out on my own for the first time ever (not counting college, of course). I now rent a studio in Seattle that I share with my cat and my dog (even though she drives me insane). It's basically a glorified dorm, but it's my glorified dorm. It's in an old building, which I love, though I don't love the condition (I've been waiting on a few repairs since before I even moved in...), but you get what you pay for, I suppose. It would be lovely to get my closet rod fixed though, so I can finally finish unpacking. Soon, supposedly. All annoyances aside, I really like the location I'm at. I'm close to the Seattle Center, and it's only about a 15-20 minute walk downtown. It's also outside of the main area of my neighborhood so it's a bit quieter (and safer, which is nice when you're dog insists on going outside at all hours).

So that's that. Like I said, lots of big changes! 

I'll try not to disappear again. I'm hoping the extra time I have in a day will help motivate me. Here's to a good start to the new year!

My commute is an hour shorter than before, and it's glorious.