wise words wednesday {14.}...

Big Girl World kind of sucks. Working in behavioral health kind of sucks. Having a few coworkers who are morons kind of sucks. Having way too much dumped on my plate because others are incompetent, kind of sucks. Having a client who you bond with, and you see doing really well staying clean and sober, who then relapses and ends up getting their children taken away and back in jail kind of sucks. Saying goodbye to clients who I have grown to love, but have finished treatment kind of sucks. Bouncing from office to office kind of sucks. Having too much to do, and not being able to catch up kind of sucks. Not being able to control every little detail of the day kind of sucks.

{14.} Wise Words...

In Big Girl World I am getting excellent work experience, and beginning my career. Working in behavioral health has given me patience and a love for people that I did not have before. Having a coworker who has become my mentor is pretty much amazing. Having a lot put on my place by the department supervisor means that she is trusting me to work outside of my experience and that is awesome. Watching a client that is staying clean and sober, has regained custody of her three children, and is graduating our program to start an amazing new life is a blessing. Saying goodbye to these women makes me tear up, but because I love them and their children and I am so proud of the work they have done to get control of their lives back, they are happy tears. Bouncing from every office means I can hide from people I don't want to talk to, which rules. I will catch up on all of the stuff I am behind on. I have to release my controlling nature. I have to enact a motto we use daily in treatment for our clients. It is quick and simple.

I am powerless.

In treatment this is not an 'Oh I am SO helpless and can't do anything about it' thing. It is a 'I am my own person. I am responsible for myself. I am powerless over what others do, and what the world throws at me. I will just take things as they come' thing. Thus, I leave you with the ever so cheesy AA/NA line:

One day at a time.

Big Girl World is an amazing suckfest. Yes, I am full of contradictions.

xoxo

i am a mother of three...

Were you all aware that I am a mother? Some of you who have been reading my blog since it's birth may know this fact. For those of you who do not, click here and read about my children. A new addition was recently brought into my happy family.

I introduce you all to Juicy Couture, the youngest sibling of Versace and Jimmy Choo. Basically, I am a sunglasses whore. I love them so bad. Child number three was gifted to me as an early birthday present by Jeffrey. He basically is legit for purchasing these lovelies for me. Here are the reasons why I l.o.v.e. these bad boys...

{1.} They came with the cutest case. I am a BIG believer in keeping my children safe; which is why all of them go from face to case. No ifs, ands, or buts about it!

{2.} Were you all aware that I have an obsession with peace signs that goes back to the age of 12? I am all about rocking the peace signs...it sort of saddens me that they are trendy nowadays, but I still adore them.

{3.} They look all kinds of fabulous. They are ginormous (which is a must when it comes to the shades I rock), the lens is tinted purple which I pretty much love. They are designer...yep, told you I was a label whore.

{4.} They were a gift, and that is straight up legit. Jeff, you basically are an awesome gift giver. Word.

Please, welcome little J.C. to the family. I am already contemplating my next adoption. I am leaning towards a pair with the name of Prada.

Do you love them? Hate them? Do you have a sunglass fetish? What is an item you will ALWAYS splurge on? Please, share! Oh, and Bff Jil...I am awaiting (not so patiently) your guest post introducing my little nieces and nephews.

xoxo

wise words wednesday {13.}...

As I have stated before; I love 'The Job'. It is stressful beyond anything I could ever imagine, but it is rewarding and amazing all at the same time. It is strange because even though I am 'The Counselor', I feel that I am learning more from my clients, than they are learning from me. I have met so many wonderful people, I have laughed with them, cried with them, and just enjoyed being around them in general. Do I have the occasional asshole client? Yes. Of course I do, but the good more than outweighs the bad.

I do doubt myself sometimes if we are being perfectly honest. I am not trained in alcohol and drug studies, I am trained in psychology. I am learning a lot, and I have a very long way to go. So, this Friday I will be running my favorite co-workers group while she is out of town. This is a group I co-facilitate with her three times a week. It is a perinatal program, which means the women in the day program come to us for 5 hours, three days a week, and they bring their kids to our daycare. These women are amazing. I am inspired by them daily and I love them all and their children. This is a large group. It is a total of 15 clients. Whoa. I have ran groups by myself, but only when there were 5 people and it was for an hour. I have ran this group under supervision. But as of Friday, I am flying solo. I am terrified. Which brings me to the wise words of today...

{13.} Wise Words...

Do I have an answer? Not yet, but I am working on it. Step one? Well, that will be stepping up on Friday and rocking that group so hard that the ladies will not know what him them.

So what would YOU all do if you had no fear? Please share!

xoxo

must have monday {2.}...

Last week I started a new blog feature, 'Must Have Monday'. I loved doing it and y'all seemed to enjoy it as well, so I am thinking it will be a regular thing. When I have set themes to blog about, it keeps me going. I would love it if you all did you very own 'Must Have Monday' post and linked to it in the comments section. I mean...it is WAY more fun to swoon over things when others swoon right along with you. This post has a theme, all of my must have items are very feminine and pretty. Swoon with me folks...

{1.} 'Reina de la Fiesta Dress'-ModCloth

This dress is SO frilly and feminine. It is not something I would normally wear, I am not big on dresses in the first place, but there is just something about it that I l-o-v-e. I adore the combination of the girly frills and masculine colors. Why am I wanting this dress? Well, I am working on becoming a #skinnybitch who can rock a dress like this, plus I have a bff wedding to attend this winter. Is this LarCentric approved? This dress can be found on Modcloth for only $89.99!

{2.} 'Urban Cowgirl Bag'-ModCloth

This bag is not just a want; it is more of a spiritual need. I am very into heather gray at the moment. Plus, I love ginorm purses. I love how this can go from handbag to satchel in just a switch of the handles. I neeeed it. This bag sells for $72.99 over at ModCloth.

{3.} 'Black Polka Dots Pleated Skirt'-Prototype Design Once again this lovely vintage-y skirt is not my typical style, but there is just something about it. It could be super cute with just the right funky top and shoes. This skirt is only $36. 50! I am thinking I need this because it would be perfect to wear when I have to go to court with my clients. So, really...it is for the sake of my career...right? Right...

{4.} 'Summer Mum Ring'-Liz HutnikI have recently become obsessed with huge crazy rings. This ring is super cute, all the rings in this Etsy store are adorable AND affordable. I am SO ordering one, I mean it is only $11 with FREE shipping. Please, love them with me.

{5.} 'Gray Picture'-Chuan ShuoThis is so cute. I pretty much belt my tops every single day. I have become a belting fanatic. How cute would this be with some tights, cute shoes, and a fabulous belt around the waist? Yep. That is correct. Tres freaking cute. This can be found on Etsy and is $63.00.

Are you all going to do your own must have posts? Is there anything on here that you love? Or hate? Please do share! Also, over the weekend I guest blogged on Lauren's blog. Check it out.

xoxo

fill in the blank friday {15.}...

It has been far too long since I have filled some blanks (twhth)! I blame work. I mean honestly when 5 o'clock on Friday rolls around I just want to race out to the parking lot do a 'eff yeah it is Friday dance, and then worry about absolutely nothing for the rest of the evening. But, today the blanks won over my lack of motivation...

{1.} When I get a day to myself I like to spend the day by myself. I really enjoy my 'me time'. I will clean, read, watch crappy reality shows, and just relax.

{2.} High school was...a blast. I loved high school, well minus the times where I was a snobby mean girl. It was fun to be 16 with no responsibilities. However, when my reunion rolls around I will NOT be attending. I didn't love it THAT much.

{3.} A little dream I have is traveling all over the place. I want to go to New York, Europe, and everywhere else.

{4.} A big dream I have is to get my PhD and have Dr. in front of my last name. It WILL happen my friends.

{5.} If I could drive any car my pick would be a Passat? A BMW? A Prius? I honestly don't really know. I am happy with the car I have now, being that it was from my dad.

{6.} A time that I felt really and truly beautiful was um...never. I know that is probably an awful thing to say, but I cannot pinpoint a time where I thought, 'Dang. I am beautiful.' Don't judge.

{7.} Tomorrow I will...hopefully sleep in. Get together with Bff Jil to go see our friend Jen's new twin baby girls, read, and catch up on my DVR.

Alright, now it is YOUR turn to fill in the blanks! Make sure to go over to Lauren's blog to link up. Happy weekend fellow bloggers!

xoxo

wise words wednesday {12.}...

It is late and I am exhausted (yes by late I mean it is almost 10:00pm. Man I am old). I was almost going to skip out on my wise words, but then I figured I could stay up to do a small post.

So...this isn't really a 'wise words' post. It is more of a 'Oh em gee! I laughed my ass off post.' Excuse the foul language my friends...

{12.} Wise Words...

{via}

This is basically hilarious. Love it with me. Please?

xoxo

must have monday {1.}...

I love clothes. I love accessories. I love shopping. I love spending money. Basically if I could shop all the live long day, I would be one happy girl. I have always spent a crazy amount of time window shopping online, and when I was a broke ass college student, it totally sucked. Why? Because I was not able to purchase the items I fell in love with. As I was browsing through some of my favorite sites this morning, I realized that online window shopping still sucks. Why? Because even though I have The Job and am making some monies, I still cannot buy all the goodies that my little heart desires!

I have carts full of items I want...they are just waiting for me to click that little 'checkout' button. Alas, I can only buy a few things at a time. This weekend (and last weekend) I broke the bank with my shopping outings. Y'all can look forward to a picture explosion of my haul later in the week.

Now I present you with the first edition of 'Must Have Monday'. I must have every single item on this list...eventually. Enjoy...

{1.} 'Cream Confection Jacket'-Anthropologie

I cannot adequately express how in love with this jacket I am. It is SO amazing. I actually bought something this weekend that looks similar to this (in black of course), although it has a more military feel to it. I love the high neck and ruffles on this. It wants to find a happy little home in my closet, this I am sure of. This work of art hails from Anthropologie, it sells for $178.oo.

{2.} 'Infinity Scarf'-Botto GiuseppeI have a serious love affair with scarves. I have been swooning hard-freaking-core over all of the infinity scarves that are super in for fall. However, I do not swoon over how much stores are charging for them. This one is $215.00, granted it is cashmere, but still. I bought a totally overpriced gauze infinity scarf last weekend, and it pissed me off. What did I do about it? I went to JoAnns with my mama and bought some fabric, and she is currently busy cranking out some scarves for me. I am thinking about putting up some fabric choices and selling them for reasonable prices...anyone interested? Let me know!

{3.} 'Chilled Ripples Shell'-AnthropologieAre you all noticing a theme yet? Yeah, basically everything I currently 'must have' is from Anthro. Oh Anthropologie, why must you be SO cute and SO pricey? This top is basically the cutest thing of my life. I am thinking I can justify shelling out $118.oo on it. I mean c'mon...I kind of HAVE to have it to wear when I go to court with my clients. Yeah...okay I can't justify it. I still want it though...

{4.} 'Ruffled Cincher'-AnthropologieI am normally not a person who rocks trends. However, I think the whole belted shirt trend works for me. I have become obsessed with these belts. I love them like Katniss loves the boy with the bread. This one will very soon be mine. It is only $34.00! Hi. $34 bucks at Anthro? That is almost unheard of! Come to mama...

{5.} 'Dappled Granite Cardigan'-AnthropologieAnother thing I have fallen in love with are these cardigans. I love them in cardi form, and in vest form. I own like six of them. They are super cute, can be dressed up or down, and are beyond comfortable. This one retails for $78.00...which is basically crazy. This is another item my mom is working on. She has made me two so far in the most comfy fabric on the planet, also known as jersey. Once again I am going to post the finished project of my mom's sewing project, and she will be happy to craft you one for a reasonable price. Any takers?

What are some items that are on YOUR 'must have' lists? Are you digging the fall trends so far? Anyone interested in a custom made infinity scarf or billowy cardigan crafted by the one and only Mama H? Let me know in the comments section!

xoxo

wise words wednesday {11.}...

So, I haven't really gone into much explanation about The Job. Only that it is crazy...and that I love it.

Basically I work for the county where I reside. I am a drug and alcohol counselor working with the community members who are non-violent drug offenders, and are given a chance to complete a program, rather than sit their time out in jail or prison. Our services are for people who, for the most part, have very low incomes...some don't even have places to stay.

It is a tough job. It is also a very enlightening job. It makes me think and reevaluate what is REALLY important in this game we call life. It also makes me realize that everyone has a story, that no ones story is the most important story, that we all have our 'stuff' to work through, and most of all that I shouldn't be SO judgemental. If one were to look at some of my clients they would think they are dirtbags and awful people, but they honestly are some pretty damn strong people who made some bad decisions. In other words, they are teaching me more than I ever would have imagined...

Which brings me to the wise words of this wednesday...

{11.} Wise Words...

xoxo

the dynamic duo {1.}...

I am pretty much a homebody. I like my alone time, and I love to be at home just relaxing. This being the case, I basically spend the majority of my free time with three people. I am either with my mama, Bug, or the one and only Bff Jil (who y'all can now follow on Twitter)!

I see Bff Jil at least 4 times a week...if not more. She is kind enough to let me come and chill at her casa during my lunch break from The Job. I hang out while she works and I share my Cheetos with her dog Lulu. Anywho...we spend a lot of time together...basically we have a fake lesbian lovefest happening. So, I decided our adventures (no matter how big or small...twss) should have there own title on this here blog. I now present you with installment one of the dynamic duo that is Bff Jil and myself...

One of our favorite things to do is shop...and eat. Which basically goes hand in hand. So, whenever I mention that Bff Jil and I did something together...the eating is just implied. It's how we roll. Back to the shopping...we love to shop (Jil has a shopping addiction...I do not, yet). The weird thing is...is that when it comes to fashion the two of us do not agree on ANYTHING. Jil has a style that is her own, and I have a style that is my own. Neither one of us do the whole 'trendy' thing. We go with what we like and what works for us. This basically means that during one shopping outing we each hold up stuff and say, "Oh! This is super cute" while the other one rolls her eyes, or scoffs, or says, "That is revolting. Basically if you buy that I am ending our friendship." Then we buy the offensive item...and call each other biatch. It works for us.

Although, lately we have been agreeing on quite a bit when it comes to fashion...it is pretty darn alarming to both of us. Especially when we get in a bitch-fight about who gets to buy a certain pair of super cute sequin black ballet flats from Target, (yeah Jil I am still bitter about that one). Anywho...our adventure was photographed specifically for blog purposes...because I am seriously lacking in having a life and I have resorted to taking pictures at the mall. Here we go...

This shirt is SO out of control...well at least for me. I am a strictly neutral kind of gal. I wear black constantly. I am not a fan of bright colors or crazy patterns, but for some reason I spotted the crazy that is this top and was compelled to try it on. I blame Satan. Jil told me to strike a pose...and that is exactly what I did. Love me through my adoration of this top...

There is one thing Bff Jil and I can ALWAYS agree on. That thing is when stuff is a straight up heinous hot tranny fashion disaster. I am so sorry, but in my fashion universe there is NEVER a good excuse to wear camo print leggings. Never. Not ever. No way. No how. Sick-to-the nast...

Speaking of heinous hot tranny fashion disasters, when the freak did corduroy make a comeback?! I am SO not okay with that fact. It is bad enough that skinny jeans are STILL in, but the fact that corduroy skinny jeans are being sold make me feel a bit queasy. That color? Um...my face says exactly how I feel about it...

After we both drained our bank accounts, we headed over to Target for some cheap glory. Holllller fabulous ballet flats that are currently on sale. We basically tried on every freaking pair in the store...

See? We totally tore through that aisle like a fashionista hurricane. Yes, we were those rude people who tried on 40,000 pairs of shoes and left them all on the ground. Sorry Target employees...we were tired, high off of purchases, and hungry...

Speaking of hungry...after we left Target we made a quick stop by one of our FAVORITE fast food joints. The one, the only, holy grail that is Sonic. I love it. They have bomb ass mozarella sticks and slushees that make me weak in the knees. So, after we placed our deep fried sugary order...we noticed something as we were waiting for the car hop gal to bring us our goodies. Do you see that sign?! Are you kidding me?! A footlong that will go on and on?! That is sheer twss joke advertising. Just wait, it gets better...

BAM! Just like that. Just when I thought I couldn't love Sonic anymore than I already do...they go and make some of the best slogans I have ever seen in my 24 years of existence. You best believe we are stretched and ready. Let's do this. *Ahem*...

Basically this is the best way to spend a Saturday. Minus the 100 degree temperature, it was fabulous. How did you all spend your weekends? Please share...

xoxo

i challenge you {3.}...

It is day/post 3 of 'The 30 Day/Post Challenge'! I am not making very serious headway with this challenge. Oh, well it will be done in time.

Day 3-Your Parents...

My dad? My dad and I had a very odd relationship. We loved each other fiercely of course, but we also had a talent for driving one another absolutely crazy. He was extremely conservative; where I am very liberal. I basically grew up trying to drive him crazy with my wild and crazy ways! I blame the generation differences, it is obvious my dad is MUCH older than my mom is. He was a good man, he was a good father, and I miss him a lot. Thankfully after much pain and suffering, he is now in a better place.

My mom? Oh, my mom. The dazzling woman who gave me my life's blood...and my attitude problem. My mom also can drive me crazy, but only in the sense that I am basically a 24 year old version of her. We are SO similar it is kind of freaky. Do we have our differences? Yes. But, she is my hero. She is my best friend. She is the best mother on the planet. She inspires me on a daily basis, and she has taught me how to be a strong independent woman. There are so many things I could thank her for. She is my heart. Forever & always.

xoxo

wise words wednesday {10.}...

This is basically how I feel about life right now.

{10.} Wise words...

{via}

Nothing is easy. We all work for everything we have. I find it easy to get caught up in how hard life can be sometimes...but hey, that is how we learn and how we grow as people. So, I say bring it on. It is well worth it.

xoxo