Groovy

Groove is in the heart.

{Image Via Hollywood Palace}

Perennials

Even as the years go on, some friends just get better with age.

Hot Legs

When given the chance, always take the stairs.  It's good side practice in working hard.

{Image Credit: House of Honey}

My Kind of Town

Hard to believe, but just a year ago I was sitting, wishing, and hoping in St. Louis that I'd be in Chicago. It's almost been a full year since the big move, and I'd be lying if I didn't say I had my doubts.  Packing up and moving to a new city comes with a whole ton of challenges.  You're definitely not the cool kid in town, you have absolutely no idea where to go or where to steer clear of.  Staying on your best behavior is a must if you ever want to make a friend.  Sleep should be seen as a nice weekend bonus, but not necessary if you ever want to make it into a Sunday brunch group.  

It's a constant balancing act.  Trying to be someone you're not is completely unacceptable in a city of originality.  However, you should then always be striving to be original.  One day though, after a couple trips to the neighborhood shops for new outfits to wear out both during the week and weekend, you'll find your life is starting to feel comfortable.  You can tell the cab driver confidently where to drop you off in the Loop, your sass comes back and your string of "sorry's"start to fade, and people will start to ask you where the best happy hour is.  It's a process.  But one you should go through with pride.  After all, it was your very original decision in the first place.

Back

Nothing beats the start of a new month.  While July was a whirlwind of hard works and loads of fun, August is a welcome wind of getting back to the center.  It's time to sit back and enjoy the rest of summer!

{Image Credit:  GAN via Life's Little Jems}

Take Flight

No matter where you go, make sure to pack a good attitude.  It makes your baggage lighter.

{Image Credit: The Cherry Blossom Girl}

Views

There are many different views in the world.  And the thing is, all of them have the possibility of being right.  So it's worth taking a listen.

{Image Credit: Jake Stangel}

What You Like

Make the first thought of every day be your own.  Not what someone else may be thinking of or about you at that moment.  Dress in what you feel good in.  Listen to whatever perks you up.  Operate in the mode that suits you best.  You can go through the day much further this way.

{Image Credit: Marc Laroche}

In the Summer

If ever there is a day this summer where the temperatures just above 80.  And the wind is blowing a gentle breeze.  When the sun is out shining, and maybe just a couple clouds are lingering around.  If you find those days make sure to spend at least a half hour outside.  Take a walk to pick up lunch, or pack it and sit on a bench.  Window shop on your favorite block.  Sit by a body of water-any kind will do.  Just make sure you don't waste one summer day.

Spot Saved

The big city certainly has a lot to offer.  From miles of fabulous shopping to one great Lake.  Of all the wonderful and exciting things I've found here though, it does still hold a pretty large void.  Not a big, sometimes loud, often times found drinking, occasionally dramatic, always hilarious, and undoubtably supportive family to be found on any corner! 

It's the little things that make a big difference.  So to my parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and all you cousins know that I'm missing you lots all the way from Chicago!

Impressions

It's been tried, and proven true, that you never get a second chance to make a first impression.  Most people just don't have the time, and they shouldn't.  So always make sure of just a few things when you walk through a door:  Wear a smile, say "Hello, good [insert time of day]," and remember at least one thing about the person(s) you talk to.  Be someone that you would want to meet.

{Image Credit: The Sartorialist via EclecChic}

So Clean

Keep it fresh.  Your ideas, your life, and your goals.  Even what you eat!  The newer the ingredients, the bigger the difference.

{Image Credit: frolic!}

All I Really Need to Know: Two Years Later

It's hard to believe that two years have already passed since I graduated college.  Maybe even more difficult to fathom is all that's happened in between then and now.  Shortly after my college graduation I wrote a post entitled: All I Really Need to Know, I Learned in My Last Weeks of College.  After approximately 24 months P.C. (post college), I must say that these lessons still hold true.  In fact they've become even more valuable to keep in mind day in and day out.

• RSVP:  The further you step outside of your comfort zone, the more important this rule of thumb becomes.  From grabbing a drink after work to hopping a flight to a place you've never been, say "yes" if you don't have a reason to say "no."  Make your agenda as full of life as possible.
• Drink to the Day, Don't Let the Day Drink You:  You'll find that bad days come with greater impact the higher you climb.  Often times it becomes taxing.  If you can find the little victories in your days it becomes easier to muddle through bit by bit.  Always give a toast to those things that bring a true smile to your face everyday.
• Groove Is in the Heart:  No, my dance moves have not gotten much better.  My sense of humor is still just as sharp though.  My love of Frank Sinatra has not faded.  I still splurge on winter, spring, summer, and fall lines.  And nothing's more exciting than scoring 63 points with a play during a rousing game of Words with Friends.  In other words, I haven't lost my beat.  For better or worse.
• Always Follow Your Sense of Wonder:  Just a few months after graduation I became a homeowner.  I turned that house into a perfect starter home for me.  A year after that though I dreamed of life in the big city and found myself in Chicago.  Imaginations might be busy, but the best remedy to slow them down is taking your dreams by the horn.
• Just Keep Going, Just Keep Going:  Sometimes you just know.  You know what you want for dinner.  Where you want to move to.  What kind of job you can do.  The people you want to surround yourself with.  You know what can make you go forward.  So go!
• Remember the Little People:  On any given day I may have a good laugh, cry, fright, idea, or thought.  On all of those days I have the perfect person or two to share the story with.  Many of these days I get to hear some anecdotes from the same people.  The true marking of a good friend is that you remember each other when you need to make or receive a call...or gchat, text, email.
• Real as We'll Ever Be:  You can look at life as getting harder the more days you go through and responsibilities you take on.  The reality is it just becomes more adventurous.  That's what decisions really are: an opportunity to do something you've never done.  In the very real world.

The past 730 days or so have been busy, no doubt.  While the scenes have changed, and plots thickened, it's been nice to have the constant of great memories.  Old and new.  Which is why I'm confident in my next two years.

"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered."--Nelson Mandela

{Image Credit: Elisa.Blaha}

Remember

Remember the bad moments just as much as you would the good.  Otherwise a blissful opportunity will sneak up right behind you and you may not know what hit you.

{Image Credit:  Hither and Thither}

Break Your Fall

 

It's never too late to show up for the party.  Everyone's still jumping.  So jump, jump, jump around!

{Image Credit: Lesilee!!}

Nowness

Visit the past, but live in the present.  You never know what you can find here.

{Image Credit: Abby Clawson Low}

Tenacity

Fight your arguments with yourself.  Be tenacious.  

{Image credit: Matou en Peluche}

Just Keep Swimming

Practice makes perfect.  So just keep swimming, just keep swimming...

{Image originally found via hello, bombshell}

Levels of Accomplishment

Some of mine-that have both been checked off and yet to be-would be:

1.  Believing

24.  Arranging my closet first by color, then by shape and style of garments

49.  Watching the Godfather trilogy in one day.  Except the third shouldn't count so just replace that one with Goodfellas.

61.  Watch the  SATC series...backwards.

82.  Read three Nancy Drew books in one weekend.

111.  Mod podge your paper scraps and momentos (what else are you doing with them?)

138.  Visit every Starbucks within a 13 mile radius

153.  Take a picture at the top and bottom of the tallest building in your city

172.  Accept

You can't start anything without #1, and when you get to #172 you'll be glad with who you are because of all the rest checked off on your list.  So what's your #2 thru #171?

{172 things 'to do' to increase your level of accomplishment can be purchased here}

People & Stories

You never know where the people you'll meet will take you.  That's the best part of making friends and holding on to them through the years. You learn a lot from their stories, and wind up making your own memorable new ones.  Having a smorgasbord of friends is where you'll truly find the great variety of life.