I know, I know.

I hope this post is aptly titled. I know it's been a couple months since I posted. There's a reason for that - whether or not it's a good excuse is up to you.

About four I started my position at Yankee Eye Clinic (and Rosemount Eye Clinic, both branches of Vision Source), and it has been absolutely insane. I have a double position of optician and event planner and, let me tell you, it takes up all of my time. Whatever time it's not occupying is filled resting up from it.  End of year and beginning of the next is our busiest time, as it's when insurance ends and then begins again.  My normal schedule is definitely more of a suggestion of time I stay at work, so it's been a wild ride.  But a wild, exhilarating ride.

I've had a great support system of Nathan, my family, and my coworkers.  Who knew I could work with such great people?  I've had blog posts sitting in the draft folder, staring and mocking and judging, and so I took the chicken route and ignored them.  Whoops.  But here I am, starting fresh.

I'm not promising that it's going to be regular or great, but I'll keep writing.  It's a nice stress relief.  You're a nice stress relief.  So here we go, starting all over again.

Thanks for hanging and waiting on me.

xx

snafus.

If you follow me on Instagram, you saw this post early in the day yesterday. This is how my car has looked for 9 days. NINE DAYS. I was taught to drive like a semi driver, and I'm blessed to have a vehicle equipped with a rear camera, but I'm ready to have my vehicle emptied. 

Here's the story. I was supposed to move four days ago. There were snafus the entire way, and I just have my fingers crossed that I'll get in tomorrow morning. What's been stressful about the whole situation, though, is that I have had all of my stuff packed since Sunday. All my clothes, dishes, food, all of it. I've been staying with Nathan, but my three changes of clothes is exhausting. 

I just try to keep reminding myself that I'm stressed because I can't find clothes to wear to job interviews or to work, and that I should be grateful that two weeks out of college, I have a part time job and I'm scheduling interviews. It's helping a little - just gotta keep my chin up! 

I have so many drafts that I need to format still for you all, but, alas, my computer is packed away somewhere. Forgive any formatting errors in this post - the Blogger app only does so much!

How's your first week of September been?

September.

Happy September! While I'm all about endless summer, there's something about September that gets me every time. Yeah, there's the "new beginnings" aspect of it, but it's so much more to me. There's a sense of organization I get - new Post It's, my favorite pens, a fun new notebook. I start looking at new planners, putting in months of thought before I commit to one in November. Football season is here, and I've grown up knowing that it brings so much (more on that later!) I'm moving this week, looking for jobs, and starting so much. But what I get most excited for is holidays. September is the beginning of holiday season, and I cannot get enough. Keep your eyes out for my #fallfavorites post coming soon, as well! 

What is September to you?

back.

Hello everyone!

I am back.  Last time we talked, I was about to get down and dirty with the blogging.  That was, what, almost a week ago?  Here's what's been going on.

- I finished my 10 week intensive German course, which means I have finally and officially finished my degree!

- I spent a week being jobless, and spent it catching up with family, getting a couple super temporary part time positions, and doing some Dankbar stuff.

- Had a fantastic post-graduation weekend that I'd been looking forward to for months.

- Attended the Great Minnesota Get Together

And so many other things that I am so grateful to have experienced and so excited to share with you.  The end of my summer research program work experience, volunteering with the Minnesota Fringe Festival, and so many other experiences have happened and it's so much to talk about, I don't know where to start.


I'm way behind, I know, but forgive me.  Fall is bringing in a wave of new-ness for me, so fresh starts are on their way!

up&coming

guys I'm awful, I know. But, hear me out. You'll actually have to wait. Oops. 

I'm finally finished with my degree. I'm heading to bed, completely zonked, but I cannot wait to share with you what I've been up to! 

Cheers xx

minnepolis musts:: Pat's Tap

Pat's Tap on Nicollet has been on Nathan's list for awhile.  A couple weeks ago, I was dying for some patio time and he was dying to try Pat's, so off we went.  It had a great patio, great food, great drinks... I did not regret our decision at all.

Sunday afternoons at 4:45pm, when we chose to go, aren't terribly busy.  Leaving a couple hours, however, was a different matter entirely.  Being on Nicollet Avenue, there wasn't a ton of room for parking.  I'm fairly used to walking, but just be prepared that it might be a couple blocks away that you're able to park.

We got the house made Cheese Its right away.  I was absolutely starving and they instantly satisfied my hunger and blew away my taste buds.  We didn't make it in time for happy hour, but everything was very reasonably priced and the Apricot Hefe (their beer for July), was so good I got two, and have been craving it ever since.  The menu itself is a work of art.  I love the graphic layout and the typography, and their website has one of the best restaurant layouts I've ever seen.

After we finished dinner outside, it was in to the building we went.  Dimly lit, the place was adorned in the most fantastic wallpaper, and a plethora of sports and bar-themed memorabilia.  We headed into the back and played a couple rounds of Skee-Ball (I dominated, for once), and darts (also dominated).  It was only a quarter to play Skee-Ball or Darts, so we had plenty of fun off of a couple bucks.

I highly recommend going here if you get the chance - who doesn't love Pat?

summer outfit.

As I mentioned awhile ago, I have been insanely busy this summer.  Between working and getting through round 2 of intensive coursework (a 5 credit 18-week course in 5 weeks), I have hardly had time to breathe, let alone blog.  While I'm running around from point A to point B, my typical outfit is put together for comfort, functionality and, most importantly, weather-ready.  Minnesota summers are always warm (read: hot and humid), but a single day can bring high dew points, low dew points, rain, and piercing sun.  I always try and make sure to wear something that can function in all of these situations.

top (similar) :: shorts (similar) :: shoes :: watch (similar) :: hair ties

Patterned shorts, a chambray popover, cute sandals, a hair tie, and a watch.  To be honest, I hadn't even realized this was my typical outfit until a friend called me out on it - "typical Taylor, running shorts, but cute everything else".  HA!  If it's really hot out, I swap out the chambray for a racerback tank top (similar here and here).  I have the shorts pictured above in black and white - I cannot get enough of them.  I found them in Florida at a Nike Factory, and I kick myself that I didn't buy more pairs.  They're a beach short, so they aren't as loose or runner-ish looking.  Let's not kid though...I'd wear these Nike shorts too.

Any doubts that this does't work? (Trust me, I've had them, my sisters tease me all the time.)  Remember that anything one wears works, as long as you've got the confidence to go with it.

What's your summer go to?