TGISummer

Necklace & Top: Charolette Russe || Jeans: Banana Republic || Wedges & watch: Target || Bracelets: F21

I'm so happy it is summer! Ok I guess there are still a couple of days for the official season to start, but being out of school is good enough for me. For the first time I won't have a job or school this summer. I feel kind of spoiled  very privileged. Hopefully that doesn't mean that I will be sitting on my bum watching TV and eating bon bons (not that Ella would even let me do that). I have lots of projects I need to get done and start making our house look pretty, and most importantly organized.

I'll be back tomorrow to show you the work in progress that is our new home and the plans that I have for everything. It is still a rental so there will be no renovations, just working with what we've got and giving it our own personal touches.

Learning to dress my body type

Sweater: F 21 ||  Pants: Banana Republic  ||  Necklace: Charolette Russe

As I'm starting to face the facts that this is my last year in my mid 20's I've had to learn how to dress my new older wider body type. Especially since I was a size zero for most of my life, minus those awkward tween years. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the number on the tag. Eventually I think we all (well, maybe not everyone) learn that trying to squeeze into those teeny tiny clothes we used to be able to wear is less flattering than just buying clothes that we actually fit into.

Following the most popular fashion trends is a lot harder for me. I'm pretty short and I would say I have more of an "apple shape" body type. But that doesn't mean that I have to dress like an old lady. Or that I can't be fashionable. It just means that sometimes I have to opt for things that don't hug my belly, or are too baggy as they can just make me look larger.

Accepting ourselves the way we are is important, but it isn't always easy. Especially with all the beautiful skinny mini's out there looking good with their mile long legs and wash board stomachs.

Ella Bear

 

This is, Ella, my adorable German Shepherd pup. How could anyone not love that face and those ears? I didn't know it was possible to love a pet so much. She is quickly becoming my best friend (aside from my husband). I adore having someone to follow me from room to room, spending time with me while I'm watering the garden, out on a walk or run, or just cuddling on the couch watching tv. 

Raising a puppy has definitely been more challenging than I expected. Not because Ella is an especially difficult puppy (actually I feel like she is super easy and learns quickly), but because everyday my patients and selflessness is tested. She has quickly made me a more motivated and less lazy person, and I absolutely love that (most of the time).

I'm trying to enjoy every moment of her puppyhood because I know it will go by super quickly. Soon she will be a giant dog that I can't hold in my arms. They grow up so fast don't they?

A fresh start

Welcome to my new blog, Level & Lace!

I decided it was time for a clean slate. Not just a name change but a whole new blog. If you've previously read my former blog, Knowing Tanya, hopefully you will notice that this blog is going to be a little different. A little more focused, a little less all over the place. 

I have a lot planned this summer and I can't wait to share. Like decorating the home my husband and I just moved into! I'll also be introducing you to one of my favorite bloggers who is going to be working with me on some weekly health posts.

Until then, I need to go play with my new puppy! :)

Frustration | new stuff

I'm still alive.

I'm trying to switch over to wordpress and in the process I am making quite a bit of changes to this blog. It might not even exist after this process is over... ok I already know it isn't going to exist. But there is something new coming! Or somewhat new, you'll see when it is all up and running!

In the meantime I am about to rip my hair out with all the stupid things I need to do to transfer over. (Word of advise, don't purchase your domain through blogger, if you ever decide you want to transfer it will just be a really big headache!) It is going to take me awhile, and I think from now until the new site is complete there will probably be silence over here. But what else is new?

And with this new change I've decided that this new site must be a success, because I have now invested a lot of time and a significant amount of money in this stupid thing. How is that for motivation to get your blogging butt in gear?

I'm excited for something new, fresh and different!

For those of you that have stuck around with me during this time, thank you! I really appreciate the continued support, even though I have been a bit flaky. Keep your eye out for my new site sometime around the beginning or mid May!

Dear 25 year old me

dear 25 year old me, there are just a few things I wanted to tell you before you left me forever. First of all, best year of our life, amiright? I know it was really hard for you to turn the ripe old age of 25, but it wasn't so bad was it? Especially on the eve of your 26th Birthday Eve (like the eve of new years eve? are you tracking with me?). We have made some awesome friends over the last year, and deepened others. It was great to see you step out of your shell and actually make friends. I am proud to say the least. We had our ups and downs, but I think for the most part there were just a lot of ups. I'm proud of you for setting out and accomplishing your goals and dreams. Maybe you started a little later than others, but hey, shiz happens. We get up, get over it, and move on.

dear 26 year old me, just keep up the good work. no point in giving up now! I have high expectations for you! Don't let me down!

dear 30 year old me, I know, "you feel old", blah blah blah. Knock it off. We know a lot of awesome thirty+ year olds that are great people and still know how to have a good time. Those are the people you need to hang out with more often. And way to go for holding out this long to have kids (hopefully). There is nothing wrong with having kids in your thirties, or even not having kids at all, so don't feel pressured.

dear just me, stop acting like getting older is the end of the world. Age is just a number, and remember we can always lie! No one will ever know!

dear mom, this would be a really great time to let me know you accidentally got my birth year wrong and I'm actually 24 going on 25. Happy birthday to me!

aka: almost 26 year old me



PS. I'm offering sponsorships again! Check out the options on my "sponsor" page.

I knew this was going to happen...

I knew it...
As soon as I decide to commit to some kind of weekly posts, I fail.
(ie: the weekly nutrition posts I said I was going to write, and only wrote for one week.)

eek, sorry guys, I failed. But I'll try to do one next week, because this actually is something that gets me excited about blogging again.

Currently, I am stressing a bit. The term just started and I was piled with all these due dates, deadlines, papers, and projects. On top of that, I just decided (this weekend) to double major, and I officially filed for my second major today. Which is totally exciting and overwhelming at the same time. Luckily I basically have a free year to do something with before my Dietetics program starts, so it shouldn't actually be too hard.

In case you are curious (which I wouldn't be surprised if you weren't), my original major was Nutrition/Dietetics and my second major will be Public Health. I suppose this makes me feel a little bit better about taking a bazillion years off of school, and not graduating until I'm 29! At least I will have 2 bachelors degrees to show for it (God willing).

Now I am off to fill in my planner.
You are welcome to call me a nerd.