I think people usually do these on Friday, but this is the first time I’ve ever been EARLY for something, so just roll with it.
1. I’ve felt incredibly behind in absolutely everything (house is falling to pieces, haven’t run since my half, missing lots of self-imposed deadlines, not blogging, etc etc) and when I examine my days I’m not exactly sure why. The only thing to blame is the internet. Apparently I lack the ability to practice moderation with Twitter, basically. It’s so pathetic to admit, but I’m all about openness and transparency, so HI! I CHECK TWITTER EVERY TWO SECONDS. (BRB, going to check. Not kidding.)
2. Sometimes I’m really decisive and make a quick decision, but most of the time I hem and haw a lot. I mean, we’re talking pro and con lists about job quitting, spreadsheets for apartment hunting, and endless conversations and email consultations with anyone who will listen. I wasn’t quite that intense about getting bangs cut, but I did change my mind a few times. I got cold feet. I was super nervous. I was afraid I’d regret it. And it’s just hair! It will grow back! I am the lowest of low maintenance, so I was more worried that I would regret the upkeep of a new hairstyle than I was afraid that it’d look terrible (though I was a little afraid of that) we definitely need to know how to pick a hairstyle .
I do think I like my new bangs, since they provide a bit of style without the work that shorter hair requires for my difficult to-control hair:
It looks like I have a bob there. I so don’t. See?
Just my usual wavy-fluffy hair.
The main reason I got this hair style is because I wear my hair back and up a lot, so it still looks like I have a hairstyle, when in fact, I just have a messy bun. LAZY GIRL WIN. (Or I hope so.)
3. The retail therapy siren call has been strong lately. Still. I keep visiting Gap and Banana Republic and LOFT – reading reviews and adding items to my bag like I have money to spend. I have to remember that a certain shirt or a certain coat is not going to complete me and transform me into a Very Stylish Person. It will probably just become a part of my wardrobe that feels boring after a month and I forget about. There will always be another shirt or another coat or pair of shoes or belt that will call to me – buying this one won’t stop that. (However: I am looking for a few quality items and it’s hard to stomach non-Old Navy prices.)
4. Our neighborhood farmers’ market closed for the season, which is a bummer. They have a monthly market through the spring, but it’s not the same as walking out my door and being in a farmers’ market. I got pretty sad telling the vendors goodbye until May. (And I also got free ice cream).
5. Longtime readers might remember how I lost my engagement ring during our first year of marriage. It was awful. I don’t want to talk about it. Happy news, though: My grandpa moved out of his house this year to an apartment and my aunts found my late grandmother’s engagement ring. Out of 14 children and dozens of grandchildren, I feel so lucky to be wearing my grandmother’s engagement ring. It’s small and simple, just like mine was. (Though it was 3.5 sizes bigger than mine, but no matter. Ring sizing is cheap!) It’s certainly no substitute for the gorgeous ring Mike got for me – the story behind that ring will never be matched – but it feels so sweet to have her ring on that finger:
6. My birthday was last Sunday (the 14th) and we went down to our alma mater city/campus/our friends’ house for the weekend. It was really nice. I should tell you about it. But until then, here is Gabe at the University of Dayton:
7. Fall has been fantastic, weather-wise. I can’t help but go outside, go hiking, or go to the park when the trees look like this:
(UNEDITED. I mean, are you kidding me with this color, nature?)
Gabe and I have enjoyed lots of outside time, lots of walking, and lots of this:
I was going to say something about soaking up every beautiful day before — but then I remembered one of my goals this month is to not look forward, but be in this moment. So here I am. In perfect fall.
What a beautiful ring! It looks kind of art deco-ish?
SIGH. Your pictures make me miss Ohio so much.
OHMYWORD, that last photo! He’s so sweet! And I have my grandmother’s engagement ring, too. It’s really tiny and simple, but has this old-fashioned (naturally) setting and classic look to it. My mom wore it for a long time, but now I have it and it’s really special to me. Hmm, I should take pictures one day. Anyway, your photos and family and bangs and smile and all of it — just gorgeous!
Your new hair style looks really great – hope you are enjoying the change!
Also, my engagement ring has the stone from my grandmother’s engagement ring (with a different setting). Even though my family is much smaller than yours and I’m the only granddaughter, it’s still such an honor that she’s a part of my everyday. Glad you get to wear something with such great meaning, too.
Oh my, you could TOTALLY pull off a bob WITH bangs <3
Looooooove the bangs on you!
I can get carried away by the internet often too (like, right now, reading blogs? Should be studying for exams) You’ve been really great about moderation in the past though, so I’m sure you’ll find that balance again :)
You look great with bangs!
I have got to remember your shopping advice. I’m done buying “wants” for a while and this will help me not be sad about no shopping till January.
happy (belated) birthday!! and those bangs look so great on you! I think they actually make you older (in a good way!)
Welcome to the blunt bangs club! Thought mine could use a trim these days…
Gabe looks SO BIG in that last photo. Can’t believe it!
bah that last picture of Gabe makes me just so happy.
This was such a pleasant morning read before I head off to pre-school! (to teach that is) Gorgeous fall leaves photo btw! Hope you had a happy birthday!! I totally thought the first photo of you as Melanie with bangs! You girls really do look a lot alike! Gabe is getting so tall! It looks like he loves Fall too! xoxo
i didn’t realize you had lost your ring, but the story and the circumstance getting you to this “new” ring is beautiful. wear it in good health.
also, yay dayton! :)
Getting bangs was the best decision I made regarding my hair in a long time. They completely transformed my hair cut in a good way and also made it extremely easy to look put together in just a few minutes (they seriously bring buns and messy buns to another level of professionalism I think!) And yours look really great on you by the way!
Your grandmothers engagement ring is really pretty too! :)
I love your new ring and such a good story behind it :) Also love your new haircut- you and Amber might start a blogger trend!
Gabe is so adorable. It’s so insane how fast time goes (I am sure I am preaching to the choir). I am totally with you on feeling behind on things. I am right there with you!
Also, love the bangs on you.
Can we go get some goat cheese and bread/marinara tapas now, please?
Those fall photos of Gabe and the leaves are fantastic! Nothing like some fabulous fall color to brighten your day :) I absolutely adore the bangs on you–what a great way to jazz up your usual style!
That’s a GORGEOUS ring. I love that it’s yours now.
And I totally cut bangs a frillion years ago to feel like I had a hairstyle. I’ve had them ever since!
“So here I am, in perfect fall.” Love that. Me, too.
Really love that ring, it is so beautiful!