An itch I can't scratch

Literally.

Yep, I got poison ivy on my legs and feet.

Are we getting too personal? Sorry but I just had to share. This stuff is nuts! And the whole thing about it is I wasn't camping or gardening, I was just at a friend's grad party. Granted, she has a huge yard. and it was dark, so I obviously must not have seen it at all.

And the first day it wasn't so bad and I didn't think about it, but now all I want to do is scratch. I don't really remember having the chicken pox but this is like...well a lot worse!

Of course, I have remedies to try to stop the itching, but it's really hard. Has anyone ever gotten it? How long did it really take to go away? The madness needs to end!

Friday Fancies: Picnic in the Park

Since I was little, I've always loved a good picnic. We used to have them in the park that our yard backed up to and I have some of the fondest memories from those picnics. Now, when I think of a picnic, I have more romantic thoughts in mind (that's not bad right?). I think this linen dress is light and perfect for when it gets a bit warmer. I love these striped blazers and I like nude wedges with those gorgeous Kate Spade bangles. Is it just me or has Kate Spade gotten amazing in the past year? They've really done a beautiful job with all of their creations! I'd stuff everything in my L.L.Bean bag, because those things can hold everything. I love a good picnic! Hopefully I'll get in a few good ones when I venture out to Ravinia this summer! (outdoor music festival in the Chicago area. If you've never been, make it a goal to go this year!)

On another note, I am officially done with school!! (I'm trying to keep cool and collected...not happening! Also, that's why I was MIA all week. Papers and presentations got the better of me). So now that I'm done, I'm officially jobless, but that means the search is just beginning and I know that I can make my dreams realities. My friends, family and sites like The Everygirl and Makeunder My Life keep me going. I know that I will find the right fit for me, whenever and wherever that is. I'm willing to put in all of the hard work to make it happen, and I'll keep you all updated when I do find one. I'm really excited to start this next chapter in my life, really, really excited!

As for now, I'll be enjoying the weekend, sharing Chicago with a few friends. We're going to the CSO on Sunday to see Kissen play the piano, which will be amazing and I'm going to show them all of the amazing little bits and pieces that makes Chicago so great. What are you up to this weekend?

Whatever it is, have a happy one! and check out the other gorgeous fancies over at Long Distance Loving!

~Susan

Random Acts

Sorry friends, I have been MIA for the past few days. It's difficult when family issues, and job issues, and school issues all start to pile up at this time. Sometimes I wonder how people handle it all. But then I remember that someone once told me that God never gives us anything we can't handle...then I just proceed on. Or I am attempting to!

image via pinterest

I have to say, that I have found in 2012, random acts of kindness have definitely come my way. It's little things. One of my favorite baristas yesterday told me today that someone left their punch card all punched for a free drink, but the girl was rude to him. She never came back for it. He said that he wanted to save it for someone who deserved a free drink. Guess who was so lucky?

I also received over the weekend, all simultaneously, over twenty five text messages of from a group of friends telling me that they care about that me and everything is going to be alright. Just because!

Between people offering to walk me home, offering me rides to places or allowing me to just vent, I've realized that these people are offering random acts of kindness.

No one is required to help, but when it is randomly offered, the action means that much more. 


I am so moved when people randomly offer to help, whether it is the biggest or smallest act. I am striving to pay it forward as well.

Whether it is a note just to say hi, bringing a plate of cookies, helping carry a heavy load, loading your bags at the grocery store, a long phone call for no reason at all...

or my personal favorite, just a big smile and a positive attitude. Who doesn't ever need that!

To me, those random acts are the things that I always remember about a person.

How about you? Have you had many random acts of kindness lately? Or have you acted randomly? (It's ok to say that you have!)

Happy Wednesday! I hope you're all getting through the week well!

~Susan

The art of the note

Christmas is almost here! I love the spirit, the food, the family, the giving, and yes, I enjoy receiving as well. This is my public service announcement to all:

Remember to write your thank you notes!

I can't emphasize this enough. I'm sure you ladies already do this, but maybe pass it on to someone who wants to start. 

My mother was recently at a tea with some older ladies who said that people in "our generation" are no longer writing thank you notes and do not know if people in their lives even receive, yet alone appreciate the gifts they give. To me, this was very sad. We grew up writing thank you notes for everything we received, even if it was as small as someone coming over and giving us a piece of advice! To this day, we still all write thank you notes and I cannot imagine not writing them. A handwritten note says a lot about you and shows the person that you really care. 

We all tend to receive plenty this time of year and many times are notes tend to go to the wayside. Let's not let that happen! I'm sure we all have thank you notes that are our "go to," whether it's personalized stationary, or fun holiday themed cards. 

Here's a few I'm loving this year (caution: I like Paper Source thank yous...)

Source: paper-source.com via Susan on Pinterest

Source: paper-source.com via Susan on Pinterest

Source: paper-source.com via Susan on Pinterest

Source: paper-source.com via Susan on Pinterest

Source: paper-source.com via Susan on Pinterest

Source: paper-source.com via Susan on Pinterest

Source: paper-source.com via Susan on Pinterest

Ok, I'm (pin)spired! There's just something about writing a note that never gets old to me. I absolutely love writing them because I'm truly thankful that someone thought of me so much to give something to me. I know that you all probably feel the same.

 Happy four days before Christmas!

 ~Susan

Thursday Thoughts

Source: prettystuff.tumblr.com via Susan on Pinterest

Being grateful: it's something at this time of year that we often forget. Heck, many times we are giving, but we're being greedy in our giving. Trying to out-give other people or even out-give our own selves. We have to be grateful for our ability to give and be grateful that we have people in our lives to give gifts to. Gratitude truly turns what we have into enough. So take a step back and be grateful.

I know what I am truly grateful for: my brother's home and all of us are now all home for the holidays. I'm grateful for my good health this year and good health of those around me. I'm grateful for the friends that have given me advice and lots of laughs. I'm grateful that there is always something to eat, and it's usually delicious. I'm grateful that there's an outlet for me to share my thoughts, and I'm grateful to all of your for reading.

I'm truly grateful, and for that I have enough.

Happy Thursday!

~Susan

P.S. If you're in Chicago, go see A Christmas Story the Musical at the Chicago Theatre. Ellen and I went last night for her work and I thought it was hilarious and so cute!

Always Remember..

Here's a quick thought to jumpstart your Mondays! Keep your strength and believe in your best qualities. We are all beautiful in so many different ways. Weekend Highlight is coming later today and you don't want to miss it! I'll be sharing my favorite recipes from my big brunch this weekend!

~Susan

Energy Energy!

That's right ladies! Energy! I still can't believe I have some right now, I'm almost numb! The weeks and days feel longer, and yet I feel as if I never have enough time to accomplish everything I want to. It's hard, this "real life" business! There's no warning or anything, it just happens. Yet, I still have my energy, and a little sanity, which is hard when so many people work (or study, or are in school) for so many hours. Here's how I've been keeping my energy alive:

• Coffee. I won't deny it. I should, but I won't. I love my latte in the morning. It's so refreshing, it perks me up just a tad, and it fills me up with the rest of my morning breakfast. It's a great boost to start my day. If I don't have one, it's not the end of the world, but having one always makes my a day a bit brighter!
• Breakfast. It goes along with the coffee, but still breakfast is needed. Last week, I ran out of time a few mornings and it was awful! I've never done that before and now that has shown me how essential my little bowl of honey nut cheerios is! haha
• Exercise. We've all heard it before, but exercise does keep you awake, focused and absolutely energized! Because of my schedule, it's hard to get it in everyday, but I don't feel bad about that. I think 3-4 days a week for now fits for me. I work to my highest ability and am always trying to reach higher. You don't have to be there for hours to feel good!
• Having leisurely dinners. I mean, what's the rush? We're always trying to do things in such a hurry, which sometimes is a necessity. I rush through things just like everybody else all the time. But lately, I haven't been wanting to. I want to take my time and enjoy my time with the people I'm with and forget about everything else, just for an hour. Having that time, in my opinion, is way more valuable than rushing through to get to that next thing on your plate that "has to get done right now!" 
• Relaxing for at least 30 minutes a day. I have always had a ton on my plate. That's just how I roll, I suppose. But I've learned that we can't go, go go all day long, everyday. Trust me, I've done it, and it's just made me sick, which no one wants! So I've found that relaxing for 30 minutes or 45 minutes, or an hour, is so good for you. Whether it's reading a book, knitting, watching TV, talking on the phone, or my new favorite, blogging, use that time just for you and don't let anyone else ruin it for you!
• Sleep. One of the hardest things about the world we live in, I think, is that we always have an excuse to stay up later! I do, all the time. I could be on the computer late into the night, watching reruns of Sex and the City on E! or talking on the phone. We have so much that we're able to use anytime we want, and night is especially appealing (at least for me! Maybe I'm weird, who knows!). But we all have to turn it off eventually and if we can get at least 6 or 7 hours, we'll be so much better off. Trust me, it feels so good!
• Don't be afraid of a little something sweet! Maybe this is just me, but I love to have a little something sweet everyday. It doesn't have to be a big thing, but just something little to enjoy for a few minutes. Whether it's a little chocolate, a fruit tart, or a frozen yogurt, it hits the spot for a long day. We deserve it, right?

So there's a little bit of my life, and why I've been so energized (yet ready for bed at the end of the day)! Do you have any other ways you stay focused and energized? Have wonderful Wednesdays!

~Susan

Guilty Pleasures

So we all have our dirty, guilty TV pleasures. I mean everyone has to have something that they're embarrassed to say that they watch. I guess for me it's The Real Housewives. Yes. It's terrible...but I just can't help myself.

Ok, how about the Bachelorette? Any better? Love it!

But my guilty pleasure that I'm currently addicted to is watching old episodes of the 90s PBS kids show Wishbone. Did anyone ever watch that or was I just the crazy one? My sisters discovered it on YouTube the other night and I have been hooked ever since. I love the 90s preteen drama and I love love love this little dog all dressed up. And I've learned about classic literature too! I guess my love for elementary school kids has given me a second love for kids shows. Because I'm a big Arthur fan too. (Can you see the pattern? We still don't have cable (never have), so PBS was and kinda still is it!)

Personally, I think it's ok to get into kids' TV now and then. It's kind of refreshing because the drama isn't stupid or nasty (like on the Real Housewives) and it kind of puts your adult life into perspective. (That was me being a little philosophical about kiddie shows, I'm weird like that!)

So again today you have learned more about my random TV habits. So now I ask you guys: does anyone guiltily watch kids shows, or any other embarrassing shows? Tell me I'm not the only one here!

~Susan