Tie A Knot In It

The past few weeks have been tough. It's getting to be that time of year where the weeks until finals hit single digits and the stress level hits all time highs. As rewarding as my job is and as much as I love going to the office, it's tough balancing that with the increasing demands of school as the semester draws to a close. On top of those worries, I sustained a severe concussion and wasn't allowed to attend my classes or work for the past two weeks.

What sounds like a good excuse for a vacation any other time of year was an extremely unwelcome interruption to my schedule- especially since I wasn't allowed to stress my brain by reading or using my computer. That certainly made keeping up with the classes I've missed particularly hard. There were a few days when I had no idea how I was going to make it through the rest of this semester - the doctors were talking about me having an MRI and my professors were talking about me putting off finals- someone even mentioned me not finishing the semester. That was certainly an unwelcome worry. I didn't know what to do or even if I'd be able to do anything - I was told that I needed to just stay on bed rest and that trying to do anything would make me worse. Hearing that, I was at the end of my rope over how to handle school, work, everything.

I tried to go on to class and work until I realized I really couldn't handle it. I had to listen to the doctor (always something that's been difficult for me to do) and stay in bed. That was the only way to get through it and, with time, I'd figure the rest out. As Thomas Jefferson says, I just had to tie a knot in my rope and hang on.

Thankfully, I'm able to do a few things now and hopefully will be back to my full schedule next week. But the past few weeks have been important in reminding me that sometimes life gets tough ... and then it gets tougher. Sometimes all you can do is ride it out and know that everything will sort itself out. Finals are going to be tough, but I'm grateful that I'll be able to take them. So even though I was "at the end of my rope," I found a new, more grateful perspective.

Mid-Semester Stresses

I haven't been posting lately because it seems like (once again!) everything gets super busy all at the same time. Between school and the accompanying homework, actual work, babysitting, my soccer team, familial obligations, and a million other little things, I feel like I haven't had any time to even breathe, let alone wash the mountains of laundry piling up in my closet (seriously, my white jeans are at the bottom of the hamper). I realized that as important as all of these things are and as much as I really hate saying no to people, I need to start saying no to a few things. As much as I genuinely enjoy being busy and feeling fulfilled, the realization that the only time I'd spent awake in my apartment lately was my fifteen minute shower before bed, was a little depressing.

So when my coworker asked me to babysit last minute at work yesterday, I said no, even though I didn't have an event or obligation on my calendar. I'd blocked out the night for me time, which has to be equally important. I've always felt like I wasn't being productive if I wasn't actively doing something at that minute. This particularly bothers me during the school semester, when I feel like every spare minute should be spent reading or studying. But instead, this week I put in the extra time to read ahead in my classes for the entire week. And last night I put on my pajamas at 8, lit my new fall-scented candles, and watched Sex and the City re-runs on E! for a few hours from my bed.

And instead of feeling like I should be stressed about that fact or reading or studying or even washing the growing pile of dirty clothes I know will only get bigger, I reminded myself that it's important to take the time out from the laundry list of stresses and have me time to help keep myself balanced. Because in the long run, the two or three hours I gave myself last night will most likely not translate into a lower grade in any of my classes, but it will give me the strength and sanity to power through a study marathon this weekend instead of burning out.

Do you ever feel like everything gets busy all at once? It's like the old saying "when it rains, it pours" (which the weather is coincidentally doing now). How do you take time out from the stress?

Wish List Wednesday: Work Dresses

Since law students typically work in the summer, I have an extensive collection of work-appropriate sleeveless dresses in bright colors. Now that I have a job that will continue through the school year, I'm realizing that I need to expand my cool-weather work wardrobe. While I generally have a cardigan or a blazer with me, I don't like feeling like I can't take it off. Keeping in mind the cold front that's promised to arrive in town this weekend, I've been on the hunt for long-sleeve work dresses that I'll be comfortable wearing without a blazer.

Annie Griffin's Carson dress is described as the "ultimate work-to-dinner dress this fall" and I agree.  I love that it has 3/4 length sleeves and a flattering tie waist. Plus, the pretty silk comes in a variety of patterns, perfect for when I end up buying multiples.

Banana Republic's Gemma wrap dress is a perennial favorite. I bought it last year in black and white stripe, but I really love this crimson color for fall. The deep v-neck is flattering, but isn't so low that it's inappropriate at your desk and looks really pretty with a statement necklace. Plus, the knit fabric is comfortable and stays wrinkle free even after a long day at work.

DKNY's Berry ruffle animal print dress- The darker coloring and long sleeves make this look perfect for fall. The animal print keeps it fun, but the modest higher collar and ruffles make it work-appropriate. I bet this would look great with black tights and black ankle boots (plus, it's on sale!).

Sunday in Brooklyn's Fit and Flare mini- I love anything cobalt blue, and especially a cobalt work-worthy dress. I love the fit and flare silhouette of this dress and think it would look fun belted or with leopard pumps. My one concern is that since they call it a 'mini' it may be too short for work for some people - not much of a problem for me at 5'2"!

Tinley Road's stretch wool dress- I love a good sheath dress in the summer, and this dress from Tinley Road looks like the fall appropriate equivalent of my favorite warm weather dresses. It comes in both grey and black, and will be the perfect basic backdrop for my new Loren Hope tassel necklace!

JB by Julie Brown black and ivory scallop print 'Allison' stretch jersey dress- I have a weakness for these faux-wrap dresses- the band at the waist is so flattering, but doesn't require fussing with a tie all day like some true wrap dresses do. The black and white pattern is fun without being too over the top for my office and would easily go with tights, boots, and a blazer for when it turns really cold.

Any of these dresses look like something you would wear to work? I love that there are more long-sleeve options appearing as it cools down!

Wish List Wednesday: Floral Maxi Dresses

This week isn't so much a wish list as a compilation of all the other floral maxi dresses I've been looking at since I ordered an adorable one the other night on a whim and wanted to see what else was out there! Sail to Sable is having an end of summer sale (use code: endless summer for 50% off sale!) and I just had to have this dress I've been coveting; I just love the hydrangea print. I'm planning on wearing it to a function the school is throwing for the 3Ls downtown tomorrow night.

Sail to Sable's The Centerpiece Peacoat Maxi. 

Lilly Pulitzer's Holbrook Strapless Maxi Dress. Because who makes a better floral print than Lilly? I feel like I don't see many strapless maxis, and thought this was a nice way to bare a little skin, but still be modest.

Anthropologie's Sabal Maxi Dress. Not quite floral, but still fauna. I like that the pattern almost looks like palm leaves. (Another sign I'm not ready to give up on summer?)

Anthropologie's Equinox Pleated Maxi Dress. If I really do have do give up on summer soon, I'm going to do so in this gorgeous maxi. The colors look more fall-ish, as do the sleeves. I think I could pull this off with my new brown heeled boots.

Ted Baker Alana Botanical bloom maxi dress. So so pretty with the sweetheart neckline, which I always gravitate towards- it's so flattering!

Kensie Spaced Floral Woven Maxi Dress. The darker navy color makes this an easier dress to transition to fall than some of the brighter colored options. Plus, at less than $40, I can afford to have it and another dress! 

Are you loving all these floral maxi dresses as much as I am? I think I'm just not ready to give up on summer quite yet, but I'm so excited that my STS dress should be delivered tonight! 

(Last) First Day of School

Last Tuesday was my last first day of school, (provided I don't make good on my threats to my parents and get a PhD!) which is both exciting and super scary. It's so weird to see these new freshmen walking around campus for the first time and know that I'm six years of school ahead of them. That time has made me wiser, but  I would still love to trade places and do it all over again. On one hand, I just turned 23 last week and feel a little old to be packing my lunch and my backpack every morning. But on the other hand, how weird will it be not to be walking across campus next fall?

No matter how many nostalgic memories of being a freshman come flooding back in the coming weeks, it's so exciting to have marked law school commencement on my calendar (May 8!!!). Adulthood seemed so far away six years ago when I first moved into my dorm room. Now I sit in my apartment and apply for post-grad jobs and worry about things like making sure I pay my bills on time and grocery shopping. It's weird and so so scary, but exciting at the same time.

As comforting as my security blanket backpack and lunchbox may be, it'll be time soon to give them up. It's so strange to realize that this time next year I'll be finding out whether or not I passed the bar and (hopefully) be working full time. No more summer break, but also no more homework. Like so many things in life, it will be a mix of the good, the bad, and the just plain new. But no matter how I feel about it, this year will probably fly by and pretty soon I'll be in a cap and gown. Scary, right? But also oh so exciting. No matter what happens, I'm excited for my last nine months of school and what the future holds for me after graduation.

This is me and my siblings on my first day of 5th grade. My brother was starting kindergarten and my sister was starting 3d grade. It's so weird to think that we'll all be graduating from one school or another in May!

Have you already graduated from college or graduate school? Did you feel as weird as I do right now anticipating being a real adult and not going to school every day? I'm excited but still a little scared!