Outfit of the Week: May 4th, Quarantine Style

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It’s May 4th, which for us nerds is known as Star Wars day because it readily invites its self to the pun – May the Fourth be with you (May the Force by with you). I, like many other Star Wars fans, like to celebrate by dressing in something that celebrates it. My favorite shirt to wear on this particular day is one that I found at the Houston NASA campus a few years ago. It takes it to another level by using the physics formula for force, F=ma. Hard to tell in photos, but the text is actually sparkly, which I think adds just a little fun.

And since we’re still in shelter-in-place, I’ve paired it with typical lounging at home wear – leggings and slippers. Haha.

A bright blue shirt reads May the F=ma be with you in sparkling white text. Gray leggings and teal slippers are next to the shirt.

Dating in the time of COVID-19: Tips from a LDR Veteran

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I know it’s been a while since I’ve published anything on this site. Other life priorities took precedence.

But as we all face this pandemic together, I was inspired (slash also had the time?) to share how I’m dealing with shelter-in-place as someone who is single, but dating. Dating is tricky, and I am by no means an expert. After having been in a long-distance relationship for years, however, I did get pretty good at virtual dating. It’s come in handy over the last few weeks. As we’re all virtual – and some states will be for at least another month – you may find this tips useful. Continue reading →

Disney Fashionista: Work Outfits Inspired by Disney Characters – Blue Dress Belle

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It’s been a while since I’ve done Outfit of the Week. But I really wanted to start it again. But rather than just putting cute outfits together, I wanted to give myself a goal or challenge to add to it.

So I decided to combine two loves – cute clothing and Disney.

Welcome to the Disney Fashionista Challenge! Once a week (at least, maybe I’ll try for more), I’ll wear an outfit to work that reflects as Disney character.

This week was Belle’s blue dress from Beauty and the Beast.

belle-inspired
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Austin Cityscape from the river

Keep Austin Weird: 10 Unique Things to Do in Austin, TX

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Austin’s famous unofficial motto is Keep Austin Weird. Established by local businesses, it’s an effort to encourage individuals to buy from Austin-run businesses and grow the local economy. BFF hates it and dislikes when she inadvertently (inevitably) describes something in Austin as weird. I kind of love it, however. To me, it embraces that which makes businesses exist there and not elsewhere and experiences you can only have in Austin. But it also expands beyond the businesses to the people themselves. Austin welcomes that which makes us unique as humans. And that’s pretty cool.

With BFF and family living in Texas, I’ve spent a fair amount of time in Austin. During my summer of travel, I got to experience a month of Keep Austin Weird and break away from the traditional tourist items on lists on this topic. Everyone knows about the Museum of Weird or the Cathedral of Junk. I wanted to find things a bit more “local” that might not be on lists as frequently. So here are my 10 recommendations for distinctive, Austin activities. Continue reading →

Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats

Deliciously Peanut Buttery Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats

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For years I struggled with peanut butter flavored rice krispy treats. I never thought they were very good, and they certainly were never very strong in peanut butter flavor. What is the point if they don’t taste like peanut butter?

So, I decided to make my own.

I spent years testing it, trying different ingredients, and adjusting the amounts, until I finally found the perfect recipe.

And, if you’re looking for a last minute treat for Halloween, these are perfect! Continue reading →

Irish Castle

Ireland – Off-the-beaten-path Dublin Activities

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So week two in Ireland was just as fun, if not quite as filled with touristy things. Now that the three-day weekend was over, it was back to work – 4 hours in the morning, a 3-hour break, and 4+ more hours in the afternoon.

Tuesday, based on a suggestion by Miss Model and Tall One, BFF and I went on one of those splash boat tours. The tour in Dublin is Vikings themed – complete with Viking helmets. The bus goes around the Viking area of Dublin, then into the river, but I didn’t think the information particularly focused that much on the history of Vikings in the city. Or perhaps that’s just because we already went to a museum that has a whole floor dedicated to Vikings so I was underwhelmed. We did, however, get to growl and scream at people as our bus went down the road. Our group managed to startle one person; most just looked at us with amusement. It rained on Tuesday for about two hours. Can you guess when? That’s right while we were on the bus! We were in the first row without a roof. Kind of miserable. Definitely plan for rain and sit where the roof will cover you. We treated ourselves to hot chocolate from Butlers afterward. Yummy! BFF and I tried different kinds, and we both recommend the marshmallow one. Continue reading →

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Ireland Weekend: In the Face of Sadness We Explore

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Memorial Weekend, Tall One, Miss Model, BFF, and I planned on traveling to Amsterdam so I could cross of another country from my list. We couldn’t quite get our schedules to work (Monday was not an Irish holiday so Tall One (my sibling) had to work and Miss Model (sibling’s girlfriend) had an event on Sunday). Instead we checked off something else that was on both Tall One’s and my bucket list – Northern Ireland. Continue reading →

Woman crouching to take pictures of flowers

Ireland, we have a problem out here…

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There’s no way to talk about the rest of the summer without talking about a not-so-slight hitch that occurred the first Friday night of my trip. And that requires some background, so bare with me.

3 years ago, I graduated from my master’s program jobless, recovering from a stalker ex-boyfriend, and completely unsure what my next steps should be. I knew that in a few months when my apartment lease was up if I didn’t have a job the smartest choice was to move back to CA and live with my mom to avoid a rent I couldn’t afford. But while I love CA, I also love DC and so I kept searching for something that would reasonably keep me there. And as I tried to figure out that part of my life, I knew I had to get over the fear my ex had put in me. So I went on a few dates because I figured the chances were high I’d move across country and therefore I didn’t have to fully make myself vulnerable because I don’t think long distance relationships can work.

And then I met a guy who changed that. Continue reading →