Happy Memorial Day!

Thank you to all the brave men and women who have fought to protect our country. I am forever grateful for your bravery, courage and determination.

Whatever your plans are today (mine are a Memorial Day parade and family get-together afterwards to celebrate my birthday and remember the brave fallen men and women), don't forget why we have this wonderful three day weekend. Surprisingly, it's not National Barbeque Day.

Happy Memorial Day, everyone! I hope you have a wonderful day, no matter what your plans are today.

I'm Nineteen, but I'm Old For My Age...I Was Born to Be Bad

Another Year, Another Fabulous Celebration of my Day of Birth --- yes, today is my birthday! I'm 19 today, and I can hardly believe it. When I was a kid, 19 felt so old and I thought I'd have everything figured out by now and would be living some sort of magical life in New York or Boston or somewhere. Now, I'm 19 and I find myself living a (I believe) equally-magical life in the city where I grew up and couldn't be happier. And yes, I really did have crayon-shaped candles on my birthday cake.

18 was an extremely good year for me - I graduated high school, started at my university, scored not one - but three - fabulous internships (including one at Walt Disney World) and have grown so much as a person. I can hardly wait to see everything 19 will bring!

Oh and this blog title - lyrics from my absolute favorite song from Rent (my absolute favorite musical of all time) - Light my Candle. 

Can't Stop, Won't Stop...Listening to the Maine

I love the Maine, so when I heard at the beginning of this semester that they were going to be in Milwaukee the week after I got back, I immediately talked to my friend A (she's my concert junkie friend) and we bought tickets. I've been counting down the days til this day for...oh, gosh, about three months now? And now, I am just mere hours to seeing them live and in person for the first time ever...and I am just way to excited for words!

I fell in love with the Maine's music about six, eight months ago. Can't Stop, Won't Stop is my favorite album of theirs and it is on constant repeat in my car...on my iPod...on my iTunes...basically all the time. I love every song on that album - which is pretty rare for me, since I can usually name at least a song or two that I could do without on nearly every album in my iTunes library.

Now, however, I am plagued with the question that comes with every concert I attend...what on earth do I wear?!

This is what I'm thinking, but it's become kind of a "Concert Uniform" for me, so I feel like I need to shake it up a bit. I can't help it though - shorts and a fuss-free lace top are just ridiculously comfy and easy. What do you normally wear to shows? I need some inspiration...

Big Girl Job

After a nice weekend off of work, just spending time at home with my fam and getting all organized after being away for four months, its now time to start my summer - and with my summer, my big girl job. That's right - a job that's actually somewhat related to what I want to be doing when I graduate from university in a few years.

This summer, I'll be working full time as a Administrative Assistant at a public relations-advertising-marketing firm that is pretty close to my parents' house. Administrative Assistant means I'll be helping out with public relations, data analysis and of course, normal assistant work like filing and such. I'm exciting for this new opportunity, including the idea that I will be wearing business-casual - no uniform or costume for this girl!

Today's my first day, and I can't wait to see what's in store. Of course, I'm dressed for success and got my trusty Vera Bradley by my side. Full outfit pictures to come, but here's a sample Polyvore set of the idea I was inspired by.

What are you up to this summer?

Back Behind the Wheel

Something I missed a lot while being in Orlando? DRIVING. I missed the freedom of being behind the wheel and having my own independence to come and go as I pleased. Now that I'm back, I am excited to regain it again - and already have several driving playlists picked out.

Driving is one of my favorite things in the world - I love driving late at night or early in the morning or anytime when there isn't crazy amounts of traffic. I love driving by myself and just thinking or singing at the top of my lungs and I like driving with friends while talking and singing and shoulder-dancing (you know what I'm talking about!). I love it all - and I am so excited to be back behind the wheel.

My first driving playlist? It includes these beauties (all fun, froo-foo, pop-y driving songs):

1. Bad Kids - the Black Lips
2. This Boy - I'm From Barcelona
3. Girls Do What They Want - the Maine
4. Summer - We the Kings
5. Wanna Dance With Somebody - Allstar Weekend
6. Story of Us - Taylor Swift
7. Thanks for Nothing - Downtown Fiction
8. Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO
9. We Are Young - Fun.
10. The One That Got Away - Katy Perry

What's on your fun driving playlist? I need some ideas!

I'm HOME (What I Love About Milwaukee)

I'm BAAAAACK! I'm home, in Wisconsin (AKA, the lovely friendly Midwest) breathing in lovely air and basking in the low humidity and heat. And loving it. I slept better last night in my own bed than I ever did in my four months in Orlando - and my room is just the way I left it. Now, if I could just see my friends that I miss so much, everything would be perfect.


And, now that I'm home, I'd like to take a second to do a Milwaukee Appreciation post - AKA, Everything I Love About Milwaukee.

10. The Museums, Galleries and Theatre - There is so much going on here in Milwaukee - from the Public Museum to exhibits at the Art Museum and Haggerty and countless shows from local theatre companies, how could you ever get bored?

9. The Lakefront - Lake Michigan is gorgeous, I love McKinley and Bradford beaches, and I can't wait to sit on the beach for hours and talk with my friends.
8. Summerfest and all the cultural festivals - Summer is JAMPACKED with fun things to do downtown, and I am getting pumped!

7. The Rave - So many great bands come through my favorite concert venue, and I can't wait to go to tons of shows this summer! I'm already hitting up the Rave on Thursday with my friend Angie for the Maine.
6. Vintage Stores, Boutiques and Thrift Stores - buying cute clothes is so cheap here, and so much fun! I love making days just to go shopping and browse.

5. The East Side - Basically everywhere I hang out in Milwaukee is on either Brady or Farwell. Plus the atmosphere and energy is hard to beat - I can't wait to spend all summer on those streets.
4. The Third Ward - the cutest neighborhood ever with the best shops, dining and boutiques.
3. Water Street Brewery, Ma Fischer's and George Webbs - all considered my Milwaukee staples, fantastic food and atmosphere that I've been craving ever since I went away... and Ma Fischer's is open around the clock!

2. Rochambo - a coffee and tea house that I've been going to consistently for about two years now, with the best regulars, employees and lemon mint tea ever. I missed this place almost as much as, well...

1. My friends and family! Did you really think this list would start without saying that? I missed them all so much, and I can't wait to see them all summer long.

In the end, as sad as I am to have left Disney, and I'm sure the withdrawals will kick in soon, I am happy to be home with everything Milwaukee has to offer! It sure is going to be an amazing summer.

Props where props are due - I don't own the rights to any of these images! I found them across the internet, so if you own the rights and would like me to take them down, I apologize profusely in advance and please let me know, they will be removed immediately. 

Home, Let Me Come Home...

Today's the day - at this time, in twenty four hours, I will be home! Heck, at this time in TWELVE hours, I will be home! I can't believe it - I'm so excited, yet so sad to leave. Can I just transplant Disney World to Wisconsin? Please?

I am all packed up and ready to go, and am just about to check out of my apartment complex and head to the Magic Kingdom for the last time. (sad face) This is what I'll be wearing today - and at the airport later this afternoon. V-neck and shorts for comfort, pearl earrings for instant chic factor, flats for easy flow through security, and of course, my Vera Bradley carry-on and personal item, adding a little color to my basic ensemble.

Easy-Peasy, Lemon Squeezy.

Next time I post, I'll be HOME, in Wisconsin, in my parents' house. (happy face)