Another Day, Another Hustle

Quilted Dress (40% off and feels like a sweatshirt!!)  // Shoes // Purse: Kate Spade (old but shop more options below) // Necklace: Forever 21 (old but here's something similar on mega sale) // Sunglasses: Prada (similar)

It's pretty hard to follow up on my last blog post. I have no great bombs to drop at the current moment so hopefully you guys will settle for a fun wall, a cool dress that happens to be on sale for 40% off, and a few of my worries.

This wall say "another day, another hustle. It really struck a chord with me with our upcoming move. I cannot tell you how many times a day I say the word hustle to my students. It's even funnier when I heard them say it to each other to help their table mates get on task. 

After my 10+ years of teaching in inner city Chicago public schools, I will welcome the break as much as I will miss the babes I teach. I truly love what I do, an pour my heart into it which leaves me exhausted, emotionally drained, and with a heavy heart. It's impossible to fix all the problems in my students lives, but I take it very seriously to provide them with a place where they can feel safe and loved in my class daily. A place that pushes them to be better human beings. That is something that is hard to leave, and even harder to take away mid year. I'm working on my guilt.

This wall also reminded me how every day of my life has been a hustle for more years than I can remember. Even before college I worked through high school. During college I took a full course load and worked 5 jobs! Yes, 5! I've never been good at relaxing, stopping, or taking a break. I tend to create fullness and activity whenever a break presents itself.

 This adjustment will be interesting. With this move I know my life will slow down, and I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to that but also a little nervous. I do not have a new teaching job lined up and don't plan to get one probably till next school year (or if I get really bored). I will be working on building our home, discovering new workouts, making new friends (if you know someone cool I should meet out there, tag them on my Instagram or in the comments below),  and just plain exploring!

I'm mostly just excited to see where this opportunity takes me. I will finally have some time to work on my blog and work more with my Jill of all Trades clients, and hopefully some fun new SLC clients!

Thanks to Samantha for the Photos and company!

Shop the post here!

Big News!!!

Leggings: Lululemon Outlet (similar) // Shoes: New Balance via J. Crew // Hoodie: Free People (similar here, here, and here) // Hat: Zara (similar here)

Ok. Big news. We are leaving Chicago! 

Andrew and I are moving to Salt Lake City at the end of this month!!

It all started a few years ago when we went out there for a half marathon Andrew ran in Moab, Utah. We stayed in Salt Lake City before driving the three-ish hours to Moab, and I was shocked at how much I liked the city. It was nothing like what I was expecting. It was so clean, modern, and had great shopping. Anyone who knows me knows this is a very important factor. 

We went out again a few months ago and began looking at the city through a different lens. We started to think about how our lives and interests could translate to SLC. We immediately began googling our favorite things like yoga studios, Bar Method, and Cuban and Greek restaurants, and found so many great options. Through the help of some of my favorite Utah bloggers, I was able to find some really incredible places that we both really liked to eat, hang out, and visit. Not to mention a bunch of things to do. Andrew and I both love being active, so the hiking appealed to us, not to mention the beautiful scenery!

A few weeks ago, we went back out for the same half marathon Andrew did on our first trip there. This time, we began looking at places to live and investigating neighborhoods. We are happy to say that we found something really great that we are super exited about. More on that to come.

I hope all my Chicago people, as well as my awesome readers from all over, will follow along as we embark on this exciting new chapter of our lives. While this move may be filled with the sadness of leaving my amazing friends, family, and my school and students behind, we couldn't be more excited to try something new on our own terms. 

It's freeing to know that we can make whatever we out of our lives from this point on. Not many people are lucky enough to have an opportunity like this, so we are seizing it while we have the chance. 

And there you have it. Here we come, Utah. We are ready for you!

Athleta Dress

Dress: Athleta (on sale) // Shoes: New Balance // Sunglasses c/o Endless Eyewer Zac Posen "Tennille" (use code HOTPINKSTYLE to get a free month)

This Athleta dress proved to be a super comfortable option for our 3 hour drive up into the Mountains for Andrew's recent half marathon in Moab. On the way we made the super-healthy (not) choice to try out these spectacular waffles at Waffle Love! If you are ever in the Salt Lake City area, seriously, these are not to be missed. We took our first bite and just kind of looked at each other, like, how is it even possible for something to be so freaking delicious? Yes. THAT good.

Later I found just how powerful the moisture wicking abilities of this sporty dress where when I realized the gooey carmel from the waffle dripped all down my dress. I tried to wash it off but the water just beaded up and rolled off the dress! It needed a solid soak-down to get it clean. But even with that it dried super quick. 

Lesson learned? Waffle eating isn't a sporting event, so don't wear performance gear while eating it, unless you want to come out the other end a sticky mess!

Top 20 On My Mind

Every now and then, I can't keep things I'm interested in buying straight in my head so they blend together in this general want list. Right ow I have cozy sweaters, hats and easy to wear items on my mind. Also a bar cart that I ran into at Target. See? Random.

Anyway, join the chaos in my head and check out these 20 items that are flip flopping around in my mind!

Blanket Scarf and Space Dye Dress

Dress (only $20) // Scarf ($15) // Booties (old Shoemint buy) // Purse  // Lips // Bracelet

Outfit like this one make me happy. Any time I can wear a sweatshirt dress and a blanket scarf and look super pulled together, It's a win. It's even better when both pieces cost under $40 bucks total.

This scarf comes in 3 colors and takes all of my willpower to not buy ALL OF THE BLANKET SCARVES! It's true. I have a serious problem. I think I just want to be wrapped in blankets everyday, all day.