Monday, April 29, 2013

Droid Diaries: Crossing the Country

What's up, guys?  Is your Monday going well??  I sure hope so!

Things here in Arizona are going amazingly :)  As I mentioned in my last post, I wanted to write a little bit crap-load more about my boyfriend and mine's journey across the country from Tampa, Florida all the way to Phoenix, Arizona.  Although we moved last week, this was a plan long in the making.  This move is something both of us have wanted for a hot minute -- pretty much since we graduated from college in December 2011.

Going back even farther, I made my first big move from Loveland, Ohio to Tampa, Florida in August 2007.  I was fortunate enough to be able to go out of state for college, thanks to the fact that my dad lived in Florida (therefore, I was able to receive in-state tuition).  The 5.5 years I lived in Florida were all spectacular; however, I always knew I wouldn't be living in Florida forever.  I personally feel like I am too young to settle in one place, so I promised myself I'd eventually "get out" once again.

If there is one negative thing I see on Facebook time and time again (especially from people that went to my high school in Ohio) it is the fact that they want to "get out/leave/escape/adventure out of _insert state_."  I realize not everyone has been as lucky as I am as far as being able to go out of state for college since it is usually so expensive.  If anyone is reading this, though, that keeps wishing to "get out," I really hope you listen to this: GET OUT.  Ohio, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Singapore, Canada, Russia... wherever you are right now, wherever you want to go, you really should do it if you want to.  Do it.  Now.  Stop waiting for the perfect moment.  It is not going to come.  It is up to you to start applying to jobs/finding a place to live/networking in the city you want to be in.  Now.  Not later.

Most of these people who I see on Facebook writing statuses about their yearning to leave their respective towns are in their twenties.  Let me tell you yet another thing I've realized: You will always find an excuse to stay in your comfort zone.  But before you know it, you may miss your chance.  You might be having kids and trying to find a place (most likely close to where you currently are) with perfect school districts or already so deep into your post-grad job that you feel too secure to venture out into the unknown-- dare I say "the uncomfortable."  You're young and it is one of your best chances to see the world or live in the place that isn't known for it's excellent rated schools -- if that is what you want.  If that's not your thing, totally understandable.  I loved growing up in a small town and not everyone wants to move, I 100% get and respect that.  However, for those of you who are writing these statuses every few weeks about how you must "get out," my only advice is to start planning... and start that planning right now.  Get off LunaVida [I mean, right after you finish reading this post, of course ;D] and Google the city you've been dreaming of.  You could be will get there.

This is how we spent our last full day living in Florida.
We went to a beautiful wedding on Anna Maria Island the night before and spent the next day at their beach house.  We are so darn blessed.

Congratulations to Tara & Brian!
It was such a gorgeous ceremony and the reception was a blast.

Everything that we took with us on our 4 day/2,097 miles/7 states-long trip was in this tiny Mazda3
(along with Matt, Luna, Dakota, and me!)

Our version of a family photo - Great success...... :/

The wide open road, baby!

Can you spot the Dakota?

We stayed the first night in lovely Biloxi, Mississippi with a friend of Matt's from high school.
Thank you again, Kevin!

Matt got me this handmade ring in New Mexico along the way.

--- Below are some recent photos that aren't related to our road trip :D ---

Saying goodbye to the lovely Sarah, my college friend, suitemate & fellow Ohioan // Dakota turned a year old on April 19th.  This puppy picture of her melts my heart :)

 
My latest #OOTD post // #ThrowBackThursday with my sissy, Shannon


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Xoxo,
-Allie

PS: I truly don't mean to sound judgmental in this post.  Forgive me if it comes across that way at all.  I know not everyone has the ability to just "get up and go."  The point I want to make is the need to get moving on your moving plans.  Even if you can't go this very second, you can start planning/dreaming/doing and who knows?  Maybe you'll be ready to go the next time the renewing your lease conversation comes up!


Arizona living :)


Linking up with Sami's Shenanigans "Weekend Shenanigans" Blog Hop

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Double Duty: Blouse + Skinny Jeans + Flats


Hi there, I am BACK! Back on the blogging scene... did you miss me? ;) I am happy to report that my boyfriend, dog, cat, and I are officially done with our cross country road trip (I will talk about that in more detail in a post next week). We are now officially living in Phoenix, Arizona -- and I must say, what a nice living it is! I love it here so far, and I can't wait to share some photos and stories with you all in a future post!

Along with desert life, do you want to know something else I am a big fan of? Multitasking. In almost all areas of life. That stems out into my articles of clothing, as well. Which brings me to this lovely new top I scored (for just $10!) at Marshalls. When I tried it on -- with the tag in the back as it's supposed to be, of course -- and came out of the dressing room, my mom and sister thought I was wearing it backwards. It turns out that it is just an awesome "weird" fashion-y type of shirt. That is a-okay with me! I love that it is multifunctional and can be worn both forward and "backward" for two totally different looks.




Dark turquoise v-neck blouse: Marshall's, on clearance for $10
-Similar styles: Amazon $7.90, JCPenney $11 (on sale from $22), Amazon $14.99 (on sale from $22.80), Coldwater Creek $20 (on sale from $59.95) or Mickey's Girl $33

Forever 21 dark wash skinny jeans (also seen here, here, and here): $10.80

American Eagle studded beige flats (also seen here): Old, for about $10



Above is actually the shirt on backwards and below I am wearing it the "proper" way.



Which way do you like it better?  I think I prefer it with the buttons in the back [AKA the "correct" way], because it gives it a little... edge?


Various bracelets/arm candy: Target & a small boutique in Ohio
-Similar styles (all from Forever 21): $2.80$6.80 or $6.80



Sterling silver ring: Tiffany & Co.
-Similar styles (all from Forever 21): $3.80, $4.80 or $9.80

Sterling silver and stone ring: Kohl's, on sale for $15 from $50
-Similar styles (both from Forever 21): $4.80 or $6.80




Do you have any items of clothing, like this top, that work overtime? How would you wear this shirt? Let me know!


Xoxo,
-Allie

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Wish List Wednesday

Happy Hump Day to all!

How is your midweek day going?  I hope it is great so far, and I hope I can make it even better with today's Wish List Wednesday :)

Black & white polka dot fit and flare dress: Kohl's $27 (on sale from $60)

Striped t-shirt dress: Kohl's $24.30 (on sale from $54)

Cat face sweatshirt: ASOS $34.91 (on sale from $49.88)
(My weekly cat pick that I want need to have)

Cactus print crop blouse: Forever 21 $19.80
(In honor of my upcoming move to Arizona, of course)

Pearl & flowers link bracelet: Kohl's $13.20 (on sale from $24)

Crystal flower ring: Kohl's $8.80 (on sale from $16)

Black & white printed flat sandals: Forever 21 $16.80


What is on your Want It list this week?  Any of these picks strike your fancy?




Xoxo,
-Allie

Monday, April 15, 2013

Droid Diaries: Missing in Action Allie (& Life Updates)

Hi guys!

I know I have been so M.I.A. these past few days weeks, and I cannot apologize enough!  The reasons for my absence lately being vast, the main two are the fact that my sister, Shannon, finally had her baby- YAAAAY!!!  I was in Orlando all last week and spent 2.5 days at the hospital with her while we waited for beautiful 10.9 pounds (yep... you read that correctly 10.9 lbs.) baby Lacey Marie to be born on Sunday, April 7th, 2013 at 8:39 AM :') She is precious and the most perfect first niece anyone could ask for.

She is healthy and lovely and all things happy.

Her mom & dad are both doing great, as well :)


The other main reason for me having neglected you all for far too long is the big piece of news that I mentioned previously in this post.  Now has come the time to share with you all what that [very time consuming] news is...

My boyfriend, Matt, and I are...

Follow me on Instagram @alliegee319


MOVING TO PHOENIX, ARIZONA IN JUST A MATTER OF DAYS!  (Monday, April 22nd to be exact!)

I am beyond excited for this new chapter in our lives.  Matt has lived in Florida for his whole life, and I have been here since the fall of 2007.  We tend to think of ourselves as kind of "movers and shakers," the type of people who want to see and experience as much as the world as possible.  We decided after we graduated from college in December 2011 that we would move out of Florida as soon as we could, but we also agreed that whoever got a job first is where we would move.

Well, as luck would have it, he got an engineering job an hour north of Tampa in March 2012... then about a week after he had accepted the position and we had moved to our new town, I was offered my dream job at an animal rights nonprofit organization in Washington D.C. ...just a few days after.  I was pretty bummed, because we had just signed a year lease and, unfortunately, I had to turn down the D.C. job offer.

So here we have been for the past year, waiting anxiously to see where we would go next.  My mom and stepdad moved to Arizona last year, and when I visited them in December 2012, I fell in love with Arizona.  I returned to Florida in January, told Matt about my yearning to move out West, and the plans for our big 2013 move began to progress.  Now here we are, nearing the end of our lease, and we have given away/Craigslist-ed/packed up our 2 bedroom/2 bathroom house into one tiny Mazda 3.  We are hitting the road in a few days to begin our cross country road trip to our new home.  And I have to say: I really see Arizona being our home for a quite a long time.  It is full of amazing hiking trails, mountains, sightseeing [Grand Canyon, anyone?], and is just about 5 hours from anywhere you'd want to visit out West.  This is the adventure I have been waiting for for the past year, and I cannot wait to begin our new desert lives with Luna, Dakota, my mom, and stepdad :)

Have any advice for us or great places to check out in the Phoenix area?  We are just sort of picking up, going, and hoping for the best, so we need all the help we can get!



Xoxo,
-Allie


PS: As we continue to pack, get the house ready to move out, and begin our 2,097 miles-long journey, I am still a bit lower on time than usual.  I will try to blog as much as I can the next few days/weeks, but eventually, when we are all settled in, I should be back to a more normal schedule.  So stay tuned - I promise to be back :D

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Birthday, Beach & Some Birds

Hey guys!  How ya doin'?

I have another outfit post for you all today.  It's a simple one from the other week on my birthday.  My boyfriend, Matt, surprised me after work with a picnic of my favorite Japanese restaurant's food and champagne at the beach [I know, I know- no alcohol allowed on the beach, but shhh... please don't turn me in!].  He is so dang cute and made turning 24 both memorable and romantic.  What more can a gal ask for?

It was a kind of chilly day (at least it was cold for Florida in March) and I had originally intended on just wearing shorts and a tank top.  However, I had to add the awkward cardigan in [you'll see what I mean below] to keep warm, and I kinda forgot to take it off (or even unbutton it) for some of the pictures.  Whoops.  Super nerd alert.





Old Navy grey cardigan (also seen here & here): 2012 for $4.98
-Similar styles: JCPenney $10 (on sale from $25), Forever 21 $11.80 or JCPenney $15 (on sale from $20)
Old Navy ruffled pink racerback tank top: From way back in high school
-Similar styles: Forever 21 $5Forever 21 $5.80Old Navy $7.50Old Navy $14.99 (on sale from $19.94) or Old Navy $15 (on sale from $17.50)
Charlotte Russe black & white floral print shorts: 2012 for about $10
Old Navy brown flat sandals (also seen here): 2012 for about $8
-Similar styles: Old Navy $19.94DSW $24.94 (on sale from $45), Target $29.99 or DSW $49.95
H&M brown oversized sunglasses (also seen here, here, and here): 2012 for $5
-Similar styles (all from Forever 21): $5.80$5.80$5.80 or $5.80

There were a lot of seagulls... so obviously I danced amongst them.






Then things went back to being [semi] normal.








Target silver arrow ring (also seen here): 2012, for about $3.50
-Similar style: Lulu*s $8 (on sale from $11)




Is finally starting to warm up where you live?  If so, woo hoo- Enjoy the spring time clothing!  And if not, no worries.  Warmer weather be here soon enough, and until then, try to bask in the glory of tights with dresses (Don't we all miss them when they're gone in summer?).





Xoxo,

-Allie





Matt, feeling sass-ay!