So Close And Yet So. Damn. Far.

It's happening people. Some of you thought it never could. Others of you hoped it never would, and I am truly sorry for your impending loss, but what can I say other than...


I'M GRADUATING IN 5 MONTHS!!!


Oh. yes. This is 5 and 1/2 years in the making (don't judge). It took me six majors, four minors, and 18357930 student activities for me to get here. One semester left until I am the first person in my family to have a bachelors degree. 


During the coming months I will become a veritable buffet of emotion. As most of my friends can tell you, I'm horrible at dealing with good-byes. I don't even like the "see you next semester" good-byes. In preparation for my intense emotional reaction to good-byes I often get weirder and weirder as the time to say farewell approaches. I'll be writing a lot of letters, inviting everyone out for coffee, and oh yes, there will be tears. 


There will be points in the next five months that will feel as slow as a snail dragging its ass in molasses. I will be looking at clocks in long classes and praying to Tiny Baby Jesus that just this once, I could control those two hands with my mind. Getting bored is inevitable. My hope is that I don't allow myself to be bored so often that I can't appreciate the time that I have left here. 


My Fall classes (New Media, Creative Non-fiction, and Qualitative Research) should be great. I'm working with some amazing faculty this semester (Rai Peterson, Jill Christman, and Jackie Grutsch-McKinney) and I can't wait to learn a ton from them. 


I'll still be involved with Student Voluntary Services, Commuter Ambassadors, and due the great job I've done this summer (their words, not mine), I've been asked to continue my internship with Foundation until I graduate in December. That one made me really happy.


Clearly, I won't be without things to occupy my time, but I want to be more than "occupied". I want to be...engaged. 


No, I'm not asking anybody to put a ring on it (though we all know they WANT to). When I say I want to be engaged, I mean that I don't just want to be busy, I want to be actively involved with things I'm passionate about. Luckily, with SVS, Commuter Ambassadors, and the Foundation, all of my obligations are also things I'm passionate about. 


I have no excuse to be bored this Fall. These are things I need and want to do:

• Decide where I want to end up (blech)
• Go to class all the time (Read: Most of the time.)
• Make an appointment with my favorite Career Advisor (James Mitchell)
• Update my resume (to be fair, I do this constantly)
• Start applying for jobs in August (don't stop until I get one!)
• Start asking professors & supervisors if they are comfortable being references.
• REALLY enjoy homecoming (I have yet to do this)
• Hang out with people I love as much as possible
• Do fun Fall things I always want to do like picking a pumpkin and going on a hayride
• Sing more karaoke (It's too much fun not to)
• Say good-byes properly (no skulking off to avoid getting emotional)

This needs to be the best Fall semester. Like the Broadway musical divas I love, I have to end on the highest note.

Inspired to Return by Allison Daly

I've. Missed. This.


I've been so busy with school (hate it) and my internship (LOVE IT) that I haven't had the opportunity to update in quite some time.


Anyway, I'm back and I can't wait to plunge right back in to updating regularly about whatever (and whomever) my heart desires :) 


Get ready for a host of word-heavy posts about the usual things that irk or tickle me, but until then enjoy this post about a woman I love who happens to inspire me with her art.

Allison Daly

Does this not look like the coolest girl in the world? Of course it does, and lucky for me she actually is! 

I lived with Allison for two years and feel comfortable stating, without hesitation, that she is one of the best people I've ever met. And you know I've met a lot of people. More importantly she has a Fabtastic sense of classic style that will awe you in its subtle eccentricity mixed with a classic air of sophistication. 

I am consistently amazed with Daly's ability to understate delicate stitching and hidden seams wile simultaneously exposing a zipper or a sheer undertone of flesh. The cut of her pieces show off the feminine curves of a women's physique without over-sharing the secrets of her body. A delicate rope to walk, but Daly nails it with her designs.

Her fashion line, Una Hoja (One Leaf), is a fall collection inspired by her home in the Southwest. Deceptively classic colors without the "safety" or weight of non-contemporary style. Each piece was made using a technique called one-seam (The tops are one pattern piece. The material has been sewn to itself to create form). Here is an example of one of her pieces (one of my favorites!):

Give it up. The girl is talented.

As her roommate, I was constantly inspired by Daly's work ethic. Long nights of watching her and Danielle, our other roommate, squint, pin, and pump away at those sewing machines, while I drifted in and out of finishing a paper, made me realize that production and success take work. Daly has never been afraid to work and when you combine that with her seemingly raw talent, you get all of this:

The Bottom line is, don't sleep on my girl. Don't even nap. If you do, you'll be missing the next big thing. AND check out her website!