I haven’t done an update since last fall! I knew it had been a second but I didn’t realize it had been so long! I guess the reason it’s been that long is two reasons. One, I’ve been too busy. Two, a weird of mix of too much has happened and not a lot has happened.

You May Have Seen Me in a Wedding Dress Recently

If you did, don’t worry! I was just hosting a pop-up event in Wichita for Maggie Sottero and Dress Gallery. I got to be the host and help people find their dream dress while ALSO getting to try on a couple of my dream dresses. This one was the absolute winner for my favorite and everyone else’s. I’m not going to lie, I’ve sent an email asking to know if they are ever going to sell the sample because I will buy it on the spot. Engaged or not. Just kidding. Kind of.

I Did Some Light “Talent” Work

I recently joined a talent agency and much to my surprise, I got picked for a shoot very quickly. I spent a Friday shooting four commercials and apparently they are running on local TV, yet I have YET TO SEE THEM! It’s a cruel joke that I am getting messages asking if that’s me and I know that it is, yet I have no idea what the commercial turned out like.

So in order to try and catch them, we are watching the 10 pm news and literally flipping through all local channels during every commercial trying to catch just one glimpse because the dealership hasn’t posted to their social.

Shopping

I’m not at all saying I cut it out of my life, but I’ve started using Rent the Runway Unlimited. I’ve got a big review coming up soon on it so I won’t spill all thee details on this. I do have some items that I am really eyeing though that might make the cut. I’ve been working very hard think more long-term about my needs so things are a little boring but necessary for a professional wardrobe.

Things I’ve bought recently:

Red Wrap Dress – I tried this one one and I loved it. I wish the material was nicer but it looks great on! It’s going to be really good for events where I have to be careful about length but also business professional.

Emerald Shoes – These were on my wishlist and finally I just bought them and I LOVE THEM!

Polka Dot Wrap Dress – I love this so much. I wear it at work and also on the weekend.

Pearl Dress – I JUST WANT THIS!

Also, is the Gucci belt worth it? I am so not a Gucci person BUT for some stupid reason I am in LOVE with that fricking belt. I’m sure that by the time I get one it’ll be completely out but seriously, why do I love it so much?

Friendship

I’ve been intentionally spending more one-on-one with my local friends. I’ve had girl nights with my friend Kara, getting a casual drink with Madison and currently I am helping my friend Sarah work on her adoption book. I’ve learned that I have quite different needs and I need to understand that I need to be intentional about each person and quality time.

I’m hoping to share about my experience of creating the adoption book. It’s quite amazing to me that I am being trusted to create the document that will help someone determine to allow my friends to adopt a child! Eeek!

Plant Life

Unfortunately Winstead has lost some leaves so he looks a little more bare than he did here. However, he has done really well with his transplant into a new container and continues to grow gigantic laves and be consistent in growing taller. Since it’s winter he’s not growing a lot, but he’s not dying so I count that as a win. I haven’t gotten any more plants due to being worried about neglect while traveling. I do feel the urge to welcome a new one, so I’m thinking a very hearty one and some smaller succulents.

Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll make an obnoxious post about it on Instagram that no one but me cares about.

Hosting… and Good Guests + Future Party Plans

The most frequently asked about in real life post is this one. No, the people I wrote about it never read it which I expected because I don’t think they care to read the blog. I will admit that it’s made me want to host a little less, but I’ve also learned to maybe devote that much energy to people I know who will appreciate it. I’m actually working on a couple of ideas for party nights that I am working on bringing to the blog.

The entertaining posts are ones that I am having fun messing around with but also take a lot of time, so if you like them please let me know! I’ve become more obsessed with ideas for themed parties or hangouts which I have a feeling is going to mean I’m going have a basement full of party supplies.

The TL;DR summary, I threw a party that I put my heart into, I had terrible guests who didn’t appreciate it and I am still salty about it.

Work + Becoming a Leader

I am extremely excited that we are hiring someone who will be reporting directly to me! Additionally, they will be taking over my day-to-day responsibilities as I begin working on some bigger initiatives. I don’t know if I can tell you how excited I am. While I absolutely love my current job, I subconsciously was beginning to feel that I needed some new challenges. Before I even realized what it was that I needed, my boss and our CMO tasked me with what my new role as going to be and I knew this was what I needed.

I’m worried about it, which is exactly how I feel every time I am about to go through a huge growing season.

I still travel a lot for work and feel incredibly lucky to attend and work so many events. I love the long hours and memories I have with the teams, even if they are from sleep deprivation. And for those of you who wondered or are travel nerds, I am currently Platinum on American Airlines.

Public Speaking

It’s been a goal of mine to do more public speaking and I’m going to be hosting a workship with Madison Photography in Wichita about marketing and developing a voice for photographers in early March. I am very excited to get to combine my love of visual storytelling with my marketing experience and what I’ve learned through specialized freelance.

Therapy

My mental health assistance program resets this February so in March I will begin being able to go back to having sessions regularly. I am very, very excited about this! I’m in a good place but I really want to go back and talk about new ways for me to work through anxiety and self-doubt that creeps in on some bad days.

Overall I have to say that 2018 has been really great and I’m in such a a good place right now. I’m very excited for the new opportunities that have been presented to me and I really want to blow expectations out of the water. I’m very happy that my friendships are deepening, my relationships are in great places and I just feel really loved by so many people. Not every day is perfect, but I am happy to say that my smile is genuine.