For the first two-ish years of my blog, time often felt like it was standing still. The months couldn't pass quickly enough until we got to the next thing - Jason being done with grad school, getting out of Pennsylvania, and basically getting on to the next step in our lives. It's strange how when you are waiting for the next big thing how slowly time goes. But these past few months have flown by. I'm in constant shock at how much time has passed and how quickly it's gone. Weekends fly by these days, and I'm always surprised when it's somehow Wednesday and I'm feeling like it's Monday.

dress:: lou & grey by LOFT // belt :: target // wedges :: enzo anglioni

sunnies :: ray ban // necklace :: anthropologie // rings :: kiel mead

Being in a new area is always so fun - especially being in one you are pretty darn smitten with. There are definitely things here that make me feel like a kid experiencing them for the first time - because in a way I am. For instance, in Ohio, shopping centers are never full of greenery and quite so pretty and pruned as they are here. I can't tell you how many time I've passed a place or totally believe it wasn't there because the amount of trees in front of the buildings hides it from view of the main road. It also makes me think my outfit photos have gotten a little too easy here.

Another thing - summer here is different. I think everyone has this idea that Florida summers are just painfully hot, like 110 degrees, and sunny. But it rains. All. Of. The Time. Take these photos for instance. When we pulled into the parking lot for the Jamba Juice/Whole Foods trip, it was sunny. 10 minutes later, when the camera is out, it starts raining. But at least we got a few quick shots before the big storm came.

dress :: modcloth // necklace :: target // belt :: target
bag :: handmade // sandals :: nine west via amazon // sunnies :: ray ban

I'm always envying all the adorable things I see other bloggers doing in their homes. From amazing colors on to wall to anything hung on the walls - it's easy to get caught up in envy. Right?

I'm a renter - I've never stayed somewhere longer than 2 years since leaving my parents house in 2006. Since 2006 (this is counting dorms by the way but not my parents' home) , I've lived in 7 different apartments/homes/townhomes, 8 if you want to count Jason's place in Orlando. Painting is not really an option - we know we'll have to paint again soon enough on our own dime. Hanging things on the walls is a scary thing. Even those special 3M sticky things can really ruin walls!

Stickers 
You know, wall stickers! Ikea sells them, Target sells them, and you can get them pretty cheap online. Occasionally, you can transfer from one wall to another with smaller designs (like birds). They are a great way to decorate and come cleanly off the walls.

Bookshelves
Those standard, in everyone's place Ikea bookshelves are perfection for small places and for decor. I use mine as a 'table' behind my couch, as an extension of a desk for my printer, and now as a divider between 'rooms' in my townhome. They are the most useful things ever and take up a lot of space - which usually brings your eye to them and the cute things they have on them.



Accents
Using bright colors or bold textures as an accent is a fun way to make things more personal. For instance - my DIY colored sofa feet. Or a bright rug!

Prop Up Paintings
Get one of those bookshelves, and on the top, prop your paintings up against the wall. Or put photo frames in the bookshelf. It will give you the illusion of having something on the wall without actually having to put nails in the wall.

Banners, Bunting, and Garland
These are great - they can usually be put up with some shipping tape and do minimal to no (never damaged for me) to walls. Plus, they are easy to DIY. Here's my favorite one for garland via Maddie Richardson.

I'm sure there are many other ways to decorate your rental - please share them! This is just how I've gotten through the past few years.

After a lot of weeks of visitors as well as totally relaxing, I really, really needed to run some errands. Like finally getting a car wash after the harsh winter and 1,000 mile drive. I'm also preparing for Jason's final move down to Florida - which I am so excited about. I'm also excited that my hair is ALMOST long enough to do French braids again. I'm really trying to pull it off here - but the amount of bobby pins in my head is kind of crazy. I also am crazy excited that our Disney cruise is in  less than 2 weeks. Hence practicing the whole 'laying down on the beach' shot.

dress :: urban outfitters // belt :: agaci // sneakers :: kate spade x keds

tote :: sass & peril // bracelet :: c/o shop bevel // necklace :: double dutch boutique

I have lived in little towns built in the 1800s for most of my life. I'm familiar with brick houses and a lot of German influence growing up in Cincinnati - and my little cape cod style home even had that 'German' feel. My surroundings have changed drastically - everything here is more Spanish influenced, newer, and built in communities. I swear, everything is named and gated down here. For instance, my community is called 'Heron's Landing'. It has taken a bit of getting used to - but I love my little townhome. Sure, it looks like all the ones around it, and I definitely have mistakenly gone to the wrong house before, but I have done some things to make it my own. Plus, living in a peach house with green accents is totally a wonderful color scheme for our orange and green cars! Also - totally loving the whole palm trees surround my house deal.

scarf :: amazon // dress :: anthropologie // shoes :: marc jacobs // belt :: anthropologie

bag :: diy // rings :: sanrio & asos // necklace :: anthropologie // sunnies :: fetch eyewear

When I graduated college, I really wanted to venture outside of my hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. Like a vast majority of people in the US, I grew up in one area and eventually ended up going to college there. Out of the colleges I applied for, it was the only one in Ohio and the only one that was really a great, great school for industrial design, my chosen major. I love Cincinnati, and I am incredibly glad that I grew up there, but it just wasn't where I wanted to be anymore. I felt like I could not grow as a person there, but I did overlook one huge, huge thing. I wanted a job and to move somewhere new so badly, I didn't truly understand the things I would miss and sacrifice when I moved to much smaller city in the city of a state that was very different. Here are the things I learned to consider from my own experience when moving to a new area :

Today is a big day for my blog, myself, and my life. First, I have updated my design a bit to keep it clean, fresh, and have a bit more of a reflection on my design aesthetics lately.

But, that is minor. This, this is big.



I kind of moved to Florida at the end of February, and I've been quiet on this blog because of that. I mean, it was kind of evident that all of my posts have from Florida, but I haven't really mentioned it to you at all. I moved across the country, left Jason in Pennsylvania, and kept quiet so as to not to alert any of Jason's co-workers who may read this blog that he might be leaving soon. Well, cat's out of the bag now, so.....FLORIDA!



I'm living in the Miami/Ft Lauderdale metro area just outside of Boca Raton, and it's so amazingly nice down here. Jason is joining me soon - and then we will begin a life down in south Florida. It's a big move, but really welcomed. Many of my friends and family knew my woes with Pennsylvania - and that I desperately did want to leave, but I was not going to just take anything. I actually considered moving to a few places, and have even turned down jobs and interviews based on my visits there or further research on the location and ultimately deciding it wasn't right for me. My time in Pennsylvania taught me a lot about relocation and really considering the differences in states/cities/locale, but that will be more content for a post at a later time.



Anyhow, thanks for sticking with me! It's been really busy because I am down here with both dogs, lots of visitors, and lots and lots to do. But I am loving being a full-time web designer in the Florida sun. I'm so excited for all these Florida posts to continue and to show you all the new places and adventures I'm going on.

dress :: target // belt :: anthropologie // heels :: urban outfitters // scarf :: old navy

bag :: valhalla brooklyn // headband :: modcloth // bracelet :: kate spade // necklace :: francesca's

I'm hoping this is the last photo you'll see with me in snow for a long while. It felt like never ending winter in Pennsylvania. It's so hard to take photos in this ugly weather - I have seen other people successfully make the snow look beautiful and enviable, but I'll be honest, I can't do it. I think it's because to me, snow is not a beautiful thing. I don't dress for the snow - I dress with layers that protect me for about 5 minutes in 32 degree weather, but I've been awfully cold this winter what with the polar vortex. So here's to an end to snow!

scarf :: gift (similar) // sweater :: loft // dress :: urban outfitters

tights :: target // loafers :: born // headband :: free people

Even on the warmer days, which is anything above 32 right now, the snow is still prevailing.  I recently took a few of my dresses into the tailor for some fixing - and this being one of them, I was so excited to get it back! This is one of my favorite dresses, but after about 2 years of wear, the hem broke in our washer (which spins really, really, probably way too fast). Most cleaners have a tailor that can make these fixes for you for only about 8 dollars, which makes the life of clothing even longer!

coat :: modcloth

sweater :: nordstrom

dress :: leah reena goren for anthropologie

tights :: target

oxfords :: born

necklace :: c/o pretty pany

belt :: target