Hi everyone, I’m still here; I’m just trying to get my life together. I spend most of my days searching for and applying to jobs. Honestly, when I’m at home, it’s difficult for me to get dressed. Not physically, but mentally. Most days I sit at my desk, writing cover letters and tailoring my resume, and I do it all in my pajamas. When you have no job and nowhere to go, it doesn’t really matter what clothes you put on. So, I spend most days in PJs or yoga pants. When I’m not doing that, I’m either babysitting or volunteering.
I’ve noticed the time that I really enjoy getting dressed is when I volunteer. I spend one day a week at a public health organization that I admire and wouldn’t mind becoming a permanent part of someday. On those days, I get to dress in my office clothes. I even brush my hair and put on makeup, two other things I never do when I’m at home all day!
This has made me realize how my identity as a professional really defines my style. When I was in grad school, I wasn’t quite sure how to dress because everyone was so casual but my warbdrobe consisted mainly of office attire. When I’m at home, unemployed, I feel useless so I don’t even bother getting dressed. But when I’m working (especially in an office setting) I’m in my element and, aside from following whatever dress code they set forth, I dress the part. My closet is full of pencil skirts, trousers, high heels, and cute tops. Since I don’t have an office to wear them to these days, they get tucked in the corner of my closet, along with my self-esteem. I’m sure something will come along eventually, but until then, I’ll just have to admire my clothes that make me feel the most like me from afar.
Here are a few photos that I’ve taken on my phone from my volunteer outfits. I’ll try to get real posts of them up soon but for now, bathroom pics might be the best we’ll get:
I took some of my babysitting money and went shopping with my friend at the outlet mall (wow, do I sound like I’m 15 years old, or what?). I bought the dress in the above photo from Loft Outlet, which I wore this week to volunteer. I also bought a few pieces that I think will make for good interview attire, if I could ever get one! I also got the casual dress below from Banana Republic Outlet. I plan on wearing it this weekend to a friend’s birthday celebration where we will drink a lot of beer and eat a lot of food from trucks!
Finally, Nick and I are seriously getting our butts back into shape. We’ve started a strength training program together, consisting of a lot of lifting of free weights which makes me feel a little awkward but really empowered at the same time. I have to admit that I love it. It’s my favorite type of work out so far, and I’m getting more comfortable with pushing myself to do more (safely, of course). I took a photo during our last workout, but it’s really blurry because I had just worked my chest and tricepts, so my arms were shaking a bit when I took it. Oops. I’m definitely going to feel that later!
Me, being all badass with the free weights at the gym!
So, that’s been my life lately. I’ve worn a lot of cute outfits that I want to put on the blog, I just have to get it together to take/post pictures. Soon, you guys. I promise!
Photo 1: Pants, Shoes, & Jewelry: Old Navy | Blouse: Gap | Sunglasses: Target
Photo 2: Dress: Loft Outlet | Shoes & Necklace: Old Navy
Photo 3: Dress: Banana Republic Outlet | Shoes: Target
Linking up with A Pocketful of Polka Dots & Charming Lucy
You may recognize this cute little number from my instagram post a few weeks ago. It’s another dress that I wore to the office where I volunteer. The women there probably think I only wear dresses, which is funny because I don’t wear dresses all the time, hence this week’s dress theme. But it’s a nice opportunity to wear my dresses so it works out. I got this one at the Loft Outlet near my house. I thought it would be easy to dress up with a blazer or cardigan, or to dress down just like it is. I believe I was right! 
Here’s the fun blooper: I think I was adjusting my bracelets. 
