and... we're back

Back in D.C, back to real life (sort of? I feel like college - or at least the college I'm currently experiencing - doesn't count). Regardless, the weather is b-e-a-utiful here (unlike the 40 degrees and pouring rain my poor family is currently experiencing in lovely MN) and I'm back without a scooter! I left the horrid instrument - I'm being mean to it. It was a love-hate relationship - back at home, and I've been instructed by the doctor to walk sans crutches! It's painful and I'm kind of gimpy, but it's just so exciting! Went to the dining hall for the first time on my own two feet, it was quite a moment. On another note, my outfit today:

 jcrew shirt

martin&osa shorts

 Oh how I love summer clothes! I know that I will be complaining about them soon enough, and begin waxing poetic about my sweaters and boots. But for now, let the record show that I am excited to start wearing my shorts and sundresses again (though I am disturbed to discover that many of those dresses that were quite short to begin with are now tipping more into the scandalously short region. Did I experience some sort of growth spurt unknowingly? Stress). Though note the fact that my feet are still cut off in the photograph - I am still forced to wear those lovely tennis shoes, and probably will for some time. No flip flops or cute flat sandals for Alison.

rings (from left to right): gift from Grandma (studded), flea market in Oregon (rose), class ring, market in Greece

How I've missed all my rings! As I've complained many a time before, they are just a nuisance while on crutches. So now that I'm no longer on crutches, I went a little crazy with my rings and threw them all on. 

Today was a pretty good day, chill as per usual considering my current schedule. After all classes were over, I went to Sweetgreen for dinner and tried their salads for the first time. They are quite good! I would definitely walk down there once and a while for a break from the dining hall (where the salads are most definitely lacking). And I will throw in a little reference to Glee - the episode was an hour and a half tonight and sooo good! Especially love the mash-up Quinn and Rachel did in the beginning. Ok. Done being annoying and talking about silly tv. 

Trying to get this up before midnight since I haven't posted in Sunday... we shall see if I succeed. Good night!

new (old) jewelry

So, in lieu of outfit pictures tonight (though Natalie and I did have pretty fabulous Easter outfits if I do say so myself), this post is dedicated to some gorgeous new jewelry Natalie and I got from our Grandma Bev!

First is this ring, which we have decided that during the times we don't live together (a.k.a anytime except the summer) gets to stay with me. It's my great-grandmother Gigi's class ring, and I absolutely adoreee it. It has such a cool vintage feel, and I do love my rings! Can't wait to be off crutches so I can start wearing them all again (another downside to dressing with crutches - rings cut into your hands in a quite painful way. Is there no end to the havoc this injury will wreak on my fashion?!)

And here is the piece Natalie gets to keep with her! It's also Gigi's, and it's from when she was the Grand Matron (I believe that is the correct title?) of the Order of the Eastern Star. Funnily enough, when we were traipsing around D.C while moving me into Georgetown, we saw a building that belonged to the Order and thought it was really creepy... but since we have family connections, maybe we can become members! That would be kind of awesome

So, it was a lovely Easter with the Vandenburgh family. We went to church, then headed over to my aunt and uncle's house for dinner. Natalie and Dad tried to bike there, then my dad popped two tires and we had to go pick them up. Then we forgot the ice cream and the bread at home and had to turn around to go back about halfway there... overall it was a long trip. But dinner was yummy and Natalie made this amaaazing chocolate pudding cake thing. Now we are all home and I am putting up this post then packing to go back to school tomorrow! Can't believe how fast break went by, but I'm excited to get back to school, only a few more weeks until summer!

Hope you all had a lovely Easter, good night :)

bday celebration

So I wasn't dressed very cute today, but then we all went out to the club to celebrate my mother's birthday, and Natalie and I dressed up a bit! We went to J. Crew earlier, and they are having an amazing 30% off all sale, so we went a little crazy. Here Natalie and I are both wearing some new pieces we got!

 jcrew cardigan

 jcrew top (new purchase)

american eagle shorts

I love Natalie's mixing of neons here! It's something I can never pull off (as you may or may not have noticed, I'm not really a color person). And the top is so much fun. It's kind of sheer, with a minimalist look to it despite the bright colors. And I love the shorts! Apparently she wears them all the time, and I can see why - the tie-waist and the navy color is gorgeous

mother's necklace

jcrew shirt (new purchase)

old navy cardigan

 jcrew pants

jcrew shoes

I really should work at J. Crew.... Perhaps I should see if they're hiring for summer? But honestly I feel like half my wardrobe comes from them and I would do such a good job working for them! Problem is it's soooo difficult to get your first job. Everyone wants you to have experience, but you can't have experience if you don't get a job - catch 22 anyone? 

Once again, don't have that much to say. Besides shopping and dinner, mostly I've spent my time watching Top Chef and reading fashion magazines. Living the American dream, right? Anyways, good night all!

home again!

How I love being at home! I have come to love Georgetown, my life and my friends in Washington D.C, but nothing compares to spending time with my family in Minnesota (despite the approximately 30 degree difference - no shorts here!). Today has been a relaxing day, with a chiropractic adjustment and a massage. Crutches really mess up your back, so apparently I'm a mess... But they really improved my walking! Assuming the doctor doesn't uncover anything earth-shattering in my appointment on Monday, I should be walking on one crutch when I get back and moving shortly to none at all! 

 old navy sweater

 vintage necklace

 gap jeans

Since we (or rather I) didn't leave the house today other than for a lunch outing to Noodles&Company (why don't we have these in D.C? Their pesto is my absolute favorite) I decided to keep my outfit simple. What really made it is the necklace, another awesome piece from my Grandma in Iowa.

I love all the jewelry she brings me! Mom really wants to keep this one, and she may have to fight me for it! We both decided that the clasp, with its beautiful detailing, should be worn in front and shown off. This new batch of jewelry also came with amazing silver pendant locket with a little carved scene on the front and enough pretty, delicate chains to last me a lifetime! I'm sure I'll be showing you more of them very soon.

Not much to say now that I'm here! Oooh but one thing: lent ends tomorrow! At sundown I am officially allowed to eat all the muffins and cupcakes I want! It's been a hard road, and I'm sad to say that for the last 40 days I've been trying to replace my carb fix with bagels (not any healthier...) but I'm almost done. Tomorrow mom and I will head over to a new bakery downtown to pick out the perfect muffins, and Natalie is baking a cake to celebrate her own as well as my mother's return to sweets - they both gave them all up for Lent! I don't know how they did it, I would have gone absolutely insane. 

But I'm going to bed now, so good night world :)

warmer days

So here's my outfit from yesterday, which despite being cloudy turned out to be quite nice - much like today! I'm so excited that it seems to be finally getting warmer here. Like actually warmer, without any random 40 degree rainstorm days (fingers crossed). Sadly, today I'm getting on a plan and going to somewhere much colder (I mean this in a fashion sense only - I can't wait to go home, even though its cold)

h&m button down

bdg tank

martin&osa shorts

Bringing out my shorts makes me miss Martin&Osa again - I don't know how many of you will recognize the name, it was an offshoot of American Eagle targeted at an older age group. It was so cute and classic and had great sales!  I own two pairs of their shorts and they are my absolute favorite. Then they closed it down and filled its place with American Eagle's new store aimed at babies and such. Really?

I'm packing my suitcase (a.k.a filling it with all my dirty laundry so I can do it at home for free) and getting ready to head to the airport - while deciding whether or not to go to the early map class. I can't go to my section, but technically I would have time to go the earlier section. And since I gave myself a little gift this morning and slept through my 8:50 philosophy class, I feel like I should go. I probably will. Look at me, going to classes like I actually attend this school! (Just kidding mom ^^)

On that note, happy birthday to my mom! I'm so glad that I get to come home for your birthday (thank you Catholic school and Easter break), love you and can't wait to see you and the rest of the family! 

Cheers everyone, have a lovely afternoon :)

oh mondays

Is it weird, that I like Mondays? Only because on Mondays I only have two classes, meaning that I'm done at noon - almost as good as Fridays, where I start at 11 and am done at 1, but who doesn't like Fridays? Once again, the weather was lovely. Its like the world is trying to make Mondays more manageable for everyone by giving us nice weather! Keep it coming :)

jcrew top and cardigan

gap jeans

I just got back from a relaxing session playing piano in the practice rooms behind my dorm - the rooms aren't soundproofed and there are only two of them, which is annoying, but honestly playing the piano is such a stress reliever I don't even mind! Only thing is I think I might be giving myself a mild case of carpal tunnel with the crutching, and playing the piano doesn't exactly help that... oh well

Just some detail shots. My mother, a.k.a the jcrew sale ninja, picked these up for me as a little pick-me-up over spring break since I wasn't exactly spending it like I planned (in other words I was at home on the couch with my foot elevated instead of on the beach with my friend in California - bit of a difference). But I really like the cardigan! Most all of my cardigans are neutrals, and this kind of burnt red is really a nice change.

Can't believe that I go home in two days! It's been a long stretch since spring break, and I can't wait to go home to show my family all the progress I've made in my healing - fingers crossed I will be walking by the end of the semester, I honestly think I'm really close! Send healing thoughts my way

Deciding what to do tonight, since I've actually done all the homework I have due for this week! I know, I'm so ahead (or, I barely had any to start with - but that doesn't sound as good). Perhaps a movie? I've really had the urge to see Pirate Radio, brought it with me to school and haven't watched it in a while... we shall see. Have a good night :)

two day update

Due to my failure to post yesterday, you get two outfits today! I like them both, but if you ask me they look like they come from to completely different climates. Washington springs are so confusing - yesterday it was chilly and drizzling (although I will say it cleared up nicely in the evening) and today was absolutely gorgeous and sunny! I am just not mentally equipped to deal with these changes. I get myself in the swing of summer clothes, thinking up outfits with floral sundresses and denim shorts, then I wake up the next day to find it pouring buckets with a high of 40 degrees. Difficulties to be sure

 jcrew tshirt

 h&m button down

 gap jeans

 So yesterday was an interesting day - managed to make it to all of my classes despite the rain, which I'm proud of, but I have to say I totally failed on the homework front. I probably watched 4 episodes of "Make it or Break it" (my new bad-tv obsession - they have all the back episodes on hulu and I'm making my way through) and read only I would say, 14 pages of philosophy? That's what I get for going up to the 4th floor to do homework with other people. Pros: puppy chow and good conversation. Cons: distraction, distraction, distraction!

old navy tank top

zara cardigan

vintage skirt

I must say today was gorgeous! We even managed to get our T.A to let us have philosophy discussion outside on the grass, which was quite lovely. And walking out of my econ class I saw the most beautiful tree with little pink flowers, I think it must have just bloomed or I would have noticed it before. Little things that make my Thursdays (the most busy day for me, class-wise) a little bit better.

That's about it, want to keep this post short and sweet since it has double the photos as usual - hope you all had gorgeous weather like we had today! Enjoy the evening :)