Thank you McDonald’s Iced Coffee. And Lauren.

I was at McDonald’s today in the drive-thru lane (lazy…I know!) and I started to really soul search. As you can, I soul search in meaningful places. I love McDonald’s Iced Coffee. Anyway…yes, soul searching.

What do I want to be when I grow up?

Granted, I’d been thinking about this all morning thanks to Lauren. Lauren tweeted me a link to a self-help career book. At first, I was like, “Huh? Me? Need help? Nooo.” Should I be offended? Lauren isn’t all snarky like that, so I took it as a positive thing- kinda like if she were sending me a virtual margarita. Take this and drink it, you’ll feel better.

She sent me a link to this book:

Which you can buy here.

I ordered it within, oh fifteen minutes, and I felt good. Like immediately. I usually only feel this way when I buy shoes, purses and sparkly earrings. This is a big moment for me.

I’m very eager for it to come in, and I have already begun trying to think of things that might help me figure this career thing out.

I thought of a few things, and I wanted to share them with you in case you had some insight for me. Or a million dollars. That would work too.

Things I like/don’t like in regards to work/job/paycheck.

1.) I love to write. LOVE TO WRITE. And yet I never update this blog, but hey, this is my 2nd post in 2 days. Progress.

2.) I don’t wanna be creative at work. I am creative in my “real” life enough to keep me personally happy and satisfied and BUSY. I don’t want to have to be creative about putting events together with no budget for 200 students. No thanks. I want a career that is about facts and is straightforward. There’s no room for creativity because it is what it is. If you change it, it won’t work.

3.) I don’t like being bossed around. I take it personal, though it’s just part of the whole working thing. I need to get over this one big time. I guess I would prefer a leader rather than a boss, if that makes sense.

4.) I don’t like feeling like I am a salesperson. I worked at Dell for 3 weeks and it was awful. If someone didn’t want to buy a computer, I sure as hell didn’t feel like making them want to. Dude, call me back when you’re ready and check out Best Buy for better pricing, have a peachy day. Terrible saleswoman I was. Now, I work in a field where I am constantly trying to meet numbers- LIKE A SALESPERSON. I have to make sure I have 30 people for this program, and 150 for this program. Oh- can you please get 120 of those 150 to do this other thing, too?! GOSH! I am in a sales position without getting paid commission. I am all for goals and deadlines, those are normal, but having to look at people as numbers is not my cup of tea.

5.) Work hours/stress. I realize in any job there are times where you might have to work a little extra. Cool. I don’t want to work a little extra all the time. Also, I’d like my job to end when I leave. I don’t want to lose sleep over it, don’t want to talk about it at the dinner table, I want to literally leave my job when I leave for the day. I know those bad days that you gripe about at home are inevitable, but I’d like them to be few and far between.

So, those are just some things I came up with. Any ideas for careers that sort of the majority of the above statements?

I was thinking accountant (straight forward), computer programming (maybe…I really have no clue what they do) or…I don’t know. Please share your thoughts with me!

Thank you McDonald’s Iced Coffee. And Lauren.

This is for you Gwen.

My lovely pal Gwen reminded me that to become a B-List blogger, I actually have to blog.

Who would have thought?

Gwen and I have thoughtfully put ourselves on the D-List of bloggers, and I think for my blog (this blog) that might be rather generous. I haven’t blogged in like a month, though I think about doing so every. single. day.

Seriously.

Why don’t I blog more?

I am lazy. Straight up lazy.

Being a salary employee isn’t as glamorous as you think it might be, because guess what? You never actually work under 40 hours, and that happens to be the glamorous part. So, while I think of all these fabulous posts and such while I am at work, it doesn’t translate through my fingertips after an 8 am-9 pm work day. Sorry.

But it needs to. It has to.

I’m going to Blissdom 2011 baby! I hope. I’ve already gotten Christy and Gwen as roomies, but I don’t wanna be that blogger at Blissdom that no one knows. Not that I am Dooce or wanna be Dooce, but I want them to at least kinda, sorta, maybe know who I am. Maybe. A smidge.

So, you, right there reading this…I am making a promise to you. I am going to blog at least 3 times a week. Maybe more, but no less. It may not all involve spray paint and thrifty finds while I work through my slavery months of February-May, but they will be something interesting and hopefully, worthwhile to read.

My day-to-day life lately revolves around a mid-mid life crisis. I am trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up because I am grown up, for the most part, and I need to do something I believe in and that I love. Not like. Not go to for a paycheck. Truly love 80% of the time, not 10% of the time. I know I have a few friends who tell me work is just what you gotta do to get a paycheck, and while the common sense, responsible, logical side of me concurs with that statement, the dreamy, happiness seeker in me longs for something more fulfilling and more me.

Because I’m worth it! Is that L’Oreal or Maybelline that says that? I don’t even know.

Anyway, I am trying to figure out what my purpose is and what career field I should go into to make this life a little better. I’m learning it’s not about the money. It’s more about mental health and being treated fairly. Less about anxiety and sleepless nights.

I’m probably going to go back to school this summer, maybe fall, and I feel slightly nervous and slightly excited. As with anything, if you don’t like it, you should change it, right?

I think so.

But for now, I am pumped for spring break. March 15-19. Three more work weeks. Not that I am counting.

We’re still kind of debating on where to go, and for our wallets sake we decided to vacation somewhere we could drive to. We were thinking 2 nights in Fredericksburg, TX at this lovely cottage:

Lovely bed- I love the comforter.

Cozy couch and a basic kitchen.

Private hot tub and outdoor grill. YES!

All images are from the Absolute Charm website.

I think it’s perfect! Daniel and I just want to go to wineries, eat some good food, shop, relax and enjoy our evenings outside in the lovely hot tub. Relaxation at it’s finest. Ahhh.

Then we might drive up to Round Rock, TX for one night to go to IKEA and the Round Rock outlets. Not a glamorous vacation (and certainly no Disney…no, not bitter. Yes, I am.) but I think it’s perfect for what we want more than anything right now- TIME AWAY FROM WORK!

Daniel and I were talking about how so many of society’s issues stem from working too much.

Why can’t we live in a country where siestas are custom and where 1-year maternity leave is the norm? Why?

Be back at LEAST 2 more times this week. Any fun vacations planned? Work got ya down? Tell me about in the comments.

xoxo,

Monica

This is for you Gwen.

The Master Plan

As you all know, I live in an apartment.

I’ve ALWAYS lived in an apartment, which is why I think I am fed up with it, and would sell an organ on Craigslist to buy a house.

But, for now, it is what it is.

After Christmas came and went, I’ve been in a decor slump. Can I whip out my vibrant spring stuff yet? Not quite. Can I just do all white/gray? Not really. But I have been thinking a lot about the master bedroom. Our “master” bedroom is a 10x11 room. Yeah, master is definitely a bit of a stretch for a room that size. The only thing we’ve mastered is living in a cube for almost 3 years now.

I am trying not to let that discourage me though. I can still have a great bedroom if I just get a bit creative. Here’s a pic of the room. Yup, it’s a full bed. I told ya it was a small room.

I think my biggest decorating dilemma that I can never ever figure out is what the hell to put above the bed. I went looking around on www.Houzz.com and here are some of my favorite inspiration pics:

I like the above photo because it seems similar in size to our room. I also like how there’s only one nightstand, though I do think those pics and those funky lamps have gotta go.

I like this photo a lot. Very much. Oh yes. I love those butler tables and the lamps. It’s all just perfect and delicious.

Love the wall of frames. It looks interesting. I would love to have a bottle of wine with me and a good book to read while lounging on that beautiful chaise. It looks so inviting and relaxing… aaahhh.

This picture is swoon worthy as well because it hits on one of my main weaknesses- being matchy-matchy. Notice how the 2 nightstands and lamps are NOT identical? Yet it looks good?! And that mirror is lovely. I also love how it’s a small space, yet they did fit in a chair.

Another example of a small space. Those little white tables remind me of the Shabby Chic collection from Target. Again, it’s not very matchy-matchy either, but it works. I need to learn this skill.

I saved this picture because I liked how the tables are at the foot of the bed. I don’t know how practical that is, but I think it’d be nice to take off my shoes at the end of the day and place my sparkly earrings on the mirrored side tables. And those lamps are also so pretty. This room has a feminine flair that isn’t over the top.

This photo went into my inspiration file because of the pelmet box above the bed. That shape is perfection. I don’t think I’d do this over our bed because it’s a bit too girly for my taste, and because I don’t want to waste money on material. But the shape…*drool*

All images except for my bed are from www.Houzz.com

So, where do I begin?

Well, I guess we have a color scheme- black/white/gray with pops of red.

We know we’d like some sort of nightstand for each of us that is small but can hold a lamp, a drink, and a book. And my sparkly earrings. We know we want it to match our sheets and duvet from Smart Bargains:

**Note, Smart Bargains doesn’t have them anymore, but you can find them on Amazon for way more than we paid. Sorry!

We know we don’t have much room or money to work with.

Here’s some stuff I have my eyes on:

Ottoman from Target, $59.99

Black lamp from Target, $19.99

Lamp shade from Target, $9.99

Fretwork tray from Target, $12.99 (I bought one!!)

Songbird Pillow from Wal-Mart, $13.00

Set of 2 silver hammered frames from Wal-Mart, $16.00 for 2

Side table with tray from Wal-Mart, $30.00

Tealight holder from Wal-Mart, $12.00

Rug from Wal-Mart, price varies upon size

White butler side table from Kmart, $69.99

Trellis fabric from Etsy- Sew and Sews Fabric, $4.00 per half yard

Brocade letter trays from The Container Store, $12.99 each

Mirror from ZGallerie, $99.00

As you all can see, I think I’ve narrowed down my vision, but I need to find my accessories and make it happen. I am quite excited about this. Do you all have any suggestions? Neat finds I may have missed online? Wanna buy me 2 of these? Because they’re seriously perfect.

From ZGallerie, $99.95 each

Are there any special room/decor projects you’re working on lately? I’d love to hear about them!

The Master Plan

14 Days of Giveaways

Good morning lovely readers! I know many of you all joined my blog because it’s funny, fabulous and random of the giveaway I had last week, but I wanted to give you all a heads up of a wonderful giveaway extravaganza that’s about to commence on Monday, February 1st.

I have an Etsy store that most of you all know about, and I really try not to bog down this blog with my Etsy stuff because that’s really not the point of my blog. However, I am proud to be on the KNET Team (Knotties and Nesties on Etsy), and we’re showing all of our lovely fans, followers, and clients how much we love them by hosting giveaways each day over on our team blog. Some days there will be 2 giveaways, so you have a TON of chances to win.

Our team features a bunch of talented Etsians so you may be able to snag some jewelry, handmade bags, candles, cards and so much more. Head on over to our blog, or you can always follow us on Twitter to get in on the fun. Each giveaway will go live at midnight CST and will close at 10 pm CST with a winner being announced on the blog by 11 pm CST every day. Winners will be chosen by random.org

We hope you’ll join us! If you ever need to find a KNET member’s products on Etsy, just search using our team tag which is “knetteam”. Happy shopping, and best of luck if you do enter our giveaways! Here’s a pic of some of our recently listed items:

14 Days of Giveaways

A beautiful blogger. <3

My friend Laurel tagged me with the beautiful blogger award last week, but I am lazy and just getting around to fulfilling my end of the bargain.

 

Now you get to hear 7 random things you probably don’t really care to know about me anyway.

Here is how it works:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award. – THANKS LAUREL!

2. Paste the award on your blog. –Check!

3. Link back to the person who gave you the award.- Check!

4. Share seven interesting things about yourself.

5. Nominate up to 7 more beautiful bloggers.

6. Link the bloggers you nominate.

Ok, so 7 interesting things about me:

1.) I don’t really find myself all that interesting.

2.) My personal goal is to have my Etsy store & my other project up and running smoothly/successfully enough so that I can work from home one day.

3.) I am obsessed with Diet Pepsi. It is my most favorite soda in the world. Coming in at a close second is Diet Dr. Pepper with cherry. LOVE! Third place goes to McDonald’s sugar free vanilla iced coffee. I think it has crack in it; I am addicted to it. I need it like 3 times a week, at least.

4.) I have a lot of anxiety when driving. I always fear I am going to die, and this sometimes makes me not want to travel. I get really nervous if a car is right next to my car on the highway because what if they don’t see my car, hit me, and I die.

5.) I will never, under any circumstance, eat seafood. Blame Nemo- fish are friends, not food. Cows are fair game.

6.) I would love a boob job. TMI? Sorry.

7.) I plan music videos in my head. I travel a lot for work, and I’ll hear a song on the radio, and I will plan out the entire music video in my head. I will plan out the location/setting, costumes, props, etc. I do this all the time, and I think I have some good ideas.

Now, the 7 bloggers I am tagging with the beautiful blogger award are <drumroll…>

1.) Faith @ The Adventures of Faith

2.) Gwen @ Murphy Grace Home

3.) Jessica @ Jessica’s Treasures

4.) Christy @ Embellished Bayou

5.) Stephanie @ Steph’s Life in Motion

6.) Erin @ Eden’s Echo

7.) Jenn @ Jenn’s XOXO Beauty Blog

A beautiful blogger. <3