Black & Gold?

My dad raised me to hate the joined colors black & gold from a very young age. As a result of growing up in Northeastern Ohio, we have the bitter sweet burden of being Browns fans. The general rule: we want the Browns to win, the Steelers to lose, and everything else to line up so those first two things can happen. Every season begins with lots of chatter about the promising potential of the new season. New players, new coaches, and a new beginning. Inevitably, every season -and most games- end in disappointment. If it isn't clear from my extremely basic explanation, I admittedly don't pay a lot of attention to the NFL. I try to follow it enough to know what's going on. But the big picture is that there is always a new season, we always hope, and we are always let down. And when we are let down, we root against the Steelers.

UMBC's Golden Retriever Mascot.

Imagine my awkward inner conflict when I come to find that UMBC's colors are primarily black & gold. My first trip to the bookstore was tough. Trying to pick out a subtle shirt that doesn't go completely against the basic foundation of being someone from Canton, Ohio. Black and yellow are evil. We don't wear those colors. It sounds silly because it is. And don't worry, it's not that dramatic or important. But I would be lying if I told you I didn't cringe when I walked in that bookstore, choose a plain grey shirt and walk out. It will probably be a little while before I can dress with more spirit. 

One place I have found that I have no troubles wearing black and gold is in my professional attire. It doesn't look athletic so no one associates it that way. In the last week I have rocked a few different black and gold outfits. All of these items are recent purchases (or gifts) of mine that I wore this week and am so excited to wear over and over again.

1. Gold Necklace, $18 at Charming Charlie

2. Calvin Klein Dress, gift from my aunt

3. Anchor bracelet, gift from one of my best friends from Sara Aghili

4. Tunic Blouse, $23 from Target

I wore 1 & 4 together earlier this week.

Something gold I would like to acquire: How cute is this dainty elephant necklace?

$15 from LemonTreeLand's Shop on Etsy :)

How do your loyalties or dislikes dictate your wardrobe? Do you cringe at the site of certain colors and delight in others?

Love,

Logan

Happy People

Saw this quote earlier this week and can't forget it. How true.

Love,
Logan

First Day

It's been a while since I last posted. Been a little busy. Packed up most of everything I own and moved it to Annapolis, Maryland last week. This past week, I started my new job (I love it so far), and have been trying to navigate this new location and chapter in my life. I thought I would share with you my first morning as a full-time working professional because it was a complete disaster. And don't we all feel a little bit better when we know someone else's life is as out of control as our own at times? I know I do.



It was the morning of Tuesday March 12, 2013. I woke up at about 6:30am to get ready for my first day of my new job. Went upstairs (I am currently living with my awesome Aunt, Uncle, and cousin while I search for a place closer to work), ate breakfast, etc. At about 7am, the power goes out. Apparently there is some major construction going on down the road so they had to turn the power off for a couple hours to configure the power in their new giant building. To the leaders of this project I would like to say:

1) Great time choice. I'm sure no one else was getting ready for work around that time on a TUESDAY.

2) It was pouring down rain, so how did that whole electrical thing go for you?

3) I'm really not that angry about it. I actually have laughed a lot about it since. So we're cool, right?

Anyway, powers out. This is when you realize that in complete darkness, your iPhone flashlight isn't even that bright at all-pretty lame actually. Thank the sweet heavens that I didn't have to shower, I picked out my outfit the night before, and that the high bun is super in right now. Doing makeup by candlelight is pretty difficult, especially if you're not trying to go for the drag queen look. I think I did alright. I just told myself that if anyone jokingly asked, "What did you do- get ready in the dark?!" I would simply say "Yes, yes I did." Got out the door and on the drive toward Baltimore. This is when I learned that 695 is a hellish nightmare from around 7:40-8:15am and today it happens to be pouring rain. I'm in the far right lane (of five lanes) and going nowhere. We start to move forward, but I need the lane to my left. Look over my left shoulder, no one is coming, I start to merge, only to notice a massive semi-truck at full speed merging into that same lane from the left side. Obviously, HOLY CRAP -I hit the gas so as not to be hit by him on my driver's side just as the car in front of me came to a screeching halt. I clipped the back left corner of a very nice woman's Toyota Camry with my sweet little Honda Accord's right headlight. Oh my gosh I'm going to throw up cry jump out of my new pencil skirt immediately. I did none of those things. Everyone is okay. Damage is minor. Exchanged information, called insurance agent, and handled it all like a big girl. The whole while thinking "Keep it together Logan, this is your first day of work. Keep it together." Also knowing that I could definitely not call my mother because the sound of her selfless, maternal, perfect voice would most definitely send me in an emotional downward spiral. Arrived to work with no further issues other than that feeling of wanting to cry and throw up simultaneously, but reminding myself to be thankful that it was as minor as it was. Made it to work 10 minutes EARLY. I was one of the first people to arrive to the office. Set the security alarm off, did not know the code. Tracked down someone downstairs with the code and also someone to unlock my office. Then my office alarm went off. Fortunately, a woman that knew the code was down the hall. Whew. Sat down at my new desk and took a very deep breath. I made it. I was there.

Aside from a power outage, fender bender, and a false security breach, I had a wonderful first day. I was at my new job which I would soon learn that I love, working in an office full of amazing people in a cool place. I also had to remind myself that in the whole world, that morning was great compared to people that don't wake up in a nice warm bed or have anything to eat for breakfast. Any of my "bad" days are a lot better than many other people's normal days. So through this morning and my first week at work, I couldn't help but feel how absolutely blessed I am.

Have you had a bad day lately? How do you handle it and bounce back? How do you remind yourself that you are lucky when you're feeling a bit unlucky?

Love,
Logan

So Much to Smile About

“This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And babe, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.” -Marilyn Monroe

Love,

Logan