this blogging thing

sweater & pants: old navy (pants similar here), t-shirt: nordstrom rack,

shoes: vans (exact here)

this blogging thing. it can be rough.

i have been blogging at 'diary of this girl' for four years now;

where has the time gone?! (you can read my very first post here!)

now, don't worry, i'm not going anywhere. 

blogging is an immense passion of mine. 

as is fashion. and writing. thrifting. shopping. and pretty much 

anything and everything i share on my little corner of the internet. 

since starting my blog, i have always compared my writing,

the photos i post, and the outfits i wear to fellow fashion and lifestyle 

bloggers. i always aspire to do better. to be better. 

to create something unique and genuine, but to do so in 

a superior way -

perhaps that isn't fair as those bloggers have been 

doin' their thing for longer. they have more experience, 

more time to dedicate, and more knowledge of the blogging process.

yet i envy them.

'if only i had that camera'; 'if only i had that outfit';

'if only i could look better' are thoughts that often run through 

my head when reading other blogs.

i hope this blog continues to grow, 

but more importantly, i want it to continue to be a creative outlet for me.

if it doesn't grow, i hope my passion for writing 

(and sharing my appreciation for fashion) never dwindles. 

and to those of you who read this blog, thank you! 

xoxo.

a letter to mom

"'being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs...

since the payment is pure love' said mildred vermont.

i previously wrote a letter to my dad, detailing childhood memories

and silly stories, providing a brief glance into our relationship. 

with the approaching holidays (when the importance of family is paramount),

i wanted to do the same for you, mom.

though our relationship is far from perfect, i am grateful to have you as my mother.

not only are you my mom, but also my friend, role model, and mentor. 

i remember us baking cookies when i was little;

you always let me lick the spoon.

i remember you driving me to school, curling my hair,

and helping me with homework each day [...]"

you can read more of my letter to my mom here.

xoxo.

*image found on google

back to the nest

"...or so i thought.

since beginning my job as a teaching assistant,

saving money has become near impossible (or seemingly so). 

perhaps i am a 'professional diaper changer' or 'glorified babysitter.'

i beg to differ;

rather, i believe i am now working in a field that aligns with my dreams.

i have always had an immense passion for working with children.

as a child, i dreamt of one day becoming a teacher. 

in high school and college, my interests and career goals shifted,

and i pursued psychology. 

now that i am working in the school system,

i have come to realize that my childhood aspirations were not far off."

you can read more of this weeks article here and see where i will be moving (or not moving).

*image from google

bad hair day

dress: i heart ronson (thrifted), flats: steve madden, bracelet: f21

today was a bad hair day.

it could have been that i woke up 20 minutes before needing to leave for work

completely forgoing the time needed to dry my hair?

or perhaps it is that i am in need of a cut?

regardless, i disliked all of the pictures poor tom took of me today.

this one was mediocre.

and silly.

and my hair looks slightly manageable.

i apologize for not looking at the camera,

but my belt needing some adjusting.

how was your monday?

my morning went by very quickly at work

so i rewarded myself with a giant chocolate chip cookie. 

and a walk through f21 so i could gaze at all the gorgeous peter pan collared blouses 

and peplum and polka dots and silk tops...

...none of which could be worn at preschool hehe.

a girl can dream.

i have a new article that talks a bit more about my new job here.

i would love if you had time to take a look :) 

xoxo.

never-ending summer

shirt & shorts: nordstrom, sunglasses: f21

a few more from the weekend...

i took bailey for a bike ride in that little baby carrier :)

she absolutely loved it!

tom and i saw a woman with two pet turtles at green lake.

he also took me to my first car show.

we played with his friend's adorable puppy, einstein, on the boat.

i want to try to recreate this delicious salad. 

mmm!

i have a new article today for la family magazine.

you can read about my "never-ending summer" here.

thank you :)

xoxo.

sans makeup

...and this is what i look like most evenings.

i was attempting to write this week's article,

but was quite distracted by tom's roommate's adorable dog, ella.

i think i ask him 5+ times a day if i can keep her.

she is so very sweet.

bailey might get jealous...

or she could absolutely love having a new pup to play with!

(pictured above is what tom refers to as my "avatar" look.

it is an anti-stress dead sea mask - 

my attempts at trying to combat my current skin woes.)

this week's article details real life lessons i have learned as a nanny.

please check it out :)

xoxo.

*image found on google

untitled

oh friday night, 

i could not be more grateful you are here.

as i sit here with my (now finished) bag of s'mores goldfish,

pondering what to do with my night/life,

i am thrilled to be able to sleep in for the next two days. 

over the past few months, 

i have become a 24 year old, going on 74.

i require a daily nap, plus i absolutely must be in bed by 10-10:30.

when did i turn into this girl?! 

napping is what my mom adamantly refers to as a "vicious cycle" - 

once you start, you cannot stop.

truer words have never been spoken.

perhaps i will take a brief nap now?

then i could possibly muster up the energy to be social-able. 

perhaps... 

lookin' good, megan! 

...not

shorts & necklace: f21, t-shirt: nordstrom, shoes: ross, sweater: hand-me-down from a!

and now i would like to share with you this week's article! 

don't be deceived by the title (the rejection(s)),

it is not nearly as depressing as it seems... promise. 

you can read it here.

thank you for continuing to like and comment on my articles! 

i am very, very grateful :)

happy friday!

xoxo. 

fsbo

this week's article details moving out of my parent's house

 as they prepare to put it up for sale. 

you would not believe some of the things i found while cleaning! 

please see my article here.

thank you :) 

baby and i are off to enjoy a walk in this lovely seattle sunshine.

happy monday! 

xoxo. 

*image found here

inspiration, silliness, and an article

*found here

these sunglasses are simply amazing.

this boy is pretty fun, too :) 

please read this week's article from my column "school's out" here.

it details my two-year college anniversary, 

and my plans (or lack thereof) for the future. 

xoxo.

*image found on google

true life: my dating experience

i think i have alluded to my (primarily non-existent) dating life...

i went through quite the breakup a few months ago,

but feel ready to move on and share my story. 

maybe it is too honest and too much information (to be written about here),

but i think sharing bits and pieces of my life,

and writing down my thoughts and emotions helps me cope.

if interested, you can read my story here.

also, if you are a fan of la family magazine,

and would like to write an article detailing your post-college experiences,

feel free to comment here or email me. 

i will happily pass along your information to the editor.

he is always looking for new writers,

and i would love to read your story!

xoxo.

keep those neurotransmitters firing

happy monday! 

dress: target, vest: nordstrom, flip flops: havaianas

thank you, thank you, thank you 

to those of you who have been following my recently published articles for lafamily magazine.

i found out over the weekend that i will be writing for them on a weekly basis :)

i could not be more excited! 

after graduating,

i felt as though my brain was turning to mush. 

office work and taking care of small babies is not exactly mentally stimulating 

(though immensely trying at times!). 

having the opportunity to write for a reputable online publication

makes me feel as though i am putting that hard-earned college degree to use,

and that those precious neurotransmitters in my brain will continue to fire. 

you can read this weeks article on my attempt at living on a budget here.

let's be honest - it is hardly an attempt at budgeting, but rather a story of my epic failure at living a frugal lifestyle. eek! 

xoxo. 

dear dad

dear dad,

remember the first time i came home from school

(after turning 21)?

you were appalled by my love of wine in a jug...

and ridiculously cheap beer.

you made it your mission to teach me to appreciate the finer beverages

that this world has to offer.

and so, you watched as i struggled to sip on tequila.

well, 

after this holiday weekend,

i wish i had simply sipped on (a lot) less tequila.

it would have made sunday a bit more bearable...

i think i learned my lesson.

thank you,

megan.

t-shirt: gap, skirt & moccasins: nordstrom, necklace: f21

p.s. please do not be appalled by the aforementioned behavior.

beverages were consumed in moderation, with water to follow,

and public transportation was used to get to-and-fro. 

p.p.s. on a more serious note, my second article was published 

today for lafamily magazine(!!).

please check it out - you can rate, "like", and tweet the link in order to help me potentially have my own weekly column.

 thank you for those of you who read last weeks article, too! 

you are amazing! 

xoxo.