Five Things I've Learned Since Graduation

It has been one year since I finished my Master's degree. Technically, one year and two days. I am certainly not where I thought I would be when I was thinking about this point in my life last year. And to be honest, so many things have gone wrong this past year, but so many things have been sweet little blessings in disguise. Spoiler alert, this post gets a bit heavy. You are allowed to stop reading it if you only come to this space for the flowery and fashionable. Though I hope you keep reading. Here are the top five things I've learned since graduation.

Jeremiah 29:11 Chalkboard Print by Lily & Val.

1) Where you want to be is not always where you should be.
If I had it my way, I would still be living in downtown Pittsburgh. When my lease was up last summer, I cried. Literally. Downtown Pittsburgh might be the pits for some people and others don't understand why I loved it so much, but it was my own little slice of Heaven. However, if I was there now, I wouldn't get to have this experience of living with my brother. If you haven't caught on to this yet, Eric is seriously my best friend. We should have been twins, if only so he wouldn't have had to spend that first year without me. I wouldn't have the freedom to not be paying a ridiculously high rent payment every month on top of my student loan payments. I'm sure for those two reasons alone, I would have started to resent that location eventually and because I'm not there, it's still a little Heaven in my eyes. Do I want to move back? Of course. But now isn't the time.

2) No job is below you.
I recently took on another job of bartending just to be able to make a bit more money with tips and another little paycheck. Why? Because who doesn't want a little wiggle room when bills start rolling in? And while bartending is great, this job also has a waitressing aspect to it, which I have never done before. Do you know how awful people treat waitresses? Yeah, that's why I never waitressed before. Not like retail is much more glamorous, but at least there isn't half-eaten food involved. But not taking a job that most people would say is "below" me is stupid. Does it give me money? Do I technically get a workout in while at work because of how much running around I do? Am I physically able to do this job? Yes. So while I don't need a Master's degree to figure out how to put in an order for Chicken Alfredo and then sweetly hand it to someone, everyone could do with having a job that teaches you how to serve someone. Serving someone else and expecting little to nothing in return is honestly what everyone in this country should have to do for at least a year in my own opinion. I might as well get my year in now.

3) MJ is greater than the man of my dreams.
If you know MJ personally, then you know that he has three things in mind. Career. Family. God. Not necessarily in that order, but that's about it. From the beginning of our relationship, he has made it clear that he wants to be married and have a boat load of children, and I have made it clear that I don't want either of those things until I feel totally set and complete on my own and then after that, I'm all in. If you remember my 25 before 25 list, I wanted to get engaged this year. However, that was with the ideal in mind that I would have a steady full-time job and I would be living on my own before he proposed. Obviously he was on board for this, and we were on this track up until I was no longer employed by Dress for Success because of some unforeseen financial difficulties on their part. MJ told me on Valentine's Day about how he had planned to propose. Way to lay it on thick, right? And to make you love him more, it was going to be at the party for his parent's 40th wedding anniversary, which is the exact same way my dad proposed to my mom. Yeah. That would have been last month. But this man. THIS. MAN. My man has put me and my desires first, yet again. He knows I would not be happy being engaged without feeling complete on my own, so his dreams of a wedding and little family are set aside for my dream of a career. I am selfish and I do not deserve him. But I thank God for him everyday and always will.

4) I have the skills and power to make my dreams come true.
You guys, I am so excited to finally announce what I've been working so hard on! This Thursday, be sure to check back because everything will be explained, I will need your input, and I really hope that you are as excited as I am.

5) God has perfect timing and a plan greater than any of my own.
Thursday's announcement is a big deal for me and I don't think it would be happening if the mess of this year didn't happen. This has been a seriously rough road since graduation. From the high of graduating, to the low of leaving Pittsburgh, high of being employed by one of my favorite non-profits, to losing that job for reasons that I had no control over, to the mess of moving again to Erie, and struggling on the job hunt train, this past year has had it's great moments, but overall, it has just been rough. But through it all, I know God knows what he's doing. He has a plan for my life and while I choose my daily steps, he is guiding them and working in and in spite of them to make things happen. I trust in him to get it right when I am certainly messing it up. Is Thursday's announcement the end all, be all of God's plan? Probably not, but it is certainly his doing. I had this in mind for much, much further down the road in life and it has made it's way to the present. I also want to make clear that other ventures are not being let go because of Thursday's announcement, but they are on the back burner. This has made it's way to the front of my mind and for good reason and I'm putting my trust in God that it will work out.

Choosing A Great Read

If you follow me on Twitter, than you know there's been a lot of book talk lately. I've always been a big fan of the written word and actual books are still my favorite...although my iPad library has a nice collection too. And as a self-proclaimed writer, with book ideas of my own floating around my brain and Word docs on my computer, books are important to me. So I thought I'd share with you all how I decide on which books to read, since I think it's a bit unique or weird, however you want to look at it!

1. If it's recommended, consider the source and then more than likely read it right away.
A lot of my friends are big readers too, and I always like to know what great books they've recently finished and I take these recommendations very seriously. People don't usually recommend books that don't make you feel something or that just flat out suck. I've got a great group of friends, and none of them are anything like the next one, so this always makes for an interesting selection of books. From new age stuff to deep theology, and the current best seller to some trashy romance novel, my friends have read them all. And it's always nice to read something from a new or interesting perspective. Although I admit that I'm behind on this list of recommendations.

2. Judge the cover.
Yep. You read that right. I judge the cover of books. I'm part graphic designer, how could I not? If I don't like the design or if I think I could have made it better in an easy way, I don't read it. Or I look to see if there are other cover designs for it...thank you Amazon! Also, if a book was made into a movie and the actors are on the cover, that is not the one I pick. I like the original art better, although I did make an exception for my copy of The Help. And if it's an old book without the cover sleeve...even better! Nothing to judge if it's not there!

3. Feel it up. 
This kind of goes along with the design in general but if I book is awkward to hold or just doesn't feel right, I'll look for it in a different form. I prefer books in soft covers simply because they are easier to hold and seem more comfortable. Packaging is important, people!

4. Read the first paragraph.
If you're not drawn in after that first paragraph, you're not going to want to continue reading the whole book. Authors kill themselves over that first paragraph, it's obviously one of the most important pieces.

5. Read the last sentence.
I'm serious. It gives you just enough of a juicy stopping point that you wonder what happened to lead up to that moment and it's just as important as that first paragraph...if not more. And if you end up getting the book, you'll more than likely forget what it said by the time you finish reading the book anyway. Since it's so short it's not like you are ruining the ending for yourself.

6. Turn to a page and read a random paragraph.
I stole this one from one of my favorite professors at Seton Hill who has actually recommended books to me that are now some of my favorites. He always picked page 58 (if I'm remembering correctly) but I've decided to pick the page with my age. So until July, every author better hope that their 24th page is a knockout. And again, it's not like you're giving anything away, reading a couple sentences from a random page isn't going to tell you everything about the characters or give up a major plot twist and you will more than likely forget what you've read once you get into it. But if you're hooked because of those few sentences, you'll more than likely be hooked through the whole book.

It's not science, but it helps. Especially if you're choosing between two random books you found at the library that you've never heard of - like me earlier this week, when all the books recommended to me were checked out at the library. How do you decide on what to read?

Book reviews previously posted:

Still Alice | The Help | The Family Fang | Heaven Is For Real | Incendiary

The Age of Miracles | Gone Girl | Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore

Office Girl | Trains and Lovers | I was told there'd be cake

Pinspiration Station

Remember when I told you guys that I would have some big news for you soon? Well, it's still a secret and it's still on it's way, but right now I'm in the middle of it and just want to launch. But I cannot because it's not perfect and not ready and not enough. Why do we put ourselves down so much? I know that this project is going to take a lot out of me for quite a while, but every time I get to work on it, I'm in heaven, so why don't I focus on that instead of the nitpicking of the tiniest details?

Easier said than done. I know that this will be a huge endeavor, that I really want it to be long-term and successful. I know that this takes time and energy and that it's not going to be exactly what I want right from the get-go, but instead of letting that fuel me, I sometimes let it be a block in my path. Why? Do any of you do this too? I  feel like this is where Pinterest becomes a problem because we so easily get trapped in comparing ourselves to others, but I've been trying to use it as a motivator. Beautiful designs and inspirational words. Trying to help it fuel me today, and hopefully it'll help you guys out too. I don't feel like I'm in a rut, which is a great. But I just feel like I'm right on the edge of where I want to be before launch and it's killing me to keep pushing to get there. I know all of what I have to do before then and I know things will fall into place and happen as long as I keep guiding it and working hard. Blood, sweat, and tears pay off, right?

Stay tuned.

photo by Hannah | design by me

The summer before my senior year of high school I decided to totally redo my bedroom at my parents' house. The whole works; take down old wallpaper, paint all the walls, rip up the carpet, etc. And one thing I did that was admittedly very juvenile, but is still one of my favorite elements of the room whenever I go back home, is write inspirational quotes on my closet door. 

This quote is one of the biggest on that door and has stood out to me my entire life. The class of 2010 at Seton Hill chose it as their "class motto" and since MJ was the president of that class, he gave quite a few speeches with this quote at the center. Now, this quote still holds true in me. Over the weekend, I decided to take the first few steps in directing my future. And while I won't be announcing what I'm in the process of doing just yet, that's my perfectionism talking, I'm excited that a dream of mine is becoming a reality and I can see it really taking shape. Going along without a set path is scary, frustrating and exhilarating. I'm keeping my hopes up, but with reality in the front of my mind. I'm planning for April to be about the time of the "big reveal" and I'm hoping you'll be excited when I let you in on it all.

Stay tuned.

two years.

Photo by my friend, Hannah | Editing by me

Sunday was Chels & the City's two year anniversary. I just want to thank those of you who have followed along from the beginning and those of you who have just started to follow too. All of you make this space worth coming back to and worth all the extra time and effort that a blog takes. I am very proud of this little space and am very happy that two years ago I decided to get back into blog world. I know that this isn't the same blog that it started out to be, but I like the content covered as a whole and I like where this blog is headed. 

I hope you guys will continue you follow along.

Back to Back Masters

As previously mentioned, my brother Eric and I both earned our masters degree this year.

His from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and mine from Point Park University.

Above are the front of the invitations I designed for our party.

Today, we celebrate our awesomeness.

With family, friends and fried chicken of course!

Happy Weekend!

highlight reel.

I saw this quote on another blog about a year ago and kept it and then edited it 

into this photo recently since I've been seeing a lot of negativity online this month. 

I understand that feeling, especially as a blogger. And ESPECIALLY as a recent graduate.

It is so easy to compare ourselves with everyone else, when in reality everyone is having rough days. 

Everyone tries to only put their best face out through social media (and in person, too).

Everyone struggles at some point, but don't let your struggle be because you're comparing yourself to someone else. 

You don't know what's going on in that person's life that they are purposefully hiding.
And you don't know who is looking at your highlight reel while you're putting on your best face too.

Alright. Off my soap box now and back to crying while I pack up my apartment.

See? We're not all fabulous, all the time.

Valentine Playlist & Snail Mail

Hoping all of you are able to send and receive your fill of love today, or this weekend if you are like me and MJ who are always far too busy to ever do anything on the actual day of Valentine's Day. Remember, we're the couple who didn't exchange Christmas gifts until mid-January. But honestly, as cheesy as it sounds, everyday is Valentine's Day with him - relationships with distance are not for the faint of heart, people!

If you know me well, then you know that I am obsessed with greeting cards. I love sending them, receiving them, making them...I am all about this business. Hire me, Hallmark. Sometimes when I'm bored I go to Rite Aid (mind you, I live in the city so Rite Aid is literally my neighbor) just to browse through the greeting cards. Which I realize makes me lame, but I want to have my own greeting card company eventually and am currently toying with the idea of opening an Etsy shop for cards and random design work so I need to look at my competition!

So, this year for Valentine's Day I wanted to send some love to everyone, though not a realistic goal, I at least sent some to 25 households through personally designed cards. And by personally, I mean I made them in Photoshop and InDesign and made six different designs. Each one was based on beautiful simplicity and song lyrics, because honestly what else do you need in a Valentine? I hope they all made it to your mailboxes by today. I loved making these. First, coming up with the design and what pictures (which were all taken by my friend Hannah) and then buying the special paper and envelopes from a little stationary shop downtown called Weldin's. Sigh. I just loved this process and I hope those of you lucky enough to get one love them too. But for everyone who doesn't receive a snail mail Valentine, I'm sorry and you're welcome to consider this post as your own special Valentine. Add the Elton John, Your Song, to the list if you so desire in that case...that's always a goodie. Happy Valentine's Day with infinite X's & O's from me!

1. For MJ (as pictured above)  - Ho Hey by The Lumineers

I belong with you. You belong with me. You're my sweetheart.

2. For my parents - Home by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

Home is wherever I'm with you. (Alabama, Arkansas, I sure love my Ma & Pa.)

3. For my brother - Murder in the City by The Avett Brothers

Always remember there is nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name.

4. For my anti-Valentine's friends - What's Love Got to Do With It by Tina Turner

What's love got to do with it.

5. For my friends (part 1) - Everybody by Ingrid Michaelson

Everybody wants to love. Everybody wants to be loved.

6. For my friends (part 2) - Awake My Soul by Mumford & Sons

Where you invest your love, you invest your life.

New Design

Hello readers, if you came looking for Fashion Forward Fridays, I'm sorry to let you down. But hey look, new design! I had to create a branding project for a class so I decided to use Chels & the City to do so. I still have some little changes I want to make and a few more additions but I would like your input on how you feel about the updates!

Also, while you're looking around, it would be fabulous if you joined my site through Google Friend Connect just look over to the right, scroll down until you see "Fabulous Followers" and click join this site. I'd appreciate it!

Happy Friday, friends! Have a great weekend!

Love, Chels