so far behind..

I am so behind on my blog it's overwhelming. I missed out on updating so many wonderful things.. so here goes another huge update of trying to catch up on lost blog-time.

On Saturday, May 1st, I graduated from Western Michigan Unviersity with a BA in Film, Video and Media Studies. My parents, grandparents, Aunt Cindy, Uncle Rick, and of course, Josh came to Kalamazoo to watch my commencement. It was insanely long (Arts & Sciences has the largest commencement), it ended up being almost three hours long.






And then on Sunday I had my family graduation party at Fricano's Muskegon Lake. I made a slideshow of my college years and showcased it at the restaurant. We ate yummy pizza, took lots of pictures, and I opened all of my cards. It felt like high school again! I am so blessed to have such an incredible family + Joshua.







I'm so glad Stacey made it out to my family party as well. We've been best friends since childhood and it wouldn't be a family celebration without her there. We've been through everything together.


(Wearing: Mayberry Dress from Modcloth, Nine West grey t-strap heels)

Last week consisted of picking up shifts at bdubs and working as much as possible. I have consistently stayed away from social networking, blogging, etc since I moved back to Muskegon. Mainly because I still have not set up my desktop computer in my room here, and for some reason I really don't like blogging from the laptop. Plus, most of my photos are on my other computer. Once I get everything finally set up, things will seem much simpler.

This week I started my internship at Digital Video Services on 40th St. in Grand Rapids. I actually interned there back in 2006 after graduating from Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts. They added another branch to the company called DVS Creative, where I will be concentrating mainly on post-production and the creative end of things. I'm very excited for the opportunities it will lead to and it's great to be back in the field. So that's what I'm doing on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-5. Every day in between I'm still slaving away at Buffalo Wild Wings and trying to save up.

Hopefully now that I'm more settled in Muskegon I can update on a regular basis again. I hope you all have a fantastic week. <3

xoxo,
Laura

D O N E

I finished my last day as a college student today!! What a great feeling. I handed in my paper to finish off the semester and all I wanted to do was skip the whole way home. I still don't think it's sunk in that I have graduation on Saturday. This week has been SO good to me.

Last night to celebrate finishing my final paper, I met up with the gang at Up and Under to watch game 7 of the Detroit Red Wings. I thought it would be nerve wracking, but the Wings were RUTHLESS. 6 to 1 win and Datsyuk had a hat trick!


Katie and I




And I've totally been slacking on outfit posts lately, so I figured I'd throw them all into one. These are from the past week:


(Dress: Heritage1981, White Jeans: Charlotte Russe, Bag: Target)


(Lace top: Wet Seal, Trousers: Victoria's Secret)


(Head to toe in Forever21)


(Head to toe in Forever21)



I'll be in Kalamazoo until Friday so I can pick up my tickets for commencement. Then on Friday afternoon/early evening I will be judging the dance team auditions for Mona Shores. I loved helping last year, choreography is my PASSION. I can't wait to work on some new routines for next season. After that, I'm having a celebration/party at my house! So excited to see friends.

Saturday I'm heading back to Kalamazoo (so much driving!) to graduate at 6pm. My parents, Josh, and grandparents will be in attendance. =] Then, I'm either staying in town for the last night and seeing Four Finger Five at Bell's, or I'll be heading back to Muskegon since my family party is on Sunday.

Seriously, HOW blessed am I?! I'm such a happy girl this week.

Take care everyone! LOVE!

xoxo,
laura

shoot down the stars

I guess you could say I took another short hiatus from blogging this past week and a half. Last week was completely exhausting, and it all started with my birthday celebration last Saturday.


My family and I at BD's Mongolian BBQ. I was soooo happy that they came to see me on my birthday, it really made my entire weekend. My family is so supportive and fun, it's amazing when they get to come out and hang out with my friends and I.





This was taken at Bells Brewery on my birthday. I had so much fun hanging out with my girls in downtown Kalamazoo. After Bells, we headed down to Monaco Bay for some dueling piano fun.

The week following my birthday weekend was insane. So much schoolwork and final projects due. I can't believe I attended my LAST undergrad class ever last week! I had a final exam this morning, I have another one tomorrow, and Wednesday I turn in a final paper, then I'm finished!

This PAST weekend, I went to Detroit again to visit my sister and brother-in-law (again) and also attend my old roommate's wedding Saturday night! Josh came along and we ended up having a blast! We didn't know what to expect because Erin was literally the only person we knew there, but it was fun meeting new people and dancing and being goofy. When it comes down to it, Josh will make any situation fun and enjoyable. I love him for that.


Erin and her father. She's already starting to make me cry here...




Conratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Forbes!


Josh and myself at the reception.

And then on Sunday my sister and I went shopping again at Great Lakes Crossings. I love that mall so much. I spent some of my birthday money and had a great time just hanging out w/ my sis. Josh went to visit a friend in Detroit for the day, so everything worked out perfectly.

Here are some previews of a few of my purchases:








I hope you all have a wonderful week. <3

xoxo,
laura

Ruffled Grey T-Straps

So for the past few weeks I've been making fluent stops at DSW just because I'm crazy about trying on shoes. I've been eying this pair of Madden Girl's Setra Ruffled T-Straps for a while now because I'm loving gray heels, especially t-straps!



Well, I went to Target on Monday and found THIS PAIR for less than half the price!


So, of course, I picked them up and will hopefully be wearing them for either the big birthday this weekend or graduation. You can see a pretty distinguishable difference; the matte vs. shiny, but I still think they're absolutely adorable. Can't wait for them to make their appearance!

I always love finding great alternatives to my favorites items in stores. It just takes a little bit of hunting. And besides, this is all my 'college student budget' will allow for the time being. ;]

a pair of blue eyes

Another casual day for me. It's hard enough to just get out of my sweats in the morning when I'm up all night studying or working on essays. I will be SO relieved when this semester is over! I know it's all I talk about, but it's going to be unreal.




(Striped top, jeans, belt & boots: Forever 21, Pashmina scarf: from Afghanistan)



My apartment building is really starting to scare me lately. Up until this month everything has been absolutely perfect. I love living in my little studio, I love my backyard w/ the gorgeous pond, ducks, swimming pool, etc. Just recently I've had some neighbors constantly yelling and cussing and fighting. It freaks me out and it echoes through my apartment. They are two floors above me and they are always outside screaming and saying terrible things. Last week I got called a "white bitch" because I didn't respond to one of them when they tried to get my attention. I'm not a bitch, I just DON'T want to get involved. Because more than likely, I will be calling the police on them in the coming days...

Anyway, aside from all that drama, I'm really looking forward to the weekend! I'm turning ::gasp:: 23 on Saturday! I can't wait to see all of my friends. Plus, my parents are coming down to Kalamazoo to take me out to dinner. =] Yay!


(My 21st bday at Monaco Bay two years ago. That's Matt Giraud from American Idol singing to me! ;] )

Have a great night! <3


Film of the Day: Garden State
Directed by Zach Braff (2004)

The first time I saw this film back when it was released I cried in my bedroom while watching it by myself. To this day, I'm still unsure about what brought the tears, but I think it's because Natalie Portman's portrayal of Sam is so personable, vulnerable, and relate-able. It's just a down-to-earth film that I think everyone should see.

weekend activities

This past weekend was soooo amazing. I didn't have to work any night shifts (which are almost always until 2am) so I actually got to see friends AGAIN! It's crazy to think that it was officially my last weekend in Muskegon as a college student. This weekend is my birthday, so I'm staying in Kalamazoo to celebrate w/ friends who are coming from out of town to see me! Man, I'm so blessed. And next weekend my very first roommate from when I lived in Detroit is getting married! So I'll be spending the weekend in Detroit again (I was just there a couple weeks ago) and I'll be staying with my sister and brother-in-law again as well. I love seeing them and staying there because they live so close to where I used to live. It's great seeing old friends when I go. Plus Josh will be with me, so it's always nice showing him around.

On Friday night Josh and I met up with some friends at Glenside Pub and then later went to Bonicki's.


Some of the girls


Two of my favorites girls in the world. This picture makes me laugh. ;]


Josh and I with Matt and Brandi




Myself with Angela and Adrienne


....annnddddd, the love of my life, Joshua.


Only two full weeks left of school, and then final exams! It's going to be a crazy few weeks, but I can't wait to feel accomplished! Hope everyone has a good week. <3

Raindrops on my Window

I’m back! I’ve been MIA for about two weeks now. I’ve been wanting to update so badly, but I really needed a temporary hiatus from the internet. Senior year second semester is insane! I’ve just been doing all I can to finish up final projects, study for exams and feel good about things I’ve accomplished. 3 more weeks to go! Graduation is just around the corner. =]

While I was away from the computer, I was out enjoying LIFE. I realized recently that these are my prime years and I don't want to waste it sitting around my studio apartment like a hermit while avoiding social contact with others. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my quiet/alone time (hence no roommates), but I really need to get my social life back in order. And I have been! It's great.

But I'm going to still try to keep up on the outfit posts. This blog seems to be the only way I can fully express myself, anyway.




(oversized top: forever21; white distressed denim: charlotte russe; beige strappy heels: nine west; accessories: forever 21)





In my time away I've been mainly trying to get in some quality time with my family, friends and Josh. Since I'm always working on the weekend, it's been difficult to squeeze in extra time for hanging out, that's why I decided to cut out other things that were hindering my opportunities to get out of the house. ;]

Two weeks ago I headed out to Bonicki's with Josh to meet up with some friends from work. It was so nice to grab a few drinks and kick back.

Please excuse the fact that I look completely haggard in all of these photos... I was completely exhausted when I went out. ;]


Anne, Brittany and myself.


Josh and I <3


Some of the Buffalo Wild Wings Muskegon crew!




...and then this PAST weekend, I went out again with two of my best girls in the universe. We started off at Pints in Quarts and then headed off to Mo'z (the gay bar) to dance the night away. Needless to say, we had way too much fun.




Yup... GaGa was in the house.

I hope you all had an amazing Easter on Sunday! Mine was perfect. Easter mass at 9am with my family and Joshua, dinner at our house w/ everyone on my mom's side, Easter egg hunt for Talon & Talor (my cousin's boys), and relaxing all evening with my love. It was bliss.


The boys on the run searching for eggs. Too cute.

Have a beautiful week, all!

xoxo,
Laura