brooke's nooks.

daily outfit: the “new work uniform” edition.

this morning, i went to an early-ish pure barre class & then decided to make the most of this day.

with a high of 75 degrees, i stopped by my house & changed into my new work uniform.

i set up shop at an umbrella-covered table outside & began the day’s work.

admittedly, this isn’t exactly how i pictured my work life going down, but if this is my life for the time being, i think it’s an okay way to live it out.

daily outfit: the “you look bright” edition.

i’m trying.

this morning i got up & did 7 miles before meeting up with two ex-co-workers for brunch.

it felt good to run, to set a goal for the day, to talk with those who know what this feels like.

& to be told, “you look bright” wasn’t so bad to hear either.

i’ve always believed that the simplest pleasures in life are what can make or break a day, & now more than ever, i’m clinging to that belief.

it’s monday. the start of a fresh, new week.

i know this week can’t possibly be worse than last—let’s make it a good one.

daily outfit: the “Saturday’s simple pleasures” edition.

i cancelled my 9:15 am pure barre class & opted for extra sleep.

it had been a week without a full night’s rest & i finally felt last night, that it could actually be achieved.

when the natural light woke me up this morning, i stretched out my legs & closed my eyes once again.

when i groggily woke for good, it had been 9 hours since i laid down my head, yet the weight on my shoulders could’ve kept me down for another few.

instead, i brewed some coffee, made some toast, read the paper & started on the duties of today.

today’s the first day i found myself truly savoring the simple pleasures— the warmer temperatures, the sun on my shoulders, the top knot on my head, the taste of diet coke, the check-ins from friends, the LinkedIn recommendations, the retrieval of my resume, the advice from loved ones & the thoughts that this is all just a temporary situation.

i know i probably won’t discover my next step overnight (it’s gonna take a little time) so in the meantime, i’m soaking up the goodness that exists in today.

daily outfit: the “if you can’t dress for work, you might as well dress for the search” edition.

it’s a gorgeous day in indianapolis, the type of day that beckons for eating every meal outdoors, driving with the windows down & sipping on arnold palmer’s all afternoon.

my day started with breakfast along the Monon Trail followed by good pounding of the pavement for 7 miles.

(side note: i have a feeling my recently reuinited love of fitness is going to come in quite handy during the next few days/weeks)

my afternoon will be filled with hours spent networking, researching, filing, applying, etc etc etc.

this may not be the most ideal way to spend a beautiful day in the city,

but i figure if there’s any ideal way to spend day #2 of unemployment, this is definitely it.

daily outfit: the “LC” edition.

from her authorship status to her collection at Kohl’s to her top knot ‘do, I have a love/dislike relationship with Laguna Beach’s very own, Lauren Conrad. 

i’m irritated that she’s a New York Times Bestselling “author” yet every time I see press pictures from her book tour, I continue adoring her style.

regardless of whether or not she gives props to the real writer(s) behind her 8 novels, i think it’s time to admit that LC does some things right—like “designing” reasonably priced fashion goods.

i picked up this dress last year & this morning, finally decided to take off the tag.

pair that up with third day hair… & well, happy Wednesday, indeed.

daily outfit: the “why am i dressed like fall?” edition.

when i woke up at 5 am, it was 48 degrees.

today is June 4th.

i do love fall fashion, but in June? this all seems a little silly.

i’ll never complain about cooler temperatures, but i do have a few skirts & dresses that would really like to be worn ASAP.

until then, preppy button downs for life.

daily outfit: the “graduation open house” edition.

this evening, i’ll be attending a high school graduation open house to celebrate the oldest of the three girls i nanny

(side note: i started nannying her when she was 12. how is this possible?).  

even if i won’t be there all night long,

the excuse that it’s June 1st & finally warm enough to go sleeveless seems reasonable enough to whip out this pretty little thing.

(Source: instagram.com)

daily outfit: the “no frills” edition.

my father is out of town for the next two weeks.

for as long as i can remember, my father has been a traveling business man. 

it’s nothing new, but even after all these years, every time he leaves the city, state, country, the dynamic of our family takes a mild shift.

we wait for the phone call that he’s arrived at his planned destination, we tell him to be safe, we email to make sure he’s picked up souvenirs & we miss him… no matter the distance, no matter the length of the trip.

no matter where i’ve lived while he’s been traveling, i always think about my mom when my dad is out of town. 

i call her more often, i schedule mother/daughter adventures, i happen to be in the neighborhood, etc. i know his traveling is part of their life, but still, i pay a little more attention with every year i get older & wiser. 

this time around, while my father is making his way through Colombia and Brazil, i told my loving mother i’d stay at their house a couple nights.

last night, i did just that—a mid-week sleepover of sorts.

& while it’s all fun & games, this also means packing up some clothes in the the most simple way possible.

hence, today’s outfit.

no frills, no fuss…& i’m totally okay with it.

daily outfit: the “3 day work week” edition.

my schedule for the next couple weeks is about as ideal as it can get.

coming off of a 4 day weekend, i work 3 days this week, have a 3 day weekend, work 3 days next week & then head out of town for a solid 4 days.

i can’t really complain about much—except for the fact that i’m re-introducing a little accountability in the form of diet & exercise into my life…

hello, summertime!

daily outfit: the “back to being fall” edition.

considering the Indy 500 is this weekend, i’m sure race fans alike will not be complaining about the cooler temps (who really wants to be on the track if it’s 120 degrees?)

for me, this fall-like weather provides the opportunity to be reunited with my boots, so i’m definitely not complaining.

i got in workout number 1 of 2 before work (hence the curly hair) & feel good about the day—even after our beloved Pacers tough loss!

i’m happy it’s Thursday, i’m pumped i get a 4-day weekend & i am crossing my fingers for some good news to arrive within the next week or so…

stay tuned, my leopard lovers.