The Roads of Twenty17

Twenty17 was quite the year and it's time to share my annual review! It had some major positives and some days weren't all roses and bonbons but I believe those days happen and often at times they happen for a reason.  And as the year ended, I was able to reflect on it and appreciate it more than I imagined I would.  I learned more about myself, what I am capable of, my weaknesses, and my strengths.

This year started with my last ever "holiday break" from college.  As I started my 4th semester of Nursing school, I knew graduation was just around the corner!  No time to give up now! The last semester wasn't easy but it was worth the many hours of studying.  I was voted as Class President, would be giving a speech at graduation, and was offered a Nursing position at Shawnee Mission Health.

February meant a last-minute-leaving-at-midnight-trip to Eureka Springs with my BF.  I took my first test of the semester and after celebrating a friends birthday, we left at midnight and headed on our first adventure of the year! I loved Eureka Springs, it's definitely on the go back list!  My Dad also received the Kansas Bankers Association Award Soil Conservation for 2016, {insert}proud daughter moment.

March brought some warm spring temps and we decided we should start our camping adventures early!  We settled first at Clinton State Park and have visited there since then, spending the weekends with nature, campfires, and tent living.  Camping has made me realize how much I love the outdoors and even though I also love mascara and getting all dolled up, I can hang with the best of them. Dry-shampoo for the win!  Lesson, don't judge a book by it's cover...a long time rule.  We toured the Boulevard Brewery for the BF's birthday and if you haven't done it, add it to your list! The beer is great and so is the food! Plus, it's local!  I made an appearance on Fox 4 KC for Spring Fashion and auditioned for Fall KCFW.

April brought Spring KCFW and I was fortunate to walk Saturday night for Barbara Bultman and made the KCFW Instagram page showing off her amazing designs.  I walked for Noble Native at the First Friday's Alley Fashion Show, also showcasing Amina Marie Millinery and Coki Bijoux Designs.  Camping at Lake Perry and a last minute trip to Florida for Easter to visit my Mom and Stepdad were more highlights!  A photo shoot showing off fitness and running around Kansas City and my last clinical day ended the month off just perfectly!

May brought on Cinco de Mayo, showing off KC to friends from Tulsa, farmers market shopping, taking my Mom on her first KC Streetcar ride for Mother's Day, Nursing Night at the Royals, Memorial Day weekend at the lake, and finally....GRADUATION!  The next day, off to Palm Springs for more adventuring and exploring California!

The Summer was spent mostly at the lake, working, studying for that wretched test...we all remember that...and just enjoying time with friends and family.  I drove to Colorado to visit friends and run my third half marathon, surprised my sister with a long weekend trip to Florida, had a jeep-day with my home girl Heather...cruising open country roads and sippin' on Sonic Route 44's. The very unique Valkyrie photo-shoot with none other than Jonny Hackett and Heavy Metal Heros was super fun and a crab broil with friends which included a slip-in-slide ended the month of July.  A quick trip to St Louis for a local runway show and getting to spend time with two of my favorites designers while they introduced me to "The Hill"...one word, Italian! I made an appearance on KCTV-5 for Fall Fashion with Jana, had minor surgery, and tried to watch the Eclipse...of course Kansas was cloudy and rainy that day! I was also fortunate to be photographed wearing Lucia Sarto gowns and Marianna Haritunian Jewels for a local photo-shoot in Lawrence.

September meant Labor Day and more lake days...by now I was getting pretty used to this lake life and loving every minute of it!  I participated in the Local Runway Fashion Show held in the West Bottoms and we spent another weekend camping at Clinton Lake.  The warm fall temps just meant more of nature and outdoor adventures!  This camping trip was the time the deer almost ran into me, literally...an unforgettable moment for sure!

October...October 4th, the day I found out I passed my NCLEX! I was at my Mom's that day.  I will never forget it.  They took me out for margaritas that night to celebrate...I have never been so happy. Mainly because it meant no more studying and I could finally start being a Nurse!!   I learned how to play Bunco and even won the bank that night...I was invited back, but the "older" people said I couldn't win again!  They were probably all cussing me as I strolled out with my dough! I walked both Friday and Saturday night for KCFW, spent Halloween with my nieces and nephew, and got that 10th tattoo I had been waiting to get.

November...let's be real, birthday month!  Celebrated with a little weekend get-a-way to St. Jo and a stay at the Whiskey Mansion with my Mom and Sister...it's tradition for us to have a weekend together.  Got a private tour of the Missouri State Penitentiary and while there had an amazing photo shoot capturing the architecture of the prison.  Spent Thanksgiving Eve with the rent's since I had to work Thanksgiving...my Mom made a special dinner just for me...and consumed way too many noodles! Adventured back to Arkansas, this time staying in Hot Springs, Ouachita National Forest, and Ozark National Forest...camping in 40-degree temps and surviving, a perfect weekend away with gorgeous views.

December...spent the holidays with family and friends and that's what's important. From baking cookies with Mom to an all-you-can-eat crab brunch and bottomless mimosas with our lake friends, to watching holiday movies and drinking a lot of hot cocoa...it was the perfect way to end the year!

{gift from my dad, 2017}

Here's to New Roads in Twenty18!
Shona

Real Talk, Real Me.

Time for real talk today...

Sometimes you just have to think about how far you have come, what you are capable of, how strong you are, and that generally most people are good people, even great people.  I have met some amazing people since moving to this place I love to call home, Kansas City.  I have also realized a great deal about myself and have done things in the past year that I never would have thought possible or even attempted.  Lucky for you, I will share what I now call, living.

• I made it into Nursing School. After leaving my Orthodontic job after 9 years which was preceded by a 6 year banking career in 3 different cities, I applied to go back to school.  Ok, so maybe I am still doing a little work at the Ortho Office, but Nursing is my passion.  I have managed to not flunk out, have a job, and a social life.  I have learned to study, a lot.  I once thought that I was too old for this. Too old? I have only just begun. 

• I moved, twice.  How is this a feat you say? Well, just ask my Dad and Sister who always seem to be the ones who get the pleasure of helping me.  I have managed to go from a four-bedroom house to an over-sized one-bedroom apartment with attached garage in the over priced Johnson County area to my River Market one-bedroom loft with concrete floors, a shared garage, and the smallest closet you have ever scene.  Who needs all that "stuff" anyway? I have realized what is important and kept only that.  Could I use a separate room for shoes? What girl couldn't?  But guess what, where I am works, and it came at just the right time. 

• I ran my second half marathon, I almost died from knee pain. But my time was much faster than last year so there's that. Moving on. 

• I took a road trip, alone. I drove out to Colorado this past summer to visit a good friend and also "see #3 above".  People were shocked that I was driving and by myself.  I looked at it like this...8 hours of alone time, thinking about whatever I wanted too, listening to whatever I wanted too, stopping at Starbucks, whenever I wanted too.  It was one of the best adventures I chose to take. 

• While waiting on a friend for dinner in Denver, I went into a Amato's Ale House, ALONE. What?? No way in h-e-l-l would I have done that even two years ago.  I walked my orange-wedge-wearing booty right up to the bar, sat on the end, and had two amazing local beers that the bartenders recommended.  The food was good too and the company, when she arrived, was even better.  

• I went and ate at a restaurant. You guessed it, alone.  I had some free time to kill one day between appointments and decided, no time like the present.  My Mom has told me for years that she has no problem doing this, I always said, never. Never say never. 

• I have reached out to local KC folks and been given many opportunities because of it.  Whether it be volunteer work, photo shoots, or showing off fashion on the news, it has led to good things which has led to great people and many new friendships. 

• I learned to paddle board which seemed to come pretty natural to me, spent a lot of time at the lake and went camping more than usual.  Sometimes getting out of the city is good for your soul. 

• I have managed to keep blogging and attended my first Go Blog Social Event and was invited by The Blog Guild recently to attend a Makeup Mastery Event at Macy's. 

• I sang at a Nursing home with my super talented step-dad Phil and also recorded my rendition of a song by Foo Fighters.  #bigstep

• I have traveled. Vegas, Dallas, Iowa, Tulsa, Denver, Colorado Springs, Georgetown, Fort Worth, Dominican Republic, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington DC. I am beyond thankful for those who made some of these adventures possible.  It's not always about the actual adventure, but rather the person who you choose to adventure with. 

Some of these things are simple, some are not.  I have found myself, finally.  Hey, isn't that what your 30's are for? Don't get me wrong, it's always a work in progress but it always should be.

Find your power...

Shona

The Perfect Work Space

I have been without a desk for about 8 months...so studying or doing anything online meant the couch, coffee table, the bed, or even the kitchen counter...I kid you not! I decided with the New Year, I needed a new work space!  Nothing over-the-top fancy, just a place that is inviting, pretty, contains gold, holds my laptop, and a few other essentials!  I have always wanted a space that exudes who I am and my personality, goals, dreams, and my life.  So I created it. I had almost everything I needed, minus the desk, and in one day...it was all put together!

Here are my list of must-haves!

1. Pens, pencils, sharpies of all colors and highlighters are a must...and make sure you store them in a pretty holder too!

2. A good candle...this new Bella by Illume in Island Moonlight is a soy candle, super affordable and smells delicious.  Target, of course.

3. A coaster...whether it's for a coffee or something a little stronger, we do not wants rings on that new desk. Glam Gals KC had these cute cork coasters in their grab bags at their last event...score!

4. Scratch paper...now I don't mean an ugly pad laying around...something colorful or to your taste is what I like to see.  Better yet, make it personalized.

5. A mechanical pencil...lucky for me I just received one as a gift, inside joke...but it lays neatly on a book of postcards (also a gift) just in case I make a mistake, I can erase it.  Let's be real, it was the perfect gift so of course I want it where I can see it at all times.

6. Personalized prints...for the wall behind the desk.  My two favorites are hung eye level so I can see them while pondering what to write and to remind me of two things. One - Adventure Awaits, and I can't wait to see where it takes me. Two - a Gold Foil Print of the State of Kansas made by Jennifer at The Farm House in Excelsior Springs, MO.  Kansas will always be home no matter where I end up. Postcards by Hammerpress, a local KC company and a canvas print of a beach photo I took while in Gulf Shores...someday I will live at the beach. #goals

7. Stationary or Note cards...mine of course are adorned with anchors.  I love to send people hand written notes, it's so personal and let's be real, with technology these days, it's beginning to become a thing of the past.  I keep a small notepad to jot ideas down in and it's perfectly fine sitting out because let's be real, it's gold and black and perfect.  Oh ya, don't forget the laptop for everything else... :) This desk also has a neat little hideaway for the laptop/phone cord and came with the adapter which contains a USB as well. Ya, you guessed it, Target.

It's all about arrangement for me too. Everything has to have a place and it has to be organized.  Use your style to create a space that you love! I know my style isn't for everyone, but it can give you an idea to get started! Before I forget, that chair...made in Italy...at first I wanted to paint it, but I left the original dark green color, it works! 

Xoxo,
Shona

New Years Day Outfit Deets!

Simple but perfect! I spent New Years Day...morning...having brunch at one of my local fav's, Succotash.  The people, the food, the fresh pressed juices, and that day the company was just what I needed to start the New Year off right.  This outfit though...ahhhh!  So I maybe picked out the hat for myself and it may have been given to me by my Dad for Christmas, but hey it works! However, the long sleeveless, hooded sweater he did all himself and it is perfect! Purchased from Audacious Boutique, this cute store never disappoints. One of my favorite looks for this season!

Hat by Kohls. Sweater by Audacious Boutique. Black T-shirt by VS Pink. Sunglasses by Ray-Ban. Skinny Jeans by Hudson @ VonMaur. Fringe booties by Steve Madden. 

Happy Shopping!

Xoxo, Shona

Glitzy Glam ~ Outfit Deets

Our annual "It's the New Year" dinner with the lovely Padgett household always consists of Brio and Dressing up Pretty!! This year I opted for high heels and a really glittery skirt, perfect for the New Year!!!  This Pop the Champagne Shirt was a must for me!! Perfect for night out or even a brunch with Mimosas!!  My arms were stacked with none other than my beloved Rustic Cuff and my ears were adorned with Tacori.  These earrings are to die for!!

The shoes are from Shoe Dazzle! I love the POP of green and the strappy style is so on trend right now!  I will say, they were actually comfy too!!  I don't wear heels for too many events, but these made the outfit perfection!! 

Shirt ~ Bella (look online for this or Groopdealz); Skirt ~ Banana USA; Shoes ~ Paper Fox, Ani on Shoe Dazzle.  Jewels by Rustic Cuff and Tacori.