Define beautiful: Andi

I have been redefining my personal definition of beauty recently. Most of my life I have struggled to overcome my past. I had abusive parents as a child and was later moved between foster homes and different relatives. I worked my way through nursing school...18 hour days, 6 days a week for years. I have always struggled with self image issues...I am not by any means what any magazine cover would claim to be beautiful... but something that has been incredibly freeing for me is discovering that because I am a child of God ...I am deeply loved and am beautiful because I am God's creation....and that by definition is beautiful.

I feel beautiful every time I read the verse "I am wonderfully and fearfully made" Psalm 139:14

I feel beautiful every time I run, even though I hate running and am awful at it. The idea of conquering something I hate is incredibly empowering to me.

I felt beautiful the day I realized that the abuse I received as a child was in fact not my fault.

I feel beautiful every time I take a picture of something ordinary and it comes out extraordinary.

I feel beautiful every time I am out in nature and I see that the same creator who made me, designed this gorgeous planet.

I felt beautiful when I finally realized that no matter what weight I am or how much make up I do or don't wear or whether I am single or married... I am worthy of being loved.

I feel incredibly beautiful when I am surrounded by my best friends and I am overcome by just how loved I am by them. Seriously, words cannot describe how amazing the people in my life are.

I feel beautiful every time I am able to make a difference in my patient's life. Working in the ICU can be very difficult but knowing that I am able to give someone dignity and hope in what could be the worst time of their life is such a blessing to me. It is such a gift to show someone how valuable they are and how much they matter by the care you give them.

I felt beautiful the day I got my RN license in the mail because that day, despite everything that had come against me, I beat the odds.

I am a survivor and to me that is beautiful.

~Andi, On Call RN

I read this post over and over and fell more in love with it each time. I love it when people say what they do makes them feel beautiful.

The Beautiful Project: More definitions of beautiful, posted on Thursdays. Send me your answer to "what makes you feel beautiful" to natalie at thebobbypin.com. 


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An ode to a microwave

Three years ago today I knelt across an altar and said yes.

Also, today is the day we shall dispose of our microwave.

That little oven that could was a $30 Chefmate wonder meant for college kids. But we swooped in on a Target back-to-school sale and bought it with wedding giftcards. It was our inaugural newlywed Target run. Together, we had two TVs, two DVD players and no microwave.

A week later it was on sale for $5 cheaper, and I took my receipt in and asked for a refund.

Thus, we spent the first year stocking our life for the future.

We spent the second year making wishes.

We spent the third year celebrating.

In this fourth year, we shall marvel in comfort.

The microwave died an angry death this week, beeping nonstop and displaying 22:22 without accepting the option to clear and move on.

Clear and move on is fabulous marriage advice though, dear microwave. One must hit a mental clear often, forget what caused the angry beeping and move on.

It seems like a wedding picture is obligatory. And since I finally got our wedding album done this year.

This year has been the best yet. We are comfortable with each other. The reality that "this is the rest of your life" has sunk in and oh how fabulous it feels. Comfortable too, like broken in shoes that aren't ever going to wear out.  

I love my family and this it shall be for eternity. I don't know if I've ever been happier or more at peace. 

Also, I still think we had the coolest getaway ever. 

P.S. Yes, this means husby is taking the bar on our wedding anniversary. At first I thought "how crummy," but then I thought "how fitting."

Wearing jewelry on the cheap

There is cheap jewelry that looks horrible. And then there are those pieces that you wear that you can't stop getting compliments on. I've been in both places, so I thought I would post some tricks I've learned and of course solicit more advice. Fashion advice is never turned away.

I'm talking cheapie jewelry, like under $20 here. I change my mind so often on what I like that I love having some staples -- I pretty much rotate between simple pearl earrings and cubic zirconium studs. I will wear until they fall apart and then buy another set. My wedding set was also part of that staple set, may it rest in piece.

So when it comes to necklaces, bracelets, earrings to wear on a night out, here is what I've got for making the right choice.

First step: go for real.
I'm not talking real diamonds, I'm talking the simple real things. There are some materials that are cheaper and so real items are used. Don't buy plastic that was molded to look like metal, or worse fake glass.. Instead look for things that are real, like beads.

Rainbow Bridge, $11.99, Ruche

 This is exactly what it says it is, colored wood chained together. It is not trying to be anything else. 

Second. Avoid rhinestones altogether. Or someone tell me how to rock this. Because I'm pretty sure that unless you are still addressing adults by Mr, Miss and Mrs, it is rarely done right in mass production. Especially on pendants. There are exceptions to this. 

Or, if you want to sparkle, jump a few price ranges up. I'm a fan of jewelry from Banana Republic or Ann Taylor. They do a good job at getting things to look nice without being gaudy. 

Intermixed rhinestone hinge bracelet, $12.50, Charlotte Russe

Oval and rhinestone stretch bracelet, Charlotte Russe $8.50

Sorry to pick on Charlotte Russe. I like you, just not your rhinestones.

Third. Go fake simply. Unless you want that costume vibe, do not buy the strand of pearls that is a mock-up of several-thousand dollar strand. Instead, go with a simpler piece. 

Netted Charms Necklace, $12.50 Forever 21

This is a gaudy mess. 

Bauble Bead Necklace, $7.80, Forever 21 

Fourth. Never be afraid of thrift stores or Etsy. Or clearance racks at stores. One of my fave, way-too-trendy necklaces is a $5 wonder from Ann Taylor that started out as a $40 necklace. More love went into the Ann Taylor necklace because of the starting price. 

Jewel Trimmed Shades Necklace $5.80, Forever 21

The necklace above is made from metal and cheap rhinstones. This one from Etsy is acrylic. It isn't trying to be anything it isn't. 

Glimpse of light, black nerd frame glasses, $15.50, Oh Hello Friend

Fifth. Rock it always. When you get a compliment say thank you without dismissal. This is probably the hardest part.

Good luck to the husby

Today you are off to the bar exam. You will write about law stuff until your hands ache and your head hurts. Then, when you can't take that anymore, you will fill in bubbles so meticulously you'll wonder why you are not an art major. It may have been easier.

Then you'll do the whole write until hands hurt again.

And then you shall be mine. And there shall be no better feeling I am sure than to know that you've done your best and the studying is over.

So good luck today husband. May all work well. May your laptop make it three more days. May your memory retain and release all of the information. May you come back to me tired but confident.

I love you sweetheart. And more than anything in the world, I want the next three days to be your smartest yet.

For you, not for me.

But maybe for our child.

Pretty

Such a fan of Dior's 2011 Resort collection. Yes, I'm enjoying the present but I love that more frills and lace and girlyness is in store. I like that the feminine is being celebrated.

Love the scallop edging, the structured dress and the belt. 

The lace. Maybe it goes back to my roots and Civil War re-enacting days. 

Hooray for a bow on the chest. 

Love these colors and the stripes. The neckline. The color. 

This is my favorite look. I want this dress. Excited to look for a copycat next fall.

Also. I love fashion. I always have. I can't afford these outfits. I have no credentials, no fashion degree. I did go to nationals in high school for DECA in the Apparel and Accessories category, but I was mostly excited to go to Florida. So last time I wrote a fashion post and some comments said that the looks were too expensive or that they couldn't be pulled off, well that's OK. But I like to look and find inspiration. So when I'm at HM, I buy the peter pan collar shirt instead of the pointy one.

Celebrations

Celebrated a pal tying the knot last night.

We met two years ago at sexual assault response training. I love that we can still get together and talk about anything. We've had two engagements, one wedding, and in a few years we'll have three graduations between us and bear all sorts of titles, including a Ph.D, two MBAs and an MD.

We won't have four graduations because Melissa already has her graduate degree. Jealous. Since it was Comic Con, Melissa showed up looking hot.

We went out to Soleil at K (warning: that Web site will immediately start talking to you) and grabbed some flatbread and appetizers. Loved the BBQ chicken flatbread, the apricot ribs were OK and the cheese plate was fabulous. Except for the goat cheese, which was potent -- and I usually love goat cheese.

Dessert was followed by Extraordinary Desserts, which is a fabulous topper to any meal.

Major congratulations on your wedding Erin. We're fans of Joe and excited that he'll officially join our little group soon.