From the ridiculous to the sublime...

I'm a planner.
I like lists.
I like timelines.
I like back-up plans.
I like to be able to check things off and know that I'm done.

When I was in high school, I created a life plan. And part of this life plan (as absolutely silly and ridiculous as this might seem now) included purchasing all of my clothes from Banana Republic. Vain? Maybe. But it was a goal all the same.

Something else you need to know? I got a new job today. Yup. It's true. Who has two thumbs and is the newest member of the graduate admissions staff? This girl. This job is fancy. And I am... well, blessed doesn't seem to be a strong enough word. This opportunity had absolutely nothing to do with me and everything to do with the fact that I have a loving, wonderful and completely gracious Father in Heaven who surrounded me with incredible friends that think far better things of me than I deserve.

One of the best parts about this fantastic job (the promotion from "administrative assistant" to "program coordinator" aside)? A raise. It's completely tacky to say how much, but I will tell you this: it's enough that I can cross my Banana Republic goal off my list. And I have solid proof that this goal was not as lame as it may originally seem. I will now recount the story for your reading pleasure.

(clears throat and announces the following in a dramatic tone)

SOLID PROOF OF THE VALIDITY OF MY BANANA REPUBLIC GOAL:

Last Friday evening, Sarah the Theatre Fairy and I took City Creek by storm to do a little 'light' shopping because a) I finally got my tax return (long story) and 2) I had a job interview on Monday afternoon. We made our way into Banana Republic (which I swear was glowing just a little, proving that it's as magical as I've always thought) where we were greeted by a completely lovely sales girl who immediately started pulling out the most beautiful clothes for me to try on. In the middle of all the gorgeous madness, Sarah found the Perfect Dress. Everything about this dress was amazing. As soon as I zipped it up, I could hear the Hallelujah Chorus playing. I looked taller, my skin was clearer, my hair was brighter...You name it, this dress did it. My fairy godmother herself couldn't have whipped up anything better with her magic wand than this dress. Then Sara found a 40% coupon online. Long story short? I left Banana with the dress and a few other things, as well as a lovely Banana credit card which has been put to good use over the last week. I walked into Aldo and found the Perfect Shoes to go with the Perfect Dress. They were the last pair, on sale, in my size. Thank you, Shopping Gods.

  Fast forward to Monday morning and me walking into work. The dress was a hit. The interview was perfect. And now I have myself a fancy new job, all thanks to a fantastic friend, a whole lot of inspiration, and the Perfect Dress. Tonight I went back in...just because I have a discount now and why not? The same girl who helped me last week was working, and not only did she remember me, but she was thrilled that I got my job. If you ever need a self-esteem boost, visit the BR at City Creek. Those girls could make you feel great if you looked like death warmed over.

So my friends. What is the point of this post? Simple: No matter how silly the goal, it feels fab to cross it off the list.

Love in the form of shoes...

I have been looking for boots for 2 years and today, in the midst of retail therapy with KMJ at Old Navy, I saw them. The perfect pair of boots. They literally screamed my name from the model's plastic feet. I ventured over to the shelf and only saw 2 pairs in the color that I wanted. Grabbing at the tag I was expecting to feel the pang of disappointment that typically comes with having ridiculously normal sized feet, but the shopping gods smiled on this little shopper today and there they were, the perfect boots, in the perfect color, in my size. I almost passed out. As I slipped them on my feets, I felt that glow that only comes from finding an item of clothing that you have been searching for, high and low, up and down and in every store. It's most definitely one of the best feelings on the entire planet. Just sayin'.