Friday Five 9/20/19

Happy Friday friends!!!

I have been so absent on the blog lately. I have been having major computer issues and my computer finally crashed and died this week. My new one was delivered this week and hopefully now I can get back to a regular posting schedule with a more reliable machine.

I have also been fighting a head cold this week... it seems that my crazy life over the last 6 months finally caught up to me and I finally got sick. I am just so thankful that I wasn't sick during bar prep and the bar exam that I am not even mad about it now.

My job in my law schools admissions office is going really well and I get to start traveling next week which I am super excited for. I also have my house totally decked out for Fall and it makes me SO happy. Full fall home décor post coming next week hopefully!

Now for my Friday Five:

1. My new computer

Here is the new computer I ordered. It is very basic and simple but that's all I need right now. My first laptop was an ASUS so I am happy to be back with that brand. I really only use my computer for internet surfing, blogging and emails now that I am out of school and I don't need anything fancy. I don't even use the touchscreen and 2-in-1 features of my current computer so I know I didn't need to pay to have those features in a new computer. For less than $215, this computer seemed just right for my current needs and I am loving it so far. Stay tuned for a full review! I also bought an external hard drive to back up everything from my old computer.


2. Mindhunter

My husband and I finished this Netflix show this week and now I can't wait for the next season. While it was very slow to start and took a few episodes to get into, I really enjoyed the show overall. It follows the beginning of the FBI research into Serial Killers and how they interviewed imprisoned killers to gain profiling information. The show is very captivating and interesting if you are into serial killers and find them fascinating.


3. Fly Girls 

My most recent read (actually I listened to it as an audiobook while driving to events) is Fly Girls by Keith O'Brien. This is the story of the early female aviators and their battle for equality in the sky's. It is the story of Amelia Earhart and her fellow aviatrix's such as Ruth Elder, Louise Thaden and Ruth Nichols. As someone who has never been interested in flying and aviation, I have been surprised by how enthralled I am with this book. It is a fascinating piece of history. 

4. DIY Welcome Sign 

I made this adorable DIY welcome sign this week. I have wanted one forever and finally got around to having time to DIY. I bought a simple piece of wood at Lowes, stained it and added vinyl letters that I cut out on my Cricut. I love how it turned out and my porch is so Autumn-y!


5. Instagram Giveaway 

I am doing another monthly giveaway over on my Instagram! I am giving away some cute Fall things so head over to Instagram to enter!

All About the Ohio Bar Exam

For the good of the blogosphere and all you wonderful readers, I am going to fully relive and recount my Ohio Bar Exam experience in a blog post for posterity. It's been quite a while since I completed the bar exam and not going to lie, it seems like a distant memory already- THANK GOD.

I am sorry it took so long to get this up. I honestly just didn't want to think about it so I didn't. I have finally went back through the whole experience and got this done though. So enjoy reliving my bar exam experience.


Applying to Take the OH Bar Exam 
Applying for the Ohio bar was a nightmare. It started during the Fall of my 2L year. I had to turn in my full application which took forever (i.e. every address you have ever lived at, character references that have known you for 5+ years and aren't family by marriage or blood...). Once all that was turned in, you wait forever to hear if everything checked out. Then you do a character interview with members of your local bar association. Then you turn in another heap of paperwork in the middle of 3L year. Then you wait some more. I did not get verification that I was approved to sit for the OH bar exam until about 2 weeks before the exam. It was nerve wracking to say the least. The whole process was just a gigantic pain in the butt if I am being 100% honest but thankfully it went as smoothly as it could and eventually ended.

Friday Five 8/20/19 / Sunday Six 9/1/19

I have to apologize for the fact that this post is a little late- it should have been published Friday but Google Chrome crashed on my computer and it has taken me a lot of time to get everything back in order. 

Can you believe it's September??? This summer flew by and I can honestly say, I am 100% ready for it to be over. Thanks to the Bar Exam, this was one of my least favorite summers ever. I am ready for Fall and a fresh season without exams looming over my head.

My life has been pretty quiet... I have been enjoying a study free life and getting caught up on everything else in my life.

Last weekend I went to Nashville for a Bachelorette Party which was so fun!

I also got to meet my blogger friend Danielle in real life which was SO fun! Go follow her- she is a sweetheart! 

Saturday night I went to a local Baseball game and had a blast.

Other than that, it's been work, relaxing and enjoying my free time.

I have a few fun favorites for you today; just some things I have been loving lately.

Fall Fashion Finds Under $20

I am fully aware that it is still August... but I cannot tell a lie. I am SO ready for Fall! Growing up I always thought Summer was my favorite season because no school and it meant I would be showing horses every weekend. The older I get, the more I fall in love with Fall. The weather is just right- not to hot, not too cold. I love the coziness of the season. It is the season for many of my favorite things: my favorite scent is fresh apples, I love pumpkin flavored everything and I will take a sweater over a bikini any day.

As another Fall is quickly approaching, I have started grabbing some Fall fashion finds when I see things I like. I am compiling a list of all the things I am loving this season and they are ALL UNDER $20!!!!!


Jumping on the hat trend

I have avoided this but I am finally caving and jumping on the hat trend... or at least trying it out. I found this hat for $16 on Amazon and I think it will be a good piece to decide if this is a trend I can get behind or not.

Flats 

 

Walmart is killing the game for flats right now. These are all adorable. I have the same show in different patterns from last season and I LOVE them. I will for sure be picking up a few new prints for the $14.99 price tag.

Buffalo Check 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Women-s-Popover-Tunic-Plaid-Top/504840711

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Women-s-Button-Front-Plaid-Top/803527879

I LIVE for gingham/buffalo check. I have so much of it and yet I can never get enough. There two little tops are super cute and super soft. For $15, you just can't go wrong.

Waffle Knit Henley 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Women-s-Thermal-Henley-T-Shirt/782089683

This top is so cozy and simple. A great piece for layering into a look or wearing just to lounge around. For $8, why not buy every color?!

Bootie's 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Womens-Time-And-Tru-Open-Shank/603268877

Walmarts shoe game is on point. These little botties are different and super cute. They are $17.98 and break in like a dream.

Also, these are TO DIE FOR. Holy statement. I'll take 10.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ladies-Time-and-Tru-Mid-Length-Boots/207736111

Swing Dress

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Women-s-3-4-Sleeve-Swing-Dress/860696484

I LIVE in these dresses year round. They are $12.96 and practically perfect in every way.


The Perfect Stripe

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Women-s-3-4-Sleeve-Boatneck-T-Shirt/257449240

Another perfect layering piece. I love striped tops like this... they give me all the Duchess of Cambridge vibes. $10.94 is a great price point for this simple and classic top.

THESE JEANS

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Time-and-Tru-Wide-Leg-Crop-Jean-Women-s/134457685

I am in love. They come in a regular wash and in mustard. Perfect for Fall and just $18.74.


Off the Shoulder

This adorable off shoulder top is just $12 and super cute and cozy for any Fall look.

Enjoy!

I Take the Bar Exam Tomorrow

I take the bar exam tomorrow. I am terrified. Everyone keeps saying that I am so prepared and "I got this" when in reality, I feel utterly defeated and like I can never pass this. I know in a few days once the dust settles, I will start to feel normal again but right now... I just pray I do not have to do this again.

Once the bar exam is over and I get home from Hawaii, I will be back to blogging and bring all sorts of new content. But for today, I am watching reruns of Friends, eating lots of Pasta, getting as much sleep as I can, reviewing one or two subjects and hoping that for the next three days, I am minimally competent and test ready.

Here is my schedule for today: 

• 7am: Wake up, shower, drink coffee 
• 8:30am: Clean my house so that I don't come home to a mess 
• 10am: Hair, makeup 
• 11:00am: Pack the car 
• 11:30am: Snuggle with my pups for the last time for 2 weeks (we leave for Hawaii on Friday and I won't see them until we get home from vacation) 
• Noon: Leave for Columbus (the bar exam in Ohio is held a few hours from my hometown) 
• On the way: Stop and get groceries. I am planning to make my own food because I do not want to chance any food poisoning. 
• 3:30pm: scope out the testing location 
• 4pm: check into AirBNB and get settled  
• 5:30pm: Dinner and a feel-good movie to calm the nerves 
• 8pm: Get ready for bed, take melatonin and review a few last-minute attack outlines 
• 9pm: Lights out and hopefully off to sleep. 

Thank you to everyone who has wished me good luck or sent good thoughts. I am touched by all of it and you have no idea how appreciated some simple words are.