My Love/Hate Relationship With Halloween

I have mixed emotions about Halloween as an adult. I love the creativity it inspires. Also, I love candy.

But costumes are hard, y'all.

(And, before you roll your eyes, this won't be another rant about how Halloween costumes for adults are offensively trashy—though it could be. I actually have a lot of thoughts on that topic. I mean, "sexy elephant?" What the hell is that?)

I've never had a truly great costume as an adult. When you're a kid, every costume seems great. My best was Sesame Street's Ernie at the age of 3....and 4. When you have a costume as stellar as Ernie, you recycle. After that it was a series of fun—but not original—witches, clowns, and punk rockers. The latter was because my sister was that one year and I saw she got to put glitter in her hair. 

I remember being jealous of my sister's suspenders. Then again, I got that sweet wig. 

Surprisingly, not Halloween, despite what we're wearing. Just thought I'd include, in case you wondered where my sister got those suspenders. 

My sister, crushing it with her Halloween costume. Me, deciding I just wanted to wear a soccer jersey. 

As a kid, it was awesome to dress up as anything, especially because you got candy. Then I became a "grown up" and the pressure was on to have a "clever costume." You know, the ones that are relevant and witty, without being cliche. (Be honest, how many of you are considering going as Donald Trump or "Deflategate"?) You're supposed to be creative and smart.This is especially true if you have friends who are good at Halloween. And, boy, are my friends good at Halloween. 

To be perfectly clear, I have no problem with Halloween. The problem is with me. I own that. I love seeing other people's clever costumes. I'm just never one of those people.  

I don't want to be the party pooper who phones it in, but I also get overwhelmed at all the options and effort that goes into a great costume. Fortunately, my best friend, the Internet, is chock-full of ideas, listing everything from "31 Costumes Your Squad Can Rock This Halloween" to "Eco-Friendly Thrift Store Costume Ideas."

I decided to start with "Cheap Costumes" on Pinterest. But here's the thing about cheap costumes: They look like a helluva a lot of work. 

Where's the list, "Top 10 Costumes for the Girl Who Appreciates Creativity and Wants to Play Along but is Sort of 'Meh' on Effort"?

Sure, I could turn myself into this pants-less Rubik's Cube (unclear why she's not wearing pants), but I'd have to cut and paint boxes? And then assemble them and then wear them? I might as well just try to solve a real Rubik's Cube. 

And then there are the classic costumes that involve inherently fun materials like balloons. Adorable. I love them. I don't love sitting on the floor of my apartment blowing up balloons to then adhere to my body. Also, how do you get in and out of your car, or the Metro, or a bathroom? (Oooh, maybe that's why the Rubik's Cube involves no pants.) 

(Santy Gibson/Demand Media)

In truth, I'll probably buy an inexpensive costume online. That's what Amazon Prime is for, right? I'll be something everyone loves, like a cupcake or Tina Fey. 

If all else fails,  I've told everyone my backup is "Myself on a Saturday Night if I Wasn't Invited to This Party." I'll wear sweatpants and a ponytail, carry a glass of wine, and text my sister. 

Or, perhaps, I'll simply create half of the Rubik's Cube costume, tape a couple balloons to it and go as "The Girl Who Tried Her Best." 

Happy Halloween. 

Welcome, Pope Francis!

This week was a big week in D.C...

I was finally back in town from work travel!

Oh, and also the most holy leader of the Catholic church was in town. Pope Francis himself. The people’s pope!

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go to any papal festivities but, even as a born-and-raised Presbyterian, I was overwhelmed with the historic magnitude of the pope’s visit. I watched the black Fiat on TV like it was my job. Seeing him bless those babies from his one-of-a-kind Jeep? Watching him lead mass for over 25,000 people? Witnessing him standing side-by-side with our President outside the White House? Amazing. The city put itself on hold to welcome Pope Francis and that’s pretty fantastic. 

Credit: AP Photo/Andrew Harnik via ABCNews7

Not only was it Pope Francis’ first time in Washington, D.C., but his first time in the good ol’ U.S. of A! Well, Holy Father, I too was once new to the Washington, D.C. area. In fact, that’s how this blog even started. I know it’s a bit too late now….and you didn’t ask…but here is the advice I would’ve given you...had you asked...which you didn’t.

How To Attend Weddings Without Going Broke

As a 30-year-old female who follows a heap of lifestyle and fashion blogs, I have read countless posts on how to Have A Fabulous Wedding on a Not-So-Fabulous Budget or Saying ‘I Do’ When Your Budget Says ‘Don’t’.” I get it, I’m your target audience, minus the fact that I'm not engaged. I read those DIY guides and file them away in my mental vault for whenever I may need them (Which is not now, Mom. I promise. I'll let you know.) I am sure (hope) one day those posts will be helpful. But the post I really want to read is: How to Attend A Wedding Seven Weddings Without Breaking the Bank.

Let me start by saying that, I love going to weddings. Like, love love. When Donald Trump said that he’d paid Hillary Clinton to come to his wedding (I paraphrase) in the debate, I thought, “IS THAT A JOB I CAN HAVE?!” I choose to believe I’m a good guest too — I take pictures using the wedding hashtag; I cry when appropriate; I don’t get drunk; I dance my ass off; I mingle with the grandparents; and I high-five the flower girls. Really, I’m my best self at weddings.

My greatest flaw as a wedding guest: fear of sparklers

But weddings can be expensive to attend. If you’re between the ages of around 24-35, then you’re probably attending a ton of them. Your refrigerator is covered in adorable save-the-date photos and squares of that thick fancy paper with beautiful calligraphy. 

I thought my busy wedding seasons were behind me, but I was invited to eight weddings this year. (Kudos to me for having so many wonderful friends!) Sadly, I could only attend six due to expenses, scheduling, and such. Personally, I think the investment in getting to celebrate special moments with your favorite people in the world is priceless, but my bank account doesn’t seem to understand. BB&T always be hatin’.

After about 25+ weddings since graduation, I’ve picked up some tricks for attending your loved ones’ celebrations without over-drafting your account. Here are my (fairly obvious) tips:

Thirty: Like 20, But With Rent

Hi guys.

It’s me.

I’m back.

At least, I’m back for a week until summer classes start. Then I’ll probably disappear again. I’m like the Pumpkin Spice Latte of bloggers—only here for a limited amount of time, mainly followed by basic white girls (jk), and not really as enjoyable as you once remembered.

Since we last spoke, I finished two semesters of graduate school, and this time next year, I’ll be done completely (hopefully). I probably won’t make you treat me any differently or call me master or anything, but if you wanted to then, whatever, I’m not the boss of you.

Also since my last post, I entered a new decade. In the words of everyone's favorite time-traveling magazine editor in the cinematic classic 13 Going on 30, "I'm thirty, flirty, and thriving!" 

Well, I'm at least one of those things.