I Survived (Busy Season & CPA Exam)

Howdy!

Long time no see! I hope y'all have been well. This past year has been absolutely crazy! I am finally recuperating.... it will probably take a little bit longer to get fully re-energized but I'm getting there!

I'm sure some of y'all are wondering what's been going on, so let me fill y'all in....

Personally and professionally, this past year has been a challenge but I'm a stronger person because of it. Professionally: As you may know, I work for a Big 4 firm. I won't go into details but needless to say, it was darn difficult (but most certainly atypical of a normal busy season.... very crazy circumstances and not at all routine!!). My busy season started in November 2011 and didn't end until mid-May 2012. My team and I worked between 80 - 100 hours per week for about 7 months straight (excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks). It was physically, mentally and emotionally challenging but I made it through.

Right after my busy season, I started to seriously study for the CPA exam in mid-May. I am very happy and relieved to tell y'all that I passed all four sections over the summer! I will be writing a separate post on the CPA exam to help with advice for anyone else seeking to pass the CPA exam and working a full-time job. Needless to say, I felt pretty darn brain dead after busy season and studying for the CPA exam... hence the need to recuperate LOL

Personally: Mike lost his job in July 2011. Thankfully, we could still pay our bills with my salary but we were on a very tight budget. He was able to find work here and there but it wasn't anything near what he was making before. Good news though, he got his job back in May. We are now in the process of building a house :)

I feel like the past year was quite a test and I'm a firm believer that you find out how strong of a person you are when faced with adversity! I am so excited with what the future has to bring & can't wait to start decorating the house once it's built!

I have so much love and gratitude for all of y'all who have stayed in touch with me over Twitter & for all the support I've received! Thank y'all!!

Updated Everyday Look

My daily look is simple and clean. I want to look bright eyed and bushy tailed, even if I'm working off a few hours of sleep. I switch up my look in the smallest of details, no shadow one day, no highlighter another, use a different foundation... but my basic look is concealer, liner, mascara, brows & blush.



FACE
MAC Strobe Cream
MUFE Duo Mat Foundation - Shade 207
Benefit's Lemon Aid Concealer
MAC Hipness Blush (limited edition)

EYES
MAC Porcelain/Browning Brow Shader
MAC Rich Flesh eye shadow
MAC Stubborn Brown Powerpoint liner
MAC Engraved Powerpoint liner
Shiseido lash curler
Shiseido Nourishing Mascara Base
Lancome Hypnose Drama mascara - Excessive Black

LIPS
Barry M Lipgloss

OOTD: Business Casual

It's pretty warm in Texas. This combination is pretty much what makes up my work attire.

Cardigan: New York & Co, Shell: Banana Republic, Skirt:Express, Flats: Tory Burch

I've been looking for a classic tote with sectioned off pockets. Thankfully I found the following purse from Kate Spade and it seems to be just what I've been looking for... I'm looking forward to getting it in the mail!

(Pictures are from Gilt)

Spazmatics

I wore this to an 80's cover band show a couple weekends ago. If only I had an amazing statement necklace to go with this outfit :(

Top: H&M
Skirt: Forever 21
Heels: Christian Louboutin New Simple Pump
Clutch: Rebecca Minkoff MAC
Necklace: Tiffany & Co



P.S. To the forty-something year olds who were sloppily wasted and spilling drinks/ stumbling into people while flailing around.. I mean "dancing" 80's style, you aren't reliving your youth. Don't ruin the show for everyone else!