I've got a war in my mind.

Hat: Spencer's, Coat: Aeropostale, Sweater: AE, Jeans: Hollister, Boots: JC Penney's

Brrrrr. The Midwest is a cold Midwest now!

My (seasonal) depression is kicking in a little, but I am working and going to school almost 24/7 and that really distracts me.

This outfit is mainly from the thrift store, except for the hat, boots (and the obvious socks and underwear)! I rarely ever shop at stores like Hollister or American Eagle anymore simply because their prices are ridiculous. But finding some cute clothes for the fraction of the original retail price is always nice. Retail therapy! :)

Last night was supposed to be my "off-work-Saturday-night-out", and I did go out and saw some of my friends that I barely ever get to see...yet I was in a rather sad mood. I was even wanting to go to work, wanting to be busy and distracted. 

This has nothing to do with specific people or recent events, but much rather the general feeling of loneliness. When I am at work with the residents, I feel happy and social. Those people are so loving and cute. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is: I'm ready to go home and see my family.

Christmas in Germany, I can't wait :)

Greetings from the Midwest,

LOtte

Crazy Pants

Shirt: H&M, Cardigan: Primark, Pants:Kohl's, Boots: JC Penney's

Red eyeliner: MAC

It's been quite a while since I've taken any outfit photos.

Mainly because I either work, go to school (or bike).

My car broke last week. By now, I managed to get a new one :) Love it!

I had a Friday night off work, which rarely ever happens. Time for crazy pants and red eyeliner!

On a different note: I hate men.

(Not all of them, but you know what I mean)

I am meant to live my life as a crazy cat lady wearing crazy pants! :)

Greetings from the Midwest,

Lotte

Coat

Coat, Cardigan & Heels: Thrifted, Jeans: Miss Sixty, Top: H&M

This outfit is NOT weather-appropriate. Temperatures in the 70-80 degrees range don't call out for a pink fall coat. The Midwest weather is being crazy lately, but this photo is from last week.

There's no need to stress about what to wear today - I work.

Also, I will have to get my requires flu shot. The person that never ever gets sick needs a flu shot.

WTF!!!

But that's not a decision I have control over. The nursing program says we need the shot. There is no arguing with that, let me tell you. Can I at least give myself the flu shot?

Stay flu free!

Greetings from the Midwest,

Lotte

Ladies in Hats

Sweater: Thrifted, Skirt: Zara, Tights & Boots: Kohl's

The cutest sweaters can sometimes be found in the kid's section at Goodwill :)

I've seen plenty of wine red & oxblood colors and decided to stick with my personal favorite : PINK :)

Usually, I am not the type to follow seasonal trends just for the trend.

And my favorite fashion trend for fall is figure flattering (not!) scrubs and gym clothes anyways.

Greetings from the Midwest,

Lotte

Retro Pink

Dress: Thrifted, Belt: H&M (old), Boots: Kohl's

I have a short sweet list of things that need to be mentioned:

- Love the fact that there's actually people reading this :) Wow. Thank you for the comments and for reading! That's so cool. Makes me happy.

- The weirdest most exciting things is going to happen: One of my family members from Germany is actually coming to visit me here in my small town home :) How insane is that to finally be able to show them around (not that there is a whole lot). For the longest time I didn't want anyone to visit me. That was because I felt as if I hadn't accomplished anything, felt depressed and didn't want anyone from my "other" home to interrupt my "new" life.

It sounds mean, but that's the truth. Insecurity.

But now I CAN'T WAIT.

Life is good, I have accomplished things that I am proud of. Oh and I can't wait to drive them around and pretend to be a tour guide! 

- This outfit is just another outburst of "All I can ever wear during the week is plain and boring so now I have to put together the craziest possible outfit to compensate".

- I have worked all weekend. No parties, no hanging out with friends for this girl.

That is fine with me, I love the residents and most of my co workers. Fun times!

Greetings from the Midwest,

Lotte

Pastel

Sweater & Jeans: thrifted, Wedges: Lauren Conrad (Kohl's)

It is sweater time &  I couldn't be less excited.

What I love about fall is the colors of the leaves, nice candles and hot tea.

That's about it. I freeze easily and that's my major concern about the weather getting colder.

No matter how many sweaters I'll layer, it'll be cold.

This past week, it was my turn to observe the action in the Emergency Room here at the local hospital.

Nothing too exciting happened, but it was still really neat to be in a different environment at the hospital. I can definitely see myself working either in the ER or in surgery.

Blood and wounds!

Greetings from the Midwest,

Lotte

Boots & Dogs

Blazer: H&M, Shirt: Primark, Skirt: Zara, Boots: thrifted 

I kinda wish there were cats on my blazer, instead of dogs.

Oh well, can't always have EVERYTHING go my way.

Besides the pattern on my clothes, everything else is falling into place.

Therefore I shouldn't complain.

Greetings from the Midwest,

Lotte

Purple Patterns

Cardigan, Shirt & Pants: Thrifted

Purple Pattern Overload!

I wore this outfit about a week ago, after leaving the house in either scrubs or gym clothes for days,

I must have been so color & pattern deprived. This was the result :D

My mom couldn't believe that I was serious when she saw this photo.

The good thing about living abut 6,000 miles away from home:

There is nothing my dear mother can say or do to make me change my outfit...

Rebellious!

I will be working all weekend. No time for anything but school and work, but that's alright.

Love my work, school is going great.

But I had no idea that older people can behave like high schoolers sometimes...

The drama continues, who would have thought that ;)

Purple greetings from the Midwest,

Lotte

Shirt $ Belt: Thrifted, Cardigan: Family, Pants: Lauren Conrad (Kohl's), Shoes: Vera Wang (Kohl's)

Here are my $6 shoes! YAY

It is now Monday morning and I am currently working on 3 care plans for nursing class!

My weekend was spend with amazing people & such American activities (steak & bowling), and now I have to go back to reality, step down from the cloud & get all my school work done.

"Real nurses" apparently don't ever create care maps and such things, but as a student I have to learn critical thinking and develop patient teaching methods.

Since this weeks is literally gonna be super crazy busy, I HAVE TO get this all done ahead of time.

Wish me luck!

Greetings from the Midwest,

Lotte

Flower Jacket & Killer Heels

Jacket: H&M, Top: New Yorker, Jeans: Hollister, Heels: Elle (Kohl's)

I didn't wear those heels to class - most likely would've ended up in an awkward stumble into the class room! These babies are pushing my (hee)limits ;)

Once a week I can dress up for class, might as well do it. But no risky shoes. I like to play it safe with that! 

What's up with Kohl's always having the shoes for super amazing deals, and then only size 6 1/2 left?!

Conspiracy! All those shoes turn into dust collectors in my closet.

(Yes, now I'm whining about not being able to wear the heck out of my heels due to work-school-uniform related issues that I already mentioned hundreds of times)

Never mind, I'll wear my shoes for photos OR when I am only expected to sit & look nice.

Greetings from the Midwest,

Lotte

Maxi Floral

dress & cardigan: H&M

I turned the HEAT on in my car this morning! :(

Fall is right around the corner and everyone around me seems to be super excited about that.

Not me! I prefer the kind of weather that does not make me freeze.

I love walking outside in the morning in shorts & a tank top, or a flawy dress, not having to worry about a cardigan. Also, I drink bottles of ice cold sparkling water.

Most definitely I will miss wearing summer dresses.

Yeah, even after months of hot Midwestern summer, I am not excited for fall.

Sorry!

Greetings from the Midwest,

Lotte

Imperfection

dress: H&M Garden Collection

Long time no see.

Work & school have completely taken over my nonexistent life.

This past weekend I worked at a Corvette car fest/show.

But my best & favorite excuse is and will always be: I am a nursing student ;)

The photo was taken during our little road trip to Chicago this summer.

I've raved about the H&M garden collection before & I wish they would create a part 2!

Anyhow, this dress can be worn in a small town, but might be more appropriate in a big city like.

Chicago-perfection!

(Im)perfect greetings from the Midwest,

Lotte

Leather Jacket & IV-fail

Jacket: Elle by Kohls, Shirt: Vero Moda, Leggings: H&M, Heels: Tamaris

My once-a-wee dressing up for school outfit (other than gym clothes or scrubs) ;)

Leggings are not pants!...What? 

A nursing school update: My very first attempt of starting an IV failed. 

But I am still a little proud for insisting on trying, because my instructor almost wouldn't let me due to not enough time. Imagine that! 8 long slow hours on the floor, but it gets busy right when we are supposed to leave. NO WAY, I WILL START THE IV (or at least try & fail at it).

There are nurses who have never even started an IV during their time in school, and I need to take every chance I can get (except for ripping IVs out just to start a new one).

Ambitious much? Definitely yes!

Greetings from the bloody Midwest,

Lotte

Aztec

Shirt: H&M, Top: Forever 21, Skirt: Thrifted, Shoes: Steve Madden

Since I barely ever have any chance to update my LOOKBOOK, I dressed up for a hair appointment.

Yes, that's right! :D

As a nursing student & CNA, I gotta take every dress-up chance you can get.

Or else I will run around in scrubs or khakis for 7 days every week. My closet holds too many treasures  that want to be worn, even if it's just for a hair appointment. Right after that, I had to hurry up & chance back into work clothes. Yay for Friday night 8-hour shifts. Love it, though. My work is so much fun.

Unless there's a scary thunderstorm :(

Have I mentioned the weird bar scene of my small town?...I know I have.

Usually, everyone's barely wearing any clothes & flip flops, while I show up in glitter heels and a cheeseburger shirt. But that's a different story.

My Sunday will be spent working on a care/teaching plan & project, Urinary and Renal disease studying and a trip to the gym.

Greetings from the Midwest,

Lotte

True Colors

Shirt: GUESS?, Jeans: DIY, Shoes: Thrifted

These jeans are one of my few DIY projects that I actually finished.

I blame hours spent on Pinterest for all the ideas, and I blame my super busy schedule for the fact that they are never actually going to happen.

But I will not complain.

I love my new job & the people there. Things are falling into place to create a super busy schedule & that is perfectly fine with me. Gives me less time to think about the past and the not enjoyable memories.

Busy greetings from the colorful Midwest,

Lotte

Foley Catheter

My purple clinical equipment

Yesterday was my first day of clinical for this semester (the practical part of nursing school, spent at the local hospital). My shift lasts from 2.30pm to 10.30pm. I am totally used to the morning shift, so this  requires some adjustment.

Now to the exciting part of my night: I finally had the chance to insert a Foley catheter. Yes, I am extremely excited about this! haha

I have a feeling that I've become more confident, especially since I have been working at the assistant living place. The more I interact with residents and patients, the better I feel about myself and the skills I learned in school. My plan is to take every opportunity to perform any kind of procedure I can get my hands on. That way, I will learn and improve my clinical skills!

Next thing on the list: Starting an IV.

Greetings from the ambitious Midwest,

Lotte

Family & Mushrooms

Shirt: Aeropostale, Shorts: Urban Outfitters, Top: Primark, Shoes: Kohls, Belt: Thrifted

This past Sunday, my best friend invited me to her family reunion at the lake.

Quite the typical American event, family reunions come with tons of people and even more food.

I had so much fun!

Being away from home, I am always so thankful to be included in my friends' family events :)

It's been tough lately, because I do feel more homesick from time to time.

The good news: I will be going home for Christmas break. YAY

On another note: I found these funny mushroom shorts at Goodwill! Lucky me, they are my size and from Urban Outfitters! Steal! The floral shirt is from Goodwill as well.

Greetings from the thrifty Midwest,

Lotte

Watermelon!

Watermelon shirt: Thrifted, Jeans: Levi's, Heels: Steve Madden

A Watermelon Shirt. Perfection! I am such a fruit lover :D

It's been a little while since I was able to post outfit photos, due to the fact that school AND work have started this week. I can't remember ever being so busy. 

Work is a lot of fun, but also very exhausting. I'm on my feet all night, running around taking care of people and learning about medications. All the stress will pay off, I know that.

Once I get used to the new routine, I can relax a little and hopefully keep on wearing fruit :)

Fruity Greetings from the busy Midwest,

Lotte

Feathers

Shirt: Forever 21, Jeans: Miss Sixty, Heels: Steve Madden, Headband: H&M, Bracelets: Thrifted

Usually, I refuse to shop at regular stores for regular prices, but when I came across this shirt 

at Forever 21, it was love at first sight! Loving the bright colors.

And I am also not too happy about having to wear jeans, but it's been rather chilly in the evenings.

Not ready for summer to end :(

This coming week, school starts, and I will also work 4 nights a week. Busy busy times.

Therefore I will enjoy my last day of summer, even though it's been raining all day.

Greetings from the rainy Midwest,

Lotte

First Day at Work

Arrived at work during the storm/tornado!

What an exciting (tester)day!

My first day of training at the assistant living residence was finally here. As I was getting ready to leave, the tornado sirens went off, the sky became super dark all of a sudden and rain started to pour. 

Our small town was under a tornado warning...and I had to go to work.

Luckily, I only live a few blocks away and therefore decided to not miss the first day.

As I arrived, the wind had picked up speed, and I almost could not walk from my car to the building!

Needless to say, that wind almost took my shirt off ;)

The employees at "The Villas" were already quite tense, and I was pretty nervous simply because it was my first day working as a CNA. Add the excitement of the tornado warning, and it was a little mess!

Thankfully, the actual tornado passed by soon, and then I was able to focus on my tasks for the night.

Overall, it's been a rather busy one, especially because there were so many new people and routines that I will have to get used to. But this will help me to prepare for my job as an RN in the future!

Yay for surviving my first work day AND a tornado :)

Greetings from the now calmer Midwest,

Lotte