I remember graduating from Longwood University like it was yesterday. Those last papers, senior week, and packing up that college apartment that had truly become my home. It was a whirlwind of meaningful moments and books with dog-eared pages. Underneath my cap and gown, I wore a dress borrowed from my best friend Emma; and my parents brought me a bouquet of flowers.

It doesn't feel like four years have passed, but then again, sometimes it does. Two offices and a coffee shop. One master's degree. Three cities, two states. Three apartments, fifteen months at my parents' house, and a year of long distance with one boyfriend who turned into a fiancé and is now my husband. Ten months of self-employment.

Four years later, I am finding roots and settling down a bit more every day. But in 2010, I thought I already had it figured out. I didn't know who I was or what I was going to do, but I had an idea of who I wanted to be; what I wanted to do. I moved into an apartment in Roanoke and bought dishes and a bed and a couch and felt very sure of myself. I didn't like living alone, but the place was beautiful and my parents were nearby, and my friend Andy would sometimes come over and sleep on my couch.

Rob still had a year of undergrad to complete, and I had started working at a job I didn't love before very quickly applying to graduate school at Hollins University. I never really knew what one might do with a master's in Children's Literature, but I loved it and I wasn't ready to be done with school, so I started a two-year journey toward my M.A. I kept working full-time and going to class, and life felt very transitional for the next few years.

When I was almost done with my thesis, I panicked. I visited Longwood and sat in one of my favorite professor's office with a cup of coffee and told him I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do anymore. I was working for a software company and had this blog but I didn't feel like I was doing anything with my degree. He told me not to worry, to just keep going. He said one day I would wake up and some random thing would happen and it would make sense, maybe even suddenly and all at once.

I kept doing what I was doing and in August of 2013, I found myself setting out to join Rob in Minneapolis and blog "full-time." Living halfway across the country from everyone I knew and loved was never a thing I thought I would want to do, but it seemed worth a try. A few months later, once again in a panic, I frantically began applying for jobs. I worked a few little part-time gigs for a temp agency in between blogging and wedding planning and traveling, and then last week, I got a call asking if I was interested in working at a children's book publishing company for a few weeks. It felt a whole lot like the moment I had been waiting for.

As amazing as it is to go in and finally see what happens in an office where everyone has shelves upon shelves of children's books above their desks, I started to realize that entering data into an Excel spreadsheet is the same no matter where you work. At first I felt disappointed, but I recalled my college professor's words that comforted me so much two years ago. I am learning a bit more, every day, to be grateful for my experiences, and to trust what's next.

Some things just take time. And sometimes--most times--you're doing the right thing. Keep going. We all have to start somewhere. Where did you start out?

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by State Farm via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of State Farm.

Happy almost-weekend! I don't know about you, but it's been a crazy week over here. Rob and I are off to Virginia this morning to spend a few days in Roanoke before heading to Williamsburg for a wedding on Saturday. I'm so excited to see my family and spend a few days at the lake!

This afternoon I finally have a much-needed acupuncture appointment, and tomorrow I'm getting my hair cut. Lately I've been thinking that it might be time for a change. What do you guys think? Part of me wants to go lighter, part of me wants to go shorter, and still a big part of me wants to just keep doing what I'm doing and leave it alone. I tend to err on the side of just leaving it alone.

Haircut or not, before I head out of town I wanted to share a new-to-me service that rewards you for the online searching that we already do every day.

Bing Rewards allows you to earn rewards for using Bing as your search engine--it's easy as that! You can rack up gift cards to Starbucks, Amazon, and Sephora (among others). We are currently in the midst of making the most summer in Minneapolis (we're moving soon--more on that later!), so I've been doing a lot of Minneapolis parks, lakes, and restaurant searching online over the past few weeks. Bing has made it easy and even better, they're practically paying me to do it. I think you all know how I feel about coffee, and a Starbucks gift card in my wallet every now and then is nothing to complain about.

Bing has helped me discover some of my more recent favorite spots in the city, and I'm so excited to share more of them with you this summer! They even have a super-intuitive mobile app to make searching on the go easier.

So if you aren't using Bing Rewards yet, give them a try--sign up today and start earning rewards! What will you search for this summer?

I'm required to disclose a sponsored partnership between our site and Bing. I have been compensated in exchange for this post in the form of payment, product or experiences.

Bing Rewards

Thank you so much for your support as I continue to work with sponsors.

Rob and I live in a one-bedroom apartment and have more stuff than we know what to do with; so although I would love a little bench by our window, something at the foot of the bed, and a number of other little pieces that would make our place feel even homier, we have managed to refrain from any recent furniture purchases. But when Rust-Oleum® asked me if I'd like to use their Universal® Spray to do a little home project, I couldn't resist.

We picked up a cheap utility cart from Ikea and I got to work! It was originally white, but I wanted to paint it black so it'd match our coffee table, kitchen table, and just generally look a little shinier.

This is my kind of DIY, which is to say that it's incredibly self-explanatory. All you need is a bar cart (extra points if you can find a cool vintage one or build yourself a new one--I couldn't) and some spray paint.

1. In a well-ventilated area or outdoors, lay out newspaper or big huge pieces of wood that you bought during a failed attempt to build a bar cart (actually don't do that--maybe just stick to newspaper) and spray each shelf with smooth, even strokes. I used Rust-Oleum® Universal® Gloss Spray in Black.
2. Let dry overnight before assembling or putting any bottles/glasses/etc. on the shelves.
3. Stock the bar cart! I like to just include the basics (for us, that's vodka, gin, or scotch and some tonic water), with a few little extras (in this case tequila, dry vermouth, Goldschlager or some other fun liqueur). A bowl of limes serves as a nice garnish for drinks and decorates the bar itself.

Rust-Oleum® Universal® Spray Paints offer a variety of on-trend colors and unique finishes, and boast the first-of-its-kind 360 degree any-angle delivery system that allows DIYers to tackle those hard to reach areas, even upside down.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Rust-Oleum® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Rust-Oleum®.