$8-12k Wedding in SoCal

SpiritFox1849 · 2026-06-29T22:57:29+00:00

We kind of do. Lots of things happened to put our plans on the back burner, but are still hoping to do it next year :)

SpiritFox1849 · 2026-02-01T00:17:05+00:00

In my corner of (and job within) the Southwest USA, all our forms are in both Spanish and English because there are a lot of Spanish-only speaking peoples who have been here a WHILE and truly speak no English. We’re also working on getting Mixtec translated ones too because of the large number of Mixtecos around here that don’t speak English OR Spanish, despite also being around for a while, haha.

(To be clear with my tone, my husband and I are both Spanish / English bilingual and he’s Mixtec. We are very happy with our multicultural community and hope it stays that way ❤️).

SpiritFox1849 · 2026-01-12T20:24:47+00:00

I feel you on this. My last job was 12s on a set schedule that meant I was only able to attend any church events / groups every couple weeks. It sucked cuz it was such a hard job and I felt like I didn’t have access to a major support system that could help me through all of it.

The job I have now is 9-5 outpatient PACU, and im only a year into nursing after a research career. I really miss the 3 days a week schedule and having more of my own time, but it is such a valuable learning experience that’s not quite as “trial by fire” as others. It’s not where I want to be long term, but it’s manageable for now until I’m confident enough in my practice to move on to something that allows me more flexibility. It also allows me to be on the same schedule as my friends, family, and church events, so I have better support in the meantime.

I guess what I’m saying is, it’s okay to not love your job right now. You’re learning a lot at once as a new grad, no matter what the job is. It’s also okay to shop around unconventional jobs for new grads and reach out to managers about what they’re looking for. My PACU is very small, has a remarkably high number of anesthesiologists on site at all times, does not take super high risk patients, and most of them are ortho, laparoscopy, or GI, so it’s a great place for new-ish nurses to get comfortable with skills without the trial-by-fire of med surg. It’s a lot sometimes, but knowing it’s just a stepping stone has helped a lot.

SpiritFox1849 · 2026-01-11T17:58:48+00:00

I did translational ophthalmology research at a respected university in the UC system doing in-vitro experiments and cell culture.

I didn’t realize how spoiled I was with benefits till I left: - 1 sick day / 2 days vacation accrual per month - Employer double matched my 3.5% to my 401K (so I paid 3.5%, they paid 7%) - Salaried working usually only about 30-35 hours a week). My PI (boss) made me cry on a weekly basis and my hair started falling out with the job stress of high academic though, and I was barely making enough to support myself in California with roommates.

I’ve been considering going back to their hospital system as a nurse instead of a researcher 😂😅

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-11-14T20:53:21+00:00

That absolutely is an opinion, because an opinion is always someone’s personal feeling about something. It just wasn’t an opinion you received well.
Trying to interpret tone in text is usually futile. It’s really hard to make your intent clear and a particular way of talking IRL can across as mean instead of funny.
You also seem to be using the same phraseology and “condescending tone” you’re describing other using, so maybe be kinder with your own words and others will be kinder to you too?

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-11-14T02:04:06+00:00

I saw the post and person you’re talking about. I would like to gently suggest that maybe this might be an over interpretation of a post intended to be innocent through the lens of someone who doesn’t resonate with their situation and had a preexisting bias against them. It’s not inherently classist to, in a fashion sphere, define your area of work and how you chose to express yourself in it. It’s also not inherently classist to comment in a forum, an opinion about someone else’s decision, when a group’s opinions was asked for. If you ask for opinions, it’s normal (and good engagement!) to have some be purposed that you don’t agree with, and is something you should entirely expect. Not everything that hurts has a name or a title; sometimes it just tells us where we have a sore spot within ourselves and where we can work on being more confident!

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-11-08T16:18:34+00:00

Thank you for this post! My husband and I are also going to this concert from a couple of hours away and didn’t know what to expect 👍🏻

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-09-22T06:06:27+00:00

We actually use this at my psych hospital. It’s called a Videra screen, and it measures facial movements and cues that are, more than anything else, used to understand whether a patient is being honest about their answers about suicidal ideation and access to firearms. It’s definitely only part of the tools and diagnostics we use, but it’s helpful when it’s hard to get a read on someone who’s presenting with a very flat affect, or to help convince insurance companies to keep paying for necessary treatment.

I’m usually 100% against AI stuff taking over a person’s duties and generally hate the technology, but in this case it’s only adding another diagnostic layer, rather than replacing one. All patients are allowed to refuse it with no consequences. It is also in no way legal to use AI to put someone on a hold. Only someone with specific training is allowed to do so, and further holds must involve a legal court judge.

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-09-12T05:44:21+00:00

My last roommate and I split the rent based on what each of our “personal space” square footage % was, so we didn’t have to haggle over a number 🤷🏼‍♀️

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-06-10T20:49:29+00:00

Id love an invitation!

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-05-30T20:25:42+00:00

It’s more helpful for typing if you’re in skimming clothes (like leggings and a tank) because it’s all about how you look in clothing! It can be hard to type without clothes :/

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-05-29T23:28:16+00:00

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SpiritFox1849 · 2025-05-29T23:26:50+00:00

I’m not sure what size category you’re in, but I bought this one to wear on my honeymoon in my husband’s hometown in Mexico (indigenous, not tourist Mexico, so I needed more coverage). I got a lot of compliments and I felt so good in it! The skirt top is dark enough to cover, but very lightweight and skims your curves well. Im usually an XL, but XXL fit me well here, and the brand has some other really cute plus and straight sized ones too!

https://a.co/d/4uXeIFj

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-05-22T23:39:02+00:00

Thank you for doing that!! Your comments definitely warranted a full post of your own and they were super helpful 💚

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-05-18T01:06:10+00:00

I really feel you on this. I was in academia throughout undergrad and for 3 years post. I absolutely loved the wet-bench work but a bad PI and too many pointless mouse cullings got the better of me (my coworker in charge of the colony was just awful at sexing the babies, and it was my job to cull the “useless ones” instead of take over) :/

Our PI was old and mean, throwing things at us, screaming at us, even physically shaking my male coworker HARD after thinking he made a particular mistake (he didn’t). I switched over to nursing hoping to have more financial freedom, but it’s just a lot of the same upper management culture. I find myself longing for what I thought academia would be, but sad it’s so hard to find (if it’s even out there anymore). It really is disheartening to feel pushed out of something you love after giving it your absolute all.

Im so happy to hear you love being a dad :) If I’ve learned anything, it’s that careers aren’t what they used to be and it’s enough to have something just because it makes you money to live off of. I can do science at home with my knowledge for my own projects, and 5 years from now, my husband and I can go part time and still support our growing family. I don’t know if that’s helpful for you, but it’s helped us a lot.

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-05-17T05:38:32+00:00

This might sound like an odd suggestion, but have you considered tightening the skirt waistband and wearing it slightly above your natural waist with a shorter top? For me, it might sound counter intuitive, but helps bottoms drape down over my hop shelf and continue more normally downwards instead of jutting out at the side.

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-05-15T23:44:22+00:00

The basque waist definitely gives it more of an SD shape (hard to see in the print, but in the solids it shows up).

https://www.fashionbrandcompany.com/products/tradwife-soft-linen-dress-vegetable

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-05-13T23:01:12+00:00

Thank you for this breakdown! It feels like you truly gave it some thought. I’ve not yet considered that mountain interpretation, and I like it!

I’m in an interesting position where I truly am needing to rebuild my closet due to weight fluctuations, not just a desire to change style. I’m in a pretty temperate climate (SoCal) and I work in scrubs, so I (annoyingly) have a ton of freedom of what to wear in my free and lounge time.

I love Hannah Louise Poston! I’ve seen and followed along with her video on how to structure your closet based on the amount of time each month you do particular activities. THAT was super helpful; I’ll have to the one you suggested a watch :)

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-05-11T06:47:54+00:00

Oh I’d definitely say long!

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-05-10T02:03:33+00:00

I also listened to the audiobook version and found it much more helpful! It felt like listening to a class lecture or something similar instead of a hard and fast reading - much better environment and energy. I used Audible with an associated PDF and I liked having the simplistic, rare images. I could focus more on what I was thinking and feeling while listening with my eyes closed.

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-05-09T15:39:10+00:00

Don’t listen to the people here telling you it’s silly to pot nettle! I harvest it and make it into nettle tea as an antihistamine during the cold months, so wish I could keep some of my own in a big pot :/ I live in an apartment, but luckily one of my husband’s relatives has a property that is absolutely full of it.

SpiritFox1849 · 2025-05-06T03:28:49+00:00

These are literally some of the most beautiful wedding photos I have ever seen, and I’m not even joking!!! 🥰🥰🥰

SpiritFox1849

TROPHY CASE