Monday, September 30, 2013

31 Days.

31 days of girl growing up

As a college student who is still trying to learn how to squeeze the maximum possible productive minutes out of each day (and failing pretty miserably, most of the time, I might add), blogging is usually on the back burner. Don't get me wrong: I love to write, and I love reading other peoples' writing even more, because it inspires me and gives me different perspectives on things. However, life gets in the way a lot.

Tonight, though, on Facebook, I saw a link to a Wofford grad's blog. Said grad is smart, sweet, and from my hometown, so naturally, I was curious to click on her link, which actually led me to The Nesting Place. This big blog is hosting a super-cool, month-long link-up where bloggers blog every day for the entire month of October. About anything they want.

doing it
Now, lots of people focus on one specific category to blog on, but why limit myself?! (Cough, I ramble too much and don't feel like making an effort to focus, cough) I think it will be a great challenge to see if I can blog every single day this month! I'm trying to give myself more structure, and I think this will be an awesome thing to incorporate!

Yay for a new month, a new season, and many reasons to love life.
31 Days: 































Monday, September 23, 2013

Go Read This.

Go Read This.

Please. I promise it won't take long.

Did you read it? Pretty insightful, but at the same time "duh!"

Sometimes, I let exhaustion get the best of me, and sometimes, I really shouldn't be that exhausted. If you are exhausted right now, it's time to rejuvenate, and if you're in the process of making yourself exhausted for absolutely no reason, just stop. Because I think from time to time, we're all a little guilty of over-thinking, or over-looking how fabulous our lives are, right this very instant. I'm so blessed, and I'm going to make the most of this wonderful week. 

Happy Monday, everyone :) 

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Final Summer Five on Friday

Phew. All I can say is TGIF. Let's not waste any time.

welcome friends
Welcome, Friends.

Let's get down to business, shall we? This weekend, the seasons change, so you may see a trend in this week's Five on Friday....



Five on Friday! Courtesy of Christina of Carolina Charm, Darci of The Good Life, April of A. Liz Adventures, and Natasha of Hello! Happiness 
Five on Friday! Courtesy of Christina of Carolina Charm, Darci of The Good Life, April of A. Liz Adventures, and Natasha of Hello! Happiness

1. Autumnal Entries. Lately my eyes have been drawn to the gorgeous mums and pumpkins lining porches. The wheelbarrow in the picture above adds a unique touch, don't ya think? Here are a few more of my favorites:

front door
Hay bales are perfection this time of year.

fall door 1 
Those corn stalks make this entrance something special!

chair 
Oh my gosh that tartan looks so cozy- I just wanna curl up and rock a while!

This batty door gives a neat effect with not so much effort!  
This batty door gives a neat effect with not so much effort!

2. Engagements on Engagements! Apparently, Fall isn't the only new season right now... In the past week, I've seen FOUR girls I know get engaged. And not just girls I know... Girls that are my age. And you know what's the craziest thing about it? It's not that crazy. While I still have a couple more years left of school, lots of my friends are on their way to the "real world." (!!!)

What I love the most is that the two newly engaged girls I know very well (Yay, Morgan and Juleah!!!) are smart, and beautiful people; I know they've been raised to take marriage seriously. I'm certainly not worried about their engagements ending in a terrible downward spiral a la Miley and Liam (19 miiiight be a little young to get engaged- or be swinging around practically naked on a wrecking ball, but that's neither here nor there...).

I've been "oohing" and "ahhing" over Morgan's ring in class this week (nothing like beautiful bling to wake you up in an 8 AM!), and I loved hearing about how her sweet fiance proposed. Can't wait to hear his side of the story at the next Clemson game! As for my good friend, Juleah, who I met at Girls State four years ago?

Can't wait to stand by her side on her big day! Rain or shine, near or far, we've supported one another. Thankfully, I'll be near on her big day.....

I'm gonna be one of her bridesmaids!!!

Eeek! The last time I was a bridesmaid, I was a senior in high school, bridesmaid-ing (now a verb) for my awesome cousin Jana! Now, the people getting married aren't my cool older cousins- they're my peers! Me oh my, am I getting "old!"

I adore weddings! A celebration of love and happiness? Count me in!
I adore weddings! A celebration of love and happiness? Count me in!
3. Fall fashions. I can hardly wait to start having the weather just a bit chillier, like it's  been the past few days. While I love summery sun dresses, I'm a little ready to switch things up with a sweater or two. Something I don't usually think about but have been paying more attention to lately: nail polish. How cute would this color be to ring in fall:

Loving Essie's Raspberry Red.  
Loving Essie's Raspberry Red.

I still like my girly colors, so this is a great compromise of cheer, and a not-too-bright, more-seasonally-appropriate tone.

4. Fall festivities. I'm not saying it'll happen, but I am saying that I wouldn't hate completing everything on this list...
 Fall-Bucket-List-Mine-Downl_thumb

Okay, actually, after reading these, I know all of those things will not happen- I don't enjoy corn mazes! I'm not exactly a direction-diva (AKA: I suck at navigating where anything is), so after my first time trying to find my way through a corn maze, I realized it wasn't all that picturesque. (Also, it wasn't like Harry Potter's final task in the Triwizard Tourney, so that's always a disappointment.) What I hope I get checked off? Jack-O-Lantern carving, cider drinking, and apple picking! Such classics!

5. Faith. Soon I'll update you on school, and when I do, maybe you'll see why faith rounds out my Five on Friday. I wish I could say I take full advantage of my faith and use it to fuel my life on a daily basis, but sometimes, it can be a struggle. However, I'm trying to help myself remember that even in stressful situations, I'm not alone. This is John's favorite verse, and I had no idea until he saw it written on my reminder board this week:
 josh 1 9

An oldie but a goodie (heh, get it? because everything in the Bible is old? ....), this verse kind of reminds me to snap out of it! Don't get down, because God is there for ya! Yay!

With that being said, I hope you all enjoy a fabulous first fall weekend.

Song of the blog: "Lonely Boy" by The Black Keys (thanks for the best mixed CDs ever, Aunt Christie!)
Lyrics of the song: "Woah oh oh oh, I gotta love that keeps me waiting!"

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Five on Friday: Longest-Day-Ever Edition.

Okay, so that's an exaggeration. This is not the longest day ever, but man oh man, has it felt like it! My first class began at 8, and I went from one 1.25 hour class to the next until 1:45, when I left campus to go to none other than..... Another school! Yep, that's right. Except this time, I was actually being paid to go there! I guess I'd better explain that, huh? Well, maybe I'll include it in my.....
Five on Friday! Courtesy of Christina of Carolina Charm, Darci of The Good Life, April of A. Liz Adventures, and Natasha of Hello! Happiness 

Five on Friday! (Yes, it was a cheesy transition, but it had to be done, no?)


1. Care package. They say the fastest way to a man's heart is food, but I think that's sexist, because I'm not a man, but that's a pretty direct route to my love.... I kid, sort of, but at the same time, when I got a care package from the best cousins ever, filled with all kinds of delicious goodies, it definitely made my day and filled my heart with joy! Highlights? Well, I can't pick, but the Disney Princess bandaids and Clorox wipes made me smile the hardest (because I'm the messiest girly-girl you'll ever meet, and Clorox wipes have become my BFF this year). Oh, and the Jif chocolate peanut butter spreads... (Darn those addicting cups that are small enough to make you think they're not that bad for you...)

care package 2013

How to pack an awesome care package:
1. Pack "junk" food- and lots of it!
2. Pack fun stuff that makes you feel like a kid!
3. Also pack stuff for when you remember you're not a kid and have to take care of yourself...

2. Staying organized. This might seem like dumb, but let me tell you: if you are not organized, and you feel stressed, that could very well be why you are feeling out of sorts! (Ha! No pun intended... But get it? Sorting... Like organizing?)
organization

In all seriousness, I've always been okay at organizing important things. For example, my desk was always clean in elementary school (in fact, I actually remember being recruited to help clean John's desk in third grade....), and for the most part, if I needed something from my room in middle or high school, I could find it.
However, I'm beginning to understand what a difference it makes to stay organized, even in the teensiest of ways, and I'm realizing I've been terribly disorganized the past few years! For example, it never actively bothered me that my t-shirt drawer was messy last year, as long as I knew where my favorites were, but my cluttered drawers, plus other little things, probably added up to feeling overwhelmed sometimes. It's relaxing to be in a non-cluttered space, and I highly recommend it to everyone, because I honestly think that is one of the reasons this year has started so smoothly- let's just hope I can keep it up ;)

3. Speaking of organization... I'm debating which planner to pick for 2014. I'm starting to think I may get a planner and also make some sort of "Life Binder," to hold my budget, receipts, grocery lists, meal planners, blog ideas, exercise and food journal, blah blah blah... I got this idea from Emily Ley's magnificent site, complete with some free printables for her agenda.
My obsession with these colorful dividers probably says a lot of sad/scary things about me...  
My obsession with these colorful dividers probably says a lot of sad/scary things about me...

As much as I love the idea of constructing my own agenda, Emily Ley style, I'm still smitten with Lilly Pulitzer's jumbo agenda I've been using this year. I refuse to get a new one until I fill mine up in December, which is probably a good thing, because it means that by the time I get the 2014 agenda, it will be on sale! Score! Picking a pattern will probably be my toughest decision... Hmm...

Decisions, decisions... Decisions, decisions...

If neither of these options tickle your fancy, you might wanna check ouy May Designs'! That site honestly has way too many cute patterns to choose from, and since my bestie Kara uses May Books, I know the quality is super high! I'm thankful their planners are on the smaller side, though, because if they gave the option of large agendas like Lilly, I'd be stressin' over which pattern and monogram style to pick!

4. Downstairs decor. If you've been reading my blog for more than half a second, you've realized that I'm a girly girl. However, I live with a guy, and for some reason, he's not as big on "pink" and "glitter" as I am :) When thinking about ways to decorate our living area downstairs, I had to make sure my cousin would feel just as comfortable as I would. We have an itty-bitty "breakfast nook" and our TV area with a couple of reclining sofas. Although it's probably pretty plain by most standards, remember, for a college student, less is more (or at least less is acceptable)! Neutral colors with just a few "rustic" accents means I'll be able to change out small things, like place mats and mason jar-fillers, seasonally without putting in too much effort.

Lamp and pillows thanks to Home Goods, crate-coffee-table-tray thanks to a thrift store, and mason jars/ twine combo thanks to the dear ol' Hobby Lobby. Lamp and pillows thanks to Home Goods, crate-coffee-table-tray thanks to a thrift store, place mats thanks to Kohl's, and mason jars/ twine combo thanks to the dear ol' Hobby Lobby.

5. She works hard for the money! Ha, just kidding. My parents work hard for the money (love you guys), and I just got a part time job. Like I mentioned earlier, I'm going to a school three afternoons a week to help with an after-school program. I was thrilled to find out today that I will be working with the second graders each time- yay! I truly enjoyed my time there, and I was pumped to get all teachered-up this morning! Excuse the awkward posture, face, and terrible lighting of this iPhone selfie, but it's the only picture I have documenting the whole work thing so far!

There's no selfie like an 8 AM selfie.... PS: yes, that is a Lilly murphee scarf as a bow belt.  
PS: yes, that is a Lilly murphee scarf as a bow belt. It was too hot to wear the scarf, and the dress needed to be jazzed up one way or another, so I got a wee bit creative!

After work, it was off to John's grandmother's house, where we ate dinner and hung out! His Nana is so sweet, and I felt so thankful to spend time with her (not to mention her delicious home-cooked meal and banana pudding... yum!). I'm finally just relaxing in my bed, thankful to say it's the weekend- especially since I'm going home to see mi familia! Hope everyone else has a fabulous weekend, too! (Especially those of you who made it to the end of this ridiculously long blog post... Oops.)

Friday, September 6, 2013

FRIIIIDAYYYY!

When I started typing this post, I realized it had been a while since my last one… In fact, I couldn’t even remember what my last post was about, so I had to go back to see that it was written two weeks ago! When a blogger goes MIA, you can assume one of a two things: a. the person is incredibly busy or b. his or her life is so dull there is absolutely nothing to talk about. Thankfully, my absence is due to the former- I am buzzing around like a busy bee, and I love it! School picked up quickly; this week I helped present a group project and took my first test of the semester. School isn’t the only thing keeping me busy any more, because it’s officially football season in Death Valley! In fact, I think since it’s time for some Five on Friday, I might as well give it a football theme (Who am I?!?!)

Five on Friday! Courtesy of Christina of Carolina Charm, Darci of The Good Life, April of A. Liz Adventures, and Natasha of Hello! Happiness 
Five on Friday! Courtesy of Christina of Carolina Charm, Darci of The Good Life, April of A. Liz Adventures, and Natasha of Hello! Happiness

1. College GameDay. Where else would ESPN want to host the longest College GameDay ever but Clemson University?! As someone who does not watch College GameDay (and let’s be real, ESPN in general), I was thrilled to see the momentum and excitement the show brought with it. I thought Tiger fans were pumped for the first game against the Georgia Bulldogs before, but once the all-day-televised-broadcast element was added to the mix, it became a whole different animal!

Happy camper- John was a trooper and camped out for tickets for the game! Each of our friends took shifts watching our spot in the ticket line, but John was the manly man who spent the night on the comfortable concrete in order for us to get awesome seats for the Saturday showdown!  
Happy (just not to be taking a picture) camper: John was a trooper and camped out for tickets for the game! Each of our friends took shifts watching our spot in the ticket line, but John was the manly man who spent the night on the comfortable concrete in order for us to get awesome seats for the Saturday showdown!
Friday afternoon, John and Corey competed as partners in a corn hole competition, hoping to win tickets to a backstage look at GameDay. Sadly, they didn't win, but we all had a good time checking out the set up! 
Friday afternoon, John and Corey competed as partners in a corn hole competition, hoping to win tickets to a backstage look at GameDay. Sadly, they didn't win, but we all had a good time checking out the set up!

2. First Friday. One of Clemson’s cool traditions is the First Friday Parade, held every year, the night before the first home football game. We watched all kinds of floats and cars drive by, listened to the marching band play the Tiger Rag, and even got to see a group of guys step dance! (I wish I had that much rhythm slash swagger…) The parade really had me pining for the group of girls I miss the most from Wofford: my sorority sisters. Each of the sororities at Clemson decorated a float, wore matching shirts, and chanted their way down the parade route.  Although there is a Kappa Alpha Theta chapter at Clemson, it wouldn’t be the same to join. While I’m sure the girls are sweet,  I didn’t originally fall in love with the Clemson chapter; I was at home with the Wofford Thetas.  It was hard to feel like I was missing out during Clemson’s recruitment week, but I know I’ll be glad I have more freedom once chapter and other obligations start for the girls.  :)

John, Spencer, and Michael enjoying the parade 
John, Spencer, and Michael enjoying the parade

Loser- Chelsea made herself feel better during Clemson Recruitment constructing this pic collage.... Loser- Chelsea made herself feel better during Clemson Recruitment constructing this pic collage....

3. My (national) TV debut. I mean, I’ve been on the local news before, but I got my fifteen (mili)seconds of fame in when Blair and I were flashed up on her sister’s TV (and anyone who was watching ESPN at the time!). So glad she captured our moment, because wowza, was it hot jumping up in down in ninety degree heat in the middle of the day! Now I can officially say I’ve experienced College GameDay, and Lee Corso pulling out the wrong mascot head at the end of the broadcast (look who’s laughin’ now, Corso!).

I'm the one with my arm raised and demonic looking holes for eyes (in my defense, I had my sun glasses on).  
I'm the one with my arm raised and demonic looking holes for eyes (in my defense, I had my sun glasses on).

4. Tailgate time. AKA the best part of the day. Although I stressed myself out trying to figure out tailgating (note: acting as a hub of info to multiple groups of people in the hopes of congregating in the same place is not a good idea), it all worked out! Great friends, yummy food… It really doesn’t get better than that!

Our delightful spread! My contributions: white chocolate dipped pretzel rods, pretzel crisps (for pimento cheese I knew would be there), cake batter dip, and graham crackers and Nilla Wafers for said dip!  
Our delightful spread! My contributions: white chocolate dipped pretzel rods, pretzel crisps (for pimento cheese I knew would be there), cake batter dip, and graham crackers and Nilla Wafers for said dip!

Look who came by the tailgate- my little brudder!  
Look who came by the tailgate- my little brudder!

5. Sweet Victory! After an intense game, Clemson secured the W, and lots of people rushed the field! That did not include me though- I enjoyed watching it from afar. By the time the 8-pm-kickoff game ended, it was after midnight- what a long, fun, exhausting day!

Obligatory Good Year Blimp shot during the warm up- the stadium is already getting pretty full at this point! 
Obligatory Good Year Blimp shot during the warm up- the stadium is already getting pretty full at this point!
Pom pom wavin' for Watkins!  
Pom pom wavin' for Watkins! Notice how full the hill is, and the game hasn't even started! (For those of you non-Clemson fans, the area under the score board is a big grassy hill the players run down before every game, and some student tickets are there.)
The game ends, and the mad dash down to the field begins!  
The game ends, and the mad dash down to the field begins!

Woo! What a great way to open the season!  
Woo! What a great way to open the season!

Not a bad weekend, for being centered around a sporting event, huh? ;) Even though tomorrow's game against SC State isn't quite as big, I'm just as (if not more) excited about tomorrow, because I get to see my parents for the first time since move in!!! Yay!!!! Hope everyone else's weekend is as much fun as mine is gonna be!