Boo! to you...

Well Halloween is this weekend!! I am super excited! This is probably one of my favorite times of the year- second only to Christmas!! I am so excited for this weekend! I just love everything that this time of year has to offer! The air is cooling off and the crisp winds make the pumpkin lattes taste even sweater! The leaves are turning and everywhere I look, I just fall more and more in love with Nature! Carving pumpkins is a family tradition that me and my Daddy do every year at the beginning of October. Since I have been away at school we haven't been able to do this but I will always have the fond childhood memories of standing on a chair in the kitchen reaching my hands down in the cold, slimy, gooey guts of the pumpkin and deciding on a pattern to carve. This year we had a sisterhood to decorate pumpkins and everyone was painting theirs so I decided to use some puff paint and draw my monogram on it! It turned out SUPER preppy and SUPER cute!! I must say, Martha Stewart has so many intriguing ideas for clip art crafts and decorations! I love how these butterflies just pop! They are not so spooky butt hey do add a mysterious touch to this library!

This is the inspiration for my Halloween costume! I am going to be a flapper girl! I purchased the dress at Forever 21 (first ever purchase from this store!). It is completely black sequined with a giant key- hole cut out in the back. I attacked some fringe to the bottom hem for and added touch. I purchased most of the accessories from Party City. This is such a girly costume, it's perfect for me! I can't wait for this weekend, I am so excited!

I really love all of these decorations!! The flower centerpiece is absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to have my own house where I can entertain people and have parties to make all of this for!

Boots

I have this obsession for BOOTS!!! It is a terrible thing!! I already have 4 pairs of cowboy boots, 2 pairs of rain boots, a pair of snow boots and still feel the need for more!! Well I just ordered a new pair of black Justin boots and they are supposed to be here any day now!! I am so excited!! I wear boots almost every day whether I wear them with a cute sun dress in the Summer, with leggings and tights in the Fall, or with cute jeans in the Winter! I feel like you can never have enough! They are a true necessity, especially here in Boone!

I recently saw these on Re- Lilly and was a few hours late, someone saw these precious things and swooped then up quicker than anyone else! I am really jealous!! I would kill for these "Swellies"! I hate that I missed them a few years back but these pink elephant print boots would be perfect me!!

I have been in search for these Bean boots from L.L. Bean! I am so excited to add these stylish things to my collection!! Their website notes that they are great for wet, muddy chores or for running errands because of their low- cut slip- on style. I am having trouble figuring out what size to order because they run big! They also run naturally wide but they come in narrow, medium, and wide. I will definitely be consulting the sizing guide before I make any purchases but the Customer Service Reps at L.L. Bean are always nice!!

De- Stressors

I have been away for so long!! I feel like I haven't blogged in forever! I have been super stressed lately though... Midterms are this week and last, as well as chapter, speed dating to meet future Little's, and of course I like to have a social life! haha Thank goodness that fall Break is Wednesday though!!! I am super excited to go home and see my family and my babies Jack and Wrigley! I can't wait to see old friends too! I really wanted to go to ALABAMA this weekend to visit mBa but I just have wayyy too much going on plus I am sick and need to rest. Being so stressed out is horrible and often leads to cry- fests with friends and illness! I often just do anything but what I need to do in order to cope but this leads to making myself over- stressed because nothing is getting done! A few things I like to do to cope are...1. ORGANIZE your life! this is a hobby that I am quite proficient at! I write EVERYTHING in my agenda because if I didn't I would run around like a chicken with my head cut off! I carry it with me at all times, if I ever forget it, I go absolutely crazy and try to remember what I can to get through the day long enough until I get get back and get it. I was watching "Flipping Out" on Bravo the other night and Jenny forgot Jeff's planner at a job site and he almost killed her because it is so important to him. He literally flipped out! I feel like this is how I would be if I was nearly as important as he is!2. Make notecards. I feel like this is a simple way to organize the material that you need to know and makes studying a bit easier because you can see the information you need to know!
3. Take a study break! Grab a quick snack, make a cup of coffee, call your mom and unload some stress on her (just not too much, cause she'll worry!), or take a 15 minute power nap! Sometimes it is hard to keep your focus so I try to push hard and study for an hour and then take a 10 minute break!
4. Create a plan. If everything is due in one day, or even one week make sure you plan out what needs to be done by what days so that you don't fall behind!5. Eat right and Sleep Well. This is very important!! A lot can happen as a result from being suer stressed like acne, sickness, anger, and fatigue but most of this can be avoided with a lot of planning, making sure you are eating healthy foods and getting ample amounts of sleep!

Finally over

Recruitment is finally over!! It was very fun but extremely stressful! I think I speak for all of us when I say that we are all happy it's over! It was a great time, I think we all bonded a ton, shed a lot of tears, and learned a little more about each other!
Who would have known that this would be this exhausting and draining! But I am happy to say that we got 40 new great girls!! All of our hard work paid off and we got a wonderful new pledge class! Bid day was crazy too, unfortunately is was hazy and pretty chilly but it ended up being a great day and we all had a lot of fun! But after all that, it still isn't time to slow down! This week we had our traditional Cowboys and Indians mixer, we had lipsync for Homecoming last night, tomorrow is our Semi- formal, and this weekend we are having the Homecoming parade, tailgate, and game! It is going to be crazy but fun!! I can't wait for it to get here and for all of the excitement! I really hope that my sorority can win this year, that would put us one step closer to Sorority of the Year!!! So much to look forward to!

It's Fall Yall!!

Really, I know it's hard to believe but it really is here!! I broke out my wallabees this week and had my first "Jack- o Lantern" chai latte the other day. This is a super- yummy drink that just makes your day soooo much better! Well at least it did me! It's a chai latte with a shot of espresso and a shot of pumpkin pis flavor. It's delish! Although I am ready for Thanksgiving, and all of the good southern fall foods, I don't know if I am really ready for this Boone wweather! It is going to be a rough one!! I was considering a transfer on Tuesday this week! It was 45 degrees, blowing rains and torrential down- pours, oh and did I mention I had to walk to class in that?? It was terrible! But when the sun is shining, it makes up for it 100 times over! When walking down the streets of Blowing Rock this weekend, this is what I saw- they sure do look ready for fall!

Cat Stealers

This is a conversation between bDe and I today:

Me: next we can steal a cat:)
B: Good idea, then we can train it play the violin or something and become and become the next youtube sensation.
Me: OMG!! I'm in class and just busted out laughing!!! SO AWKWARD, so thanks!! haha I tweeted that BTW!
B: haha that's hilarious!
Me: I know right?!
B: We need to get it cute outfits and stuff too.
Me: And food
B: lol well obviously
Me: Yeah and Bows for her hair
B: Oh of course, and a nice little brush to comb its fur
Me: What shall we name it?
B: Oh gosh. That'll be the hardest part. We'll need to have a serious discussion before we write up it's birth certificate.

Have you seen this yet???

This is why I love bDe!! Aside from Big, she is the second funniest person I know!! She always makes me laugh and she introduced me to this hilarious video! If you haven't seen it yet, you must watch it!

The Day that was Turned Around with a Smile

This is how my day started out!! The BEST friend, mBa, in the entire world came to Boone for the day to visit me for my BIRTHDAY!!! I am so happy she came, she is awesome, living 9 hours apart is rough but it makes it all the better when we do get to spend time together!! She brought my presents, she painted me a cooler, brought me beautiful Gerbera daisies (my favorite!) and a beautiful skirt!

After a quick bite at Boone Drug, we decided to hit the outlets in Blowing Rock and stopped by this lovely store on the way back! We stumbled upon Bless Your Heart earlier this summer. This is a very cute boutique. It cheers you up, just by walking in!I snapped a few quick pics on my BB while walking through. I LOVE the color scheme! So bright and vibrant, yet clean and crisp looking!

This store is super cute!! They have everything from cute gift ideas, to items for your baby, clothes for yourself, and some unique pajamas too. As if that isn't enough, they have a team who makes bouquets and do flower arrangements for weddings. They have a 'Mason Jar Club' that they create arrangements with the left over flowers from the weddings for a VERY reasonable price!! mBa decided to be a wonderful daughter and pick some up for her Mamma! look how pretty they are!

Although it was quite a dreary day in town, it really turned around when I saw the faces of friends and family coming to cheer me up!! I am super excited for my birthday now! The presents they brought me actually reminded me of what's to come!! Also, when I got back tonight, kRl brought me the present she bought for me this weekend! Guess what it was?! AN ELEPHANT PANDORA BEAD!!! Just what I had mentioned I wanted in an earlier post!! I love it and I'm so excited to wear it tomorrow!!

A Beautiful Blue Ridge Day

What a Wonderful day in Boone! Aside from the fact that my parents hit a deer on the way up the mountain it was a lovely day! We had a brunch Sunday morning with some of my Kappa Delta sisters and their mothers, then we took the dogs on their leashes and walked around downtown Blowing Rock. Of course we had to do some shopping! It was a busy day!We skipped the outlets this weekend, but only because I had been four times the week before and couldn't imagine anything else I could possibly manage to find there! One the way back to Boone, we took a scenic detour and drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway to take a few pictures and enjoy the view!!


This is me with my babies, Jack on my lap and Wrigley on the ground panting. Had to get a mother- daughter picture too! I think we look pretty cute here! I truly look up to such a wonderful woman, she is my role- model!
Daddy is wearing the shirt I bought for him! The sun was so bright, our eyes are squinty but I still love this picture! I have the best daddy in the world! He is my hero.

DIY: Enameled Bottles

"By: Luzel Another upcycling great for your old bottles! From The Martha and I Suwanee: Spruce up bottle interiors with glass enamel paint to create new vases! I think I better start collecting leftover San Pellegrinos and Trader Joe’s limeade bottles from now on. All this sea-foam-blue-green-seaside shades of pretty just makes me happy!"

I loves these! Such a great gift idea for a birthday, wedding, ANYTHING!! The blues are so pretty but this is such a cheap and easy thing to do that you could make lots and use them as decor for the holidays!
credit:http://www.i-do-it-yourself.com/page/4/

the ever so INFAMOUS Man- Headband

More and more lately I am seeing this trend. I don't know if it's just because I am in Granola City, USA- aka Boone, NC or what? And furthermore, I don't know how I feel about it, either! It is the man-headband!! This is traditionally seen in European men, primarily the soccer players- or really any athletic men I guess?! These are two fine looking men but I just don't know- I really don't like it and I don't think I would be comfortable with my man wearing it either!! It does make guys look a little more rough so that is attractive but I just really don't think his hair should be long enough to need a headband at all. PERIOD. I really hope that this does not become a trend, it is an unnecessary fashion- thing all around!! When discussing this with some of my girl friends, some had mixed emotions, revealing that it gives them a mysterious look and is in a way, sexy! Others, mainly me, thought it was just plain dumb!! Check out Bradly Cooper! I used to think he was gorgeous until I saw this!!

The Terrible tale of my poor Fratberry

It all started out so innocent....
I went downstairs to see Big and when I came back upstairs, My BlackBerry was nowhere to be found!! I began to freak out and have a small panic attack! And when I say small... I mean HUGE! Tears, anger, frustration! My BlackBerry is my life- all of my txts, BBM's, contacts, Facebook info, Twitter info, Bank of American account info, ebay info... EVERYTHING!!! My whole life is on this little thing and now I have no idea where in hell's half acre this thing is! So the first thing I do is call Big and ask her to search the car! She can't find it, then I retrace all of my steps from that morning- still can't find the dern thing!! Next step: CALL MOM!! I have no idea how this is supposed to help but I call her yelling... then I decide it's time to call Verizon. VZW is less than helpful in this situation- they say they have "no way of locating it"... although there is a tracking device located inside the phone! I finally decide to Call my phone yet again! A man answers and says that he found this phone about a mile away from where I live on the side of the road, and he was in the woods picking mushrooms- {well, that's APP for ya!} haha- he finally says that he can bring it to me in 15 minutes! Well thank Heaven's!! Now we can go to tailgate! I evidently set the phone on top of her car, I am just happy it still works!!

44- 16

Game Day by taylorma3 featuring coach handbags

It was a beautiful day in Boone! Sunny, and 80 degrees outside! Quite a turn around from last weekend when we had a down- pour that ruined the tailgating mood!! I am so happy that today was pretty and we all got to dress up and look cute for the Fratty boys at tailgate! I endured the heat for just a little bit longer and actually went to some of the game!! Wouldn't ya know it?! App won!! We beat NCCU 44- 16, that made everyone's day even better!! And although my day did not start out so great... it ended in much better! This is me and the Roomie with Yosef!! ps. No, I am not pregnant- the dress is just a little big

A Sunny Sunday to get excited about!

NWFD by taylorma3 featuring a bodice dress

Tomorrow is going to be a GORGEOUS day in Boone!! The weather is going to be 80 and sunny!! I am so excited!! Plus, to top it off, we are having a brunch to celebrate the special women in our life! Kappa Delta presents: National Women's Friendship Day! Tomorrow I will be wearing a Lilly sun dress, my Lilly McKims, pearls- of course, (like any KD lady should), and complete with the Beachy perfume! Can't wait for tomorrow to get here!

Staring at 50 Cent in the mirror

This is my experience of going to workout today at the Student Recreation Center, better known as the SRC. I was supposed to be meeting my Big there but Big was running late so I went in to go ahead and get my fitness on. When you first walk in to the SRC, one must swipe their card to be permitted entrance. You are supposed to swipe with the machine to your left but of course I swiped to the right first and then realized I was holding up this big, buff boy and quickly changed. After I got through the gates I see all of these bug guys on the basketball courts shooting hoops and other guys just rushing around me and I begin to feel like I am on the streets of NYC with all of the hustle and bustle!
So I go upstairs, fins a treadmill and hop on, as I finish my last tweet and press play on my iPod, I look in the mirror and see 50 Cent running on the treadmill behind me! I mean this boy was ripped and sweat was just dripping off him and soaking through his shirt, which I know this sounds extremely nasty but he really did look like 50 on the cover of Candyshop!! hahah
Oh Lord!! That;'s what I thought!! What did I get myself into?? These are the things running through my head as I look into the dreadful wall of mirrors facing me and see my disgusting thighs... Oh well, I guess that was my motivation!!
I mean, let's be real!! I DO NOT LIKE TO SWEAT!!! It is just not for me, ladies are not supposed to sweat, it's not right and just plain gross!! I avoid it at all cost! One time in middle school, I told this to my softball coach, I don't remember playing in many games that season- obviously he understood! I mean he was just doing me a favor right- so I wouldn't have to mess up my hair?!
Finally Big gets there, we talk for a minute and I must leave! I have had enough embarrassment for one night thank you very much!!

Things I appreciate

1.Jesus' love for me and the willingness of God to send him to die for my sins This is huge and not something that is recognized daily!! I am beyond grateful to my Heavenly Father because without Him I would be nothing! I owe it all to Him!
2.My mommy... make that my parents I actually love them both!! I have the best parents in the world!! Really!! I am an only child so at times they can seem a bit over- bearing and over protective but I know that it is just because they love me and they are trying to keep me safe! My mom and I are so close, we speak every day! I am thankful that I am close with my parents but not too close because our relationship has made me into the way that I am today! I am so thankful that I was placed in such a loving, nurturing and Christian home and have the blessings bestowed on me that so many others lack.
3.my sisters I honestly don't think people get the relationship that you have in a sisterhood unless you have actually been in the Greek system! I seriously love all of my sisters whole heartedly! There is so much respect and unity withing our chapter, I wouldn't trade it for the world! I have learned not only social skills but also leadership skills throughout my oh- so- short- time in Kappa Delta. I and so glad that God's plan worked out and I did not get my first choice going through recruitment because I know I found my home! 4.my best friend in the entire world, MB
MB and I met in Kindergarten. She likes to tell the story to everyone that my mom told her mom that I needed a friend so we should play... I don't know if I believe this. I love Mary more than anything!! I have no idea how I would have survived through life without her! I mean, I am sure that I would have found some people that would phase in and out of my life but be real, my life wouldn't ever be the same, and I would be a totally changed person. And although we go to school 9 hours and 540 miles apart, we still remain as close as we were back at home, telling each other everything. She is the sister I never had and I thank God for putting her in my life!!
5.a glass of good sweet tea
The best sweet tea in the south is my Mama's!! She starts by boiling a few cups of water on the stove, then add two Lipton Iced Tea bags and take it off the burner, let sit for about 40 minutes. Take the tea bags out, DO NOT SQUEEZE, and add 1 and 1/4 cup of sugar. Put in a pitcher and add a little bit of water. This will be perfect!! I love how she always has some ready for me to come back to school!
6.fried chicken, YALL!
MMMmmmM!! Now I love me some real good, handmade, deep fried, Southern fried, crispy chicken breasts! Cracker Barrel has the best on Sundays after Church! yummy!! This can prove to be a real problem when I try to cut out both meat AND fried foods to lose some weight! I mean it's just not natural, this leads to me craving some fried food at about 11PM every few days...
7. my freedom
I thank god for my life And for the stars and stripes May freedom forever fly, let it ring. Salute the ones who died And the ones that gave their lives so we don`t have to sacrifice All the things we love Like our chicken fried."
It is really important that we keep up hope while we are in the middle of this war and are proud the say we're American!! People are dying and choosing to give their lives so that we can stay free and drive around, and shop and hang out with friends. Freedom is not a right; it is a privileged... some of us are quick to forget how long and how much hard work it took to get us tothe way we are now!
8. some juicy gossip Oh man!! There is nothing I love to do more than sit down at lunch discussing all of the "He said...", "She said..." drama! This may get me into trouble at times but I looove it in the moment!
9. a good tan
Don't get me wrong, I am pretty pale at the moment but I am actually contemplating doing the unthinkable!! In high school I had a pre- cancerous mole removed from my arm and since then I have only gone tanning for special occasions and I wear 70 SPF sunscreen when outside. It just isn't the same! I truly was addicted, I had been going since 6th grade and would even wake up early and go before school at like 7am. It was horrible but I used to say "I would rather die tan than live white!"
10. meaningful conversations with meaningful people
you know, some people really just don't matter... they are here simply to cause conflict and drama in your life! When you start to cut these people out, then and only then will you have more time to spend with the people who do matter; the ones whom you love, and love you very much!! There is nothing I love more than just sitting down and having a nice long conversation with someone about their day, their stressors, their boy problems, or roommate problems. I love to just listen to people and pay attention because sometimes that is all they need!

obsession?

"So I began to think...
Was this about Big or is this bigger than Big?"

FYI MR. CUSTOMER SERVICE WORKER

... I don't know what "the ticket day" means and I don't think that your little ways of flirting through sarcasm are funny so maybe you can just hush and answer my questions since you are working for me!! k thanks!!

Birthday Wish List

Well, my birthday is less than a month away!! Woohoo!!! I always get so pumped this time of year, when I was in middle school, I was a bit narcissistic and would actually make announcements in every class declaring that this was "the last Thursday I will ever be 15."
This year I have an extra special reason to celebrate!! It is our Bid- day, so I get to celebrate all of the new babies this super special Sunday too!!
I have been compiling a "Wish- list" for a while now and I left it at home with my mom just last weekend. The plans for my birthday include my mom and her mom coming up to Boone and spending the weekend in a Bed and Breakfast. Then I will get to see them Monday, I am super excited for the festivities! Here are a few items I am hoping for...

1. Viva La Juicy Perfume

I absolutely love the smell of this! The mom of the family that I babysit for wears it and unlike my Lilly perfume, you can smell it for hours, it doesn't just fade away and it is so flowery and delightful!
2. Pandora Charms
I was given a bracelet for Graduation and have only about 1/3 filled so I am in desperate need of more charms to fill my bracelet!!
3. Lilly Pulitzer Kappa Delta Wallet
I bought the large tote but only use it for books or overnight purposes, I need the wallet for more daily uses!

I am beginning to wonder if it is just me

So this weekend while out to dinner with those who tend to refer to themselves as the "Chi Delts", I was spotted by not one but TWO ex lovers in the same vicinity within an hour of each other!! This was rather awkward for me but I decided to suck it up and speak to both of them!! I had nothing really to say just some forced conversation and a few nervous laughs to ease the tension. It was not as bad as one could imagine just unexpected confrontation for a Thursday afternoon.
I am ready to move on with my life and find that ever so cliche "special someone"! I feel like everyone else is doing it so why can't I? SO... is it just me?? am I doing something wrong? Hmph! I guess I just need to get out in the scene more, after all- he's not going to come looking for me! well this is just dandy!