Cover2Cover Book Club!

Today, I'm participating in this month's link-up for the Cover2Cover Book Club!

These are my top 3 books/series that I think you would have so much fun reading! Some of these I read a year or more ago, while others I'm working on right now! I'm sure you've probably heard of them!

1. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah: This is my all-time favorite book! It was recommended to me by a friend at school and I've heard her other books are just as good! It is such an amazing story that I fell in love with. I continued crying for half an hour after I was finished!

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2. The Emily Giffin series: These books are great because they each feature a different story, except for the first two "Something Borrowed" & "Something Blue" that follow the same story line and characters. They are perfect for summer beach reading!

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3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: I started reading the first Hunger Games book about two weeks ago, and finished in in just a few days. Right now I'm working on the second one. I'm not one to jump on the book bandwagon, such as Twilight, but with the excitement from the movie coming out, I couldn't resist! This book was definitely worth it! I still have yet to see the movie, but I'm planning on going sometime this week!

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What are some of your favorite books? 

Interested in what I'm reading?

You can always check the "Read with me!" tab at the top of my blog!

Dog Mom in Training!

For months now, all I've been thinking about is getting a job, a dog, and my own place! These are the three things that I'm most excited for as a soon-to-be college graduate, I absolutely can't wait!

 This is in my dream world of course, but things are definitely falling into place! I will be completing an internship this summer at a wonderful wedding company in Greensboro! So exciting! More to come on this for sure!

There is one area that I think I'm definitely making progress on...a dog! I knew that if I planned on living by myself this was definitely something I wanted to invest in. A dog would serve as both a companion and a means of security for someone just getting out on their own. Though I won't be leaving the nest just yet, I still feel like it's the perfect time to invest in a dog because I have my family to help me train, take care of, & financially support a dog. Also, I don't have many friends that I've kept in touch with from high school, so I plan on investing all of my time in the dog and my internship.

There are so many times that I've sat in my apartment wishing I had a dog to enjoy and play with. I feel like there is no better time than now to take the plunge! It's not just something that I've decided in a day though. As I sit at work typing this post, I know that with a dog someone would have to be home to take the dog out to the bathroom or go for a walk, thoughts that are constantly on my mind. If I had a dog, what would it be doing at this moment? How will I accommodate its needs along with meeting mine? How can I give it the best life possible?

I had originally planned on adopting a dog from a local shelter, and though this is still an option, I'm realizing more and more how important it is to have a dog from the time it's a puppy. About a year ago, I fell in love with the Goldendoodle, the cross of a Standard Poodle and Golden Retriever. After doing a lot of research on the breed, temperament, everything, I am head over heels...or should I say paws:)

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My boyfriend's family also has a Goldendoodle named Harlee and she is precious!

The only problem, these dogs run about $2,500 on average! This is where I am now. I know that I have so much support in getting a dog and am ready for the responsibility, but how do you foot that kind of bill as a college grad? When I find out, I'll let you know! In the meantime, I have thoroughly enjoyed asking all of my friends about their dogs and every aspect of their lives, along with reading Life With Addison, a blog about a Goldendoodle and her family!

I would love any advice you have about being a new dog owner, especially about Goldendoodles! 

Spring Break Wrap-Up!

The rest of our time on spring break was all about relaxing and enjoying ourselves! We dressed up, had great food and I was able to try a ton of new things!

After eating at the house a few nights in a row, some of us were ready for some real seafood! We looked up restaurants in New Smyrna and stumbled across this gem, Dolphin View Seafood Restaurant! It was such a neat little place, that actually looked like a wear house, offering both indoor/outdoor seating!

They even included this cute fish toothpick and $2.00 coupon on our next visit!

A few nights were spent in playing Quelf, Uno and Catch Phrase...

...while others were used to dress up and go out!

On Friday morning, we started the last leg of our trip by traveling to beautiful Jacksonville, where my friend Gwyn and her family live. In just two days, I tried Angie's Subs (twice!), Mojo Kitchen and Rita's, all staples of the local cuisine!

Angie's is famous for their Peruvian sub and Peruvian sauces!

Apparently sweet tea is big in Florida too?!

Mojo Kitchen: The best salmon I've had in a while!

 Our final day of vacation was spent soaking up rays on the beach!

 I am so lucky to have spent my last spring break with such great friends! Thanks so much to Gwyn and her family for providing a wonderful vacation!

It's Cup Time!

For us southern, preppy ladies in and around South Carolina, a very big day will soon be here. A day complete with big hats, beautiful dresses and perfect bow ties. 

That's right, it's Caroline Cup Time! This year is particularly special because it's the Cup's 80th Anniversary!

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Every year, college students and other seasoned cup-goers from all over the Southeast travel to Camden, South Carolina to sport their southern frocks and attend the Cup. I've gone for the past two years and will also be attending this year on March 31st!

 One of the most important aspects of the race is your outfit! Girls and guys alike start looking months in advance for the perfect preppy look! There is no shortage of pastels, seersucker and Lilly at this amazing event!

If you've waited until the last minute or just aren't sure what to wear, here are a few options in order to pick the perfect dress!

1. Lilly Pulitzer: Everyone knows that Lilly is the epitome of a southern style dress and it looks great for this type of event, if you don't mind everyone else having the exact same thing. Don't get me wrong, you'll look amazing, but if you plan on buying one of her brand new dresses from this season, chances are about a hundred other girls will be matching you at the Cup.

2. Custom: If you like having something that's completely different from everyone else, getting a dress custom made is the way to go, but take caution, you do pay a pretty penny to put something together yourself. Though you can ensure no one else will be wearing what you have on, make sure the money is worth it and you can get more wear out of the dress than just one time.

3. Look Alike: There are so many stores that sell dresses in great spring colors with seersucker and bows, besides Lilly Pulitzer and with a much cheaper price tag. Brands like Vineyard Vines and J.CREW offer these type dresses at this time every year and aren't as worn at Cup, giving you a better chance that someone won't have on the exact same outfit.

Your Best Bet: The option that I think works best is wearing a Lilly Pulitzer dress from a past season! I have seen so many girls do this and they stand out from the crowd. If you bought a Lilly a couple years ago at a consignment shop or have one laying around that you've had for a while, wear it! You still have that Carolina Cup look, but you can do it without matching every other girl there! Besides the newest season, no one knows when certain Lilly's came out, but they do recognize them, so you fit right in!

See you at the Cup!

I'm Alive & Spring Break!

I’m happy to report that I’m finally back from my extended blogging break and I have missed you all so much! My last week of school was the busiest one I’ve had all semester! After finally getting done, I left for New Smyrna Beach to find we had no internet! Aside from that, my trip was amazing and I'm so excited to tell you about it!

I rode with my friends Alli & Daniel down to New Smyrna Beach and we finally arrived at about 1:30 in the morning. Yes, after 10 hours and 45 min in the car! Needless to say, I was so happy to see palm trees and the beach house I would be staying in for the next week!

It was so pretty!

The weather was overcast the first couple days we were there, so we decided to take care of things around the house, like stocking up on groceries, playing games and settling in.

Kristin, Gwyn, & Sarah with 3 of our 5 grocery carts!

 

Enjoying air hockey

 The Daiquiri Queens!

We were so happy to be on break, we celebrated by throwing each other in the pool, fully clothed! The water was absolutely freezing, but it was SO much fun!

We also went shopping on one of the popular streets in New Smyrna and had some Mexican food!

I loved the dress that Gwyns' holding! Leaving that store without it took a lot of self-control!

 

Kristin & Me

Kayla & Sarah

 On the third day, Gwyn's Aunt came to visit.  We rented a pontoon boat and went out in the inter-coastal waterway!

While waiting for our boat to be prepped, I spotted this beauty!

I'll take it!

After being gone for 12 days, I'm ready to blog like crazy, so make sure to check back the rest of the week! Spring break, Carolina Cup & The Hunger Games...oh my! I hope yall had a wonderful break!