A Fabulous Weekend!

Even though I work in my college town, I don't get to see my best friends very often, so when we do get together, we really treasure it!

This past weekend, our schedules happened to match up, and I got to see all of them, as well as my family! We had way too much fun!

Here are some of my favorite highlights from the weekend:

Bar hopping with two Princesses

Kaitlyn (the birthday girl), Me and Katy having fun drinks

Seeing friends that I have missed so much!
Charlie!

Alex!

Me, Katy, Liz, and Erin!

 Carson, Me, Andrea, & Alex!

Connor!


Surprising my Daddy with front-row seats to an Appalachian basketball game!



We're an Appalachian Family through and through!

...and just for fun, since I never do OOTD posts, here's my outfit for work the other day! 

Dress- H&M

Bauble necklace- Etsy

Boots- Pinterest

iPhone case- Emily Ley

Time with friends and family was exactly what I needed after a stressful week at work! We had the best time, and my Dad absolutely loved his tickets!

For more fun photos like these, follow me on Instagram: sweetlikeasong

I hope you had a fab weekend & have a great rest of the week!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Talk About Luck!

Normally, I'm not a very lucky person. I don't find twenty dollar bills on the sidewalk very often, or anything else for that matter, but this past week I had two fairly lucky things happen.

You may remember the Lilly Pulitzer wedges that I ordered a few weeks ago from the New Year Cheer Sale, also pictured below.

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 I have wanted these shoes for a long time, practically forever, so I was anxiously awaiting their arrival. To my dismay, when I opened the (practically glowing) lime green Lilly box to try on these beauties, they were about half a size too big!

Paisley even loved them!

The shoes were final sale and sold out, so returning them or ordering a different size weren't options. Basically, I was stuck. I decided to check Ebay to see if there was a size 6 for sale. Out of all the shoes available, I found one pair that was also in North Carolina, and a size 6!

My Mom suggested that I email the seller to see if they would be willing to do an even swap. I would send them my size 6.5 in exchange for their size 6. I mean, the worst they could say is no. I sent the message, hoped for the best, and to my surprise, had a message waiting in my inbox the next day. She told me that what happened must have been fate because she ordered the size 6, but they were too small. How lucky is that!

The shoes are on their way to me as you read!

The other thing that happened is a bit less extravagant. The other day at the mall, I ran into Forever 21. I usually have pretty good results shopping their, but I also keep in mind that they have a certain style and quality to their items.

 While browsing, I happened to spot the cutest blue and white, striped shift dress with 3/4 sleeves! I just knew it would be perfect for the June beach trip we've got planned, especially when paired with the soon-to-be mine gold wedges!

I tried it on and loved it!

The best part...it came with a Forever 21 price tag of $22.00. Sold!

How cute is this?!

It reminds me so much of this precious Lilly that I love!

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Have you had any great luck lately?

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

I've always had a plan, God just had a different one!

A couple of weeks ago, I was chatting with a sweet friend at work. She was telling me about herself, and how she started working at our office. That's when I asked her, "Did you always plan to work for the university?" Her reply wasn't what I was expecting at all. She said "I never really had a plan, I just went with whatever sounded good."

This really surprised me! I didn't know people went through life with no plan. I was putting lists together of things I wanted to accomplish as early as I can remember, and it hasn't slowed down yet. Then I started thinking about my own answer to that question. Had I always planned on working for a university? The truth? No. But, do I love it? Absolutely.

See...I had a plan, God just had a different one.

To be honest, my plan hasn't turned out anything like I thought it would, and though it took me a little while, I'm completely okay with that. I thank God every day for each opportunity that he has given me.

When I was in 8th grade, I decided I wanted to be a news anchor. It seemed like the perfect job. Honestly, I thought it was perfect until the summer before my senior year of college.

It was that summer, that I did an internship at a local TV station.

I went my first day optimistic, anxious and excited. Though I enjoyed meeting so many interesting people, I despised everything else. I didn't like the crazy schedule or hours, the politics, the rude news anchors that acted like I didn't exist, the work, the pressure, none of it. Not one part of that job was like the dream that I'd had since I was 13 years old.

What now?!

I tried to stay positive, but I just couldn't talk myself into working a job every day that I despised. At the end of that summer, I went back to school knowing that something had to change. It was then, that I started pursuing something else that I loved...putting together events. It started as a hobby when I worked on smaller events for my sorority, but I was set on fire when I got to plan Bid Day for our new pledge class.

I started looking into wedding planning, and learning everything I could about wedding planners, blogs, and the industry. I knew that if I wanted a job in a field that I had no real-life experience, I was going to have to show someone that I wanted it really bad. I started applying in December, and by March, I had a wedding planning internship secured in Greensboro after graduation. Things were looking up for me.

I did it and I loved it, every minute of it!

Here we are working my boss' 50th wedding!

Though I love wedding planning and all its facets, I quickly realized that I also needed a full-time job (with a salary and benefits,) if I wanted to move out and survive on my own. After tons of applications and a lot of ups and downs, I got an interview that led to a job at my alma mater, Appalachian State University.

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Never did I think that six months after graduation, I'd be right back in Boone. It may have not been in my "plan," but it didn't matter. I love my office, I love my coworkers, and I especially love representing a university that I love so much. It was a perfect fit:)

The best part, I still get to work for the wedding company that I love so much, along with assisting with commencement and convocation. It's win, win!

If you're still reading, you may be asking yourself what the point of this whole post is, well here it is...Yesterday was a big day for me, because it's the beginning of yet another change in my "plan," that I threw out the window a little over a year ago.

Yesterday morning, I took the GRE. Even if you haven't taken it yourself, I bet you at least know what it means...yes, you're right.

I'm applying to graduate school!

Nothing is for sure yet, but we'll see! Thanks for staying with me on this crazy adventure I call my life! Maybe one day I'll figure out my "plan."

As always, Have a Sweet Day!


Loving Living on My Own!

Like most people that have made it past their college years, I've had my fair share of good and bad roommate experiences. When you're stressed with school or work, having a great living situation makes all the difference in the world!

With all this in mind, I knew that when I moved back to Boone, I wanted something completely different. I wanted an apartment that I felt happy coming home to and somewhere I would enjoy spending my time. 

I was ready to live on my own!

Luckily, after a lot of dead ends, I found the perfect apartment. It's a 1-BR, 1-BA, that is super nice! It's small enough for me feel cozy, but big enough to move around (and house most of my furniture.) It's the perfect situation! I can do whatever I want, whenever I want to do it!

Every day I think of new reasons why I love living on my own, here are just a few:

1. I can wash clothes anytime I want

2. I can arrange things exactly how I want them

3. I'm not woken up by anyone else slamming doors or inviting their loud friends over

4. I hardly have any dirty dishes

5. I can watch whatever I want on TV

6. I can put my things on every shelf of the refrigerator/pantry/etc.

7. The apartment is always clean

8. I can study, read, and work without interruptions

9. I can turn the heat on as high as I want!

10. I can shower as long as I want, whenever I want

Don't get me wrong, there are some things I do miss, like the companionship of having a great roommate, but at this time in my life, living alone just feels amazing!

Expect an apartment tour very soon!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Let's Go 2013!

The night before last, I had the pleasure of spending the evening with my dear friend, Sharyn. This is the person who gave me the push I needed to start this blog, nearly a year and a half ago, and one of the many reasons why the past five years of my life have been so amazing.

Among other things, Sharyn and I got to talking about 2013, how time is flying by, and our goals for the new year ahead. 

Goals are something that I love sharing on my blog, because by putting them here, I can explain exactly what I want to do (to my readers and to myself). It's a post that I've been meaning to write for 17 days now, but honestly, I wanted to have my goals right in my head first, before I shared them with all of you. After chatting with her last night, I knew I was ready to share. 

Thanks, Sharyn! You gave me the push I needed...yet again!

My Goals for 2013:

1. Run a 5k: 

Plain and simple. I was running fairly regularly for about a month, then Christmas break happened and the gyms in Boone closed, thus halting my exercise temporarily. Now that the students are back, the gyms are on regular schedule, and my running is starting back in full swing. Completing my first 5k is something that I would LOVE to accomplish. I've already picked out the race! I'm doing The Color Run Winston-Salem on March 16th! I can't wait!

2. Enjoy summer vacation with my family:

Last year, when my family went on vacation, there were a couple things that didn't go in our favor: the weather, some personalities, etc, so this year, I have vowed that things are going to be VERY different. My family is too precious, and times like these where we're all in the same place at the same time are few and far between, so I'm going to absolutely live it up! My Mama and I have picked a location in the Outer Banks that we're just crazy about, and we've invited my Mom's best friend and her husband, only adding to the fun. We also decided to rent a beach house this year (a Miller first) because we always stay in a condo, but this year is super special because it's my parent's 30th wedding anniversary!

3. Find my professional direction:

This goal may sound odd, but during 2013, I want to have more of an idea of where I want to go professionally. Over the past few weeks, I've been tossing around staying in higher education long term, going to graduate school, and about a million other things. There are so many options when you're "22, single and have no children," as my Mama says. Thanks, Mom! I have big dreams, and I want to take the steps to make them all happen! Who knows where I could end up?! If you'd told me a year ago that I'd be working at my alma mater, representing an amazing university, I would've said you were crazy.

I have three goals.

I have three plans of action.

I'm ready.

Let's go 2013.

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Sending Love this Valentine's Day!

I have always been in love with sending Valentine's.

It started back in elementary school, when my teachers would send home a list of all the students in my class. Upon receiving this list, it meant that my family would soon be headed to Walmart to pick out that year's Valentine's cards. I usually alternated between Tweetie Bird and the Disney Princesses, but there were a few others that got thrown in there from time to time. No matter what I decided on, I made sure that everyone in my class got a special card just for them.

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Each and every year, I would sit down in the floor, divide the cards out by the different messages printed on them and go down the list of the students in my class. Though the messages were corny and generic, I didn't care. I thought that each one said something to the person who was reading it. I realize now, I was probably the only second grader that was reading that much into their Valentine's cards, but I loved every minute of it.

Not much has changed at 22 years old. I still love Valentine's Day, whether I have a Valentine or not, and I love sending sweet messages to the important people in my life.

Last year was my first time sending actual Valentine's Day cards in the mail, and boy was it fun! I had the best time writing and addressing my 10 beautiful cards from Ashley Brooke Designs.

Last Year's Card:

This year, Ashley has come up with some new Valentine's Day lovelies, and I'm just as smitten with them!

Here are my two favorites:

The Sparkle Valentine

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The Ice Cream Valentine

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Seriously, how cute are those?! Hopefully one of them will be mine to send out to some sweet people in just a few weeks! Only 29 days until Valentine's Day!

Are you sending Valentine's this year?

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

The Sweetest Treat

Today, I wanted to share with you a sweet treat that I tasted for the first time at a holiday party in December! These little snacks are so good and addicting, I knew I had to learn how to make them myself! 

It turns out, they were super easy!

Ingredients:
-1 Bag of Pretzels (I bought mini's, but square and regular will work as well)
-1 Bag of regular M&M's
-1 Bag of Hershey's Kisses

-Lay pretzels on a flat baking sheet

-Sit a Hershey's Kiss on top of each pretzel

-Put the entire pan in the oven on 175 degrees for about two minutes (just until the chocolate is soft!)

-After two minutes, take the pan out and put one M&M on top of each Hershey's Kiss. Press the M&M, so the top of the Kiss goes down, and the M&M rests on top of the chocolate.

-To help them harden, you can stick the entire pan in the fridge for about 10 minutes, remove and enjoy!

For the caramel lovers out there, I've also heard that this same snack is really tasty using Rolos instead of Hershey's Kisses! Yummy!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

I’m Growing My Hair Out!

Yes, hopefully sooner rather than later, my short bob will be no more! 

What spawned this change of heart? 

Well my cousin’s upcoming April wedding, for one.

In November, when I went to pick out my bridesmaid dress, I decided on a beautiful, (not an adjective used to describe many bridesmaid dresses) one shoulder, floor-length gown in navy. I loved it, and it loved all 5 foot 2 inches of me. I knew it had to be mine. Though it looked pretty with my short hair, I knew it would be even better with long-ish, summer-highlighted hair, so the adventure of growing my hair out began!

The other reason I want long hair is because I always seem to want what I can't have! If I've got straight hair, I'd rather have curls. If I've been blonde for a while, I want to be brunette. I think I have this in common with most women!

My hair November-ish:

M hair as of January:

My goal for Courtney's April 6th wedding:

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Do you think I can make it? My hairdresser Lisa seems to think so! 

I have an appointment to get a trim and color this Saturday, so I'm super excited about that. My roots really need it! Hopefully she can just shape up the ends, and I'll still be on track for my wedding hair goal!

It seems like everyone's lusting for longer hair! 

Are you?

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Get Me to the Beach!

Every year around April, my family begins the task of brainstorming where we’d liked to go for our summer vacation. My Mom prefers a place with a pool, my Brother, a roller coaster, me, great shopping, and my Dad just wants to relax. With all these different preferences, it usually takes while to decide where we’re going to end up.

This year was very different!

As of about 5pm yesterday, our summer vacay is booked, and I am so excited! You may have guessed where we’re going by the title! Where's our destination this year? None other than the North Carolina Outer Banks, specifically, Nags Head.

Usually when we go to the beach, we stay in a hotel or condo for about three days, but it's my parent’s 30^th wedding anniversary, so we’re going all out! We’ve picked out a house and rented it for the first week in June woohoo! I love it because it has its own pool, as well as a fenced in back yard for pets! That means Paisley gets to come too! Paisley has never been to the beach or in the water (besides her doggie pool), so she'll be having a big time as well!

Here are a few photos from our house:

The pool and hot tub have my name written all over them! 

Even though I’m so excited about the house, the pool and the beach, I’m sure we’ll be looking for some fun things to do and eat during our stay! I've been to the Outer Banks before, but it’s been a while, so I can’t remember what all they have to do there, but I’m open for suggestions!

Have you been to Nags Head?

What should we do while we're there?

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

I'll Be Tuning In!

There are two new TV series that I'll be tuning into pretty soon. One starts tonight, while the other starts about a week from now, and I am SO excited!

1. The Bachelor!

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I didn't start following the Bachelor/Bachelorette shows until Jake and Vienna's season a few years ago, but after just a couple episodes, I was hooked! I'm so excited for the newest season! It's always fun getting to know each of the girls in the very beginning, and seeing their first night dresses!

2. Suits!

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A friend of mine suggested this show to me during it's first season, and I fell in love! There's something about witty lawyers that keeps me drawn in! This one doesn't start back until January 17th, but I've got it written in planner, so I don't forget!

What are you watching in the new year?

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

NYE 2013 Recap!

Happy Happy New Year, Y'all!

I hope you all had a wonderful New Year's Eve with family and friends. I swear it seems like as I get older, the years go by quicker and quicker! This year was probably my favorite New Year's yet. I spent the evening enjoying moscato and champagne with great friends!

I love New Year's Eve because it involves so many of my favorite things:
glitter, sequins, champagne, good food and great
company. Plus, you get to wear a super cute outfit!

My outfit this year consisted of a sleeveless peplum top, black skinny jeans & black wedges.

Similar here:

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I paired it with these fun accessories that I picked up at Forever 21!

I had way too much fun playing games and seeing old friends!

I was lucky enough to spend NYE with three girls that I was with last year as well! Read that post here. It's crazy to see how much we've all changed in just one year!

2012

2013
 

Hope your New Year's was just as fun!

Cheers to 2013!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Thank You, New Year Cheer Sale!

Thanks to Lilly Pulitzer's "New Year Cheer Sale" (and some help from my Mama,) my wait for a pair of gold metallic Resort Chic Wedges is finally over!

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I've been lusting over these wedges for over a year, and I was tickled pink seeing them on the New Year Cheer Sale for more than half the original price!

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Yes, you read that right. The original price of this pair was $228.00, hence the reason I've been waiting more than a year to get them. Every time I bought a Lilly dress, I wanted them, but they just weren't in the budget.

Yesterday morning, when I saw their sale price of $74.00, I knew I had to have them! I texted my Mom, who worked a little of her magic, and as of this morning, they're mine!

Once a Lilly girl, always a Lilly girl!

Did you score any great deals at the sale?

As always, Have a Sweet Day!