Fall & Excitement is in the Air!

Year after year, the last week of September is busy one at my house. It has a little to do with the coming of fall/the changing of seasons, and a lot to do with my birthday on the 27th!

There are so many exciting things going on that I wanted to share them with you!

1. Getting the iPhone 5

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Someone once told me that getting a new phone was like getting a new puppy. In the beginning, you're so careful with it, want to take it everywhere and show it to everyone. Now that I have Paisley, I know the truth of that statement;) Though I'm SO excited to finally join the rest of the world, it's tough not knowing how to do anything!

2. Joining the YMCA

Over the past two days I've been trying out the YMCA! After making some calls on Thursday morning, I found out that the local Y offers tours of the facilities, as well as a 3-day guest pass for people in the community that are interested in joining! Later that day, Samantha & I went to try everything out! It was so refreshing, and I felt better just getting out of the house! I haven't decided if I'm joining just yet, but we'll see.

3. Tickets to See Eric Church

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I am a huge country music lover, and when I saw that Eric Church was having a concert nearby,  I knew I had to go! Tickets went on sale yesterday morning at 10AM, just in time for me to snag 3 tickets on the lower level for myself and two other girls from work! It's at the end of November and I am so excited!

4. It's Almost Birthday Week!

This coming Monday marks the beginning of my birthday week! Though my actual birthday isn't until Thursday, the 27th, I reserve this week every year to have all types of celebrations! Great dinners will be eaten, fun outfits will be warn, and you'll be part of all the action! I've got a whole weeks worth of fun posts planned and and maybe even a giveaway:) so don't forget to stop by!

5. New Jewelry!

Yesterday, I was introduced to the website GroopDealz for the first time, and I'm so excited I found it!  I was scanning yesterday's deals, when I came across a set of rings that I have been wanting for weeks! They came in a set of 10 different colors, and for a great price! SOLD!

How cute are these stackable chevron rings for 7.99? Love! I can't wait to pair them with all my outfits!

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I hope your first few days of fall have been just as exciting as mine!

As always, Have a Sweet Day!

Did yall hear what she just said?!

I'm so excited for yall to see my second-ever VLOG! 

I watched an accent vlog that Alana did at Life & Times of the Intelligent Blonde, and I just knew I had to do it! I loved being able to hear how she said different words, so I hope you enjoy mine as well!

The instructions are to say these words:

Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

And answer these questions:

What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?

What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?

What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?

What do you call gym shoes?

What do you say to address a group of people?

What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?

What do you call your grandparents?

What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?

What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?

Along with my little vlog, I have so much that I need to update you all on!

1. My date on Thursday was amazing! Jake & I had the absolute best time:) Lunch at P.F Chang's, saw the new Mission Impossible movie, shopped, visited with his family and ate dinner at a nice pizza place close to his house. It was the perfect visit and I hated to leave!

Thanks so much for everyone that gave me outfit advice! The clothes I decided to wear looked a lot like this:

The leggings were super comfy and the scarf was just enough to keep me warm! Keep in mind, my shirt was a little longer than the one in the picture. I loved mixing the blacks and browns!

2. I finally placed my order from Swell Caroline! I decided on the popular monogram earrings! I picked a gold pair with a black background and white writing. I can't wait to wear them!

Thanks, Samantha!

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3. I added the first bit of this year's signature color, tangerine tango to my wardrobe, with the help of a Christmas present from my Mom's sweet friend. Check out this beauty! 

Thanks so much, Kathy!

4. I finally found the first Harry Potter book in hardback, used! The best part...it only cost me $6.00! After looking for weeks I stumbled upon it tonight at Edward McKay. Go me!

I hope you all enjoyed my vlog and have the most amazing Sunday! I'm spending my day at church and then finally heading back to school from break!

My Sweet Christmas Gift

On my post a little over a week ago about Jake coming to visit, I promised to share with you the adorable gift that he made me for Christmas! I didn't think people really cared whether I told them or not, but believe me, they do! I've been asked twice since then if I was ever going to share. Good news readers, the wait is over!

When someone puts time and hard work into a gift, it means so much more than if they just went out and bought something. At least this is the case with me! Jake had mentioned a couple of weeks ago that he wanted to make something that he'd seen me pin on Pinterest.

Excuse me?
I was just amazed that he noticed what I was doing all those hours that I mindlessly pin away! (Everyone can relate to that!)

I'm sure many of you have seen these adorable jewelry holders made with antique-looking knobs.

Well, Jake decided he wanted to give one of these beauties a try!

Not only did he craft my gift, he made it completely from scratch and was sweet enough to take pictures along the way for you all! I was beyond impressed.

First, he found a piece of pine that he already had around the house. He wanted to create a combination of what I said I liked and the things that I had pinned on Pinterest.

He cut out the wood using a table saw and used a dremel to bevel the edge all the way around.

 

He picked out an off-white colored paint to use as the main color, another item he already had at home. This color was a perfect match to the furniture that I have in my room!

 Here it is drying after being painted.

 After the base coat was finished, he painted a glaze over the creases in the wood and then wiped off the excess. He wanted to make the wood look distressed, another aspect of the furniture I already have.

 Prior to Christmas break, we made a trip to Lowe's together and I got to pick out all the knobs that I liked. I chose seven different ones that he bought and applied to the wood. He drilled each of the 7 holes, 1.5 inches apart and attached them to the wood piece.

 After many hours of carpentry, painting, etc., my present was finally done!

Now, I have something beautiful to hang my jewelry on in my room and of course, I'll always think of him when I look at it!

Celebrations & Top 5 Tuesday!

As long as I can remember, New Year's Eve has always caused a lot of stress with last minute plans and hunting for the perfect outfit. 2011 followed suit and had my Mom and I running around the mall the night before, still looking for something for me to wear! We finally decided on a long-sleeve tan sweater/dress from Forever21 to pair with my black fur vest that I already had.

The outfit looked a lot like this:

Boy, do plans change!

My friend, Lindsey graciously invited me to come and spend the night at her house in Charlotte with some of my other good friends from Boone. We had the most amazing time eating tons of food, dancing, and trying our best to stay up until midnight!

If you read my post about semi-formal, you may remember the black, 3/4 sleeve dress that I wore to our function. When I got to Lindsey's and saw the dressy outfits everyone was planning on wearing, I decided to throw that dress on instead. I'll be saving my fur vest for another day!

Everyone got dressed up (even the boys), despite the fact that we were staying at home for the night. It made it that much more fun! Lindsey's parents were so amazing and made a ton of food for the group! We had such a good time talking and eating all night.

This was only about half of the food we had!

The girls: Lindsey, Me, Gwyn, & Kristin

Gwyn modeling the piggies in a blanket. These were a huge hit!

 Lindsey cutting the massive cookie cake that Kristin brought.

 This cookie cake was the size of a large pizza & double layered, basically heaven!

I hope your New Year's was just as fun as mine!

& I can't forget...

I'm linking up with Rachel at Just Peachy for Top 5 Tuesday: 

Favorite Jewelry Pieces!

This was an easy one for me because I usually wear about the same jewelry every day!

1. Tortoise shell cuff bracelet: If you been reading my blog for long, you know that I am in love with tortoise shell! I found this bracelet at a boutique in Boone and I just couldn't resist.

2. Silver bow bracelet: I am obsessed with bows and when I found this cute cuff, I just had to grab it. I got it a few years ago at the Aerie store. I couldn't believe it!

3. All wrapped up pearls- drop earrings: These earrings that I got for my 21st birthday have become one of my favorites. They are from Kate Spade and go with anything, plus they stick with my bow theme.

4. My college class ring: I know that some people get a class ring and never wear it, but I am the complete opposite. I've had a class ring for middle/high school, and now college.

5. J.CREW Starfish earrings: I got these earrings last spring, to wear to a fraternity formal. I quickly realized they are perfect for anything. I can't wait for it to get warm so I can wear them again.

What are your top 5 favorite jewelry pieces?

Christmas List Makin'

It's hard to believe that Christmas is only 47 days away!

Oh my goodness, I'm so excited! I love absolutely everything about Christmas!

I'm sure many of you have been working on your Christmas wish list! I started mine a few weeks ago, after my mom asked me if I had anything in mind for this year. I think of my list as more of a "guide" for my family, if they're unsure of what I might like. If I'm shopping for one of my friends, I would much rather know what they want, than have to guess.

If your list is anything like mine, it changes, has things added and taken away every day! It's so hard to narrow it down when there are so many things that I love on blogs and Pinterest! I thought I would share some of the items on my list with you to see what your thoughts were.

If you're familiar with any of these things, please comment and let me know if you love, hate or even want them as well!

1. Stabillo Point 88 Pens

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I've never used one of these pens, but I've heard of so many people that have and love them! I think they would be so much fun to write little notes with and of course write in my Lilly planner!

2. Quilted Jacket

Tommy Hilfiger

L.L.Bean

I think both of these are super cute! I like the classic black best, but then I like the pocket detail on the top one! Decisions decisions! Know any good places to find one of these?

3. The Swell Caroline "Starboard Bangle"

Swell Caroline

I saw this bangle for the first time on a blog giveaway recently and I just fell in love! I think every color is absolutely beautiful and honestly, I'd love to have them all! Does anyone have one of these beauties? Are they just as pretty in person?

4. Swell Caroline "Monogram Earrings"

Swell Caroline

This is another item that I fell in love with on a blog giveaway, but with such a great price, how could I resist?? There are so many cute colors to choose from too!

5. Tory Burch Riding Boots (I'm behind, I know)

I know I am like the last college-going female to have brown riding boots! Haha. I just never jumped on the bandwagon when everyone was buying them. I found this picture on Pinterest and fell in love! I don't know the exact price, and it's probably best that way! I know Tory can get expensive, but I'd like to have something like this!

Alright! Those are my top 5 items! 

There's so many other little things I'd love to have, if I had money to spend on myself! Does a girl's list ever really end? Maybe I'll even win some of the amazing blog giveaways going on and share these treasures with my friends for Christmas! Fingers crossed:)

What's a must-have on your list this year?

Crazy Over Tortoise Shell!

I realize that everyone else has Halloween on the brain tonight, but I celebrated with a costume, face paint, you know...the works, on Saturday night and I'm ready to get back to my online shopping obsession! Whether I need it, or not, I'm always scanning websites, blogs, & Pinterest of course, for something to catch my eye.

So...with that said: TORTOISE SHELL!

I'll admit it, I'm in love!

Anywhere on anything! I remember seeing it a lot last year at this time, and I'm so glad it's stuck around through another Christmas season! This year, I'll be sure to have some of these on my list for Santa!

Let me know what you think! 

Split Plate Ring

Tory Burch $75.00

Tory Burch

 Matching Earrings $95.00

Tory Burch

Logo Wide Resin Cuff

$175.00

Michael Kors

Oversized Tortoise Watch

$250.00

Are these not to-die for?

Tortoise Shell flats with bow!

$115.00

J.Crew Outlet Headband

I bought this just the other day for $10-$12

I know a couple of these are a bit above a college student's budget, but a girl can dream, can't she?

 I can't pinpoint where my obsession with tortoise shell started, but I do remember when I was younger, my mom picking out glasses or a purse with the pattern on it. I always thought she was saying tort-a-shell. Haha. I think this was what peaked my interest!

 As an avid shopper, I have come to appreciate the combination of brown and black together. This, along with the classic look of anything tortoise shell is what draws me in so much.

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Hello all!

Happy Hump Day!

We're that much closer to Friday! Yay!

Here's what I'm loving this Wednesday!

1. I'm loving Halloween: Halloween weekend is only a few short days away and I'm so excited! I love seeing what people decide to dress up as every year. I'm a little obsessive, and start looking for my costume around Easter every year! (SUPER EARLY, I know) I didn't pick out this year's until a week or so ago. It still might change, so I won't say what it is, but I think it will be good:) My friend, Gwyn, has agreed to help me get the look I'm going for...bless her heart! 

Here's a recap of my past few Halloween costumes:

Freshman year: Mardi Gras Person

 Sophomore year: Bunny

Junior year: Minnie Mouse

Senior year: I guess you'll have to wait and see!

What are you being for Halloween?

2. I'm loving my latest craft: I am so excited to tell you more about my latest craft project! I haven't had time lately to put into crafting, but 4 NEW G-LITTLES was just the right reason! I wanted to make something for them, so they'll remember me after I graduate. Hopefully this does the trick! I don't want to reveal exactly what it is yet, just in case they're reading! 

Here are my supplies:

4 white canvases

ribbon

paint

hot glue gun (these are AMAZING & cheap!)

princess accessories

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Can't wait to show you the final product!

3. This cute quote: I was just glancing over facebook and I read this quote. I thought it was just too cute!

"Every day needs at least one princess moment"

What was your princess moment today? 

4. Glad Dollars: Because I posted a picture of myself in the yellow coat that I bought at Gladiola Girls for Homecoming, I received $10 in Glad Dollars. Now I have an excuse to go back and purchase something else! A few pieces of jewelry caught my eye the other day, so I'm looking forward to going back very soon!

 LOVE that multi-colored strand!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150222227511413&set=a.211096971412.175662.153883076412&type=3&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150268428571413&set=a.211096971412.175662.153883076412&type=3&theater

I hope you're having a great Wednesday and finding things that you're in love with too!