Life Lately: Family Loss, A Birthday, Shopping & More

Hey y'all,

I'm sorry to go missing again for a while but it was due to the loss of my Grandfather Wednesday night. I needed to spend some time with my family especially my grandmother. After spending time grieving Wednesday I was luckily able to see my best friend for her birthday (and my half-birthday) since she was down for the day from DC and apartment hunting for her adventures as a TFA teacher for the next two years.

aMl, my Mom, and I last summer.

So for her 22nd birthday/graduation I got her (and myself) the updated version of the BFF necklace. Enter Kate Spade's Bridesmaids Idiom Bangle in gold. With the outside stating "birds of a feather, two of a kind, perfect pair, partners in crime, peas in a pod, and sidekicks" it was the perfect present and whenever I look at it it reminds me of our great relationship and seven years of friendship!

My "This is the year" in silver from Christmas from my parents  and "Best Friends Ever" in gold Idiom Bangles

This past weekend was also the worst weekend in retail in the state of NC--TAX FREE WEEKEND. While it is nice to not have tax on school supplies and clothing right before school starts, those of us who work in retail have Black Friday like days all weekend (Yes I worked all three days). I did take advantage of the no-tax though by purchasing a pair of my favorite Jeggings (Target's Mossimo Denim Legging is what it says this year, last year it just said legging) which I love since they have real pockets, button and zipper so not your typical legging.

My Favorite Jeggings

I also scored a few pairs of Nike Tempos (Norts) since Dick Sporting Goods had a buy one get one half off and I even found some on clearance.

On clearance for $24

 So I think you now understand while I have been MIA.


While I was spending time with my family I was nominated for the Liebster Award by Michelle and Melanie.  This is actually my 4th and 5th time being nominated for this award which you can read all my random facts here and here so I figured I would just answer the questions they posed me.

Questions from Michelle:

1. How many siblings do you have and where do you fall in the lineup?
I have 3 siblings. Two sisters and a brother. I am #3 of the 4.

Baby Sister, kDi and I

The girls. Baby sister kDi and older sister SDe at my English Dept. Graduation.

My brother (the oldest of us) and I after main Graduation

2. What is your job/what is your career goal?
I currently work in retail at my former summer job but I am searching for a job in either higher education administration or art museum administration. 

3. What is your favorite thing to do on a Friday night?
I love a good night in watching Say Yes to the Dress, a romantic comedy and a run to grab frozen yogurt with my friends. I also love a good night out at a bar talking and dancing mixed in with those nights in. I haven't had a lot of time fun now that I am back in my hometown but maybe sometime soon I will be moving out and finding some fun.

4. Do you have any secret talents?
I don't think so. I read pretty fast, played clarinet from 6th-12th grade, paint watercolors, and danced ballet from the age of 2-10.

5. What is your favorite TV show?
This is so hard since I am a TV junkie. Some of my favorites are the Vampire Diaries, Private Practice, Suits, Castle, New Girl, Modern Family, Cougar Town, Hart of Dixie and many more.

6. Who is your favorite band/artist?

I am a huge country music fan. Some of my favorite songs right now are:

Kenny Chesney "Come Over"

Luke Bryan "Drunk on You"

Big and Rich "That's Why I Pray"
The Band Perry "Postcards from Paris"

Gloriana "(Kissed You) Goodnight"

6. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
This is really hard considering I have loved living in Europe. However, I love the South and being close to my parents so I would probably say a large city in the South like Dallas, Atlanta, Charleston, etc.

7. What is your favorite event to watch in the Olympics this year?
I love Swimming since I was a competitive swimmer when I was little and only stopped in middle school since I stopped loving the pressure. My other favorite events are gymnastics and diving.

8. What is the number one thing on your bucket list?
Another hard question. You can read my 30 before 30 list here. But probably my biggest thing would be to fall in love, get married and become a mom.

9. Is there anything you are deathly afraid of?

I have a fear of heights and refused to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower but other than that my biggest fear would be getting cancer since I know it runs in my family.

10. Do you play any instruments?

I played the clarinet throughout middle school and high school but haven't played it since. I also can play the piano a bit and sing. My entire family (apart from my mom are musically inclined. It's a trait of my Dad's side)

11. What is one book you would recommend?
Hardest question ever as an English major. 

I did just finish The Selection by Kiera Cass. Here is the Goodread's description:  For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined 
In my opinion it is similar to the Hunger Games Triology with the dystopian society with a mix of the Bachelor finding a love amidst a large group of women. Two of my favorite quotes from the novel are "...true love is usually the most inconvenient kind" and "no, I'm not choosing him or you. I'm choosing me."

Questions from Melanie:

1. What is your favorite cereal?

I am not a huge cereal person but when I do eat it my top cereals would be Berry Berry Kix, Reduced Sugar Frosted Flakes, and Cocoa Krispies. I was never allowed to have cereal with marshmallows or lots of sugar when I was young and since that I love less sweet cereals.

2. What did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was really young I thought I was going to be a teacher. In High School and half of college I was thinking of becoming a book editor. But now I am back to loving the arts and education in an administrative perspective.

3. If money, education, or conditions were no object, what career would you want to have?

A stay at home mom. Really. My mom stayed home with us and I loved it. Other great careers would be wedding/event planning, charity coordinator, museum curator, and so much more. 

4. Who is your celebrity crush?

I did a post on my top celebrity crushes HERE (photos included ;) )

5. What store is your favorite?

I love small boutiques like Vestique, mixed with Target, LOFT, Marshalls, J.Crew, T.J. Maxx, Old Navy, and Nordstroms. 

6. If you could only eat one animal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

7. What season is your favorite and why?

Fall and Spring are tied. I love the weather of both of them and the clothing of scarves, cardigans and boots in the fall and sundresses in the spring. 

8. Where do you want to retire?

No idea. That is a long, long way away.

9. What is your favorite scent?

My favorite perfumes are Kate Spade Twirl, Coach Poppy, Ralph Lauren Romance, and Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy.

10. What app is your favorite?

I don't have a smart phone. GASP. My parents are anti-smart phone for their children (especially my mom, she is of the opinion that a phone is a phone and my Dad loves technology and has an iPhone but doesn't have a ton of apps.)

11. What is your dream car?

Audi TT or BMW 5 series sedan.

Thank you Melanie and Michelle! Since I have been awarded the blog award already and multiple times I decided not to nominate other bloggers but feel free to check out these wonderful bloggers!

I'm planning on keeping up with posts for the rest of the week including my 100 followers giveaway later this week!

Peace and Blessings,

jDl