One Lovely Blog {Blog Award}

Hey y'all,

Sara from Sara Smiles, who I originally met via the internet way back when I was in college and had a Tumblr, was so sweet to nominate me for the One Lovely Blog Award. These posts are so fun to mix it up and you really get to know the person behind the blog.

How this whole thing works:  I answer the questions Sara left for me, then I nominate some of my favorite blogs. They then answer the questions I leave below!

1. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
Europe. I loved living there and there are so many places I still want to explore like Denmark, Rome, Portugal, etc. I have never really been an island person even though I love the beach, it must be my pale, sunburn prone skin but I love the cultures and history of the various nations of Europe.

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2. What is your favorite season?

Spring! Next favorite would have to be fall but except for a lot of rain and my allergies I think Spring is perfect. You get to wear your sandals and sundresses without the 100 degree heat!

3. If you had to be stranded on a deserted island with one person who would you want that one person to be?
Hmm, this one is pretty tough. As far as having people to hang out with until we are rescued I would probably say either my bestie, aMl, my best guy friend TS, or my Mom. If we are talking about surviving on the island hands down my Dad. He would be able to hunt and fish for food, perform medical procedures if we get hurt, and I am sure he could have us out of there in no time.

4. Did you have a favorite toy as a child?
I had a doll called "Special Dolly" that I took every where as a child. She was essentially my security blanket. Apart from that I loved my American Girl Doll Molly.

Special Dolly was a Fisher Price Puffalump

5. When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?

Reading a book or cruising through my social media to check on everything.

6. What is your favorite book of all time?
It would probably be a tie between Mansfield Park and Ella Enchanted. I know they are so different but I read both of them almost every year and the stories never get old. I also love Acheron and Persuasion.

7.  If you could have any superpower what would you pick?
Not flying. I hate heights. I would probably want the invisibility cloak from Harry Potter. Sometimes you just want to disappear for a while.

8. What is one of your life goals?
To become a Mom.

9. What song would you sing at Karaoke night?
I love musicals so probably anything from the Wicked or Legally Blonde the Musical soundtracks. I also am currently loving the History of Wrong Guys from Kinky Boots. I also tend to belt out T.Swift, Spice Girls, and Disney music. I mean, we don't have to win Karaoke, right?

 10. Do you have any pet peeves?

I think some of my biggest pet peeves occur when I'm driving. I have a bit of road rage sometimes.

11. Why did you begin blogging?
I started blogging after creating a Tumblr. My first blog documented a lot of my senior year of college. I loved the creative outlet when I was writing so many papers and there is such a wonderful community you establish when you begin to blog.

I nominate:
A Little Seersucker Sass
Chelsea of Girl Growing Up
Ryann of Meet the McCalls
Lindsey of Prescription for Preppy
Allie of Alexandra Bee Blog
C of The Portuguese Prepster
Ashley of According to Ashley
Chesson of A Southern Twenty-Five
Emily of Emily's Bright Life

Here are my questions for you:

1. Who are your style inspirations?
2. Name 5 things in your bag apart from your keys, wallet and phone.
3. What is one book you recommend to friends?
4. If you could be an extra in a TV show or movie what show would you select?
5. Did you make a bracket this year for the NCAA tournament? If yes who are/were your Final Four?
6. What's your go to recipe when you have no idea what to make for dinner?
7. Favorite song of the moment?
8. Favorite item in your closet right now?
9. What are you looking forward to most this summer?
10. Favorite blog posts to write?

August Return

Hey y'all,

I'm back! Did you miss me? I definitely have had a whirlwind summer keeping busy at work, lots of drama with my housing situation, and getting to have lots of fun with friends. Now that the summer is winding down I hope I can keep a consistent routine with this little blog space. It has been great reading all of your posts this summer and I see a lot of people have had some amazing news so congrats to all of you graduates, newly engaged, now expecting, and now homeowners.

Now to welcome my self back to the blogging world I thought I would begin with a 5 on Friday!

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1. Today is moving day! I am moving to a new apartment today with my roomie! I am so excited to be in a new place and to decorate it. I will of course have more photos later.

My current place getting filled with boxes.

2. J.Crew. I convinced myself to get the Downtown Field Jacket from J.Crew in Navy. With it being on Sale plus 40% off I got it for under 90 (including tax and shipping!) I think this will be the perfect investment for early fall and spring when it is cool but not parka/pea coat weather. If you have this coat let me know!

J.Crew The downtown field jacket (see more military style field jackets)

3. DPAC fun. This past Sunday, one of my friends/co-workers and I ventured to downtown Durham for lunch and an event at the Durham Performing Arts Center. eCs, cWn and I all got season tickets for the upcoming broadway shows and are excited to be patron-ing the arts.  eSc and I (cWn couldn't make it) we were able to test drive our seats and even got a backstage tour. The various artists who come to the DPAC sign the walls backstage and the musicals paint gorgeous murals.

4. Married at First Sight. This is a new show on FYI that I found when I was scrolling through Hulu. It is a social experiment where four specialists (a sexologist, spiritualist, psychologist and sociologist) created three "perfect" couples based on scientific matchmaking and interviews, etc. The couples never meet or even know their names until they walked down the aisle to be married. The experiment lasts 5 weeks and at the end the couples will make the decision to remain together or separate. It is so fascinating to watch and it is like a train wreck that you can't help but watch. I mean there are so many challenges to marriage but adding in that you know nothing about them is so strange of a concept to me. Also, if you want to watch another show on Hulu, I recommend Hotwives of Orlando that is a spoof on all the Housewives series from Bravo.

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5. Kate Spade Agenda. So I have raved about my kate spade agenda here and I thought I would not need another agenda until Christmas. However, there was some terrible rain a few weeks ago that destroyed my planner so my parent's graciously purchased my Christmas present early and are bringing it to me tomorrow when they help with the move. I went with the bookshelf print for this bookworm.

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Thanks for having me back! 

What are your looking forward to this weekend?

5 on Friday

Hey y'all,

This week has been really crazy at work and through out the rest of my life so I am glad that it is (almost) the weekend. I was going to do a What I'm loving Wednesday post but why not make a 5 things I'm loving this Friday!


one. Stephanie of The Midwest Prep posted this blogpost the other day and it was like she had read my mind. I have been talking to a few of my blog friends and this is exactly what we have been feeling about the change in blogging over the past few years.

two. bid day! Today my chapter will welcome home a great group of girls! I am so proud of them and can't wait to get to know and advise other members. Spring is informal recruitment at Carolina but our girls put on an amazing week and we are welcoming home one great pledge class! Also, one of our Associate Members from last semester wrote this great blog post on recruitment! GREAT JOB CASSIDY!

The Recruitment Theme has bee "Spring into Sisterhood where Life is Good"

three. The new She Reads Truth devotional started this week. The series is on 1 John-3 John and is called Abide. Today was only the third day if you wanted to jump in and get started but I have learned so much already and a lot of it has just spoken to my heart when I read it in the morning along with my Jesus Calling devotional. This morning what shattered me was the discussion that our peers are not our measuring sticks but rather ours is our advocate and propitiation, Christ. I struggle a lot with comparison to others and it hurts our hearts since we all fall short in comparison to the worldly things but we need to shape our lives to his example and abide in Him as he fills us so we are justified before God. ISN"T THAT THE AMAZING THING! We are short but are able to be in the light of God. 

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Also, on the spiritual topic, I'm loving my small group ladies as usual and can't wait for our Secret Valentine exchange in 10 days! My church's young professional ministry is having a weekly dinner series and last night's talk was on anxiety through Philippians 4:4-9 and it was another topic I think young professionals struggle with especially in comparison to our peers. We become anxious that we are not doing enough or as accomplished, or even anxious in our relationships when compared to those around us. Remember, anxiety results from our need in an idol and a collapse of faith in God. We all struggle but we must be steadfast and not moved through the suffering.

four. the Olympics have begun! I am so excited! Did y'all watch the moguls or team ice skating yesterday? I have already decided that I need to be up by 9am Saturday for more ice skating! I also might have been talking to friends last night about going to learn curling at the Triangle Curling Club. Yep, the Olympics are great and the Opening Ceremony is tonight! Hopefully I will be able to catch some of it after bid day celebrations!

five. Caroline G Shop necklace club. I first found Caroline G Shop thanks to Molly and I am so impressed! I mean, who wouldn't be when you find out Carrie has one fantastic store, a great blog and a huge heart for the Lord. Carrie actually attend the same church as I and we have a few friends in common. Maybe one of these days we will even meet but for now I will revel in my birthday present to myself. Carrie created a necklace club. After signing up you receive a new necklace at the end of every month. It averages to under $13 per necklace and each is valued between $30-$50! I know she no longer has any spots available but follow along and she might have a new CGClub soon! My first necklace is this beauty and you can find it in Carrie's store in many colors here.

Honorable Mentions: This post on what not to tell single girls. I am content in my singledom since it has been my entire life and I am happy for my friends in their various stages of relationships but these phrases get to me as well.

What are you loving this weekend?