Holiday Blog Challenge Day 3

First of all, today I hit 100 followers!! THANK YOU!! All of you have made this blog into something much more than I ever imagined it would be. I am incredibly thankful for all of you who read my blog and leave comments! I'm going to try and brew up a giveaway :) Never done one before, so if y'all have any tips - pass them my way please!

Now for the continuation of the Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge with Neely...

Day 3: Holiday Decor

Since I don't have many pictures from home on my computer, I will share my ideal holiday decor from Pinterest! I think this is what most people are doing :)

I am loving all the DIY holiday crafts I have seen on Pinterest! I can't wait for winter break so I can do some of them! Right now I'm all about finals and wrapping up the semester :(

Later on during break I'll do an ornament post and share with you my favorites from our own tree :)

Right now I'm watching Christmas in Rockefeller Center! It's making me excited to go to our town's tree lighting/Christmas parade on Friday!

xoxo,

Holiday Blog Challenge, Day 1 & 2

I decided I want to join in on the Fabulous Holiday Blog Challenge hosted by Neely and Amber before it gets too late! So, today I'll catch up and do day 1 & 2 together!

Day 1: Favorite Gift Ever Received

This is a tough one...I remember really great presents from back in the day, but it gets fuzzy whether they were for Christmas or my birthday! They're in the same month, so sometimes I get confused. Most of my awesome presents were dolls - once an American Girl doll, once the American Girl Bitty Baby and once a Lee Middleton doll that I named Joey (don't ask why)...I remember being ecstatic over all of those! My American Girl was Felicity and I got the brown haired Bitty Baby and I named her Karen (again...don't ask me where the names came from!) - I still have all of them!

This isn't exactly what outfit he came in but close enough!

Day 2: Favorite Holiday Tradition, New or Old

I have a couple!

The first would be cutting down the tree! We always get a real tree. I look forward to going out to the tree farm and finding the perfect tree for our living room. Then we cut it down, tie it up and take it home!

Putting the star on top. We have always used (until last year when I think it broke) a gold star to top the tree and when we were little we kept track of who put it up and each year we would take turns, so I got to put it on every third year! Nowadays, it's whoever can reach the top...usually little brother!

Christmas Cap'n Crunch!! This might be the biggest tradition. We always get a box of the Christmas Cap'n Crunch under the tree and that's what we have for breakfast! Without fail, my mom somehow finds a box!

I love watching Pee Wee's Playhouse Christmas Special. I'm sorry if this sounds creepy, because yes Pee Wee is kind of creepy, but when we were younger we LOVED this movie. Still, as "adults" we get on the couch and watch it at least once every year! It's one of those childhood things that will never die...

Those are my favorite Holiday traditions! Tomorrow is Holiday decor!
xoxo,

What a Whirlwind Week!

First of all, I am so thankful for all of the comments and followers I have since I left for break! I can't believe I'm almost to 100 followers! WOW! I feel so out of the loop though because I wasn't able to read blogs these past couple of days! I had no internet access, and unfortunately I'm not cool enough yet for an iPad or iPhone ;)

My trip to PA was amazing! Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures...and by that, I mean I took some of the kittens but none of people! I'm sad I didn't get any of Steven and I or of his family, but I'm sure there will be plenty over winter break!

We did lots of relaxing, lots of eating and lots of movie watching! We also played Disney Trivial Pursuit...so much fun! Steven and I went to see Breaking Dawn. Have y'all seen it? I'm not a huge Twilight fan - I like the movies, but I don't freak out and cry and scream when anyone mentions it - but I did like this movie! Although I own the book, I didn't read it (oops) but still could follow everything. I could feel what was going to happen at the very end but it still startled me! Ha!

And, of course...the best news is that Virginia Tech beat UVA for the 8th year in a row and we're headed to the ACC Championship on Saturday!! H-O-K-I-E-S HOKIES!


Now, here are some *attention* things I must share!

Blog Award

Carolina on My Mind gave me the Liebster Blog Award! Thank you SO MUCH! It made my day to see this! Addison has such a cute blog and I always look forward to reading her posts! I wanna pass the award right back to her!

Since I recently gave this award to 5 followers, I'll just pick 2 today with less than 200 followers.

1. Peaches & Pearls
2. Coffee at Nordstrom

I love those blogs - y'all go check them out!

Giveaways

College Prep is having two giveaways that you won't want to miss!

• The first is from Knotty Monkey's college collection! Cutest earrings on the planet!
• The second is a cut-out monogrammed necklace from Marley Lilly! Adorable!

Coffee at Nordstrom (my blog award winner!) is giving away a Vera Bradley All Wrapped Up! By now you should know I lovvvve Vera, so I am super excited about this one!


Whew! Now the countdowns begin! Two and a half weeks to go and then it's goodbye fall semester!
Later I'll share my DIY projects, shopping lists, wishlists and birthday plans!

Happy Monday!
xoxo,

Sunday Verse

xoxo,

A Christmas Favorite

It's officially Christmas season! No, I did not go Black Friday shopping...I like sleeping in! Like I said earlier this week, I have before (it's not like I'm against it), but not this year. If any of you did - I would love to hear what deals you got!

It's now okay with me for everyone to go Christmas crazy! Lights, trees, decorations, music, apparel...bring it on. I already went semi-Christmas crazy on Pinterest. Whoops.

To get us all in the Christmas spirit, here is my favorite Christmas jam...

Anyone else like to rock out to Mariah? Anytime this song comes on, I stop everything and sing/dance. Not afraid to admit it!


Hope everyone had a great turkey day! Love y'all!
xoxo,

Stretchy Pants

Happy Thanksgiving!

No matter where you are, who you're with or how you're celebrating, I hope you are all having a wonderful, restful, blessed day!

Please say an extra prayer for those who are starting new traditions, our military men and women unable to be with their families, and especially those who are without food, friends or family.

xoxo,

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Hey y'all :) Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Here is what I'm loving today...

...all of my followers! I can't believe I am (as I type) only 2 followers away from 100!!! I seriously cannot believe that. I started this blog almost as a joke last year but have since realized that it's so much fun, has helped me meet people I never would have before and is now one of my top "hobbies"!

...that I'm headed to PA today to see Steven! I am so ready to see him and for my work-free break to start.

...warm weather in November. It's actually kind of weird, but I'm not complaining!


...these Pinterest finds...

...that Erin Condren is having an online Black Colorful Friday sale! No bustin' through the crowds - you can shop from bed :)

...that I got some great "Mommy and Me" time this week! We did a little bit of shopping, lots of yummy meals and watched our favorite shows.


...that I have so much to be thankful for. Not only this week, but always.

What are you loving today? I'm going to be honest - I'm postdating this, so I can't link up, but still you should join in with Jamie!!

xoxo,

Top 5 Tuesday & a Blog Award

Happy Tuesday! I'll be linking up with Rachel for Top 5 Tuesday...this week's theme is Thanksgiving! YES!

Thanksgiving

1. Food

I think this is a lot of people's #1...

2. Traveling

Okay, so maybe this picture is exaggerated, but I feel like this is what 81 looks like on Thanksgiving weekend. Last year it took us almost 11 hours to get home!

3. Football

I love to watch me some football. Even if it isn't a team I particularly love or hate, I just like to watch! Family gathered around hootin' and hollerin'...it's fun. Virginia Tech is going to be playing UVA on Saturday though, so of course I'll be glued to the TV then! My Dad is a UVA fan, so this is a big game...plus it determines who goes to the ACC Championship! GO HOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

4. Dessert

When it comes to Thanksgiving, dessert almost has to be in it's own category. There are so many different desserts you can make! Pies, crumbs, cakes, tarts, etc. My favorite is probably apple pie - or of course pumpkin :)

5. Christmas shopping/Black Friday

A couple of years ago I braved the crowds with my mom, aunt and cousin - at TYSON'S!! Black Friday shoppers are kind of crazy. I'm not really in need of anything big, like a TV or phone, so I don't think I'll be waking up in the middle of the night to go fight with people for clothing and such. I'll stay home and shop online :) I do get jealous of all the deals, though!

What's your Top 5?

One of my favorite bloggers Maggie at Glitz & Grammar gave me the Liebster Award! Thank you so much, Maggie! I love knowing that people are reading and appreciating my blog. It means so much! If you aren't a follower of her blog - go NOW! You're truly missing out!

Liebster means "favorite" or "dearest" in German.  This award, which originated in Germany, recognizes up and coming bloggers!  In accepting this award, I agree to:

• Thank the person who gave me the award and link back to their blog
• Copy and paste the award to my blog
• Reveal the 5 blogs I have chosen to award and let them know by commenting on their blogs
• Pay it forward to 5 blogs

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am so thankful for these 5 blogs that I have chosen to pass the award onto: (p.s. it was super hard to choose 5! I love all of my blogs!)

1. Loving Life and Lilly

2. Life's a Beach

3. Moments with Mere

4. Just Rainbows and Butterflies

5. I do have a real job...I swear...

Go show those blogs some love!

xoxo,

Miscellaneous Monday

Hey y'all! I really need to get on a blogging schedule. 10:30 at night is not the prime blogging time...

• Today I went to Barnes & Noble with Momma and got some cute notepads!

Going to use this to help schedule blog posts & meetings!

A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous. -Coco Chanel

I am obsessed with notepads, as I believe I have said before.

• Mom went out of town this weekend and brought me home cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory at Short Pump!! YUM.

• Tomorrow I plan to (after work) go get my nails done - shellac again, but probably french this time! I'm going to a different salon. I hope I have a good experience! Then I'm taking Sadie to the groomer! Lastly, I'm going to watch The Grinch (cartoon version) with the kiddies.

• On Wednesday I'm leaving for PA to see Steven! SOOOOO EXCITED. The last time I saw him was the weekend before Halloween...not thaaaat long ago, but it seems like forever. Ready for some relaxation. Speaking of which, is it possible to "postdate" blog posts? I will feel lost without posting for FIVE days! Yikes!

• Yesterday I went to Old Navy - and for those of you who don't follow me on Twitter - I need to share my sweet deal. It was a 12-5 sale 75% off sweater! Plus I had my $10 ON cash, soooo I got six sweaters for $36!! I saved $144! I feel so accomplished! Less than half of them were for me, too. I bought Christmas gifts :)

• Tomorrow I am also going to (hopefully) finish and share my DIY projects I've done so far! Nothing too special :) I have more Christmas-y ones coming but probably won't get to those until later!

• Two things I'm looking forward to (besides the obvious holiday): VT vs UVA game on Saturday and watching Love Actually because after Thursday, it's officially Christmas season!!

• Exactly two weeks until my birthday! I need to decide on a dress. Should I go for "bright-Lilly-and-I-don't-care-what-season-the-dress-is-for" or "green-satin-christmasy" or "warm-safe-more-casual"? We're just going out to dinner - but it is the big 2-1!

What are you up to this week? :)
xoxo,

Sunday Verse

via pinterest

Happy Thanksgiving week :)

xoxo,

Game Recap & Planning

Last night's game was sooo much fun - and FREEZING! It was the last home game and Brittany's last game as an undergrad, so we stayed THE whole time, even though it was below freezing. Even though it wasn't the prettiest game ever, it's a good thing we stayed, because the Hokies came out with the WIN!!!

That's me and my big brother! He drove from Norfolk to see the game! So fun!! And of course, Darius Rucker was awesome! All-in-all, a great way to end the home game part of the season! Now on to beat the HOOS next weekend!


Switching gears now! I'm definitely a planner. Not just in the fact that I like to have my agenda always up-to-date but I like to know what's going and what to expect in different situations.
Today while I was on Pinterest, I found a great site for organization printables! Specifically for blogs :) I need to get more organized with planning my posts and whatnot, so I plan on printing these out and making a blog binder! This blog page also has links to great family planner printables! How do you keep your blog stuff organized? Or is it all stored in your head? Any other tips?


If you haven't seen Peaches & Pearls giveaway - go enter now! Monogrammed acrylic keychain - so adorable!

TTOD: Today, I am thankful for my pup pup Sadie. She is [technically] my mom's, but I treat her like my baby too. I hope I can get puppy for myself soon! Maybe when I graduate :) We adopted Sadie from a shelter in Roanoke in 2010 when she was just two months old. I just love coming home and Sadie runs to the door to great me. She is always in a happy mood, even when I'm not! If I need to be cheered up, Sadie can definitely do the trick. She is the smartest dog ever! She knows lots of little tricks and she gets the paper from the end of the driveway and brings it to the porch. She also has learned to snuggle on the couch......I'm not complaining :)

Sadie as a puppy

Sadie and I on Halloween

Thanksgiving Break is off to a great start! I plan to do some crafting and such...if it actually happens, I'll share pictures! Right now, I'm watching Soul Surfer...and crying my eyes out. Have y'all seen this? I got it at the redbox and it's actually really good! And emotional! (Or maybe that's just me?)

Happy weekend!
xoxo,