What Would You Do With 1 More Day?

Happy Leap Day!

Today we get an extra day.

Extra time.

What are you going to do with it?

With 1 more day I would tell my grandparents that I love them and appreciate them.

I would take a walk with them after dinner.

I would send them flowers, just because.

I would ask them to tell me a story from their childhood.

With this extra day, I am asking my followers to donate $1 to Relay For Life if you can.

$1 multiplied by my 182 followers...that's $182 that goes towards getting RID of cancer and having a world with MORE birthdays.

If you are able to donate, it would mean absolutely everything to me.

 HERE is my personal page where you can donate safely online.

$1 doesn't seem like very much when I think of all the things I would do with 1 more day.

Thank you in advance for your consideration & generosity!

Happy Leap Day!

love you ALL!

xoxo,

Ten on Tuesday

Since I'm short on time today, I'm switching things up & linking up for Ten on Tuesday with Roots and Rings!

Here are the ten questions :) Feel free to answer them yourself in a post!

1. What did you do this weekend?
Traveled to NC! Read about it in yesterday's post :)

2. Do you prefer short fingernails or long fingernails?
I prefer short unless I'm getting a french manicure for something than I like a little bit of length. Really long nails gross me out though!

3. What is your favorite use for Pinterest?
Outfit inspiration, classroom ideas and DIY ideas!

4. Do you sleep with your mouth open?
Occasionally, yes.

5. Where did you have the best pizza you’ve ever eaten?
Hmmm...that's a tough one. I love pizza from Sal's, a restaurant here in Blacksburg. I haven't branched out much in the pizza world!

6. What do you eat for breakfast on weekdays?
I'm a bad breakfast eater - sometimes I don't eat anything. On weekdays I do something "on the go" since I'm usually heading for class. Usually a granola bar, some trail mix or I bring a yogurt.

7. Do you watch awards shows? Why or why not?
Love them! I like to print out the ballots and make my predictions, I like to see the gowns on the red carpet and I actually do care who wins.

8. Can you whistle? Snap? Curl your tongue? Bend down and touch your palms to the ground?
Whistle - yes, but not very well. Snap - yes! Curl your tongue - yes. Bend down and touch your palms to the ground - not without bending my knees! 

9. What email service do you use?
My school email & gmail.

10. What is your favorite outdoor activity?
Either running or playing at the park with Sadie! Oh, and lounging on the beach. That's outside, so it counts, right??

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,

Baseball Weekend Recap

Happy Monday!

I'm back from a wonderful, fast-paced, baseball-filled weekend!

Lehigh finished the weekend 2-2 which isn't too bad. They played Davidson and Fairleigh Dickinson.

I always get so nervous when Steven goes out to pitch...I can hardly talk to anyone until he is off the mound! I'm just hoping he throws well, hoping a line drive doesn't go straight for him and hoping he has a fair umpire behind the plate who doesn't rob him. I'm also hoping that his teammates in the field are on their toes!

Steven was on the mound twice this weekend (he's a reliever) and he did great!

Opening weekend is always fun because the guys are [somewhat] nervous but still ready to play and you get to see all the new freshmen and attempt to learn their names.

On Saturday night we went to dinner at Jeffery's with the whole team and the other families that came down for the weekend. It was a lot of fun -- unfortunately I didn't get any pictures while we were there!

That's when I have to quiz myself to see if I can name all of the new players in their street clothes...it's hard when they (mostly) all have buzz cuts and similar plain shirts on! Although this time a few had some creepy mustaches they apparently lost bets over (or something like that) so they were easy to remember.

 In the bullpen

 #1

Pitching during Sunday's game

All in all it was a great weekend - but it went by way too fast!

Also, the cherry trees on campus were blooming & gorgeous!

instagram

Here we are before he boarded the bus for the ten hour drive back to Pennsylvania!

It all just makes me more excited to go to California on Saturday!! I will be there for the two games on Sunday and one game Monday night. I can't wait!

Any other baseball girlfriends out there sharing in my excitement?

 

Have a wonderful day!

xoxo,

Sunday Verse

weekend recap coming up tomorrow!

p.s. happy academy award/oscar watching :)

xoxo,

Friday's Fancies & What I Wore!

First off, here is my outfit all set for the red carpet!

I just think red is so classy & it makes you stand out!

Next up, here is what I was wearing this week!

Monday:

Top: Target

Cardigan: Target

Jeggings: Kohl's

Boots: Target

Tuesday:

Top: LOFT

Jeans: American Eagle

Boots: Rack Room

Wednesday:

Top: LOFT

Jeans: American Eagle

Boots: Target

Thursday:

Tank: LOFT

Cardigan: Target

Scarf: Old Navy

Jeggings: Kohl's

Boots: Rack Room

Friday - gym day:

Sweatshirt: Exper-T's (in Blacksburg)

Shorts: Nike

Shoes: Asics

Sorry, I repeat lots of pants/boots! Oh well!

I'm off to North Carolina for the weekend!

Prepare for baseball girlfriend tweets the whole time.

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

It's OK Thursday :)

Happy (gorgeous) Thursday!

It's OK...

...that on my way out the door this morning, I had a girl scout cookie to tide me over for the hour.

...to be dreading the day that I'm out of caramel delites.

...that today's forecast is 70 degrees...yeah, that's definitely OK!

...to consider a trip to Frosty Parrot my dairy and fruit serving of the day.

...that, when making my Lenten promises, I totally forgot that this means I'll need to wait until Sunday to watch Saturday Night Live! shoot.

...(not) that for The Bachelor FINALE I'm going to be in CA...aka the east coast is already going to know who Ben chooses before me...I'm going to stay far, far away from social media that day.

...that I'm mostly concerned with where the Starbucks are located in California.

...to be overly excited about your dog's birthday. Sadie is turning 2 next week!

...to seriously never be satisfied with your blog design.

...that you already have a "want list" for summer...on mine: new Jacks, sunglasses that fit my face, several more sundresses (I live in them) & a cute tankini top for work - is there such a thing?

...to be very concerned about what sort of black hole you live in when you have: sunshine one day, a massive snowstorm the next, two sunny days to follow and then a full on thunderstorm. What?!

...to wonder why "blogging" isn't a legit college major?

...to get way too emotionally involved in American Idol & The Voice...does anyone else cry when chairs aren't turned around? Or how about [my fave] HeeJun last night on Idol? I seriously love him and that he dedicated his journey to the children with special needs he works with.

...to be sooo excited about seeing John Legend tonight! He's coming for an "evening of discussion and performance"...I not only love his music, but I found out he is a board member for Teach for America! I'm really excited to hear what he has to say about education and poverty.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

xoxo,

Lent

Happy Ash Wednesday!

Today was a good day. I got some work done, went to a mini mass on campus to receive ashes, went to work & then got some pizza for dinner.

Now, I'm the type of person that doesn't mind what religion you are, I won't judge you, and I'm not going to shove my religion down your throat because I wouldn't want that to happen to me.

However, I do take pride in my faith and I definitely don't mind sharing it on my blog.

Today marks the beginning of Lent.

Here is what I am promising to do this season:

I am going to cut my "screen time" off at 10:00 pm every night. That means after 10:00 I won't be on Blogger, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, etc, I won't have the TV on and I'll only use my phone to answer text messages/phone calls that I may receive. I think I could be using this time much more wisely by reading, catching up on homework or catching up on sleep. Too often I find myself refreshing Twitter for an hour and wasting time that I could be finishing a good book!

The exceptions are: I will use my computer if it's for homework & if I start a movie earlier that isn't going to end until 10:30 for example, I am going to finish it and then turn it off!

I am going to work on being nicer to people I don't know. This means that person that cuts me off or decides to roll into my lane with no turn signal - I'm not going to curse them out. I'm going to assume that they "just didn't see me"...and that person who decides in a room with 500 seats to come and sit right next to me with their loud sandwich and bony elbows, I am going to try my very best not to get annoyed.

{the driving one is going to be the hardest!}

I am going to be more devoted to my faith and God. During the school year I find myself so exhausted and not willing to wake up for mass at 8:45 but I'm going to try and make it to more on campus or at the later 11:00. I know it will make me feel better. I am also going to try really hard to end each day with a prayer - something I used to do as a child (Now I lay me down to sleep...) but have slacked with the past several years.

Are you celebrating Lent? What have you decided to sacrifice?

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

xoxo,

Q&A Vlog!

I saw this Q&A linkup on Emily's blog earlier today and thought it was a great idea! I thought I'd give it a shot.

The link up is with Shasta & Megan! I think it's normally done on Mondays, but better late than never :)

WOW YouTube chooses the BEST still shot to use...(NOT!)

Here are the questions!

1.   What is the best advice you've ever given and received?

2.   Type of music you like most?

3.   Shoe size?

4.   Who sent the last text message you received?

5.   If you could meet any one person (from history or currently alive), who would it be?

6.   Have you ever been fired or “let go”?

7.   What's under your bed?

8.   Do you believe in love at first sight?

9.   What is your middle name?

        10.   Do you think that you are a good singer?

 

 

You should link up too so I can hear your answers! :)

 

xoxo,

Top 5 Tuesday: PUMP UP SONGS!

This is a great topic, Rachel! It's going to be hard to pick only 5 though...this seems to happen with every topic! :)

Anyway, I am always looking for new songs to add to my Workout/Party/In the Car playlists. I think I'll make a "Blogger Inspired" playlist :)

Top 5 Pump Up Songs

1. Alexandra Stan - Mr. Saxobeat

I can't get the video to post on here, but I have the extended version on my playlist...every time it comes on I want to start dancing! This is my jammmmmmm!

2. David Guetta feat Rhianna - Who's That Chick?

Good workout song! I love David Guetta & Rhianna...together, they make magic.

3. David Guetta feat Nicki Minaj - Turn Me On

If I could, I would probably fill this list with David Guetta songs. He is such a strange, nerdy looking guy but I love these songs!

This is such a great party/workout song. Love, love, love it.

4. David Guetta feat Flo-Rida, Nicki Minaj - Where Them Girls At

Okay, seriously this is the last Guetta one. I'm sorry this video is SO weird...but the song is fun and that's why I only listen during my workouts/car rides! I think Flo-Rida has a cool voice...his songs are all over my workout playlist.

5. Spice Girls - Spice Up Your Life

You cannot tell me that when and if this song comes on you aren't out of your seat shakin' it.

I am so glad I could find the clip from Spice World!

What songs pump you up??

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,

Snow Day!

Okay, so even though we never get class cancelled (as far as the university goes - a lot of individual professors cancel their classes) I'm still considering it a snow day!

Yesterday:

I took Sadie on a walk to get a movie from the Redbox!

Jeans were maybe a bad idea. Oh well!

Silly girl loves the snow, even when her little legs get buried!

These are from this morning. Snowy trees + the sun is gorgeous!

I feel like all of this snow should have happened in December! I'm sitting here waiting for spring!

At least today's forecast is in the 50s.

My 8 am class was cancelled which I was SO happy about, but I still have an 11:15 to make it to.

Since Mom has today off from work we're thinking of heading up to Plato's Closet & Kohl's after class!

 

Anyone else get a somewhat belated snow dump?

Have a wonderful Monday!

xoxo,

Sunday Verse

once in a while I sit down and read this,

and everything makes sense.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful - and in my case snowy - Sunday :)

xoxo,

What I Wore

Here's a couple of outfits from this past week!

*Sorry some are "instagram-ed" & some aren't!

Top:LOFT

Sweater: Old Navy

Earrings: LOFT

Jeans: American Eagle

Boots: Target 

Polish: Maybelline Racy Red

Valentine's Day!

Top: New York & Company

Cardigan: Old Navy

Jeans: American Eagle

Socks: Old Navy

Jewelry: Pandora and James Avery

Polish: Maybelline Racy Red and OPI Feelin' Hot Hot Hot

Top: Eddie Bauer

Vest: Old Navy

Jeggings: Kohl's

Boots: Target

This was a comfy day so I just had on yoga pants, but I wore my AECE shirt that I love! If you are a Virginia Tech girl, you'll understand the design :)

For those that aren't - this shirt plays off of our school motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), and the crayons are supposed to be the pylons that stand at one of the most significant parts of our campus.

How cute is it?

Top: Old Navy

Cardigan: Target

Jeans: American Eagle

Flats: Old Navy

Top: LOFT

Caridgan: Old Navy

Scarf: J. Crew

Jeans: American Eagle

I did some shopping today at LOFT - they're doing 30% off full-price styles and an extra 40% off of sale!

I'm sure those will be included in next week's outfits :)

Even though today was gorgeous, we have snow in the forecast tomorrow!

I'm anxious to see what the morning will bring.

Have a great evening!

xoxo,

Fab 5 Friday!

Today I'm switching things up & joining with Emmalee and Crystal for Fab 5 Friday!

Here are the 5 items that helped me make it through the week & my one W.I.S.H. item!

1. Fleece Blanket

It's been chilly this week! When I'm finished with class I've been curling up on the couch with my fleece blanket!

2. Vaseline Lip Therapy

I love this stuff! It's not quite chapstick, not quite lip gloss. It's sort of a gel. I have the cherry "flavored" one and it has been very helpful in keeping my lips moisturized with these winter winds!

3. Red Bull

I love Red Bull! I know energy drinks aren't very good for you, but sometimes you just need a little kick. I especially like to mix it into my smoothies - strawberries, mangoes, a banana, a can of Red Bull...yummm.

4. Target Monster Mix

This is by far my favorite trail mix! The peanut butter morsels they included put the Target trail mix high above the rest, even Planter's. Mom & I have been running through this stuff like it's our job. On our last Target trip we went ahead and bought the tub instead of the bag!

 

5.  Magic Bullet

This is what we have been using to make some delicious smoothies! It's probably my favorite "As Seen on TV" item thus far...although come to think of it, we don't really have any others. At first we thought it was silly (Mom got it as a gift) but to make a delicious smoothie in seconds is SO NICE!

My W.I.S.H. Item

 

Sweet Tea Paperie "Little Ms. Perfect" Planner

I want one of these SO badly. I am in love with the Erin Condren life planners, but right now $50 is a big chunk of change to spend on one. STP is having a $5 off sale this weekend so that makes it even more tempting to get one now.

However, I'm probably going to wait until after this semester & "start fresh" with one once I'm a senior!

What are your top 5 items/products this week?

I hope everyone has a wonderful start to the weekend!

New countdown: One week until I'll be down in NC to kick off baseball season! :)

xoxo,

You're It!

Jess at Just Rainbows and Butterflies tagged me in a post yesterday to answer some questions.

I love these "tag" games - mostly because you can learn more about the blogs you follow but also because it helps you find new ones by checking out the other tagged blogs!

The rules are:
- You must post the rules
- Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted 
- Tag 11 people and link them in your post
- Let them know you've tagged them

Here are the questions:

What is your profession?

I suppose my profession is "student", however I have part-time job as an "Instructional Aide" with Montgomery County Public Schools.

How would you describe your style?

Classic/comfortable/girly

What is one make-up product you can't live without?

Mascara.

If you could be best friends with one celebrity who would it be?

Either Al Roker - I just think he is so jolly and funny on the Today show! - or Reese Witherspoon so I could steal her closet.

What is your dream vacation?

Either a Caribbean cruise or going to St. Lucia! The Bachelor has me hooked on that place.

What magazines do you subscribe to?

People, Runner's World, Glamour and Cosmopolitan (on my phone)

If you could have one special talent {that you don't currently have}, what would it be?

I would love to be able to see into the future! I guess that's more of a super power.

I guess something more realistic would be: I would like to be able to function on little to no sleep. It would be helpful at this point in life! I seriously cannot go to bed past 12:30...I get so exhausted.

What is your favorite breakfast food?

Waffles and strawberries. Nommm.

If you could do anything, what is your dream job?

My dream job is to teach 1st grade.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Staying in my pajamas all day!

That and going to our self-serve frozen yogurt shop.

What is the best piece of advice you received and who gave it to you?

I don't remember word for word, but it was about finding the right guy and following my heart and listening to God. This was before I was dating Steven.

My older brother gave it to me in a note before he left for boot camp.

All done!

Now I'm tagging:

Ashley @ Everyday AEM

Crystal @ Life According to Crystal

Katie @ His Diamond and Mine

Claire @ Life in the Sweet Virginia Breeze

Emma @ emma lately

Elizabeth @ Gilder and Grace

Magan @ A Touch of Class

Melody @ Sweet Like a Song

Sarah Kate @ Nothing But Blue Skies

Emmalee @ Everyday Emmalee

Sarah @ simply sarah

I hope you girls have time to answer these questions too!

Happy Thursday!

xoxo,

{long distance loving}

I'm being featured on {long distance loving} today!

Read it HERE!

Thank you so much to {av} for sharing my story!

All of my other LDL blog friends should send in their stories, too!

Something else I am loving today:

Kate @ Nautical by Nature is having a Jack Rogers giveaway!

How perfect is this as I prepare for Spring Break? Go check it out before it ends on the 20th!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!

xoxo,

Top 5 Tuesday: Romantic Movies

Happy Valentine's Day!

Even though I'm not doing anything special today, I still love Valentine's Day! Maybe it's because I love red and pink...candy...hugs...doodling hearts...etc.

I'm excited to go to work, too, because any holiday is 10x better once you step into an elementary school.

Here are the valentines I chose to give to the kids!

Super Valentine!

Valentine Lollipop Lillies!

I think they turned out pretty darn cute!

Now, for Top 5 Tuesday!

Romantic Movies

*LOVE this topic! It's so hard to pick only 5*

1. The Notebook

This is probably my favorite movie. I will watch it anywhere, anytime!

The book is very good, too!

2. Titanic

Even though Jack could have totally fit on that humongous door, this is another one of my favorite movies!

I love the mixture of drama/humor/romance.

I'm REALLY excited for when it's re-released in theaters in 3D!

3. Dirty Dancing

Nobody puts Baby in the corner.

boom.

I love this movie! And parts of it were filmed at Mountain Lake right by Blacksburg!

4. A Walk to Remember

LOVE this movie. Books turned movies are my favorite, especially Nicholas Sparks'.

Grab the Kleenex, though!

5. Sweet Home Alabama

This movie will never get old! I think this is one of Reese Witherspoon's best.

Plus, I love this part..

"Why would you wanna marry me for, anyhow?"

"So I can kiss you anytime I want."

What are your favorite romantic movies?

Even though those are my Top 5, today I'll probably be watching...

LOVE to all my followers and blog friends!

xoxo,

An Amazing Weekend / Guest Bloggers?

I'm back from a wonderful weekend spent in the cold, cold state of Pennsylvania.

I cannot believe how quickly the weekend went by...I had soooo much fun!

It snowed [of course] when I was there but thankfully we didn't have any troubles :)

Here is my weekend via Instagram!

p.s. if you have instagram, find me at: slryan3

Friday:

 An early Valentine's gift. New Pandora beads!

Dinner at one of my favorites!

 Baseball party where I met some of the newbies and we stayed late enough for the oldies part of the night...

"Somebody once asked could I spare some change for gas I need to get myself away from this place, I said yep, what a concept, I could use a little fuel myself and we could all use a little chaaaange..."

Saturday:

 Driving into Philly!

Even though the Flyers lost, we had such a great time at the game!
NHL games are unlike any of the UHL ones I've been to.

Awkward picture-of-a-picture...sorry about that. This is after the game!

We went to King of Prussia after the game!! Stopped by Lilly for some new stationery and a tumbler!

*If you haven't been to this mall, you're missing out. They have almost every store imaginable!

Steven found some Flyers gear for the next game :)

 Steven picked out and got me this limited time Vera Bradley jewelry box :)

We also ate at The Cheesecake Factory - YUM! - went to see The Vow and got a tasty brunch Sunday morning at a favorite diner before I had to come home.

All in all, I had one of the best weekends I've had in a long time!

Lastly, in March I'll be headed off on Spring Break for a week!

If any of you are interested in guest blogging for me, please let me know!

Two great shows on tonight! The Bachelor & The Voice!

I have a meeting at 7:00 tonight so I'll be delayed watching The Bachelor but I cannot wait! At least then I'll have some fast-forward time. I love having DVR at home!

I'm hoping that Kacie and Nicki confronting Ben about Courtney will get her ugly face off of the show! Everything she does drives me NUTS!

However, at the same time, Ben is on my nerves for falling for everything Courtney does! He is disappointing me.

I'm really getting into The Voice! I've never watched it before but I really like it so far. I love guessing who is going to turn their chair around first.  It's so sad when no one picks the singer, though!

Anyone else a fan of The Voice?

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday so far!

xoxo,