Weekend Recap!

Here I sit procrastinating a school assignment :) I've done a lot today & am finally sitting down to do some work, but thought I would throw in a post first!
I had a pretty good weekend of running. I ran 5 miles on Saturday after I got home from class around town.  Felt pretty good & still had energy to walk around Steppin' Out. I ran 5 miles again today, but this time on the Huckleberry.  A friend and I decided to start at the "mall side" and run into Blacksburg for a change -- and let me tell you, it was a nice change! I've decided I like running from that direction more :)

Huckleberry Trail

I love having such a great trail to run on! It's 5.76 miles altogether, but they are adding on to it! Part of the Hokie Half Marathon will be run on the trail. I ran Saturday a little faster than I ran Sunday, but I am okay with that.  It ain't called a Sunday stroll for nothing.   Steppin' Out was super fun, as always!

 Just a little snapshot of what the day was like.  Everything was great this year - the vendors, the food and the music! The headliner on Saturday night was Laura Reed. So much fun - especially when her encore song was Killing Me Softly. Yup, jam time.   My purchases this year were a spoon ring (which I've been searching for the past couple of years) and three super cute prints from This Sweet Season :) She has an Etsy shop so YOU can buy some too! I love her work and will post a picture when I have my prints hanging up!  
The Rails headed to the CVCL tournament this weekend and made history making it to the championship game! Unfortunately I wasn't able to make it due to my work schedule & having Saturday class :(

So proud of this guy who had 3 saves :) Love him!  
All in all it was a great weekend, but flew by way too fast! However I'm ready for these next two weeks to get a move on so I can enjoy two weeks off :)
Happy Sunday!

An Adorable Market & My Weekend!

On the way home from the beach, before we reached Virginia, we stopped at the most amazing roadside market! The Grandy Greenhouse & Farm Market offered everything from melons to jams to peanuts.  I could have spent a lot (and eaten a lot!) if we had stayed much longer. We left with some strawberries, some peaches, a jar of strawberry preserves & a Cheerwine for the road :)

I've spent the weekend trying to readjust back home. Of course I still have lots (okay, maybe everything) to unpack but traveling is exhausting! I needed a day or two to recover... ;)

I got to watch Steven close game 2 on Saturday and then we headed home for the annual Summer Solstice Festival. This festival has a few vendors, mainly handmade items, a beer/wine garden, live music, a 5K race, a dog parade, wing eating contest and more! It's always a blast - and this year there wasn't any rain! It was wonderful.

Trying to zoom through the fence...

Cheers!

Now it's back to work & the real world for me! Hope y'all enjoyed the first official weekend of summer!

Spring Break!

To my fellow college gals - HAPPY SPRING BREAK! I know not everyone is on spring break right now, but many colleges and universities are. I'm home for the week, working and spending time in my kindergarten classroom, but am going to get out of town for a few days!
This past week was really crazy - besides my midterm, I also got to sub for the first time! I was called in on Wednesday to sub for a second grade teacher who was stuck at home from the {miniature and quite depressing} "snow storm" we had. It was a 2-hour delay and there was a full-time student teacher so I didn't have to do much, but that was a relief! I was actually way more nervous than I thought I would be so it was nice to have someone else there to be in charge ;)
I am thankful to have this week off from school and am SO excited about my half-marathon next Sunday!! I am planning out my green outfit as we speak :)
On Tuesday I am headed to Greensboro for my first baseball games of the season! Lehigh will be playing two games at UNCG on Tues and Wed. Yes, I'm excited to see the games but I am more excited to see Steven who I haven't seen since February 2nd! Oh, LDR probs. Expect lots of pictures from that mini trip!
Anyway, I am back to blogging this week and excited about it :) I have two awesome reviews coming up & showing y'all my new haircut! Shortest it's been since the 8th grade...yikes!
Hope y'all have a blessed Sunday -- it is GORGEOUS here in Virginia :)

Friday Five: Fun in March!

Happy March! Boy am I ready for some spring weather, green beer and March FUN! To me, March has me thinking spring spring spring...I am sick of this winter business. Unfortunately, I think Mother Nature doesn't agree. We shall see!
At least I have these 5 things to look forward to!
1. Spring Break

This spring break isn't too out of the ordinary like my last two were, but nonetheless I am SO excited for  a week off from school.  Yes I would love to be heading to the beach, but at the same time I have a lot here to take care of and prepare for! I have two big tests to knock out before break begins which is nice because I won't have to do any studying! I'm going to spend the majority of it at home, but will spend two days in Greensboro where Steven's team will be playing! I'll finish off Spring Break by celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Norfolk with my family after the race! So pumped!
2. Shamrock 1/2 Marathon

I've been training for this race for a while and I am so excited to get it done! I have a personal goal set in my mind that I hope to reach. I will let y'all know afterwards if I do :) My older brother is running the race as well, but I doubt we'll run together. I like to run with music in & am bad at talking! Can't wait to come barreling down the boardwalk and drink some green beer later with my fam!
3. Carrie Underwood

On March 23, Momma and I are headed to see CARRIE! I haven't been to a real concert since probably sophomore year when I saw Zac Brown Band...I am SO pumped to see her in concert! Anyone else seen her? What did you think?
4. Substituting

I'm now an official substitute! I've already arranged a half-day sub job with my cooperating teacher in kindergarten for the end of March. I'm so excited for this new opportunity! I'm also hoping to get in some days subbing for my mom in the library :) I think the kids will think it's funny they don't have to learn a new name -- going from Ms. Ryan #1 to Ms. Ryan #2! Ha!
5. Easter

I love Easter! It's such a fun, relaxing, beautiful holiday. I love going to mass and seeing everyone in their Easter dresses and suits. I love the springtime flowers that sit in the middle of the table. I love having an Easter meal with my family. And, of course, I love the Easter chocolates!
Happy March, y'all! Have a wonderful weekend!

Current Obsessions

1. Tracking my Erin Condren Life Planner

 First of all, I SERIOUSLY hope you've taken advantage of the SUPER nice coupon Erin Condren has given her fans! Until the 28th you can use the code XOXO20 for $20 off ANY order!! You can only use the code once, unless you're me and you buy something and then have your mom buy you something else on her account ;) I am twiddling my thumbs waiting for my life planner to arrive - it has been shipped! It was shipped on Friday. I also got some notepads -- the ones that are $20...aka I only had to pay for shipping. BOOM.
2. Infinity Scarves

 I know these aren't a "new" fad by any means, but I am just loving on them recently.  Old Navy and Target have some really cute ones right now! I am trying to limit the number of days I wear them because if it were up to me, they'd be on EVERYday.   3. Patagonia Re-Tool Snap-T Pullover

 Another deal I scored this month was on a pullover from Patagonia! I scored this during their end of winter sale and it was down to $71 - normally $120. Still a little pricey for my college student budget, but I had just received my tax return in the mail and thought - heck - Happy Valentine's Day to me! Still fighting with how to wash it though...I washed it on it's own, then tumble dried...it was sopping wet!    4. Cadbury Mini Eggs

 Now that Valentine's Day is over and St. Patrick's Day isn't a big "candy" day, Target has their aisles coated in pastel pink, green and yellow all ready for Easter! Which I can' believe is almost only one month away - March 31st. I just can't help myself when I see these little eggs on sale. They are definitely in my Top 5 candies & worth an extra 20 minutes at the gym.   5. Baseball Season is HERE!

 Steven traveled to UNC Wilmington this past weekend for opening weekend. I cannot believe it's already time to get into baseball mode! I was really bummed they didn't open at Davidson like they usually do, because I wasn't able to see the games. Hopefully come March I can make it to some games! And, at least he still has one more year so I'm not thinking "This is the last time....." quite yet. :)     What are you obsessing over this week?   I have an Influenster Box review coming up! Woohoo! Happy Tuesday :)

Weekend Recap; Welcome, October!

I'm back from my trip to Pennsylvania! I had so much fun, as always.   I'll admit -- it isn't easy being 6 hours away from Steven all year, but it's worth it. Our LDR is something I've come to accept and live with. It isn't ideal but at least I always have something {trips to see him} to look forward to.
All day Saturday was spent here:

The baseball field. Surprised? Me neither. They had a triple header which was so painful, but at least we made it home for the second half of the VT game. SIGH -- don't get me started on that game.
We made sure to go to my favorite place for lunch on Sunday:

"The Shiny Place", as we call it, is our favorite diner. There are lots of diners up there, but this is our favorite. They have the best food & desserts! We got a slice of carrot cake but I was digging in to that SO fast I didn't even have time to get a picture...whoops!
We didn't do anything super special or out of the ordinary, but honestly, that is okay with me. I would rather order pizza & watch Puss in Boots {yes, that happened} than drive somewhere because being together is all I really care about.
Enough mushy relationship talk for now.
Now, it's time for OCTOBER!

I am so happy it's October - although I wish it hadn't started off with rain. I officially feel "fall-ish"...I'm going to go buy 3 Leaves candles for the apartment and go to the pumpkin patch this weekend!!
We only have one home football game this month. Kind of weird, but I'm okay with it since I have lots to get done!
It's also officially only 35 days until this ship comes home from her final deployment with my big brother on it... :) :) :)

EXCITEMENT!


Happy Monday!

Recently I...

...watched the last games of summer ball...

 The mustangs made it to the playoffs this year, but unfortunately didn't make it out of the first round where they lost two to the #1 seed, the Edenton Steamers.

The returning players from last year...a great group of guys!
...enjoyed a day at the lake...

Although I don't live at the beach, which would be ideal, I do live about 20 minutes away from Claytor Lake State Park! They have a beach/swimming area, camping grounds, hiking and biking trails, pontoon/boat/jet ski rentals, etc. It's an awesome park and we love to go there for the day to swim! This time it was for our last field trip of the summer. My usual tan-then-swim routine was replaced with frolicking through the shallow end with my favorite kiddies! I had so much fun with them, and we had a cookout for lunch!
...caught a couple cat naps with Belle...

snoozin with steven

 This kitty cat likes to nap! She runs around constantly, chasing strings and Sadie's tail, but eventually she settles down -- usually on your lap or chest. I love kitten cuddles :)

Today is Belle's 2 month birthday!

...dodged rain drops & ate lots of food at Steppin' Out...

 Giant sicilian slice from PK's...yum! And for only $3!

 GOBBLE CAKES!! So excited for their grand opening!

We tried the "Old Faithful" (yellow cake, chocolate frosting) and the "Huckleberry" (cinnamon blueberry cake, cream cheese frosting) -- to. die. for.

It literally almost rained the ENTIRE weekend of Steppin' Out. It was such a bummer! Unfortunately it wasn't the rain that you could walk with an umbrella in comfortably and still look at booths. Most booths closed up until the rain left, which wasn't quickly. It was still a wonderful weekend downtown, though!

I got Sadie a new bandana that slips over her collar:

Picked one that she can wear anytime! Especially now during the Olympics!
...won an amazing giveaway from Chicago Prepster and Bridier Baubles...

How cute is this Cece Stack?? I wanted to share it with you all because I know I have some jewelry lovers out there, and this bracelet doesn't disappoint! It's one bracelet made to look like multiples. It goes on like a spiral. I love all of the colors in it! I wore it the other day with my LP Peel and Eat skort! It was perfect!
Today starts my week off! I'm going to be moving into my new apartment this Wednesday...pictures and updates to come on that! Hoping to have a super organized closet and a room with more of a theme.
Happy Monday!

what i learned last night...

1. I am terrible at Econ.

Borderline embarrassing...I don't know why I think summer classes are going to be fun.
2. Emily is terrible at making decisions.

I was sooooooo Team Sean. Now I am heartbroken, but Team Jef all the way.I wanted Sean & Jef in the finale and then I wouldn't have cared who won!I just do not like Arie anymore - sorryyyyy. They are way too physical...that does NOT equal love. Plus when they kiss, he is super intense and kind of awkward. Anyone agree?I just could not imagine telling Sean goodbye after he wrote that note to Rickie and finally told her he loved her.TEAM JEF WITH ONE F!
3. Michelob Ultra Lime Cactus is the bomb.com.

Nom nom nommm. That's allllll I have to say about that.
4. The Home Run Derby is almost as enjoyable as The Bachelorette.

Yes, Bachelorette started up at 8:00 but I couldn't help watching some of the HRD. I know the players get to have their own person throw them the balls, but it's still so impressive to see so many home runs being hit! I would have loved to be one of the little kids in the outfield...or really in any outfield seat! Prince Fielder and Jose Bautista made it to the final round - Fielder took the crown with 12 home runs.I love his hair flip. Too funny.Afterwards I also watched some of the All-Star and Celebrity softball game which was a hoot. My favorite was Eric Stonestreet (Cam from Modern Family) who said he had never played softball or baseball in his life. He was funny to watch!

Today we finally got some rain! And the high was only 79! Am I dreaming?Loving this cool down...Happy Tuesday!