Friday's Fancies & Get to Know Me

I've got some time to spare so this post is going to have a little extra :) Thank you in advance to those of you who make it through the whole post! :)

First - linking up with {av} @ {long distance loving}! Her blog is one of my favorites. Even if you can't relate to a long distance relationship, that isn't all her blog is about! For example, the Friday Fancies :) Definitely go check it out!

This week's theme is Best Foot Forward. So I might be obsessed with bows, and maybe I can't decide between gold & silver, but these are the shoes (and accessories) I would love to pair with that dress! Y'all go hop onto Polyvore & link up!

Next...I've seen a lot of bloggers doing "get to know me" questions for their newest followers. I think this is a great idea! I know when I find a new blog I always try and read a few posts back to try and understand what's going on in that blogger's world. I've been looking for questions to use and I'm going to borrow Pink Zin's questions that she posted this week! Feel free to join along in this, too :)

1. What time did you get up this morning? Set my alarm for 9:30! My brother was leaving today so I wanted to make sure I was up in time to say bye.

2. How do you like your steak? Medium well. I hate to see pink but I can't stand it burnt.

3. What was the last movie you saw at the theater? At the big theater I saw Young Adult. At The Lyric (our $5 movie theater downtown) I saw Puss in Boots! Definitely liked Puss in Boots way more. It was so funny!

4. What is your favorite TV show? Modern Family! I laugh so hard watching that show. The show that I love but isn't on anymore is Friday Night Lights. I'm currently watching it on Netflix! It's so good. I also really like the medical shows (Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice), Desperate Housewives, The Bachelor and American Idol!

5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Ideally on some tropical island, but I would miss my family.  Realistically, somewhere in the South. I really love the North Carolina coast and Charleston, SC.

6. What did you have for breakfast? Oops. Nothing. Actually, I had a molasses cookie. I made them last night! I'm really bad about skipping breakfast...I'm just not that hungry in the mornings! It's something I am working on.

7. Do you wear glasses or contacts? I've worn glasses since kindergarten and contacts since 6th grade. I primarily wear contacts throughout the day unless I'm sick or being lazy. Once I wore my glasses to work and the kids were in shock! It was pretty funny...they said I looked smarter!

8. What food do you despise? I don't particularly like sushi, mushrooms, olives or anything very hot/spicy! I'm a wimp.

9. Favorite Place to Eat? The Cheesecake Factory! My favorite place at home to eat is either Sal's or Olive Garden....I love my Italian food.

10. Favorite dressing? Caesar is my go-to...I'm not too fancy! I also really like apple and raspberry dressings, though.

11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? Jeep Compass. However, I don't drive to school! Talk about stressful...I take full advantage of our bus system for that! I'm so thankful for it - saves me lots of money on gas and time/stress finding a parking spot!

12. What are your favorite clothes? Comfy clothes...jeans, solid tee, cardigan, scarf. Yoga pants, cute t-shirt. In the summer I would love to live in a sundress and flip flops everyday!

13. Where would you visit, this weekend, if you had the chance? The Outer Banks!

14. How many tattoos do you have? None.

15. Where would you want to retire? Close to my family!

16. What is your desktop photo? I change my background all the time depending on time of year/occasions/etc! Currently it's this picture that I found on Pinterest:

 

 

17. Where were you born? Norfolk, VA. We were living in Va Beach at the time.

 

18. What is your favorite sport to watch? Baseball :) However, football is a close 2nd.

19. How many siblings? Two brothers!

20. Favorite pastime/hobby? Blogging, Pinterest, Scrapbooking, cleaning my room, shopping, watching shows/movies on Netflix.

21. Coffee drinker? Not a huge one! I do frequent Starbucks, though...

22. Are you a morning person or a night person? Morning person! I love sleeping in but it's much easier for me to wake up early than stay up late. I also love getting stuff done early rather than waiting around all day. During the semester, I go to bed by midnight almost every night! Grandma status...

23. Do you have any pets? Yes...I guess technically she belongs to Mom, but she is still my baby that I love to spoil!

Sadie

Happy Friday! :)

xoxo,

Holly Jolly Link-Up!

I'm so glad it's time for the Holly Jolly Swap link-up! I'm so glad that Ashley, Crystal & Emily set this up for all of us bloggers. I had a lot of fun shopping around, I was able to find a lot of new blogs through all of the participants and it gave me something to look forward to in the mail! Always fun! Thank you girls so much!

Here is what my Secret Santa Ashley from Everyday AEM sent to me!

Here is the adorable paper & bow it came wrapped in - I forgot to take a "before" picture!

Here is what she sent me!

An adorable handmade card with my personalized bookmark, Peachie-O's (my favorite), monogrammed stationary and The Twelve Days of Christmas in Virginia children's book!

I am so glad that Ashley and I were paired up because we have so much in common! I was so surprised/happy to find the Christmas book. I took it to work with me that following week and read it to the kids! They loved it! I then tested them afterwards on VA facts. It was so much fun!

How cute are they? I can't wait to use them!

Thank you Ashley for all the goodies! I absolutely love everything that you sent me :)

Check out Laura @ Life of Lu's post to see what I sent her! I didn't think to take any pictures...but she did! :) So glad to have made a new blog friend!


Sidenotes:

• Last night was, in one word, heartbreaking. I have a lot of frustration in me still with some bad plays and bad calls but I'm going to try and leave it in the past! What's done is done. I'm sorry if y'all think it's silly that we take the games so seriously ("it's just a game!") but here in Blacksburg...that's pretty much life. ESPECIALLY if you're a student. We love our Hokies!

• Back to work for me today! At least the kids have been back already two days so they won't be too wild...or is that wishful thinking?

•  I added a button! Please "grab it" if you would like! I don't know how to include the HTML underneath, so sorry about that! I also started to collect other people's...so if you have one and don't see yours on the right hand side of my blog towards the bottom, let me know! I'd be happy to add it :)

Happy Wednesday!
xoxo,

Top 5 Tuesday & GEAUX HOKIES!

Time for another Top 5 Tuesday link up with Rachel!

Favorite Jewelry Pieces

I only brought a couple jewelry pieces with me home (since I'm still on break) so I don't have my ultimate favorites, but I'll use the favorites out of the ones I brought! If that makes sense?

1. Pandora Bracelet - I got this for my birthday from Steven! I absolutely love it and am excited to watch it "grow". He told me that he wants to make it "blue themed" which I am excited for! Unfortunately one of the beads lost a stone so I had to send it back. I'm anxiously awaiting the replacement!

2. Classic Pearl Earrings - I would be lost without a couple pairs of these. They are my daily go-to earring when I'm not wearing some nice that I can pair with a more detailed earring.

3. Claddagh Ring - This is the piece of jewelry I wear every day no matter what! Steven gave it to me about two Christmases ago. Our initials & the date we started dating is engraved inside.

4. Gold & Silver Watch - I got this for my birthday from my Mom and I love it. The mix of gold and silver is exactly what I wanted, plus the size is perfect for wearing to class and work! I'm not used to wearing a watch - the only one I've ever had is a running watch - but I've worn it almost every day since I got it and am learning to look at it first for the time instead of my phone!

5. Gold Pearl Earrings from LOFT - I got these from my friend Jessi a couple of years ago! I absolutely love them...they're lightweight, classy and go with lots of fun outfits! I can wear them to class with a nice cardigan or out for special occasion with a dress.

Link up with Rachel today to share your favorite jewelry pieces!

Now it's time to get down to business and prepare for the SUGAR BOWL! I'm so equally excited and nervous to watch my Hokies play. In the words of Coach Taylor...Clear eyes, full hearts, CAN'T LOSE!

GO HOKIES!

*Giveaways:

Carolina on My Mind is having a $35 Red Dress Boutique gift card giveaway!


Pink Zin is having a fun "little bit of me" giveaway! Lots of goodies!

xoxo,

Fun Blog Finds & Upcoming Fun!

This morning as I was browsing blogs I found some fun things I would like to share! Hopefully the blog owners don't mind...they're just too fun/cute not to share!

Printables

20 Going On 80 has an awesome 60 Mile Countdown printable! This is great for anyone who has an exercise New Year's resolution, especially training for a race!

Visit her blog for the link to the printable!

LilyGene has an adorable 2012 calendar printable! This is perfect to slip into my binders/folders for school in case my agenda is out of reach. I might also put it on my ribbon board on my desk! There is also a link on her blog to print out each month :)

Visit her blog for the link to download!

Antique Monograms

I was looking at Maryland Pink & Green's blog and she had posted about Wedding Chicks offering free antique monograms! All you do is go to this page, pick your frame color, initial color & initial and voila! You can even go back & make more in different colors! Then save it to your computer :) Here is one of mine:

They are so fun!

Visited States Map

I found this first on In The Pink's blog but apparently it traveled from a few different ones! All you do is go to this page, click the states you've been to and it generates a map with the states colored in that you chose! It's fun to see where all you've been! Here's my map...clearly I'm an East coast girl! I did go to New Mexico though for a two-week backpacking trip one summer! Sidenote: I didn't count the states that I've only driven through or only been in an airport in. For example, I had an overlay in the Dallas airport but I definitely don't count that as going to TX!

Y'all should give it a try so I can see where everyone has been! One of the things on my bucket list is to visit every state! 

Now for the Upcoming Fun!

Today

The Winter Classic just started! GO FLYERS!

Steven & I are on the couch watching but definitely wishing we were there! Besides of course the freezing weather...

For lunch today we went to Cookout! It just opened a few days ago in Blacksburg. It was de-lish. My favorite things about it so far: Hush Puppies. Cheerwine. Crushed ice.

Any Cookout fans out there?

Then later tonight...The Bachelor starts! Soooo excited! The first night is always my favorite...aka I am not-so-secretly judging all of the contestants and claiming my favorites!

Will any of you be watching?

Tomorrow

Sugar Bowl, babyyyy! This will be another game I will be watching but wishing I was at! Mom, Steven and I are going to go to Bull & Bones to watch! SOOO excited! GO HOKIES!!!

Whew! Lots of fun to look forward to! Hope everyone is having a wonderful first Monday of the year! :)

xoxo,

Cover to Cover Book Club Link-Up #1

How to Be a Hepburn in a Hilton World

The Art of Living with Style, Class and Grace

By: Jordan Christy

1. What do you think is the most important piece of advice that Jordan Christy gave in this book?
To have self-respect.  It's the key difference between the Hepburns and the Hiltons.  If you want to be treated with respect and class you first have to learn to respect yourself.
I also love the part where she says if you wouldn't say something in front of your grandmother you shouldn't say it at all.
 
2. What do you think is the most obnoxious “Stupid Girl” characteristic?
The revealing clothing, for one.  The outfits that I see the college "Stupid Girls" wearing is ridiculous.  What they call a "dress" I would probably classify as a shirt.  Sadly they have come to think that "less is more".  I also find the desperate acts obnoxious...the fact that they will do almost anything for a guy's attention even if it makes them look like a fool.  I'm sorry but getting drunk and gracing everyone with your dance moves on the table is severely embarrassing for everyone. 


3. There were SO many great quotes in this book. Do you have a favorite?
I underlined so many! Here's one:
"Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, and riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character." - Horace Greeley, page 35 


4. What do you hate most about how our modern day media portrays women? Which celebrity do you dislike the most?
Going along with what Christy talks about, it bothers me that the media cares more about cheating scandals and sex tapes rather than women who are making a charitable difference somewhere in the world.  I'll be honest, I am a People magazine subscriber and I look forward to reading it each week.  However, one of the reasons I love People is because they don't always put made-up stories about drug addict celebrities or worse on the cover.  They include stories of courage, sacrifice and service, such as covering Giuliana Rancic's brave fight with breast cancer Gabrielle Giffords road to recovery and "Best Dressed" instead of "Guess Who's Cellulite This Is"...when you're in the spotlight it's impossible to think no one will care about your appearance, but I like when we focus on jewelry accessories, for example, rather than the physical aspects of someone's body.
My least favorite female celebrity is probably Heidi Montag.  She annoyed me on The Hills, had/has a jerk for a husband (no idea if they're still together...don't care) and then she ruined her body with plastic surgery and looks DUMB. Plus, she's one of those reality stars that tried to fit in with celebrities that actually did something worthwhile...not gonna happen.


 5. Jordan Christy said that one of the best ways to cultivate a healthy self-image is by celebrating your positive and unique qualities. If you have the time, take the “9 Types” Personality Test here: http://www.enneagraminstitute.com/dis_sample_36.asp Did you discover anything new about yourself? Which type are you? Which traits do you feel are most representative of you?
According to the test, I am a Type 2 - The Helper. I am not completely surprised with my results...I definitely see myself as friendly, generous and warm-hearted among the other characteristics.  I'm not really one to speak up with my own needs - that can be both a good and bad thing. That being said, I do know how to find help when/if I need it. I'm just usually worried about making other people happy!
 
 6. What are the top 5 things on your Smart Girl list? (goals to become a more articulate, knowledgeable, and well-rounded person.. see Jordan’s list on page 62)
1. Become a teacher
2. Read one book a month (goes along with my New Year's resolution)
3. Know more about what's going on in the world - not just in the U.S.
4. Become familiar with another language
5. Everyone once in a while say no to the chick-flick and yes to the Documentary
 
 7. One of Jordan’s suggestions for staying out of a rut with your group of friends is to travel together to your “signature cities.” If you have time, take the signature cities quiz here: http://www.testq.com/career/quizzes/84-whats-your-signature-city You will have to make an account to get your results, but it’s definitely worth it. What’s your signature city? Have you ever been there? Do you ever see yourself visiting your signature city in the future? Would you ever consider traveling to your signature city with your group of friends?
My result was Savannah, GA. I have indeed been to Savannah a few summers ago with a friend who has family there. We stopped there on our way to Hilton Head Island. I absolutely loved it there and I definitely want to go back! It has a lot of history, delicious food and lots of things to do while still having a laid back feel.  I would definitely consider going there with friends!
 
 8. Overall, what did you think about the book? What was your favorite part of the book? Least favorite?
I really liked this book and am glad that Ashley & Crystal chose it because otherwise I may never have discovered it.  I don't think there was any part that I didn't like. At some points it seemed like Christy was repeating herself, mostly in the beginning of the book talking about the Stupid Girls, but overall I think this book was informative and funny. I enjoyed all the quizzes and tips throughout. This is definitely one I will pass along to friends!


xoxo,