Beach Bum :: OBX

We're on day 4 of our beach week in Avon!

I am absolutely in heaven. If you've never been to the Outer Banks, you are missing out!

Sadie got to come and let me tell you...she is a beach dog! She would run up and down the beach all day long if we let her. She enjoys biting at the foam and running from waves!

Of course my week has been/will continue to be enjoyed in Lilly! Nothing says summertime better!

Our house has an ocean view which is absolutely wonderful! It takes 60 seconds to get your toes in the sand. Perfect!

Speaking of which...I need to go get my toes back in the sand!

I'll update more later!

Until then, if you know of any OBX hidden treasures that I should visit before I leave on Friday, let me know!

Have a great week!

Mani Mania :: Spring Nails & Happy Birthday Sadie!

I am ALL about springtime :) Spring clothing, spring colors, spring activities...and spring nail polish! After all, I only have one more week until Spring Break ;)   Essie's Spring 2013 line is SO beautiful.

From l-r: Madison Ave-Hue, Go Ginza, Avenue Maintain, Bond With Whomever, Maximillian Strasse Her, Hip-Anema

My top faves have to be Madison Ave-Hue, Bond With Whomever and Avenue Maintain!   I cannot get over these shades! I want all of them!   Right now my nails are painted "dim sum plum" by OPI:

A little messy. Oh well! I'm also trying out the Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top Coat. It's supposed to keep your manicure for 10 days -- we'll see! I wish I could keep up a shellac mani, but that is expensive!     I'm off to celebrate my pup's 3rd birthday!! I can't believe she is 3! Happy Birthday Sadie :)

Baby!!

Christmas nap!

We put her through a rollercoaster this year adding Belle to the mix!

LOVE THIS SWEET PUP!

She has turned into the best snuggler!

Happy weekend!

5 December Favorites

I've been trying to catch up on reading blogs -- it's almost impossible! I've missed a lot. I've been doing lots of reading, not a lot of commenting. Once I'm caught up, that will be easier :)   I wanted to fill y'all in on 5 fun things I've done so far in December!   But first, I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!   1. 22nd Birthday For my 22nd birthday, I had...lots of studying to do. BOO! But, I did get to start my day in kindergarten! My sweet teacher and students had a card, balloons and gift waiting for me! They are seriously too good to me.  I am so lucky to be with the best kindergarteners in the world :)

After class it was time for our family dinner! Here's what I wore:

 Lilly Joycee tunic, giant teardrop necklace from Groopdealz!

We went to dinner at a local restaurant, 622 North. Yum, yum, yum.

  2. Army v Navy Football Game Steven's family invited me to tag along for football game between Army and Navy.  One of Steven's brothers is at the Naval Academy and we went to last year's game, too.

 GO NAVY!

3. Hokie Basketball

I'm somewhat embarrassed to say it, but I hardly ever go to basketball games.  Of all the sports to watch, basketball probably isn't in my top 8.  However, once finals were said and done with, we headed to one of the weekend games vs Georgia Southern! Although the Hokies lost, I still had fun and I have high hopes for the team this season!   4. Picking out our Christmas tree

 We went to a family farm down in McCoy

 James starts the cut

 And, I had to help ;)

Taking our tree home!
5. Playing with my crazy, and most of the time sleeping, pets

 Belle peeking outside

 sink cat.

 Best friends and pet sisters

Snoozing, waiting for Santa

 Belle's 1st Christmas!

 Worn out from opening presents.

Seriously - they have slept all day! Oh, the life of a dog...

My December has been full of many blessings! Not to mention Christmas day, which was simply wonderful. Another post on that tomorrow, maybe!
Today is my Mom's birthday! We're going to see Silver Linings Playbook and then having dinner in Roanoke. I'm excited! Anyone seen that movie? Steven and his family are also heading home today. We still have to finish our gift exchange! Lots of fun :)
Have a wonderful day!

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!

Blogger 411!

I've seen this post on so many blogs today! I am just loving reading everyone's answers, so I figured I'd share mine! :)

It's being hosted by From Mrs. to Mama! Y'all should link up sometime this week!

1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed?I've been blogging since May of 2011, I believe! My roommate and I made blogs just for fun. I had no idea I'd still be blogging today. At first my blog was kind of boring...it's definitely changed more into who I am and what I like! I don't always blog about my life - I'll throw in posts about things/outfits/stores/trends that I like!
2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?I am proud to say that I attend Virginia Tech! I'm a SENIOR! I'm studying Human Development/Elementary Education. Prepping for grad school next year...

trekking to my 8 am last semester

 I love my school SO much!
3. Where have you traveled?I've never been outside of the country, but the most memorable trips within the USA for me have been to New Mexico (to Philmont for a 2 week backpacking trip), New York City, Chicago, West Palm Beach, HHI, Charleston, etc.

New Mexico

4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?A new car! I love my car, but I would love one with better gas mileage. I would then buy a vacation.
 5. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?1. Smoking. Absolutely disgusting.2. Chewing with an open mouth.3. Wild children in restaurants...jumping in booths, screaming, walking around eating food...it's so annoying! Once a girl literally came up and stood over my shoulder chewing in my ear. Her parents didn't even look/care!!
6. What is your favorite movie?The Notebook or The Sandlot. Or Dumb and Dumber.I like to fall in love, and laugh.
7. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?I like beer out of the first three and Water or Sweet Tea out of the second! However, my favorite soda is Coca Cola classic with Dr. Pepper coming in at a close, close second. (And no, Mr. Pibb will never do...)
8. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?Go shopping :) I love to shop by myself. I also like watching shows online and going on runs!
9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?Target! Lots of people are saying this, but it's perfect! They have everything!
10. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.I can't think of a really embarrassing one, but the one that comes to mind is going ALL day with the price tag hanging out the back of my dress. I walked across campus and to my classes with it hanging out until finally a nice girl in Comm told me and I ripped it out!I have a bad habit of trying things on before I take off the tag (in case i don't like it) and then deciding I'll wear it for the day! :/
11. What day would you love to relive again?My day at Disney with Steven :) 

12. If your life was turned into a movie... what actor would play you?I have no clue! Perhaps Jennifer Garner? She is a good balance of sweet/fun/sass/bad ass...which is what I hope for my life, haha
13. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?I worked at "Party Central" which is a small party supplies store. I am a master balloon bouquet maker. I also worked at a daycare which I LOVED for about a year until it closed. I also worked at the VT bookstore for a couple of months! Then it was to my current job :) 
14. Show us a picture from high school or college.

Some of my XC girls in high school!

15. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?Either a tropical island, Ireland or Italy!
16. Show us the most current picture of you or you, or your family, or anything of meaning to you. 

 A recent picture of Sadie. I think she approves of our new rug from IKEA!
17. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?Graduated, teaching, living in my own house, puppy (or two) and hopefully planning a wedding or married!  That was fun! Hope y'all learned a bit about me :)