Prepping for Travel!

I have two trips coming up in the next two weeks that I am so pumped about! This Thursday-Sunday I'll be heading to Richmond with Steven for a super fun weekend! Of course we'll be hitting up Short Pump, but also will make it to a Flying Squirrels game, Busch Gardens and...the first annual bacon festival! That should definitely be an experience ;) Then, next Friday, I'm headed to the BEACH! I'll be relaxing on the North Carolina shore for one week. I absolutely cannot wait!

 Got all the goods! Sunscreen, a good book, eye protection, Jacks and pretty nails are all essential!   My iPad will be nice to entertain me on rainy days, or when I run out of books I have one on there! Plus, I'll have to keep up with my school work...WOMP!   Starbucks is needed in the car. Always.
Running shoes are coming with me since I'm training this summer for two big races in the fall!
I just got a new striped beach tote that I lovvvve...I'll be sure to share a picture of it!     What are some of your summer travel essentials?

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 :)

Guest Post: Laura from Life of Lu

Versatile Pieces for Your Spring Break Getaway!

Hey everyone, it's Laura from Life of Lu, and I couldn't be more thrilled to be guest posting for the lovely Sarah while she's on Spring Break! I adore Sarah's blog and have been a follower since connecting with her through a Secret Santa swap this past December!

I am super excited to share a few of my Spring Break items of choice because I've learned through the years that you have to be strategic when it comes to packing... choosing items that you can layer, dress up, and dress down depending on the activity/weather! Because we all know the weather in March (when most Spring Breaks are) is anything but predictable!

My favorite example of this was my sophomore year Spring Break trip to NYC in which it was 70 degrees and sunny on the Wednesday we arrived and snowing by Friday. Thanks the good Lord that I packed rain boots or I would have been screwed with my shoe choices (Just imagine trudging all over the city on the slushy streets in flats...yikes!). 

Or there was the time that I thought since I was going to the Bahamas that I could just pack all tank tops and bikinis...yeah, I regretted that decision at night!

I know most of us Spring Breakin' it are trying to go someplace warm, but we also have to be prepared for some colder night temps, so I put together a little Polyvore ensemble of my go-to items when I need to pack for a trip, and the weather is going to be questionable!

 1. Cute, flowy tops with a different sleeve lengths

2. Lightweight jacket for layering

3. Comfy, casual, long-sleeved dress...can wear by itself of over leggings

4. Patterned scarf...need I explain!?

5. Bright colored tank-tops...perfect by itself or worn under a jacked or cardigan at night

6. Skinny jeans...perfect with any outfit

7. Dressier wedge or heel for those evenings out!

8. Rainbows or other flip flops for the beach or walking about

9. Colored flats for day or night

10. Neutral tote bag that can go with any ensemble

11. Bright colored clutch for evenings

12. Solid-colored cardigan...preferable navy, black, or white so it's super versatile

13. Super cool shades

14. Fun-colored chino shorts (might I recommend J.Crew's!?)

15. Colored bracelets to spice up any outfit

16. Statement necklace to make...well, a statement!

17. Fun dress that can be glamified or worn casually

The wheels are already turning in my head about all of the different outfits I could make with these items...for hot weather during the day or a chilly evening! Now I just need to plan that trip! 

Again, a huge thanks to Sarah for having me on her blog! I hope everyone has the BEST day!

Guest Post: Emmalee from Everyday Emmalee

Hey Sarah’s followers! This is Emmalee from EverydayEmmalee. I’m so honored that Sarah allowed me to guest post for her today!
Since she is traveling and many of us will be flying in the next coming months,
I thought it would be helpful to share some great must have travel items with
you all!

1. Digital Luggage scale.
Now, you obviously don’t want to use this on the flight, but it’s a
great tool to use before you even leave your house! Make sure your luggage is
under the 50-pound limit so you don’t have to transfer items at check in (Been
there-done that…one word: embarrassing.)

2. Entertainment.
This is a must. Pack your iPod, iPad, laptop, book, Kindle, etc! Whatever you
own. Make sure you have something to read or to do on that (short or long) flight of yours. I
like to pick up a couple magazines before I board my flight too. Oh, and don’t
forget those headphones or earbuds and a charger!

3. Water Bottle.
Pack an empty water bottle and fill it up at a water fountain once you pass
through security. This is save you from buying overpriced water at the airport! You can never drink too much water while
flying...My personal favorite is my Nalgene bottle.

4. Hand Sanitizer.
I carry this with me all the time- let alone on my flights! I use it after many
things: escalator ride…flight (you know how many hands and arms have rested on that hand
rest??...gross!). I’m not obsessive about sanitizer but I do like clean,
germ-free hands!

5. Tide To Go Pen.
I have a habit of spilling food, drinks-anything on myself… and the Tide to go
pen has saved my outfits countless times. These pens are good for removing: tea, wine, grape juice, chocolate syrup, BBQ sauce, ketchup, coffee, and more! What a great invention. Make sure you
pick one up before you embark on your trip! You’ll use it beyond the flight.

6. GloMinerals
Perfecting Powder. Makeup? Yes! My T-zone gets oily when I fly and I never
leave home without this product! I like to touch up my t-zone right before I
land! Perfecting Powder can be used as often as necessary over your foundation to give a shine-free finish.You’ll use this product long after the flight!

Hope this list will help you out in the near future!  

Happy and
Safe Travels!

Happy Birthday Sadie & I'm off!!

Happy Friday!!

Today is a very special day...it's our sweet puppy Sadie's 2nd birthday!

I remember when we brought her home from the shelter two years ago (in May) and she was only this big...

Now here she is this morning!

She is honestly the most perfect puppy we could have ever asked for.

She is so smart, loving, and playful.

We love you, Sadie!

This afternoon we are off to Northern Virginia to stay with family for the night and then we're flying out to California tomorrow! I'm so excited!!

I have some WONDERFUL guest bloggers lined up for next week to share with you some fun, fun things! Make sure to stop by and share some love!

If you want to follow my adventure for the week, make sure to follow me on Twitter and/or instagram (@slryan3)!

Have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,