101 in 1001 Update

* GreenForce Labs provided me with pre-workout supplements via BrandBacker to use and review. All opinions are my own. 

It is so hard for me to believe that this year is coming to an end! I am just blown away by everything that has happened this past year. From making lifelong friends to learning more about myself through this little blog, 2014 has been a year of growth and change. 

At the beginning of 2014, I decided to take part in the 101 in 1001 challenge and am finally taking some time to reflect on all I have accomplished from this list. 

From the finance section I am proud to say I received my first credit card and have been working diligently on my credit! I have also been adding to savings each time I receive a paycheck! 

The sorority section in my list is a touchy subject. When I decided to transfer from Mercer to Georgia Southern, I had to make the decision to leave my sisterhood. Georgia Southern does not have a chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta so I no longer have the option of completing any sorority goals. 

Fitness has been one of the areas where I have fallen short in my goals list. I want to expand my fitness routines and try out other programs other than my 3x a week group fitness classes at my college. I aim to finish this section in 2015 and plan to add a few more items to this list as well. My best friend and I have already enrolled in a Boot Camp that begins in January and is twice a week through April. I have a feeling my yoga self is going to get its booty beat but that is what I am aiming for! The GreenForce pre-workout supplements will surely be an essential during these months when I am dragging from a full day of class!

The travel section of my list has moved slightly but for the most part has remained untouched. Though I am starting out the new year on a seven day road trip. Let's hope that means this section will be completed in the next year! 

For my college section I should have added "transfer to a new college" because that is pretty much all I have done! I have met personally with my professors for 3 out of 3 as well so I am not doing terribly there! 

Domestic and Personal are my two most successful categories for 2014! I got my own apartment, cooked several times for my boyfriend and I, redid my at home bedroom, and gave homemade gifts in 2014! I also got a massage and a pedicure though I am in need of another along with a facial! I have read 8 books this year which is a number I am ok with! 

My love section seems to be lacking as well. The only thing from the list w have done is go on a monthly date! We will definitely be working on the others in the new year! 

What are you planning to accomplish in 2015?

Christmas Red and Green

It's Christmas Eve! I can not believe that Santa will be making his rounds tonight, so soon! Soon, I will not be able to wear my red and green Christmas outfits without standing out as a sore thumb so I will live it up these next two days! I am off to cook Christmas dessert but I hope that you all have a wonderful day. 

Statement Necklace // Bow // White Dress // Cardigan // Patterned Leggings // Tulle Skirt // Green Sweater // Branch Necklace // Red Dress // Black Boots


Tell me, what do you wear on Christmas Eve/Christmas?

Downtown Darks

Dress: old (similar) // Tights: Target // Flats: Target // Necklace and Watch: Charming Charlies // Bracelet: A Southern Memory

Six days my friends until it is no longer fashionably acceptable to wear Christmas items. This Christmas I will be staying at home so I will more that likely wear this vest instead of this dress but I am heading to Mississippi in the few days following Christmas for a New Year's wedding, so this dress may make an appearance then. Also three days after Christmas is our (Dylan and myself) three year dating anniversary so I see a nice dinner in my future to which I also may wear this outfit. 

These photos were taken by Dylan Stembridge in Downtown Augusta! 

What are you wearing for Christmas?

Linking up with: Pastries, Pumps, and Pi

Christmas Vests and Georgia Swamps

Vest: My Mothers // Cami: Forever 21 // Pants: Forever 21 // Boots: Old (similar) // Necklace: A Southern Memory // Bracelet: Gift 

Gahh! There is one week left until Christmas and I am stoked! This biggest struggle about Christmas in my area is the temperature. Christmas sweaters just do not cut it when the weather is reaching nearly 80 degrees each day. Therefore, I love to deck out in vests almost daily. The location of these photos is a small swamp that my boyfriend and I found about thirty minutes from our house. I had previously heard about the place but never traveled there. It was pretty but dry, still it wielded great images! 

Holiday Gift Guide for the Beauty Buff

* The face serum, eye serum, moisturizer and facial mist were provided to me by InstaNatural and Evian via BrandBacker. All opinions are my own.

Face Wipes // Chap Stick // Face Serum // Dry Shampoo // Moisturizer // Sunscreen // Facial Mist // Face Mask // Cleansing Wash // Eye Serum

I don't know why but lately I have become quite obsessed with beauty products. Maybe it is the changing weather that is causing me to focus more on my skin or maybe it's the fact that I am on break and have more time on my hands. Either way, with the dryer weather that winter brings I tend to spend a more time focusing on perfecting my winter morning and night routines. It is likely that you or someone you know is also somewhat obsessed with beauty products, so why not give a gift bag filled with these goodies. Whether you choose a serum from InstaNatural, a facial mist from Evian, or a face wash from Burt's Bees, you will definitely choose a winning gift.


What is your favorite beauty product?

Monday Inspiration

Happy Monday lovelies! Today I am officially on my winter break and I am spending my first off day doing the thing I love the most... OT. I will be spending the next five days shadowing a pediatric OT at the center where I have worked for the past three years! I can not deny that I am ecstatic to be spending the next few days with my kids that I have been away from for about six months. 

Also, I have great content planned for this week and am excited to be working on updating my 101 in 1001 list soon (my 1 year of the list is coming up January 1!) Alas, I am choosing to make this week amazing and I challenge you to do the same! Make a list of things you want to accomplish this week, and get to work on making those goals realities! Then share below what you plan to accomplish and I will send you encouragement throughout the week to get you to those goals! 

Have an amazing week guys! 

Cupcake Season

Sweater: Target (similar) // Jeans: Forever 21 // Boots: Old // Necklace: A Southern Memory

Who needs the Victoria Secret Fashion show when you have cupcakes?! I have an obsession with cupcakes that began about 20 years ago. I have multiple collections of cupcakes and cupcake making supplies so when I saw this sweater last year, I had to buy it! I paired it with dark skinnies and my go to boots (that are so old they are cracking and peeling) to go out on a walk with my boyfriend. We wound up in Sweetheart Circle on my campus which happened to be the perfect backdrop for pictures and a lovely atmosphere for a cupcake picnic!

Linking up with: Style Me Wednesday, The Pleated Poppy, Because Shanna Said So, Pastries, Pumps, and Pi, Cappuccino and Fashion, Tucker Up.

Cannons and Cupcakes

What a weird title for a blog post?! How can cannons and cupcakes ever go together? Well.... they don't but my boyfriend and I recently took a trip to Ft. Pulaski, Savannah, and Tybee Island and we got the best of both worlds. 

We arrived at Ft. Pulaski just in time to watch them fire the cannon, which was pretty darn cool. My boyfriend also captured this shot as the cannon fired! Then we walked around a bit until we got too hungry to continue. We drove over to the North Beach Bar and Grill where we indulged in crab cakes and sweet potato fries then we hit the beach. The sun was setting when we made it to the sad which resulted in some beautiful pictures and a perfect background for the cupcakes we devoured. Once the sun was gone and night came, we walked along the shore with a light finding shells for a little while. Then we packed up and headed home. Once again I am thankful I only live forty-five minutes from this place!

Linking up with: Treasure Box Tuesday

Holiday Gift Guide for her

*The Moisturizer was provided to me by InstaNatural through Brandbacker. All Opinions are my own.

Bow // Beanie // Sweater // Journal // Perfume // Yoga Pants // Moisturizer (option 2) // Scarf // Candle // Throw Blanket 

Linking up with: Your Whims, Pin Worthy Wednesday

Sweater Weather

Sweater: Macys // Jeans: Old Navy // Boots: Old (similar) // Boot Cuffs: made by my mother (similar) // Necklace and Bracelet: A Southern Memory // Ring: Gift (similar)

This past week it has been a crazy mix of temperatures. From being chilly in the 50s and 60s early this week to reaching nearly 80 the past two days, we have experienced multiple seasons. It has definitely been difficult picking out my daily outfit because when I leave for class it's cool and when my class dismisses it is nearly shorts weather. Alas, I am longing for the days where I can don this new sweater that I got half price on Black Friday for the day. I am halfway done with finals with only four to go next week and then I will be starting my OT job shadow the following week. I can not deny the fact that I am so ready to be back working with some kiddos! Spending all my time around people my own age is super difficult! Oh! My etsy store, A Southern Memory, is undergoing a re-branding that will be launching in January! Get excited for new products and a new look! Tomorrow I will be selling my jewelry at the Statesboro Holiday Celebration and all the jewelry that does not sell will be clearanced to make room for my new items! Be on the lookout for some great deals this weekend!

Linking up with: Let Your Light Shine, Sincerely Jenna Marie, Three-fer Thursday, Throw Back Thursday, Thankful Thursday

Black and Gold

Top: Old (similar) // Pants: Forever 21 // Boots: Ross (similar) // Necklace: A Southern Memory

So far this week I have completed three finals and I have four to go. You could say I am running on fumes! However, in the midst of the craziness, I like to take some time to get outside and enjoy nature! The GSU Botanical Gardens is quickly becoming one of my favorite places due to the fact that it is only a few miles away and it is free to the public! Even though the majority of the plants are not in bloom it is still a beautiful place to walk around after being cooped up studying for a while! Today I threw on my favorite color combo (black on black) and went for a stroll. The location brought out the beauty in this outfit and I can not explain my obsession with this natural shell necklace! 

What's your go to outfit? I would love to hear (and possibly steal your ideas!)

Linking up with: The Pleated Poppy, Cappuccino and Fashion, Style Me Wednesday, Because Shanna Said So, Who's Wearing What, Chic Street Style, My Girlish Whims, Tucker Up, I feel Pretty

Holiday Gift Guide for Men

It's time to buy that special gift for the many in your life! From beanies to bracelets you will find something for every man on your list! (boyfriends, brothers, best guys friends, and dads)

Sweater // Cuff // Watch // T-Shirt // Pocket Knife // Wallet // Beanie // Cologne

What are you getting the man in your life?

Linking up with: Pin Worthy Wednesday, Your Wims Wednesday

Happy Thanksgiving

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all! I am spending this day stuffing my face and falling into a food coma while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the National Dog Show. Following my food coma, I will be bundling up and heading to the mall for Black Friday! 

My friend Lecie, has challenged me to post 10 things I am thankful for and I am ready to take the challenge. I want to start by saying that this year has been one of many ups and downs. From transferring colleges to leaving my kiddos, and from having to leave my sorority to figuring life out at a new place I have been faced with many challenges. However, I can, without a doubt, say that I am oh so incredibly happy with everything in my life right now. 

1. Dylan. aka: boyfriend. He is my rock and my number one fan. He is a pretty awesome photographer as well :)
2. Mommy. She is my best friend and I could not ask for a better supporter in my life
3. My dad and my brother. They keep me laughing and are always there for me when I need a little assistance. Whether it be rent money or fixing my computer, I can count on them!
4. The Center for New Beginnings. I was lucky to find this wonderful place that fills my heart with joy. I am also so blessed to call it my summer job. 
5. My co-workers. Though I do not work at the center during the school semesters, I still count the ladies that work there as my co-workers. They have become some of my best friends in my hometown and I am so thankful to have met them. 
6. Georgia Southern University. I am happy to call this place my temporary home. Though I am not a huge fan of the town it is located in, I am in love with the campus and the classes here. It is a great temporary home until I move on to bigger and better things!
7. Exercise Science, for being an awesome major and getting me excited, once again, about college and my future!
8. My blog friends. I never expected to make connections with people I haven't met, but I love the blogging community and have definitely make some lifelong friends. 
9. #fireworkpeople, for being an awesome group of ladies that support me and light a fire inside my soul and inspire me to chase after my dreams! 
10. You guys! For supporting me by reading my blog and leaving sweet little comments.

Pants: New York & Co. // Boots: Old (similar) // Necklace: A Southern Memory

Stained and Sheer

In my hometown there are many beautiful landmarks that often go unnoticed. This old church has been one of my favorite buildings in my town since I was a little girl. We used to pass this church on the way to my grandma's house and I have watched over the years as the condition has gotten worse. The beautiful stained glass windows have began to become shattered and the nature has nearly taken over the past few years. Despite nature winning this church is still beautiful in its own way. I was so glad to have a chance to take some pictures at this location because it made the perfect setting for this wonderfully holidayish outfit! 

Tank: Old Navy // Pants: Forever 21 // Sheer Top: H&M // Necklace: Rocksbox // Boots: Ross (similar) // Bracelet: c/o Southern Three // Ring: Gift from Boyfriend (similar)

I had intentions of sharing my the Black Friday sales that I am most looking forward to yesterday, but due to a touch of food poisoning I did not leave my bed. I am planning to do two rounds of Black Friday! My first round will be after supper with my boyfriend followed by a nap and a 6am round with my mom!

• Express - 50% off everything (I have my eye on a New Years sparkly dress!)
• Old Navy - 50% off everything (I need more yoga crops)
• Target - Multiple items on sale (I am going mostly because I have an obsession with Target)
• H&M - up to 60% off (I am obsessing over this oversize sweater)
• Bed Bath and Beyond - 20% off (I plan to stock up on soap)

I will be stopping in other stores as well (yay for inside malls) but these are my "must go" places!

Where will you be shopping for Black Friday? 

Linked up with: WIWW, Thursday Favorites, Whims Wednesday, Tucker Up, Pretties, Style Me Wednesday, Lisa A La Mode, Style To Inspire