4.29.2014

Dairy Free

Hi again!

I must admit I am writing this post a little later than normal, but it was a long day that began with  a chemistry exam and proceeded into some packing.

However, I want to share a little bit about a challenge I am undertaking for the month of May!

I am going Dairy Free!

Why? There are many reasons for cutting dairy out of the diet including better skin, stronger bones, and a healthier digestion. It also helps with weight loss so I can say good bye to that Freshman 15. I am choosing to go dairy free because I feel it will help with some of the severe stomach problems I have experienced. I have been told before to cut out milk, and it's been several years since I've drank straight milk, and it's been a huge benefit to me. (I do drink soy/almond milk on occasion.)

So help be in saying good-bye to ice cream, cheese, and eggs for a month. I look forward to keeping ya'll updated with how it is going!

Source
Loyally, 

Beth


4.28.2014

Pura Vida Bracelets - Giveaway

Hey Guys,

One of the really cool things that has happened in my life lately is that I became a Pura Vida Campus Rep. Pura Vida Bracelets is a company that gives back by providing full time jobs to the people of Costa Rica and also donates portions of certain bracelets to charities across the USA.

Pura Vida treats their Campus Rep very well. They send out little care packages to them and give them a code to share with others for them to receive discounts!

If you are interested in shopping Pura Vida Bracelets use the code "Jenkins10" to get 10% off.

Also, today to share the love of Pura Vida Bracelets, I am giving away two of the new bracelets that Pura Vida sent to me in my care package.

Good Luck and Happy Entering!

(also Happy Final's week to all those collegiates in my boat!)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Loyally,

Beth

4.27.2014

Sunday Sum-Up 4.27.14

Hello,

It has been such a long time since I have shared a Sunday Sum-Up. I blame this mostly on the busy lifestyle of an undergrad but I also know this has to do with me being lazy.

So much has happened in the past few weeks, I don't even know where to begin!

First things first, I have officially made the decision to transfer colleges in the fall. I will be leaving the beautiful Mercer University campus for (hopefully) the University of North Georgia. I am looking forward to the change and realize how blessed I am from the support I have received from this decision.

Second I have been putting forward more effort into my blog and it has actually made me happier. I start thinking about what I want to blog about in a given week and have made a schedule to go by. I give a great deal of thanks to the Her Campus Blogger Network which is filled with a bunch of wonderful ladies who have become my friends. I officially love blogging.

Literally my life is dominated by HCBN!
Recently I went home for Easter, which was a great break from college. I had way too many ice cream floats with my mom and dyed Easter eggs with Dylan. I then returned back to school to prepare for exams!


As it stands now, I have 3 exams, 2 papers, and 1 presentation separating me from Summer. I could not be happier!

Thanks you guys for reading my rambling thoughts, it means the world to me!

Loyally, 

Beth



4.26.2014

Camelbak Life

Hello guys!

Happy Saturday to you! 

Today was IRD (International Reunion Day) for Alpha Gamma Delta which is awesome and my chapter held a luncheon and welcomed many alumni from all over. Since it was a more formal event, I did something crazy! 

I left my water bottle in my room...

If you know me, you know that I am constantly carrying a water bottle with me. I never go anywhere without it. So today I felt quite "naked" without it. Alas, I made it through! However, I quickly refilled my water bottle when I returned to my room before my next expedition. (eco-friendly for the win!) 

Now I must admit my water bottle collection is embarrassingly large (probably in the 25+ range...) but I do have a favorite! My blue insulated Camelbak is it. I waited two years for this water bottle because I wanted it as a gift and no one would spend $20 on a water bottle for me but I eventually talked my boyfriend, Dylan, into making the purchase and I have, thus far, gotten more that $20 of use out of it. 

I also use it as my personal sticker collection (because I can NOT bring myself to put stickers on my $600 computer). I assume people judge my "stickered up" bottle but I lack care for their opinions. (oops)

So in case you were wondering what my favorite water bottle looks like:


(It's kind of beat up from the many times it's slipped or jumped out of my hand, and I took these lovely, high quality photos as I was writing this, so yeah....)



Loyally, 

Beth

4.25.2014

The Colors of Spring

Hello Ladies,

Today I want to share with you my two new favorite nail colors for the spring! I like to keep my nails pretty colors during this time but was not feeling like going down the road of pastels like I normally do. Thus, these are my new go to colors currently.



The first color is a pale blue (I ripped the name off) by Salon Perfect. It is almost pastel but not quite which makes me super happy. It is like I am just barely stepping out of my comfort zone but it's a step worth taking.


My second choice for spring is a huge leap out of my comfort zone. Go Granny Apple by Salon Perfect is a bright green that absolutely pops! It is a happy color and something I would normally not choose for myself. However my mother talked me into this purchase and I will gladly admit that she was right!


Loyally,

Beth

4.22.2014

Dear Class of 2014

Dear Class of 2014,

Many of you will be graduating [high school] next month and I want to share with you some of the things I have learned as a first year college student.

First things first, do not wish this next month away. Cherish it. Cherish the free time you currently have because next fall you will not have any. Cherish the friendships you have now because some of them (not all) will last a lifetime. Cherish the money you have now because that too will soon be gone. Cherish your last summer before you move off (or not) to college. Cherish the lack of responsibility you have now because you will soon be loaded with more than you ever wanted. Cherish everything in your life now because the next year will be tough.

As the summer comes to a close and you are getting more and more excited about heading off remember to not bring EVERYTHING you own to college. I made this mistake and barely had room to store everything, and it will take me two truckloads to take everything back. Plus you will receive so much free stuff the first year you will automatically double everything you bring.

The first week of classes is easy (Syllabus week!) so use this time wisely, read your syllabus and record all the dates of tests and major assignments in an agenda. Do this for every class, even your physical education classes. If you do not have an agenda, buy one. It is the definition of a life saver when you are balancing school work, jobs, and student organizations. When midterms roll around and your brain is going at speeds unknown of by the rest of the world, it is nice to have everything planned out. You may thing your Pre-Lab quiz is not something worthy of writing down, but when you have 3 tests and 2 papers that same week you will easily forget it.  (and Hey, that's 5 additional points)

After the first week you will notice that people have friends already. If you are one of those people who already has a big group of besties then you are doing it right. However if not, you may want to look into joining a student organization. Actually, get up and go join a student organization. They need members and you need friends so it's a win win. For me, it was Greek Life. I rushed in the fall and found my group. I was one of the lucky ones who found a place where I clicked and met some really awesome people. However, if Greek Life is not for you there are many religious, service, recreational, and special interest clubs out there for you. I promise.

Speaking of religious organizations, if you are religious find a group that shares the same values as you and join. This was my number one shortcoming of my first year. I chose not to join a religious organization on the assumption that since I was coming in with a strong faith, I did not need others to keep my faith alive. Boy was I wrong. I found myself unhappy and angry for a good portion of my first semester, which continued into the beginning of my second semester. When I found peace was when I started tuning back into my religion and I realize much of the bad moments of my first year could have easily been avoided had I joined a religious organization and continued to study my religion and keep up my faith and values.

I mentioned being unhappy in the above paragraph. The number one thing NOT to do in college is be unhappy. Think about it this way, you are at a completely new place with new people. If you do not like a certain person, don't spend time with them. If you do not like an organization you joined the first week, you are not obliged to stay in it. If you are hating all of your classes, you can change your major. You do not have to do anything that will make you unhappy.

Changing majors is a big issue with many college students. I will have you know, I have changed my major three times in the span of one year and I am happy with that decision. College is a time where you will explore and be exposed to a multitude of new things. You will see the world in new ways and your view will change. Maybe you wanted to be a psychologist but you have now realized being a teacher is more your style. That is okay! I promise that too! If your choice makes you happy, then make it without regret. Many students are afraid of what their parents will say about them changing majors but ultimately it is your life, and your decision to make. This is not me saying disobey your parents, but kindly let them know that you are now an adult who has to make your own decisions.

Sometimes there comes a point where you realize that you may have chosen the wrong college or that college in general is just not right for you. Once again, this is okay. Transfer students exist for a reason. There are so many colleges in the world and choosing the right one is hard to do. I thought I had chosen the right college, but as it turns out I did not and will be transferring in the fall to a different college. My brother began college but was given a great job offer so he did not graduate. Both of these situations are in no way the wrong thing to do.

So Dear Class of 2014,

Make big plans but don't make yourself believe that you have to follow them out exactly as planned. That will not happen. You are young. You are just starting out. Your possibilities are endless.

Enjoy the ride!


Loyally,

Beth



4.19.2014

Hometown Pride - 2014 Masters

Every year around this time something inside of me changes and makes me well up with pride. It is the season of The Masters. If you don't know what that it, I feel bad for you. However, to spare you the trouble I will just inform you that it's a golf tournament and it's a big deal in my neck of the woods. Being from a small town, we all get riled up when something big comes around. The second week of April does that for us.

The Masters. 


A time when golf fans and bandwagon golf fans alike join forces and cheer for the top choice winner that year. It is a time when every restaurant and shop puts a golf cart out front to show their support. It is a time where every hotel and bed and breakfast spruce up their appearance to attract the high-end attendees of this tournament.


This year I spent The Masters in Macon, GA at college. Sadness welled inside of me when I realized I would not be facing the traffic in Augusta this year. I would not be people watching the attendees this year and I would not be inching down Washington Road just to simply be amazed by the amount of cars in one area. However, it was all ok when I heard people talking about The Masters and knowing that that's something that will always be a part of who I am. I take pride in coming from the city of The Masters and I will always feel that pride during the second week of April.


Now, for all my fellow college friends, let's take a moment at praise this years winner, Bubba Watson. After his 1.6 million dollar win, he did what any normal person would do. He went to Waffle House and Steak and Shake to celebrate and even took a selfie to prove it. Could we ask for a better winner? Props to you, Bubba!



Loyally, 

Beth

4.16.2014

Glitter Ombre Nails

If you are anything like me you simply love having your nails painted. I always like to try out cool designs on my nails and today I opted to try out a DIY glitter ombre on my nails.

I started with Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Coral Reef and Golden.



I then painted two layers of Coral Reef as my base.



Then using a make up sponge, I dabbed the tip in the Golden polish and dabbed it on the tips of each nail slightly fading as I worked my way to the base of the nail.


This is how it turned out! (Please excuse my non-photogenic nails.)


What is your opinion on nail designs? If you try this let me know how it turns out!


Loyally, 

Beth


4.15.2014

April Love in a Box

Hey lovelies!

I am super excited to share the April Love in a Box I received from my new friend Rebeka! Rebeka blogs about fashion and nearly everything else at Southern Ervin Living. She has amazing style and did a wonderful job packing this box for me!


The color scheme for this box made me instantly happy when I opened it. Yellows, oranges, and pinks really complemented the spring theme she was going for. 


The first thing I noticed was this beautiful Kate Spade notebook. I love notebooks of all kinds and this one honestly makes me happy when I look at it. 


There were also some bright and colorful kitchen towels and these awesome re-usable sandwich bags. Honestly, how inventive are these little bags?!?


Then I decided to give the lotion I received a test. It literally smells like spring, I am so in love with it. 


Also included in this box was an adorable pair of socks which I did not get a picture of because I wore them before I had a chance to.. I have a slight obsession with cute socks! 

So I basically loved everything I received (especially those re-usable sandwich bags!) and I can not wait for Rebeka to receive my box to her!

I had a great month participating in this project and am looking forward to April Love in a Box! If you are interested in joining click here for information!


Loyally, 

Beth








4.14.2014

Join The Movement!





So I am excited to announce that I am a campus rep for Pura Vida Bracelets! This means that if you use my referral link and discount code, you will save 10% on your entire order! I will also receive a small portion of the sale. This being said, I have decided to use the money I make through this to give back! So from now until May 5th all proceeds made will be donated to a Panhellenic sister at GSU, Kayla Wilkinson, for her Mission Trip to Asia in May! (BTW: Pura Vida Bracelets is a company that helps provide jobs for people in Costa Rica, so that’s completely awesome!)
Coupon Code: JENKINS10



4.07.2014

Between Monday and Tuesday

You know that awkward moment when it's technically "tomorrow" but you still haven't fallen asleep from today? The time when all your thoughts rush to your head yet you're too tired to write them down. 
That's what time it is now and as I was aimlessly playing around on my phone, I found an old poem that I actually wrote one year ago from today. It was written in response to a story a friend told me a while back. Being moved by that story, I wrote for the first time in probably a year. Since then, it has been another full year and I have not come back to writing regularly and that makes me sad. So as incentive to keep me writing (my rough, never finished piece) ... 

Through the darkness
See her gaze
Know she's out there
In a daze

And like the quiet 
After the storm
Over here
It's all done 

Words can't describe 
The pain tonight
The love that's lost
The internal fight


Loyally, 
Beth

4.04.2014

March Love in a Box

Hello lovelies!

It feels so good to be sitting down for a few moments and writing. While I would love to write about one of the random thoughts in my head, I am actually super excited to share about my March experience with the Love in a Box blogger swap.

I was paired with Hannah from Words as Palindromes and may I just say that this girl is like my other half! She just gets me! From learning that we have similar majors to sending each other nearly some of the same items because we just get each other, we have become blogger friends! I am just so happy I got to participate in this box swap!

Now for the best part of this post (I get to brag about all my goodies!)

When I opened my box, I instantly say this adorable mason jar glass! I hadn't even mentioned it but anyone who knows me knows I never go anywhere without bringing a bottle of water and now I have this super cute cup to carry it in.


Then I saw these candles... I was momentarily bummed because while I adore candles, we are not allowed to burn them or even have them in our dorm. That's when I noticed that they are battery operated scented candles! They smell amazing and when turned on they flicker like a real candle. My roommate and I are just slightly obsessed. 


As I kept digging I saw not one but two pairs of socks. I couldn't help it... I wore the cheetah print socks before I was able  to take a pic of them. 


Also, there was a note, pens, and a pocket organizer included which were all sweet surprises to get me through the remainder of this semester! 


I had a great month participating in this project and am looking forward to April Love in a Box! If you are interested in joining click here for information!



Loyally,

Beth