Life Lately {Photo Dump}

After a whirlwind few weeks, I'm back! Last week my poor Macbook was being repaired for a video chip issue. Who knew a video chip could go bad?? Apparently not me! Well, they do and if you get freaky pictures like the ones below, don't be alarmed. Just take it to the Apple store and they will calm your nerves and take care of it for you. I seriously thought I wouldn't be able to survive the week without my computer, but here we are! 

  Here's what's been happening!

one | We celebrated my (step) grandmom's 80th birthday party! It was quite the celebration, let me tell ya! One of the cousins made a video of her life and added all of the children and grandchildren...not a dry eye! Beyond precious and such great memories!

two | Ummm for anyone who was obsessed with jelly sandals as a child, like me, they're back!! Thanks DSW for informing me when I was browsing the store a few days ago! Is this fashion statement in or out? 

three | Believe it or not, my first Chipotle visit in months. So sad! It was so nice to catch up with my friend Jess for lunch! I hadn't seen her since we finished the semester and we live very close to each other so it was perfect for a quick visit! 

four | Thanks momma for that sweet eye candy ;)

five | Girls night out! Our first time out now that we're finally all legal! We celebrated at Puck, on the patio. The weather was perfect and the conversation was even better. Such a fun night, except for the high school "reunion" we encountered where we ran into so many people we graduated with...3 years ago. Slightly strange but still so familiar. Weird feeling to say the least. 

six | Meet the sweetest lab pup, Chloe! She's a reading dog for my mommas classroom and it was the first time I met her. Love at first sight. Can I keep her, please?!?!

seven | celebrated my best friend's little sisters high school graduation! (pictured is my bff) I'm so excited for Jenna to attended Penn State in the fall! It's going to be so fun having each other because after all, she's the little sister I never had. What a blast it will be come September!

There ya have it friends, June in a tiny nutshell! But, in all seriousness....how is it the last week of June already?! I need to work on my goals...yikes!

Five on Friday

It's been a few too many weeks since I've linked up with my Five on Friday ladies- April, Christina, Natasha and Darci! So good to be back! 
one Tonight my best friend's little sister is graduating high school! She's coming to Penn State in the fall and I couldn't be more excited! It got me thinking that this time 3 years ago I was the one graduating!! Where has the time gone?! I love where I'm at in this stage of my life but the past 3 years have FLOWN by!! #flashbackfriday?

two I made this BBQ chicken salad last night, recipe from Pinterest (of course!) It had wonderful flavors and so filling! Definitely going to have to make it again!! Mine didn't look as beautiful, so you get to see how the professionals create it!

three Love this too much not to share! :)

four Beachin puts me in the summer mood. On repeat for sure!

five Last year was the year of weddings for us...this year not so much. All I want is to go to a wedding!! Linking up for Friday Fancies: Wedding Wear. Oh, and if that dress or shoes want to appear in my closet, I wouldn't be opposed ;)

11 years

This is by no means a "pity" post. More like a tribute where I can remember all of the details years from now. It's long, you've been warned!  11 years ago. June 19, 2003, is a day I remember so vividly. Almost down to what I was wearing. I was getting ready for my last day of 4th grade, and my dad called to tell me that the surgeries didn't work and my grandmom had passed away in the middle of the night. Trying to wrap my brain around the whole concept that she wasn't going to be at the shore house the next time we visited was impossible. To this day it's still impossible to believe that she's really gone. 
It seems like just yesterday we were turning on to New Brunswick Ave, pulling in the driveway, and running into the house to greet my grandparents who were sitting on the porch. Grandmom on the couch, Grandpa in the recliner. 

Waking up to the smell of burnt coffee from my grandpa boiling in in the famous pot on the stove. To this day I don't know how he could stomach the taste of it. We all refrained from drinking as grandmom would make us a fresh pot. English muffin with crunchy peanut butter and a glass of ice cold milk was my breakfast staple. Hot oatmeal with fruit for grandmom. If it was Saturday, cleaning and laundry were a given. Hanging the clothes on the line to dry was by far my favorite chore to help with. Baking cookies every week for my grandfather was also on the to-do list. He preferred chocolate chip, but sometimes we liked change it up and give him a little variety. Trips to Ben Franklin 5 & 10 after lunch was a treat. After the chores were done, it was off to the beach we went! Seven houses from the beach made the "dreaded walk" that much easier. Once we hit the sand, I was off- to the water I went! Lazy beach days made up my childhood summers. But coming home just in time to greet the guys before they came in from fishing was a must. Dinner was being prepared as the men talked about their day aboard Miss Margie.  After dinner and dishes were done, sandwiches were packed for the next day of fishing. One pb&j with butter (yes, you read that right and yes, it sounds gross! haha) and one ham and cheese for dad. Two ham and cheese sandwiches for grandpop. All wrapped in wax paper. Grandmom and I were pro's and the sandwiches were made in no time. Watching a western movie was a given for grandpop while grandmom read one of her novels. Lights were out at 10-no excuses. Falling asleep to the sound of waves was beyond heaven. No alarm clock was needed, the seagulls did the job of waking me up bright and early! And just like that, our day would start all over again. 

Grandmom and her girls

My grandmom was a very simple, very plain woman. She didn't have the most stunning wedding band, designer clothes or drive the fanciest car, in fact she didn't even have her license. Her family- husband, sons, and grandchildren meant the most to her. Having us around was gold to her. She married my grandfather when she was 16, he was 18. She could cross-stitch, sew, and bake like no one's business. 

One of my most favorite memories was my grandmom's birthday when I was 5. Being the only woman in the house, and the only girl sibling, my grandmom was never able to be pampered. She had also never had an ice cream cake in her lifetime. Per tradition in their house, one of the women always made a homemade cake for the birthday celebration. Well, that particular birthday, we decided to get her a Minnie Mouse ice cream cake! In the heat of July, it was also the best way to cool off. Girly and the perfect way to pamper her a little! She was tickled. So many smiles! Her face says what no words could do justice. 

It often crosses my mind to think how lucky people are who still have their grandparents around. To have them to dance with at their wedding, or better yet, see their great-grandbabies be born. I wish I had asked my grandmom more about our family history and every question I ever had. But being a little girl, you never think your grandparents are going to get taken away from you at such a young age. I didn't even realize how much I took it for granted. If your grandparents are still living- call them on the phone, take them out to lunch, give them a hug and a kiss- hold them tight! That's what I miss the most! xoxo
"It really sinks in, you know, when I see it in stone/ Cause you went away/ How dare you?/ I miss you/ They say I'll be OK/ But I'm not ever going to get over you" Thank you Miranda Lambert for writing a beautiful song that fits perfectly into words and says what I couldn't. 

Sunshine Award

Thank you Zoe for nominating me! :) 

Rules:

-Post 11 random facts about yourself

-Answer 11 questions from the blogger who nominated you

-Nominate 11 bloggers

-Write 11 questions for them

-Inform the 11 bloggers that you nominated them for this award 

11 random facts about me: 

1. I never thought I'd be nominated for a bloggy award, but here I am!

2. My favorite season is Spring

3. I have a feeling I'm going to have twins...in the far future! Since my dad is a twin & it's a recessive gene, I have a pretty good chance ;)

4. One of my favorite places in the world is North Carolina 

5. I would also spend every day at the beach if I could

6. I cringe every time I get asked the two questions: "What are your plans after graduation" and "Where are you going to grad school"....I still have a year left, yikes!!

7. 90% of the bloggers I follow are from the South, and I love it! Makes me feel at home :)

8. I've never broken a bone and rarely have hangovers (knock on wood, to both!! haha)

9. I'm a hopeless romantic

10. Counting down the days until I'm a Speech Therapist. Although my dream job is also to be a stay at home momma

11. I've known my best friends for 17 years 

Zoe's questions: 

1. What was your first dream job? 

Nurse, specifically Labor & Delivery...until I realized I how terrified I would be giving shots to patients. But, if I had to choose all over again, Nursing would be a close second :)

2. What is your most prized possession? 

My Canon T1i

3. What was the most exciting trip you've ever taken?

Our trip down south last summer! I'd give ANYTHING to go back!! You can read about it HERE!

4. What is the first thing you would buy if you won the lottery? 

A Kate Spade handbag, preferably the one below! Then paying off my school loans would be next! 

5. What is your favorite Starbucks drink? 

Very Berry Hibiscus refresher, Venti please! I've had a few too many lately, but they're SO tasty during the warm weather :) 

6. iPhone or Android?

iPhone

7. What is your favorite Mean Girls quote? 

Just one!? "On Wednesday's we wear pink"

8. Chocolate or vanilla? 

Twist?! Best of both worlds :)

9. Who is your favorite Kardashian? 

Khloe

10. How many brothers/sisters do you have? 

Only child! 

11. What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving

12. What is your love language? (You can find out here if you don't know!) 

This is a really good question and something I've read a lot of people posting about. Quality Time and Words of Affirmation were my highest :)

Nominees:

Elise @ Cheers Yall

Morgan @ Believe in the Sparks

Hope @ Hope in a Blog

Ryann @ Meet the McCalls

Rachel @ Rachel Rewriten

Morgan @ Morgan Alexandra

Mary @ Eat, Drink, and Be Mary

Robin @ Living Colorfully

Megan @ Hello Newlywed Life 

Karli @ September Farm

Meg @ Life of Meg

Here are my questions:

• If you could be one actress for a day, who would it be?
• What is your favorite post that you've written? (link too, please!)
• What's your favorite book of all time?
• Who do you look up to?
• If you could change your name, what would you choose?
• What makes you follow a blog?
• Who is the first person you to, in your time of need?
• If you could get on a plane tomorrow to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
• What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
• If you had just won the lottery, how would you spend your winnings?
• Favorite makeup and/or hair product(s)?

Happy Wednesday!! Half way through the week! :)

Happy Father's Day, Dad!

Happy Father's Day, Dad! Thank you for everything you've already done and everything that you will continue to do! You are a constant support in all I pursue! I Love You! 

National Best Friend Day

In honor of National Best Friend(s) day yesterday, I'm dedicating today's blog post to my besties. These girls are the ones who have been there through thick and thin, picked me up when I've fallen down, given me hope when I didn't have any, cheered me on when I wanted to give up, these girls know my heart- the good, the bad, and the most vulnerable. And not once taken for granted or judged. The ones who've loved me without reservation and helped me become the person I am today. Without each of them, I would be lost. I've known these girls since we were toddlers playing in the neighborhood. The seemingly "silly" friendships on the playground have withstood the glory days of  elementary school, awkward middle school years, and the fastest 3 years of high school. Each of these relationships have developed into wonderful, long-lasting friendships that I treasure immensely. 

It's truly amazing to have friendships that turn into sisterhoods because you know that no matter what happens, someone always has your back. No matter where we are in life- next to each other or miles apart, we will always be there for one and other- picking up right where we left off. These are the girls I can't imagine not having next to me on my wedding day, having my kids call them "Aunt" and so much more. 

As Carly said in a post quite a long time ago, I specifically remember this quote and it has stuck with me for some time..."beautiful, soulful friendships aren't meant to drain you." Beyond true. I couldn't imagine going through life without these girls by my side.

Linking up with Meg for Mingle Monday!

June Goals

How is the first week of June almost over!? I feel like I say this at the beginning of every month, but honestly May FLEW by!!! It's been a few months since I've made goals and so I thought it would be important to make a few attainable ones!

Be intentional with more "me" time- focusing on my Faith/possible Bible study and journaling

Exercise 5 days a week + Clean Eating- need to get back on track- there's no other way to say that :) using the "I'm busy" excuse is no longer acceptable

Finish 2/3 summer classes- Tomorrow they will be finished. one. more. day. WOO!

Begin to grow my blog- connecting with more bloggers, possible sponsorships and (hopefully!) increasing my followers 

Update the tabs on my navigation bar!

Schedule posts and keep up with writing!

Read 2 books and start a summer reading list- this could be a bit of a challenge, but we'll try ;)

Use my camera more!! (And possibly purchase a new lens!!?) one of my biggest passions is photography. For my high school graduation project I shadowed 4 different photographers and it was an AMAZING experience. I loved every minute of it. However, as a college student I haven't had the time, which makes me sad because I love it and really, really miss it...So, this month's goal is to take more pictures!!  

Have more "girl time" with my besties- this one's a given and needs no explanation :) 

Try something new/do something different- possibly a new hairstyle and color...any ideas?? :)

At least one beach trip... sand and saltwater is good medicine for this girls soul!

Early to bed, early to rise- so I can be more productive

ENJOY JUNE. Sit and soak it all in. Enjoy the little moments. Sunshine, friends, and family. A few pool days and fruity drinks too :) 

Hold me accountable, y'all!! Happy ALMOST Friday!!