Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Homecoming Weekend: Recap

Last day of September?! Woah. It's surely not feeling like Fall with 86* degree weather this past weekend! We celebrated homecoming this weekend with a parade, football game, and a variety of other activities! Not talking about the game because it was a total doozy. Or the fact that I barely took any pictures of my last homecoming weekend as an undergrad.... 

I should've brought my fabulous camera but last minute decided against it. Mistake on my part. Blurry pictures are no bueno! 
Fangirling over Lara Spencer 

THON 2015 Theme!!! 

Amazing Feature Twirler, Matt Freeman came back as an alum!

Our friend Julie's dad was in the Alumni Blue Band

So many neat float themes...below are my faves! 







During football games a few band members walk through the student section/south end zone & play a short chant! In my four years, this was the first time my section was chosen! Fun memory!!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Motivation Needed

Excuse my language, but this has been the week from hell. Three exams- 2 of which aren't over. Tomorrow at Noon they will be. And then I will be enjoying a nice + strong adult beverage!! Accepting prayers and good vibes, if you so feel inclined! To save my sanity, I needed to take a quick study break and resort to pinterest and tumblr (of course!) because my brain is going to explode and my eyes hurt from staring at text. Pretty things and good quotes :) 







And then.... I came across this video on my newsfeed and that was all the inspiration I needed. Sitting in the library cubicle with tears streaming down my face. My needs and stresses are nothing compared to these sweet angels!
Thank you, God for placing things so strategically and perfectly when I need it most. 
And 3 months until Christmas, not that I'm counting down or anything ;) xo
Linking up with Natalie and Annie
Be Truly Brave today!

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Weekending

This weekend has been a complete whirlwind! Does anyone else agree?!

Every Friday from May to November there's a cute little Farmers Market that's at the end of my street downtown! I decided to stop by and get some fresh flowers + veggies. Fresh flowers always seem to brighten my day! And Friday was already a fabulous day!! Let's do a quick recap: 
  • I got a 100% on my Acoustics quiz...which is SOOO wonderful! It's never happened before and was totally worth the late drop credits last semester. And the best part is...I'm actually learning/comprehending the material this semester. GOD IS GOOD!!!
  • Farmers Market's...need I say more?!
  • Chipotle for lunch 
Friday night was spent relaxing watching movies + painting my nails! Some times a girl just needs a lazy Friday night!!

Saturday was spent tailgating. We had the perfect weather too!! PSU blew away UMass with a win of 48-7!! WOOHOO! Undefeated at 4-0! Bring on Homecoming week and Northwestern next weekend! Saturday night was spent with my best friend and her family! It was so great to see them even if it was just a few hours at dinner!! 


Sunday....can you say laziest day ever?! It was great but having a crazy week and not getting anything done was not to my advantage! Tomorrow will be much more of a productive day!! 

Friday Five...On Sunday

This week was flying by until Thursday! Needless to say, I'm thrilled that it's Friday. Only thing on my agenda is relaxing!! WOO! My best friend and her family are in the area this weekend and I'm hoping to see them for the game or at least part of it!! 

Well this post was intended for Friday but never got around to it until this moment. Ha life! 

:::one::: 
I've been on the hunt for organizers lately (thanks to Pinterest!). Particularly obsessed with the clear acrylic organizers. I just feel they're more practical and go with everything (cause they're clear- duh, Kate) but they'll be able to "move" with me as opposed to "printed" organizer. Thanks to Amazon I found two medicine cabinet organizers + a desk organizer! I was like a little kid at Christmas when they arrived!! It's not a huge change but having a place for everything is a great feeling! Hence the middle shelf is no longer a disaster :) Disclaimer: I wasn't given any compensation, just sharing my love + excitement! 

Also excuse the poor lighting + pic quality! We all know iPhone's don't take the best pictures! 
 :::two::: 
Found this old frame and decided to pop this new picture in from our Girls Dinner. And I love it. Simplest things make me happy :)  
:::three::: 
A friend posted this quote on Facebook this past week and it struck a cord in me. Immediately signed up for Proverb 31 Ministries Daily Devotional. Y'all should do it! It's the best! 
:::four:::
Favorite posts I read this week:
:::five:::
How can you not fall in love with your school when it's this beautiful?!

Thursday, September 18, 2014

If We Were On A Coffee Date | No. 1

+If we were on a coffee date I’d tell you how much I love Dunkin’s pumpkin swirl coffee, but the cozy atmosphere of Starbucks

+If we were on a coffee date I’d tell you that grad school applications opened yesterday and I’m stressed to say the least. SO much to do, so little time

+If we were on a coffee date I’d also tell you how faithful our God is and that He is with us every step of the day. Even though my anxiety levels are slightly high 

+If we were on a coffee date I’d tell you how I just want to feel better. Colds are nasty and basically all of State College is fighting one right now

+If we were on a coffee date I’d tell you that I have horrible case of Wanderlust. Spending time traveling and taking pictures and maybe a few friends in tow. Sounds like the perfect relaxation recipe for me!  

+If we were on a coffee date I’d apologize for talking too much and then ask you what was going on in your life. 

+If we were on a coffee date I’d tell you that I just signed up for the GRE, and I’m terrified to take it in three weeks

+If we were on a coffee date I’d tell you that I’m trying to eat healthy + exercise. And probably cry from the constant uphill battle. And then I’d probably ask for advice. 

+If we were on a coffee date I’d be thanking you for letting me spill my heart for the last few hours because that’s the best therapy, right?!

If we were on a coffee date, what would you have to tell me?

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Photo 365 update [101 in 1001 goal]

Is it me or do July and August feel like years ago?! One of my 101 in 1001 goals was to take a picture every day for a year. Since I started the challenge in mid July, I only was able to capture half the month :)
| July | 
16. Embrace it. Love it. Own it. + I took up learning to watercolor
17. Spending my days at the beloved country club
18. Because summertime flowers are the best 
19. Cousins pizza date at Jules 
20. Annie's Water Ice :) D-town staple! 
21. Hanging with these cute girls make me happy 
22. Day on the golf course
23. Getting crafty with Pinterest ideas 
24. Friday nannying requires funny pictures 
25. Starbucks breakfast dates with friends make all the difference
26. Alone time with Jesus + my thoughts 
27. Simple reminder that Life Is Good 
28. Writing down post ideas with Starbucks in hand is always fun 
29. God's Beauty is all around us 
30. Favorite OOTD
31. New stationary came!! Which reminds me I need to share that... 

| August | 
1. Silly pictures become necessary when you're stuck in the house on a rainy Friday 
2. Dinner + Drinks with good company
3. First big girl purchases: Kate Spade, duh! 
4. Hanging with my favorite kids + pups 
5. Jellies Be Jammin'...yes we will! Love me a new planner :) 
6. Be Still.
7. I Eat Mainely Lobster- yes, yes I do :) Love OPI gel & their funny names!! 
8. Words of Wisdom 
9. Watching the beautiful Super Moon over the ocean 
10. Can I have this beach house? Please + thank you!
11. Enjoy the Ride 
12. Lazy beach days are so, so good for the soul
13. Who doesn't love a fun + festive umbrella?!
14. Toes in the water + a** in the sand 
15. Sad to be leaving the beach. At least we left with great memories! 
16. 'New do' always knows how to make a girl feel good 
17. Thankful for days when you get confirmation that you're on the right track 
18. How does one keep kids entertained for the afternoon?! Tye Dye! 
19. "I've got all my sista's with me" 
20. No matter the day, Old Main always looks beautiful
21. You know you're home when you tear up at the first sight of Beaver Stadium #noshame
22. Last First day of School....hey senior year!  
23. Chipotle is necessary
24. This candle comes in a close second to B+BW! 
25. Monkey Boys during Silly Week? Sure why not :) 
Linking up with Leslie

Saturday, September 13, 2014

THIRTEEN | Savor Your Season

This post has been on my heart for quite some time so I'm glad to be joining Bailey again for her Blogtember challenge!

Today's prompt:  Your current relationship status. If dating/married, give us a glimpse of your story! If single, share about this special season. 

Relationship status?: SINGLE

You see, I'm conflicted on the whole situation (or lack there of) of my relationship status. I love being single and independent but would very much love having someone to do fun with and share special moments with. However, in the same breath, I'm not the girl to sleep around or be with someone just because she's "lonely." Hence why I've been single my whole life. Yeah I'm sure I could've dated someone here or there. But that's just not me. And as I look back, none of those "love interests" honored who I really was. God was protecting my heart.

I keep hearing/reading/seeing the mantra: savor your season. And I'm trying so hard to savor my season. Some days are super easy + being carefree is at the forefront, taking days as they come. Other days it's hard + long, wondering "why me?" But I'm doing the best I can. This single season has been a long one. I know deep down in my heart of hearts there's someone out there for me. Whatever this waiting season is, there is something better coming. Whether it be tomorrow or in 5 years. I've seen friends go in and out of relationships. Clean breakups and some that were pretty ugly. Still in the back of my mind, leaving the "why am I still sitting here with no one that wants me?" questions. Singleness to me always meant unworthy, less-than, ugly, unwanted and all of those to so nice words in the dictionary. It felt so demeaning like there was something wrong with me. But I know there isn't. I am worth so much more than what those words listed next to "single" in the dictionary.

During this long, hard season I turned to Him for guidance. That has been one of the best decisions in my life. I honestly thought I could get through all of these "single struggles on my own. He showed me real fast that I couldn't get through them along. I am so thankful I haven't had to go through them alone. I'm slowly learning to pray boldly and I think He is putting something fierce on my heart- to pursue my passions. To savor this season. Because I know one day I'll be wishing I had savored these moments. 

I'm the girl who is always looking forward to what's coming next- the weekend, Thanksgiving/Christmas breaks, graduating college, marriage, babies, buying a house. This list is long. Always wanting more- a new purse, more clothes, the latest thing to "fit in" to society's mold. All of these items are materialistic. If you know me, you know I struggle with what things "should look like" I should have that significant other to come home to, I should have a big, open house with kids running through the house screaming with laughter, I should have the cutest decorations for my apartment. Things that have been desires for as long as I can remember. These are things that don't even matter. He matters first and foremost. Something I struggle with. All of these things I want and desire are going to appear one day in ways that I didn't think were imaginable possible. Ways I didn't even expect because He is in control, not me. "With God's power power working in us, He can do so much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine." Ephesians 3:20

He is using my season to learn + grow + take in every experience to the fullest extent. And I am thankful for that. 

Very thankful.

This post is real and raw. Today I'm owning it

Friday, September 12, 2014

TGIF

It's Friday. I'm sick, but happy it's the weekend. Keeping it short and sweet today! 

One | 
During the first and second quarter of last weeks PSU game, one of my most favorite skits happened. Now I usually video the skits myself but for some reason this year, I just decided to watch. Which was great and all but I so wish I had video'd it. Luckily Onward State posted it earlier in the week. It was precious. The video is good but honestly doesn't do the moment justice! SO much sweeter in person!! Little Lion saying "This is my Dream Job" ....AWW! Love that I'll be able to look back on this moment! 
Two |
Found my new favorite nail polish thanks to Mia!! I've been looking for this shade of quite some time and finally found it! Essie's Adore-a-ball  ...p.s. when did my hands get so wrinkly- I'll blame it on the angle because they definitely don't look like that in real life... 
Three |
My sweet Friend, Alyssa surprised Jess and I with Starbucks hot chocolate because she knew we'd enjoy it! So thoughtful!!!
Four | 
This. 

Five | 
Since I will be snuggled in bed with a hot cup of tea + Netflix this weekend trying to ward off this nasty bug, any favorite TV series or movies you can recommend?! 

Linking up with Karli today! 

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Life Lately...According to iPhone photos

I have been totally off my blogging game this week. Even with a post schedule. Not in the mood & too many other things to worry about with school! Also came down with a major head cold + sore throat combo. It's been difficult to lift my head off the pillow. Somehow I got a burst of energy so I thought I'd take the time to update you on my life- nothing too exciting though :) 

These past few weeks + weekends have literally flown by.   
My feet decided it was still summer #livingcolorfully 
 Monkey Boy's with Rach!! 
 Penn State Runs On Dunkin :) First pumpkin swirl of the season!! 
 Last First game of the season!!! We Are!! 
Beaver Stadium- how I've missed you!
As soon as I returned home from the game this beauty was there to greet me at the door!! Can't wait to share more later. If you were wondering, I'm obsessed already and don't want to wait until January to use it!!!
HomeGoods blanket for the win! Have curled up with it every chance I get! 
Editing one of my latest favorite sessions!!! Eeek! 

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