How Pinteresting Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday, just a few fun pics to get you through hump day :)

Source: lovemaegan.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Love this hairstyle, I wish I could do it!

Source: google.com via Caroline on Pinterest

Fairyland, love love!

Source: latimes.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Mmmm I want one of these!

Source: None via Alex on Pinterest

Where is fall?!!?  I want to wear this!!

And a little inspiration for this Wednesday...

Source: etsy.com via Peyton on Pinterest

Source: thirtyhandmadedays.com via Alex on Pinterest

My first blog award!!

Hi everyone!  Well I am SO excited to let y'all know that I received my FIRST EVER blog award from the AMAZING Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy (go check out her blog now - more about it below!).  She gave me the Versatile Blogger Award and I feel so honored that she thought of me, thank you Hilliary! 

So here are the rules of the award!

Rule #1 Thank the Blogger who gave you the award, and link back to them in your post!  So if you have checked out Hilliary's blog, go now!  She inspires me to cook...still working on that one...but she also just has great little tidbits and her recipes and healthy ideas are so easy and wonderful!  One of my lovely bloggy buds!

Rule #2

Share 7 things about yourself:

1. I love buying cocktail dresses...I just bought 2 last week from Rue La La (I don't know why that popped into my head first!)

2. My family and friends are the most important thing in the world to me and I would literally drop everything if one of them needed me.

3.  I'm really passionate about a lot of things and love being involved in as much as I can handle (and I sometimes take on a little too much, whoops!).

4.  I love chocolate, crabcakes/anything crab, practically any vegetable or fruit, cupcakes...ok I could go on forever - I love food!

5.  I am deathly afraid of rats and mice...I think I have a legit phobia (I read the DSM criteria in my abnormal book...yup that's right)

6.  Taking pictures is really important to me and one day I hope to get a really nice camera and be able to take pictures that inspire people.

7.  I'm really shy and it takes me awhile to open up to people (I'm working on it though!)

Rule #3

Pass the award onto 15 Bloggers you recently discovered!   Congrats to the following Bloggers!

Courtney @ Cheers Y'all

Jess @ Just Rainbows and Butterflies

Sarah Beth @ Peace, Love and Sweet Tea

Leslie @ Life In It's Ordinary Form

Neely @ A Complete Waste of Make-Up

Hannah @ Whole Heartedly Hannah

Julie @ Girl in the Red Shoes

Rebecca @ Beautie and the Belle

MCW @ Saving the Best for Last

Tiffany @ Teach.Run.Love.

Laura @ Southern Sweetness

Kayln @ A Life Full of Laughter

Delaney @ Sweet Tea Serendipity

Rebecca @ Southern Charm

Amanda @ Simple Girl, Simple Pleasures

Congrats to some of my favorite bloggers!  Go check out all 15 of these amazing blogs!!

Have a great day!

Thankful Thursday: Give another chance, give blood.

"Give another chance, give blood."

Source: google.co.uk via Rachel on Pinterest

Well this was scheduled to go up this morning but for some reason it never did...today I'm like up with Southern Charm for Thankful Thursday!

I know you hear those slogans all the time and most of the time they don't mean anything and it's hard to imagine how your little contribution could help save someone's life.  Yesterday I gave blood for the first time since college.  I was really excited to give blood for a pretty specific reason, my sister.  Why, you may ask?  Well because if it weren't for people giving blood, she might not be here today.

I've mentioned my sister often and she's even written a blog post on here.  She is my best friend and my hero.  Two years ago she became really sick while she was out at school in California.  They didn't know what was wrong with her except that she was bleeding internally and they couldn't figure out where it was coming from.  For three days they pumped blood into her body and it seemed just as quickly it was leaking back out.  I wasn't out there but apparently they had tubes coming out of her that emptied out into buckets and the buckets just kept filling up (I'm sorry if that's a little graphic).

At one point during those gruesome three days they began running out of blood in the hospital to pump back into her body.  She and I have the same blood type, O negative, the universal giver (that's why if you are O it's really important to give blood)  but if you are trying to get blood you can only receive O- or else there will be complications.  They had some on reserve but it was supposed to be for women going into labor and they did not want to use it up.

My sister was on the lacrosse team at that time and the coach had the idea that if they would release that blood for my sister then the whole lacrosse team and many others would go to the blood bank the next day and give blood.  The hospital agreed to do that and the next day not only did the Cal lacrosse team give blood but many Cal sports team and supporters, even the Stanford team came over!  Before we knew it people were giving blood around the country in honor of my sister.  The blood bank collected much more blood that day and the following days then they ever expected.

In the end they were able to stop the bleeding and Tighe began to slowly recover.  The Cal lacrosse team was even given a American Red Cross heros award that next spring!

So there's why I think it is so important to give blood - because you really CAN save a life!  It only takes about an hour and it's really not scary at all, you just sit there and they feed you yummy snacks and drinks!  Think about it if can and you haven't before, I promise it is worth your time.

Did you know...

...every 2 seconds someone in the US needs blood

...5 million patients in the US need blood every day

...1 pint of blood (you give 1) can save up to 3 patients

...and something that I think links Tighe and I even more - only 7% of people in the US have the Universal blood type O negative - get your blood checked and if you're O negative, GIVE BLOOD!

It's a What I'm Loving Wednesday kind of day!

What I'm loving Wednesday...meant to schedule this to go up this morning - I scheduled it for tomorrow!!

1.  Loving this past weekend, I had so much fun with some great camp friends and laughed SO hard! :)

2. Loving that Glee and all kinds of other fun shows are back - did you watch Glee last night, Brittany is still my fave - she cracks me up!

this pic makes me laugh

Source: None via India on Pinterest

3.  Loving that I have a potential dress for AH and TR's wedding (I'm an honorary bridesmaid and have to wear black) - sorry no pics yet but one is Eva Franco and super cute!

4. Loving that it's almost time to start eating soup again, yummm - tomato soup here I come

5. Loving TWITTER, I seriously can not get enough of it - my friends were super into it this weekend and I have a new found love!  Oh and I just started a WAEFS account, follow me @WAEFS

Source: etsy.com via Erika on Pinterest

6. Loving my classes...I'm feeling a little stressed right now but know that I am where I am supposed to be!

I'll be back with some more in depth posts soon - once I get through the rest of the week I will hopefully have a little more time!

And I promise to catch up on some of your blogs soon too, I miss them!!

Webcam youtube

OK so I have a better post coming but I didn't get home until late Sunday and then worked and had class until 9 last night sooo this will have to suffice until I can get ahold of my work for this week!  Have you seen this youtube!?!?!  It cracks me up!

Fall Friday!

First, thanks to all who commented on Wednesday, I love reading comments and I'm a little behind in responding and catching up on all of your blogs but I will for sure do it soon, can't wait to check out some new ones!!

Wow, I am SO glad it's Friday!  This week was my first FULL school week, with all my classes, assistantship, babysitting, and more, and let me tell you, I'm EXHAUSTED!  I know the first week is always the hardest so hopefully as I get more into my routine it will be easier!  Anyway, yesterday halfway through the day (actually while I was on the playground in a t-shirt and shorts, brrr) the weather changed and it is now CHILLY in Bmore, is it cold where you are?  As I'm sure you can tell, I'm still getting over that summer is over and am in denial about changing my closets sooo I thought the best way to combat that would be to do a list of ten things I like about fall, so here it is and hopefully it will get me in the fall spirit!

1.  Autumn leaves - so pretty, makes me miss Sewanee as the leaves down there were just amazing...

Source: cleanandscentsible.blogspot.com via Laura on Pinterest

2.  Boots boots boots - I LOVE wearing boots in the fall!!

3.  Apple picking - so fun!

4.  Fall activities - hayrides, corn mazes, that kind of thing

Source: google.com via Sara on Pinterest

5.  Picking out a pumpkin

6.  Pumpkin carving - we used to do this at K!, I'm going to miss it!

Source: google.com via Lauren on Pinterest

7.  Every kind of food with pumpkin in it - my mom makes the BEST chocolate chip pumpkin bread!

8.  Thanksgiving - my sister will FINALLY be coming home from Boulder, I miss her so!

9.  Annie and Tyler's wedding - can't wait to get back to SC to see them tie the knot!

10.  Good running weather!

11...ok I have MORE then 10 things, now I'm excited about fall - Halloween, hmm what am I going to be this year!

I was rainbow brite last year, may have been one of my favorite costumes
of all time...

What are you excited about for fall?!?!  YAY, now I can't wait for all of these things, I love blogging - it always makes me more excited for LIFE!  Have a great weekend, I'm headed to Richmond to see some lovely friends of mine from camp, FUN!

Summer fruit, yummm

As I chomped away on a delicious peach yesterday I thought about how much I'm going to miss summer fruit very soon.  The juicy ripe tastes of fresh melons, sweet peaches or succulent strawberries...I will miss them all.  So today I decided to join The Vintage Apple's Pinteresting Wednesdays and pull some summer fruit love from Pinterest...

Source: google.com via Mindy on Pinterest

Don't you just want to eat these right up?!

Source: weheartit.com via Ashley on Pinterest

How I wish I could just happen upon this little stand :)

Source: greenweddingshoes.com via Kris on Pinterest

The colors just overwhelm me, they're so bright and fun!

Source: 4inspireddesign.com via Terri on Pinterest

Source: tumblr.com via rebecca on Pinterest

But even though summer is ending and my favorite fruits will disappear, it's important to remember...

Source: theloganfamily.wordpress.com via Carly on Pinterest

A day of reflection.

I don't really know what to say, but I felt I needed to write.  A defining moment of our generation, we will always be asked, where were you on 9/11?  For me, I was in my high school, in the middle of our class meeting when our headmaster came in and told us about the horrible tragedy.  I went to a boarding school and so many were worried about family members who lived or worked in New York City and DC (like I'm sure so many scrambled to figure out across America).  It was such a scary and sad day for all of America.

Source: tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com via Peyton on Pinterest

Yesterday, on the tenth anniversary I spent a lot of time watching coverage and watched a documentary of a group of firefighters taken during the whole event.  It's overwhelming and terribly sad, it seems so surreal and not a true story.  Yesterday felt like a bit of a marathon.  There were points in the day when I felt so sad and I couldn't remember why, but then I would remember that it was 9/11 and that so many were grieving for so many that were lost and my heart just sunk a bit for our country.

But then, as I tried to see the good in a terrible situation, I thought of how much that day brought America together.  As I've always noticed, in times of crisis people really shine and that day so many did just that.  From the passengers who attacked the terrorist on flight 93 to the firefighters who gave their lives to save others to the residents who made PB & J because they just wanted to do something to help. America showed our true colors that day and for many to come.

I think what is important as we look back on that event 10 years ago is to remember all of those that were lost and live in a way that honors them.  Although I didn't personally know anyone that was lost I have so much respect for each one of them and for their families.  I can only imagine how hard of a day yesterday was but I am hopeful that all of the victims and survivors, wherever they are, are able to gain hope through seeing what their strength has done for us.

Source: worldstatesmen.org via Kerry on Pinterest

Centering the mind and body

I am probably one of the most inflexible people I know...there was a day some 10 or 15 years ago when I would hop around the gymnastics gym doing backbends and splits until the cows came home.  But alas, life happened and for all kinds of reasons my flexibility went out the door.

Yeah definitely never going to be able to do that...

Source: kimberlysnyder.net via Peyton on Pinterest

That said, my mom and I bought a Groupon for Charm City Yoga and I started going last week.  I can't tell you how much I LOVE it!  I guess my love of yoga started when I first moved to DC.  Me and my roommate used to get up at the crack of dawn every Tuesday and Thursday and go to yoga at our gym.  Although it was a bit painful getting there we loved our teacher and always felt SO good afterward.  Well the winter came and it got a bit cold to get out of the house that early so the yoga fell by the wayside.

Then when we moved across town I got a Groupon for Bikram yoga.  I liked it but it was a little fast and a few too many people for me.  So now I've found Charm City Yoga and I LOVE it!  There's a Rise and Shine class that I've been going to and Hot yoga (but not Bikram).  It's just great, so rejuvenating.  It's an hour or two a day where I can spend just with myself, re-centering and not thinking about the weights of the day.

Do you go to yoga or have something that helps keep you sane during the year?  If not, I highly suggest doing something just for YOU, you deserve it!

Source: etsy.com via Peyton on Pinterest

Wordless Wednesday: Labor Day Weekend!

Well I wanted to get this written much earlier today but alas the day got away from me...not to mention with a few hiccups, ughhh - but here is not where I dwell on the bad, it's where I embrace the good!  And let me tell you, this weekend was a GOOD one, as always, one of my favorites of the year!  So I'm trying a new Wednesday blog hop, Wordless Wednesday, here is a recap of my trip to DeBordieu in pictures...

Started off the weekend with some yummy tacos!

I think this is a Kings competition...

YAY beach!

They were on a date...

Where we spent most of the evenings!

So this picture deserves an explanation - and there are about 10 in this montage...
Kevin and I bet that whoever's team lost a game had to eat a pickled egg.  We ended up
both eating them and while I conquered the disgusting things, Kevin had a few issues - definitely wouldn't
suggest trying them!

Night time spoon dancing partner (and one of the lovely hosts!)

And the nights got a little crazy!

Favorite bull dog on the beach - BOOTS!

Everyone loved the joggling board (except Ian), have you been on one before?
They're lots of fun and can fit a ton of people!

Matching outfits

Stargazing - I seriously saw about 5-10 shooting stars, AMAZING!

...someone got a little tired by the end of the weekend

...it's hard to get back in the swing of things to say the least!

Back to School!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend!  I am still recovering from mine and once I get my pictures loaded I will for sure have a recap of the fun and craziness that was DeBordieu Beach Weekend 2011!

For today though I thought I'd do a first day of school post as today is my OFFICIAL first day of graduate school and many of my friends that are teachers start back today!

As a child on the first day of school my mother ALWAYS made us take a siblings picture...

(that's me on the left...I guess D was still in pre-school)

Before the first day I would go to Staples or Target and shop for HOURS to find the best school supplies...matching pens, notebooks, you name it, I had it.

Source: blogs.sacurrent.com via Peyton on Pinterest

Do you remember Lisa Frank?  I was so into those notebooks and trapper keepers...

Gosh I was always so excited for the first day of school, to see who would be in my class, meet my teachers, be a year older.  The first day was always fun because it was a lot of introductions and administrative stuff which was always my favorite (I know that's weird).  Plus we always got all our books on the first day so we got to see what we'd be doing for the year!

This year I haven't done a whole lot to prepare for the first day, although I think I mentioned that I bought the 2011-2012 Lilly Planner which I'm obsessed with.

Source: lillypulitzer.com via Peyton on Pinterest

I seriously can't get through the day without this thing, it is the BEST and I highly suggest purchasing one.  Other than that I've grabbed a few notebooks and my favorite babysitting family in DC gave me folders and an adorable accordion file which has taken care of the rest of my supplies! The only thing I think I'm still missing is the proper bag for all of my supplies.  I have plenty of potential options - vineyard vines, vera bladley, a backpack (which I will refuse to use).  What I really want though is a big Longchamp bag.  I have some of the other sizes but I'm just dying for the school book size.

Source: thebohemiangoods.blogspot.com via Lele on Pinterest

...I guess I'll have to see how many babysitting jobs I get :)

Now I just need to pick out an outfit (although I don't think people dress up for class like they did at Sewanee), grab my books and go!  I don't know anyone in the class so it is definitely going to be a bit intimidating walking in for the first time.  I hope I like it though!

Did you have any first day of school traditions you did growing up?  Any that you do with your kids or want to do one day?  What an exciting time of year - although it's sad to see the summer go, so many great new things ahead!

Source: tipjunkie.com via Allison on Pinterest