Window Shopping Saturday

I have been procrastinating on blogging because I had hoped I would have something more exciting to say. However, it's Saturday morning, and I'm sitting in my new residence by myself (I'll get to that in a minute), so I decided to do some window shopping. :) It is, after all, one of the things I do best.

1. Lilly Pulitzer Sloane Dress

I saw this dress when I was perusing Lilly Pulitzer's website to look at the Theta paraphernalia, and I fell in love. I'm a sucker for a maxi dress. I love how comfortable they are and that you can dress them down or dress them up.  This dress is on my LOVE LIST mostly because it's navy and white, which you can pair with a fun colored cardigan for work or fun gold jewelry to go out. Hopefully, I'll be adding this to my closet sometime this spring. 

2. Patagonia Torrentshell Jacket

I have a rain jacket from Costco that I really like. However, it is lined and VERY warm, which in theory is what you want in a rain jacket. However, living in a place where it doesn't really snow or get super cold, this rain coat has caused me much anxiety when it rains in the spring and the summer. I have been looking around trying to find a rain jacket that I like. And, I know I'm a brand name snob, so I have been looking at North Face and Columbia. I didn't even consider Patagonia until I saw a student wearing a cute fleece from them that she had gotten over Christmas. I went online and found this rain jacket and I knew it was the one I had to have. I love that it's said to be light and that it comes in lots of fun colors. I like this purple color (let's remember where I went to school now) or they have a pretty blue color that I love. 

3. Kate Spade Dixon Place Blaine

I am in love. Not with a man. With a bag. This bag is new in Kate Spade's spring collection. I am literally in love. It's the perfect size for me and would be a great counterpart to any outfit for the spring (and would go great with that Lilly dress!). Unfortunately for me, this bag is a bit out of my price range (as in, it's close to the same amount as my car payment), but hey, a girl can dream, right? I'm hoping this bag goes on sale soon. I'm going to start saving now, because this bag is just too cute to not be a part of my closet!

4. Franco Sarto Jesse Flat

Just a small town girl.....living in a Nordstrom world. That's what these shoes make me think of. I peruse Nordstrom online on a daily basis for many reasons. The main reason being that they carry my size in shoes, despite the fact that the store does not usually have them in the store, I love that I can just go online and have them shipped to a store. These shoes are pretty affordable, very cute, in my size, and are in my new favorite color: coral. I'm a big fan of coral and navy, coral and turquoise, coral and gold: you name it, I'm a fan if it goes with coral. I'm hoping these are an addition to my closet very soon. 

5. TOMS Corbel Classic

I have a new obsession. I do not know how I made it through college without buying TOMS in just about every color. They are SO comfortable. I got a pair for Christmas that were lined so I could wear them when it was cold. Due to a mini monsoon that occurred yesterday, my precious TOMS got a little wet. They will be fine, but of course, I am wanting to invest in another pair (in addition to the Houndstooth ones that I ordered last week.:)). These are new for spring and I LOVEEEEEE them. I could wear them with so many different things. I'm obsessed. I know, I know. But there are worse things to be obsessed with! 

Ok....now for the life update. As some of you know, I was robbed in the middle of December before I headed home for winter break. It was extremely traumatic and not something that I'm completely over yet. Because I was NOT wanting to go back to my place of residence (I mean, who would after someone broke in the back door and stole all of your electronics AND cute costume jewelry), I moved in with a friend/co-worker who owns a house. He had a spare room and his roommate had moved out in September. It's a cheaper alternative, safer alternative, and it's fun having a roommate. Even if the roommate is a guy, who is slightly messy. And don't get any ideas all of my lovely sisters who are probably reading this thinking "OMG...Str is living with a guy!" He's 5'8. Enough said. :)

BUT.....on to the next note of business. At the request of my mother, I signed up and paid for an online dating service. Yes, I know, I succumbed to the pressure and did it. Positive? I had a date last week! And I thought it went really well! It ended with him saying "We should do this again sometime." Negative? I was the one who texted him Wednesday after the date saying we should hangout sometime next week. His response "For sure." WTF? Now I know why I have not dated, other than I'm picky because I'm tall. Dating is such bullshit. It's a waiting game for the girl. And, as I have been told, if the guy wants to talk to you, he'll call you. Well, I'm sorry, but if someone says "We should do it again sometime," doesn't that mean he would want to see me again? Because if he didn't, he would have just said "I had a great time, too." And, we sat at a restaurant for 2 hours. If it had sucked, it wouldn't have lasted that long, right? This is why I don't date. I overanalyze everything and get stressed. That's just the way I am. Some day, hopefully, someone will appreciate that. 

That's most of the life update. Work is going strong. I passed my evaluation in the fall, which is exciting! Now I'm gearing up for Powder Puff and Relay for Life in addition to my final semester of evaluation. Cross your fingers for me! 

New Years Resolutions

Well, it's that time of the year....the first day where everyone sets off to make goals and do things that will change them or make them a better person. I told my mom recently that while 2011 was great for my family (dad and mom both got new jobs, Hanky went off to school), for me personally, it was not all that great. You know it's bad when one of the final things to happen to you in the year is being robbed (yeah, came home from work with no TV's or computer.....both of which have since been replaced), but I am optimistic for 2012. One of the BEST Christmas presents I got was the down payment on my new ride, Stella.

She's silver, awesome, and a 2012 model! Not only that, but I have recently moved in with a friend as to not be living on my own in the sketchy neighborhood. So, my new year's resolutions are simple. 

1. Blog more often. (I know I say this every year, but I made such great progress in 2011, that I feel like 2012 could be THE year for the blog.)

2. Keep up with my car maintenance. (oil changes, tire rotations, etc)

3. Eat out only one night during the week. 

4. Read a non-school book a month.

I usually have 5 resolutions, but I also have found that I never keep all 5 of them. I think these 4 things are achievable and easy to fit into my already hectic schedule. Happy 2012 everyone! It's going to be a great year!

Window Shopping Saturday...

I have been window shopping almost all week. With a teacher work day yesterday and trying to get back to organization after a fun weekend in Baltimore last weekend, I have had to do something to de-stress when I get home!! Here a few faves from this week.

1. Houndstooth TOMS

I know I blogged about these a couple of weeks ago, but I'm still pretty obsessed with them. I know that I have not always been a huge fan of these shoes, but after seeing this pattern, I am completely in love with them. I really feel like they're very versatile and could be worn with a lot of different things.

2. Black Pashmina Scarf

I have lots of scarves. I wouldn't say an abundance, but I have quite a few. I really would like a black one. I feel like black is one of those colors that you can wear with any colored top and it would be cute. Other colors that I am also lusting for are a mustard colored gold, hunter green, navy blue, royal blue, or plum.

3. Longchamp Le Pliage

I had a Longchamp when I was in college. It was the large sized bag that I used both as a purse and as a bag that I took to school. It was seriously a great bag. It was very unfortunate when this bag developed holes in the corners which did not allow for it to be used anymore. This go around, I think I'm going to look into the smaller bag. While my large bag was great to take to school, it was a little oversized for a purse. This size is perfect for everyday use and I LOVE this deep purple color. Just enough Clemson-ish for me. :)

4. Vera Bradley Vera

I love Vera Bradley. What girl who lives in the South doesn't love Vera Bradley? I have been in the market for a new bag for school. My LL Bean bag is great,, but on the days that I don't need to take the textbooks home with me, it's quite oversized. The tote that I have is just not quite big enough to carry all the things I have to take home. So I've decided the Vera is just right for what I am looking for! I like this pattern (it's pink, come on now!) and I am also in LOVE with Safari Sunset. It's like Clemson and Vera came together to make a super pattern. My wonderful grandmother just sent me a new duffel bag (mine was ghetto-let me tell you) in this pattern and I'm excited to start my collection!

It's only 4 items this week. Stay tuned next week to see what other items I'm looking at!

I've also decided to start a new Wednesday tradition...but you'll have to keep reading to see what that is!

Hanky's Birthday Weekend

This past weekend was such a blast. I took last Friday off from school and traveled up to Baltimore to see my baby brother!

Oh how I have missed being able to give my brother a hard time.....which is exactly what I did all weekend! The first thing I did after my dad picked me up was go to see Hank. And what was he doing? Sleeping. Sis comes to town and there is no sleeping allowed! Friday night was the Hopkins football game. I must say it was totally like watching a high school game for me. I mean, come on, compared to my college football experience, it just didn't quite measure up to the 80,000 fans in Death Valley. The positive of this lackluster football experience? My bro had several tackles and got his name announced, despite the fact that he essentially does not play nearly as much as I think he should.

On Saturday, which was Hank's actual birthday, we traveled from Baltimore to Frederick, MD to eat at Volt. Volt is Bryan Voltaggio's restaurant. For all of you who do not know who Bryan Voltaggio is...he was the runner-up on Top Chef season 6. Our family has a bit of an obsession with the show, and Hank has always had a taste for the finer side of food. It was hands down the best meal I have ever eaten in my life.

When we arrived, we had to wait a few minutes before being seated. We went to sit in the bar and of course we each had to get a drink. Mom ordered a ginger blossom drink, dad got a beer, Hank obviously did not drink (although we did try to order him one at the table and had a very awkward moment when the waiter asked for ID), and I ordered a drink called Red Velvet. It was spiced rum, pomegranate, ginger ale, and lemon juice and OMG it was the best drink I have ever had. I knew that this was the start to a great meal.

The first course we all got something different. Mom got a medley of vegetables (shocker), Dad and Hank each got Tuna tartar, and I ordered goat cheese ravioli. The ravioli was served with pears and this sauce/foam that was to die for. And it looked so pretty when it came out.

My main course was bronzini with fingerling potatoes and this sunchoke puree, which was also to die for. Hank and Mom got the pork loin and Dad ordered steak. (Sorry, no more photos. I was too mesmerized by how delicious everythign was.) Dessert was by far the best course. Mom and Dad both got this medley of chocolate that had white chocolate mousse, milk chocolate gelato, and dark chocolate cocoa nibs. Hank and I both got the apple tarte tatin, which had a phyllo-type dough with a roasted apple and marscapone gelato. All in all? Volt was fantastic and I will DEFINITELY recommend it to all.

That night we stayed in after getting some delicious food from Wegmen's to watch the Tigers roll on to ANOTHER victory! I love Dabo Swinney. I love Andre Ellington. I love Sammy Watkins. And I LOVE my Clemson Tigers!!!!

Sunday morning before I flew home, we decided to go to a Baltimore staple, Miss Shirley's. This cute cafe has been on Food Network, and was once again to DIE for. Their menu was pretty extensive, ranging from pancakes to crab cakes benedict.

Despite the fact that this picture only shows the drinks (and no, that was not intentional) I had such a hard time deciding what to order. Mom and Dad both ended up getting lunch: Mom got a California Chicken Sandwich and Dad got the lunch sliders. Hank and I stuck to the tradition and got breakfast. Hank ordered the crab cakes benedict, which was one of the options that I had wanted, as well. It was a fried green tomato, followed by a crab cake with a poached egg on top. Can you say delicious? I ordered the breakfast sliders, which consisted of a pulled pork with white cheddar cheese; bacon, egg, and cheese; and goat cheese with roasted red pepper and spinach. This was served with the BEST hashbrowns I have ever eaten.

All in all, it was a great weekend of food, football, and, most importantly, family.

Window Shopping Saturday...

It's back! Due to financial woes, lots of work, and a holiday that really is important, I did not go to Clemson this weekend. I'm really bummed that I don't get to see all my girls at once in our home away from home (because let's face it, that's what Clemson is no matter how old you get), but all will be okay. Life will go on and we will all be reuinted again soon.

So instead of being down that I'm not at home, I'm back to window shopping! This week I'm focusing on accessories. I think at this point I'm quite set on dress pants, sweaters, and tops (at least for this week). Although, the major thing I am lusting for this winter is item number 1.

1. Land's End Luxe Wool Pea Coat

When I was home this past weekend visiting my parents (who of course get the Land's End catalog), this orange pea coat was on the front and I became instantly drawn to it. Although after scoping online, they seem to be out of the orange in regular size, you can never have enough pea coats! I've got a pink one from NY and Company (another one of my obsessions), but I would love either an orange, purple, or royal blue one. Obviously orange or purple for Clemson, but royal blue would be functional for high school football games when it starts to get chilly.

Side note rant for the morning: The weather needs to make up its mind. I need to either know that I can still wear sandals because it is warm or be excited that it's fall. I can't take this wish-washy weather where one day I need a scarf and the next I can wear my faux Jack Rogers and don't need a jacket. It's annoying and it really messes up my outfits that I plan the night before I have to work.

2. Lilly Pulitzer Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority Print Tote Bag

As some of you know, I am an advisor for the local chapter of my sorority. While I may have been the biggest slacker advisor EVER this fall, I do, in fact, plan on being much more involved as of now. Between homecoming, long range plans, and moving, I just did not have the time to commit this fall that I thought I would. With that being said, Lilly Pulitzer has come out with new sorority prints, and Theta was one of those chosen! I am OBSESSED with this bag. I love Lilly and I love Theta; here's the product of the two. As soon as I get paid, I am pre-ordering this bag. Although, if my parents or grandparents decide to read this and want to follow the link to pre-order for me, you know, just a thought! :)

3. Clarks Dark Brown Wallabees

Now, I know that I have a pair of these already. But....they are seriously the most amazing shoe EVER. I absolutely love my wallabees. I would wear them year round if my feet wouldn't sweat in the summer. They are the most comfortable shoe that I own. I love the days that I wear them to work. I always feel a little happier on those days because I am so comfortable. I would love a pair of the dark brown ones. The ones I currently have are their sand colored ones. And while they are great, you know that you can never have enough shoes. And as my mother taught me, if something fits in one color, you shouhld buy it in every color.

4. UGG Duck Shoes

Okay.....I know my parents are probably like "Seriously? Our daughter wants duck shoes?" My big sister in the sorority has a pink pair of these and she wears them when it's raining. I have never been able to find a pair in my size....EVER. I think I literally spent all of college looking for duck shoes in my size to wear during the rain. (I do love my rain boots, but as a professional, it's really hard to justify wearing rain boots into a high school when so many students are wearing them, too.) Well....THANK YOU NORDSTROM! And I feel like it's fate because these duck shoes are in royal blue; one of my school's colors is royal blue. :)


5. TOMS Houndstooth Slip On

Ok....I know I said I thought these shoes were the most ridiculous things ever and that it was just a fad that I would not participate in. BUT....after living in the Low Country for over a year now, I have come to realize that while I will never wear these shoes with shorts, they really do some like a convenient and reasonably priced shoe. I like the Houndstooth pattern that could be worn with jeans, dress pants, or even a black dress. As I said, I would never wear these with shorts.

For now, that's all the window shopping I can do. While I do love window shopping, I hate it when I can't actually buy anything. So for now, I'm going to go grade some papers and spend the day of atonement thinking about what my next plan is. Happy Saturday and GO TIGERS!!!

Happy October!

I realize that I have started several of the past few posts with "Happy October, Happy Homecoming, and Happy August," but I think that's because as of now, I am finally feeling happy. There were a few low points there at the beginning of the year with major stress, but now it's fall, my favorite time of the year, and there's lots to be happy about!

To kick off this month, I headed home to see Mom and Dad for the weekend. I took Friday off (I think after the fantastic job I did with homecoming, it was okay that I took a day for my sanity) and headed to Atlanta. I haven't been back since the beginning of August, and if you know me you know that that's a pretty long time. I figured that since all football was away this weekend, it was a good time to make the trip. We had such a fun weekend. I got to go eat sushi with my dad at our favorite place, Fuji Hana, on Friday afternoon while Mom was still at work. That night, we traveled to my alma mater for the football game.  It was the Matt Hobby football game, which is pretty significant. Matt was a football player in my class. We went to middle school together and I had a major crush on him in the 7th grade. That, obviously, didn't work out, but we did end up becoming friends in high school. The summer before our junior year, he was diagnosed with a very aggressive type of cancer. The football team as well as Matt's closest friends rallied behind him complete with shaving heads, the StandTough logo (our own version of Lance Armstrong's LiveStrong), and lots of T-shirts. Sadly, about a month after graduation, Matt passed away. Since his passing, every year there is a football game in his honor. The school raises money for the Rally Foundation, an organization that works towards finding a solution for childhood cancer. It's somethign near and dear to a lot of people's hearts. It was a little awkward for me, mostly because I was having one of those "I feel fat weekends" and really didn't want to see any of my former peers, but it felt good to be there to support the cause.

Saturday, we headed up to Ellijay to get some apples. I had never been before, but I have absolutely fallen in love with the little mountain town. I absolutely see myself living either there, or somewhere like there, one day.

We came home with SOOOOOOOO many apples. Mom started baking away and I got to reap the benefits! I came home with an apple cake for me and some to share with friends. She also made pumpkin apple bread, which was to die for.
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Also on Saturday, we watched my Clemson Tigers move to 5-0!!!!! I cannot believe that Clemson is undefeated. It is so great and I am so excited for this upcoming weekend!

And why am I excited for this weekend? I'm heading home to Tigertown with some of my best friends!!!

  This coming weekend is Clemson's homecoming game in addition to my sorority's alumni weekend. I cannot wait to see all my friends in Death Valley. It is going to be an epic weekend for sure! I guess I should now go start grading all those papers that are calling my name....

The Tigers are Raging.....and I may have found myself a new life plan

My school's football team kicks major bootay. That's all I have to say. Beating Auburn last weekend and FSU today was FREAKING AWESOME. There are no words except GO TIGERS!!!! I am so proud to say I'm a Clemson Tiger. AND that I'm going to be back in Death Valley in two weeks. SUPER PUMPED.

So last night at homecoming, my good friend K mentioned that she was thinking about going back to get a master's degree in administration. I mentioned that I was thinking about getting my master's in counseling. She said she coudl totally see it. But as I was thinking, I realized that I might be better suited, and my bank account may be better suited, as a psychologist. You know, like the doctors that are therapists? I think I may have found myself a new life plan. We'll see. Who knows? Maybe I'll meet prince charming tomorrow and won't have to worry about changing my life plan! :)