Chamilia

I've been meaning to post this for awhile, and when I finally did, Blogger deleted my post (along with a few others) so I am just now getting around to reposting this.

B's parents bought me a Chamilia bracelet for Christmas and they each picked out a charm to add. I'm not a big jewelry person but I do have pieces that I wear everyday and I've added this to my everyday wear. Chamilia is similar to Pandora and Trollbeads but it is all made in the United States. Actually, Pandora beads will fit on the Chamilia bracelet. I love this idea because it is like a modern charm bracelet. You can pick beads that have a special meaning or remind of you something. I only have four beads at the moment but I can't wait to add on!

My beads from left to right:

1. Green & Blue Pandora bead. I bought this while on vacation in Tortola with B and his parents and it always reminds me of our awesome trip

2. Swirling Dreams Chamilia bead. B's mom picked this out

3. Zebra Chamilia bead. B picked this one out

4. Under the Sea Chamilia bead. B's dad picked this one out

Weekend Recap

This past weekend B and I traveled with his family to Waynesville, NC to celebrate his cousin Mollie's wedding. It was a beautiful weekend with lots of time spent relaxing and driving and catching up with family. The ceremony was held at a beautiful stone chapel on Lake Junaluska and the reception was held at The Waynesville Inn which is also where we stayed.

PS - B failed to inform me that the wedding was semi-formal therefore I ran around town the day before we left trying to find a dress and shoes because I brought nothing dressy enough home with me for the summer. Needless to say, I found my dress at Belk and on sale it cost $34.99 and my shoes are Jessica Simpson on sale for $59.99. Pretty good finds for such last minute shopping!

Jen and Traylor (B's older brother)

B and I after the ceremony

this is a typical look for us ha

Carter and I (B's little brother)

Hope everyone else had an awesome weekend as well!

Happy Birthday Kyle

Today is my sister Kyle's 14th birthday :)

When my dad and step-mom first got together, Kyle was only 6 years old. Over the years I have gotten to see her grow up and become the wonderful girl she is today! I can't believe that in just a few short months she will be a freshman in high school!

Celebrating her 10th birthday with lunch at Chick Fil A

Kyle (L) and Rivers (R) at Mellow Mushroom in Raleigh

McKenna, Kyle & Rivers 2008

me and Kyle July 4th 2009

playing with Bella summer 2010

Kyle, me, Rivers & Mckenna, fondue night 2010

Scout, Kyle, me, McKenna, Bonnie, Bella & Rivers Christmas 2010

I love you Kyle and I hope you have the best birthday ever!

Mountains

I am definitely a beach girl. And sadly, I didn't realize how much I loved the beach until I moved away for college. With that being sad, I love the mountains. Visiting the mountains. I went with B's family for the first time a few summer's ago and loved every minute of our trip especially the breathtaking scenery. B and I are currently in the North Carolina mountains for the weekend with his family to celebrate his cousin's wedding. Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our last trip here:

views from Grandfather Mountain

a house surrounded by Christmas trees

B and me at Grandfather Mountain

I hope everyone has a great weekend and I can't wait to post about the wedding when I return!

Thoughts

Just some positive thoughts to share with everyone! Have a great day!

WILW

Another Wednesday and there are many things I am loving!

- First, I am loving being home and seeing my sisters and parents. It hit me this weekend how grown up my sisters are getting. Kyle graduates eighth grade in a few weeks and will be in high school in the fall. Scary! Rivers graduates fifth grade and will be in middle school in the fall and McKenna will be in fourth grade in the fall. When my dad and step-mom first got together McKenna was in diapers! My how time flies!

- Second, I am loving that I have the day off today and plan on relaxing and hopefully laying in the sun before driving to Wilmington. B and I are going to the mountains for the weekend for his cousins wedding. I am very excited for this little getaway with his family.

Hope everyone is having a marvelous Wednesday!

Weekend

Here are a few photos that sum up my weekend!

birthday cake

Rivers, Kyle & McKenna

birthday cupcakes

Dad smashed a cupcake on McKenna's face

yummy fresh strawberries with vanilla ice cream & hershey's chocolate sauce

Monday Playlist

Hope everyone is having a great Monday! This playlist is comprised of some of my favorite songs that remind me of Summer and living at the beach! Hope you enjoy!

- Sideways - Citizen Cope

- Three Little Birds - Bob Marley

- Seaside - The Kooks

- Amber - 311

- Free - Donavon Frankenreiter

- Easy - Cas Haley

- Bubble Toes - Jack Johnson

- Dani California - Red Hot Chili Peppers

- Crash - Dave Matthews Band

- Santeria - Sublime

PS - It was really hard to just pick ten of my favorite songs, there are so many more

22

It's my birthdayyyyy :)

I just got off work and I am currently waiting on B to get off work and drive down here so we can celebrate! Hope everyone is having a good Friday the 13th!

PS- Yayyy for Blogger finally being back up!

WILW

It's Wednesday again and I am so excited because this is my first "day" of being home for the summer! There are so many things I am loving today..

- First I am loving that I am home and get to spend two months with my parents and sisters and friends

- Second, I am super excited to get to hang out with the coolest kid in the world today! One of my close friends Tammy has the day off so I'll be spending my day hanging out with her and her 2 year old son Jayden :)

- Third, I am loving that B is finally finished with exams! School takes up a lot of his time during the semester and I am looking forward to having a relaxing summer with him until July

- Fourth, I am loving that my birthday is in two days! Although I don't have big plans and I will be working that morning at our restaurant, B is coming to visit and I hope it will be a good day

Hope everyone is having a marvelous Wednesday!

Today!

Today is the day that I move home for the summer! I am so excited to be home again and to be able to spend time with all of my family and friends and be close to the beach but I also feel kind of sad about leaving Raleigh. It's a little bittersweet because I know when I return to Raleigh in July, things won't be the same as they are now! My closest friends life's are changing. Hayley is graduating from college and although she'll stay in Raleigh, she'll be working a full-time job starting in August after she returns from mission work in Uruguay. My other friend Bre will be moving to another city in a few days and she won't be in Raleigh when I return which will just be bizarre. All of these changes are making me kind of sad but at the same time, I am happy and curious to see what the future holds for me. Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday!

all packed up and ready to go!

A Day Late..

I know I am a day late, but after working a 12 hour shift yesterday in the restaurant industry, I honestly had barely enough energy to drive myself home and crawl into bed! But I just wanted to say a happy mother's day to both of my moms! My mom is amazing and I wouldn't be where I am at today if it wasn't for her, and my step-mom is truly a blessing in my life. I can't imagine my life without both of these wonderful women!

me with my mom & dad at high school graduation 2007

dad, me, my step-mom and B 2007

Monday Playlist

Happy Monday everyone! Hope you all had a marvelous weekend, here are some tunes to hopefully get you through the day!

- Without You - Keith Urban

- Just a Kiss - Lady Antebellum

- Don't You Wanna Stay - Jason Aldean & Kelly Clarkson

- Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not - Thompson Square

- I Won't Let Go - Rascal Flatts

- Country Boy - Aaron Lewis

- Massachusetts - Aaron Lewis

- Gimme That Girl - Joe Nichols

- American Honey - Lady Antebellum

- Sparks Fly - Taylor Swift

Cinco de Mayo

Today is Cinco de Mayo and we all know what that means, it's time for quesedillas and margaritas! Today I will be taking my Anatomy & Physiology I final exam and then I have to go to work for a few hours, womp. But after work I plan on celebrating this lovely holiday & the beginning of summer with some friends downtown! After doing a little research, I found that not surprisingly Cinco de Mayo is not an actual Mexican holiday. It does celebrate the day the Mexican Army defeated the French in the Battle of Puebla but other than that this day isn't important. The holiday and celebrating of Cinco de Mayo is mainly recognized in the United States. Real holiday or not, I will be using this day as an excuse for some good drinks! Hope everyone enjoys their day!

2011 Met Gala

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala is always a fashion spectacle. Celebrities arrive wearing their absolute best and sometimes have a high profile designer as their arm candy for the night. After looking through the pictures from this event I found ten looks that I liked best, in no particular order. Surprisingly, most of the looks I liked were either neutral in color or red. What do you all think? Which look from the Met Gala did you like best?

1. Lea Michele in Escada

2. Gwyneth Paltrow in Stella McCartney

3. Blake Lively in Chanel Haute Couture

4. Dianna Agron in Michael Kors

5. Ashley Greene in Donna Karan

6. Kate Hudson in Stella McCartney

7. Gisele Bundchen in Alexander McQueen

8. Sarah Jessica Parker in Alexander McQueen

9. Emma Roberts in Michael Kors

10. Isla Fisher in Tory Burch

All images via

WILW

Woohoo it's Wednesday! Although I will be spending majority of my day with my nose crammed in my Anatomy books there are still many things I am loving!

- First of all, I am loving that as of 4:20 tomorrow I will officially be done with Anatomy & Physiology I!

- Second, I am loving that I will be home in SC five days! So excited!

- Third, I am loving that my birthday is in nine days!

- Fourth, I am also loving this new Calypso St. Barth line at Target. I might just buy everything in the collection. No joke.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful Wednesday too!

Attention Everyone!

Attention fellow bloggers:

This girl (on the right) has joined the blogging world! WOO! She's my bestie Bre so make sure you check her out at Sugar and Spice and send her some love! She's new at this but she is awesome and her blog will soon be awesome too!

And PS- it just so happens that we like taking pictures with me on the left and her on the right. Not sure how it worked out in every photo but it's cool :)