weekend "wonders" and mingle monday #2

Oh, Monday...you came again so soon. How thoughtful of you. 

...not.

Anyways, I hope that y'all had fabulous weekends while I was confined to bedroom with philosophy notes, and a drama book. 

.......

But, really.

Here's how it all went down.  

After my exam Friday afternoon, I came back to take a very much needed nap --it was quite possibly the best nap ever. Then I proceeded to do a whole lot of this..

 ALL STINKIN' NIGHT.

no bueno. 

At least there was a whole lot of this...

to keep me sane.

Pandora on a DMB loop.

And a whole lot of this...

why yes, those are haystacks, rice krispy treats, goldfish, birthday cake oreos, and choc. ice cream

to keep my hands occupied so they wouldn't claw my eyes out. 

Friday night Saturday morning saw me going to bed at a good 'ole 4am after 10 hours of torturing my brain. Sorry, not my decision, brain.

My philosophy exam was at 12pm on Saturday...yes, Saturday. Cruel and unusual punishment, anyone?? I thought so too. Anyway, I survived and treated myself to some retail therapy and a LOT of calories.

 

FIVE GUYS - little cheeseburger w/ lettuce, tomato, ketchup, & grilled onions, regular fry, and a lemonade

 ...and I ate it all. Every single fry. 

Yeah. I had to prepare for my super fun Saturday night full of MORE this...

drama, instead of philosophy

 P.S. - if you're a drama buff and love reading plays in your free time..don't ever read Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot". Worst 2 hours of my life. And I'll never get them back. Shame.

Sunday was full of more drama reading. BOO!
But my toenails got a fresh makeover...

along with an attempt at doing my fingernails...

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in "Mint Sorbet"

 (please don't laugh at how bad they are. I struggle when it comes to fingernails.)

all while watching this addicting show...

 Anyone else have a girl crush on JLH? She is so cute. 

I sure hope y'alls weekends were much more exhilarating than mine was! 

Now, linking up once again with Meg over at Life of Meg

for Mingle Monday!
I absolutely love this link-up, y'all. Such a great way to meet new bloggers!

This week's question:
What fashion trend do you really want to try out this summer? 

Hmm..I've already been messing with it a little bit..but color-blocking! I just love how some girls can totally pull it off and make it look flawless. That's my goal by the end of the summer! ;)

Now head on over to see Meg and help spread the word about this awesome link-up!

Have a wonderful Monday! xo 

Fun Flick Friday #2

 My dearest Friday, I would normally say that it is so nice to see you...but I have to take an exam today. So therefore, I'm not quite as excited to see you. Please don't take this offensively. I will be thrilled to see you next week because that means I will be DONE with exams, papers, work, and SCHOOL in general.

Hollaaaa.

But, I still hope that you lovelies are having a beyond wonderful start to the weekend!! :D


Before I get on with today's post, I just want to tell y'all about a fabulous giveaway being hosted by Shanna over at Because Shanna Said So!
She's giving away this little beauty...

 from the Derng Etsy shop!
She's offering so many opportunities to win, so head over and enter!
I mean, c'mon..who wouldn't want this arm candy?!


Now for today's post...

I'm back for round two of Fun Flick Friday! Check here for round one.

Up this week: Remember the Titans (2000)

 I don't have to tell you that I think this is a wonderful movie for two reasons..

1. I'm talking about it so obviously it's great.

2. I'm hoping that you've all seen this classic and therefore already know how great it is.

Anyways, as with She's the Man , I've seen this movie countless times (with Jordan, of course..we really are best friends, y'all)...and it really does get better every. single. time. Eeek gives me goosies, too. I love me some Denzel. 

ok, so not the most attractive picture of him..but it's from the movie so, deal.

Oh, and let's not forget the very young Ryan Gosling..

he didn't have the biggest part, but it was def. necessary. such a cutie pie.

 This movie is the very true, very inspirational story of the 1971 Titans football team at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, VA and their struggles as a newly-integrated team with a new African-American coach (Denzel Washington). Read the full synopsis here.

Here's a list of the main characters:

Denzel Washington - Coach Herman Boone

Will Patton - Coach Bill Yoast

Wood Harris - Julius Campbell

Ryan Hurst - Gerry Bertier

Donald Faison - Petey Jones

Craig Kirkwood - Jerry 'Rev' Harris

Kip Pardue - Ronnie "Sunshine" Bass

Ethan Suplee - Louie Lastik 

Hayden Panettiere - Sheryl Yoast

Ryan Gosling - Alan Bosley

Remember the Titans is a great mix of the seriousness needed to portray real events, while also being a bit comical. 

Here's one of absolute favorite parts...

 It really shows the boys begin to connect with each other despite the ongoing stress of integration.

Not to mention, this is one of mine and my mom's all-time favorite songs! 

'Cause baby there ain't no mountain hiiiiigh enough ;)

Oh, and this scene..short, sweet, and HILARIOUS.

Love that little cheesy, cutie pie. Ha! 

My favorite quote...the last line of the movie.

"People say that it can't work, black and white. Here, we make it work every day. We still have our disagreements, of course, but before we reach for hate, always, always, we remember the Titans."- Older Sheryl Yoast

And I can't forget the other favorite song of mine on the soundtrack..

A classic, always. Loving James Taylor.

 Lastly, I'll leave you with the trailer just in case you've never had the privilege of watching this great movie. I demand that you see it this weekend. Demand. 

 Hope you all have an extra fabulous weekend! And your prayers for me and all other students during exam week would be appreciated..thank you!! xo

all about...my hair

 Morning, y'all!

Hope this post is finding you having a tremendous Thursday already!

I got the idea for this blog post a few weeks ago, and then I forgot about it. My bad.

But I randomly remembered this morning! Yay! So without further adieu..

We're gonna talk about my hair, y'all.

Yeah, you heard right. My hair. And it's many, many different personalities.

All of which love to annoy the living daylights out of me on a daily basis. Ahhh! 

I figure the best way to do this is to just throw a bunch of pictures at ya that chronicle the life of my hair. 

Oh, and this is gonna be a two-part post. There's just that much to talk about. Anyways, I'll talk about all the colors of it today, and the styles on Monday.

So, here goes. 

 First up: the color revolution.

 

 Around 5-6 years old - blonde, blonde, BLONDE

9-10 years old (yes,  I was a giant) - getting a little darker

11-12 years old, Easter - a lot darker, all natural at this point

Oh, and don't even think about hatin' on my super cool shoes ;)

 14, almost 15 years old, end of freshman year of HS

Highlighted for the first time, trying to keep it light

15, almost 16 years old, end of sophomore year of HS

I know, I look completely different. I don't know what happened, but I'm glad it did. Whew!

Anyways, dyed my hair dark for the first time (for prom). Loved it!

 

16 years old, beginning of junior year of HS

Went for the edgy look over the summer - it's dark brown on the bottom, blonde on top.

still 16, just a few weeks after the previous picture

Dyed it much darker for my Junior Miss pageant pictures. Didn't want the judges thinking I was a punk with two-toned colored hair ;)  Plus, I thought the dark looked sophisticated and made me look older. 

17 years old, beginning of senior year of HS

Lightened it a little over the summer, still dark though.

18 years old, senior HS prom

Went back blonde just for prom..thought it went well with the dress! :P

19 years old, end of freshman year at UNC

Just kinda letting it go, hadn't dyed it in about a year. 

19, almost 20 years old, Easter - sophomore year at UNC

Dyed it back dark for the first time in 3 years..

..and I am loving it! 

Come back Monday to see me chronicle the styles of my crazy, psycho hair!

Do you guys love to change up your hair color/styles as much as I do? What's your favorite look? Let me know! 

Have a wonderful rest of your Thursday! xo 

 

late nights with jimmy fallon...and the library

Good morning, y'all!
I'm so super pumped about today because it's LDOC for us here at UNC-Chapel Hill. You know, last day of classes?
Yeahhhhh! So stoked. But  I can't hardly believe that yet another year has already gone by. I can vividly remember the day I left my dorm last year, and I'll be leaving my apartment here in one week + one day! Crazy, fast life.
Anyways, I mentioned yesterday that Pres. Obama was here to give a speech and then visit the Jimmy Fallon show taping here on our campus. I didn't have tickets, but I still thoroughly enjoyed watching the show last night. There's just something about two celebrities talking about how great your school is that really makes you glad that you chose such a wonderful school to attend. GO TARHEELS! 

our beautiful campus

Here are a few pictures snapped by Raleigh's News and Observer covering the events yesterday..

they were rather hilarious, i must admit

being greeted by Bev at RDU

someone was excited to speak..

working the crowd..

 Once again, I'm not the biggest Obama fan..but I have to admit that having him choose to come to our school made me feel pretty darn special.

And let's not forget this super cool dude and his awesome new single, "Mercy"..

Dave Matthews

However, prior to all the fun and games.. I was stuck in the library studying for philosophy. BLECH!

what I was doing...(and no, that's not a soft drink y'all. it's pink lem...I promise)

and what I WANTED to be doing.

Philosophy requires way too much thinking, in my opinion. Just sayin'.

Also, I want to give the biggest thank-you to my super, oh-so-awesome, wonderful, talented, all those cool things blog friend Gail
for my beyond amazing new blog design. 
I AM LOVING IT. 
You're the best! xoxo

Now, please excuse me while I go stuff my face with the Krispy Kreme doughnuts that my professor is giving us for LDOC... ;)

Have a wonderful Wednesday, loves!! xo
p.s. I'm also loving my new signature..what do y'all think?!

Sometimes and Always #2

Hello and Happy Tuesday, y'all!

Today is my second to last day of classes for the semester...wow!

This year has flown by, but I'm really not complaining ;)

Just a side-note before I get into today's post..

THE PREZ IS IN TOWN, Y'ALL.

 Yep, you bet ya. Good 'ole Obama is making his way to little 'ole Chapel Hill today to give a speech on.....? Beats me. They haven't publicized it very much. Rumors started swirling around campus last Wednesday/Thursday and the university sent us all an e-mail Sunday night giving us the few necessary details about how to get tickets and where the speech was going to bed held. I'm not the biggest Obama supporter (sorry if this offends anyone), but I was still pretty stoked to get the chance to see him speak. I mean, he IS the President. Anyways, sad story...I have class from 9:30-1:45 and the doors to the arena opened at 10am and the speech starts at 1pm. So, no President sighting for Haley. Poo. 

Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, and Dave Matthews Band are also here doing a segment on Obama, but seniors got priority tickets for that. Again, poo!

Oh well, on to today's post!

Linking up with Megan over at Mackey Madness for...

 

Yay! Love this link-up. Here we go! 

Sometimes:  I don't pay attention in class.

Always: I go to class. (that conscience, I tell ya..)

 

Sometimes: I really, really, really want a soft drink.

Always: I abstain and do my best to keep my promise to myself. Booooo.

Oh, the things I would do for a Diet SunDrop right now...

 

Sometimes: I disappoint myself.

Always: I learn from my mistakes.

 

 Sometimes: I wish that summertime didn't come with 90+ degree weather.

Always: I wish that it came with 80 degree weather so I can wear cute clothes ;) 

Sometimes: It annoys me when Rue whines at the edge of the bed because she wants me to pick her up, even though she's very capable of jumping up there by herself.

Always: I'm thankful to have such a sweet, loving companion that loves me so much :)

love that sweet, little fur angel

 Sometimes: I get fed up with all of Facebook's changes.

Always: I stay on it like it's my second job. Whoops.  

 What are your "Sometimes and Always"? Link-up with Megan and let us know!

 Enjoy the rest of this beautiful Tuesday! xo

bittersweet birthday wishes and mingle monday #1

Happy Monday, y'all! 

Hope this brand new week has started off wonderful for all of you so far! 

Only 4 1/2 more days 'til the weekend ;)

...is it sad that I only make it day to day by  focusing on how many days I have until the weekend? Oh well.

Today is going to be a double post..lucky y'all :)

First up: bittersweet birthday wishes to my sweet, sweet mama. 

For those of you who don't know, my mom lost her battle with lung cancer a little over 8 years ago, on February 5th, 2004. I was only 11 years old then and it's been a rough ride since then, but my brother and my daddy keep me going. You can read a little more about it here. 

February 5th is the day on which we grieve, but on April 23rd we do our best to celebrate instead. Today would have been my mama's 53rd birthday, and I have no doubt in my mind that she would still look 35. 

my beautiful mama, Jackie

I was thinking about it last night and sadly realized that I don't really remember celebrating her birthday when she was alive. I know that we did, and I've seen pictures to remind me, but they're not memories that stick out in my head. But I try to remind myself that I was only 11 years old and she was diagnosed and gone in less than a year (Jun. 2003-Feb. 2004), so I didn't really have to time to recognize what was happening. 

I guess what I'm trying to say, and I know this is cliche, but it's true: cherish every moment you have with your loved ones, because you never know when it will be your last. Yes, I knew my mother was dying and I still hold on to those last months I had with her. But on her last birthday, her 44th, on April 23rd, 2003..we had no idea that it would be the last one we would ever get to spend with her.  

Happy 53rd Birthday, Mama! I know you're having the best birthday yet in Heaven with our Lord & Savior. I cannot wait until the day when we're all able to celebrate with you again. We all love you so much, and miss you more and more everyday. Hope that you, Granddaddy, Pops, and Granny Marge are all party rockin' with Jesus. 

she had the best beach bod ever

please ignore my expression; fixing my hair for a wedding

my favorite picture, at my aunt's (in the background) bridal luncheon

mama and daddy in Bermuda celebrating their wedding anniversary, their last one before she passed - 05/2003

daddy, me, mama, and hunt, circa 1997

me, mama, & hunter - Easter '02 I believe

i get it from my mama ;)

family portraits, 1995 - don't know where Hunt and I got the blonde hair from

 Love you so much, my beautiful mother. Happy Birthday♥ 

 

Now, for Mingle Monday Weekly Blog Hop #1! Linking up with Meg over at Life of Meg. 

Basically, this link-up is a just a way to easily meet other bloggers!

This week's question: What is your OCD habit? Do you have one? 

...Oh, do I. About 51684638 to be exact. 

But the most OCD one, and the one that I get teased the most for, is...

having to put lotion on my feet right before I go to bed. 

I know y'all, this sounds weird. But I hate, hate, HATE having dry feet. Eeeeeeeeek! Drives me nutso.

 For real. 

The very last thing I do before hopping into bed is put lotion on my feet, therefore there is always a bottle of lotion on my nightstand wherever I go. And if I get in bed, then get back up again before I fall asleep...gotta do it again. 

   

 Now head on over to see Meg and join in on her fabulous link-up!! 

Enjoy the rest of your Monday, loves! xo