I'm falling hard...

.....for fall, y'all.

To say that I have welcomed it with open arms would be THE understatement of the year. Seriously.

First off, I've brought all the scarves out. Yep. Every single 46 of 'em. 

Okay, I don't really know the exact number..but I'd say that's pretty close. Too much? Nah, I don't think so either.

Secondly, I scooted my butt on over to Bath&BodyWorks to stock up on some fall-y scented wallflowers! I believe I got Cider Lane, Leaves, Cinnamon Nut Bread, White Barn Nutmeg and Spice, and Pumpkin Caramel Latte. ...Told you I stocked up.

Anyway, I'm currently burning Cider Lane and I l.o.v.e. it. For real. It's ah-mazing and I love walking into my room. Heavenly, I tell ya. Go get some NOW!

And what "welcoming of fall" would be complete without baking some pumpkin goodies?! None. 

So my sweet roommates and I have been baking up a pumpkin storm since Friday night and let me tell you, these recipes are NOT disappointing! And before I share them with you, let me just say that while I love to cook/bake, I'm not the best at it BUT so far, all of these recipes have turned out just perfect and if I can do it, I know y'all can. So don't let your fear of the kitchen (if you have one..) stop you! Get to baking!

Gonna link up with the beautiful and super sweet Michelle over at The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting to share these recipes because I found them ALL on Pinterest!

Imagine that....

 

First up...

Baked Pumpkin Donut Holes

via

Y'all...to say these were divine, amazeballs, fan-flipping-tastic, so good they make you want to stuff all 24 of them into your mouth at the same time....STILL wouldn't do them justice. Yes, they're really that good.

I didn't change a dern thing in the recipe (except that I FORGOT to put the vanilla in. Whoops! And they were still amazing, so imagine how much better they would have been. Kicking myself, trust me). Do yourself a favor and go whip up a batch of these, pronto! 

Next up...

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

via 

I so regret making this. NOT because it didn't taste good, but because it tasted TOO good. I've had a piece for breakfast every morning since I made it and I just can't get enough of it. I put a little sugar free syrup on mine in the morning and it seriously takes me to Heaven. Or at least pretty darn close to it. But be warned, the recipe makes a TON! I halved the whole recipe and it still made a good 12 slices (about 3/4 inch thick). Also, I subbed egg whites for the eggs. Can't tell a difference at all. And I also didn't have allspice and ginger on hand so I just subbed more cinnamon and nutmeg for those. Again, tastes just fine! And one more thing..I used dark chocolate chips because they're my favorite, but the recipe calls for semi-sweet. Use whatever you like best! Maybe even try white chocolate??

And then there was...

Pumpkin Mousse Dip

via

 Mmmmm so good, y'all. I just whipped this up last night actually and it's so quick and easy to make. I subbed unsweetened vanilla almond milk for regular milk, just to shave off some calories. And I used fat free cool whip, too. Tastes all the same to me! I paired it with vanilla wafers, but ginger snaps, graham crackers, apple slices...anything like that would go perfect with it!

 Last but certainly not least...

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Krispies

 via

Just a little twist on the regular rice krispy treat! I love love love homemade rice krispies and I actually made a batch of those Friday night. But between 3 very stressed out college girls, they didn't last very long. Whoops. 

Anyway, we tested these out tonight and DING! DING! We have a winner, ladies. Absolutely de-lish. I didn't bother with the white chocolate drizzle on top just to save some calories. 

 That's a lie. 

I was just too lazy to melt the chocolate and get it in the ziploc and make a mess everywhere.

Sorry, I'm not sorry.

Now here are just a few other recipes that I'm dying to try this fall!

Pumpkin Cornbread

 via

Apple Fritters

via

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

 via

 And just because I don't want y'all thinking I'm a total fat kid for posting only desserts (I seriously just realized that...ouch)..

Baked Brown Sugar Wings w/ Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

via

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Are y'all as excited about fall as I am? Have ya'll already started decorating? Do y'all have any favorite fall recipes? Please share!!

P.S. You can follow me on Pinterest...here! 

P.P.S  I head to NYC in only 17 short days!! YAYAY! Can ya tell I'm excited?!

 Have a great week, y'all!! xo

I'm still alive, I promise!

 Hey y'all, remember me?!

I know you guys must have just been dying the past 2 weeks without me. 

TOTALLY KIDDING.

Kinda.

;)

Well, I found myself with a little free time today so I thought I would spend it playing catch up with y'all! I've missed blogging so much, so hopefully things will settle down a little more in the coming weeks and I can get back to blogging at least 2 or 3 times a week :)

I've got a jam-packed schedule until November -- wow, did I really just say that?

NOVEMBER?! Holy cow, where is time going...I just started classes like, a few days ago. (Or was it a few weeks? Whoops...)

Anyway, here's a little peek at what the next month and a half holds for me:

This weekend (Sept. 22nd) - UNC vs ECU football game

Now I've gotta be really honest with y'all here -- I was raised to cheer for ECU football and UNC basketball. But now that I actually attend UNC, it's only fair that I cheer for them, right? Right. However, I personally will be content with whoever wins because I love both teams. I cheer just as hard for ECU as I do for UNC. 

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 The next weekend I actually DO have free, but that will be spent doing some hardcore schoolwork. BLEH.

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 Moving on (Oct. 5-7th) - NC Seafood Festival  

Now y'all....being that I only live 2 hours from the coast, I LOVE me some seafood. And nothing makes me happier than a festival. And the beach. So...combine those two and I am in Heaven for a whole weekend. My family has been going to the NC Seafood Festival for several years and it gets better and better every. single. time. The food is absolutely ah-mazing, and don't even get me started on all the vendors selling homemade jewelry and crafts. Whew...my wallet always takes a beating that weekend. Can't wait to do it again this year!! 

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Next up...my personal favorite (Oct 12-14th) - NEW YORK CITY

  Ahhhhh! Excited doesn't even begin to describe the way I feel, y'all. I've been to NYC a couple times before (once with family friends, once with family), but I've never been with Jordan and that is exactly who I'm going with this time (plus her bf's mom, Susan, and another one of our great friends, Danielle)! We're actually taking a day trip. Yes, you read that right. We will leave home via charter bus around 11:00pm Friday night, arrive in NYC around 10:00am Saturday morning, leave NYC around 11:00pm Saturday night, and arrive back home around 10:00am Sunday morning. WHEW! These day trips are very common around home, but neither of us have ever done one before so we're both a little antsy about it, but we know that we'll have a blast no matter what! Oh, and this is strictly a shopping trip for us. We've both been to NYC twice so we've seen all the sights -- we just want to get the goods this time. Mhmm..you know what I'm talking about. Chinatown, baby. Pashmina scarves and knockoff handbags and sunglasses galore. That's my kinda "town". 

However, we do plan on making it by Ground Zero because the new memorial and Freedom Tower weren't there the last times we went. As I said before, excited doesn't even begin to describe it and I'm so, so glad that Jordan and I get to go together! Be expecting a full recap when the time comes! ;) 

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Finally, (Oct. 18-21st) - FALL BREAK/NC STATE FAIR

 Like I just told y'all earlier, there aren't many things that this girl loves more than a fair/festival. There's just something about them that I can't get enough of. Maybe it's the sense of community in all of the people, the atmosphere, or maybe it's just all the fried food.

Yeah. It's definitely the fried food. ;)

Anyway, our state fair always falls right in the same week as UNC's fall break, which is perfect for me since I only like to go with my Dad. It's just something that we've always done and since I'm free from class for a couple days, it's the perfect time for us to go. And as I mentioned before, the food is definitely my main reason for going. 

Here are my favorites:

-apple cider (cold during the day, hot at night)

-chocolate covered frozen bananas 

-homemade peach ice cream

-the BEST ham biscuits known to man

-ribbon fries (nom nom nom)

-fried shrimp sandwich (I'm already drooling..)

and of course...

FUNNEL CAKE!

Can't forget the funnel cake. That would be a sin.

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Well, guys...that's what I've got planned to kick off the fall season with! 

It's finally starting to get a little cooler here in NC (the high today is only 72 degrees!!!) and this chick could not be any happier. I'm ready to break out the boots and scarves, y'all!! 

Hope y'all have a fab Wednesday and hopefully it won't be so long before I make it back to blogland! 

xoxo

 

Sayonara, Summer!

Happy Sunday, y'all!

It looks as if the weekends are going to be the only time I can find to blog so therefore, I'm doing my first ever Sunday Social link-up with Neely over at A Complete Waste of Makeup!! 

I always see tons of bloggers do this link-up and it always looks like so much fun, so I decided to join in on the fun myself this week! 

 

I would give y'all an update on my week/weekend...but literally all it has consisted of is going to class, going to the gym, and reading my life away. But that's ok, because that just means that this upcoming week won't be nearly as stressful! ;)

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This week's questions: End of Summer Wrap-Up

 What was your favorite trip/vacation/activity this summer?

Hands down, no question, without a doubt...CALIFORNIA with my two best guys. It was 11 days of pure bliss and I honestly do not believe that I'll ever have another trip as great as that one. It was the first trip that just the 3 of us had taken since my mom passed 8 years ago, and it was much needed. We had the absolute time of our lives, and I can't wait to go back one day! 

Favorite outfit look of the summer/clothing item?

AE Chambray shirt, Old Navy Khaki Shorts, Lucky Brand Cyrah Thong Sandal, e.l.f. Matte Lip Color, e.l.f. Cream Eyeliner, Tommy Hilfiger Tote...

Summer by hwishall0512 featuring a chambray shirt

 What is one thing you wish you had gotten to do this summer?

Go to the beach. I was out of school for an entire 3 1/2 months (May 3rd-August 21st) and the ONLY time I made it to the beach (which is only 2 hrs away from me) was when I traveled 3,000 miles across the country to California. So sad. 

 
Favorite Song of the Summer?

Mmm...this is a hard one, but I'm gonna have to go with Kissed You (Goodnight) by Gloriana. Love. This. Song.

Oh, and I can't forget Dark Side by Kelly Clarkson. Either one of those, for sure. 

 

Favorite movie/tv show of the summer?

Well I didn't make it to the movies much, but I DID finally see Magic Mike a couple nights ago...so that easily takes the cake. 

  I mean...C'MON.

And for the tv show....THE BACHELORETTE!! Duh. 

Too cute for words. Love 'em. 

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That's all I've got for today, ya'll.

Hope the rest of your Sunday is nice and relaxing, as it always should be!! 

xo,

 

Busy is an understatement, but so is blessed.

 Y'all, y'all, y'all. 

I am so sorry for continually taking these hiatuses but I'm afraid that's the life of busy, working college student! But as  the title of this post says...I'm a blessed, busy, working college student and sometimes [too often] I forget that until something brings me back to reality and makes me realize it...just like all of the sweet comments y'all left me on my last post. I cannot even begin to tell you how much every. single. word meant to me. Thank y'all. So much.

With that being said, I want to give y'all an update on where I've been and what I've been doing the last 3 weeks! In those 3 weeks, I've finished up my summer job, gone to King's Dominion, got a new job for the fall, moved back into my apartment [I had a subleaser for the summer], started classes for the semester, AND gone to a last minute Brad Paisley concert! 

WHEW! 

Just saying it all makes me tired all over again.

First up: moving back in.

My sweet best girl, Jordan, was my sidekick in this process and I think we did a pretty darn good job, if I do say so myself. Here's a little look into the whole she-bang!

The spare bedroom at home being overtaken by my stuff..

  ..and the hallway, too. (photo-bomb courtesy of Rue) 

 Before...

 ...during...

(Jordan working hard, me taking pictures---naturally)

...and after!

Trust me..my bed has more pillows now. I just may have forgotten to bring the others on the first trip...

Whoops.

I know it looks like I don't have room to sit at my desk..but I do. 

I also painted three more blue frames so that looks much more balanced now. AND I painted a perfume/jewelry tray to sit on top of my bookcase.

Can't forget the bathroom.

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Next up: King's Dominion.

The VERY next day after moving in (even though I was worn slam out), I took two of my favorite kiddos (Pam's daughter, Ashley, and Ashley's bf, Josh) to King's Dominion. I shouldn't really call them 'kiddos' because they're 16 and 17 years old, but they're younger than me so therefore, they're 'the kiddos'. I am a roller coaster JUNKIE and had so much fun! Here's a quick look at our day.

1. Funny faces

2. Ash took a little snooze (we did get up at 5am)

3. Can't believe she's taller than me now..

4. Rode this baby TWICE. Blacked out ONCE. #winning #almost

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 And just this past weekend: Brad Paisley Concert!

I didn't originally have tickets to go, but the morning of the concert my brother's girlfriend (Kait)'s mom was trying to get rid of her 2 tickets so I snatched them up and my roommate Tay and I went and had the BEST time! Easton Corbin and The Band Perry opened for him and they were fabulous as well. Not to mention the surprise appearances by both Scotty McCreery AND Carrie Underwood! Such an amazing concert.

1. Taylor and myself waiting for it to start

2. Easton Corbin

3. The Band Perry

4. Brad Paisley

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 Lastly: things that make me smile.

Just a little collage of some of the things that have kept me smiling through all the busy-ness of the past month..

1. Jordan's mom's horse, Holly, eating an early morning breakfast.

2. Sweet texts from my sweet Daddy.

3. Sleepy Sunday morning snuggles between my 2 favorites.

4. Essie's "Pretty Wicked" nail polish.

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And before I go, just a few short side notes...

--I received the best mail this weekend...my first purchase from the lovely Chelsea over at Life is a Sunset 's Etsy store. Can't wait to wear it with everything this fall. 

Hard to see in this picture..but it's that beautiful tortoiseshell bracelet. LOVE IT.

She's currently working on her fall line which I know is going to be even more fabulous so be sure to go check out her store, AfterSunset. 

 -- I just recently tried out e.l.f. cosmetics for the first time....and I am smitten. Especially with the cream eyeliner. BEST. STUFF. EVER. Seriously. Go get some. Now. It's only $3. 

--I finally uploaded all of my California pictures to Facebook! It took about 2 days [literally] so I decided not to post them all here, too. I'll do a re-cap eventually. Hopefully before the end of the year. But in the meantime, here's the link to my Facebook. Come friend me if you're interested in seeing the pictures! 

--I didn't shop for myself all summer. So I've done lots of that in the past week. I'll post pics of my favorite purchases as soon as I find the time!

--Speaking of time, I don't know how often I'll find the time to post at all. Being a working college student is tough. I know y'all know that and hopefully you'll all bear with me because I DO love blogging but there's not always enough time for it. But I promise to at least post once every couple of weeks. Don't desert me, please!! 

--I made these Skinnytaste Baked Chipotle Sweet Potato Fries for dinner the other night and oh.em.gee they were TO DIE for. You have to make them. Now. Go to the kitchen and get started. You won't be sorry!

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Alright, y'all..I think that's everything I wanted to tell ya + a lot more. Haha!

Sorry again for taking so many hiatuses but hopefully I'll be able to get in groove here soon and get my schedule all ironed out and be able to post more regularly. Thanks again for all of your support so far...it means the world to me!!

I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes that I try to remind myself of every day...and an adorable picture of my sweet girl. 

"Too blessed to be stressed."

 "Mooooom, I said no more pictures!!!!!"

 ;)

Have a great day/week, y'all 

xo

Sweet Dreams

 I've mentioned before that I am quite a "pro" in the dreaming department. While I know that everyone dreams multiple times each night, not everyone remembers them. But I do. And I often remember more than one of them, and in extreme detail. And as most of you know, I lost my mom to lung cancer when I was a few months shy of 12 years old. While I think about her constantly, I really don't dream about her that often. And I find myself wondering...why? Who wouldn't want to dream about their mom who they love and miss more than anything and never truly got a chance to know? Sometimes I think it's because I try to block it out and not think about it because it's too painful. But then I begin to think, "No, that can't be it" because when I do dream about her, I wake up, whether in the morning or the middle of the night, feeling so happy that I've gotten to see her. But at the same time, I also find myself extremely upset that it wasn't real and I wasn't really talking to her, hugging her, or seeing her face.

But last night I did dream about her, and I can't even begin to explain the way that it's made me feel. It was so real. I woke up thinking, that had to have really happened. There's no way it was just a dream. Because in the dream, I was who and how I am now. I wasn't the 11 year old confused little girl that I was when she died. I was me..now..20 years old and missing my mom more than ever. What I remember from the dream was that we were Christmas shopping, and she was still sick, still dying. But I was old enough to understand and fully comprehend what was going to happen and what was going to be taken from me. I remember that we were sitting on a bench, just talking, and I was telling her how beautiful that I thought she was, no hair and all. She was telling me how she didn't have much time left here, and I was telling her that it was 'ok'. 
But then I realized -- it's not ok. It's not ok that she wasn't able to see me win two cheerleading national championships, graduate from high school, and be accepted into a great university. And it's not ok that she won't be able to see me graduate from that great university, or go shopping for my wedding dress with me. I'm tired of saying that it's 'ok', because it's not. I know that this was all a part of God's grand plan and that is what ultimately gives me peace at the end of each day, but that doesn't mean that I can't be mad, angry, upset, and still confused at the fact that it happened. 

I always try to analyze my dreams when I have them and I really think that the purpose of my dream last night was to give me some sort of closure. When my mom was sick, I was only 11. I know that I keep repeating that, but the more that I think about how young I was, the more I realize why I'm having such a hard time coping now. I wasn't able to fully understand what was going on then. Yes, I knew that my mom was going to die. I understood what death was. But I wasn't able to fathom just how different things were going to be. Everything happened so fast (she was diagnosed in July/August '03, and passed away February '04) and I wasn't able to fully grasp what was happening before it had already happened and she was gone. I wasn't old enough to sit down with her and have serious conversations about what was going to happen and how things were going to change. 
But last night in my dream, I was able to do that. And I woke up this morning feeling like I've finally found the closure that I've been missing the past 8 years. I'll never be fully 'ok' with the fact that my mom was taken from me when I was so young, but I can honestly say that I feel more at peace now. And it's crazy to think that something as simple as one dream that probably only really lasted about 8 seconds was able to do that for me. Nonetheless, I'm thankful for it. Thankful that even though He took her from me decades earlier than I would have liked, God gave me the greatest mother I could have ever hoped for.

I love you, Mama. I miss you more than anything and I wish so badly that you could be here with us still. Can't wait to see you again, one day.

Mama, Hunt, & Me

Daddy, Me, Mama, & Hunt

Me, Mom, and Hunt

Mama, Grandma, Aunt Terry, & Myself

Mama and Hunt

Mama and Daddy

Our family

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Have a great Thursday, y'all

xo

Busy, busy, busy...

Happy Friday, lovely ladies!!

I've taken yet another little hiatus even though I promised I wouldn't..and I am so terribly sorry. I don't where all this busy-ness keeps coming from! Seriously...every time I blink another thing is inadvertently added to my to-do list. I'm working everyday, moving back into my apartment for school on Sunday, and trying to keep this house clean and have time to exercise and watch as much of the Olympics as I possibly can! 

SO. MUCH.

And sadly, that doesn't leave a lot of time for blogging :(

But today, I woke up determined to make time for it so I'm doing my first ever link-up with Ashley over at Adventures of Newlyweds for..

Here we go!

Dear Nora Roberts, your amazing novels are what get me through my very long, and often boring, work days at the ice cream shack. Thank you for being such a great author and always finding a way to tie in a little mystery and suspense with your love stories. 

My most recent read. You have to check it out..amazing!

Dear Bumblebee Sensations Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Tuna, I just love you. Everything about you. Until a couple weeks ago I had always been skeptical about tuna, but I've never turned down anything sun-dried tomato and basil flavored so I just had to try you when I saw you and you didn't let me down. You are lunch...everyday. Along with your brothers Lemon Pepper and Spicy Thai Chili. 

Dear super cute, super sweet, and super great guy in my dream last night, I don't have the slightest clue who you are..but please make yourself known. Because when you were carrying me on your shoulders last night and rammed my head into the doorframe, it was super adorable how apologetic and caring you were afterward. (Yes, I realize how creepy this sounds -- but I've told y'all before..I have very weird and detailed dreams)

Dear crafting, you have been the only source of calm the past couple weeks and I am so excited to put all of the things we created together in my apartment when I move back in! 

I like to call this "50 Shades of Blue"

Planning to put these over my bed!

Please excuse the Instagram screen shot. She was still asleep this morning and I knew she wouldn't send me the picture from her phone ;) Love you, Jo.

Anyway, we made these for each other to put in our apartments! 

"Be the one to guide me, but never hold me down."

Dear running shoes, even though I've had you for almost a month now..I'm still so obsessed with you. Your colors, your weight (or lack thereof), and your all-around awesomeness. Please don't ever wear out on me. 

:

Dear canteloupe, I just cannot get enough of you. I hated you up until this past year, and now I have a mini panic attack if we don't have any in the fridge. I apologize for the 19 years of happiness that we missed out on. :( Here's to enjoying the next 70!

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And that's all I've got for today! I am luckily off work today thanks to my lovely co-worker Jen, but I have a million + 1 things to do so I'm off to get started.

Have a wonderful Friday and weekend, y'all!! xo