Power of Positivity

Tonight I was reminded of something I discovered about myself not too long ago. I despise negativity. It actually makes me miserable, sad and unappreciative.  Being around people who only hate life, other people, their circumstances (it goes on) makes me feel that way, too.  I'm sure you already know that none of this leads to a happy or successful life.  Well, of course we all know that, but we don't all remember it on a day-to-day basis nor do we make an effort to change the negativity.

Here's what I know:
1. Being around rude/angry/judgmental people makes you: act that way, feel that way, feel judged, feel angry and/or feel sad. The worst part is when you feel all of those things at one time.
2. Removing yourself from the situation helps alleviate this terrible feeling.
3. Surrounding yourself with happy, confident, caring and optimistic people makes you a more happy, confident....okay, you get the point.

I learned this lesson when I was in Spain back in May, studying abroad for 3 weeks.  For part of that trip I was sad, homesick and basically hating Madrid.  But when I found the right people and the right circumstances, I never wanted the trip to end.  I took in every minute.  I let other people's problems be their problems, and not mine.  I made new friends.

Now, sometimes you don't have to change the people.  Sometimes, you have to change their view, too.  Stick up for yourself.  Speak your mind.  Be nice, understanding and kind.  Spend time with people who are like this and influence those who aren't to do the same.  There are times where I am just plain mean.  I think mean thoughts; I say them out loud.  I want to quit work/school/studying.  I want to crawl into my bed and sleep for days; I want to lash out at my best friends.  But when I stop and realize that the only thing I need to change is my attitude and my atmosphere, things get a whole lot brighter.

I remember that being mean does not make things better.  Wishing ill of others, pointing out their flaws does not make yours disappear.  And complaining about all the work you have to do does not help, by any amount, to accomplish it.

Put on some happy music (Christmas if you're one of those) and wear your favorite color.  Dance around a bit; draw a pretty picture.  Smile!  And know the only thing that will change your unhappiness is you.

DIY organizing

I finally came up with my own DIY project.  A few weeks ago, I found a perfect-sized box in my apartment.  It was open on the top, sturdy and look about right for storing toiletries, desk supplies, anything of the like.  However, it was ugly.  So today I took a purple shirt that I never wear and cut it up, creating a cover for the box.  Pictured is the box, shirt, scissors and glue to build this simple storage box.  I did have to switch and use my two-sided tape because the glue was a great disappointment.  However, if you have the right kind of glue for cloth and cardboard, that would be best.

The shirt was just the right size to cut the front from back and wrap it around the long side and around the bottom.  Then I cut the rest of up into two small rectangles for the ends and taped it all together. Super simple and it looks great on my the bathroom shelf, home to my brush, makeup and hair creme.

Paper would work as well, but I really like the look of the cloth.  Plus I was able to work in the college logo from the shirt right on the front.  A perfect Sunday afternoon organizing project. :)

Creating leftovers

Our Thursday dinner was a success! We had so much fun cooking, chatting, drinking wine and watching the kids play.  After squeezing 15 people into Rebecca's dining room and enjoying way too much stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and a delicious turkey, the girls (and Patrick) went for a walk, leaving the men to their football.  Then we started the clean-up mixed with some dessert: pumpkin jelly roll, caramel dip, and TWO kinds of brownies. The kids finally gave in and went to bed and the house was quiet by 9:15.  Rebecca had mentioned braving Target for their 10pm sales but she gave up that idea and headed for bed shortly after.  John, Steven and I pretended to watch more TV, still suffering from our food coma before following her not long after.

The next morning, John and I headed home but snuck Declan along for the trip.  We arrived home to find Aunt Sue at Mom's but no one else.  The party finally got started about 3pm when Bob and Kim showed up with food (and wine!).  We started snacked, they started cooking and we delighted in another "Thanksgiving" meal.  I made cookies and we had another pumpkin jelly roll to bring ourselves to a very uncomfortable level of full.

What a happy Thanksgiving, indeed.

Thanksgiving...so far!

My break started early Tuesday morning, I drove through the cold and rain back to New Market. I spent the afternoon with my best friend Paige and introduced her to my newest art obsession, the paint chip project that I did two weeks ago and posted here.

That evening I went to visit my friend Noah who I haven't seen in a year and half.  He's in the Air Force and has been stationed in Montana.  He was home for the month as he leaves in December for overseas.  It was so great seeing him after so long.  He, unfortunately, had to fly back this morning before being able to enjoy the holiday with his family.  I'm so thankful for our friendship and so grateful for what he and his fellow soldiers do every day.  I love having so many soldiers in my life.  I feel blessed to be able to know them and learn from them and spend time with them this holiday.

Wednesday morning, my brother John and I took the trip to Fort Meade to visit the Alwines! We had a fun day of cooking, cleaning and spoiling the kids! We played bananagrams, watched a terrible movie and I was in bed before 11. (which was lucky since my wake-up call came at 7am).  Abi crawled in and started singing "Gee gee" bright and early.  She was a good cuddle bug for about half an hour before she needed to get out of her room and wake up Declan.  Becca, John, Jennifer and I ran a makeshift 5k Turkey Trot to start the day.  Now we're enjoying the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade per tradition before we get back to the baking, cooking and eating! More pictures and details will come over the next few days as the celebrating and eating will not end today!

Happy "Ganksgiving", as Declan would say.

Weekend art project

We did it! We went back to Walmart and added to the art project.  I even got them nailed up on the wall. (John would be proud.)  We did one of cool colors with the word 'Breezy' and the other with a warm scheme as a backdrop to 'Foxy'.  Positioned on the wall shared with the kitchen, it's a love sight as you walk into the house.

The picture is crooked, not the frames.

I got the idea here: A Beautiful Mess and Sarah and I filled just a few hours cutting, arranging and letting our artistic side show.  Molly was pleasantly surprised with the addition when she returned home.  Another friend suggested using this idea along with an erasable marker to make a reusable calendar, so that will probably be our next project.

Stay tuned for more fun!

Cheers!

I got this itch to do something creative and fun since I keep reading all these cute DIY and vintage-obsessed blogs.  I wanted to spruce up our apartment at the same time.  My crafty To-do list is growing, and because I have yet to learn to sew, I need to start with the non-sewing-related ones.  This idea is simple and cheap.  I took many color paint chips from Walmart and bought a $5 plain frame there as well (along with a bottle of Riesling, but that's not required for the project).

The instructions can be found at A Beautiful Mess.  You should start following this blog, because a lot of my idea come from there and they are genius!

Sarah and I had so much fun (maybe that was the wine?) and we want to make more! We've decided to go back to Walmart tomorrow to complete a set of three, using different words and more specific color schemes.  More pictures of tonight's fun are on my Facebook page and I'll be adding some of the completed work tomorrow!

'Tis the season!

No I'm not talking about Christmas. I do not believe in getting ahead of ourselves and I think the pilgrims would agree... I mean fall! The most beautiful season (next to spring of course).

What is not to love about pumpkins, hot cocoa, Thanksgiving and sweaters? I'm not a huge fan of cold weather but when I get to cuddle up in a fuzzy sweater with hot cocoa and pumpkin pie, I am one happy girl. Then it can just skip winter and head straight to spring, but that's for another blog.

This is my Daily Gems - Fall Edition. All my favorite things about fall!

These adorable fun things
are from my favorite store,
www.charlotterusse.com

1. This sweater! Ah! It is just so adorable and would be incredibly comfy for going out or staying in. And it has fun colors for pairing with earrings or scarves.  I found it on amazon.com for only $24...but alas, I will have to just keep dreaming about it.

2. Boots! I really don't have to say anymore, do I? Brown, black, fuzzy, leather. I love them all. They work with jeans, dresses, skirts...However, note to girls at Roanoke College: boots do NOT work with booty shorts. Have some respect; wear real pants.

3. Scarves are the most useful and easiest accessory for fall.  I have a million (most of which were made by my wonderful Aunt Sue). Almost any outfit can be made new with a scarf and they really can help you stay warm! I keep my on in class so I don't have to wear a heavy coat or sweater if the classroom stays cold. RC can never get the temperature right.

4. I do love clothes, but my all-time favorite thing about fall is pumpkins!  Today I had pumpkin ravioli by Healthy Choice and am driving myself crazy looking for a recipe to make it at Thanksgiving dinner.  (Suggestions?)  I made a pie a few weeks ago and enjoyed it both plain and in a pumpkin pie milkshake. Recipe found at one of my favorite blogs: A Beautiful Mess. 

5. Another great thing about fall? Cool runs in the evening. I've gotten to run about an hour before sunset a few times and every time I kick myself for not having a camera. (I'd stop to take the picture, not Yes Man style photography.)  There's a row of red bushes next to the golf course in Salem that I run past and they just glow in the sun set low in the sky.  The leaves covering the grass and sidewalks crunch under my feet and everything feels perfect.  I just pretend it won't be getting any colder...

Happy Fall!

A Black and White Affair

Last night was Roanoke College's 5th Annual President's Ball.  This means students, faculty and staff get all dressed up, drink some alcohol (cash bar for those old enough, pregaming for those that aren't) and enjoy three floors of food, dancing and way too many people.

Alex came to visit for the event, as he did last year, to be my date. My roommates and friends went along with us. I borrowed a gorgeous LBD from a friend before I even knew the theme "Black and White Affair" and finally found the perfect pair of purple heels Friday afternoon at Plato's Closet (Charlotte Russe brand, $8!).  Sarah helped do my hair up in a 'beehive' for a classy look and I loved it! 

My shoes did last most of the night. I had them off for a song or two when I could no longer stand, but I put them back on for walking. Just don't tell Jenna Marbles...

On the first floor we enjoyed strawberries and pound cake in a chocolate fondue fountain. Upstairs there was a buffet line containing pastas, breads and much more that I was too full and too ready to dance to try.  The basement was more of a club scene with dancing music, but we stuck to the top floor which had a live band who knew all the best dancing songs to play. I even got a slow dance with Alex! Though I couldn't tell you what the song was. I had never heard it before, and the words were hard to understand. 

We headed to the bar afterwards for some dollar pizza and another drink. I gave in and changed to flats. After a whole pizza and a round of Cranberry and Vodkas we were ready for bed....we until Sarah and Molly wanted mac'n'cheese...This has become our favorite late-night snack.  I converted Sarah to Velveeta but Molly still makes her own box of the original Kraft (gross!) so two pots of cheesey goodness later, we did finally call it a night. Wonderful Prez Ball, but sadly the last :( I'm glad I had such wonderful people to share it with me!

1. Make a Bucket List

This may be a little cliche but as I'm planning out my schedule for my last semester of undergrad (and thus, preparing for graduation), I think it's time to put down on paper (or on blog, as it may be), my 'bucket list'. I've always have a few things I've wanted to do and as I realize how much I can do and all the time I have ahead of me, I think I'm going to expand that even more. And they say, if you write down (or type up) your goals, dreams, aspirations, you are more likely to achieve them as you have something to hold you accountable. I decided, instead of writing it down in one of my many notebooks to hide away, I'll post it here to share with family and friends. This way, I can be encouraged and maybe even assisted in my goals for the future.

Now this is subject to change, but only in the sense that I will probably be adding to it. They are numbered, but do not fall in any order of significance.

1. Ride an elephant (now who saw that coming?)

2. Visit and explore Africa 

3. Be published in a nationally recognized newspaper

4. Travel to Asia

5. Speak a language fluently (I'm getting there)

6. Learn to gracefully drive a manual car (stop laughing)

7. Write and publish a book

8. Attend an Olympic event

9. Learn to sew a fitted dress (and other fun clothing/accessories)

10. Attend fashion week in Paris

11. Scuba dive in the Caribbean

12. Get my masters in Communication

13. Read an original writing at a conference (sending good vibes to Sigma Tau Delta Conference judges...)
14. Go to Times Square for New Years Eve
15. Have an adventure

Now that is not all, but I have to go to class. I'll be adding to and crossing off items. Some will be soon, I hope, others I will have lots of fun saving for, planning and achieving as I continue through life.