neon necklace

I went with mom to the bead store on Tuesday.  I liked these neon pink beads.  I made a bracelet a long time ago that ended up being too long, so I took it apart and used the chain how it was cut already.

My mom asked how I'd wear the necklace, and my first thought was with my white jeans and a navy top.  Pretty easy.

shirt - Gap

jeans - Gap

shoes - Stuart Weitzman

bracelet - hand me down

t-shirt

I've seen a lot of love for The Frat Collection on my google reader lately.  See this post, this post, and this post.  I might have to get one of their pocket t-shirts, especially since part of the money goes to whatever charity you choose.  I'd probably stick to my fraternal roots and send it to the philanthropy that Phi Mu supports, Children's Miracle Network.

I'd like to introduce you to another t-shirt company.  Check out Undertoad Coastal Apparel.  My mom got me one of their shirts at the Junior League's shopping spree before Christmas.  She talked to a man I suppose to be the owner/creator of the brand, and he told her a story about the under toe at the beach.  This page clears up somewhat the backstory of Buford T. Undertoad.  The website says that most of the products are made in America; ALL would be better, but I still like to support local companies.  The shirt I have is very soft and comfortable, and the color is beautiful and unique.  The idea reminds me of every other southern/t-shirt/tie company popping up everywhere, but it's also a little bit different.  The writing made me wonder at first if I was wearing a shirt with some sort of euphemism printed on it.  Anyway, I think the shirt is cool.

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; ²⁶ and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11:25, 26

breakdown beach

After graduation, I headed to the beach to meet up with Laura.

Then my car broke down.  I hung out with a friendly Beulaville police man while I waited for AAA.  I rode 95 miles in this tow truck with a new friend who advised me to "just stay away from jealous people and preppy people, and you'll be alright."  He was fantastic and also 19 years old.

Lauren picked me up after she had an interview, and we headed to Wrightsville beach!  Her family's place there is very nice and in a perfect location.  Laura, Jessica, Kate, and Angela showed up too.

We relaxed on the deck.

We ate hot dogs that Lauren grilled.

We watched the sun set over the marsh.

We shopped for mother's day gifts.

We ate frozen yogurt.

We went to a Psalm 100 concert at Lauren's church.

We ate baked ziti that Lauren previously blogged about here.

It was a great trip.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.

Hebrews 13:15

homemade bow tie

A couple of years ago, I got really into Martha Stewart's website.  As I looked at lists of handmade gift ideas for Christmas, I found her how-to on bow ties.  Now, most people either love or hate bow ties.  I like them on certain people; if you're into it, I say go for it.  It so happens that B likes them and also likes the idea of me/my mom making clothes for him, especially (!!!) when they're monogrammed.  Well, the project took a few years between my laziness and mom's getting a new embroidery machine.  We finally finished the tie in time for him to wear the lovely tartan to his church's Christmas eve service.    

a few from B's collection

L to R: handmade by me, Land's End, Vineyard Vines, Southern Proper, Southern Proper, Voila! Press

It is made for B's size, rather than being adjustable, and monogrammed.  Yes, his collar hides the monogram, but can you imagine trying to tie it so a monogram on the bow would sit right side up and out?!  That was my thinking at least.

Steps were something like this:

1. Lay out one of B's bow ties (adjusted to his size) on tracing paper and trace.

2. Add 1/4" around the tracing and cut out pattern.

3. Pin pattern to fabric - on the bias - and cut out.

4. Iron on interfacing.

5. Monogram.

6. Sew together, leaving openings on the narrow part near each end. (Mom did this part.)

7. Turn right side out. This is the most difficult step.

8. Hand stitch the openings closed. (Mom did this part.)

9. Try on and be impressed that you made a bow tie AND know how to tie it on yourself.

spring break outfits, etc.

Don't get too excited.  I spent my spring break at home in Raleigh, but I enjoyed the warm weather by wearing shorts!  I painted my nails Hot 'n Spicy by OPI for spring break.  My mom called it right when she said orange [coral] is in this spring.

t-shirt - Ralph Lauren

shorts - J. Crew 3" chino shorts

belt - J. Crew

sandals - Jack Rogers Navajo in Platinum

bag - Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Hillier Hobo in Caramel

watch - Michael Kors

top - Gap

shorts - Anthropologie

sandals - Jeffrey Campbell

I'm in love with these shorts.  You can't tell in the picture, but they have tiny polka dots.  

I got SO many compliments when I wore them, and I think they're adorable!

blouse - Lilly Pulitzer

cardigan - J. Crew outlet

skirt - J. Crew

shoes - Tory Burch Reva flats (similar here)

watch - Michael Kors

I wore this outfit for an interview.  Would you hire me?

shirt - Ralph Lauren

shorts - J. Crew 5" chino shorts in grappa punch

belt - J. Crew

sandals - Jack Rogers Navajo in Platinum

Apparently Wednesday was purple day - everyone I saw was wearing purple!  

Kelly said it was because it was resurrection week.  

I crafted a little over break, working on a braided seed bead necklace.  

Hopefully I'll finish it soon and get pictures up.

I also made whole wheat cinnamon waffles for my mom and me for breakfast before my interview.

pure barre

I heard about Pure Barre from my dear friend Elizabeth.  She called me when unable to fall asleep due to the pain she was experiencing after her first class.  Naturally, that meant that she loved it and convinced me to do it when I got home.  I was thinking about asking B to get me some classes for Christmas, but I really wanted to try it out before I committed to a month of it.  So I did Pure Barre for the first time on Wednesday.

It was a challenging toning class without using heavy weights or large equipment.  The teacher was really encouraging and moved me into the right position whenever I was doing something wrong.  Later, I heard from Elizabeth and her mom that I went to the hardest teacher.  She warned me before the class that my muscles would shake and told me to just shake them out if I felt like it.  I guess that the muscle shaking phenomenon is scary to some people, but I've been through enough conditioning for cheerleading that it doesn't phase me.

There were definitely a few times when I was shaking and several times when I stopped an exercise, but for no more than a second.  My legs were a little sore Wednesday night, and my neck/shoulders were a little sore yesterday.  It was nothing like the pain I was expecting.  Still, I felt like I got a good workout, and I think it would be effective for toning when done regularly.  It is not a cardiovascular workout or a weight-loss strategy at all, in my opinion.  I'm going to try a mix of Pure Barre and running for a while and see how that goes.

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:8

update on the move

Oh yeah, I'm all organized already.  I've got my bags hanging up on the back of my door with a hook that was in my Greenville house.  I've seamlessly blended both rooms into one wonderfully organized bedroom at home!

Or not.

transition

Today I will pack up the rest of my things and move home.  I have been in college and graduate school for six and a half years; in that time, I have lived in nine different places away from home.  Nine!  I’ve had eighteen different roommates.  That is only counting the girls I shared a room with in the sorority house, not all the girls in the house.  I got along with all of them; I should be able to get along with anyone by now.  Every few months, it feels natural to look for a new place to live, pack up my things, and move.  But this time is different.  I am moving home with no plans to leave.  I will graduate in five months and find a job.  My hope is that I find a job in Raleigh and continue living at home until I save enough money to buy a house.  When will that be?!  It’s going to take a while, so here I go to move and stay.  I’m looking forward to having all of my earthly possessions in one place.  I plan to get organized and get rid of stuff.  (All this moving makes me aware of and sickened by just how much stuff I have accumulated.)  I already have friends that live near my new place.  There is a dog, but I know she won’t chew up my stuff.  (Who knew that the dog I begged for when I was eleven years old would be the dog I come home to after graduate school?!)  This time, I know it’s going to work out with my roommates.

I’ve been looking forward to this transition for so long.  Especially during graduate school, God keeps reminding me of the truth in Proverbs 16:9 - In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.  At each transition, I think I know what lies ahead.  I’ve planned to go here or there and study this or that, but God has surprised me around every corner. When I started college, did I expect to get my master’s degree and become a speech-language pathologist?  Did I think I would go to graduate school at all?  When I lived in the sorority house, did I plan to meet a new friend from Oklahoma who would become my sister in law? No!  I’m so thankful that the Lord determines my steps because He knows better and He blesses me with every transition.  So to Raleigh we go.  Please, Lord, let me stay there, but Your will be done, and keep the surprises coming.