GRADUATION!

Last night, I graduated from Old Dominion University with my Bachelor's degree! Super exciting! Finally after five long years, I have a degree! I still have one year left for graduate school, so this graduation process will happen again in a year! Which of course will mean I will have to go shopping for the perfect outfit to wear UNDER one of those terrible graduation gowns again. Perfect graduation outfits are a MUST. :)

I have been looking forward to this day for years. Every single assignment I did was for that single moment I walked across the stage. I have always imagined that after getting a degree, I would feel older and smarter, and always look back with a vivid memory of my graduating moment. Well, I don't really feel any different. I guess I should have expected that. It feels like a birthday. You know you accomplished a milestone, but it does not really feel any different. Also, I barely remember walking across stage because I was SOO nervous I would fall in my 5 inch heels. (Note: Do not wear 5 inch, uncomfortable heels to graduation.) I do remember a lady telling me to take my time coming down the stairs. I guess I looked like a fall risk! Haha.

 

I am somewhere in there!

 

James and me after graduation. We were tired and ready for some KFC! Only the best for us! haha

Obviously needed a picture without that cap and gown to show off my hair and dress!

 

Not our best picture, but definitely not our worst! We were all ready to go home at this point! Next year we will take pictures before the graduation! Lesson learned!

My friends who graduated with me! Happy we got to sit together!

All in all, I am super proud of myself, and extra proud to say I have a degree. Five years of hard work has definitely and finally paid off. Tonight we're headed out to celebrate my gradation with family and friends. Should be a good time!

Positive quote of the day:

"Be patient. God isn't finished with you yet."

-Philippians 1:6

DIY Tissue Paper Pom Poms

Last Saturday, my best friend, Courtney, and I threw a bridal shower for our very good friend Serena. The shower was a success, and the pom poms I made definitely added extra cuteness to our decorations. The pom poms are super easy to make, and they will add an extra flair to any party decor!

What you will need:

• 8 sheets of tissue paper
• scissors
• wire (8 inches)
• string, ribbon, whatever you want to hang them with

Here are step-by-step pictures of how I made the cute pom poms:

Step 1: Lay 8 sheets of tissue paper on top of one another. Make sure they are even on all edges.

Step 2: Make a 1 1/2 - 2 inch fold on the tissue paper.

Step 3: Continue to make folds accordion style until you reach the end of the tissue paper.

Step 4: Take your wire and wrap it around the middle of the tissue paper. Then attach your string (whatever you're hanging the pom pom with) by looping it through the wire. Cut excess wire off.]

Step 5: Cut the edges into a desired shape. I did some of mine with round edges and some with triangle edges. Do what yo like best![/caption]

Step 6: Fan out tissue paper.[/caption]

Step 7: Pull up the 4 layers of tissue paper one at a time. If you tear the paper some, it is okay because no one will notice in the final product.

Step 7: Once you do 4 layers on the first side, flip it over and repeat the process on the other side.

Here is the finished product. The whole pom pom making process only took me about 5 minutes!

Now I have about 10-11 of these pom poms sitting in my craft room! I wish I could find someone who wants them because they are totally reusable! I might even make some in colors that match my craft room to add some pizazz in there!

Positive quote of the day:

"I took a deep breath and listened to the old bray of my heart. I am. I am. I am."

-Sylvia Plath