Monthly Favorites: June

Hey everyone! After seeing many YouTubers talk about their top things over the past month, I have decided to add "favorites" posts  to my blog. It's just a fun post that tell you what I have been loving each month from fashion to just events in my life. Hope you all enjoy!

1. Brown Target Sandals: These go with almost anything I wear right now. I am probably styling these guys 4-5 times a week. For $12, I have definitely got my money out of these sandals!
2. Monogram Bracelet: I have worn this on nights that I have been dressed up this past month. I love that its simple, elegant, and personalized. Thanks Momma and Daddy for the fab graduation present!
3. "Point At You" By: Justin Moore: This has been my top song for June. It's catchy and cute, and I find myself singing it throughout the day.
4. Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream: I like to have something on my skin, but since the temperatures have risen, I do not always want a bunch of foundation. This has been my go-to when I am just running to the grocery store or wherever. I dust a little powder on top, and I am good to go!
5. The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, By: Mordicai Gerstein: I have had to read about a bazillion children's books this summer for one of my graduate classes. This is definitely the best one I have read so far. The illustrations are so amazing they tell the story by themselves. It definitely deserved to receive the Grand Caldecott Award!
6. Grey H&M Bikini: Grey? Gray? Who knows? Anyway, this bikini has been my favorite this past month. It was only $25 and actually has good quality. The bottoms look skimpier in the picture than they are when they are worn.
7. Reusable Target Mason Jar Mug: I have used this almost everyday since I picked it up at my favorite Target. I bring it with me when I go on runs or to the beach. It also has helped me increase my daily water intake ( I don't know why though! Maybe because its fun?!).
8. Chobani Plain Greek Yogurt: I have been cooking with Chobani and adding it to everything this past month. I use it in smoothies (with berries, kale, and chia seeds) and pasta sauces. I have even used it in some of the meals I have made for James (without telling him, of course!), and he approves!
9. I have had some other major accomplishments this month. First, I passed my Praxis II exam. Then I received my diploma from ODU in the mail. Next I received my award for high scores on my Praxis II. And, as of yesterday, I PASSED my VCLA exam! Wow! Writing that all down makes me feel this has been a pretty darn good month!

I am looking forward to what July holds for me! I have my big RVE exam, and some final exams at the end of the month. I hope July won't give me too much school stress! Also, around that time, my momma and I will be traveling to the Penn Family Reunion. Very exciting things going on to make for a fun summer!

 

Today, I am off to see my good friend, Serena, get married! That means James and I will be all fancied up for the occasion!

 

positive quote of the day:

"Too many people undervalue what they are and overvalue what they are not."

-Unknown

Oh the things that come in the mail!

Over the past week or so, I have received two pretty awesome things in the mail! The first to arrive was my official diploma! Very, very exciting! 

I showed it to James (my boyfriend), and he thinks we need to frame it and hang it from his mounted deer head...oh the joys of having a hunting boyfriend haha.

Meet Doris the Deer that graces our study. This is her in Christmas attire.

So moving on to the second exciting piece of mail!

A few days ago, my mom calls me to tell me I received something from taking my Praxis II. I assumed it was just my test scores, so I did not think much of it. I knew I had done well on the test, but I did not see an award coming my way! ETS sent me this award because I scored in the 15% of all test takers from previous years. Pretty awesome!

Naturally, I was very excited about this. I know I am smart, but I am usually not one to stand out, and I do not think I have ever received an award in regard to academics. I am not sure how many people receive this award, but I really could care less! Getting unexpected recognition has me in pure bliss!

positive quote of the day:

"Our days are happier when we give people a little bit of our heart, rather than a piece of our mind."

-Unknown

Girls' Guide to College: Part 3 Dorm Decor

 So I am back to post Part 3 to my Girls' Guide to College. As you can already tell  from Part 1 and 2, I am an "over-packer", "just-in-case-(insert crazy situation)-happens packer", and "everything-but-the-kitchen-sink packer." Needless to say my over-packing extended to my dorm decor packing too!

First off, I think every future college dorm dweller needs to understand the size of these rooms. Yes, you probably went to see a dorm room on your tour. How nice right?! Well in my experience, the dorm they school showed was definitely more of a "model" dorm. Before my roommate and I moved in we were thinking we would have room for a futon, and so much more. Move forward to move-in day in mid-August...tiny room, no A/C, and clunky dorm furniture. Did I mention I was on the eighth floor? It was the tallest building in Harrisonburg, VA. We lovingly referred to our floor as the Penthouse of Eagle (sounds fancy!) or the Dirty bird (because it was filthy). What a dream! (By the way...I realize I am extremely lucky to have the opportunity to attend college. I just want to shed light on dorm living reality.)

 It was hard to imagine how living in a room, about half the size of my modest bedroom at home, with another person was going to go. Luckily I made it through the first year, and I learned from my packing mistakes! Here are my suggestions on how to have a snazzy, fun dorm room, without all the extra clutter.

Going from top left: 1. storage container, 2. grey rug, 3. yellow throw, 4. chevron bedding set, 5. desk hutch, 6. "its beautiful here" pillow, and 7. command hooks

1. Soon after moving into my dorm, my roommate and I realized we need a place to store our snacks and plastic dishes/utensils. We ended up using this container the following year in our pantry too! It was a great thing to keep all food related things together and not scatter throughout the room.
2. A cheap rug is great to add to the floor of a dorm. Our floor was like tile? It was like whatever you walk on in the mall. Anyway we needed a rug, but we ended up spending over  $100 on it, only to throw it out by the end of the year. I say definitely get a rug, but try to stick to something under $50 - $60 so you do not feel bad tossing it at the end of the year.
3. A little throw at the end of the bed is great. I couldn't control the temp in our room, so I loved having an extra layer of covers on cold nights!
4. Stick with a bedding set that has a fun print, but isn't too busy. Also, this is another one of those things you will likely only use for a year (maybe two if you can live on campus sophomore year). And yes, definitely get the Twin XL.
5. A desk hutch is a lifesaver because there is just such limited space in a dorm. My desk hutch saved me from having my desk look like a tornado hit it. It was a great place to store books too!
6. A decorative pillow can really add a fun touch of personality to your dorm decor. I suggest just one pillow though. I had 4-5 decorative pillows on my bed freshman year, and it was just TOO much!
7. Command hooks are the best. Now they come in these funky colors that can match your decor. I used mine to hang necklaces or pictures, since we could not drill/nail into our walls.

Sticker frames

 If you're like me then you love pictures! The product above is really cool to use on your dorm walls. It requires just sticking them to the wall, and Voila! Gorgeous wall art! Frames on tables and desks get in the way, so these would be a great space-saver.

positive quote of the day:

"A rainy day at the beach is better than a sunny day at the office."

-Unknown

Read Part 1 here.

Read Part 2 here.

Guacamole Salad

This is the perfect salad for any summer fiesta you might be attending! It is fresh and downright delicious. Oh and super easy. Yes there is some chopping, but this salad can be thrown together in about 10 minutes! Basically this is just a breakdown of guacamole into a salad form with some black beans thrown in. It would also be great to serve with tortilla chips!

Guacamole Salad Recipe:

(adapted from Barefoot Contessa

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp mince garlic
2 tbsp chopped cilantro
1/2 tsp lime zest
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 orange bell pepper, diced
1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp fresh jalapeno, minced
2 avocados, peeled and cubed

In a small bowl whisk together lime juice,  olive oil, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and garlic. In a larger bowl add lime zest, tomatoes, black beans, yellow and orange bell peppers, jalapeno, cilantro, and avocados*. Combine with dressing.

*Note: Avocados brown very easily, so I suggest not adding them in until a couple minutes before serving.

positive quote of the day:

"Reflect each day on all you have to be grateful for and you will receive more to be grateful for."

-Chuck Danes

Coconut Pound Cake

These past couple weeks I have been cooking and baking up a storm. Some days my kitchen looked like a tornado hit it. I talking flour, sugar, anything, and everything all over the place. Thank goodness I cleaned it up before anyone saw the mess I had created!

This coconut pound cake recipe is really, really good. I ended up making it twice in one week! I took half over to my parents' house, and they loved it, so I made it again for a dinner party they were attending that weekend.

Coconut Pound Cake Recipe

3/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 lemon, juice and zest
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup buttermilk, plus 2 tbsp
3 eggs
2 cups coconut, toasted
1 cup confectioner's sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour loaf pan. Combine flour, salt, and baking powder in a separate bowl. In mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla, lemon juice, lemon zest, and eggs, one at a time. Add flour thirds at a time, alternating with 1 cup buttermilk between additions of flour. Fold in 1 1/2 cups of toasted coconut. Pour cake batter into loaf pan and bake for 55-60 minutes. Allow cake to cool in pan for 15-20 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to finish cooling. Combine confectioner's sugar and 2 tablespoons of buttermilk. Drizzle glaze over the cake, then top with the remaining half cup of coconut.

This cake is great served with strawberries and cool whip!

positive quote of the day:

"Do not expect to become perfect all at once. If you do, you will be disappointed. Be better today than you were yesterday, and be better tomorrow than you are today."

-Lorenzo Snow