scout: the weekender

I picked this bag up about a month ago during a Junior League sale at one of my favorite stores...

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and it has quickly become one of my favorite purchases.  I use it as my work bag, and throw everything I could possibly need for the day in there--workout clothes, my lunch, my laptop, and a whole lot more.  It's just the right size, and also perfect for an overnight trip.  I really don't know what I did before I owned this bag.  I also am obsessed with navy and white stripes, and pink is my favorite color, so what a perfect pattern for the bag.  Love it, love it, LOVE IT! 

too early

I ran by the mall last week to look for a new pair of jeans, and when I saw them putting up Christmas decorations, I just couldn't believe it.  Not only is it nowhere near Christmas, we haven't even gotten through HALLOWEEN!  There are still two major(ish) holidays between now & Christmas, but already the wreaths and mistletoe and candles are going up.  Before we know it, there will be Christmas music on the radio, and that's just not okay.

It's not that I don't like Christmas--it's that mid-October is entirely too early to start decorating the mall for it.  Before we know it, the Christmas decorating is going to start so early that we'll have barely finished cleaning up from the year before!  The Christmas season isn't nearly as special if it encompasses 1/4 of the year--that takes away from all the fun of anticipating and getting excited when you first see Christmas decorations go up. 

I remember as a child, getting excited when the town would start to decorate--putting the wreaths up on the lightpoles and wrapping all kinds of things in garland.  It was exciting to see all of the Christmas things out, to see the Christmas tree stands start springing up, and to go pick out a tree.  On Friday, when I saw Christmas decorations in the mall, I cringed.  I don't want that to be my reaction to Christmas, but I also don't want Christmas to start in October! 

rant

This is a particularly stressful season at work, and I'm overwhelmed.  I feel like I'm doing more than I've ever done before, working harder, juggling more things, and since I've been doing this job for over a year now (my job changes a lot depending on the time of year), I'm able to do things at a higher quality, now that I've been through it all once.  I work over 8 hours most days, and 12 hour days are not uncommon.  I'm putting a lot into work, and I feel like I definitely miss out on other things because of it.  I work at a non-profit, so I'm definitely not bringing home the big bucks.  I like what I do, and I appreciate the chance I have to make a difference, so I'm not ready to give it up, but right now it is really hard.  We are in the middle of a project that is supposed to be volunteer-driven, and my volunteers are struggling.  We aren't making the progress we need to make, and it is reflecting poorly on me.  I left work at 7:30 tonight because I couldn't hold it together anymore, and needed to come home and have a good cry in the boyfriends arms.  I don't know what else to do to motivate the volunteers to get things done, and time is running out.  I want to go to grad school for something that is very closely related to what I'm currently doing, but when I was in college, I never in a million years thought I'd want to go back to school, so my grades were average, but not really grad school material.  I feel like I really need to succeed at one particular project I'm working on, because it will help with that grad school application, but that isn't the project that all eyes are on right now.  I'm trying to keep all the plates spinning, but I'm terrified that they are all going to come crashing down soon.  I can't wait until mid-December when things finally calm down some. 

Until then... I guess I'm just going to take deep breaths and hope that tomorrow is a better day!

road trip: charlottesville edition

This weekend, the boyfriend and I, along with some of our friends, jumped in the Suburban to head up to Charlottesville for the NC State-UVA Game.  We waited a little later than we should have to book a hotel, so we ended up staying about 30 minutes outside of Charlottesville, but we still had a blast! 

We found a free parking lot near the basketball arena, and were in good company with lots of other State fans!  The tailgate was a highlight of the day, as always.  We made quite a few new friends, and enjoyed ourselves immensely.  It was a gorgeous day for football, and a Wolfpack win only made it better!

This was my first away game experience, and I had a great time.  I'm looking forward to another one next year (though I'm hoping it doesn't fall on the same weekend as homecoming at my alma mater again... I was sad to miss that, but we bought these tickets months and months ago).

The hard thing about weekend trips is that you feel like you need another weekend to catch up on everything you didn't do while you were gone, plus unpacking and doing your laundry from the trip.  I'm really looking forward to a free weekend where I can get the apartment clean, get caught up on my personal to-do list, and then lay around and catch up on my books and magazines.  Unfortunately, I don't know that I have a free weekend until around Christmas! 

state fair!

the State Fair is in town!

I look forward to the fair every year and always enjoy going!  The boyfriend and I went the other night and, as always, it was a great time.  I entered a photo in the photo contest, so we went to check that out--no ribbons for me, but we had so much fun looking at all the entries, and it was exciting to see my picture hanging up!  

We, of course, ate lots of delicious food.  Some of the highlights were deep fried pecan pie (which the boyfriend described as "heaven on a stick"--and I'd have to agree!), NC State ice cream (mint chocolate chip, my favorite), biscuits (sausage for me, ham for him).  

I used to ride ALL the rides when I was younger--and the more twists, turns, and flips, the better--but I'm not so much of a ride person anymore.  I had to do some research in college on the rides at fairs & amusement parks, and that was enough to make me want to stay on the ground!  So instead of riding rides, we walked around, and did some people-watching, and tried to work on our photography skills.  Unfortunately, a lot of the exhibits were closed by the time we were there (those are my favorite part these days), but there's plenty to see just walking around.

I wish I was able to go again this year, but we're heading to Charlottesville tomorrow for the NCSU vs. UVA game, so it isn't in the cards for this year.  I guess it's time to start looking forward to next year!

Rocking the Dance Floor

This weekend, the boyfriend and I headed to Charlotte for the wedding of one of my oldest friends little sisters.  L and I have been friends since we were three, meaning I've known her little sister, A, pretty much since she was born.  It was a beautiful wedding, and a GORGEOUS day.  The ceremony was outside, in a gorgeous little spot, and the reception was only a few feet away.

The bride was beautiful, and it was so hard to believe that she is all grown up and married!  We spent years and years going to summer camp together--she was my CIT and a junior counselor in my cabin when I was on staff, and we had so much fun together.  We also were in youth group and church choir and all of that growing up. 

A good majority of the guests on the bride's side were people I grew up going to church with.  It was fun to see several people I haven't seen in quite a while, and the boyfriend and I had a blast on the dance floor--but I sure am sore today.  It was quite the workout!

One of the highlights of the wedding was one of the guests who was quite the Michael Jackson impersonator.  When the first MJ song came on, the dance floor was full, but once everyone noticed our impersonator tearing up the floor, we all backed away to enjoy the show.  He had definitely been practicing his moves.

I'm by no means the best dancer, but the boyfriend is quite good, and we have a lot of fun together out on the dance floor.  Other than delicious cake, and seeing all of the fun details people come up with for their weddings, the dancing is one of my favorite parts!  I thoroughly enjoy weddings, and I'm SO glad this one fell on a weekend State didnt' have a game!

Be Still

One of my very favorite Bible verses is Psalm 46:10: 

 "Be still and know that I am God."

However, I tend to be really bad about running from one thing to the next and not making time to be still.  This week has been an extremely busy one at work, and I've brought work home every night.  I feel like I've been going from the time I get up to the time I go to sleep with no break, and today I could definitely feel it wearing on me. 

Tonight, I was supposed to help the boyfriend get ready for an Open House tomorrow (his house is on the market), but he every so sweetly told me to sit on the couch and watch the documentary I needed to watch for work.  Even though it was technically work, to just sit on the couch and do nothing (and then fall asleep before it was over) was exactly what I needed.  I was definitely close to my breaking point, and needed a break from doing. 

We are headed to Charlotte for a wedding this weekend, plus the State Fair is in town, meaning it won't be a weekend with much sitting still--so I'm thankful I got a small dose tonight! 

Junior League

I went to my first Junior League small group meeting this week.  This is my first year Active, so this was my first small group meeting, and I really enjoyed it!  One of my Provisional group leaders hosted the group I attended, so it was fun to see her and several other girls from my Provisional group again.  The regular GMMS are huge--there are 1800 women the in the League--so it can be a little intimidating to walk in and not know whether or not you'll see anyone you know.  Having 12-13 people was a nice change of pace.

My placement is done mostly through email, so I don't get as much of the social aspect of the League through that, so I really enjoy the events and meetings where I get to socialize a bit and meet new people!  Anyways, I'm so excited to be a part of the Junior League, and I'm looking forward to getting more involved over the coming years. 

north carolina state fair

I look forward to the North Carolina State Fair every year... growing up in the Raleigh area, it was always a don't-miss event... and often, I go more than once a year!

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It opens on Thursday, and I'm most excited about the food!  Even though it is awful for you, it is a great treat each October.  The corn on the cob, deep fried pecan pie, and NC State ice cream are a few of the things I look forward to all year!

I don't do much in the way of rides anymore... I loved them when I was younger, but they scare me now!  However, the people watching is fantastic, and I love the exhibits.  I've never entered anything before, but this year I entered a photo in the photography contest!  Hopefully it will get displayed--I think it will be so fun to find my picture there!

this & that...

one

Sometimes work gets in the way of having fun... I had to miss the State vs. Central Michigan game yesterday because of work, which definitely made me sad.  My job involves a lot of crazy hours, and they definitely get in the way of my social life, which can be frustrating.

two

The Rockettes are coming to DPAC in November, and my family got tickets to go!  I've seen them at Radio City Music Hall, and it was amazing.  I'm REALLY excited to see them again!

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three

I feel like technology is taking over my life.  The other night, the boyfriend and I were sitting on the couch, and we realized that between the two of us we now have four laptops, one desktop, and four cell phones.  Three of the laptops and two of the cellphones are from work, but that sure is a lot for two people!

wish list

things i'd love to add to my closet right now...

 

Vineyard Vines

Vineyard Vines

Lilly Pulitzer

J. Crew

Anthropologie

it's the little things...

Yesterday, I had a long, stressful, and frustrating day at work.  When I got home around 7:45, I was greeted at the door with a kiss from the boyfriend, who immediately handed me a glass of my favorite wine, Opala Vinho Verde.

Friends was already playing on the tv, and a delicious dinner was on the stove.  It was the perfect ending to the day, and improved my mood immensely.  I don't know how I got lucky enough to have such an amazing boyfriend, but I sure am one lucky girl!

Whalegate 2011

The boyfriend and I are huge lovers of Vineyard Vines and tailgating is our favorite fall activity, so when we saw that VV was doing a fall Whalegate tour, we were hoping they would be making a stop near us!

When we looked at the schedule, we were ecstatic to see that they are slated for a stop at the State-Carolina game in November.  Our parking spot is near the area where companies usually set up tents, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they'll be close to us, and we can whalegate!  (Though no matter where they are, we will make a trip to find them!)

Quote of the Day

I found this on Pinterest and it made me smile.  One of my best friends in college and I loved this quote--if I recall correctly, it was a pretty standard away message freshman year, back when AIM was still in high use!

Friends

So no one told you life 

was going to be this way. 

Your job's a joke, you're broke, 

your love life's DOA. 

It's like you're always stuck in second gear, 

Well, it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year. 

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I own all 10 seasons of Friends on DVD, and I must say, those DVDs were one of my best investments!  I can't begin to imagine how many times I've seen every episode--and yet I never get sick of it.  Whenever I'm cleaning, or doing arts & crafts projects, or am sick--Friends is playing.  

I didn't watch it at all when it was actually on air, but I fell in love with it in college and it has stayed on the top of my list ever since!  I have a few other series on DVD but Friends gets the most screen time, by far.  However... if I ever get around to buying How I Met Your Mother on DVD... it may give Friends a run for its money!

stocking up on fall basics!

I recently went on a little shopping spree to stock up on some fall basics... and I found this sweater on sale at J.Crew for only $30!

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They didn't have it in my size, so I almost didn't buy it... I tried it on, and then left it, and went to go make all my other purchases, but came back to J. Crew to get a fun pink headband and thought the sweater deserved one more chance.  I tried it on, fell in love with it--I think even more, because it is so big and cozy, and now I'm actually excited that the temperatures have started to cool down a little so I can wear it.  The boyfriend and I took his son to the park this afternoon, and it was the perfect cozy sweater for enjoying the beginning of fall outside!

I can't believe I'm actually excited about the cooler weather--I normally LOVE summer and dread it cooling down, but I'm ready for fall weather!  However, if we could just skip winter, I would be thrilled about that!

Book Review - The Bride Quartet

I probably wouldn't have picked up The Bride Quartet by Nora Roberts at Barnes & Noble on my own, but my mom gave them to me in a bag of books she no longer wanted (I will ALWAYS find space for more books) and I ended up loving them!

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They are definitely in the "chick lit" genre--as you can see from the title, there is a lot of focus on weddings!

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I loved reading about the friendship between the four main characters--Parker, Laurel, Emma & Mac.


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And a good love story (or four) never hurts...


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While they probably aren't books I'll re-read (I love to re-read favorite books), I really enjoyed them and I was actually so excited to know what happened next, that they really helped motivate me to get to the gym, so I could jump on the elliptical and read!  However, my motivation to workout seems to have gone down since I finished this series... I guess I need to find a new book to get me to the gym!