neVer forgeT, photo dump, & a BIG surprise

good mooooorning!

I'm giving you fair warning right now that this post is gonna be a bit lengthy. So if you don't wanna stick around, I totally understand. (you will be sorry if you don't, trust me)

First things first.
My heart is heavy today.
It hurts for my friends, the families, and anyone that was affected.

Five years ago, Virginia Tech experienced a horrible tragedy.

I remember that day almost as if it were yesterday.

I had a lot of friends who were attending the school then and one of my friends was actually on the phone with her mom when she heard the shots. Tech has always had a special place in my heart so today, please take a minute to remember the 32 who lost their lives on that tragic day. And just remember to be thankful for what you have.

4.16.07

neVer forgeT

Ok, so weekend recap time.

For once I actually took some pictures

I know.

friday.

Richmond Ad Show @ The Jefferson

saturday.

sunday.

RVA Fashion Week @ Short Pump Mall

aaaaaand last but definitely not least,
the surprise you've all been waiting for!

...................................

It's giveaway time!
But this isn't just any giveaway.
This is a huge, fun, southern, summery giveaway brought to you by
these two lovely ladies and myself :)



Here's what's up for grabs-

How you enter.
Please leave a separate comment for each.

Mandatory- 3 entries 
You must follow each of our blogs via GFC and leave a comment letting one of us know you do.
Dayna
Katie

Additional Entries- 1 entry for each
Follow each of us on twitter and leave a comment letting one of us know you do.
Dayna
Katie
me
Tweet and/or blog about the giveaway and let one of us know you did.

Add our buttons to your blog and leave a comment letting us know you did.

That's a total of 11 ways to win!
This giveaway will end one week from today.
Good luck! :)
xoxo.

Wednesday Randoms & Giveaway Winner

How 'bout them

HOKIES?!

As I was watching the game last night, I couldn't help but regret not going to New Orleans. It would've been 

so

much

fun.

But now I'm glad I didn't since we lost. It was a sloppy game with terrible calls but whatever. At least we made it close. I couldn't breathe there towards the end. 

Anyway, I'm really excited because my new favorite show is coming back on tonight.

If you haven't seen this show yet do yourself a favor and watch it. There's only 10 episodes so far and confession....I finished it in 2 days. Ha :) It's so good! And if you still aren't convinced, continue scrolling...

BAM!! ah, so dreamy right? especially Daniel. I'd move to the Hamptons if guys looked like that. 

in.a.heartbeattttt

Also, another random for your hump day. 

Take a look at this video. 

I hate watching things on YouTube but a coworker sent me this and I think it's hilarious. This would totally get me to workout more. Just sayin' :)

Ok ok....so maybe I've saved the best for last.

drumroll please

...........

the winner of the Girls Night In giveaway is

...........

Dayna from A Bama Belle and A Bucket List

Congrats girl!! 

Thanks again to everyone who entered and to all of my new followers. 

Y'all don't know how much it means to me.

So thank you :)

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

xoxo.

Hit the Ground Running

Good morning lovely lady friends!

It seems like most of you had a wonderful New Years. I kept mine pretty low key this year, which was perfectly fine with me. It was the first time in 3 years that I hadn't spent the night crying so I'd say it was a success. My sister and I went out to dinner with two friends that we grew up with. {think diapers here} It was so fun to be able to catch up with them and ring in the new year together.

Anna & I before dinner

Today's post is going to be all sorts of random so bear with me. It's my first day back at work since the week before Christmas....

waaaaaaaaaah :(

Aaanyway, not focusing on the negative...trying to stay positive this year. 

short work week anyone? :)

this is the background on my computer

let's see how long it works :)

Even though I'd rather be at home lounging being productive, I did get a lot accomplished on my vacation and I'm just so excited to see what these next few months bring!

  My Hokies play in the Sugarbowl tonight!! So y'all better put on some orange and maroon and cheer us on! Especially you, miss thang. ahem ;) 

Ok, and who watched the Bachelor last night?

 I'm still not a huge fan of Ben, but come on...what was with some of these girls? I feel like this is the craziest group I've seen on the show thus far. And where do I even begin with Jenna? 

Wow. Girlfriend gives bloggers a bad name. Let's be honest though, we're all a little jealous that she gets to blog for a living. I mean who wouldn't wanna just have a glass of wine during the day and write? umm, hello! stay-at-home-gf?  haha

Alright, enough rambling for today. 

Don't forget- today is the last day to enter my giveaway!

Have a good one!

xoxo.

gimme some suga!

Happy Monday girls!

Did you all have a good first December weekend? 

I definitely did. It was filled with shopping, football, friends, and family. Where do I even begin?

Well, I guess with the biggest news- 

VT is Sugarbowl bound! 

We're set to play Michigan on Jan. 3 at 8:30pm. The last time I remember them playing in the Sugarbowl, I was in middle school. I won't even tell you how long ago that was. So now the question is, New Years on Bourbon Street? I'm seriously considering it. 

********

Remember how I mentioned going to a casino party Friday night?

Well, there are several things I came to realize.

1. I hate craps

2. I love blackjack

3. I need to go to Vegas asap!

Here's what I ended up with. Doesn't look like much but you're looking at over $460,000! Bam. This girl is on fire!! Unfortunately it was all in fake money.

{excuse the bad quality- my droid sucks}

*******

I also got a little Christmas shopping done this weekend. I'm nowhere near being done but it feels good to at least get started. I also bought a few things for myself {shocker there} :)

Essie- Fishnet Stockings

 Essie LuxeEffects-Shine of the Times

I might try to recreate this little number seen on Pinterest

and I also got my first set of these. 

Laced-up

******

Julie, from the girl in the red shoes is hosting a Stella & Dot giveaway. Go check it out!

And just because it's Monday and we could all use a good laugh, I give you this. :)

What did y'all get into this weekend?

xoxo.

And so it begins

Happy Friday loves!

Was it just me or did the week seem to c-r-a-w-l?! I'm so ready for the weekend. We've made it to December and so the holiday festivities begin! Tonight is the Grand Illumination downtown. This means two things. 1) Christmas is finally here. 2) There will be an ungodly amount of traffic and I'm smack dab in the middle of it. Trying to leave work will be a nightmare!! Ah, patience Sarah, patience.

They have several trees and all of the reindeer all lit up- including Rudolph, who has a very faint red nose. It's always been fun to try and see who finds him first. I've only been to this event once and that was enough for me. It was fun to be in the middle of it all but there were just way too many people. And it was cold. No bueno.

Tonight also marks the start of the Christmas party madness - 

and it's Casino themed!

That's right. This girl is picking up some skills for Vegas! 

So it should be fun. I'm excited....and I've heard that these parties are a blast. Wish me luck girls! {If it's anything like the last time I played blackjack, I'll walk away with $36,000....in fake money} Ah! So frustrating!!

Tomorrow night is the Tech/Clemson game in Charlotte. I definitely wish I could go! In hindsight, I would've taken that ticket but I think last weekend was just too much for me and I need to watch the game in a 'controlled' environment. If they win though, I'm gonna try to get tickets to the next game. Fingers crossed! A group of friends are all getting together to watch it somewhere and we're all Tech fans so it should be fun! Anyway, you all better be rootin' for the Hokies, or you aren't welcome back on this blog! {totally kidding! ....but I'm not ;) }

all i'm sayin'

I think we're putting our tree up this weekend but we're waiting until Olivia comes home next weekend to decorate it. Hurry up already Liv!! 

And finally, Rachel over at just peachy is having a giveaway to celebrate exceeding 200 followers! Congrats girl :)

Do you have any fun holiday plans this weekend?

xoxo.

Thanksgiving Recap/Weekend/Day to Remember

Happy Monday loves.

I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend and that you ate just as much food {if not more} than I did! ;) I feel like this post is going to be a bit lengthy so I won't be offended if you don't stick around long enough to get to the bottom. {I lie...cause I always save the best for last.}

Seriously! 

Let's begin shall we?

Thanksgiving-

We had our entire family over for Thanksgiving this year, which was the first time since I can remember. There were 14 of us total....well 15 if you count Toby. Little man got some turkey and had his own baby turkey leg. It was a huge success and we all had so much fun, and surprisingly enough, I can't wait to get together with everyone again. 

Here are some pics from my sister's iphone-

I was not one of the many crazies to head out on Black Friday this year. I did it last year and that cured it for me...and Olivia....and Jake. I knew lots of people that started their shopping Thanksgiving night. I don't know about y'all but it seems to me like Thanksgiving is starting to lose it's meaning. It used to be a day spent relaxing with family and friends and now it's turning into another shopping day....isn't that what Friday is for?! That's my take on it anyway. Cyber Monday is my new bff. Speaking of, there are some sales calling my name today! 

Weekend-

Saturday I went to the Tech/UVA game in Charlottesville. Huge Rivalry! In Virginia, regardless of whatever college you decide to go to, you are brought up choosing one of those 2 schools to root for. I chose VT a long time ago :) History lesson over. Back to Saturday. It was my first time tailgating ever. Hard to believe that I made it 25 years without doing it. Anyway, we got to the stadium at 6...as in 6am....still dark out. I refused to come out of the truck until at least 9am...7am doesn't even come twice a day for me, ok? Needless to say, tailgating was tons of fun....not sure I wanna do it again for a while though. I had a little too much fun ;) If you didn't tune into the game, Tech not only beat UVA, we shut them out! As in 38-0. Whoop whoop! Next week we're heading to Charlotte for the ACC Championship game against Clemson. Go Hokies!!

 new friends :)

Logan Thomas aka QB/man of the game

#7 Marcus Davis 

Huge game for him...and we got to tailgate with his momma. Girlfriend is a riot!

Day to Remember-

Today is special for 2 reasons. 

one. 

Grandpapa would be 70 today. Instead of being here, he's celebrating his birthday with Grandmama in Heaven. I love you so much Grandpapa! 

two.

Toby is 9 months today. I can't believe how fast the little stinker is growing! 

1st night home- 2 months old

8 months old- still cute as ever! :)

Phew! Told ya it was a read! 

How were y'alls weekends? Did you brave the crowds and end up going out on Black Friday? 

xoxo.

Friends, Football, & {Boys?}

Why hello, lovelies! 

I feel like I've been so out of touch and it was only for a day! {and a half} :)

I enjoyed every minute of my long weekend. I wish every week could be that short.

Early Thursday afternoon I made the almost 4 hour drive down to Tech. It had been 4 years since I last made the trip and for some reason this time felt longer. Lucky for me, I had an amazing playlist and some Amp to get me through. I'm not gonna lie, it was a party in my car. 

The weather was so crazy from the rain at the beginning of my trip, to it actually snowing by the time I got to Blacksburg. I am seriously in love with Tech. The campus is beautiful and it's just flocked with young people {obviously}. I miss it. 

So anyway, I get to my lovely friend Lauren's apartment and she has a drink waiting for me when I walk through the door. Not even kidding. This girl is awesome! :)

{We had a little fun with photo booth....so what? :)}

I'm not sure how many of you watched the game that night but I'm sure you could tell it was f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g! They actually said it was the fourth coldest game at Tech ever. We froze our little butts off until we just couldn't take it anymore {right before halftime.} 

We watched the rest of the game from her apartment as we got ready to go out. Of course, the Hokies won and are heading to UVA next weekend for a chance to win a trip to Charlotte for the championship game. If you aren't from Virginia, Tech and UVA are huge rivals and they always play Thanksgiving weekend. I've always wanted to go to this game and this year I finally get to go! I can't wait!! 

The rest of the night was a blast. Can I just say that I'm finally past the transition phase and being single is so much fun! And Tech is the perfect place for it. 60/40 ratio guys to girls. I'll take it! Haha 

Anyway, now it's back to reality. Saturday night I came home and did some shopping and baking all while trying to fight off a sore throat. Just as I thought, I woke up yesterday and today barely able to speak so it's my mission to knock this thing out asap cause this girl doesn't have time to sit around and let it take its course. Not this week. Keep your fingers crossed that this passes quickly :)

Oh, and can I just say that I definitely made sure to capitalize on the whole 2 for 1 drinks at Starbucks this weekend? {twice!} hehe

What did y'all do this weekend? 

xoxo.