Thankful Thursdays and a Giveaway!

Today, I'm really thankful for my grandparents. I just wanted to write about them for a bit if that's okay with yall. I came home after a crummy day at work yesterday to a lovely package sitting on my doorstep. Upon opening it, I found 2 packs of yummy flavored coffee, an encouraging note, and a check. Sometimes packages like those can just lift your spirits!

Also, if you haven't checked out the new album from Elevation yet, it'll change your life! The whole album is $13.99 on iTunes, or free in Spotify. ;) I somehow got blessed with the amazing opportunity to go to this church, and every Sunday is just a new worship experience that I can't wait to get to. It's super hard to pick a favorite song from that album, but here's one to get you a taste:

Now, the super exciting part for you! 

I'm helping Vintage Sunshine host a giveaway this morning!! Go check her out and enter to win a free blog design from your's truly. Hope yall have an amazing day!

Sunday Social: High School!

Oh, yes. 

This Sunday Social has us going back to high/middle school. Which was just 4 years ago for me, but it feels like forever ago! 

1. What was your biggest middle school fashion mistake?

That awkward thing in the right hand corner is me. I literally wore my hair like this just about every day. And this is straight out of the yearbook... No getting rid of it or hiding it from my future children.

2. Who were your best friends in high school? Pics?

These fun kids were the ones I hung out with throughout most of my senior year and the summer after!

3. What was a typical weekend like for you in high school?

Honestly, just going to friend's houses and relaxing. We'd bake or watch movies, sometimes go to the mall. Pretty low key.

4. Did you have any boyfriends/girlfriends? Tell us about that.

I had one real boyfriend in high school. He was definitely was my first heartbreak, but it totally happened for the best. I hear he's kind of a douche now. ;) We lost all touch after the breakup so he totally has no idea I'm adding this picture, but I wanted to show off my favorite dress and blonde hair!

5. Did you have any secret codes with your friends? Spill your secrets!

Melissa and I had a not-so-secret code. Whenever we were talking about other people, we changed the first letter of their names to something else. For example, she was Alyssa and I was Tara. There was also Berardo, Lanthony, Dris.... You get the picture. And everyone knew about it. Worst secret code of all time.

6. If you could relive one day/moment/experience from middle school or high school, what would it be?

Ummm, none of them? Hahaha aren't those awkward years the ones we're trying to forget? ;)

High Five for Friday!

Sorry for my little H54F break! It's such an awesome link up from Lauren, that I know you'll want to go link up with too. Just a quick, simple way to catch our favorite followers up on our highlights of the week. Here's my high fives from this week!

1. I am finally setting up my room more and more! I unpacked a few more boxes this week, and set up all my bed pillows.

2. Notice anything different on the blog? 

Maybe like a beautiful, brand new stinking design?!

3. I got to see my first snow in like 2 years! It was so fun! We made a teeny tiny snowman, made a snow angel, then went back inside.. Totally worth it.

4. Yeah, this made my week way better. Try working 8-10 hour shifts with a 5 minute walk to Starbucks and not going on your break. Next to impossible! I'm one away from my free drink!

Don't judge my barely there nail polish!

5. Andddd yes, I got a nosebleed while driving home from work. I had to stop at Burger King and stop it. And then of course, I had to buy an order of fries for extra yumminess.

Again, go link up with Lauren! It's always one of my favorite posts of the week!

It's Snowing!!

More like it already snowed! But look how fun!

Single On Valentine's Day?

Being single on Valentine's Day usually comes with a lot of negative connotations, a lot of heartache, and a lot of memories. This year, I'm suggesting that we take back Valentine's Day.

Just because we're single, doesn't mean that we can't:

Wear a lacy shirt with pink pants.

Proclaim our dogs as our Valentines.

Are you not IN LOVE with his little underbite?!

Blog in a coffee shop.

Treat ourselves with girly movies.

Make sparkly Valentines for our other single friends.

So to the very, very few single bloggers, tell me how you plan to take back Valentine's Day for yourself! And to the much more abundant group of married, engaged, or just happily together women, what are your amazing plans for the evening?!

What WE Wore Wednesday

It might not be spring yet, but  if it's going to be 57 degrees out, then I'm sure going to dress like it is! Working in retail keeps me super up to date on fashion trends, and the "it" color for the season. Our store is calling for coral again this spring! What do you think? Are we loving or hating on seeing coral all over again? Since I'm still a little undecided on it, I decided to add another bold accent color to my outfit, giving me this coral and teal ensemble.

Please excuse the hardly there makeup and ponytail. This is my "Ugh, I have to open at work, but still have time to blog" look.

Anddd a close up of me hunching over. So wasn't prepared for picture taking today!

Now, you might be wondering where this "WE" is coming from. To my regular followers, it is not news that I have a fur baby. You've seen him all over this blog, and today, you get to see how stylish he can be too!

Yay Colston! This is the little sweater my mom bought him for Christmas, and good golly, he loves it!

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Rae Gun Ramblings, and Wardrobe Wednesdays!

Sunday Social, Again!

Hey guys! Back again for another Sunday Social. I used to not be a weekend blogger whatsoever, but this linky is just SO fun! Go check out Ashley or Neely's page to grab a button and answer these questions!

1. What was your first car?
A yellow VW Beetle. Best and worst car at the same time. I actually just sold Bee last month! 

2. Who was your favorite childhood teacher?
Mrs. Pate! She was my second grade teacher for like half the year, but then moved and we had to have our principal take her place. SO not as fun.

3. Were you involved in any sports/extracurricular activities? Share pictures if you can!

Haha not at all. I might have been the least active child out there.

4. What was your favorite birthday party?
It was a shared party for me and my sister, just in our family. But it was Mulan themed, and I got TWO Beanie Babies. I seriously still have a tub of Beanie Babies that "will be worth good money some day!" ;)

5. Who was your teen celebrity crush?

Nick Jonas. Please don't judge me.

6. What show/movie did your parents not allow you to watch?

Oh my goodness, so many! I'd probably say I was saddest about Sabrina the Teenage Witch though. I always wanted to watch it!

What I Wore To The Opera Wednesday

 I didn't watch the Superbowl. 

Crazy, right? A few weeks before, I was offered tickets to an opera and didn't even realize it was Superbowl Sunday. And in all honesty, I didn't even care! However, I had never been to an opera before, and wasn't quite sure how to dress. I saw my friend's cute outfit and decided to go off that (a little too much!). Here's a picture of the two of us, that's her on the left, and my freakishly matching outfit on the right:

And a nice closeup of my outfit, with a bit of our kitchen in the background. ;)

Top & Skirt: Aerie
Undershirt & Necklace: Forever 21
Tights & Booties: Target

What do you think? 

Have you ever been to an opera before? Was I underdressed?

My AMAZING Internship

It's hopefully no secret now, that I love Graphic Design. I love the fonts, I love the early mornings and late nights working, I love learning Photoshop (and what makes it different from Illustrator.) It's all just an amazing process that I'm so happy that I've found! So of course, when I saw an amazing opportunity where I can use my design skills, and maybe make an impact on the world, I got stoked.

Before moving, I googled "Graphic Design Internships in Charlotte, NC" not really expecting something looking for zero experience. Of course, I found an internship with the organization Give Fifty One. It was quite a different interviewing process, especially when I lost the phone number of my interviewer. I was pretty sure I blew it, but then I received an amazing email one night for an interview within the next few days! At the interview, I was so excited to hear them talk about the company and what they believed. (And to find out that we all went to the same church! I will never stop being amazed at the ways God brings certain people into my life.)
I could never fully expand on the amazing intent of this company, or go into as much passion and detail as the (super nice!) co-founders could. Whatever definition I give you, will be lacking in comparison, but I should 100% still spread the word, yes?

Give Fifty One is a company that sells watches. And not to mention, pretty cute watches!

The one I'm determined to eventually get!

With 51% of the profits from the watches, they donate! And what do they donate that money to? Helping end child homelessness. Sounds like a pretty huge goal to tackle, right? Well, within their first year of business, they have been able to sponsor 6 children in Zimbabwe, donate over 500 pairs of jeans to children, and join together with companies like Aeropostale in giving out teddy bears and toys to children for Christmas. And that's just the beginning for them!

On a monthly basis, they serve with underprivileged children to teach them about God. I was able to go with them this past week, and it just touched my heart. From the very moment I walked in, and received a hug from a little girl who hadn't even introduced herself to me, all the way to the cleanup at the end, it was an amazing and touching experience.
I feel that Give Fifty One and my partnership with them, is one of the so many wonderful reasons that God brought me back to Charlotte, and I can't wait to see what else He has in store for me in this amazing city.

Just in case you're interested in keeping up with them (or getting to see some of the work I do with them), here's a link to their facebook. They truly are an amazing company!

Disclaimer: This was not at all a promotional post on behalf of GFO. All views are mine entirely and do not represent the company.

Sunday Social!

Linking up yet again for my new favorite link up! Haven't heard of it yet? Go check it out at Ashley's page!

1. If you where stuck on an island what are the two material items you would want to have? My Nook  Clean laundry
2. What are two TV shows you'd watch over and over? How I Met Your Mother 

Source: tumblr.com via A on Pinterest

Big Bang Theory (The Office would have made this list about two years ago, but wow, that's not even an option anymore.)

3. If your house was on fire, what two things aside from family, pets, etc would you grab?

My computer  As much of my wardrobe as possible
4. What are your two most favorite articles of clothing? My corduroy jeggings (in all three colors that I own)  My knit grandpa cardigan (with elbow patches and all!)

Here they are in burgundy! I also have them in grey and mint :)

5. What two movies that you saw in the past year would you recommend to us?

What to Expect When You're Expecting anddddd Pitch Perfect!

Source: Uploaded by user via Charlotte on Pinterest

Rebel Wilson ftw!

6. What are your two biggest guilty pleasures?

Gossip Girl, yes even after the show has ended Coffee, coffee, coffee!

Come link up in the coolest linky party ever!

High Five For Friday!

So apparently, not only have I been failing in the blog world lately, but even in the IG world. I literally have no good pictures to show you this week!

(Except maybe one of my ugly pup/love of my life.)

That being said, I struggled a bit coming up with my high fives! Do you ever have weeks like that? Anyways, the few high fives for the week include:

1. I learned SO much on Photoshop this week! Like I said in my Wednesday post, my internship deserves a whole post of its own, and it will get it SO soon. It's just been such a rewarding experience, especially for the cause we're working for!

2. I get to Skype with my best friend like every night. Isn't he such a cutie? The funny part is, we totally weren't even this close when I lived in Louisiana.

Please pay no mind to my crazy face. :)

3. I sat in the wrong class for a good 45 minutes without noticing yesterday. That's not necessarily a high five, but I feel like its embarrassing enough that it needs to be shared. 

PS do yall ever expect AutoCorrect to show up on your computer? I just typed "enoung" and expected my computer to know what I was typing. #fail

4. I got a job. I know I say that a lot in these posts, and it's really not even that much of an exciting job, so I won't go into too much detail. Yay steady income though!

5. My dog actually let me sleep in until 9am today. That's amazingly rare with him!