Displays of Affection

Be still, my heart.... Everyone already knows that I'm a sucker for anything pink, anything homemade, and anything romantic. I agree with all of the Valentine's critics that say that we shouldn't have just one day dedicated to love. We should love every single day. But why shut out doors & boycott everything heart-shaped or vaguely resembling chocolate for the next month? Whether it's romantic or platonic, we could all use a little bit more love :)

Learn how to make pretty, chic garland here and fill your home with the love that you make.

Tired of chocolate? Cut your fruit into hearts & make kabobs to dip into yogurt dip!

Recycle your christmas lights to make a pretty, romantic canvas. Poke holes in the canvas and poke white lights through! 

 Dress your beau up & add a little pink to his closet. How about a pink seersucker bow tie from Southern Beaus on Etsy?

Buy yourself an absurd amount of flowers. Then, take a note from Emmaline Bride and arrange them in mason jars. So chic & southern!

Make Valentine's M&M Samoa Blondies for the sweetest sugar rush. Try this recipe from Six Sisters Stuff.  Seriously addicting. 

Add splashes of pink and red to your decor by trying your hand at replicating your favorite Lilly print onto canvas. Or, leave it to the professionals and order your own set of 2 from mcleansa on Etsy.

Go overboard on candles! If you can't let yourself use girly decorations all year long, this one month can be your excuse. 

Random Acts.

      It's nearing the end of January now, and the glitter from New Year's Eve has long since settled in corners, joining the dust from last year. A month ago, so many people were setting goals for 2012. They would eat right. Excercise. Read their Bibles every day. Lose 10 pounds. Learn French. Stop hanging onto vices. Get a promotion. Find the love of their life. Take over the world.

     In our society, we are encouraged by these ideas, by the fresh start that begins with the drop of the ball. Too often though, these resolutions are packed away before the Christmas tree is even picked up off of the curb. We set such high standards for ourselves or we decide to change the most stubborn parts of ourselves that it becomes easy to give up the first time we stumble. It's just like addicts that are sent to rehab over and over. We won't change drastically unless we want to. We won't change unless it's by our own agendas.

     Or maybe we're just trying to change the wrong parts of ourselves. 

      The other morning I received a text message from my Mom. "Pay it forward with an unexpected kind act to someone today," she said. "I will try to also."

     I had been having a rough couple of weeks and her text message inspired me to think about others for just a few moments out of my day instead of dwelling on myself. I wasn't setting an extremely high bar or being asked to do anything that I didn't enjoy doing. She wasn't asking me to change anything about myself. She was only asking me to change my focus for a couple of minutes.
     For the next few days, I challenged myself to go out of my way for others. I didn't set out to save the human race. But I do think I might have made a few people's days a little easier. I didn't volunteer for hours in the community. But I did give out a couple hundred smiles. And hugs. And compliments. I gave a listening ear to a few friends that needed one. I surprised my brother with free dinner, and answered my phone at 2 a.m. when I needed to sleep but a friend needed someone to help mend their hurting heart a little bit more. I gave a few rides home. I practiced patience when the other person didn't deserve it. I let cars onto the highway instead of speeding up to get by them and I helped a woman older than my own grandmother get her groceries into her car. I didn't change anything about myself, either, but I have found that the best way to make myself happier is by setting out to make others happy first. The best part is that it's instant gratification.

    I'm telling this story because it is the end of January. Many, many people have already given up on their resolutions. I didn't even set one to begin with. But I tell this story because I hope that it might inspire you. That you might resolve to go out of your way for someone tomorrow. Maybe the next day too. Maybe every day. I challenge you to this low-maintenance resolution, not in hopes that you will follow through with it every day until 2013, but that you will maybe include it in a small part of your life.

Challenge yourself to be just a little bit kinder. Change yourself by making someone else's day just a little bit easier.
   

Lilly Lovin'

Yesterday, sorority girls and alum all over the country waited for the announcement from Lilly Pulitzer to hear if their sorority had been selected by the company to recieve their own custom Lilly print! You can imagine the excitement of my chapter and our sisters nationwide when the following tweet arrived:

The company has also already created prints for Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Zeta, Kappa Delta and Delta Delta Delta... Alpha Delta Pi is SO EXCITED to join this great group!
One of the best things about the prints are their creativity.... here's a close up of Delta Zeta's print, including their letters and their flower (the rose) featured on my FAVORITE accessory, the Murfee scarf. (I don't think it needs to be said that I fully intend on buying one for ADPi the very second it's released..)

 & here is a close up of a pencil case with Kappa Delta's print.. Lilly also makes make up bags, totes, and duffels.. they'll make the perfect gifts for my grand-little this fall!

I also have to give a shout out to Lilly for outfitting my pretty iPhone 4, and some of my favorite events of the Spring...Carolina Cup, Formal, Easter, and.....oh wait, almost every day :) 

The new iPhone 4 Cases!

Formal

Carolina Cup!

We LOVE you, Lilly!

February Crushes.

Last week in class a professor asked our class of about twenty students if we had all already made plans for Valentine's Day. He waited about ten seconds, & then burst into uncontrollable laughter. "About half of you began to smile when I asked that question," he said, "and the other half were girls without boyfriends & all of the boys in the room."

Although I laughed at his terrible joke, it made me begin to think about what he was implying. He was generally pretty dead on; most of my friends with boyfriends were building up their dreams of gifts and gestures of love, while most of my single friends planned on binge eating chocolates, playing Taylor Swift on repeat, and boycotting romantic venues on the holiday.

I realize that I may stand alone in this opinion, but I think that it needs to be said. Valentine's Day is a lot of things. But to me it has never been only about romantic love. To be honest, my most memorable Valentine moments haven't been the years where I've had boyfriends. They've been the sweet and unexpected gestures from people who are not just a potentially fleeting fling, but who are the cornerstones of my happiness-- my best guy friends, girl friends, roommates, parents, and even brothers. Love is all around us and I think that we should all embrace it instead of forcing ourselves to set high expectations or to be miserable if we aren't currently IN love.

Enough of the sappy.

Here is an incredibly random assortment of things that I LOVE about Valentine's 2011 from some of my favorite designers and such that will hopefully leave you with a smile.

1. Lilly Pulitzer Murfee Scarf in "First Base"
I am head over heels for this print, & the Murfee scarves are seriously the best. They're the perfect length and weight. I wear them daily with fleeces in the fall, under heavier jackets in the winter, and over tank tops or dresses in the spring.  

Order yours or one for your Valentine (or mine... Momma I know you read this.) for $118.00 here, at Lilly Pulitzer.





2. Love Me Tender Cookie Cutters


People love cookies. People love people who make them cookies.
Grab a set of these for $10.00 here, at Urban Outfitters, and make some love in the kitchen. 

3. Mi Amor Margaritas
I stole this recipe from Cosmo. I haven't tried them yet, but I can guarantee you that I will have by next weekend. If you try this let me know, I'd love feedback! They look like the perfect fun drinks to share with your girlfriends, and they combine chocolate & strawberries... my favorites. 


- 3 parts chocolate milk (store bought or homemade)
- 1 part Sauza Silver Tequila
- 1 part strawberry puree or daiquiri mix
- Chocolate covered strawberry

Combine chilled chocolate milk, Sauza and strawberry puree in a tall glass. Stir vigorously to combine. Pour into a glass and garnish with a chocolate covered strawberry. 


4. Magenta Tory Burch Tumbled 
Leather Reva Ballerina Flats


You don't need a boy to fall in love with when your shoes are this cute. Perfect to wear with any outfit, casual or dressy! & you can wear them all year, with or without tights to match the seasons.


$195.00 from Tory Burch.


5. Biwa's Bounty Cuff by Anthropologie


This bracelet is perfect to transition from later winter into spring. I love the classic aspect of the pearls mixed with the eclectic look of the design. It would look so darling with the lacey/girlie looks that are in all of the stores right now & will go perfectly with your seersucker and sundresses this spring!


$48.00 from Anthropologie.

6. Lilly Pulitzer Dog Collar in "Beach Bum"
Girl's best friend deserves some love too. If you love your dog
as much as I love Grace, you'll fall for this pink and green patter designed by PinkysPetGear on Etsy using Lilly's "Beach Bum" print. Watch out for the preppiest puppy in the neighborhood!

Order one for your dog today for $17.99 here.


*Also, if this collar is too girly for your manly guard dog, she has lots of other patterns to choose from!

7. Boy Crazy Athletic Sleep Shirts 
from Victoria's Secret PINK
Snuggle up in these super soft sleep shirts with messages that will leave no doubt about your interests. Alternate available sayings include:
-"Let's Get a Room."
-"Kiss Kiss Kiss" &
-"Can't Get Enough"

Snag one for yourself or your best friend for $19.50 at Victoria's Secret


8. Dear John..."Sometimes I get the itch to go out for a drink thinking I might miss meeting the woman of my dreams, but then I realize the woman of my dreams isn’t at a bar at 12:36 on a Wednesday morning. No, the woman of my dreams is asleep in bed with her lame boyfriend she’s only now beginning to see is lame. Nice enough guy, but no passion or curiosity. It was cute when he called her babe at first but now it’s just lazy and distant sounding. The woman of my dreams just twitched in her sleep because I mentioned her. The woman of my dreams is not usually twitchy. The woman of my dreams likes Family Guy but doesn’t LOVE Family Guy. The woman of my dreams will engage in conversations that don’t necessarily cater to her in exchange for my moving quickly through the shop talk. The woman of my dreams has to be up at 7am. Maybe the woman of my dreams is at the gym, not the bar. I better get to bed..."- John Mayer

Happy Valentine's Day Y'all! 

Farmhouse.

The eventual point of this entire blog is to hopefully get my name and some of my work "out there," mixed in with all of the "fun" posts that I love to write. I am the first to tell you that I hate my own work 99.9% of the time, and the thought of actually posting it is terrifying. So here's the first piece I'll share, and I am only doing so because I found it on my computer & because it is incredibly relevant to the last year of my life. When I originally wrote it almost 2 years ago for my first creative writing class, it's intent was to capture the pain that I imagine my grandmother must have had over losing my grandfather years ago. I honestly don't even remember my biological grandfather that I intended for the piece to be about, but this past year we also lost her 2nd husband, my step-grandfather who had been married to her for the past 13 years. I hadn't thought about my poem again until I stumbled upon it, and I haven't revised it (although it probably needs it) but I figured I might as well start with a piece that I've seperated myself from for a while... so here goes nothing.

Farmhouse.

Amelia Beamer 11.20.09

The old porch still sings

when persuaded by wind.

Decorated by time,

kissed

by neglect.

It’s still ninety-seven steps

to where he lies blanketed

in dirt,

wrapped in the roots

of his favorite ginkgo tree

If her hip isn’t betraying her

That day.

I’ve seen her cry

all of never,

her face the same yet changed,

weathered.

The modest diamond

graces her finger still,

two years of labor

poured into the thought of it

and her

seventy years before.

I am a creation of their love,

a reflection.

His eyes, her hair,

both gone or grayed by now.

A breeze tugs, slamming

at the chipped screen door

and a tired heart.

She turns,

realizing again

that it is not,

will not

ever again be him.

Single Belles, Single Belles

Is it just me, or are more and more people within my social circle getting ENGAGED? WHAT? I feel like our society has tied me to some timeline: that it's expected of me to be flaunting a ring by the spring that I turn 22 and graduate. Someone else shared with me THEIR timeline for getting married recently that went as follows: "If I can't afford an open bar at my wedding, then I'm not old enough to be getting married." Perhaps it is the recently-dumped angst within me, however I have decided that this is a very smart mindset to have-- especially in today's world where marriages dissolve seemingly overnight. In reaction to this idea, I have compiled a list of reasons (mostly specific) as to why I am happy to be single right now. This is not to say that I am against being pursued by the right person at the right time, (I really, really want to fall in love and live happily ever after, and if that happens by the time I'm 22, that's perfectly fine by me...) just that these are the reasons that I am happy, in my current state, at this very moment, with being single and dependent only on myself (and my daddy):

1. I can actually eat the food that I buy at the grocery store, instead of someone else destroying it before I can get it into the refrigerator.

2. I can fill my entire apartment with holiday scented candles UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF JULY and no one can tell me I'm being ridiculous.

3. I can accept date invitations to ANY fraternity events that I wish to attend. At any college that I wish to visit.

4. I can wear leggings and t-shirts/Nike shorts and t-shirts EVERY single day, and no one will tell me I'm "letting myself go."

5. I can also wear my favorite dresses out without anyone complaining that they are "too short."

6. I can go shopping without anyone telling me that I'm wasting my money.

7. I don't feel like I ever HAVE to be the designated driver.

8. No one tells me that I spoil my dog or that I'm too nice to her.

9. I am the judge of how good my cooking is. And I say it is fantastic.

10. I can blast Dave Matthews without anyone changing it to rap or punkrock. (Amendment: I would give up my Christmas candles to marry Dave.)

11. I don't have to listen to complaints about how many guy friends I have. (Note to future boyfriend(s): They've been here since kindergarten. They're staying, whether you do or not.)

12. I don't base my schedule on anyone except for myself..... And my dog.

13. I can get excited about sorority events without anyone telling me that they don't sound very fun or that they're stupid.

14. I can watch every single Harry Potter movie in one day, on a Sunday, instead of football, because guess what? The Panthers SUCK this year, and I don't really care to watch every other team in the NFL play on repeat ALL DAY.

15. This also goes for Monday night football and EVERY OTHER NIGHT of the week. Not that I dislike football. I just really like being about to watch it when I WANT to.

16. I can watch every single Red Sox game & not be told that baseball sucks.

17. The only rumors that I hear are about what I did the night before, not who my boyfriend is cheating on me with.

18. Boys buy you more drinks at the bar when they hear you're no longer tied down.

19. Now, I obsess over boys treating me the right way as opposed to constantly obsessing over how I'm being treated poorly.

20. I can shave my legs when I want to. Which is every day. But that part is irrelevant.

21. My lime green toenails can exist in that color at peace from criticism.

22. I can sleep in flannel shorts or ratty t-shirts. And spend the next half day in them.

23. I can eat spaghetti-O's and lean pockets for dinner. For a week straight. Without complaint from anyone.

24. I can and did just apply to NYU on a whim. Because I had been wanting to. And there is no one to hold me from going or not going.

25. The only insecurities I have to deal with are my own.

26. People in long term relationships are fatter, on average, than those who are single.

27. Compliments from others aren't expected, so when they come, they feel deserved and/or intentional.

28. I can go to church on Sundays, if I want to, without thinking that I'll ever "change" someone else.

29. No more guys hiding in my phone under girl's names (sorry.)

30. I can pour my energy into my friendships and my passion into my goals.

31. I can clean my apartment at 3 am instead of rushing to have it neat by the time my boyfriend arrives.

32. I'm sure others will critique my body, goals, and decisions in many ways, however none of these people are close enough to me for it to hurt me. The people I allow close enough to hurt me, are the ones who I trust not to.

p.s. If you were to decide to put a ring on it, these are the rings that one day, someday, maybe, perhaps, (Harry, Tiff or David) will end my single streak.