Category: Fabulous living

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Fabulous living

Holiday Themed Q&A

  1. With Christmas just a few weeks away, Iā€™m answering a few holiday themed questions thanks to the The Blended Blog. Feel free to answer the questions too. Letā€™s see how much we have in common.
  • Real or Fake Tree?

Real! Always real. Some of my favorite memories as a kid is picking out and cutting down our Christmas tree. Itā€™s one of my favorite Christmas traditions!

  • Favorite Christmas Cookie?

Sugar Cookies. I love the baking and decorating and fun that goes into baking cookies. We make our own cookie dough and icing, which takes time but itā€™s part of the fun. No better snack than cookies and milk.

  • Home on Christmas Morning or Travel?

Always home. On Christmas day we spend the whole day at home in our pajamas. My family and I are constantly on the go so itā€™s nice to take some time to just be home and with family.

  • Clear or Colored Lights?

Our tree is always covered in colored lights. We have an array of ornaments from our childhood to present day. I love seeing all the colored lights illuminate our family room.

  • Send Christmas Cards?

Yes!! We are big Christmas card people. We love to both give and receive them. I am currently working on putting together this yearā€™s card. I love having a creative outlet and Christmas cards are the perfect excuse to do something festive during the holidays. Also, living in such a technological world, itā€™s always nice to get actual mail.

  • Favorite Christmas Present Received?

When I was five years old, I got my doll house. Later, I found out how much time my dad spent building and working on it. To this day it was my favorite ChristmasĀ  gifts.

  • Favorite Christmas Gift Given?

My friends and I love anything monogrammed and this year I got them monogrammed pop sockets! They all loved them and it was something super personalized. I love gifts with meanings.

  • Stockings or No Stockings?

Stocking of course! And you better believe they were hung by the chimney with care!

  • Christmas PJā€™s?

Oh yes! Every year my brothers and I get all decked out with our Christmas PJā€™s and wear them all Christmas day.

  • Favorite Christmas Carol?

Not really a Christmas Carol but I love the song, ā€œDo They Know itā€™s Christmasā€, such a good song with a good message. Also I love all the renditions that have come out through the years!

  • Favorite Holiday Tradition?

Going around looking at Christmas lights as a family and reading ā€œTwas the Night Before Christmasā€ on Christmas Eve. Although we may have gotten older, the traditions always stay the same.

  • Early Shopper or Last Minute?

Typically, Iā€™m a last minute but this year I got a lot of it done early thanks to Amazon!!! Being away at college, I donā€™t have a lot of time to do shopping so shopping online has been so helpful this year.

  • Favorite Christmas Movie or Show?

Iā€™ve always loved the cartoon, ā€œA Year Without a Santa Clausā€, such a classic feel good movie. I am also a huge fan of “The Santa Clause” series. The one liners never get old.

  • Favorite Holiday Beverage?

Peppermint Hot Chocolate. My two favorite flavors mixed together! Nothing better than chocolate and mint.

-Cookies and Milk for Santa?

Of course! Would it be Christmas without it?!

Well, there you have it. My favorite things about Christmas. What do we have in common? What are you favorite holiday traditions? Let me know in the comments below! Happy Tuesday! xoxo

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Fabulous living Fun Ways to Organize

How to Study for Finals and Prepare for the Holiday Season

Itā€™s the most wonderful time of the yearā€¦.or worst if you are a college student like myself. Finals week is upon us. Time to grab those note cards, pull out the highlighters, and make those study guides. Whether you are studying for finals, or if you arenā€™t a college student, making your Christmas lists, here are some tips to stay organized this time of year.

Studying for Finals:

-Prepare in advance. – Look to see when your finals are scheduled and plan out of when you want to study for them.

Here’s my day planner. I write down every assignment, meeting, and final down so I don’t forget anything.

– Prepare on your own. – Read through both your notes and textbooks and make your own study guide so you arenā€™t going back and forth between book and notebook.

-Seek help. ā€“ Although we donā€™t always like to admit it, we sometimes need help. Go to a tutor if you need help in a subject. See your professor with questions you may have while studying. Organize study groups to make sure you are covering all the information.

-Take Care of Yourself. ā€“ Finals and the end of the semester are stressful. But donā€™t forget to take care of yourself. You wonā€™t do well on a test if you are half a sleep or if you are sick from not eating healthy. It may be tempting but try not to skip meals and allow yourself for enough sleep or take a nap if you need to.

Preparing for Christmas:

I am always on my laptop, these post it icons make it easy for me to remember what things I have going on from finals, homework assignments, and extra things I need to get done. Like my Christmas gifts. I like to have it all in one place

-Make a List (and Check it twice). ā€“ Make a list for everyone you want to buy gifts for. Think relatives, coworkers, friends, any gift exchanges. You donā€™t want to leave anyone out on your list.

-Plan out your Gifts. ā€“ Do some research and plan what gifts you want to purchase and for whom. This saves time walking around a store waiting for the perfect gift to find you.

-Buy then Wrap. ā€“ Get all your purchasing done then wrap your goodies. Put on a Christmas movie and wrap while you relax. Itā€™s easier to wrap everything at one point rather then wrapping things separating at different times.

-Enjoy the Christmas Season. ā€“ The holidays can be stressful but Itā€™s important to remember what really matters; family, friends, Jesus. Take time for the family traditions and make memories.

I hope these tips help with preparing for your finals or your Christmas shopping. Itā€™s the most wonderful time of the year, be sure to spend it well with friends and family.

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Fabulous living

Simple Christmas Decorating

Hello! Hello!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with family and friends. I know I spent my break seeing family, eating, and sleeping; refueling before its back to school and finals are upon us. While I was home, I did some decorating for Christmas. Today I am going to showcase some easy and affordable Christmas decorations that can work in a dorm, at home or even in an office.

Here are some home ideas:

These glass jars filled with bright and colorful candy and sweets and make a great centerpiece. They also make a great discussion piece. The jars are in different shapes and sizes. In my jars, I have peppermints, ribbon candy, marshmallows, red hots, and candy canes. Fun and colorful!
This sleigh was from an old floral arrangement but I am reusing it for decoration. I got these colorful ornaments from Target. Put them together and you have a great table decoration. The book behind it adds a child aspect to the arrangement.
I love making a home feel cozy. By pairing together a candle with a candy dish and a floral arrangement turns a house into a home.

Here are Dorm Ideas:

I got this stocking for sale last year and it was perfect to bring some Christmas Cheer in to my dorm room. I have it hung on my bed so it’s one of the first things my guests see when they enter.
I love dressing up a room with festive pillows and blankets, I got this pillow as a gift last year and it goes perfect on my chair.
Gel clings are inexpensive and can dress up a window. Not only does it dress up your window but people passing by can get a taste of Christmas Cheer!
I got both the Christmas Lights and Santa’s sleigh from Target for $1.00 each!

These are a few easy and affordable ideas for Christmas decorating. All these decorations can work at school, work, and home. What are your favorite places to decorate? What decorating tips do you have?

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Fabulous living

Things I’m Thankful For

With Thanksgiving, this coming week, I’m taking some time to remember what I am thankful for. We all get busy and caught up that we forget what’s truly important. So, here it goes, the things I’m thankful for.

  • My loving family. Both immediate and extended. Always there when I need them most. From texts to care packages. My family knows me best and I couldnā€™t be more thankful for have them in my life especially this past year.
Family over everything
  • Ā My supportive friends. The older I have gotten the smaller my circle of friends has gotten. I am beyond thankful to have such good friends who have always been there. My friends from high school are always there to remind me where I have come from. Who else would I text about our favorite TV shows with?!Ā  My friends from college remind me where Iā€™m going. I know I have people in my life to sing Beyonce with, spill tea with, dance and eat the night away at a Semi Formal dances, and have real life talks with.
My favorite chick in college, Shay
Two words. Squad Goals. Spending time with these two is never boring. High school friends last a lifetime.
My first friend in college, Danielle and I have been through it all
  • My dogs. As cliche as it sounds, one of my favorite places to be is at home, on my couch cuddling with my pups. Just being with my dogs relaxes me. Plus, how can you say no to this face?!
One of my favorite parts about coming home.
  • Good Health. I’m thankful I can happy and healthy along with my family. Health is so important especially for all the sickness in our world. I’m thankful I can wake up every morning healthy.
  • My job. I took on a new job this year and although there have been some challenging days, I have great coworkers who I have grown close with over the past few months. I have learned so much about myself through this job and I can’t wait to see where else it takes me.

    New year, new opportunities
  • The country I live in. I thankful for living in a free country. I am so lucky to live in such a wonderful country.

    Land of the Free and Home of the Brave
  • I am thankful for the things that bring me joy. I have interests, hobbies, and activities that make me love life.Ā  I am thankful for all the opportunities that fulfill me.
  • I am thankful for going to a school that I have grown in many ways. I have learned so much in and out of the classroom. I have be given so many opportunities and I could not a picked a better school to attend.
  • My faith. I am so thankful to have a deep rooted faith. When times get tough, I always know God is there. I am thankful for the friends I have made through my faith.
  • I am thankful for people to look up to, whether they are family members, people in the industry I hope to work in one day, authors,bloggers, actors, and anyone else that inspires me. I am thankful to have inspirations in my life.

There are so many things I am thankful for, but these are just a few. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with loved ones. I will be taking Thursday off, but will be back on Tuesday! What are you thankful for this year?

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Fabulous living

Finding Happiness Every Day

We have all had those days when itā€™s gloomy outside, our outfit isnā€™t working, we over commit and we are left with nothing but stress. We let everything pile up around us until we are left completely overwhelmed. I may not be able to change the weather or help free your schedule but I can show you where to find happiness every day. These are five easy ways where I find happiness in every day life. We are all humans and mistakes happen and some days are harder than others, but it’s important to remember to stand up again and keep moving forward. I hope this helps you find some happiness in your lives.

  1. Ā Play Good Music. Blast your favorite Ā  Pandora station and dance around. Put on some soothing music when you just need a break. When I really need a pickup up, this is my favorite Pandora station. Sometimes we just need to let go and let God take over.

    My favorite station
  2. Talk to a friend. Whether itā€™s your best friend or your mom (or if thatā€™s the same person), stop the texting and have a phone call or Face Time session. Talk about your latest tv show you both are watching or whatā€™s going on in your lives, or even plan an activity. Whatever you talk about it will take you mind off what you are stressing about. Reminisce and relive your favorite moments.

    Friends always make things better
  3. Read a book. Sometimes we need to step away from everything, even technology. Pick a up book you keep telling yourself you are going to read but havenā€™t started yet. Get lost in a world besides your own. Flip through your favorite magazine. Do something for you.

    My next read
  4. Go for a Walk. Step away from your stressful day and just spend time thinking and being one with nature. Let your mind wander and then come back to the task with a fresh set of eyes. We all feel happier after spending some time with our own quiet thoughts.

    Beautiful morning walk
  5. Do something you love! Whether itā€™s eating your favorite snack, grabbing lunch with a girlfriend, or catching up with your favorite show. Take that time and do something you will feel relaxed and happy with.

    Smiling is the easiest way to spread happiness

Well, there you have it. When I am in a rut, I turn my frustrations into joy. To leave you with a quote on the Tuesday. “Whatā€™s broken can be mended. Whatā€™s hurt can be healed. And no matter how dark it gets, the sunā€™s gonna rise again.ā€ -Meredith Grey

 

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Fabulous living

Pinterest: Success or Fail?

I love baking, and trying new things. I was home for Fall Break a few weeks ago and besides being home and seeing my family, I wanted to try some new recipes. I hit up Pinterest and a few of my favorite blogs for some ideas.

Hereā€™s the first one I tried. You can see the full recipe here. It was a delicious fall treat for October. Ā Hereā€™s a quick recap:

All you need are some apples, crescent rolls, cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, all spice seasoning Ā and butter.

You are going to lay out all your crescent rolls all spread out on a sheet of wax paper on a cookie sheet.

Slice your apples and peel the skin off if you so choose.

Apples and butter mixture

In a bowl you are going to melt your butter and mix in the sliced apples.

Crescents with the mixture on them

In a second bowl you are going to mix brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and all spice and then you are going to spread it over each crescent roll.

Rolling crescent rolls with the apples and mixture

I used the large crescent rolls so I put two apple slices per roll, in the future, I am going to put more than two because I found while eating them there was too much pastry and not enough apples.

Ready to be put in the oven.

You are going to roll the crescents up, put one coat of the melted butter over top each roll and put some of your mixture on top of each crescent. Bake it for 28 minutes at 350 degrees.

Ready to eat for delicious fall treat!

Take them out and cool. Eat them warm for a delicious fall treat.

I hope this gives you some ideas for fall treats. I ate this as a dessert but they would also be great as an appetizer or lunch snack. Give it a try and let me know what you think of it. What are your favorite fall snacks?

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Fabulous living Fashion

My Halloween Costume

Happy Halloween everyone. I hope everyone has a spooky day filled with more treats than tricks.

Over the weekend, I had a lot of Halloween festivities planned. One of them was a Halloween Dance. I went with some of my best friends for a night of dancing, costumes, and memories. So, what did I go as? Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffanyā€™s. I loved dressing up for a fun night. I found this costume on Pinterest, and lucky for me I had all the supplies at home. This costume was all DIY and it was so fun to put together.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

So, if you are in need of a costume for tonight, here is how you can pull off this look at home. I am a lover of heels. I feel confident, in my element, and I feel I can take on the world when I am wearing heels. Naturally, I wore my favorite pair of black heels for my costume. They were so comfortable I wore them the whole night, through walking to the dance, dancing the night away and walking back to my dorm. Now, if you arenā€™t a heel girl, no worries, a pair of wedges or ballet flats work fine too. Whatever you feel your best in.

I am wearing just a simple black dress. This style was pretty close to the one in the movie but any little black dress works. Wear what you feel your best in. We all have one little black dress tucked away in our closets.

It’s all in the details.

I foundĀ  a lot of pearl costume jewelry between my mom and I so I wore two pearl necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. The more pearls the better. I had a pair of velvet long gloves that worked perfect to complete my costume.

Up close shot at my hair, makeup, and jewerly

As for my hair, I used a sock bun to get a high bun.Ā  To replicate the iconic picture with her long cigarette, I just used a black colored pencil for the pictures.

I didnā€™t spend a penny on my costume and I had a great time. Itā€™s always a good time with the girls when you can get dressed up and let loose. What are you dressing up for Halloween? What’s your favorite Halloween candy?Ā  Let me know in the comments below!

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Fabulous living

What’s Up Wednesday (10-25-17)

Whatā€™s Up Wednesday

Hello, hello! Today I am linking up with some of my favorite blogs: The Larson Lingo,Ā Mix and Match MamaĀ , and Sheaffer Told me To to talk all things Wednesday, hence why I am posting this on Wednesday and not Tuesday. Donā€™t worry I will be back tomorrow with a fall look then I will be back to my Tuesday/Thursday posting. Once a month I will answer some questions so you know whatā€™s going on with me. Today I will be answering the following questions. Wanna answer them too? Letā€™s see how much we have in common.

What Iā€™m eating this week

Iā€™m loving these proteins packs for lunch. They are quick and have great combinations. They are perfect for when I donā€™t have time to eat a full lunch.

What Iā€™m reminiscing about

Halloween as a child! I always loved dressing up and going Trick or Treating. Itā€™s hard being away from home during a holiday especially when I have younger siblings still trick or treating. This year I will still be dressing up, but I wonā€™t be getting any free candy…or maybe some. We will have to wait and see.

What Iā€™m loving

I am loving that we are finally getting cooler weather. It is consistently cool which is perfect fall weather. Also, now it is acceptable to wear high boots and jeans and not get worried to will bounce back to 70 degrees.

What Iā€™ve been up to

Lots of school work. We are in the middle of the semester so papers, quizzes, and projects are all I have been looking at. Between going to classes and my job Iā€™ve been busy.

What Iā€™m dreading

Scheduling for next semester classes! Ugh, a stressful time for all. One step closer to the real world. Scheduling is always hard especially when you donā€™t get into classes you want are struggling for a back up!

What Iā€™m working on

School work all day. Every day.

What Iā€™m excited about

After looking at my calendar, I have something planned for every weekend from now until the end of the semester. From Fright Nights, to Light up Nights I am going to be busy but, I am very excited for the upcoming weeks.

What Iā€™m watching/reading

Iā€™m currently watching my favorite fall shows: This Is Us, Seal Team, Greyā€™s Anatomy, Scandal, and How To Get Away with Murder. These shows are my motivation to get through long and stressful days.

Iā€™m reading Grace Not Perfection by Emily Ley and Iā€™m loving it. I canā€™t wait until her new book comes out A Simplified Life.

What Iā€™m listening to

Iā€™m listening to Jessie James Deckerā€™s new album Southern Girl City Lights on repeat. She is the only country singer I follow and I love her. This album has a great message filled with beautiful music. Get yours today!

What Iā€™m wearing

Did someone say sweater weather?! I am wearing all the sweaters I can find. I canā€™t get enough. Also, check back tomorrow for my latest Look of the Day!

What Iā€™m doing this weekend

Lots of Halloween fun! From a Costume Dance to a Fright Night, Iā€™m excited. Iā€™ll be sharing my costume next week with you all.

What Iā€™m looking forward to next month

Thanksgiving and seeing some family for the holidays! As much as I love school and what I am doing, there’s no place like how especially during the holidays.

What else is new

Nothing much. Between classes, work, and the holidays I am always on the go.

BONUS QUESTION: Whatā€™s your favorite Thanksgiving Side Dish?

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, love my mom’ s recipe.

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Fabulous living

Quote of the Day

"Ditch the dream and be a doer, not a dreamer"

-Shonda Rhimes
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Fabulous living

A Day in the Life

Wanna know what a typical Tuesday is like for a college student? Well, you are in luck. I documented through photos a day in the life (last Tuesday 10/10/17.) Ā Granted, every day is different and unexpected things happen but, here’s a peak into my life. Just a warning! Iā€™m not that exciting! Today was pretty average, some days are busier than others.

6:15 the alarm goes off and it’s time to start the day. Rise and shine. I check my phone, emails and social media to start off the day!
7:00After I get up and moving Ā I go through my morning routine, Ā making the bed, choosing my outfit, getting my face washed etc. After all thatā€™s done it’s time for my hair and makeup. These are my favorite products! I will be doing a post soon about my makeup routine but until then hereā€™s a quick peek.
Here’s what I’m wearing on this fall day. Jeans, Peep toe boots,and a silk top. I have a few classes and presentations today so I want to look professional and comfortable.
7:15After I am ready for the day. I have a morning ritual. I will do a whole post on this later but, to get a glimpse. I journal Ā first thing in the morning (this is a journal dedicated to a whole year of saying Yes. Highly recommend.) I also have an app where I get a daily prayer and reflection. Laudate is a great app for Catholics. Starting my day with silence is a great way to begin a day whether calm or crazy.

 

7:30
Breakfast after quiet time. I am into milk and dry cheerios right now. Healthy and hearty. I eat while I am starting on work.
7:45
Getting some blogging done, emails returned, and editing papers for classes. If I have any tests, I do a quick review too. This time allows me to get some work done without distractions. Also, if something comes up I have some spare time to fit it in.
9:00
After getting caught up and ready for the day. It’s time for a little down time before the day begins. I’m currently binge watching Friends, and Iā€™m loving every minute of it. Plus the 20 minute episodes are perfect for a little tv time.
10:00
Class #1 for the day. Children and the Media Studies. We had group presentations on research studies. My group went today and it was a successful class.
11:30
Class #2 Creative Writing, in class we talked about Micro fiction and Fantasy vs. Reality.
12:45
Lunch Break!! For lunch I ate pasta and broccoli. A balanced meal in the middle of the day.
1;30 So here is where my day gets crazy. Typically I would do homework until my class at 2:30 but it got cancelled (it was a gift from Augustine-kudos if you pick up on that reference, that my Philosophy Class got cancelled, this class is no joke!!!) so instead I went back to my dorm and did homework, blogging, and worked ahead on projects for the afternoon. I also relaxed a bit and took advantage of a free afternoon. I saw some friends and hung out on a beautiful fall day!
4:45
Notice how Ā I haven’t mentioned the gym yet? That’s because due to a full day on Tuesdays and Thursdays I don’t go to the gym in the morning. I try not to overbook myself and leave free time in my day if I need it. Ā Also I give my body a break after working out every other day. I do go to my Pound Rockout Work out class at 5:00 when I Ā can make it on Tuesdays where I am heading now. Beautiful day on campus.
5:00 Pound Class with my girls! Shay (my gym guru) and Danielle my other close friend. We went, we sweat, we left in one piece! Such a good workout!
6:00 Dinner with the girls! After a good workout I ate chicken and salad for dinner and we got to catch up for a bit!
7:00
So from 7:00-9:00 is a bit of a blur. I finished homework, got organized for the next day and went over what things I had planned. I showered and relaxed. I even watched another episode of Friends which doesnā€™t happen often. It was nice to have an easier day and with my class being cancelled I got more done!
While I was unwinding I was craving something sweet! Chocolate is my weakness. I ate these while I was relaxing! I forgot to document but I went through 2 bottles of water though the day. Always hydrating!
9:00 unwinding after a busy and productive day by watching This Is Us. One of my favorite shows. As a mentioned in an earlier post, my shows are my me time. Watching something i enjoy is the perfect way to end a day!
10:00 One of my favorite parts of my day is catching up with my mom at the end of the day. Let me tell you, my mom is the best therapist!
10:22
And good night. I try to go to bed between 10:30-11:00. It doesn’t always happen, on days when i can get to sleep a few minutes earlier…I love it!

And there you have it! That’s a typical Tuesday for me, classes, work, friends, unexpected surprises, There is never a normal day. The day when I am not running in three different directions, is when you should be worried about me. If you are ever not feeling productive. Just document your day and you will see how much you get done. Trust me, you will be surprised.