I know I’ve been missing and I apologize for my absence. With school, the holidays, and just feeling a little down about blogging, I haven’t had much time (or motivation) to post anything but, hopefully, I’m back in full swing. I do have a presentation and two final exams in the this week but then I’m off for a month-long winter break!

It isn’t Sunday but I still wanted to serenade you. Today’s song is Contact High by Allen Stone. I think I like this song so much because it reminds me that it isn’t things that make me happy, but being around the people I care about and experiencing life. So, dear readers, get out there and keep experiencing life!

This Week’s Top 5 Things (that make me happy):

1. Family. Ok, this one is kind of a given, since it was just Thanksgiving, but I’m really close to mine and I haven’t seen them as often as usual since I started grad school. It was almost a relief to get to spend so much time with them!

2. My nephew. This definitely goes with family, but I’ve always wanted to be an aunt (I know it sounds crazy) and now I have a three-year-old nephew. He’s a trip and I love him so much. He lives back in my hometown so I don’t get to see him very much either, except for FaceTime, so I love getting to hang out with him. He’s so smart and funny, he’s definitely an awesome little person.

3. FaceTime. As I mentioned above, I get to talk to my nephew a lot on FaceTime since I don’t get to see him very often, so that makes me very happy!

4. White chocolate and raspberry flavored anything. It’s the best right now and I can’t seem to get enough of it!.

5. The end of the semester. It’s almost here! One semester down, three more to go!

Photo of the Week:

Found on Pinterest

I found this on Pinterest and related to it immediately. I’m constantly reminding myself that I have to keep moving forward, especially when something feels right.

Have a great week, everyone! I’m off to study.

I’ve decided that any sweater and this white vest make the perfect match. And were made for Fall! I do sometimes wish the vest wasn’t quite as puffy as it is, but when that happens, I push as much air out of it as possible and then I’m happy. I like to think it doesn’t take much to make me happy, but I have a feeling that Nick (and probably everyone else around me) would argue otherwise. Oh, well.

As I mentioned in this post, this sweater is less of a light green/blueish and more of a kelly green. Either my clothes just don’t photograph well, or I suck at lighting and need a new camera. Hint, it’s the last one!

Sweater: J. Crew (thrifted) | Vest: Old Navy | Jeans: Banana Republic | Camisole & Earrings: Target | Feather Necklace: Old Navy

Look at how lovely and elegant gold and white are together! Gold/silver/white is my favorite winter color combination so its only natural that I would put it together in an outfit. White pants are still scary for me but I really like them here. After having a really warm couple of days, we’re back to chilly weather; sweater weather if you will! How’s that for fashion blogger cliche?

It’s hard to see in the photos, but this sweater has some sparkle to it. For that reason, it almost feels too dressy to wear to class tonight but I think the white denim provides a nice balance. And this scarf is perfect for fall with its muted colors. Its another piece that reminds me of something an old college professor would wear (much like my elbow-patch blazer),somewhat masculine.

Sweater: Banana Republic | Pants: Old Navy | Shoes: Target | Earrings and Scarf: Target | Bracelet: Old Navy

I finished one of my term papers early so I had a bit of time to snap a few photos. It was hotter yesterday than it should be in November so I couldn’t wear the sweater and jeans I had planned. I decided to go simple with this cute purple shirt dress and flats. It was definitely warm enough out that I didn’t need a jacket or anything.  Last week it snowed, this week it’s 78 degrees. Mother Nature, I’m going to need you to make up your mind and pick one or the other. I don’t like both. It makes for very difficult outfit planning!

The color in the photos isn’t quite true to the color of the actual dress; it’s more of a fuschia than a deep violet, which is why I paired it with cognac flats. They both have somewhat gold undertones (right?). Lighting is so hard 🙁

Dress, Earrings, and Sunglasses: Target | Shoes and Bracelet: Old Navy

It’s Sunday! And you know what that means? If you’re me, you have a huge term paper due 2 days and a huge group project due in 3 days. For that reason, the blog will probably be pretty quiet this week. I’ll try to get some outfit photos up around Wednesday or Thursday.

In the meantime, I’ll leave you with “Black and Gold” by Sam Sparro. According to wikipedia, it “explores the relationship between reason, spirituality, and love” but I just think it has a funky cool grove that I like. Plus, it’s about love and I’m all about love songs!

This Week’s Top 5 Things (that make me happy):

1. Gingerbread lattes with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Ok, let’s be honest, when I have my way with it, it isn’t just a sprinkle of cinnamon, its like 2 tablespoons! I love the spicy flavors of ginger and cinnamon together. The Pumpkin Spice Latte ain’t got nothing on this!

2. Excellent group members. Grad school is notorious for goup work. When I was still employeed and told my coworkers that I was going back, they told me all about the joys of group work. Luckily, I have AMAZING group members. We work incredibly well together and are really good and bouncing ideas off of each other until we come up with awesome work. And that makes me happy.

3. Shrimp tacos and sangria. Seriously, after a long night of classes, you just need a pick-me-up. Mine is delicious shrimp tacos and sangria from my favorite Mexican restaurant.

4. Snow. Y’all, it SNOWED in my neck of the woods on Tuesday. Can you believe it? I’ve lived in NC my entire life and it hasn’t snowed in November in as long as I can remember. Then it was back in the 70s by Friday. Craziness.

5. Warm socks. Remember how it snowed? Yeah, I’m glad I had on warm socks! I hate cold feet.

Photo of the Week:

This is the snow that had accumulated on my car when I got out of class Tuesday night. I was so excited that I snapped a quick pic as soon as I got in.