Shopping for a Cause

Last week, my roommate held a 31 Bits holiday party at our apartment. Jewelry parties are always fun, but they're ever better when you're shopping for a cause. The 31 BITS story is amazing. Watch the video to find out why I'm so passionate about this organization.

Not only was all the jewelry beautiful, but also before shoppers left the party, they were asked to write a thank you letter to the designer. These notes will then be sent back to the Evelyn in Uganda. I love that she will get to see how appreciative all the buyers are. Positive affirmation is always beneficial. This is such a special touch.

One of the most powerful elements about the 31 Bits story is that the brand was started by young females! Our generation is truly making its mark. This next inspirational company could be started by you or me! I hope you're inspired by this story. If you don't make any purchases, at least understand that you can make a difference in this world if you do what calls your heart.

Happy Sunday!

Playing Catch-up

Happy Friday!

Where did this week go?

Oh that's right, it went to many hours of writing my final papers & crafting my coworkers' Christmas gifts. I have tons to blog about but need to wait until I arrive home tomorrow afternoon. If anyone else is traveling this weekend, be safe.

Here's a quick photo of the yarn wreaths I made as gifts! All together it took about 10 hours, but I think it was well worth it.

Enjoy your weekend- I look forward to reading your posts last few posts!

Repeat Offender

That's right, I'm a repeat offender. I've worn my black North Face jacket and Ugg Boots everyday this week. It's not my fault though - I'm not cut out for the cold! But maybe the fact that I don't have the proper winter attire is the real reason why I don't dress well in this weather.

My hope is to hit the sale racks after Christmas so that I can amp up my winter wardrobe. This is where you come in! I'd love some cute, classic and WARM suggestions. I am a college kid, so nothing too extravagant please! I'd love to know what keeps you cozy and chic during the winter months! I look forward to your suggestions. Oh & feel free to post pictures. Sometimes I put together my favorite outfits after some photo inspiration.

Source: crushculdesac.tumblr.com via Lyndsey on Pinterest

Thank you! Have a happy Wednesday!

Passing the Torch

Tonight marks the end of my term as Vice President of Risk Management for the Panhellenic Council at my university. If you don't know much about Greek Life, this means that for the past year I've overseen the health, wellness and potential risk of all Panhellenic women in my community. If you're still lost, it means I was in charge of making sure thousands of sorority women on my campus were healthy and happy.

If I were to tell you about my job description and all the programs I was in charge of you'd become mentally exhausted. I speak humbly and not overconfidently, but it was a very large task. I know that I made improvements but that there were also plans I made that were not executed. I tried my absolute best, but as we all know, there's always room for growth.

The reason I'm writing about this is because passing the torch and title means that I will regain a great deal of time in my life. This leadership position took up nearly 10 hours a week, and often more! Do you realize what this means? I will now have more time to blog, train for my half marathons, see my friends, go out, be with my amazing boyfriend, read and finish the last semester of my college career with a little less stress! I'm thrilled just thinking about it.

I absolutely loved my role as VP of Risk Management. My passion in life is to care for others and ensure they are healthy, both mentally and physically. And I can't say enough about the wonderful women I served my term with. As a council, we took so many steps forward. We instituted new educational programs, increased accountability and created new initiatives that have already shown success. As crazy busy as we all were, we became very close friends. I don't regret one moment of the last year and am so thankful for the hundreds of Greek women I came to know. I wish the newly elected Panhellenic Council the best of luck!

I love my council!

Cheers to a great year!

Photo credit: Lexi Moody Photography

Don't Rain On My Parade

The truth is it rained throughout nearly the entire APS Light Parade on Saturday evening. But, that didn't stop us from riding in our Cinderella-like carriage! Yes we were freezing, and a little bit wet in our evening gowns & wool shawls, but it was quite easily one of the best times of my entire life. And I think I may have mastered "the wave"...

Although I was going to keep my "title" a secret, I thought I'd share with you a video from the parade so you'd have the opportunity to critique my newly acquired skill - although I don't think you could even call it that. Please keep in mind this is after riding in the carriage for about 30 minutes so my fingers were a bit numb!

Enjoy the photos & video. We're the second "appearance" in this video and I'm on the right.

It was truly a night to remember...

Trying to stay warm in the car before getting into the carriage.

There we are!

The thing I loved most about the night was not feeling elegant in my dress, complete with princess gloves and a crown. Instead, I felt the true Christmas spirit when I looked out from under the plastic that was hanging over the top of the horse-drawn carriage and saw thousands of people, both young and old, sticking out the rain and the cold just to celebrate the holiday season with one another. Now isn't that what this time of year is about? I only wish I could have taken my own video to show you how many people were there, even without umbrellas, smiling and waving, all the while yelling "Merry Christmas."

I hope you had a blessed weekend.

Elbow Elbow, Wrist Wrist

By reading the title, most of you will probably can predict the topic of this post. If you Google this phrase you'll find various sites explaining the appropriate way to wave if you're elected as a president or queen. But what does this have to do with me? I'm certainly not the next ruler of a country...

This Saturday I'll be taking part the in the APS Electric Light Parade in Phoenix. I'll have the opportunity to ride in a carriage, bundled from the waist down in blankets, while trying to remain composed and elegant in by evening gown dress. Why would I be wearing an evening gown dress in 45-degree weather? Well...

A few months ago I was selected to represent an organization that holds many statewide events, bringing nearly 3 million out-of-state visitors to Arizona. Until I'm done acting as a spokeswoman, I'll refrain from using my title or the name of the organization. But, being selected has been a once in a lifetime opportunity and I've met some of the most phenomenal people. So THIS, as vague as I've left it, is why I'll be freezing, smiling and wearing a crown, while on a carriage in the light parade.

Although the tone of my writing may not portray my excitement, I really am thrilled to be a part of this amazing festival of lights. When I was younger, I participated with my dance team in this parade. We had bright pom poms and event taped battery operated lights onto our bodies. To this day, I can still remember some of the dances we did will marching to Christmas songs.

But here's the title of this post comes into play. Although I am used to dancing down the streets, this year I must master the appropriate wave. The first thing many of my friends said to me, when they found out I was named "queen" of this organization for the 2011-2012 year, was that I had to learn to wave correctly. This was the last thing on my list!

I'm typically the girl who gets so excited to see my friends that I quickly wave my hand from left to right at lightening speed. But, I've been told this isn't the correct queen etiquette. I guess I'll have to watch The Princess Diaries a couple times to try and master the technique. Regardless of whether or not I become a waving pro, I'm excited to be a part of an event that brings so much holiday cheer to the Valley of the Sun. And guess what- we even got some winter weather last night that will bring a few chilly days, making it seem like it's actually Christmas time!

Stay tuned for fun holiday pictures from the parade and I'll make sure to let you know how the waving goes! If you're in the Phoenix area, definitely get catch holiday fever and come to the parade route. It should be an amazing time.

Happy Friday & happy 20th birthday to my wonderful twin brothers!

When There's No Time To Blog

I'm sure we all experience the frustration of coming up with something great to blog about, but then lacking the time to sit and get it all typed up. Or maybe you sit down with the intent of producing the best blog post of your life, when you realize the sentences aren't making much sense. I was annoyed about this very thing a few days ago when I remembered something I'd bought myself a year ago to prevent this - Keel's Simple Diary.

On days when you sit down to write and the words are coming out as you wish, or when you really don't have time to blog, give this diary a try.

It will literally take you less than one minute, but helps to stimulate your brain while also recording parts of your day. Another great thing about it is that there are various volumes. Once you fill one, buy another and fill it too.

I can't wait to look back when mine is all finished and read through it. There are multiple choice questions, fill int he banks and on some days you'll even be asked to draw something! It's a different way to journal and one that can really get you thinking. The questions are insightful and there is always a quote or a statement on each page.

I am in no way a sponsored blogger but thought I'd share this fun idea with you, so that you too can ease your anxiety when there's no extra time in the day! And since the holidays are quickly approaching, you may even want to one as a gift for someone. I bought the first blue volume last year for my best friend because she was looking to start jotting down things down for relaxation.

Have a fantastic day! Happy blogging & journaling!