The Turning of a Page

Today is my high school graduation!

It is absolutely insane to think back four years to my freshman year and just how much has changed. High school houses some of your most life-changing moments: first finals, getting your driver's license, prom and homecoming, the sports, the friends, and oh my- the drama! But, for better or worse, I've grown to love my school and all of the kids in my class. People always say that you'll leave in a better place than you started. That couldn't be more true. I've lost some people, but gained even more! 

I've gained responsibility, friendships. and mentors. I've learned what it's like to work a part-time job (an even better incentive to go to college!) on top of school work. I've learned what it takes to be a real friend... and what to look for in a friend. I've made some of the greatest memories and some of the biggest mistakes. I've traveled and learned. I've dug deeper and am on the path of really being the person that I'm capable of being, and it's crazy to think that I may have to do it all over again!

These upcoming years are going to be even more soul-searching and developing into the woman that I can become. I'll learn so much about myself, others, and my field of study. I've got college athletics, greek life, and internships  to look forward to. I couldn't be more excited!

As an official high school graduate, here I go. Into the world of college!

Top 5: May 2013

Another month has come and passed and it is finally summer!

Today is graduation and tomorrow begins grad party madness! The slowing down of school along with me just not caring as much anymore has led to me getting into all kinds of cool, random things! I'm sorry if this "Top 5" post seems random. It probably is!

5. YouTube Beauty/ Lifestyle Videos

So, instead of watching a tv show or movie, I've been really into watching YouTube videos. I feel like I learn such awesome tips about beauty and just life from them! Some of my favorites include Sarah Belle, Bethany, and of course Carly! I'm not sure what makes them so entertaining, but I'm not the only one who does this because all of these ladies have millions of views!

4. Etsy!

Hello, online shopping addiction! I'd heard of etsy before and had been on their website, but I'd never really spent any amount of time on it. Let me just tell you, their monogram selection is wonderful! I've been looking for stickers and desk supplies for college, and the selection and prices on etsy are awesome. I haven't made an order yet, but I'm sure I will soon. 

3. Colored Lip Stuff

I said "stuff" because it varies from lipstick, to gloss, to balm. With less focus on my face and eyes in my summer makeup routine, fun lips are an easy way to brighten up my face without looking too overdone! I still haven't gotten into the lipstick on a daily basis, but I'm loving Baby Lips in Pink for day-to-day funness! 

2. The New Lilly Agendas

A "Top 5" wouldn't be complete without some Lilly! When the new agendas were released, I think I might have cried. They're so so so adorable! I am in love with the Tusk in Sun print (unfortunately, it ships after I leave for college so I'm not sure about that) as well as LuLu and Let's Cha Cha. Can I buy all 3? No seriously. I almost can't wait for school to be in session so that I can use one of them! The hard part is going to be deciding which one to get.

1. Acrylic Desk Accessories

I know... kindof a weird #1 for the month. But I've become obsessed. From Design Darling's Acrylic and monogrammed Collection to Etsy and the Container Store, I can't wait to be all decked out in acrylic accessories! It's a bit retro, but I'm also a fan of clean lines and classy-but-still-functional furniture. 

I warned you that this list was going to be random and weird! I've done a lot of dorm and college shopping, which is probably why these are my favorites for the month. 

Hopefully June will be more exciting!

Black?

Not sure how you guys feel about color and wearing certain colors...

But I'm not really a huge fan of black.

While Black can be chic and trendy, I'm much more of a navy blue girl. I think that the dark color (but still a color) is a good staple to have. I assure you that I am extremely guilty of buying all navy blue. But black, black is just too much! It makes me feel old and sophisticated. I guess that's not always bad, but I like to have fun and be happy; black, to me, is not happy. 

Now, that's not to say that I'm opposed to a fabulous lbd. I think black boots are great and versatile. And a black car is a great car. I'm just saying that when it comes to day-to-day outfit choices, black is too drab.

Maybe it's just a summer vs. winter thing.

What colors do you veer towards or away from?

The Bucket List

I've never really been one to make a list of things that I want to do or see...

I guess the one thing I'm a bit spontaneous about in my life is my planning. I know, it makes no sense. But I just pick something or someplace randomly and plan from there! 

Then I got to thinking: if I don't think about the things I want to do and see, I may never be organized enough to see them all!

Enter, the bucket list. I'm working on a more extensive one, but I've got a few things though up to start with (in no particular order)

1. Go on a ridiculous shopping spree after my first big paycheck

2. Spend a summer with friends at the beach

3. Take a winter trip to Switzerland

4. Go to the Kentucky Derby... and the Carolina Cup and the Breeder's Cup

5. Do a day in the life of Blair Waldorf and visit the NYC spots that she frequents

6. Move South!

7. Spend every weekend of one summer at a different amusement park

8. Buy an ungodly amount of books to put in my home library I will someday have

9. Cook a bunch of meals and hand them out to the homeless people in the city

10. Visit D.C. in the spring

11. Take a EuroTrip all over eastern Europe

12. Watch all the Harry Potter movies in a row

To be continued...

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day from one prep to another.

Enjoy the cookouts, the family, the friends...

And, most importantly, the freedom!

Sparkle Bright!

Memorial Day Weekend is always spent with family, food, and lots of pool time. Of course, my very near graduation has been a frequent subject at family gatherings and I expect no less for the following days. Today, my aunt was talking to me about my plans and just college life in general and I came to a very odd (for me) realization:

I need to make certain that what I do in college sets me up for my future.

A lot of times, college is talked about as a fun time or a time that all adults wish they could go back to. But, the thing is, college is a serious resume- building time. It's the time where you make your greatest friends, reach a great mental capacity, and hopefully have fun doing so! The collegiate world has so many opportunities and activities to offer and I can't wait to find my niche and to grow through those activities. 

I am a type-A planner, who has to make sure that everything happens just right. But, I'm not the type who "sells" myself very well. That's got to change in college. Whether it's interviewing for a school, leadership position, internship, or job, I've got to be able to set myself apart. I need to be a diamond in the rough... or at least a diamond amongst gems. This is something that is hard for me, but it'll surely be something that I'll be working on! 

sparkle in Kate Spade

I find it extremely challenging to set myself on a pedestal and essentially make myself better than others, but I 100% understand the need for it in the corporate world. 

So, here's to the new Sarah

Guilty Pleasure: Nicholas Sparks

I'm a reader. 

If that wasn't obvious then I don't know what is.

And I love literature that covers great social and psychological questions. I love a book where you can tell that the author really worked to make the novel a thinker. I don't just read mindless novels. I like symbolism and the confrontation of questions that humans have wondered throughout time.

For example, my favorite authors are Fitzgerald and Hemingway, and I absolutely love the beginner of the women's movement: Jane Austen. But, sometimes I just want a fairy tale. I want mindless reading that fulfills fantasy and hope. That's when I look to Nicholas Sparks. 

The Longest Ride comes out in August

Yes, I know most of his books have similar basic plots and are predictable. I know that they aren't deep and don't really make the reader think or engage them in any pondering of human nature. But, for a beach read, Nicholas Sparks is perfect. For a mindless read, he's perfect. For when you just want to fall in love, pick up one of his books.

Nicholas Sparks novels are 100% a guilty pleasure of mine. I don't really like to admit that I read the books and I often criticize people if his books are the only ones they read. I mean, it's not real literature. He writes for money and movie deals, but sometimes you just need to live vicariously through someone else's love stories. Since his book are usually based in the South, they're especially good for the beach or any fantasy of being south and falling in love.

Yes, I'm ashamed of my love, but I'll keep on reading because I'm a hopeless romantic