A Little R&R

It's always nice to come back to school and immediately have a 3-day weekend.

This year it seemed like most of my friends went home or on retreats for the long weekend, leaving me to my Netflix and own agenda. I won't lie, being alone for much of the weekend was a little lonely even for this introvert. But I managed to just relax, get some schoolwork done, and pamper myself a little bit :)

Saturday night I had nothing to do and remembered that I had some very ripe avocados. On a whim, I looked up avocado face/ hair masks just for fun. It just happened that I had all the ingredients in my dorm and most of the ingredients overlapped for face and hair. So, I went ahead and covered myself neck-up in Avocado! I was so happy with the results that I figured I'd share what I did! 

Ingredients:

- 1 avocado

- 2 capfuls of vegetable oil

- a tablespoon of honey

I just mixed these all together in a bowl until it had a sort of baby-food looking consistency. From there, I took off my makeup, and rinsed my face and hair. I didn't really have a method other than to use handfuls to apply to my hair and face. With the hair, I'd advise not getting too close the the roots of your hair... unless you like the greasy look. I then let it sit for 45 minutes (approximately two episodes of Friends), then hopped in the shower and rinsed it all out. I then let my hair air dry.

I didn't really know what to expect when I did this, but I figured my hair and skin couldn't get much worse- I've had horrible acne in my chin area and the ends of my hair are so lifeless. But WOW. I don't know if it's just in my head of what but I swear my split ends are un-split not and my face? Still not flawless but It was less red and much easier to cover even with the light coverage foundation I've been using to try to let that area breathe. Back to my hair, it still definitely needs a salon day, but it's so shiny and soft- so easy to brush through! 

And the biggest change? Well the little piece of hair at the nape of my neck is just always gross. I don't know why, but it's been this ratty little mess for as long as I can remember. It doesn't hold a curl or anything. Anyways, It's smooth and cooperative now! 

I think avocados are the fruit of the body gods because I have yet to see something negative from these little guys. 

The Big Part

There are a lot of styles that I can't pull off, and it's okay because I've come to accept it. 

Combat boots, winged eyeliner, you know. Definitely not me. But if there's one thing I've always wanted to be able to pull off, it's the middle part!

All the cool girls can do it- Cara Delevigne, Emily, even Kate Middleton! 

one of my favorite bloggers, Emily, is my most
recent inspiration

But, I had come to grips with the fact that maybe my face just wasn't made for it. (regardless of how many times my hairdresser had told me he wanted to cut my hair for a center part... or "more central"). It wasn't until a week ago, when I went all-in with my hair that I decided to go for the middle part. 

For the first time, I didn't rearrange the style Michael gave me as soon as I drove away. 

I actually kindof liked it! And so I felt this newfound freedom- I can rock a center part! Okay, so maybe I'm not "rocking" it yet. I'm still learning how to style this new center part. And my hair has been in a side-part for so long that it naturally goes that way and isn't laying normally... something that will go away with time, I'm sure. 

And here I give you, my center part! Not the best lighting, or positioning, but here's what I'm working with...

p.s. how do you like my darker, redder locks? :) 

RedHead Lovin'

as a redhead, I always get excited when I see a ginger model in a catalogue or ad

I guess it's because my strawberry-blonde hair sometimes makes me feel different. Not in a good or bad way, it's just that I stand out. In a world of brunettes and blondes, my freckles and red hair can really bring me attention. People tend to comment on my hair before anything else... some people even ask to touch it, as if it's going to feel different than their golden locks. And I'll never forget the outright stares that I got while traveling in the Middle East. In their defense, my rosy complexion, hair & freckles, and blue eyes are extremely foreign to their olive-skinned population. 

But, I don't really let the fact that I look different bring me down. I find it funny now, and I enjoy the fact that my small outbursts of energy can be attributed to being a fiery redhead. And the fun part is that being part of this dying population connects me to other redhead girls out there. Recently I've loved seeing redhead girls in ads. J. Crew has a fabulous redhead model, and I love the Vineyard Vines model whose hair color is almost identical to mine! Seeing that rose-tinted skin and those freckles makes me proud to be different.

......................................................................

J. Crew

Vineyard Vines

I can't forget the fabulous
Molly Ringwald

Everyone has a quirk or characteristic that helps them stand out. Mine is certainly my hair. I used to hate that it was so different, and sometimes I still think it's weird that people can be so intrigued by the fact that I have strawberry in my blonde. But I have grown to enjoy the fact that it is truly a part of who I am. It explains where I've come from and gives me a chance to automatically stand out- without saying a word.

and I can really appreciate that.

what sets you apart?

Southern State of Mind

I'm from the midwest, but I firmly believe that 

I was a fully-fledged Southern Belle in my other life.

I've thought and thought about my destiny to end up end the South and I've come up with a few reasons why I am truly, 100% always in a Southern State of Mind.

1. I automatically feel more at home below the Mason-Dixon Line

2. Big hair not only looks good- it holds the best secrets

3. Wearing a dress is a daily occasion

4. I want to be in the sun or by the ocean more than anything else in the world

5. My body runs on Sweet Tea, not water

6. The Civil War was really the War of Northern Aggression

7. "Roll Tide"

8. A Sorority is just that - a sisterhood - more than it is a change to get sloppy

9. Seersucker, pink & green, and nautical navy makes up at least 50% of my closet

10. I am 100% a hostess and have learned from the best- my mother.

Even though I'm not from the South, I hope and pray that I'll find a husband either from the South or willing to move that way. My dream is to have my kids address elders as "yes mam" and "yes sir", grow up with the SEC, and love the sunshine just as much as I do.

For now, though, I'll stay dreaming of the South.

Top 5: April 2013

I cannot believe that April has come and gone! I'm entering the final days of high school and life as I know it. The sun is shining daily and my porch has become my go-to hangout. I am in no way complaining, but it just feels as if life is passing by so so quickly! 

As per usual, I am going to look back on my top 5 favorites of this month!

Lilly Pulitzer

Dresses!

As a kid, I was never a huge fan of dresses. I think it was because I was more the type to run around with the boys than to look cute for them. This year, though, I've been looking for any excuse to wear a dress! The warm weather is perfect for cute sundresses and they show off my runner's legs! Plus, they're oh so comfortable and flattering! I'm kicking myself for not liking them before and have been buying up so many dresses lately. Now, I'm just looking for places to wear them.

Natural Hair

So I have this awkward hair that's straight with a teeny-tiny bit of wave. And there's only some wave if I put product in and DON'T comb it. But, it'll dry basically straight with a comb through. I've pretty much hated this about my hair, because it never looked super put together. Lately, though, I've been embracing the natural wave of it. I hardly use my flat iron and I let it air dry, which has resulted in my hair being so much smoother and healthier. 

Senior Prom

Family!

My family is a close family, but it's never been like this before. I think I'm just enjoying my last few months at home with my mom and dad before I'm on my own... eek! But seriously, I give up everything to be with them. I make an effort to have dinner with them a majority of the nights each week and to tell them daily that I love them. They're the most supportive, loving, selfless people I know and would give me the world if they could have given me the world. If I want it, they do their best to make sure I have it even if I have to wait. If I need help, they do their best to help me or find someone who can. My sister and I are their top priorities and I pray that I can one day be as wonderful to my children. 

North Carolina

Kinda weird, I know, but I've been planning and thinking ahead for my future. While I have two years of undergrad at Purdue, I will be applying to pharmacy schools in a couple of short years. Purdue does have a fantastic pharmacy program that I will apply to, but I have always been a fan of the south and the east coast; I've always wanted to leave the midwest. University of North Carolina dawned on me as the perfect school! It's ranked in the top of the country, is very well known, has 4 seasons that aren't as extreme as the midwest, and embraces the best of the east coast and south. I've only been to the beach in N.C., so a visit to Chapel Hill is in store!

LEM

It's been a while since I talked about my best friend. She's a favorite every month, but deserves a spot this month. We went to the beach together and it was fantastic! On top of that, she and I have become so incredibly close and she gets me through just about anything. She's really sick, so prayers to LEM! And, her birthday is Thursday... and the only thing I like better than online shopping is online shopping for someone else! I can't wait for her presents... (some Tory Burch and Marley Lilly, maybe?)! I just can't imagine what I'd be without my best friend. 

Another month has come and passed with all sorts of new experiences and memories. April has been an enjoyable month, but I'm ready for May and summer!