High Five For Friday

Another week has gone by and its already Friday again!!  Linking up with Lauren from My Grey Desk Blog for High Five For Friday

1. I talked about this already but I finished classes this week.  Now on summer break :)



haha this is from the show recess...the good old days I loved watching this show on Saturday mornings :)

2. After class yesterday some of the girls got together for some fun!  A Lia Sophia Party and a girls night!!!



 





3. I got new shoes!!!  I got these shoes at Urban Outfitters.   I don't know if this is the same color as mine, its close too it but mine look a little more purple or light lavender. I was looking for a slip on sneaker like shoe to wear to work and for the summer and here I found it.  It turned out to be an even better purchase because they were listed as $16.00 but when I checked out they were even cheaper only $9.99 woo I love a bargain.  I wore them to work the other day and were super comfy!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. I have been looking up and pinning a lot recipes this week that I am sooo excited to try!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Last but not least the weekend is starting off right, I have the day off with no plans yet.  The day is mine :)  Maybe a Target trip, cleaning my apt (ehh maybe not haha), reading on my patio, etc etc. 

 

 

Have a great weekend :)

Free at Last...Well for about four months!!

Yesterday was the last day of classes for the summer in my masters program!!!  I cannot believe how fast the spring semester went....flew by in the blink of an eye.  It was a lot of work in the end, don't remind me of that 17 page paper but it was worth it.  When I graduated from UCONN from undergrad I did not go straight into grad school, I ventured to NC and worked for two years before venturing back into the classroom.  It was an adjustment to get back into classes and driving to campus but I am glad I did it!!  I love my cohort, we have such a tight bond and all come together, support each other and have fun while learning at the same time.  I cannot believe how much knowledge I have gained over this school year.  I mean I went in wanting to be a school counselor and today I know how to use various counseling strategies, how to run a group counseling session, how to run a classroom guidance lesson, how to advocate for students, how vital it is that the achievement gap is closed, etc etc.  I have even gone into a school and worked with an actual student (as opposed to just role playing together in class)  The completion of this year has strengthened my desire to become a counselor and I am so excited for my practicum in the fall when I will be going into a school 2 days a week working with students.  One of the reasons I went into school counseling is that I did not have a good experience with my own, I was told I would not get into some of the schools I was applying too (UCONN being one of them) and I should settle for more sure thing schools.  Fortunately I did not listen and I not only got into UCONN I received my bachelors degree from there and currently in a masters program!!!!  Where would I be if  I had listened to my school counselor.  My counselor was a person I only saw to sign up for classes and for the college process, she did not know me at all or have any idea what kind of student I was or what I was capable of.  That is not the kind of school counselor I want to be.  School counselors need to make their presence known and get people to understand that school counselors do not just sit behind a desk a day and can make such an impact in student's lives.  Enough ranting haha....So four months off from school!!!!  I will be working more and hopefully enjoying the summer weather as well!!! 

Texting and Driving

So I think pretty much everyone is guilty of texting and driving at some point.  I know I hate to admit it but I have done it before...take a quick peek at my phone while I am driving.  Technology is amazing and we live in a world where people are addicted to their phones and electronic devices and rely on them for everything.  I know I would be lost without my phone...I love my iPhone!!!  But seriously texting and driving needs to stop.  This weekend one of my good friends and one of my business partners (from Tripod Photography) was in a serious car accident.  She was driving with her boyfriend and her one year old and a woman who was texting veered over the double line into their lane and hit them head on!!!!  They had to use the jaws of life to get my friend out of the car.  Thank god they are all okay, my friend has a fractured spine and her boyfriend had to get 10 staples in his head and the baby had barely any injuries due to having an excellent car seat but it was scary for me to think about.  Things could have been a lot worse and all because of a text that probably said sup....lol...omg...or some other insignificant message.  We take the chance of our own lives when we decided to text and drive but probably never think how it could affect other people on the road as well.  So the next time stop and think about how important the text you are going to send is.  People will not vanish if you wait to text them when you arrive at your destination. 

  This is her car....no one wants their car to look like this :(

High Five For Friday!!!

I feel like I just wrote my last High Five For Friday!!! Where did the week go???  And I cannot believe its April 20th!!! Seriously I feel like it was just April Fools.  Time sure does fly :)

Here is five of my favorite things from the past week....

1. I finally finished the big paper I had to write...It was def touch and go at some points and was up till the wee hours of the morning finishing it but its done....17 pages later

2. I ordered pictures of my goddaughter from our photo shoot last weekend!!  The pics came out great!!!

I mean just look at her...how can you not smile when you see this :)  She cracks me up too.  She was looking out the window waiting for me to come and then yelled to me from the door..."Hey how are ya??"  Sooo stinking cute...

3. On the topic of Photography...Tripod Photography CT (my photo business with 2 friends) booked its second wedding!!!!!!  We have just started our business and already have 2 weddings...the crazy thing is that they are for the same day!!!!!  A morning and night wedding

4.  I'm seeing the Lucky One this weekend....I read the book, by Nicholas Sparks (recommend it if you haven't read it) and I'm looking forward to the movie.  Not so much for the movie cause the book is always better but for....Zac Efron

                       I mean just look at him...... :)

 5. I am off on Saturday and I am going to try and get some crafting done!!! Its been a while since I got the craft juices flowing so I am excited to see what I create.  Might call for a trip to Michael's!!!


Hope you all have a great weekend!!!

Starbucks Via Iced Coffe

So I have seen the commercials and seen it in the stores but never dared to try it until now.  I am talking about Via, the instant coffee brand from Starbucks.  Yesterday I was in Target (of course!!) and I saw the Via Iced Coffee on sale so I thought hey why not let me try it.  I was so excited when I got home that I had to try it that night.  Conclusion is:  2 thumbs up...I got the caramel flavor, they had regular and mocha I think as well and it is delish.  All you have to do is add the packet to 16oz of water, stir, add milk if desired, add ice and enjoy :)  This will be perfect for in the mornings when I really want coffee but don't want to make a pot. 

 

 I think each box has 6 packets in it!!

Just look at the deliciousness :)  

Coffee Mug Swap Update

So a few posts ago I talked about participating in the coffee mug swap and today when I got home from work there was a small box waiting for me at my door!!!!  I got so excited because it was from SC...from my coffee swap buddy!!!!  Her name is Nikki and she has a great blog.  I was so excited to see my mug and when I opened up the box I was in LOVE with my mug...Nikki also put some extra goodies in there too :)

 my box o fun :)

here is my mug...I love it!!!  I can't wait to use it.  It is def going in the front of the cabinet for easy access. (the candies in there are delish too!!)

One of my favorite drinks is coffee and one of my favorite stores is Target...Nikki got my spot on and got me coffee from Target!!!!  Can't wait to brew up a pot of cinnamon vanilla nut coffee

And then the biggest surprise of all which was so sweet...Nikki sent me a pair of earrings from her jewelry business!!!  (the earrings are crossed in the pic fyi)  They are soo cute and I love turquoise...I cannot wait to wear them.  Def check out Nikki's blog and check out her store because she makes beautiful pieces.  Come on who wouldn't want a pair of these earrings?? 

Thank you soo much Nikki!!  Best Coffee Swap Friend Ever!!!!  I hope Nikki likes the mug I sent her as much as I like mine :)  yay for new blog friends!!!

High Five For Friday



I cannot believe its Friday already!!! Where did the week go??  This week I am linking up with Lauren at theFrom My Grey Desk blog and participating in High Five For Friday!!

1. I got my new scarf that I talked about yesterday :)

2. Tomorrow I get to see my goddaughter!!! 2 yr old barrel of fun...seriously she is the cutest thing ever

3. I finished the 2nd book in the Hunger Games series...on to the next one :)



4. The weather the next few days....

Woo hoo breaking out more flip flops for sure :) :)

5. I talked to my mom yesterday and started planning my trip to NC to visit my fam in May!!!

Hope you have a great weekend!! TGIF



Accessories New and Old

So after going through my accessories (scarves, jewelry, headbands, etc) I have realized that I have too much (can you ever have too much!!) but I need to start wearing more of it.  My love for scarves still stands and they have been getting all of my accessory attention lately because its such an easy and fun way to spice up an outfit.  I just got a new scarf from Old Navy that I absolutely love...

Sorry for the quality...took it on my phone and the flash didn't go off :/  anyways its an infinity scarf and I just fell in love with it in the store.  And it helped that I got to use my employee discount.  I recently started working at Gap Kids and let me tell you they have one of the best employee discounts that I have ever heard of.  Seriously I love the job so far but the discount makes it that much better :) 


Another accessory that I love but don't always wear a lot are headbands.  Sometimes I think I look like a five year old girl when I wear a thick headband, sometimes my head hurts and feels like its going to explode headbands hurt me, and sometimes I just don't see the point of headbands.  Well I rediscovered a headband that I got over the summer (I think) and I'm pretty sure its from Ann Taylor Loft.  It gave my hair a little bling :)

 Haha I took them in my car too...I was on my break from work and I was like oh yeah I need to take a pic of my headband and well here it is.  I liked this headband because it just added a little something without being too big and outrageous. 

So those are my two accessories, one new and one old and I will make sure to make a point to use various accessories on a daily basis. 

Ohh I actually tried out a new nail polish the other day that I was excited about too!!!   I went to Ulta and I wanted a really bright and fun color and ta da this is what I got....

Its essie Cool Mint color.  And I got some glitter and added it to my ring finger on each hand just to spice things up even more :)  This was a new color for me but I love it, so fun!!

Bookworm

Ahh to get lost in a book....what a great thing :)   I LOVE reading.....I have ever since I was a little girl.  I remember going to the library and having to put books back because I was over the checkout limit!!!  Every summer my local library would have a summer reading contest and if you read so many books you got to pick out a new book, I would get soo excited when I could choose a brand new book! 

With grad school I am unable to do as much fun (not textbooks) reading as I would like, but that will change soon when I am on summer break!!!  I do not have a favorite genre when it comes to books I read, if someone recommends it or it catches my eye I will give it a try.  I am currently reading the second book in the Hunger Games series: Catching Fire.

I had heard the Hunger Games series was good for a while but never got around to reading it, then with all the talk with the Hunger Games movie I decided to start reading these books.  Hunger Games took me a little while to get into it but once I did I was hooked and couldn't put it down and when I was done I immediately got the second book on my kindle :)  The books are great I would def recommend them. 

On the topic of Hunger Games there is the topic of Books to Movies.  I personally always find that I love the book so much better than the movie.  I know things have to be eliminated or reworked in order to fit in a movie but I just wish the movie could follow just like the book.  I think they don't add up because when I read a book I create the  book world in my head, characters  and what I think they look like and the funny thing is, its never the same as in the movie hahah wonder why. I will still go see all the movies of books I read.  I never realized how many movies are made out of books, recently when I have gone to the movies and the previews come on I'm like ohh that's a book I read that.  For example, with Extremely Loud and Incredible Close when I saw that preview I was like I know I know this story and then when they showed the title I was like ohhh yeah I read that book :) 

I don't think I will ever get tired of reading...its a chance for me to relax and escape from reality and get lost in a book.   The other day it was beautiful, sunny and warm and I went out on my patio and read.  We dont have any chairs out there yet hahah but I sat on the ground and read a few chapters :)  When I come across great books I will be sure to share them with you here.

Some of the books I have read recently and loved:

 Fantastic book!!!  The movie is great too :)

            Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite authors, I have read all of his books and he never disappoints.  All of his books are amazing.


                   
  I know I know Twilight...but honestly I think the books are amazing, a great story.



 I would LOVE to have this in my dream home...a window seat reading nook with books close at hand!!!

Happy Reading!!! 

High Five For Friday

TGIF!!!!!  Remember back in the day when you would watch the shows on TGIF, Full House, Boy Meets World, Sabrina, Family Matters.  Some of the best shows of the 90s :) 

Well its Friday and today I decided to link up with a great blogger I have discovered and now read: From My Grey Desk  and do the High Five for Friday. 

My week in review listing five great things that happened or will happen :) 

1. Yesterday in class one of my professors cancelled one of our projects....seriously it was an amazing moment and to make it even better he gave us a one week extension on the big paper that is due!!! 

2. I am off today with no set plans.  I got to sleep a little later and now can just see where the day takes me :)  Feels good

3. Someone in class gave me one of the staples of Easter


yummm...It's not Easter if you don't have at least one Reese's Egg

4. The weather has been nice and sunny the past few days and looks like its here to stay well into next week.  Woo hoo for sunglasses!!!



5. Last but not least............I'm going to see TITANIC 3D TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!

I am so excited...prob one of my favorite movies :)

Can My Head Explode?!?!

I feel like this is what I look like right about now hahaha not really but boy have I been on the go.  This semester of grad school is ending in three weeks.  I am excited because this is one step closer to having my masters and being a school counselor but boy the professors know how to keep us busy up until the end.  This semester has not had many exams, actually only one typical exam and the rest of the semester has been packed with projects, presentations, etc etc.  In the next few weeks I have a big project due, three presentations, and a 12 page paper thrown in for some fun.  Add work into the mix and it makes me feel like the above picture. hahah I try to stay ahead of the game as much as possible but hey I am a procrastinator just like the next person.  I know its all worth it in the end and I will get through it but boy will I be glad when its April 26th at 7pm.....Classes over!!!!!!!

Spring is in the Air

It is spring....time for flowers to bloom, windows open, grass growing, birds chirping, etc :)  Since moving back to CT the weather has been crazy, a hurricane in August, freak snowstorm in October that lead to 6 days of being without power, barely any snow this winter, and 80 degree temps in March.

 I love spring, driving with the windows down in my car, music on ahhh the life :)  Yesterday it was in the 60s and I decided to bust out the sandals for work!!!!  I was very excited, they have been collecting dust in my closet all fall/winter and were calling my name to be put on.  Of course wearing sandals lead to me painting my toe nails and once I painted my toe nails I painted my fingernails as well.  Me and nail polish have an up and down relationship.  I love wearing it and trying new colors but sometimes I paint my nails and ten minutes later I'm like omg this looks bad or I dont want this on and I have to get it off.  Also if I get stressed or one of my nails chips I have been known to peel it all off, ughh I know its bad for your nails but once I start I cant stop hahaha. 


I usually opt for darker colors for nail polish, just not a bright pink kind of girl.  But with the spring in the air I had to do a bright color on my nails.  I went with Essie nail polish peach daquri :)

Nice and bright for spring :)

And since I was so bright on my fingernails I went a little darker on my toes with a gray color :)

So I'm hoping the warm weather stays with us and more and more sandals can come out of hiding!!

Coffee Swap

So while I was putting off getting anything on my to do list done and was on my computre on pinterest and going from blog to blog reading some great stuff I came across a blog that is doing something that I swear was made for me :) 
http://suzelssays.blogspot.com/ This woman has a great blog and I saw her event: Coffee Mug Swap



You get matched up with someone...you read their blog to get to know them....send them a mug that you think matches their personality...and they send you a mug too!!!!  With my love for coffee I am so excited about this.  I get to meet someone new read their blog and then get a mug too!!!  I am so excited to find out who my match is. 

I am new to the blogging world but so far this is so fun and I look forward to being connected with other bloggers :)

Capturing Moments

So I have always had an interest in photography...family parties or vacations I would be the one with the camera just snapping away at various things.  I never thought I would work in a portrait studio but when I was planning on moving back to CT I applied to one that was opening up and I was hired and started working there!!!  I went through the training process and started snapping away taking pictures of people of all ages, even pets too.  I had so much fun working there and it put a smile on my face to see people soo excited when they saw their pictures.  It was a sad day when I learned that the studio was closing :( but since then I have started my own photography business with two of my friends: Tripod Photography!!! http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tripod-Photography-CT/182851785153894  We want to do in home and on location photography and we have big news....we booked a wedding for June!!!!!!!!!!  We are very excited and I cannot wait to capture the moments of this fairy tale day.  Memories fade but pictures last forever :)  Below are some nature shots I took this past summer....I am excited to spend time this spring/summer capturing more snapshots every step of the way :)