My beauty routine in 8 easy steps!

Hi loves, happy Sunday! 
I figured I'd write this blog while I was getting ready for brunch with Amanda today! I get tons of questions asking how I do my makeup and hair, so I figured why not show my makeup routine first! 
I don't  always have tons of time to do my makeup and hair everyday, and it's not often I finish my full makeup routine at work, but I usually try. Whenever I'm going out, I will add a little more to embellish my eyes with some eye shadow, but overall, it's a pretty simple routine and I stay pretty consistent with my look. I also am not a makeup snob. I don't own any Mac products actually, or Dior or Chanel or anything like that. I have a good mix between drug store and Sephora products, because what girl isn't ballin on a budget? It's only in the past year and a half that I've even added in the Sephora products, but boy are they worth it- not to mention they last a long time so they're worth the investment.
I was a little hesitant to post ALL my photos (because I tried to take a lot of photos to show all the steps), but I'm just going to go for it. {Also- these are #nofilter, so excuse any graininess, this is the best PhotoBooth has to offer!}

This is the beginning! Clean face!

I don't use any particular face wash. I use Dove body wash in the shower, which I also use on my face, but if I'm not showering that day, I'll occasionally use Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser (oil free). As sad as this is- I don't really have a face routine because I'm never consistent enough. Maybe one day when I really grow up I will…

{Step 1} Foundation is where I start first. This was one of my recent switches over to the real world of makeup. Previously I only used CoverGirl, and I typically used a wet to powder type product. I found I wasn't getting the coverage I needed to last all day (I was have to apply several times throughout the day to keep my face from looking oily) so my mom and I took a trip to Sephora to check out if there was a better foundation for both of us (she has the same problem). After talking to several associates, we came upon Make Up Forever Mat Velvet + and my prayers had been answered! I LOVE this product, it usually lasts me anywhere from 4-6 months (this itty bitty bottle lasts me that long, can you believe it?!) and I only reapply once if I'm going from day to night. My skin is my skin, it's going to get oily after a long day of work, so I like for a very matte look and typically just use what's left on my brush to touch up before heading to a happy hour or dinner.

I use Sephora's PRO Foundation Brush #40, and granted it's the only foundation brush I've used (I used to use sponges), but I love it.

I apply all over, especially focusing under my eyes for better coverage of my dark circles, and on the sides of my nose.

{Step 2} I use this CoverGirl invisible concealer in Fair for dual purposes. I've tried essentially every contouring trick in the book, watched any and all contouring tutorials and they're all great for when you have HOURS to do your makeup in front of a video camera and professional grade vanity, or if your Kim Kardashian. While one day I hope to live a life like Kim's (minus the sex tape and being married to Kanye), that's not now and I have approximately 7 minutes in the car from my house to work to get my "face" on.
Not only does this help me to contour (which is why I purchased it the shade "fair"), it better helps cover my dark circles (if you couldn't tell from the first photo- I.do.not.sleep. and I pay that price heavily under my eyes).

 This is where I apply my concealer/light contouring

I just blend in with my fingers. I've tried the trendy beauty blenders, and if I was a betting person it's somewhere in the black hole that is the backseat of my car. They're not worth the money in my opinion, and I found myself finishing the blending with my fingers when I used it anyway.

{Step 3} More contouring with my second favorite makeup product ever- BRONZER! Since I discovered the wonders of bronzer in high school, I have been addicted. I use Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Medium/Deep Matte Bronzer. Again, wanting to keep with the matte theme I chose this product over others. Also, I really did not want a bronzer with GLITTER in it {This is not Limited Too with the body glitter rollers people. This is everyday life!}. This particular product is made with actual cocoa so you definitely smell delicious, on top of looking delicious. When it comes to contouring, I stray away from the sometimes suggested darker foundation blending into the lighter foundation approach because it's usually messy and unless you're a professional, you'll end up looking like a drag queen. And who wants to buy TWO foundations anyway? That's a lot of product clogging up your pores on your face.

I usually start by highlighting my cheekbones, as you'll see in the photo above. I use Sephoras PRO Fan Brush #65. I believe this brush is designed to sweep away any eye shadow or other makeup reside that may have fallen to other parts of your face (does that happen ALL the time when applying eye shadow to anyone else?), but I use it for contouring & bronzing purposes. Its flat fan shape allows me to have pretty accurate lines, which I prefer when contouring, over the fatter and rounder "bronzer" brushes you will see in stores.

Something I picked up from a contouring tutorial I watched was highlighting your jawline. While I have an okay jawline, I definitely loved the look of highlighting it after I tried it and I've incorporated it into my routine. Less turkey gobbler, more definition.

I usually finish up my contouring/bronzing step by contouring my nose. My nose has, and probably always will be, my sensitive area. I love all my features, my genetics and God gave me them- but damn a cute button nose would have been nice! All this does is make my nose appear more narrow. 

{Step 4} BLUSH BLUSH BLUSH. This is my favorite product in the entire universe. I think blush makes my face come alive, it warms me up and adds dimension! I don't use anything fancy, and God help me if CoverGirl ever stops running this shade because both my mom and I have used it since the dawn of time. My blush is CoverGirl classic color in Iced Plum (510). OBSESSED is an under statement. If you know me well at all, when you're doing an ice breaker and someone asks "what is the one thing you couldn't live without?" Blush. Definitely Blush. The answer is Blush.

I used to have a separate, fat and fluffy, blush brush but that has since been lost. For now, I use the brush that comes with the packaging, it suffices and I'm used to it.

 I start in the apples of my cheeks and lightly follow the bronzer contouring lines, just for added depth and warmth.

{Step 5} Are eyebrows! This is a rather recent step added into my beauty routine, but I think it makes a world of difference. I use Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Caramel found in Sephora. I asked for a product that was easy to apply for a beginner, so I would highly recommend this if you're new to penciling eyebrows (like I am) or if you just want a user friendly product. This product is nice because it has an ultra fine, retractable tip so no need for pencil sharpeners! However, I did accidentally purchase Perfect Brow Pencil in Caramel, so that does require sharpening, but still a great product to use.  I chose the Caramel color, because I felt the other brown shades were too harsh on my face. I have olivey skin, so I like to have makeup that warms my face up and the caramel seemed to be the best to do just that.

{Step 6} Time for some mascara. If you have zero, zilch, nada eyelashes like me (thanks Mom and Dad), then this is a good and inexpensive mascara for you! I apply mascara like a fiend, and I adore the long luscious lash look, so I need a quality, but inexpensive product since I blow through it so quickly. For the past year I've been pretty loyal to the Maybelline Falsies Volum' Express in Blackest Black.

 {What a difference, amiright?!}

Most of the time I'm usually pulling into the office parking lot at this point scrambling to gather my purse and other belongings, so I quit here. I feel like it's a good day time look and don't need to go further (although it's my preference). So if you're on snap chat, you'll often find me with this look, hehe. 

Taking it a few steps further...

{Step 7} Eyeliner. I constantly had a battle with eyeliner growing up. I suppose my eyes water a lot and I found that my eyeliner would pool on either ends, kinda defeating the whole purpose. OR, even better, it would stain to my eyelid crease so it was like I applied in two separate places. {SMH} Well,  liquid eyeliner came into my life and all was right in the world again. Much like mascara, I use this quite often so don't really want to pay the price for a "real" eyeliner if I can find a "just as good" drugstore version. I've used this Maybelline Waterproof Ultra Liner in both Dark Brown and Black. Sometimes I prefer the brown for a softer look (which is what I am using here), whereas sometimes I like to channel my inner Beyonce from Freakum Dress and opt for the black. 

 

I usually like a little winged look, adds an even more sultry feel to my already almond shaped eyes

{Step 8} Just add a little lipstick! Again, I don't rock this look as often as I normally want, but when I have the time, I do. This lipstick is Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Rum Raisin. Again, both a color that my mom and I have worn for ages and I will absolutely die if they ever stop making it. If you have skin tones like me, I'd definitely recommend it, but the link above shows all different skin tones with Rum Raisin applied!

Here is the final finished product from my makeup routine!

Sorry that was quite a long post, but hey, I wanted to be as helpful and descriptive as possible since I get asked so often! Hope you loveys have had a wonderful weekend, and a super Sunday. I'm off to brunch with my bestie, pack for my work trips and finish up some little things around the house!

Friday Five

Hi y'all! Can you believe it's Friday?! I can't this week flew by… Maybe because it was a four day work week for me since I was on VACATION.. Okay sorry that was mean. But this week has really gone by so quickly and it's been such a busy week! 
Here's my Friday Five:
{1} So this was technically last week, but my one year anniversary of adopting my adorable blonde fur child was July 5th! I can't believe this sweet ball of fur has been in my life for a whole year! I am so incredibly proud of the progress she's made (I rescued her and clearly whatever bastard owned her before abused her, so she has a llllllllllllll sorts of quirks about her) and how far she's come in getting back to being a happy and healthy little doggy. 

Here's my little Mayley girl as I sit here and type this post  "Mommmmm you need to be holding ME instead of that laptop"  Did I get the prettiest {and sassiest} little girl or what?!

Here's a photo from this morning that I just had to share. Can a girl use the bathroom in the morning without putting on a show? {Notice Mayley is watching from her crate too} sheesh
{2} I am desperately looking for a good book to read. I've recently come back into contact with my fully functional, dusty, and lonely nook with a craving for a good read. I'm not really into the Divergent  or The Hunger Games series {maybe it's the not wanting to become utterly obsessed like the rest of the human population on the planet}, the Fault in Our Stars sob-fest {that just screams: Please lay in bed and cry yourself to sleep at how sad this story is… Also, wasn't a Walk to Remember eerily similar to the storyline of this novel? Hmmm}… and so on. It seems when I've recently looked at the Best Sellers list(s) nothing is really appealing to me. Comment with suggestions pleaseeeeee
{3} I had my make-up training with Junior League (JLT- check them out here!) this week! It very much reminds me of when I was a new member in my sorority all those years ago. Looking around at my new member class (who are basically strangers faces at the moment since we're all new), sitting in different rooms in the JLT house learning the history, organization chart, and so on. I'm so excited to keep learning and participating in this organization- I've even signed up for my first volunteering event. It's an event called Kids Boutique (read more about here), and in a nut shell they take underprivileged children in the Leon County area through Kohl's and take them back to school shopping! This allows these children the same experience many of us had in going back to school- new clothes, new backpack and school supplies, shoes and so on!

Here's what I wore to my training  {Ignore the smug look, that was a sassy snap chat lolz} Denim Jacket:: Old Navy  Peach Crotchet Dress:: Trending Now Gold Hoop Earrings:: Trending Now Turquoise Pendant Necklace:: Forever 21 (old) --> Similar found here
{4} I came across this hilarious article titled "30 Hilarious Letters from Kids Just Trying To Say How They Really Feel" and I honestly could.not.stop.laughing. I screenshot this particular one and sent it to my group text {aka my four best girl friends from college} because I couldn't help but feel this was targeted future casting for our lives as moms…

 {And yes, it is possible to have 54% at 8:18 AM… Welcome to the life of multiple group texts}

{5} I got to see one of my best friends today!!! Amanda moved away to Illinois to work on becoming a bomb-ass professional and get paid way more than I ever could one day, so I don't get to see her very often anymore. WELL she came to Tallahassee to meet another student from her program that is interning RIGHT HERE IN TALLY, and to spend time with friends, so I was able to see her! I would be so incredibly happy if we could be reunited once more in Tallahssee, but that is still a few years off. We spent lunch today catching up at 101 over great food and me enviously eyeing of her refreshing glass of pinot grigio. 

Here's a photo from a couple years ago {and very much not professional, but yolo}, but honestly this is one of my favorite memories with this fiery lil lady. 

Love you, Amanda!

Hope everyone is looking forward to great weekend. I know I am! I'm starting mine off with dinner at one of my favorite local restaurants in Tallahassee a cute double date with my bestie. 

What do you have planned to make your weekend awesome?

Fourth of July {Key West Edition}

I love the Fourth of July and I absolutely LOVE Key West! So nothing is better than mixing the two!  A large group of us rented this precious house on Bahama street, so we were right off Duval and close to the action. This was the best idea, and have to sincerely credit a dear friend, D'Anna, for organizing all of this. 

How adorable is this? I love how beachy and crisp this house looks!

Our pool was baby sized, but we didn't care! It was nice to relax in the pool while some burgers were on the grill, or after a night out on Duval

How perfect is this kitchen? I loved the dark wood floors, the cabinetry, the Viking appliances and marble tabletops. The owners really utilized every square inch of this space, putting a half bath under the staircase. 

The french double doors were beautiful

This was the room I stayed in! It was on the second floor on three, very cheery and spacious. Our bathroom featured a beautiful shower with rain shower head and beautiful mosaic tiles. I loved being able to wake up in the morning to the sun shining in from the balcony- minus the quintessential rooster wake up calls every morning.

Couldn't start my trip off without a Miami Vice!

Coyote Ugly was a perfect Fourth of July photo op

So happy that this lovely lady was able to come all the way from Savannah! 

We had lunch at Smokin Tuna Saloon on the Fourth- it was awesome food and a really neat atmosphere. We sat outside, but it was shaded under trees where it was cool.

I ultimately had the best time with this guy right here 

{And who doesn't love a good live band at Sloppy Joes?}. 

I love traveling with him- and they typically say you don't really know someone until you travel with them. I loved that one morning we just explored Mallory Square and had lunch at this adorable two story restaurant, Roof Top Cafe. Definitely recommend trying them out if you are looking to get away from the commercialism of Duval. 

I had the greatest time with some of the greatest friends, in one of my favorite places in the country, and I really am so thankful I was able to have this much needed vacation. What kind of adventures did you get into for the Fourth of July?

Welcome Home!

So naturally, I launch this amazing new look for my little corner of the inter webs and go away on vacation... But I'm BACCCCK! 
How amazing does this look!? Round of serious applause for Jana Tolman of Jana Tolman Design (check out her AMAZING work here), who was absolutely a doll to work with and catered to my every little request. I highly recommend her!
I plan to do a lot more with this little space, actually use it being first. So what better way to begin a fresh start with a fresh clean look? 
Hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend, and a fabulous Fourth of July! Be on the lookout for photos from my southern-most point Fourth! 
Until then, say a prayer for me while I unpack and reorganize from my trip…

Out with the old & in with the new!

Expect to see some changes over in this little corner of the interwebs very soon! 

I'm so excited to unveil all of the new work my wonderful designer has done! 

You can now follow me on 

{Bloglovin} here

{Facebook} here 

(and get a sneak peek of my new look)

{Instagram} here

{Twitter} is coming too 

See yall on the new side in the coming days. Stay tuned!

Love,

K

35 things living in a sorority house taught ME

So, this has been circulating on my newsfeed, 35 Things I Learned From Living in a Sorority House. While every.single.thing. (maybe with the exception of the house mom becoming your stand-in mom... Pam I love ya and all, but you ain't no Karen) is accurate, I thought I'd give my own little list of what I learned while living in the house. My peers now (coworkers, non-greek friends, etc.) look at me with seven heads {and judgmental eyes…} when I explain I lived in a house with 40+ girls. 

Like no morons, we didn't run around in skimpy pajamas pillow fighting each other. If there was any instance anything remotely like that, it was some poor person {me} walking in their bra and PJ shorts down the hallway at 7:30am after a night out {wanting to keep their head on their pillow for the next several hours} because that poor soul {me again} had a mandatory attendance 8am class. 

It was so much more for me, it honestly prepared me for the real world. 
Side Note: It did NOT prepare me to cook or clean. 

But it taught me real life skills. Here they go...

35 Things I Learned From Living in a Sorority House

1. How to run effective meetings. So I won't deny this- I still get nervous at times in a conference room with particular leadership in the room for meetings. But I can't imagine not having the knowledge that I do from my chapter and from being a Rho Gamma. NO ONE- I repeat- NO ONE wants to hear you talk, except for your own self. Everyone is worried about numero uno in meetings; they want to get in, get to the point and get out. {Especially if phones are not allowed} So, it's taught me to stick to an agenda, have an call to action (what does the group need to do in order to be successful?), delegate, STAY ON TOPIC (God that's a hard one- sorority life AND professional life) and FINISH ON TIME. Nothing anyone hates more than when a meeting (or chapter) runs long. BAM

2. Always let someone know where I’m going. If you don't, you will either get a million texts asking why you're not in their roommates bed watching Blue Planet or Bravo with them. OR you probably need someone to talk you out of where you shouldn't be going {example: romantic dinner with an ex}

3. How to cut corners. I'm not one of those girls that needs to do every single thing and be on every single board. Never was. So while that sounds bad, it taught me to prioritize things, but still be "involved" enough to get what I need to get out of a truly well rounded experience. 

4. How to manage my time. I realize that the act of being in college, alone, teaches you how to do this. But when you’re Greek, your schedule is even more demanding. It’s overwhelming when you’re on your own for the first time with no routine for the first time. I had to learn how to make time for school, mandatory meetings, clubs, work, oh and SOCIAL stuff. The fun stuff couldn't happen without the first things mentioned getting done.  

5. Just because you don’t like someone today, it doesn’t mean you won’t love them in the future. My mom says this about my personality all the time- I could despise someone one week, and love them the next. I go from cold to hot fast. I'm overly loyal and love a lot, sue me. But it's intensified {for anyone really, not just me I promise} when you're in the house. 

6. On the other side of the coin, just because you’re close with someone today, it doesn’t mean that you won’t grow apart over time. This one probably sucks the most. I had so many people I always told myself I wouldn't ever lose touch with, but it happens. And it sucks.

7. Fraternity men don’t get nearly as much credit as they deserve. Hear me out on this one. I recognize that men {in general} make stupid decisions on a fairly regular basis, and that “frat boys” don’t have the best reputations {thanks TFM}. However, there aren’t a lot of institutions around these days that really teach boys how to be gentlemen or how to leverage their relationships. Luckily, my man is a purrfect gent without ever being in a fraternity. But it gets old when others think they're "scrubs" or judge what they don't know. So, you know, there’s that. And, you know, all of those statistics on the number of Greek United States Presidents, members of Congress and state legislatures, CEOs of Fortune companies, etc. 

8. How to love caffeine. Nothing teaches you how to appreciate the soda machine in the laundry room quite like at 2 a.m. when the kitchen is closed {and locked} and you’ve only memorized half of the slides for your business law exam.

9. How to love beer. There’s no better way to appreciate a well-crafted brew or cider like drinking cheap beer for four years. And then your grand big introduces you to Woodchuck *heavens open*

10. How to delegate. The best thing about being in a sorority, unlike just about every single group project that has ever been assigned in the history of academics, is you constantly have a team of people who are there to help you with whatever you need. You never feel like you have to do anything alone. It’s hard to give up control, but better to use the homecoming float as a test run for delegating instead of deciding you want to give it a whirl at 9 p.m. the night before a Regional Meeting.

11. Life is about the in-between moments. The best memories I have, not just from college, but from my entire life, are always from those moments on the way to something else. Those chats on the floor of the TV room as someone is cutting a pair of jorts (either for actual wear or a social.. scary thought), a late night pledge ride to Taco Bell, sitting on the rocking chairs on the front porch on a spring evening, shower parties… those were the best. They still are. All we need is Ying Yang Twins Pandora station and some franzia.

12. What family is. I am super close with my family. So when I wasn't around them all the time, I needed that safety net. I got that and so, so much more.

 

13. How to paint.  So, there is always going to be someone better than you at something. I always thought of myself as a decent painter- enter The Cooler Connection. I learned so many tips from sisters spending late nights in the craft room hanging out painting coolers. {Sorry Pam for spraying spray paint in there once and having it stink up the back stair well for hours… oops}

14. How to respect other people’s views. Politics are something that are pretty heated within Greek life. Florida State's Greek life swings heavily to the right- most are Republicans. However, my best friend and several other sisters are Democrats. I learned how to respect their views. And it was just such a beautiful thing, to see how we could still be divided in our beliefs, but united in our sisterhood.

15. How to develop my own views. Nothing makes you question everything you’ve ever believed in your entire life like living on your own for the first time, with 40 women. EVERYONE has an opinion. Sometimes your view is Switzerland. Sometimes your view agrees with a particular person. But it's important to get Person A's side, Person B's side, and try to figure out the actual truth.

16. How to take a really great photo. Here’s a play-by-play of what happens when you take a photo of a group of sorority women:

“I’m not ready!" *flips hair, swoops hair, smoothes hair*

“Okay! Okay!” *hand goes on hip*

“Wait, I blinked.” *checks the photo*

“Take another one! Take another one!” *skinny arm engaged*

“Let me see! Let me see!” *pushing each other to see the photo, because speak now or forever hold your peace*

“No, no. Take another one. Hold the camera up.” *doesn't this idiot know that's the best angle?*

“Let me see! Let me see!” *come on, everyone have their eyes open this time*

“Take another one.” *Dammit Caitlin your eyes were closed*

But, the end result is worth it. Enter sorority Tumblr trends.

17. How to plan events. Let me tell you, planning a homecoming float and all homecoming activities with FOUR Greek organizations makes planning regional briefings across the state with top CEO's of major companies a cake walk. There's a reason "Homecoming Chair" is on my résumé.

18. How to love classic rock. Truth be told, with very few exceptions, I wasn’t a fan of classic rock until I pledged. But throw in some rocker socials and Ken's Tavern and boom shackalacka, you're a fan. 

19. How to parallel park. Sorry for that one time I learned how to parallel park on one of Florida State's busiest streets in my ex boyfriends H3 by myself… Because my sisters told me I needed to learn one day.

20. How to be a woman of my word. Being in a sorority taught me that if I say I’m going to do something, people not only expect me to show up, they depend on me to. I’m not 100% perfect, but I make one hell of an effort.

21. How to have conversations. Sorority women are masters of conversation, because all of us endured pre-recruitment. I never ever thought that while I was practicing how to talk about literally anything and everything {squirrels, rocks, down comforters}, and make smooth transitions introducing other sisters to potential new members, it would become one of the most valuable tools for my professional life. You learn how to take an interest in other people, make them feel comfortable, and actually get to know them in a short {very short} amount of time. It doesn’t seem like it would be that big of a thing, but those skills make flights, elevator rides, car rides with your boss, and networking events way more enjoyable.

22. How to say no. When I was a Phi, I said yes to everything. Everything. And it was exhausting. But I felt like no wasn’t an option, what else did I have going on? But, over time, I learned that sometimes, you can’t add anything else to your plate. I started being clear with myself about what I could actually do without letting anything else take a back seat or fall to the wayside. No is a great word sometimes.

23. How to say yes. As important as it was to learn no, I also learned how important it is to say yes to opportunities and new experiences. Whether it was the decision to go on a last minute road trip {which is very much me to do}, or to take a class I normally wouldn't, or take a hike in the local state parks. I tried to embrace my natural desire to be spontaneous at any opportunity I could. These days, I have to schedule time to be spontaneous. It makes me wince to even say that.

24. LBD FTW. You can wear a little black dress for anything – socials, interviews (length appropriate, ladies), date functions, formals, the list goes on.. It's flattering y'all.

25. How to forgive. People do shitty things. Sometimes they lie, or drop the ball, or go home with the wrong person. Everyone is human, everyone makes mistakes, and everyone is trying to find their way in this world just like me. And while there were days when I absolutely wanted to kill someone, it was usually short lived {Despise people and love people thing again}. When you’re stuck with people 24/7, you learn to pick your battles, forgive quickly, and move on. 

26. How to love unconditionally. It’s unrealistic to think that the people we love are never, ever, going to disappoint us {which I'm still learning to remember all the time}. That’s not to say we need to be doormats, but we could all benefit from lowering our expectations of others. Obviously it’s a balancing act, but, being in a sorority taught me to love people – genuinely love them – for who they are. Not who they were, or who they could be, but who they are today. Flaws and all. And I learned that, just like in my own family, I could not like someone, but still love them more than anything in the world, and be willing to fight for them.

27. How to be vulnerable. Joining a sorority with 200+ beautiful, seemingly perfect women was pretty intimidating at first. I thought I was always going to have to be perfectly dressed and wearing full makeup at all hours of the day. But, I slowly started to learn that no one was going to care if I wore boxers and yesterdays makeup to fried fridays. Hell, everyone else was. And we were dancing to Britney Spears and chicken fingers. So YOLO.

28. How to fall apart. I have come to the conclusion that a sorority house is an ideal place to lose your shit. There’s a big screen television, a handicapped shower to drown your sorrows in, all of the magazines you could ever want, and there’s always someone who is willing to give you a makeover on whatever day you decide it is that you want to start over. I fell apart after a break up a few years ago. I was building myself back when I fell apart again over someone not worth an ounce of my time. It was my sisters (and my mom) that started getting me feeling good again.

29. How to put yourself back together. I know ideally, we have to love ourselves first, but sometimes, that’s just not possible. You get broken down along the way sometimes. But I learned that having a strong support system – whether the people are vocal and cheering you on, or just there to listen – is absolutely vital for making it through the rough patches. Having that support allows you to be strong enough to learn how to love yourself again. There’s nothing you can’t do when you have great people believing in you in your corner. 

30. The things that you think mean nothing, really mean everything. And vice versa.

31. Relationships are everything. I swear, I learned more about the business world in the years there than I have in the year in the real world. It's how I got my job in the first place.

32. Some stories need to be taken to the grave. That one time we went to the grave yard, a nice italian dinner, pints of ice cream for everyone and filmed a horror film with the Alphas...

33. How to resolve conflict. Well, I'm still confrontational. Shock. It's in my blood {I'd rather argue, get it out and move on than let it fester and keep going on in gray areas}. But it doesn't have to be brutal or bloody, sometimes it can be gentle. And adult-like. Who woulda thunk it.

34. How to be crafty. I thought I had reached the crafting limit in high school being a cheerleader. False. With joining a sorority, and the inter webs creating Pinterest, the sky is the limit. The house was always full of adorable crafts in show rooms, or making something clever for a Big-Little reveal. Now my big girl apartment is filled with awesome DIY decorations inspired by sisters.

And finally…

35. It’s not about me. At least not 99% of the time. It's a sisterhood.

Happy Birthday!

Kyle's 26th birthday was Monday! My old man is getting older- he's officially back to being three years older than me again hehe

I wanted to post the gift I got him, because I know some people struggle with what to get significant others, newly married couples, family members, etc and I think this could be a really great option. I can't legally feature the name of the company, but ask me privately and I would be happy to guide you in the right direction on Etsy. What kind of gifts do you give to your better half?

The wood is rosewood, it came with the garnet painting done, the Seminole head applied and professional sealed. I honestly could have done this myself {not to toot my own horn but I have a decent painting hand and stain doesn't cost anything } but building this is something I could have not done. With my crazy work schedule, it was easier for me to have it 90 percent completed when it arrived. Shout out to the Campus Greek Shop (click here to see their awesome merchandise) for cutting his name, and guiding me on choosing the font. They never disappoint and it's so nice to see retailers that value their frequent customers (because I certainly am one, even in my post-grad life)

Also, kudos to Publix Bakery for making this awesome camouflage carrot cake for him. Publix really is where shopping is a pleasure, they couldn't have been more helpful in deciding on the final product with me. {And no, I didn't Jameis Winston this cake…}

We celebrated Kyle's actual birthday with dinner at PrimeTime, which has *amazinggggg* and very unhealthy food, but hey I think this deserves a cheat night. Some of our friends joined us, and it was such a good time. I was just so happy to make this day as special as I could for such a sweet and generous man who treats me so well. I am so unbelievably grateful to have him in my life. 

Hope everyone is having a great week so far! Half-way done!

Love,

K