Leaves. Pumpkins. Acorns. Candy Corn.

Fall decorations. 

love them.

So here are some ideas to spice up your house/dorm.

All via pintrest of course :)

Make those houses look festive!!!

I gave up on finding cute enough ones - I'm making them now!

There are links for decorations I felt weren't self explanatory.

And keep scrolling for my favorite craft websites... don't miss 'em!

ENJOY!!! :)

and be crafty this weekend!

[here's the link to make the pumpkins below!]

[here's the link to make the wreath below!]

Here are some of my favorite websites for crafts!

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/2011/09/fall-decorating-ideas/

http://www.craftaholicsanonymous.net/2011/09/fall-frenzy-link-party.html

http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/08/101-festive-fall-tutorials/

http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2011/10/three-easy-fall-crafts-link-party/

Sunday Breakfast

So right down the road from my school

is a thrift store called Sunday Breakfast.

It sits there and begs me to come in daily.

This week I answered it's call and went in.

There are very few people who understand thrifting.

Thankfully, my friend, Ethan, is one of them.

[Shout out - Ethan: told you this would go up!]

And this week we decided to cram in an hour of thrifting.

We headed over to the store and began our digging.

Of course there was lots of talking and laughing as well.

So it was a win-win situation for everyone!

I started with the clothes but didn't find much there.

I did find this awesome necklace - turned bracelet. I loveee it.

And it only put me out two whole dollars.

I've already worn it once and received lots of compliments!

I also found these cardboard crafting thingers. yay crafts.

Super random - I know. But they were 75 cents!

And I'm always in need of crafting things.

Ethan and I came up with a huge problem in thrift stores.

They overprice the best items.

We found some real gems that were always just slightly over priced.

Some things were so cool but I just couldn't pay the sticker price.

Is it really necessary to ask $10 for a poster?! I think NOT!

This is why I love discount days at the thrift stores.

You can grab those items that are just out of reach.

And are super unique and have character 'cause they're old.

Some awesome things about thrifting with someone...
1. You get to laugh a lot!
2. You find things for each other you never would never found alone.
3. They might have a great idea you never thought of.
4. You get into some pretty deep life convos.
5. You have some cheap and awesome memories.
6. You always want to go back and a partner in crime makes it better.

So thank you, Ethan, for putting up with my slow hour walk around.
Hopefully we find some real gems next time.
But the conversation was worth the trip!

Also on the topic of thrifting...

This weekend I got these beauts at Plato's Closet!

I dragged my boyfriend out thrifting with me for an hour or so.

He is actually starting to understand it more thanks to this place!

I love this store. 

Name brands. Tags. Gently used. Cheap.

[Hence why boyfriend loves it too!]

I found a Forever 21 shirt - $8. score.

And I got these babies for $3!

I wore them and understand why they were given away.

Blisters. Big. Ugly. Blisters. On. Both. Feet.

So I need to wear band-aids or something with them.

But they are so stinkin' cute! Keeping them for sure.

So there you have my thrifty Thursday finds!

[Even though this is posting on Friday... #fail.]

I'm going to try and get out to some this weekend :)

We'll see if that happens though because...

I AM GOING TO THE PHILLIES 

POSTSEASON GAME 5 TOMORROW!

So we'll see if I have any money left after that game

to go to the thrift stores :)

Hats?!

Let me back it up a few months...

England. Royal Family. April. Twenty-ninth. Wedding. Hats.

Everyone was talking about what dresses and hats would be there.

[and those who opted out on wearing a hat looked naked.]

It is a tradition in England to wear a hat when going out.

Let's look at Duchess Catherine...

because I love her and her impeccable style!

Wow. Those are some pretty amazing hats!

But now to the reason for this post - 

Read 1 Corinthians 11:1-16.

Should Christian women being wearing hats to church?!

It says in the text that woman are to cover their heads during worship.

Is it cultural and we can ignore that?

Or should we literally wear hats or head coverings to church?
Some of the older generation still does... should the younger?

I discussed this in my Bible class the other day.

It was very interesting to follow it up with my parents later.

I feel like Americans just don't live in that world anymore.

But is that wrong? Should we be more formal?

Should we be more literal in our Bible translations?

Can we ignore that passage because of our "culture?"

However, our culture isn't right about a lot of things though...

Thoughts? Comments? Reactions?
[don't forget support for your position - pet peeve!]

So does anyone think hats will come to America soon??

I definitely would consider them if I had hats like Katherine!

ps. not gonna happen:

FASHION FAILURE.

Footprints in the Sand

So I'm hitting the lull in the semester when I start to question 

"Why am I here?"

I go to a small Christian University on the East Coast.

I am majoring in Elementary Education and the Bible.

I work in the Admission office and babysit.

So what? Why does this matter?

I am here because God brought me here.

I am here to learn, grow, challenge, thrive, discover.
I am here to grow into the woman that God has made me to be.
I am here to do His work in His time.

I have a vision and goal to get done school "early."
[Getting 5 years worth of education done in 4.]
This week that goal is stressing me out.
I know I can do it because right now it's only an extra 2 classes.
But why am I doing this?

Well one, my parents and I are going to save over $30,000.
Right there I'm sold to keep going and work my butt off.
Second, I started this and now I have to finish it.

But it all seems to silly at times though. I just want to skip ahead.
I just want to get a job, get married, and have some kiddos.
The future looks a whole lot better to me than sitting here doing homework.

But I am in school and working because this is the season I'm in.
God puts us through different times [seasons] and this is mine.
My current season = school and work.
I need to stop rushing ahead to all the "better" things,
and stop to smell the coffee I make each morning.
I need to breathe for a minute longer in the morning
when I pass the beautiful pond on a crisp fall day.
I am here because I have been called to be here,
so I need to do it well and for the glory of God.

I know that for many of us, we are looking ahead on the path.
But what about what is right around you at this moment?
Don't forget about the life you are currently living
because you are too caught up staring at the horizon.
Keep your goals. Keep your dreams.
But don't forget to enjoy life because you only get one!

Some of life's seasons are going to be hard though.
This one for me can be challenging and stressful.
But I can make the best out of it because I have faith.
I know that nothing in life is going to be easy,
but I have God to lean on and get me through it.

"Sometimes God calms the storm.

Sometimes He lets the storm rage

 and calms His child."

So stop and breathe for a minute and look around you.
All of these pictures were taken by me from around the world.
Africa, Alaska, Chile, Haiti, New Jersey.
If I had been rushing, I would have missed these bits of heaven,
but I stopped and took in God's amazing creation!

The poem below is well known and I love it!
I felt it fitting because with the change of seasons,
when summer fades to fall,
it is important to remember
1) God has us go through many different seasons in our life
but 2) He is always there to carry us through them.

Footprints in the Sand

[mine above in Malawi, Africa]

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes form my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there was only one.

This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord, that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during the most trying period of my life

there has only been one set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?"

The Lord replied, 

"The years when you have seen only one set of footprints,

my child, is when I carried you."

AMEN.

Madness: Phillies

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES.

[Soon to be World Series Champs]

This is a cornfield near my house :)

Representing our Phillies' pride well!

I love the Philadelphia sports. All.of.them!

Phillies. Eagles. Flyers.

So right now it is the post season for the Phillies,

and I'm going crazy over my boys, and I'm

cheering them on all the way until they win and I go to the parade!!!

Here are some pictures of me supporting my boys!

Baseball: It is at the heart of American culture.

It brings people together in amazing ways.

Oh and the ball parks definitely have the best 

hot dogs, people, players, and dreams!

So for all it's worth - 

GO PHILLIES!!!!

A little bit sappy

Sorry about no thrift post last week - I have a good one for this week though!

But for today - I'm giving you the best sappy movies of all time.

Whenever I watch these movies, I bawl. [I'm talking a box of tissues.]

Some I've bawled over more than others, but I still cry over them all.
These movies have taught me some of the greatest things about love.
So I took the time to tell you a love lesson and things I've learned from each!
Pop one and and grab the tissue box :) enjoy!

Top Ten Love Movies

1. Moulin Rouge

Love Lesson: Love is like oxygen.

What I Learned: The greatest thing you'll ever learn,

is just to love and be loved in return.

2. Romeo and Juliet

Love Lesson: Love breaks all rules you or others have set.

What I Learned: Listen to your heart and then fight for the one.

3. Time Traveler's Wife

Love Lesson: Love is timeless and is found in the journey.

What I Learned: Be there and drop everything when you can.

4.Titanic

Love Lesson: Love - you know when you know.

What I Learned: Cherish each moment with each other.

5. The Notebook

Love Lesson: Love is hard but when it's real, it's forever.

What I Learned: Write hand written letters as much as possible.

6. A Walk to Remember

Love Lesson: Love is very special and unique.

What I Learned: She/he is your best friend until the end.

7. Serendipity

Love Lesson: Love is once in a lifetime.

What I Learned: Hold out for the very best.

8. Tristan and Isolde

Love Lesson: Love is being selfless.

What I Learned: Always put the other one first.

9. The Proposal

Love Lesson: Love is random and spontaneous.

What I Learned: Love the quirks in each other and have fun.

10. One Day

Love Lesson: Love makes you a better person.

What I Learned: Find the person who brings out the best in you.

So if you're looking for a sappy movie - grab one of these!

Oh and guys, you'll have to sit through these at some point if you haven't.

You won't cry like us girls do - but remember the lessons :)

and try some things I learned [way to a woman's heart - promise]