Chattanooga

NOTE: THIS POST CONTAINS LOTS OF PICTURES :)
but the models are smokin'!!!

So this weekend I'm with my bestie in good ole Tennessee!
[CHECKED OFF ON THE 21 LIST]

And her roomie has her bff also in town for the weekend :)

So we got all dolled up and hit the town aka Chattanooga!
Total time to get ready: 2.5 hours.
Total time out on the town: 3 hours.
Girls Night Out: priceless.

We walked all over Chattanooga.
Ate some dinner at Panera.
And then went down by the river.
The steps to the river aren't just ordinary steps.
Here they are:

There is water running down these bad boys!
How stinking sweet is that - sweet I know.
And at the bottom there is a little pool:

If we hadn't been in cute outfits/boots

we would have definitely waded in the water.

But it was also a little breezy too.

So we took lots of pictures at this spot!

And down by the river and fountain too :)

After the river/fountain/steps adventure,
we went to this amazing dessert place.
On the way we walked across this sweet bridge!

Needless to say - we had a banging GNO [girls night out]

I hope everyone else had a great weekend...
and fall break to all those college students!

Dollar Tree

The Dollar Tree so counts as thrifting.

I mean cheap, interesting pieces, and winning finds!

I went this week in order to get some fall decorations.

I wasn't hoping to find too much but I knew I'd find something.

And did I ever :)

I mean 50 red and yellow leaves = $1.00

and look at everything I did with them!

I attached them to the twinkle lights - loving it!!!

And they kind of look like they're falling too :)

I put them in our lamp... roomie's idea!

 I put some of the extra ones on our mirror too!

So many ways to use 50 little leaves:) for a dollar!

I got these babies for a whole $3.00 at the local store too...

And we put them at the bottom of our lamp like a little garden!

How did you decorate for fall?!

And our room is officially looking like fall!!! :)

I snagged some other things at the dollar store,

but they are for another time and place!

Closet Space

I'm gonna keep things light after yesterday's post...

Okay so I have a problem.

I have enough clothes to clothe a small nation.

No I swear, I'm serious. Ask anyone.

I have a walk in closet: full [shelves, hangers, bins]

A big dresser with 6 massive drawers: full.

Big under the bed bins: full.

And about 15 jackets in the coat closet.

In my defense, I wear 95% of all the clothing.

Today is not about my clothes though.
Today is about my dream closet where I put my clothes!
I have a closet obsession. A big one too!

And today I have a lot going on...

[fall break is quickly approaching]

so here are some of my dream closets :)
I know you've been dying to see pictures right?!

[All pictures are via pinterest - duh!]

What I my dream closet will [maybe] entail:

1. A bench or cute couch.

2. Color coordinating makes life so easy!

3. Having shelves of shoes would be amazing.

4. A girl can never have enough clothes.

5. A cute closet layout makes getting dressed fun!

6. Frame amazing shopping bags.

7. A ladder for my closet would be Heaven on earth!

Okay so some of these many be ridiculous,

but hey a girl can dream right :)

I hope you enjoyed my "Wardrobe Wednesday!"

Why me?!

Hit play.

Then read.

It's a must!

"Why is this happening to me?!

I'm a good person, so why is God punishing me this way.
I don't deserve to suffer."

-every single person says this at some point.

I said it a lot my freshman year of college.
You see, my roommate situation wasn't the greatest.
I broke down so many times and tried to get out of it.
But everyone kept saying, "this is God's plan for you."
I didn't agree with it and still think it was some what of a cop out.
[Thankfully - when I look back on that year it doesn't take center stage.
And that is God because I remember everything. every.thing.]
I was so bitter at people in my school who let me suffer for 9 months
and stood by while I cried out for help and support.
I felt like nothing good was ever going to come from my experience.

The following summer I got a job with a special little boy.
He stole my heart in more ways than I can count.
However, it was the most challenging job I've ever had.
He really tested my patience in ways I didn't know possible.
My roommate had also tested my patience in crazy ways.
Before her, I was not a very patient person.
If I had not had that roommate freshman year,
there was no way that I would've had the patience to deal
with one of the most wonderful children I've ever met.
And he blessed my life in the most amazing ways.
God clearly used my roommate to prepare for this blessing.
However, the story doesn't end there....

The other day in my Bible class we were talking about suffering,
and how we are going to go through things in order to help others.
Read 2 Corinthians 1:4-7.

The other night on my ride back to school -

I finally understood what God had up his sleeve.

I gave a girl a tour around our campus last fall on a Saturday.
I happened to be available on that Saturday [usually I'm at home].
And I knew the second I met her we'd be friends.
We hung out with her family for a majority of the day,
and I prayed for her throughout the year.
The other week she came up to me and told me who she was.
Obviously I was thrilled she'd been lead to our school!
And she was close with a girl from my hometown area - perfect:)

So this past weekend the girls were staying in the area,
and I gave them a ride back to school.
We chit chatted and made small talk about school.
Then the girl I'd made such a connection with last fall
began to tell me all about her roommate situation.
It was like deja vu all over again for me.
She was basically repeating my freshman roommate experience.
All I could think was, "God you really used this for good."

So we talked and I helped her out with things to avoid
and do so that the situation could be resolved quickly.
Just having someone who went through it helped her a lot.
I still can't believe that my situation has been helpful to someone.

I reread 2 Corinthians 1 when I got back and was humbled.
God brought this passage into my life right when I needed it most.
He reminded me that He has a bigger and better plan.
He reminded me that when I am suffering, I need to turn to Him
He reminded me that He is going to use my suffering for His glory
and to help someone else down the road that needs encouragement.

He humbled me in reminding me the world isn't about me,
and it never has been about me. [why is that so hard to remember?!]
So why am I acting like it should be?!
It is all about God and His purpose.
That purpose is bigger and better than mine.
It's called: tough love.
And sometimes we need it.
But He is committed to being there and carrying us through it.
If you missed last week's thoughtful message: read it! [click.]
They go hand-in-hand with each other.

I want to encourage you to never question God's purpose for suffering.
No one is ever above suffering, and sometimes we need it to break us.
His plan might be revealed in pieces and it might take a while.
It took me 2 years to discover the ins and outs of God's plan
for my suffering during my freshman year.
And the epiphanies were incredibly different.
But the main point - He has one and will reveal it in time
Read the passage and don't miss the opportunities to help others!
There are a lot of people quietly suffering every day ...
Ask and listen. God might have something up His sleeve for you today:)

Fall Break

So I clearly won't be talking about Philadelphia sports today...

Horrible. Absolutely horrible weekend for sports. 

Hard feelings. Lots of them. And an upset belly.

Anyways, this week is my last week before fall break.

I love fall break. It comes at the perfect time every year.

Right in the middle of the semester when things are rough.

I've never done anything super exciting for fall break though.

I usually see my family and boyfriend and friends for a few days.

But this year I'm getting on a plane.

I'm getting on a plane and flying to Tennessee!!!

Because Hannah goes to school there and I miss her a lot.

So I'm going to visit her for a long weekend :)
YAY!

There is really nothing else to say except that I can't wait to go!
And I started my half marathon today - go me! and my running buddy:)
Who almost had to carry me back because of my allergies.
This weather - it is a killer. The plants don't know what is going on.
And I don't either. Boots vs Flip Flops = hardest decision each day.
It's a dilemma people.
So if the weather could be constant that would be wonderful.

Okay that is my wonderful life.
Come back tomorrow for my epiphany.
It's an awesome one my friends! :)

Friday Night Lights

When I was in high school, I never missed a football game.

I lived and breathed football.

Both high school and professional levels.

I can't think of a place I'd rather be on a fall night.

Friday. Night. Football. Lights. 
Sweatshirts. Hot Chocolate. Friends. Cheers.

That right there is the best thing about fall!

It's one thing I really miss about high school,

and something I wish my small college had - a football team.

We took school spirit to the max.

P-Block was the student section for the games.

And we always packed it out!!!

[I'm in the second row with all the tall guys above

and in the front row center/left below.] 

I seriously feel like this was just the other night.

I can't believe these pictures were taken 3 years ago!

Anyways, here are some...

FALL FAVORITES

HAYRIDES [Me and Rachel]

SQUARE DANCING [Me and Nicholas]

CARVING PUMPKINS [Me]

CABIN GETAWAY FAMILY WEEKEND [fall fam vacay]

LATE NIGHT DRIVES [Me and Nicholas]

BONFIRES

LEAVES CHANGING

SUNSETS

Those are some of my favorite fall activities and things :)

The weather is always perfect!

Others I want to do this fall:

-Apple picking

-Corn maze

-Haunted house

-East State Penitentiary

-Jump in a a leaf pile

-Take a nature walk

-Get a family football game together

Half Marathon

[half marathon training, when I grow up, workout tips]

The calm before the storm.

Monday I start my training for a half marathon.

I have two months to get completely in shape for this run.

My brother gave me a plan; I found a buddy.

And Monday I begin the intense daily running.

I'm not completely out of shape but not like I used to be.

I was in sports all my life; basketball. soccer. lacrosse.

I could run miles and miles and not think twice about it.

That would not be the case anymore.

However, I have a long term goal.

I will get in amazing shape within the next year.

I want to be in the best shape of my life.

This is who I want to be when I grow up:

JILLIAN MICHAELS.

She's amazing and I love her dvds -she rocks a hot bod.

So I'm going to continue her dvds and do the half marathon too.

Workout overload. But soo worth it!

Anyways,

all the races were too expensive though.

So the weekend before my birthday

I am going to devote the morning to running it.

Details:

Date = December 10.

Participants = Me.

Place = Bucks County.

Time = Morning.

Let the fun times begin!

Thanks to my running buddy

and my brother for the plan :)

WORKOUT TIPS:

1. Get Motivated: find what motivated you inside and out

2. Get a Buddy: working out with a friend is always better

3. Get a Routine: a habit is made after 30 days - so get a routine

4. Push Yourself: go a little longer and harder than the day before

5. Rest: don't go over the top and forget to rest and take a day off

6. Have Fun: do zumba, yoga, pilates - anything that you will enjoy