A Corn Maze & Pumpkins

Well the fall season is only going to be around for a few more weeks and I'm finally getting around to finishing my fall bucket list. It has helped that I'm not working 30 hours a week on top of classes. But apple picking won't be crossed off this year. I didn't forget! Stupid spring freezes ruined the local apple crops. Anyways, I'm hoping to get the rest crossed off quickly.
A few weeks ago, Brandi asked me if Joe and I would like to go with her, Aaron, Jenica, and Courtney to pick pumpkins. I have been so pumped that it has worked out between everyone's crazy schedules that we got to spend the Sunday after GVSU Homecoming going to pick pumpkins. We also got to do a corn maze and pick raspberries! If you're in the Grand Rapids area, this is where we went. Just a fair warning, this will be a picture heavy post.

Before we got lost.

Brandi and Joe enjoying the corn.

Little question stops in the maze.

I know they made this maze for kids to get through but we failed.

Fresh raspberries!

Baby goat! :)

Finally picking pumpkins!!!

We have pumpkins!!!

All I have left from our list will hopefully be crossed off in the next two weeks or so. I had so so so much fun doing this and I can't wait for next autumn!!!

Friday Faves

Maybe I owe you some sort of explanation as to why I write about five things every Friday. Sometimes it is not easy to focus on the good moments and by the end of the week, I am always so stressed. I take 5 minutes to remember all the good things that happened this week and it makes me feel better in time to enjoy the weekend! This week was a really good week. All sorts of good things happening all at once!

1. Homecoming

I had a blast on Saturday with all the homecoming festivities. First, we went to the sorority house for the Alumnae BBQ that included hot dogs grilled by Joe, family pics, and a candle pass! Then we headed over the the Yellow Jacket Inn, or the YJ to sorority girls, and enjoyed some tasty pink drinks, which are like Long Island Ice Tea except with pink lemonade. So tasty! Then we headed on over to campus to enjoy some tailgating. Finally, we rounded out the day with Taco Bell and Cold Stone. What a great day!

2. Sunday Funday

We had a Sunday Funday at Schwallier's Country Basket where we got to go through a corn maze, pick fresh raspberries and pumpkins, pet a goat, and eat hot fresh doughnuts! It was so much fun! Don't worry, we ate doughnuts before we pet the goat. You know, cleanliness and whatever.

3. Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

Joe and I made homemade chicken noodle soup this week and I am obsessed! We made it with amish noodles and it was fantastic. This will be happening a lot this winter. It is so nice and cozy! I'll be posting my recipe later next week.

4. New Job

I finally got a new job! I am so excited. The best part is the job only a seasonal position for now. I think having a possible light at the end of the tunnel will really help with my stress level. And the whole not working with food thing is a huge perk! So if they do ask me to stay on after the holidays, I'm hoping that will be a better fit with my life. Anyways, I am excited about the possibilities.

5. Big/Little Reveal

Today is the day! We are adding two new babies to the Rose family! I am so so so excited to have the two grand babies join us in our ridiculousness. I know my littles are worried that their littles won't love them but I know both grand babies will be so happy to join our family. Tonight is going to be so fun!

Apple Cherry Pie

Joe and I are finally getting around to checking things off our autumn bucket list. For our pie, we went with apples and dried cherries and it was fantastic! We adapted the recipe a bit from one I found online. Here's the link for the original recipe.

Our adaptations:

• We took the recommendations from the reviews online and changed the cook temperature and time a bit. We baked the pie at 425 degrees for 10 minutes and then we lowered the temperature to 350 degrees for 50 minutes.
• I chose to do a lattice top because I like the way it looks and it helps the liquid evaporate a little better. We also brushed the top with butter and sprinkled cinnamon sugar over the top. It made the top flavorful and it browned really well.

Influenster Beauty Blogger Vox Box

My Vox Box is here! It came with 7 products and I am already enjoying testing them. The reviews will all be posted in the next few weeks or so but until then here is a preview of what I got! If you don't know what Influenster is all about, check them out here.

The whole box

New York Color Individual Eyes Custom Compact in Dark Shadows 0156-08

My Review

Bath & Body Works White Barn 1.3 oz. Mini Candle in Mahogany Teakwood

My Review

Goody Simple Styles Spin Pins in Dark Hair

My Review

Not Your Mothers Kinky Moves Curl Defining Hair Cream
My Review

Vitabath Fragrance Mist in Green Tea & Sage

My Review

EBoost Daily Health Booster in Orange

My Review

Kiss Ever Pro Lashes Starter Kit

My Review

Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary for testing purposes from Influenster.

Friday Faves

Something something introduction

1. Argo

Have you seen Argo yet? Go do it! It most definitely will be in my top 5 favorite movies of the year. It was just good!

2. Fleece Sheets

Dad bought me some fleece sheets and an electric bed warmer. It's heaven in my bed.

3. My Greek Fam

I am so excited to finally be a grand big! Both my littles are taking littles this semester so we found out who our two new roses are this week. Next week, we have reveal and I am unbelievably excited!

4. My Vox Box

My beauty blogger vox box came this week! I can't wait to try out all the products and write my reviews.

5. My Roommates

My roommates have been super amazing this week. Thursday night karaoke is the highlight of my life! 

Happy Birthday Liam!

Happy birthday Liam! I can't believe its been a whole year since I was sitting in a hospital room waiting for my nephew Liam! I can't wait to see how he grows up and to see him turn into a little person. 

Friday Faves

It's Friday again. I'm finally planning on getting some stuff checked off the fall bucket list. But this week was pretty non-eventful so we will see where my brain goes on this list...

1. Tau Night

Every Wednesday is Tau Night for Alpha Sigma Tau. We hang out with the new members and they get to learn more about our sisters. Paige made caramel corn this week and it was soo good. She's going to give me the recipe but it was super easy so hopefully I'll make it soon and share it with all of you!

2. Sweet Asian Pear Tea

So much love! It is absolutely amazing! I know what I'm getting myself for Christmas!

3. Face Off

Brandi got me hooked on this show. I don't know why it is so interesting except maybe that Brandi and I like to yell at the TV because the contestants aren't like regular reality show competitors. They help each other and crap like that. What is that? But anyways, it's really really cool to see the transformations and I love hanging out with Brandi.

4. Thursday Night Shenanigans

Thursday night at the Saloon is karaoke night. Well... This time it wasn't. Some nonsense about baseball. Lame. Anyways, we always have a good time and I can't wait for Thursday this week!

5. Apple Cherry Pie

Joe and I got pie checked off our list this week. Look forward to a pie post later this week!

Product Review: Lush Sweetie Pie Shower Jelly

I have this sister. She is obsessed with nail polish. She also likes make up and whatever but she owns more nail polish than I think is actually legal. Don't believe me? Check her out here. She bought me this shower jelly from Lush and I absolutely love it! It smells like coconut and cherries and it lathers really nicely. It also leaves you feeling really really clean.

I read the reviews on Lush's website and a couple from around the internet so I could figure out how to maximize the potential of this product. The key to this product is really about how you use it. A whole pot should last you a long time but I've read about a couple people who didn't know how to use it and they ended up using half the pot in one shower. To use the shower jelly, break off a piece about the size of a penny. You then have a couple of options. You could lather it into a wet loofah or wrap it in a wash cloth. The site recommends crushing it in your hands and smoothing it over your skin but it's a little tricky. 

I used mine at room temperature but I read reviews that said that it's really great to freeze and use after a workout. The screw top means it would also be great for throwing in a gym bag.

Overall, I'm really excited to continue using this product!

Friday Faves

I forgot to do Friday Faves last week so I'm treating you to a double dose of Friday Faves. Recruitment weekend had already gotten the best of me on Friday so I wasn't able to post.

1. Kate

My tiny little rock Kate kept me sane last weekend and all this week. She even brought me flowers! I just can't get over how precious she is and I just love her to bits.

2. The Alpha Taus

The Taus are here! Finally! I don't think my chapter could be any more excited. We love us some new girls like a fat kid loves cake. It was like Christmas morning. Welcome to our 28 gorgeous new sisters!

3. My Chapter

Look at those gorgeous sisters! We rocked preference and I could not be more proud of every single sister who made it all possible. I have never been so happy to be an AST!

4. Joe

As usual, Joe takes amazing care of me and I am so happy to have him as a friend.

5. Subway...

...is no more. I quit my job this week. Which is actually a good thing. I just feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I'd rather be poor for a bit than hate my life because of a job. I have my whole life to work but only these years with my friends to have a lot of fun and not worry about kids or spouses or big kid jobs.

6. Teavana
I have another interview! I made it clear on my application that I'm only looking for about 25 hours and I now have day time availability so hopefully I have a better experience this time around. I'm pretty excited about this one because I've been interested in tea for a while so this might be a chance to learn a lot.

7. Snackers

Om nom nom snackers always makes for a good week!

8. V8 V-Fusion + Energy

If you don't normally like energy drinks, give this a try. I got them for the crazy recruitment weekend and they were just enough energy to keep me going but they didn't make me shake like other energy drinks do. Plus they are so so yummy!

9. My amazing roommate, her boyfriend, and having the car fixed!

Brandi's boyfriend Aaron fixed my car this week! No more check engine light! Better gas mileage! Woot!

10. Retail Therapy

Doctor Who love and a birthday gift for the nephew made for a great afternoon at the mall!

What to Wear... Bid Day

This last weekend was formal recruitment here at GVSU. To celebrate another successful recruitment and tonight's bid day, here is how I do bid day! After my first bid day as an active, I learned dressing for bid day can be just as hard as dressing for recruitment. You want to look cute for all those bid day photos! And it's the one day of the semester your whole outfit can be sorority colors and symbols without looking ridiculous.

The Shirt: Bid day shirts aren't a choice. But if I had a choice, my letters would be big and proud across the front. Last year, our letters were about an inch tall. Wth? To me, the shirt needs to be all about the letters so there is no mistaking you for a chapter with the same symbol or every other black sweatshirt. Just saying.

The Shorts: Shorts are a must. It's gonna get hot. You're gonna be jumping around, mobbing new girls and Rho Gammas. It's like a rock concert in a desert. No joke. Just wear shorts, OK?

The Hair: I'm pretty sure if you went to a rock concert in the desert, you'd wear a pony tail or bun. Just use that common sense and wear your hair up. And oh hey, wear a bow. Sorority girls like bows. Like this one with their symbol all over it. Again, just saying.

The Shoes: Wear comfortable shoes. You've been in heels all weekend. You're gonna be mobbing the stage, running around looking at other chapters outfits. Do your feet a favor. And if they are sorority colors, you're a dedicated sorority girl.

The Bag: Again, vomit your mascots and symbols all over and get yourself a cute tote. If you set it down, someone at least knows which chapter it belongs too. Plus you'll need a place to stash your camera.

The Accessories: Lavaliers are a must. In case anyone forgets what chapter you are from. I also have a bracelet with my letters on it. It's not over-kill. Promise.

So there you have it. How to be completely sane and normal and celebrate a very long weekend. Now on to claiming a little before all the good ones are taken... :)