Friday Faves

Oh what a wonderful week it has been. I wish I had a time machine and could go back and sprinkle this awesomeness all throughout those hard weeks I endured this semester. I just keep reminding myself the rough ride is over. Now I just have to go hard at everything that means something to me. This whole new attitude journey I began still hasn't come close to reaching the end but I try hard and it's fabulous weeks like these that help me.

1. Kate's Graduation Dinner

GVSU had graduation on Saturday and one of my very best friends walked and had dinner at Rockwell's Republic to celebrate. We drank amazing wine, took a million pictures, and had an all around fabulous evening. I had the salad of all salads. If you ever go there, get the pecan brie salad. It will change your life. The whole evening was so Kate: dresses, drinks, live music floating in from the bar, and the first amazing day after a week of flooding. I will miss her as she goes on to do grown up things but I am so completely proud of her and so honored I got to celebrate with her.

2. Time at Home

I spent Sunday and Monday at home with my family. Liam and I got play time, I went shopping with Jessica, and I grilled out with Padre. It was completely relaxing and totally what I needed after the hell semester. We even took Liam to see his great grandpa and he enjoyed running from the front door to the back door. He is a sweetie pie even if he did yell no at me over and over while kicking me to protest putting on his shoes. The toddler years don't last forever but I think that face makes up for the tantrum.

3. Fun Day with Joe

I spent Tuesday having a blast with my best friend. We played mini golf and despite my two hole-in-ones, I lost but a great time was still had and that will definitely happen again soon. We also fed some ducks and acted like ducks in the park. Sometimes, I don't understand why people let us out in public together. We topped off the day with some grilled shrimp and Iron Man. Exactly like summer should be.

4. Fro Yo with Shelby

Shelby and I explored Rosa Parks Circle in down town Grand Rapids and got frozen yogurt. I absolutely love Shelby because she is so different from everyone you've ever met. She likes what she likes and she is honest and she is funny. And Sweet Yo's is so good. I had mango fro yo with pecans, coconut, blackberries, and raspberries. Yum!

5. New Job!

I started at Family Video this week! I am so excited! It's a great place to work and I am looking forward to this new part of my life.

Friday Faves

Will this semester ever end? I really just need next Friday to be here now.

1. Marybeth

MB surprised us by showing up at meeting on Sunday. We enjoyed $3.99 chicken finger baskets at the Pub afterwards and it made me realize just how much I miss her. It was so exciting to see her again and it was a good start to my week.

2. Strawberry Chiffon Pie

Joe and I made the best pie in the entire world. Literally the best. I've eaten nearly a whole one this week. It's a little sad but also really awesome. I wrote a post for it so look forward to being jealous of my pie again soon.

3. Jaclyn and Ashlee

Ashlee is moving back to Grand Rapids in May! Jaclyn and I spent Sunday evening talking about all the awesome shenanigans we are going to get into this summer!

4. Matt

Well. This should explain it.

5. Baby Gorilla

This baby gorilla is very surprised by the cold stethoscope!

Friday Faves

I think my Friday Faves will be more fun when I'm not drowning in school work. I'm sorry I am so lame.

1. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles

Yum. Yum. Yum. These are amazing. Ahhhh-mazing. I have no self control around these. 

2. Gift from Joey

Isn't this just the cutest! I just love it! I have the bestest friend ever.

3. Influenster

I got an email earlier this week from Influenster for the qualifying quiz for the April box! The title of the quiz is "The Total Cleanse" and from the questions, I bet it's cleaning products and body care. I'm excited.

4. Formal

AW YEAH! Formal was a total blasty-blast! I had a great time with all of my sisters!

5. Motivation

For the rest of the semester. You're welcome. 

Friday Faves

This has been an impossibly hard week. "Let no one weep for me, or celebrate my funeral with mourning; for I still live, as I pass to and fro through the mouths of men." - Quintus Ennius

1. Kiersten

I could not have made it through this week with out her. Only a true friend sits through mass even though they are an atheist. She really is the best.

2. Joe

As usual, Joe is the best. He takes such good care of me, even from so far away. I couldn't have lived through this week without him.

3. Mama

I hope she knows that as much as she thinks I've been there for her this week, she was there for us kids too. She is a good mama.

4. Liam

Every time I see the baby, my week gets better! I love him to little tiny bits! 

5. My Alpha Sigma Tau Sisters

Countless emails and texts just reminded me how much I love them and how they are there for me when I need them most.

Friday Faves

I have no intro this week. It's just been a long week again. Balls.

1. Scholarship Paddle

I was awarded the scholarship paddle at Sunday's meeting! I was so excited because we have a couple of weekly awards and I've never received one so to get one for something I work hard at.

2. Chili Afternoon

I spent a lovely afternoon eating Joe's homemade chili and reading for my history classes. Well and I fell asleep after my chili was gone but that still made for a lovely afternoon.

3. Poetry Slam with the Fam

I went to a poetry slam with my little and grand littles this week. Emily and Mary Kate were just too precious, snapping like you see in the movies. It was a great time!

4. Registering For My Last Year Of Classes

I can't believe I'm all registered for my last year of classes. It just doesn't seem real that in one year, I'll be graduating. Buckle up kids, it's going to be a fun ride.

5. Jessica!

Jessica came home with me today and she will be here all weekend! YAY!

Friday Faves

It's been a really long week. Friday did not get here fast enough.

1. Weekend at Home

I went home for the weekend to spend some time with Liam, get my car all fixed up (valve stem on a tire replaced, headlights replaced, oil change, vacuumed out, and windows washed), and see Grandpa for his 84th birthday! I got to go with Liam for his 18 month pictures and I even got to be in a few. I can't wait to see them. Another great Sunday Funday was spent with coconut cake and teaching Liam to give kisses.

2. Productivity

I was on a role this week. I got a whole lot of homework done. It was insane! I'm so proud of myself.

3. Sorority Spa Night

We had a spa night social with the lovely ladies of Delta Phi Lambda.  We painted nails and laughed hysterically at the sister who got conned into a face masque. It was a blast!

4. German History Class

I've been having so much fun in my German history class! Sometimes it's really sad but mostly it's really interesting and I could sit through that class every night this week.

5. Thrift Shop

I don't know why I love this song but I do. I've listened to it a million times in the last two weeks.

Friday Faves

What a week. I was hoping to make this exclusively all about my trip to Kentucky but there are other things that happened that made it less than perfect. So instead this is just a normal Friday Faves. I'm not bitter...

1. Pine Mountain Settlement School

It was simply life changing. I wouldn't trade seeing that community in person for anything. I am so amazed at how much this school does with so little.

2. Nationals

We stopped in Indy at nationals on our way back from Kentucky. It was so cool. Sorority-girl-squeals worthy. The building is absolutely gorgeous. Definitely a highlight of my time as a collegian.

3. Changes

I don't know how to describe the feelings I'm feeling these days. It's like when you prepare for the worst and it doesn't happen. I'm just sitting there, expecting to screw my whole life up again and when it doesn't happen, I'm left sitting there wondering how that happened and how do I manage to continue not screwing it up. 

4. French Toast Dumplings

I feel a little bad showing you these, knowing the post won't go up until the end of the month. They are little balls of love. This will happen in my life again.

5. Retail Therapy

I was going to take a pic but that's work so I found this picture instead. I drug Joe through JC Penny's last weekend and it was absolutely amazing. I don't care how superficial it is. I love trying on clothes. And then I walked around Target for like 2 hours today. It's spring break. I don't care if you judge me.

What to Wear: Formal

It's formal season! Yay! The most wonderful time of the year in sorority land! Dressing for formal can be the harder than that midterm you pulled an all-nighter to study for. The biggest mistake a girl can make going to formal is to dress like a whore. Isn't the point to have fun and celebrate your chapter's accomplishments with all of your sisters, active and alumnae? So why must you dress like a street walker? Exactly. So I put together these super cute options that range from sweet to a little sexy but all classy. Note that none of these options are super low cut or super short. They are all a great length and fun. They aren't grandma-y but they give you enough coverage so that if you are having a good time, you aren't going to be flashing the whole chapter. So now that we've discussed classiness, let's talk about expenses. The other problem is that we are college students. We are notoriously poor. So all of these dresses are from ModCloth  and with the exception of the neon, are all $50. The neon is $100 but it was too cute to exclude. The shoes are all Payless of course. Each set of accessories comes from a different store that I thought matched the style of the girl I was going for so that you would probably already have the accessories already. The fun style accessories are all Betsy Johnson. The sexy classy style accessories all all from Nordstrom and the preppy classic style accessories are from J.Crew. The sweet style accessories are from Claire's.  You don't have to go out and buy all new accessories for formal. Pick a dress that already goes with your style and then you can spend a little more on the dress and use jewelry and hairpieces you already have. So those are my tips for dressing for formal. Most importantly, have a blast, stay safe, and remember that you are always wearing your letters!

Friday Faves

Well, this week has been a long one.

1. Haircut and Sister Love

Saturday, I went home and saw my lovely family. I got a haircut which was desperately needed and I got to love on my sister, also desperately needed. I miss having some Jessica in my life.

2. Little Man Haircut

Just look at that drool-y  little guy. Little man was so into his sucker. His haircut just made him look so much like a little man that I can't get over it.

3. Playtime

Is there anything more necessary in life that playtime with your nephew. I think not. We rocked on Tigger for a while and then Liam brought me his baby and had me hug his baby and then he hugged his baby. And then spiked it like a football. No one said 18 month olds are good at parenting. 

4. Best Friend

If it wasn't for Joe, I'd fall apart daily. 

5. AST!

Wednesday night, we had a recruitment workshop and then the spring break group got together to discuss details. I am just on an AST high this week.

Friday Faves

Well, this has by far been the most difficult week since the beginning of Fondue You Love Me? but I'm determined to find five amazing things that happened this week.

1. AST Scavenger Hunt

Our beautiful chaplains hosted a scavenger hunt for us on Wednesday night. We ran around like crazy people but it is completely fine because team Damsels in Success won! We were the only team to not only accomplish all 18 tasks and arrive back first but also the only team to follow the directions for each picture. Along with our scavenger hunt, we created happiness jars and got personalized Valentines. It was really what I needed this week.

2. South West Egg Rolls and Homemade Salsa

Once again, Joe and I proved our culinary genius with some homemade salsa and south west egg rolls. The salsa is the perfect consistancy and has the right mix of spicy and sweet and sour flavors. The egg rolls are filled with beans and corn and spinach and have tons of flavor. They were so yummy dipped in sour cream or the salsa. They both will happen again soon. The salsa made the perfect snack and the egg rolls reheated nicely in a toaster oven. Yum!

3. Joe

Joe is the very best friend in the whole world. I would not have made it through this week without him. He is the absolute best and I will never be able to do enough to repay him for everything he has done for me! I just love him so much.

4. Retail Therapy

Joe and I went shopping over the weekend and I got two cute new dresses as well as a new blazer for Suit Up night and a new top. I'm in desperate need for clothes that don't have letters so be prepared for plenty of retail therapy pictures in the coming weeks.

5. Easter!

I am getting so excited for all the Easter things I have planned. Liam's Easter present is here and it is just so dang precious. I can't wait to send it to him and post about it! I won't ruin the surprise this time, I swear! I can't wait for what I have planned for spring break and all the blog things I am going to work on!

Friday Faves

Friday again?! Time really does fly. Not that this week has been super fun. Just a lot of studying as usual but you know. Eventually Friday comes and you can't believe you made it through another seven days of studying...

1. History

History and I are in love right now. We are in that honeymoon stage. You know, where I rape everyone with my vast history knowledge? Yeah. I killed Uriah in a cheesecake versus cheesepie argument. I gave Margie a lesson on Animal Farm. I got an A- on my German History paper and a B+ on my Colonial American History paper. I taught the chapter how the colonists died. (Eat your bean with rice or pasta or you'll die like the colonists too.) The picture above is from my German History class. My professor has a large collection of German Marks printed during WWI that are worth more now than they were back in the day. You can't use them any more since Germany adopted a new currency after WWII and now they have the euro but you can buy WWI German Marks for like 50 cents in Germany or on Ebay. They were so incredibly cool. This note is for 100,000 Marks and you would need a huge bundle to buy even a loaf of bread during WWI. History raped.

2. Kate and Sabrina

Kate, Sabrina and I have been having a blast together this week. We started off by going to the piano bar in downtown Grand Rapids, Mojo's. We danced and had a blast. Kate and I laughed hysterically as guys danced with Sabrina without even asking her. She was such a trooper. She would dance for the whole song, turn around and thank them and then walk away. Sometimes they would take the hint and sometimes they would come back for round two of rejection but either way, we had fun. Then last night we went to Peppino's to do a little more dancing. We didn't spend quite as much time there because as is typical for a Thursday night in a college town, it was absolutely packed. That and Pep's is notorious for their terrible service and it took us forever to get anything so we didn't want to spend the whole night waiting for water or menus or drinks or our food or a straw because the waitress forgot it the last two trips she made it to our table.

3. Fancy Hair and Make Up

My sister has created a monster. I used to impress people with my ability to get out the door in 30 minutes no problem. Now I spend at least that blow drying and straightening my hair. Then if I'm going to do a bump or something of that nature, we now are up to 25 minutes. My face doesn't take forever because I'm fairly loyal to the products I love and eventually I'll do a post so Jessica can see how my routine has changed but between showering and dressing and hair and make up, I take a good hour to get ready. But now it feels weird to leave the house when I do not look exactly like the above. Not being fantastic looking every day means I'm going to run into someone who is important enough to deserve fantastic me. So now I wake up an hour early just to look like this. I feel rather silly.

4. Studying at Panera

I have found a new love for studying at Panera. Their food is a little expensive but their menu includes calorie counts and their food is as close to homemade as you can get in this type of restaurant. This Thursday I enjoyed a strawberries & cream scone and some ginger peach tea. The scone is much bigger than the picture gives it credit for. I don't have a big appetite anymore so this was a whole meal for me but I'm sure it would make a fine snack too. The best part is the Panera team is just so nice. They refilled my mug with hot water when it got cold without charging me and had no problem when I asked for an extra tea bag. They don't bother me while I'm studying. It's busy without being distracting and they play pretty generic music so it's the right noise level for me to get stuff done when I don't want to go to campus or stay home. And I totally recommend their broccoli cheddar soup!

5. Sisterhood Bonding

I had an absolutely fantastic time with these lovely ladies as we acted ridiculous and showed our Educational Consultant, Justina, just how crazy the Gamma Xi chapter gets. Someone's face is missing from this photo because I'm fairly certain we had seven people in that pile, not six. But anyways, our Friday night bonding session included Margie's stalker-ish Mitchell Musso story, yelling about whether or not Happy Feet 2 is just Happy Feet 1 backwards and hearing Justina's stories about the haunted chapter house at Central. It was a blast and I wouldn't trade moments like these for the world.