In Everything, Give Thanks

With such a busy world we live in, it can become difficult to remember to be grateful and the spirit of thanksgiving. So much is continually being thrown our way, cluttering our minds and hearts of what is most important.  

This year, I didn't participate in the traditional Facebook thanksgiving posts throughout the month of November. It's been a difficult year, one that has made

me look forward to December 31 in a way I don't ever remember before, and I am honestly sometimes struggle identifying what I'm thankful for each day. I'm not up for posting about the warm fuzzies I have for my family because I'm just not there this year. Stress of work and the coming busy season sometimes clouds my appreciation for a job. And the physical distance between myself and others that play a crucial role in my life sometimes creates an emotional distance as well that I'm definitely not thankful for. 

So today, I reflect. I give thanks. I'm not thankful for the hard times, the stress, or the distance, but I am thankful for the lessons learned and that are being learned through it all. I pray every day that this season will pass, but I am thankful for the One who hears my prayers. And I am thankful for the support of the special people who have held me up when I could not do so myself over the past few months. 

In everything, give thanks. 

JFK: The 50 Year Obsession

I've been reading, and watching, and obsessing about the Kennedys for as long as I can remember. I've read almost every single biography my local library has on the subject, watched every special that comes on TV, and have listened to the hours of Jackie Kennedy's interviews after the assassination on my way back and forth between Statesboro and home during college. Today, to remember the Kennedy family, and all that was, and is, and will remain of Camelot, I'm sharing a few of my favorite pictures in honor of the 50th anniversary of JFK's assassination on this day in 1963.

Disclaimer: I do not claim these pictures as my own; original sources unknown. 

"Now, I think that I should have known that he was magic all along. I did know it — but I should have guessed that it would be too much to ask to grow old with and see our children grow up together. So now, he is a legend when he would have preferred to be a man." --Jackie Kennedy, 1964

Elton John Date Night

For Christopher's birthday, I wanted to get him something fun and different. But I had to be sneaky. So I decided to do gifts-inside-a-gift, my favorite method of gift giving only reviled by the tower-of-gifts I so love. So I got him a Marley Lilly overnight bag for his travels to see me {with his new monogram--he's changing his last name to his grandfather's, which will be finalized within the next month}. After looking in the bag to find homemade pumpkin muffins, and a new shirt, he found two tickets to see Elton John in Atlanta on Nov. 16! Woohoo! 

     Friday night we had Mexican Cornbread Casserole, and and Ice Cream Sandwich Cake. Yum--this is so good, especially if you love ice cream and cake! Best of both worlds. We went to Atlanta Saturday afternoon and ate at Ted's Montana Grill which neither of us had ever been to. It was amazing! I wish bison was more readily available because it was delicious.
    We then wandered over to Phillips Arena for the concert, and although we didn't have the greatest seats, you could see the sequins from a mile away! The concert was wonderful, music was great, and it was so neat to learn that two of the band members have been with EJ since he started. 2Cellos opened for the band, and played with them throughout the night, which was a great surprise. I had no idea they were going to be there and Christopher loves them!

     It was a really great night, and it was so nice to do something different like this. I'm not usually a big concert person, but EJ was a great performer, and we both truly enjoyed the evening. Check it out!

This is My Grown Up Christmas List

Attention! Attention! It has arrived--My Christmas List. I'm sorry, but there is truly no time to develop a Christmas Power Point this year, so a blog post will have to suffice. It's really become quite difficult to develop a Christmas list these days. Thanks to Pinterest, I find things all the time that I would want, but then forget about it until its too late (Bauble Bar Opal Teardrops...) so these are just big things that I could remember.

Women's Classic Wool-Blend Pea Coat from Old Navy in Camel

Last year, I somehow had two black peacoats (one was found

in my car, I have no idea whose it was), and this year I am

down to none. It's cold ya'll. And this one is on sale today

for $35, regularly $65, and there is a 30% off code to use too!

***Update: went ahead and purchased this (Thanks, Mother!) using the 

30% off code--totaled at $33 after code and shipping costs. Go! Now!***

Pandora Sincerity and Better Together, Pink Rings

I love the Mother of Pearl in the Sincerity ring ($55), 

paired with the pink band ($35). I am a size 7 in rings

(showroom size), so I love getting rings because they

pretty much always fit perfectly *see engagement ring*! 

Canon PowerShot A2600 16MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom

After doing some research, this Canon PowerShot seems to deliver 

the best in the word of affordable point and shoot cameras.

I really need a small one to keep in my bag for work, and at $129,

and pink, this one seems like a winner!

 Gold Crystal Embedded Pave Link Bracelet

Inspired after that pricey J. Crew piece a while back,

this Etsy find is a steal at $25. I love all chunky

chain pieces, and you can't pass up a good sparkle!

Tory Burch "Reva" Ballerina Flat

Size 8 please. Gold medallion. And

they're 20% off at Nordstrom right now!

10k Gold Earrings, Cultured Freshwater Pearl and Diamond Accent

Okay, this is my "yeah right" wish. I am dying to have these

beautiful baubles, but they are mighty pricey. Though you

can get 20% using the code: "gift" ...

And if that's not enough inspiration, feel free to check out my Pinterest boards for additional ideas! ;-)

http://www.pinterest.com/piperellice/accessories/

http://www.pinterest.com/piperellice/jewelry/

http://www.pinterest.com/piperellice/falling-into-fall/

http://www.pinterest.com/piperellice/big-girl-clothes/

Happy Birthday, Christopher!

     Happy birthday, doll! Birthday season for the two of us kicks off a reminiscent time of year for our relationship. The first time we ever hung out was on my 20th birthday at the Statesboro Fair. Then, we attended my sorority's formal on his 20th birthday a few weeks later. December 7th marks the day we officially became a couple, and then we are into the Holiday Season, which is always so much fun. I love this time of year, and this man more than anything!
     I couldn't have made it through the last six months without him as I've gone through some of the hardest, most trying times I could have ever imagined. He is always there to listen to me, and hold me when we are together. Even though we are miles and hours apart most days, he always makes me smile. I never imagined that the guy who I wasn't sure totally liked me after like, three months of dating would be the one I would spend my life with, but I am eternally grateful for the surprises he brings to my world daily! Loves you.
     After spending the weekend celebrating Christopher's birthday with presents, fun with friends, and the best pumpkin pie gelato, we are looking forward to a great weekend in Atlanta at the Elton John concert! I can't wait!

Throwback Thursday: Homecoming Edition

Georgia....Southern...!!! 
Whose house? Our house! 

It's that time of year again--Homecoming! I've missed the campaigning, voting, socializing, and Doo-Dah-ing of Georgia Southern Homecoming Week so much this year! I can't wait to spend Saturday on campus with all of my Phi Mu sisters and GSU friends tailgating and reminiscing. It's going to be so strange to attend the alumni brunch at the Phi Mu house as an actual alumni for the very first time. In honor of this fun-filled weekend, here are a few of my favorite football pics!

Homecoming 2010

Toga Party Social, Homecoming 2011

Football Season 2011, a.k.a. the day I grew a sixth toe,

had multiple wardrobe malfunctions/changes, and sprained my ankle

Homecoming 2012, with all of the Phi Mu house girls

and my bestie roommate, McKenna! 

Saturday's Shopping Spoils

I went shopping with my grandmother on Saturday and found some really great deals. I love deals, and cheetah, and pearls, and polka dots, as you may can tell. So when all of these things can become one great thing, I am very happy. 

This trip was one that centered around the fact that sometimes New York & Company has really amazing clothes. Other times, NY&C has really heinous clothes. There seems to be no happy medium, which is incredibly frustrating to me. But this time, they had cute clothes, and BOGO Mix and Match on most items! Score!

Waverly Crew neck Sweater -- Lurex Dot, $46.95

This will suffice until I find that perfect crew neck camel colored

sweater. I got a ton of compliments on it at work yesterday, worn

with black pants and pearls. I can't wait to wear it with jeans, and

now that it's on sale for $29, I may have to order one more!

Open Front Flyaway Sweater -- Metallic, $56.95

The metallic is more gold than silver, which I love, and will hopefully

be able to break this one out for the Georgia Southern Homecoming 

game this upcoming weekend! This is the piece that I bought and

I got the other sweater free. 

Faux Pearl & Rhinestone Collar Necklace, $26.95

I snagged this beauty for only $10, thanks to their weekend sale.

I thought it looked super similar to my most popular Pinterest

pin ever! I love how it has a really long chain to connect the

clasp too, so it can be like a collar necklace, or longer if need be. 

Xhilaration Leopard Print Leggings, $12
I got these on sale for $8. Someone (Christopher) is not

happy that I got these, but it is my new life goal to make these cute!

I can't wait to wear them with some black pointy toed flats, and

an oversized black dress shirt. So Audrey... 

Xhilaration Lisa Flat Leopard Print, $17.99

Okay, so I don't love the studs on the back of these flats, 

but I loved the price. I got these for $8! Slight point, but not 

too long so they are kind of casual. 

Turn Lock Wallet, $16.99

I've been holding out for a Hobo wallet for a few months

now, but when I saw this, I really really liked it! The price 

was obviously better, and it has a lot of space inside.
Plus, it's significantly lighter filled than the big Hobo wallet
I wanted was empty. This was my only full price purchase! 

I think my loot definitely supports this idea...