[how i spent my weekend]

This weekend was actually quite the busy weekend for me. I worked both days, spent time with my family, bought my bridesmaid dress (my best friend is getting married!!!) and got back on the health train. For me, weekends are usually spent working, so I try to sleep in before I get ready for work, go to work and come home. My version of a weekend is really more when I have my two days off back to back. I work in a hotel though, so that's actually pretty normal. So the fact that I worked 7-3:30 both Saturday and Sunday meant I actually got to enjoy the rest of the days like most people! Here's a recap of what I think was a successful, fun and productive weekend.

Saturday:

WORK. Which looks like this:

Then I sped home (literally) to watch the Colombia vs. Uruguay game, which Colombia WON!!! Seriously super exciting. My favorite part: James Rodriguez's goal where he chested the ball down and kicked it in. BEAUTIFUL. You'll have to excuse the German (I think) but this is the best quality video I could find.

That game was followed by a good workout, warm shower and early bedtime. I have to get up at 5 a.m. for my 7 a.m. shift!

Sunday:

WORK. Which was much more calm so I actually left a bit early. Then I went dress and shoe shopping! I already knew which dress I was buying so it was just a matter of trying it on to figure out my size and then buying the shoes to go with it. I won't show you my dress but I will show you the bride-to-be! 

I even made it home in time to catch a bit of sun and get some reading done! I fixed up a quick salad, grabbed by newest book (by a fellow Sigma Kappa) and laid down outside. 

Salad: spinach, carrots, cherry tomatoes, ham, feta cheese, hummus and a tiny bit of caesar vinaigrette. 

Book: Carry On, Warrior by Glennon Doyle Melton. She spoke at the convention I went to about a week ago and I loved her! So far the book is just as good.

My view:

It actually stormed a bit Sunday evening, so I gave in and sat in bed watching tv, pinning things and just browsing the interwebs. I hope you all had fun weekends! Have a great week!

"life without touching other people is boring as hell."

- glennon doyle melton

[the violet bubble]

So I've been gone for a bit. I've been busy, to say the least. Anyone who knows me knows I tend to get engulfed with what I'm involved in. When I'm really focused on working out, I kill it. When I'm crazy focused on something at work, it consumes me. So the past few weeks I have been trying to work my full time job, plan, pack and prepare for Sigma Kappa National Convention and prepare for my sisters and mom to come visit. I decided I'd prefer NOT to post rather than post something my heart / head wasn't fully supporting. So now I'm going to recap the amazing time I had at convention.

 My view from the plane. I've never been so in awe of a desert and sparsity before.

Being welcomed as soon as we got to the airport.

And of course we ran into a friend at the airport, so... group selfie!

Night one: Welcome reception and convention orientation!

Voting on amendments to the constitution as an Advisory Board Delegate! 

Night two: Ultraviolet Gala! It was a dinner celebrating the National Panhellenic Conference, Sigma Kappa and Philanthropy. (aka yummy food, dresses, and women raising money to fight disease.)

Night three: Confirmed Conventionite dinner. The theme was Diva Las Vegas and we came as boxers. #TKO. Get it? (The Dove Love thing is an SK thing).

Other than that my days were full of meetings, discussions, and educational sessions. I had to play catch up since i'm now the chapter's Advisory Board Chairman (which i'm super excited about and is kind of a big deal!!!) and need to know much more of what's going on. I learned a ton and spent some quality time with my girls. Even though I had to leave early, it was a great trip and I can't wait to go again in 2016!

Oh. And let's not forget the #selfie I had to take!

Have a great weekend all!

"one heart one way."

-sigma k.

[on my radar]

So I've been looking for a work purse lately. I need something neutral, nice and versatile. Something that has a zipper closure at the top and fits my laptop in it. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find something like that isn't super utilitarian and affordable! So i'm between the three below, and those are what's on my radar this week.

From top to bottom:

[jetset laptop travel tote]

[large Jaryn tote]

[fedorka]

Which one should I get?

"a grateful person is rich in contentment."

- david bednar

[summer recipes]

This weekend was the first weekend of the year that I actually think felt like summer. Now that I'm really feeling the new season, I'm excited about new, fresh recipes to try and have around the house. Of course, you can find them all on my Pinterest too!

I'm going to go ahead and say that these are not my photos; these are from the original posts on people's sites, which I found on Pinterest. Each pin links directly to the site and I am very thankful for the wonderful people who've put these recipes online!

SOUTHWESTERN BLACK BEAN SALAD

(I like to put it on lettuce)

 BLT CHOPPED SALAD W/ CORN, FETA & AVOCADO

 ZESTY LIME, SHRIMP & AVOCADO SALAD

For me, summer is about light, fresh, bright meals that are both satisfying and healthy. And this summer is going to be about eating better too! Keep on the lookout for more recipes and my versions of ones I find online!

Have a wonderful week!!

"live in the sunshine. swim in the sea. drink the wild air."
 - ralph waldo emerson

[on my radar]

With the newness of summer come new ideas, new cravings, and mostly new things [on my radar]. I'm going to do a post or two per month with things that are currently on my mind, or that i'm loving for that time. This month: maxi dresses.

I've always been uneasy about maxi dresses; since I'm short and stumpy they tend to make me look shorter and stumpier. Fortunately, I've lost some weight (these are still going to be plus size dresses), and so they are beginning to look better on me. Here are a few that i'm loving for summer!

from Forever 21

from Forever 21

from Torrid

from Macy's

[teal] [coral tribal] [blues chevron] [colorblock] 

I don't own any of these yet but am really looking forward to getting some and incorporating them into my new summer wardrobe!!!

What's on your radar these days?

"summer is the time to shed your old skin and be reborn into something new."

- anonymous

[kacey musgraves]

Happy Monday all! I normally don't really have exciting weekends with fun stories to share, but this weekend I actually went to a concert. A group of four friends and I drove up to West Palm Beach to the Cruzan Amphitheatre to see Zac Brown Band with Kacey Musgraves. It was so much fun! I am a huge Kacey Musgraves fan and actually got to meet her, which totally made my day. She signed my boot and we talked about (and she complimented!!!) my tattoo and headband. (Yes, we had a moment. It was glorious.)

Zac Brown started with Devil Went Down to Georgia, which happens to be my dad's favorite song (and the first song I ever knew all the words to), so from then on I knew it was going to be an awesome concert. Their set was great - they threw in some covers with their original music and covered Metallica and AC/DC for the encore, which was incredibly badass (excuse my language, there really isn't another way to put it).

All in all it was a great day starting with a mini road trip with friends, an afternoon spent tailgating and an evening listening to great live music. Pretty much the recipe for a good time in my book!

Because it's best to make a collage rather than post 3 pictures! 

Kind of a cool shot my friend took. It's from my iPhone though, sorry about the quality!

Kacey and I! (disclaimer, this photo was downloaded from her site here.)

My signed boot!

Have a great week!

"gonna lift to the great wide open, wanna set my spirit free. won't stop tip I reach the ocean, gonna break these chains holdin' me."

- zac brown band