catching up

i haven't posted since march. i'm not going to even try and explain everything that's gone on recently, but i can say that i have finished my freshman year of college (yay!!) and it's summertime now. i've stopped doing yoga and i really need to pick it up again. i miss it. but with summer i think things will calm down a lot and i can have some fun. i have a (rather crazy) living plan set up for the summer, but more importantly i have many recipes, crafts, and fun activities planned that i intend to blog about.

(my "roomies" and myself)

the past couple weeks were nuts. finals were happening and my stress and problems were getting the best of me. i can't believe i'm finally done with my freshman year though!! there were moments i didn't think i'd survive. but overall it was amazing and i wouldn't change it for anything. it was so weird seeing the rooms i called "home" for almost a year emptied, but i'm crazy excited for next year!!

with all the extra time i have now that it's summer, i am jumping full force into my etsy shop. i added a few new items the other day, and more are coming this week. think some cute tote bags, hair accessories (like the customizable college barrette above), key chains, and play felt food for kids. this past week i also gave the shop a makeover when i redid my policies, about me, sections, welcome, even descriptions. let's hope it helps get me some sales!!
the next few days i'll be trying to jump back into blogging. it may take me a bit at first, especially because my computer isn't working at all and it's currently being sent back to toshiba to be fixed so i'm using my moms, but i'll make it work. summer 2011 is going to be amazing. i can feel it!! :)

xoxo, lauren

captian's ball!!

this past saturday was captian's ball. it's basically. prom for college kids. the dances i went to in high school weren't that great. i went to two homecomings and one prom, and although they were fun to dress up for, they weren't much else. this however, was totally different. my girlfriends and i had all planned to go together so i was really looking forward to it. being girls, we started getting ready really early. everyone was helping each other do hair and fix make-up. my friends gretchen helped with my hair (it looked amazing) and erica did my make-up. i wish they could do it everyday!! :)

of course, once we were all ready we had to take a million photos of everyone. i got photos with all my gorgeous girlfriends (from left to right they're taylor, erica, and kim), as well as the whole group together.

the rest of the night was spent dancing with my friends, cheering on my hallmates as they attempted karoke, munched on chocolate covered strawberries, pretzles, and marshmallows, and dancing more. one of the best parts was that for once in my life i didn't waste time worrying about guys. i simply flirted, laughed, and let myself enjoy feeling pretty and being silly. we sang and danced our hearts out in a big circle and it was hilarious. afterwards we all went to ihop (yes, at 12 something in the morning). apparently we weren't the only ones with that idea because everyone was eating there in their fancy dresses and suits. i loaded up on chocolate chip pancakes and didn't worry about the calories because i had probably burned them off from dancing. in case you can't tell, all of my friends had such an amazing time, and so did i. i can't wait till next year. and check back on friday because for "silly photo friday" i'll be posting a few more pictures from the ball. how was your weekend??

xoxo, Lauren

back to college-land!!

i got back to college on saturday and classes started on monday. as hard as it was to leave my family and my animals, i was so excited to get back. even after just one semester it already feels like home and i have a little "college family" that i love. one of my goals for my blog this year is to blog more about my life and my college adventures. this semester is going to be a little busier than last semester.

(my super awesome planner!!)

the first semester is one of the harder semesters because people are adjusting, finding themselves, meeting people, and learning to live on their own. my stats grade wasn't the greatest but i passed which is what matters most. i have one more math class this semester and once i'm done with that i'm freeeee of math. i'm also fundraising chair for the ballroom dance society, meaning i get to plan all the fun little events to build up funds. i'm already working on the first little event that should be held later this month. i'm also on the sketch comedy team, hanging out with friends, working on my etsy and blog, and getting ready for our huge formal event, the captian's ball, coming up later this month. more on that laaater... ;)

so far my classes seem okay. i had to switch one that doesn't start till next monday, but hopefully that one will be good as well. i'm in one of the easiest math classes and 2 of my ballroom friends are in there so i should be able to get by. my history class actually seems pretty cool. the professor was well-recommended by a friend who had him and he seems pretty rad so far. i'm in 2 psych classes, 201 and 202, and i have them back-to-back so tuseday and thursday evenings from 4 to 7 will be all psychology. the first professor seems amazing, but the second...not so much. during the first class he lectured for almost an hour without stopping. i'll try not to complain too much but i don't think i'll be praising the class much either. i do need to get my study habits in order, however. i have my binders (but i still need cover pages!!) for each day, my super colorful pens, planner (50% off at Barnes & Noble!!) and most of my books are in. Now all that's left is actually starting to study.

(supplies)

we had a "ballroom free dance" last night and it was sooo amazing to see everyone again and start dancing. i had so much fun dancing with all my friends that i've missed. damian, my cha cha partner, and i had an especially great time dancing together again. we were cha cha partners at the dance competition we went to in november, and missed advancing to the next level by one judge. our plan is to practice like crazy and take no prisoners at the competition next november.

tonight we have our first official ballroom lesson of the semester and rumor has it this guy i've been talking to a lot recently will be there. more on that later. ;)

xoxo, Lauren

Must Have Mondays-

I finally have internet again!! i got up super early (well, 8:35am but that's early for a college student!!) and treked over to the tech services place. at first the guy had no idea what to do and i was convinced my laptop was screwed but with the help of google (by this point i was almost ready to give up hope completely) they got it working again. :) :) i just about jumped over the counter and hugged the guy when he said it was fixed.

anyway, now that i finally have my lovely little laptop working again, i'm ready to dive into blogging and my etsy. i plan to devote a lot more time to it this semester. i'm adding more features, one of which is this one. "must have mondays" is basically where i'll be showing you some of my favorite stuff i've found recently. i decided on "must have mondays" because 1. a lot of people do "fav fridays" or "things i like thursday" and i just wanted something a little different and 2. i like the alliteration. teehee and now, onto my first "must have monday"

1. this adorable headband from my etsy shop

i know it's from my own shop so maybe that makes it a little tacky but i just can't help it. i made the first one with the intention of selling it and loved it so much i had to keep it. therefore, i made 2. and then 20 more in different colors. plus, they're perfect for valentine's day. :)

2. these adorable key covers.

the second i saw them i just about died. more accurately, i squealed with excitement. i want them so badly but if i got them i'm not exactly sure where they'd go. i don't exactly have any keys (except for my one house key) to put them on. nonetheless, they are so sweet.

3. this super awesome print

i'm a teenage girl. it's a fact that no matter how many hours you put into it, your hair will almost never do what you want it to when you need it to. next year i'll be living with 4 other girls and sharing one bathroom. i'm thinking this print may end up hanging on the wall next to the mirror.

4. this super cool USB drive

i lost my flash drive awhile ago. so far i've been using my friend jessica's flash drive (not sure if she knows i still have that...ooops) but i suppose i'll need to get my own eventually. this one is so sweet and it even comes in pink too!! that's the one i'll be getting.

5. this happy little print

something about this print makes me super happy. not sure if its the bright yellow of the simplicity of the message but something about it just makes me smile. and you should too. :)

2011!!

My first post of the new year!! How refreshing!! I love new beginnings. I think that people can always start over fresh and it doesn't matter how many times you do it, it's always fun, new, and a little scary. The best times to start these "new beginnings" are usually times when you're going through changes in your life. Starting school (like when I started at college in the fall) or a new year (like now!!), or maybe a new job, move, or anytime you feel like it. :)

My last few hours of 2010 were spent at a friend's house. It was a small get together but we still had a blast. We built a fort (totally silly but totally awesome too!!) and did a bunch of other fun stuff. Then my first day of the new year was spent with friends again. We got our nails done, went out to eat, then Allison (one of my fav people in the whole world) slept over. We stayed up talking about everything and laughing our heads off. It was much needed.

Sadly, my laptop still isn't connecting to the internet and my mom's laptop bit the dust over new year's. I'm posting this from the library right now. I can't wait till I can get back to college (i miss everyone so much) so one of my nerd friends can fix it for me. I promise once it's fixed i'll be back out with tons of fun posts but until then i thought i'd just let everyone know i'm still alive and hoping for the best in 2011.

xoxo, Lauren