Lilly Planner

What a week!  I have been quite the busy bee!  My favorite way to stay organized (especially when life gets crazy) is with my Lilly planner!  It somehow seems to make my many tasks seem a bit less arduous!

I just love the "Blue Surf Checking In" print

It even comes with fun stickers!

Where on earth did March go?  I seemed to have blinked and missed it!

Another fun aspect of this planner is that at the start of every month there is a cute tongue twister!  For tomorrow, April's is:  "The Queen of Green Dreamed of Clean Streams" which is appropriate for Earth Day on April 22!

Be sure to get one for next year when the new ones are out!  They can be found here!

How do you stay organized and manage stress?

Oh, and as a side note, for any of you who may have been wondering, my Wisteria Tunic arrived!  I LOVE it!  In person, it has much more detailing than you can tell on the website.  For example, there are little paisley designs embroidered throughout the body of the tunic.  It also fits true to size (I usually wear a 6, and ordered a Medium, which is for sizes 6-8).  It was a little long, as I thought might be the case, but luckily for me, I'm short enough that it can be worn as a short, flirty (but not too short) dress with a slip underneath!  I also think it would look great paired with skinny jeans and sandals or wedges.  So, if you were considering ordering this, I highly recommend it-- well worth the $14.70 (or less:  WhatMissLoves suggested entering the SPRING15 promo code for an additional 15% off) pricetag!  I will try and post pictures of me wearing it, once the warm weather decides to come back!

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Divine Intervention

Over this last week a few little things have happened that, while not life shattering, have been frustrating.  Rather than letting them get me down, however, I like to think of these hiccups as Divine Intervention.



For example...



One day, I woke up at 5:55 AM to attend a morning cycle class at 6:15.  By the time I got there, the class was already full.  Rather than getting really upset by this, I looked at it as Divine Intervention, or the Man Upstairs's way of suggesting I go home and get two more hours of sleep.

I'd like to think I look this cute while sleeping...

Another night, right after pouring some CocaCola I had been craving, I managed to drop my cup and spill it all.  Rather than getting frustrated by the spill (luckily it was outside so required no clean-up) and my lost caffeine, I thought, Divine Intervention-- God must be showing me that I do NOT need that extra sugar and calories.

Don't cry over spilled milk....or Coke, either!

Lastly, when some of my regular babysitting hours for the week were cancelled, rather than being upset by the lack of cash, I thought-- you guessed it Divine Intervention.  I must need that few hours for some "me" time...and so I headed to one of my favorite places Barnes and Noble to curl up with a book.

My guilty pleasure-- reading a fun book at Barnes and Noble when I have countless pages of reading for class!

I've found that looking at life's little challenges in this way, really makes things easier.  Don't sweat the small stuff!  

Do you have any examples of Divine Intervention in your life recently?

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Joe's Provocateur

Today, I wanted to share something with all of my petite readers.  I am only 5'3 and always hate that when I buy a brand new pair of jeans I have to get them altered.  They make designer jeans SO long!



Well, back in December, I visited my best friend ARS in Charlotte and was lucky enough to snag a pair of Joe's Provocateurs at the Saks Off Fifth outlet.  I have always loved the comfort of Joe's Jeans, so I was thrilled to find the Provocateur which is designed specifically for petite women.  I was able to wear them the day I bought them, no alterations necessary!  Another thing I really liked about them was that they were still cut to accommodate my curves.  Oftentimes petite pants, though, the right length are cut differently in the body and are not flattering on me.  These, however, fit like a glove and are by far the most comfortable pair of jeans I own!  I definitely recommend these to any of my followers that may be on the shorter side!

Joe's Provocateur

What are your favorite jeans?  Do you know of any other brands that have designed a petite pair?



As a side note, I'd like to thank City Boy at Life Through Preppy Glasses for the Stylish Blogger Award.  When I started blogging just two weeks ago, I had no idea if anyone would even want to read my blog, so being awarded and encouraged by other bloggers has meant so much to me.  I received this award last week, so to see my responses and who I nominated, click here!

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Apple Blossom Allie

Happy Monday!!  Thanks to everyone for all their great "A" Costume suggestions!  After emailing back and forth a bit with Bella at Southern Somedays, I decided on "Apple Blossom."

I made the tutu with ribbon and fabric and the crown with flower garland and jewelry wire.  My date was my best guy friend BSB.  These initials do not stand for his name, rather our nicknames.  We became best friends in sixth grade when we shared the same bus stop.  We nicknamed each other "Bus Stop Buddies" or BSB for short!  He was Johnny Appleseed.

Allie and BSB

Alphabet Soup, Apple Blossom, Amazing

It was such a fun and bittersweet night.  It's a weird thought that I won't have any more themed date functions.  Next month is formal, and I'm sure that too will be bittersweet.  The next morning BSB and I grabbed brunch at Bluegrass Grill.  If you are ever anywhere near Charlottesville, you MUST eat there!  It has been voted the Top 5 best breakfasts in Virginia and year after year it wins both Best Breakfast and Best Brunch in "The Best of Cville".  I ordered the Denver Omelet with Home Fries and Toast.

Are you drooling yet?

I wrapped the weekend up by having Sunday brunch with AMF, one of my very best friends here at school.  Brunch has been our tradition since first year and I am wishing and hoping she ends up in Richmond next year.

Allie and AMF

After brunch we headed to "Catwalk for Crohn's," a fashion show put on by the Second Year Council (many of whom are Alpha Phis).  It featured Foxfield Preview fashions from the The Pink Palm (Lilly), The Young Men's Shop (Southern Proper), and Duo (variety of designers including Trina Turk, Shoshanna, and Alice & Trixie).  

my ticket and program

This cause is particularly near and dear to my heart, because my mom was diagnosed with Crohn's disease a little over two years ago.  It was so fun to see the girls and guys strut their stuff down the runway and get outfit ideas, while helping a wonderful cause.  

Lastly, I can't believe I'm already at 100+ followers.  Thank you so much to everyone!  I have really enjoyed this new endeavor and can't wait to get to know you all more through the blogging world.

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Firefly Lane

Today, I thought I'd share one of my guilty pleasures with you.  When I need a little "me time", I slip on over to Barnes and Noble.  What makes this pleasure guilty is that it involves avoiding the endless readings I have for my classes and picking up a light, girlie book to read.  I find a comfy arm chair and read....usually for hours!  I rarely, however, will buy the book I pick up.  Sometimes I read a little of it, have a few laughs and move on.  And a few other times, I've even returned to the Barnes and Noble repeatedly until I finish it.  

Back in the fall, however, this pattern changed a bit.  I BOUGHT a book at Barnes and Noble!  This wasn't just any book, however, it was one of the most incredible books I have ever read (and I've read A LOT of books).

The book was Firefly Lane.

Firefly Lane tells the story of Tully and Kate.  Two girls that meet in 1974 at the ripe age of 14.  They are opposites:  Tully is the hot popular girl with an inattentive mother and love for makeup; Kate is the nerdy girl with a doting mother and love for Lord of the Rings.  The two meet, however, and form an inseparable bond.  Kristin Hannah tells the story of this pair's friendship spanning over three decades.  She has a unique ability to articulate human emotion in its rawest form.  You see the characters in their brightest moments and their darkest; you see them grow apart and come back together; and mostly, you see the power of female friendships.  

Kristin Hannah

What I love about this book is that it's not just your ordinary fun, girlie book.  When I initially picked it up, I thought I would read it for a bit, have a few good laughs and move on.  Little did I know what I had in store-- this book is so much more than your average escape book.  It explores themes of friendship, motherhood, and romance.

It will make you reflect on yourself-- your friendships, relationships, and ideas.  

It will make you cry....and cry....and cry.  (This book evoked the "body-shaking sob" in me...I was crying so much at the end I had to sit up and could barely control myself-- AND I don't typically cry in books!).  

I left this book changed.  If you're in need of an inspiring, heartfelt, and thought-provoking read, Firefly Lane is THE book for you.  

Has anyone else read it?  If so, what did you think?

Are there any books you've read that have had this much of an impact on you?

As a side note, thanks to Seersuckered Sailor for the "Stylish Blog Award."  I feel so grateful for the open arms with which the blogging world has welcomed me!  I was awarded this by two other fabulous bloggers this week, so to read my 7 random facts and see who I awarded, click here.

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