Back-To-School Shopping

Pea Coat: Forever 21, $5

Rose T-Shirt: Forever 21, free (Buy one, get one)

Floral Blazer: H&M, $5

Gray dress: H&M, $10

Navy Capri Trousers: H&M, $7

Flare Jeans: H&M, $7

Navy Tube Skirt: H&M, $6

White Tank Dress: H&M $5

   Every year, my grandma takes my sister and I shopping for back-to-school clothes.  This year, we went to the mall to Forever 21 and H&M (besides local vintage shops, target, and the occasional TJ Maxx trip, those are the only stores I actually shop in anyway) and I stretched our budget as far as it could go.  In fact, I got everything (besides the gray dress, which I bought with my own money) UNDER my grandmother's $50 budget!  I honestly think that this has definitely been my most successful shopping mission in a long time.

P.S. Sorry for the poor quality, I had to take the pics with my iPod and try to salvage their quality with the free photoshop app... In other words, I really need to fix my old/get a new camera! Especially since I'm going to college in less than a month and will most definitely need to document everything!  Anyone have any suggestions for a girl on a budget?

Women's Olympic Volleyball

   I haven't played volleyball competitively since October or November of last year.  Our team ended earlier than I had ever hoped for, and, as bad as it sounds, by the bittersweet end of the season, my optimism, smiles, and love for the sport had worn away.  By the end of the season, I mean after the last game that I fought in 100%, after the tears I shed taking my shoes off for the last time, and after I went home where I had time to look back on the season, I had every right to be angry and let-down, because I had nobody looking up to me for uplifting any longer.
   It hadn't been until I saw the first USA Women's Olympic Volleyball game that I truly regretted not playing club ball, not going to any open gyms, and not even picking up a volleyball until months after my season ended.  The spirit, skill, and power of the women on this team is inspirational.  It might be the entire spirit of the Olympics that's getting to me (I am a HUGE fan of the Olympics, the World Cup, and basically anything that brings the whole world together like this,) but this team has truly reminded me of the teamwork, spirit, and confidence that the game of volleyball encompasses; characteristics that, at times, my team seemed to lack.
   I am so incredibly excited to see how far this team will go.  You can count on me watching every single game I can, cheering, yelling, clenching my fists, clapping, and forever sitting on the edge of my seat, or even jumping around the room, because this team has reminded me why the game of volleyball has changed my life.
   (And not only will I be watching women's volleyball religiously, but I'm watching the men, and both men's and women's beach volleyball as much as possible!)
   I seriously recommend this sport to anyone and everyone, it's incredibly fun, fast-paced, and always intense!

Dorm DIYs

"Not all those who wander are lost." -J. R. R. Tolkien 

Since my move-into-college date is quickly approaching (less than a MONTH!!) and my wisdom teeth were recently removed (finally an excuse to not go to work and watch movies and sew all day!) I have been very inspired, and have had quite a lot of time, to get some DIYs done for my dorm room!

Both my roommate and I have pretty neutral colors (I'm not sure what her's are, but my bedding is black and white, and I have one set of purple sheets) so many of my wall/miscellaneous decor will contain the chaotic color that my creativity craves.  So far, I have made a little hanging wall decor, and sewn a new pillowcase from some fabric that my friend got be for graduation! (You know you have AWESOME friends when they buy you fabric as gifts;))

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

After seeing the many posts, pictures, and quotes from the John Green book Looking For Alaska on tumblr, I added the book to my increasingly long "Must Read" list.  It wasn't until my mom got The Fault in Our Stars from the library, finished it, and couldn't stop raving about it, that I finally started to actually put my goal into action and read a John Green book.  Let me tell you, I haven't regretted any second of it.  I'm currently reading Looking For Alaska but have since finished The Fault in Our Stars and one of my new favorite books, Paper Towns.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

This book was unlike any book I had ever read before.  Although the main characters were somewhat younger than me and were living through much more hardship, I immediately felt connected through our mutual trouble with growing up, keeping friends, parental relationships, and getting lost in literature.  All of the characters were so enjoyable and, as cliche as it may sound, inspirational.  While I call the characters inspirational, do not assume that they are ever-optimistic and content with their numbered days.  I find these characters inspirational because, although they don't let their diseases dictate their every move, they each have a different approach to their own lives, and none of them are perfectly optimistic and happy.

This story really put my own life in perspective.  Again, as cliche as it might sound, it did truly show me how lucky I am to be healthy.  I have known, and I'm sure almost everyone has known, at least one person that has been affected by cancer.  John Green really puts into perspective how someone so close to my age can be affected by such a horrible disease, and how much appreciating my family, friends, and health is important.