More shopping

   The other day, my aunt and her mother-in-law took my sister and I out for lunch then for a little shopping trip to thank us for taking care of their dogs the last week.  Although I wasn't nearly as lucky on this shopping trip as I was the last one, (we literally went into almost every single store at the outlet mall) I still managed to find this soft and chic yellow pin-striped Ralph Lauren oxford.  Although I set out searching for some more short-sleeved, warmer weather shirts, a girl cannot say no to a nice oxford (I now have one in almost every color...)

   One thing that I have learned from trying to pack for college: you really have no idea how much stuff you have until you have to fit everything in suitcases!  I have spent hours and days organizing and reorganizing my stuff to fit into as little number of  bags as possible... and don't even get me started on going through my computer and trying to transport everything onto my new hard drive! CRAZY!

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!