Overall, this weekend was pretty quiet. Spent most of it running around here and there trying to find the perfect gift for everyone on my list, which was kind of a waste seeing as I ended up buying everything online Saturday night.
I rocked my favorite new 7 For All Man Kind jeans, cuffed (yes, I know the ones in the collage are not 7's, but I couldn't find a good pic to use, so I'm pretending) with a pair of white Converse (which I'm not sure that I'm cool enough to pull off, but the comfort was well worth it -- and in my mind, I looked pretty cool), and had lunch at Jimmy John's - yum.
Although, I didn't have much luck finding gifts there, Anthropologie had an awesome sale -- sweaters and outerwear were 1/2 off, plus I had a 15% off coupon since it's my birthday month! I picked up an off white version of the sweater in the collage above and an awesome green leather journal (I've never been one to journal - but I have the urge to try it out). Also, I got this cute light weight, grey cardi! Love it - definitely one of those versatile dress up or dress down pieces. (and p.s. - I love Anthropologie's dressing rooms)
I saw Breaking Dawn (again ... I swear it gets better every time), finished Mindy Kaling's book (which if you haven't read it, you need to -- all kinds of awesome) and now I'm watching Once Upon A Time while I type this (and being majorly disappointed that Pan Am is not on tonight).
Lastly, I was watching Eclipse on Friday night and started thinking about Robert Frost's poem "Fire and Ice" that Bella is reading at the beginning. I've read the poem before and watched Eclipse like 100 times, but never really thought much of it. I did a quick google search, and before I got distracted with online shoe shopping or something like that, I read that some say the poem was inspired by Dante Alighieri's The Inferno - so I ambitiously picked up a copy while out shopping -- hopefully my good intentions will come to life and I'll actually read it I'm suddenly, and randomly, intrigued to say the least!
Well, off to relax a bit more before the always dreaded work-week starts. Goodnight!
So, since Bethany Joy Galeotti's Wardrobe Wednesday's are pretty much my favorite thing ever, I figured I would try it out and post my own (please ignore my weird expression -- I think I need some practice on taking self portraits)
I've been really into red and black lately, I think because I just recently colored my hair from a blonde/light red to a dark (almost black) brown, and apparently, I think wearing more red and black is the best way to show it off! Anyways...
Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft
Top: Target
Skirt: JCrew
Polish: O.P.I. Rainbow Connection over Black Onyx
Shoes: JCrew
Tights: Spanx
I ran out of the house pretty quickly and forgot to put on some jewelry (oops) but i was planning on wearing my new Jewel Mint Swan Bracelet. Seriously, if you haven't checked out Jewel Mint yet, do it! I've ordered a few pieces already but this bracelet is my favorite so far! It's surprisingly versatile and I wear it all the time!
Lastly, I just received the new Sam Edelman Lorna pumps that I ordered over the weekend in the mail today! I'm so excited to rock these with some awesome skinny jeans!
So this week has been an emotional roller coaster for me (tv and movie wise). We said Good Bye One Tree Hill on Wednesday and Breaking Dawn (finally) premiered this weekend!
Since I'm still in denial that filming for OTH is officially over, I thought I'd focus my attention on the wonderfulness that is Edward Cullen instead! I saw the movie yesterday and have not been able to stop thinking about it since. So, as I sit in a quiet corner of Panera enjoying some tomato soup and an iced green tea on this dreary day, I thought I'd put pen to paper (so to speak) and write down my thoughts on this wonderful story.
I was late to the game when it comes to Twilight. I attempted to read the first book when they became popular and didn't really get into it. As with many things, I became distracted and moved on. About a month ago, on a boring afternoon at home, I decided to give it another go and watch the movie! I'm not sure exactly what changed, but i do know that I was instantly in love, and ran out to buy New Moon and Eclipse and waited in anticipation, for Breaking Dawn. I read the book and re-watched the first 3 movies... and couldn't get enough!
What is it about Edward Cullen that draws us in so much? While he will surely tell you it's his sent and the way he looks (which certainly doesn't hurt) there is something more deep than that about him. The idea that he would do anything to protect the woman he loves and keep her safe and happy FOREVER is something that I think we all want. He puts her well-being ahead of his own temptations and desires. He is old fashioned and makes you think of the days when gentleman really did exist, and although I have yet to meet such a guy in the real world, a girl can dream (and watch movies about romantic vampires).
I thought this movie, in particular, was great. There was romance, comedy, action and undeniable love! Of course people will complain that they took some liberties with the book (it's called adapting for a reason, folks) I thought it was well done. And while the every-one-is-talking-about-it honeymoon scene was fantastic, I find myself thinking about the simpler moments. Charlie's hilarious wedding toast, Edwards "let's start with forever" makes-me-weak-in-the-knees toast, and Jessica standing by the larger than life cake saying "i thought it would be bigger" (one of my personal favorite laughable moments).
Needless to say, I fell in love with Edward Cullen all over again yesterday and will absolutely be watching this film again and again (can the DVD please come out already?!)
So if you are like I was and think vampires just aren't for you, I highly recommend giving it another try!
And last, but certainly not least, can we just take a moment to drool over Bella's dress?! G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S.!!!!!!
(p.s. there aren't too many pictures of this dress floating around the web yet -- once they start popping up, I'll update with a clearer shot)
I LOVE this cardigan. Looks just as great on and I see lots of possibilities for wearing it! This will be my go-to favorite for the fall season and beyond! www.shopruche.com Cardigan (see more flower cardigans)
HELLO!!! if you follow me on twitter, and lets face it, if you're here today -- you probably do, you know that I LOVE all things One Tree Hill! Some might call it an obsession, but I don't care, I love everything about it. The stories, the clothes, the music and [most importantly] the NALEY! So I thought today would be a good day to officially start posting on this blog.
I've been thinking about blogging for a while now, but kept putting it off for [insert excuse here] reason. I wrote my first official blog post (please see below) earlier this year when Bethany Joy Galeotti had a contest for a fan guest blogger to be featured on her all-kinds-of-fabulous blog bethanyjoy.com. Although mine was not chosen -- was a good thing, because the ones that she chose totally rocked -- but I still had every intention of continuing to update since that first post, and here we are, 6 months later...
I thought this would be an appropriate time to start and celebrate One Tree Hill Day! (Did I mention I love that show?)
So here is my little tribute to the greatness that is...ONE TREE HILL!
So i have to say, when Joy announced that she was having this contest to be a guest editor on her blog, i was initially ecstatic. I mean i love your blog Joy and ALWAYS find myself inspired to be something more than myself after I read your entries so the thought of having the chance to be part of your blog was very exciting. However, that feeling quickly faded into sheer panic because I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA how to write a blog entry. But i figured its time to take that inspiration and put it into action and give it a go at entering your contest.
I wanted to share something with you, and all of your loyal readers, that is very near and dear to my heart. An organization called THON. I am a graduate of Penn State University and the four years I spent there were very special to me for a lot of reason -- but the thing that meant the most to me was not the football games or parties but the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, better know as THON. THON is the largest student run philanthropy in the world. Students from every organization, fraternity, sorority, and campus of Penn State come together to raise money to support Pediatric Cancer. This is a year long effort which comes together every year, in the middle of February, for a 46 hour dance marathon! Each year, during the fall semester, the THON Overall Committee announces the theme for that year's THON. I'll never forget my first THON. The Theme was "Hope Finds A Way" and you really could feel the hope throughout the entire journey.
When the organization was formed in 1973 39 dancers raised $2,000. THON now has 15,000 student volunteers and 700 dancers a year all working together, sacrificing their time, all to raise money to benefit pediatric cancer through the Four Diamonds Fund and Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital, all For The Kids (or as we THONers will say: FTK).
I think that is really what touched me most about the organization. It's the students who run it. Students who volunteer their time when they could be studying, partying, or even have a part time job all to help kids and families who they don't even know. And it's not just about the money, THON volunteers actually take time, all throughout the year, to meet the children suffering form this horrible disease and help them to forget about it for a while…to be kids. They throw carnivals, take them to the pumpkin patch, and even visit them at home and at the hospital!
The children view THON as one of the greatest weekends of the year. Many have even said they look forward to it more than Christmas! It gives these children the chance to be kids and do everything they could want to do. And believe me when I tell you, the first time you meet these children, and see them smile -- you know exactly why THON is so special! They get dressed up in fun outfits, play catch with football players, have fashion shows and talent shows, and even get up on stage and sing their favorite song (to thousands and thousands of people). Check out this video below of one of my favorite performances from 9 year old Tucker Haas at THON in 2010 (he knew ALL the words)!
During the last four hours of the 46 hour dance marathon, THON holds what is called Family Hour. This hour is a chance to showcase all of the families for whom we dance for! Families have the opportunities to speak and tell their story to a basketball stadium filled (and we're talking Big 10 facility -- with bleachers up to the ceiling filled) with THON volunteers, supporters, students, alumni and families. And you will not find one dry eye in the building. Even the strongest toughest men break into uncontrollable tears when the families tell their stories. Family Hour concludes with everyone coming together to sing "Angels Among Us". The entire weekend is an emotional roller coaster for everyone involved.
Although I have been graduated from Penn State for a few years now, I still make the effort, and the 2 1/2 hour drive, to go to THON each year! THON 2011, "Together Without Limits" was amazing! I was only able to make it to THON for the last day, and almost didn't make it into the building (because of fire codes, at a few points during the weekend they have to close the doors because this giant facility is FILLED to capacity). But I made it in the building and it was so worth the travel and wait! And this year THON raised $9,563,016.09 FOR THE KIDS!!!
