The Liebster Award

I first found out about the Liebster award through seeing some of my blogger friends receive it. I thought, "Wow, that is so awesome for them! What an incredible goal for me to work towards!" Then IT HAPPENED. I was nominated for this award by an incredible blogger and one of my newest blogging buddies, Cierra! Thank you so much to her for thinking so highly of me to nominate me for this along with some wonderful other ladies! 

Before I jump into answering all the fun questions that come with this nomination, let me give a short background sesh on the what this actually is. The Liebster is an award given to bloggers by other bloggers. It is an opportunity to shine light on newer bloggers and welcome them into the blogging world! I love the blog community because everyone is so eager to help each other out and spread the word for blogs they love. Upon receiving this award, I now get to nominate other bloggers who I feel like deserve this awesome opportunity! 

Q & A:

What inspired you to become a blogger?

Right before I graduated from college, I had all of these emotions and feelings that I wanted to get out. I thought a blog would be a great way for me to kind of "journal" my thoughts and then look back on them down the road. 

Why do you blog about what you blog about?

I really have no idea what I am even blogging about, in other words, what is my main thought on the blog. I just write things that I would enjoy reading. 

How long have you been blogging?

I wrote my first blog post almost eight months ago, however, I really didn't take it seriously until this summer. 

What is your background?

I've lived in south eastern Virginia my entire life. I couldn't imagine life anywhere else, which explains why I opted to attend college in my hometown and not go away. Writing has always been a passion of mine. As a young teen, I used to write novels and read them over and over versus published books. 

Is blogging your full-time job?

Right now, blogging is something I purely do for fun. Eventually, I'd love to expand out and work with companies and draw some sort of revenue from blogging. 

What makes you keep blogging?

When I first started, I was lucky to get 12 views a month. (shoutout to boyfriend for more than likely making up those 12 views!) But I kept with it because it was something I enjoyed. I wanted to see how far I could take this and where it would take me.

Dream vacation?

Tropical vacation... take me now! 

Biggest inspiration?

My mom is by far my biggest inspiration. She is everything I wish to become. 

Best & worst blogging decision?

Best: getting social with my blog, creating social media accounts for my blog, joining Blogger Buddies, and connecting with other bloggers. 

Worst: not being consistent when I first started blogging. 

Would you ever consider rebranding?

I am SUCH a creature of habit and comfort but there's some things that I will tweak and change and work on until they are perfect. I could easily see myself rebranding in the future when I nail down my main idea of the blog. Right now, The Classic Alumna pretty much sums me up! 

Nominations:

Cassie

Sam & Hayley

xx

Lilly Pulitzer Agenda Organization

For the past three years, I have used Lilly Pulitzer agendas. My favorite being the large agenda. These planners have really held up for me over the years and they provide plenty space to keep track of my busy life. Although I have graduated from college and am no longer an active sister in my sorority, I thought it would be fun to show y'all how I organized my planner during my college years. 

One thing I found super helpful for the first chapter meeting of the semester was to write down all the dates given out on sticky notes. That way I was sure to get them all down and not be worried about how pretty they were written. After chapter, I always go back through and write down everything, so I can make sure it looks good. 

Ahhhh, stickers, how I love you so! I actually love the stickers so much that I have to FORCE myself to use them. They're too pretty to waste. But I have a collection from the last three years and I keep them in the pocket for easy access. 

In the large agenda, there are two sections for months at a glance. The first section has them one behind the other; I use these months for sorority events mostly but also work and play! I keep all of my sorority events in light blue, plans with friends or boyfriend in pink, work stuff in orange, birthdays and concerts in green, and football games in dark blue. For me, it's so much easier for everything to be color coordinated. 

The second section of months is followed by the week at a glance for that month. Since these months are near the place where I write down assignments, study dates, etc., I use them for shook purposes. Each class I'm enrolled in is assigned a color (corresponding the color notebook I use in that class) and I write down all important things to remember for that class in that color. 

For the week at a glance sections, I write down everything! Reminders, lists, assignments, sorority stuff, everything. I usually try to keep all the school stuff in basic pen, highlighting tests. I use the same light blue as before for my sorority events throughout the week. This helps me to focus on one week at a time and to manage my time a lot better. 

And that's it! It seems really simple (I'm not a washi tape kinda girl) but this is what works best for me! Hopefully you've found this helpful and have gotten some ideas on how to organize your own agenda! Have you gotten this year's agenda yet? Which pattern did you pick? Let me know in the comments below! 

xx

Weekend Recap.

This weekend was certainly one for the books. I usually don't "recap" my weekends like this, but this was one was filled with so much love, fun, and memories, I have to write it down to look back on in a year. 

7.17.15

The weekend kicked off with dinner with the boyfriend's family. Dinner with them is something rare (due to everyone's hectic lives), but man, it sure is special. We had burgers and swapped stories. Being around those people is easy and comfortable and I'm thankful that he and I feel so welcome in each other's families. 

7.18.15

Saturday was such a special day. One of my dearest friends and sorority sister, Kelsey, finally tied the knot. Her wedding was PERFECT. I am not kidding. This was the wedding of the century. It was at a beautiful venue looking over a marina. Everything from the food to the flowers to the decorations to her princess gown were perfect picks. Unlike many other weddings I've been to, this one screamed the bride and groom's names. Everything about the wedding was so them. Her favorite colors were sprinkled throughout the room, pictures of them were placed on each table along with beachy decorations, the music brought out the inner dancing machine in us all. I pray that my wedding is as wonderful as theirs. Congratulations to my sweet friend and her hubby! I wish you both a lifetime of happiness and pray that you guys never stop the fun! 

This is my new favorite picture of boyfriend & I. 

Hands down the very best wedding date I could ask 

for. From starting a train/conga line thing that wrapped

around the whole room to being my personal 

photographer/drink fetcher/dance partner. He's a CHAMP.

My two beautiful Rose Buddy twins, Kelsey & Allyson. 

Look at that killer dress!!!! She looks like a true princess!

7.19.15

Luckily, we weren't home too late from the wedding because due to my awesome (note the sarcasm) planning skills. I signed boyfriend and I up for a 5k run the morning after the wedding. Yup, so that happened. All in all, it went totally fine considering we were out late the night before. That Virginia heat though was another story! Boyfriend and I shaved a good six minutes off our time from our last 5k, which is a small improvement but we are very happy with our results! This is the second 5k we've ran this year and we'll definitely continue to do them.... once it gets a little cooler, lol. But look how cute our medals are! 

Post 5k, we decided to be real grown ups and hit one of the famous local brunch spots in Virginia Beach, Citrus. $3 mimosas and nearly a two foot menu. I don't think I need to say more. 

Did I mention my lack of planning skills with this weekend yet? Just when I thought I could finally relax and catch up on my sleep (5ks in 103 degrees are exhausting, y'all), I remembered the Tim McGraw concert. Post brunch was rushing home, fastest shower of my life, throwing on my new Francesca's dress, and attempting to nap before I had to do my hair and makeup.. which melted off before the first opening performer even started. But it was a fun night. Boyfriend and I sat with one of my best friends from college and I ran into a ton of sisters. 

Although this weekend was HECTIC, it was perfect. I love busy weekends and I love spending time with friends and family I love. I hope your weekend was also one for the books! Only 3 more days until we get to do it all again! 

Happy Tuesday! 

xx

Sorority Showcase: 5 Reasons to Go Greek!

So, you've thought about going Greek? Maybe you know nothing about sororities and don't know if this is right for you, maybe you're only here because a friend is trying to talk you into rushing, or maybe this has been your dream since the first time you saw Legally Blonde. This week I am launching a brand new series titled Sorority Showcase to help ease the nerves and answer all the questions that come with going through recruitment. Check back each week for FAQs, tips and tricks, and more info on sorority life! Read below to find the first installment to the series which is 5 reasons you should go Greek!

 

Joining a sorority was the very best decision I have ever made and I would not be the person I am without it. I have narrowed down the thousands of reasons I came up with to why you should go Greek to my top 5. I hope this information helps you and leads you to the right decision. Joining a Greek organization is a huge step and will only change your life for the better. 

1. Support 

At the end of my junior year, I lost my grandma. In a matter of hours, my phone was freezing up from the 100's of texts I was getting from sisters offering their condolences, asking if they could bring food to my family and I at the hospital, or checking to see if my dogs had been taken care of. In the midst of all the hurt and pain I was feeling, I was overcome by the joy and gratitude I have for those girls. Another one of my sisters found out that her mom had been rediagnosed with breast cancer. It was truly amazing when a handful of sisters dropped what they were doing, skipped class, cancelled their dates for the weekend, pitched in their money, and drove the 6 hours to take that girl home so she wouldn't be going alone. The power of sisterhood is unlike anything I have ever imagined and even to this day, I am taken aback by how many woman I have to lean on. 

2. Realizing Your Potential 

Through my time in my chapter, I held two positions, was on numerous committees, attended leadership conferences, and was given opportunities I never could have dreamed of. I improved my GPA (tremendously) and became a person I was proud of. I did all of this because I had the push of my sisters who saw more in me than I did in myself. Through the eyes of my sisters, I realized my potential and realized that I could achieve more than I had been allowing myself to. I have gained knowledge and habits that I will carry with my into my professional life and truly believe that my success in life will be owed to my sorority. 

3. Community 

I didn't realize when I joined my chapter, I would also be joining a bigger family comprised of every Greek student at my school. I can't speak on how it is at other schools, but at my college, we all stick together. When my best friend and I went through recruitment, our hearts lead us to different places. I was afraid that I would never be able to hang out with her around campus anymore and that we would be expected to dislike each other. The very opposite actually happened. Not only did I gain my sisterhood, I gained "sisters" in her chapter. Girls that I studied with, sat together in class with, went to fraternity functions with, celebrated birthdays with-- none of which wore the same letters as me, but will always be in my heart as sisters. The community doesn't stop there. It's the norm on my campus to walk in the library and see faces from every Greek organization on campus sharing a table, quizzing each other before a big test, grabbing coffee together, and even going to the bar together. I love the community of Greek life on my campus because not only did I gain 100 sisters, I gained hundreds of new friends. 

4. Memories 

When I tell people that I was in a sorority in college, more times than not, they assume it was all about partying and boys. But really, it was about so much more than that. The memories come from road trips to DC for philanthropy events, carving pumpkins, dancing with my sisters at formal, concerts together, tailgating on game day, having the support of my boyfriend consistently through college, sisterhood retreats, getting my big, recruitment. The memories I hold on to the tightest are the ones that were so far from the "sorority scene". Everyone is right when they say that college is the best four years of your life, especially when you're sharing it with the right people. 

5. Family

This was the very last thing I was looking for, but the very best thing I got out of this. I plan on making another post dedicated to just bigs and littles, but in the meantime, I will say, there is no love I have experienced greater than the love I have for my big and for my little. These are my people. The ones I am accountable for, the one that has mentored me, the one that I have mentored. Through my big and little, I have become a better person. They are some of the most precious people in my life.

xx

101 in 1001.

Happy Saturday, Friends! I should be up doing chores and getting ready (my best friend Sam is picking out her wedding dress today.... eeeeeeeeek!), but I am laying in bed alternating between Gilmore Girls and youtube videos. I decided to be "semi-productive" and finally compose this post that I've been working on all week. 

I can't remember exactly where I heard about the 101 in 1001 challenge first, but once I started searching for it, I couldn't stop. A few of my favorite bloggers (Rhiannon, Sami, and Caroline) are currently crossing things off themselves, which has inspired me to start my own 101 in 1001 list. 

The challenge is to create a list of 101 things (both big and small!) you hope to accomplish in the next 1001 days (about 2.75 years). My main goal when completing this over the next few years is to become a better person in multiple aspects, to live in the present and take advantage of life, and to overcome some fears and setbacks. Once a task is completed, I'll strike through it. If a task is in the process of being completed, I'll bold it. And most importantly, I will try to make posts about as many of my completed tasks as I can. I am so looking forward to starting this and I hope you will join me on this journey! 

Start Date: July 11th, 2015

End Date: April 7th, 2018

1. Move into my own apartment/house. 

2. Get my Masters degree. 

3. Dress up for Halloween. 

4. See a movie at a drive-in theater. 

5. Go on a vacation with my boyfriend. 

6. Go to Pensacola. 

7. Get a passport. 

8. See Blake Shelton in concert. 

9. Parasail over the gulf. 

10. Do a giveaway on the blog. 

11. Establish and obey a blog schedule.

12. Get 1,000 followers on TCA instagram. 

13. Make a TCA twitter account. 

14. Run 15 5ks. (2/15) 

15. Read the Bible cover to cover. 

16. Meet my weight/fitness goals. 

17. Take a pilates class. 

18. Save 40% of each paycheck.

19. Workout 4 days a week for a month. 

20. Run a mile without stopping. 

21. Organize a recipe book.

22. Start a hope chest.

23. Get engaged.

24. Visit 3 new states. 

25. Own a pair of Hunter rain boots. 

26. Organize my room. 

27. Finish decorating my room. 

28. Be featured on another blog. 

29. Go to Mardi Gras.

30. Go to Disney World as an adult.

31. Give the blog a makeover.

32. Start a prayer journal.

33. Try 10 new restaurants in Hampton Roads. 

34. Do a Paint Nite with boyfriend/friends. 

35. Start an address book. 

36. Participate in "Get to know me Friday".

37. Send 10 handwritten letters in the mail. (2/10)

38. Learn how to take better pictures with my phone.

39. Make a scrapbook for my parents. 

40. Make a scrapbook for Grady.

41. Make Dean's List.

42. Get professional pictures taken with boyfriend.

43. Start the Love journal.

44. Get to 6,000 views on the blog.

45. Participate in 5 sorority events as an alumni. (1/5)

46. Get my first wellness job.

47. Take Nana on special date day.

48. Give 5 "just because" presents. (1/5)

49. Organize nail polish collection. 

50. Attend 3 Yankees games.

51. Cut out all fast food for a month.

52. Join Alumni Association.

53. Adopt a child from the Angel Tree with boyfriend.

54. Donate to a new charity.

55. Try 30 things from Pinterest.

56. Send Christmas cards.

57. Lead my own summer camp.

58. Pay for 20 dates with boyfriend. (2/20)

59. Take 5 friends to lunch. (1/5)

60. Take more photos as a family.

61. Go to an Alabama game.

62. Strengthen my professional wardrobe. 

63. Take mom and dad to dinner.

64. Read 30 books. (1/30)

65. Host a game night.

66. Hike in the Appalachian Mountains.

67. Go to a driving range. 

68. Have a picnic.

69. Reconnect with an old friend. 

70. Learn to swim.

71. Learn to do calligraphy. 

72. Get highlights. 

73. Stand next to my best friend on her wedding day.

74. Stay in a log cabin.

75. Paint a mermaid at the Mermaid Factory.

76. Start building credit.

77. Save $10 for every goal I reach.

78. Add to boyfriend scrapbook.

79. Pay for a policeman/fireman's meal.

80. Meet boyfriend's grandma.

81. Spend half the day at Busch Gardens and half at Water Country USA.

82. Start a "future" savings fund.

83. Make $500 selling stuff on eBay.

84. Go on a sister trip.

85. Be a tourist in my own town. 

86. Start a tradition with boyfriend. 

87. Ride a ferris wheel.

88. Rewrite my resume.

89. Negotiate a raise.

90. Invest in something.

91. Research family history.

92. Learn to do makeup more professionally.

93. Learn how to curl hair the right way.

94. Stay at the beach for a week.

95. Donate to Autism Speaks yearly.

96. Inspire someone else to create a list.

97. Complete a knitting project.

98. Start a small business. 

99. Do something that scares me from boyfriend's bucket list. 

100. Take boyfriend to his first Duke game. 

101. Clean out closet and donate stuff I no longer wear. 

Wish me luck in crossing everything off by 2018! Let me know if this has inspired you to create your own list, so I can cross that task off! Enjoy your Saturday! 

xx