12 Days of Christmas

I was "tagged" by Seersucker + Stripes to do this 12 Days of Christmas tag. 

Let's get to it, shall we? 

1. What's your favorite holiday/winter Starbuck's drink?

I really love the Peppermint Mocha! It's by far my favorite. Of course, anything with caramel is also a drink of choice! 

2. Did you Instagram your first holiday red cup?

I actually did, without realizing it was my first "holiday" cup...it was more of how I was spending my night...studying...darn finals!

3. What's your favorite holiday/winter nail polish?

I have a few...

OPI - Polka.com is such a cute, glitzy glitter polish...perfect to jazz up any "plain" holiday outfit!

OPI - Cute Little Vixen is the perfect glimmer-y maroon color for the holidays. And, of course, it's maroon so it's a staple for me. (I pretty much wear maroon nails throughout the fall semester--must support my Ags!)

OPI - Lincoln Park After Dark is kind of a plum-y color and I love it! It compliments my darker skin tone well.

OPI - Yoga-ta Get This Blue is the perfect navy! It's beautiful, definitely a must have!

4. What is winter like where you live?

I live in Texas, so we really don't know what this "winter" is that everyone talks about. Haha, but it's been in the 30's-40's for about a week and that is nearly unbearable for us! The cold weather usually comes really late and doesn't stay for very long. 

5. Have you ever experienced a White Christmas?

If you want to get technical it did snow one Christmas Eve a few years ago, BUT I could still see the grass/ground underneath the snow...it was sad. 

My family and I used to go skiing every winter (we haven't been since I've been in college) and I absolutely LOVED being surrounded by snow. I wish I could experience it more often. Let's face it, clothes are just cuter during this time of year! In my part of Texas, though, it's not really practical to bundle under all of those layers! 

6. Sugar or gingerbread cookies?

Do I have to choose? I love both! My roommate filled me in on a secret last year for the perfect sugar cookie that included orange zest and I won't make them any other way now! I do love gingerbread though! I'm the only one in my family that likes it though, so I hardly ever get to make them because I'd be the only one to eat them! 

7. Favorite holiday/winter candle?

I looooove Bath & Body Works' Marshmallow Fireside & 'Tis the Season candles. I also have a Scentsy and the Christmas Cottage, Pumpkin Roll, & Baked Apple Pie scents are my favorite! 

8. Favorite Gossip Girl holiday moment?

I just love how young they all look! I've been obsessed with Gossip Girl for years now & the winter episodes always make me long to live in New York during the winter!

9. Candy canes or gumdrops?

Again, I love both. I really only eat gum drops when I'm sneaking them from making my Gingerbread Houses! 

10. Does your family have any special holiday traditions?

I always, always make a gingerbread house. We also, always have Christmas Eve dinner at my grandpa's, STILL make cookies for Santa once we get back, open my mom's, dad's, and my presents Christmas morning before we go to my Aunt's house for my mom's side of the family's Christmas. Also, our Christmas lunch at my Aunt's is always deer steak instead of your typical turkey/ham...oh, how I love the South...and venison! 

11. Favorite holiday memory?

My favorite holiday memory would have to be the Christmas I got my first puppy, a Jack Russel Terrior I named Milo. I was about 6 and Milo instantly became one of my best friends...he was always so full of life. We had to put Milo down almost two years ago, but I will never forget how happy I was when I got him! I miss that boy!

12. What is your go-to Pandora/Spotify playlist for holiday music?

I have two different Christmas playlists on my Spotify station. I have a Cowboy Christmas station with my favorite country artists singing my favorite Christmas songs. I also have a "Classic" Christmas station; who doesn't love hearing Frank Sinatra or Elvis sing Christmas music? 

For this tag, I am tagging YOU! Please leave a comment and let me know if you did this tag so I can read! 

Hope you have a very Merry CHRISTmas! 

xoxo, 

M

Finals Week

Let me just start off by saying that it has been a rough past few weeks. I'm sure every college student in the world right now is studying for finals and stressing about the possibility of failure. I know that I definitely fall into that category. My problem is that I stress to the max and anything that does not involve studying falls by the wayside. That includes, but is not limited to, makeup, hair, nail maintenance, eating proper meals, grocery shopping, and so much more.  I haven't even done laundry in over a month. I had to take my clothes home a couple weeks ago so that Mom could wash my clothes for me (thanks Mom!) because I just couldn't justify the "time it takes" to do laundry...even though the laundry room is literally right next to my bedroom. 

I'm telling you, all judgment is off during finals week. I definitely have had a couple of minor breakdowns in my room. And a couple more in the shower. And a couple more in my car driving home. And one at work. I don't think that I relieve my stress correctly...meaning I don't relieve it at all...I just let it pile up.  

While I was driving back to my hometown for the weekend, I just sat and talked to God. I told him about my worries, about my praises, I gave Him my thanks, I discussed and prayed over the family troubles I've had, and just had a conversation with our Lord unlike any conversation I've had with Him in way too long.  I finally had a realization that nothing is really  in my hands...it's all in His. As much as I would like to take control and let God take a backseat, I really have no power compared to his awesome, glorious, unwavering strength.  He has the power to heal me, to calm me, to make me feel relieved for the first time in weeks. 

Ever since our conversation I've had this sense of calmness. I've felt happier these past few days than I have all semester. I've relished in the little things in my life. I also came to a realization how much I take Lovebug for granted, and I don't let him know how much I truly appreciate how much he loves me and my family.  He'd do anything in the world for us and never asks for anything in return. Oh, how I love that man. I need to let him know how much he means to me more often. I think sometimes, especially being in a relationship for an extended amount of time, we can become complacent and not take the time to appreciate the little things we would do for each other. I'm going to start taking that time. 

Basically, I've realized I wouldn't be where I am today without the Lord's unending, pure, and faithful love. That revelation in and of itself has given me an entirely new perspective and refreshed me as a prepare for finals.  This weekend was the most eye-opening and enjoyable weekend I could've ever asked for. And to Him all the glory. Thank you, Lord! 

Have you ever had these eye opening moments? It's ah-mazing how opening your mind as well as your heart to the Lord can change your life in so many different ways! 

xoxo, 

M

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." 

-Psalm 51:10-12 

This is what my days have looked like lately. Lots and lots of coffee and Lyla ignoring me for not paying her any attention. 

Also, I've been trying to lay off all the extra sugars in Starbucks' lattes and have been getting the light roast instead. I must say it's a difficult transition...but I don't hate it! 

Tiny Break

I haven't posted a blog in three days. Not a good track record for a new blogger now is it? I apologize for the inconvenience! Without disclosing too much information, my family has been going through a lot right now and I just needed this weekend to take a step back, relax, and spend sometime with my parents, my aunt + uncle, and my cousins. It was really nice kind of disconnecting with the world this weekend. 

Friday I had lunch with Lovebug and then I spent the afternoon doing homework, turning in assignments, and taking an exam.  The internet out at my house was messed up because of the cold front so I had to come into town and go to the public library in order to finish my schoolwork.  Saturday my family and I went grocery shopping, came home and enjoyed spending the day cooking in the kitchen while preparing for the Texas A&M game.  Once kick-off came around, we were all donning our maroon & dispersed throughout the living room with our eyes glued to the TV. Although we didn't get the result that we hoped, spending a nice relaxing day with my family was just what the doctor ordered.  

I've come to the realization here recently that I don't need anyone in my life who is going to put me down for making my family a top priority.  I don't need a friend who is only there when she needs me but can't be there when things are tough for me.  I don't need to surround myself with someone who isn't going to lift me higher.  I feel like there's a point where it's still okay to act like you're in high school and be able to get away with it, but I think that we've crossed that threshold a long time ago. 

Those are my thoughts. That's what I've been dealing with the last few days. It was nice to "un-plug" myself from the world and just bask in this time with my family. Have any of you been going through a similar "growing-up" phase where you and your friends are on two different maturity levels? What did you do in that situation? 

I'm sorry that this post is on an entirely different level...I just had a lot that I had to get off of my chest. 

Until next time remember: "you become like the five people you associate yourself with the most...choose wisely" 

All my love, 

xoxo

M

 My baby girl wanting me to stop studying and spend time with her on Wednesday night. She's too cute!

Face of the day for lunch with Lovebug. 

Joy to the World

First, I'd like to apologize for the obnoxious amount of holiday-esque I will probably be posting in the coming weeks, but I truly am in looooove with the holidays. I love that this is the time of year where you begin to realize just how thankful you are for the life you've been unselfishly blessed with by our Father. It's a season for giving and being merry. As an added plus, the clothes are just cuter this time of year. 

Although it's not even Thanksgiving yet, my roommates and I put up our Christmas tree on Monday evening. We had my "Christmas Radio" playing on Pandora, hot chocolate to energize us, and the cutest little white puppy helping.  I know, I know...how absurd of us to put our tree up before Thanksgiving right?! But with Thanksgiving not being until the 29th this year and finals week being the week after, we decided that there was no time like the present and we jumped at the chance to decorate! 

How BEAUTIFUL is she? What did I do to be blessed with the prettiest little puppy?! Oh...and there's our tree ;) 

Is it too early to be planning my Christmas Wishlist? If not, then I've totally been planning for weeks now.  If it IS too early...disregard my previous sentence. 

When do you usually start decorating and getting ready for Christmas? Also, what is YOUR favorite part about the holiday season? 

Wishing you the best today and always, 

xoxo

M

Commitment

Tonight we had Breakaway on the "Front Lawn" of campus right in front of the Administration building. It was an experience.  Although every week is moving, I feel like this week was just...special.  To have thousands of students and alumni meet on the Front Lawn to worship to Jesus was spectacular.  You could feel the energy.  I think it speaks volumes about Texas A&M that we have the freedom and a student body that LOVES JESUS beyond measure. 

Tonight, Ben talked about committing fully to Christ and that while that commitment comes with a lot of cost, we will reap the benefits.  He stated that "the higher the cost, the longer you think about whether or not the commitment is worth it." He noted how you may feel beaten and betrayed by everyone around you who is succumbing to earthly things and not following in the path of Jesus. 

The scripture for tonight was from the book of Luke: 

"Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son to Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father of the holy angels. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.'" -Luke 9:23-27

This is beyond true. We all need to think about how our actions speak not only about ourselves, but also about our Lord the man who gave up His life to save US because we were worth the commitment. 

Be bold and courageous. Be committed. Be saved. Be forever worthy. Be God's. 

I love each and every one of you. 

xoxo, 

M

 

Goals

I'm a huge fan of lists. I have lists everywhere: on my phone, in my planner, in my Google calendar, on post-its on my bulletin board, in my personal journal, and even on my class notes at times. Usually they're to-do lists or wishlists, or things I need to remember. I'm really big on making lists of goals. I have (in one of my many journals) my one-year, five-year, and ten-year goal lists. 

While I don't expect everything on those lists to happen at that specific time, I love that it kind of gives me an outline of where I see myself in the coming years. I've decided that every Monday I'm going to come up with a "weekly goals" list as well. Now I already have a to-do list of things I have due, meeting, or tests I have coming up, but the weekly goal list will be centered around what I aspire to do outside of everything else I have going on. 

Here is my goal list for the week: 

What are your goals for the week? Are any of y'all as paranoid/obsessive as am with your lists? 

I enjoy hearing from you! 

xoxo, 

M

Sunday Funday!

Sundays have always been my favorite day of the week. Every Sunday my daddy makes Momma and me a big breakfast of sausage and eggs. He also makes what I would say is the world's best cup of coffee (he even puts whipped cream and cinnamon on top!), and we just spend the morning talking and laughing together. I really do LOVE those breakfasts. 

After breakfast, we went to Walmart to get me a few things that I needed to take back to College Station with me. Then, Momma and I whitened our teeth with the new Luster systems we each got (mini-review: I haven't noticed a difference yet, but that's because I've only done one 2-minute session).  After our whitening session, I went out to Lovebug's ranch to watch the Redskins-Eagles game, the Texans-Raiders game, and the Saints-49ers game.  Our teams (the Aggies of course and the Dallas Cowboys) both had bye weeks this week so I had no big allegiance to any of the teams playing this afternoon, I just wanted Drew Brees to come out with a W! 

At one point during the Redskins-Eagles/Texans-Raiders games (we were flipping back and forth) Love's mom said she came into the living room and I was asleep on one side of the couch, Lovebug sleeping on the other side, Lyla sleeping in the middle, and Love's dad was asleep in his big chair! That's another thing I love about Sundays, it is not completely frowned upon to nap -- it's a day of relaxation! 

At about halftime of the Saints game, I left Lovebug's with a fresh stash of deer jerky (he makes the best!). I then had to leave home to come back to College Station. It's always bittersweet leaving home to come back here. I'm always leaving a big part of my life back home with me. Every time I come back I get more and more homesick. But as soon as I got here, I caught up with my roommates, unpacked, and got things together for the week. Yet another thing I like about Sundays, it's a fresh start and I can be completely organized! 

What are your favorite things about Sundays? Do you and your family have any fun traditions? 

xoxo, 

M

Obsession: Books

There's nothing better than curling up with a good book and getting lost inside someone else's story for hours.  I think throughout our lives each of us have those books that impact us and we have those characters that we fall in love with, those who stay with us long after the story has ended. 

I have a few books I've read that have impacted me like that. They are: 

1) The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling 

This is a series that I, like millions of others, grew up on.  I can remember wanting to have unconditional friends like Ron and Hermione. This past summer I recently re-read the series and I fell in love with Harry Potter all over again; I laughed with them, I cried with them, I fought with them like I was reading everything for the first time.  In my opinion, there is no other story that shows true adversity, strength, and honest love and protection.  Harry overcame every obstacle in his path and became stronger throughout the entire series.  I believe that Harry Potter is a great story for children (and even adults) to reiterate to us never give up.  That even though there is evil in the world your family, friends, and inner strength will be there to show you how much you are capable of. 

2) The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

I will admit I did watch the movie before I read the book, but I will say this book changed me. It made me realize that every girl deserves a nice Southern man who will do anything and everything to make her proud. It showed me that true love will find its way and that making the right decision is not always the easiest. It gave me hope in love. It's truly a feel good book and when I read it I was not able to put it down. 

3) Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen

I love those books that take you to a different time in America. Most of us don't realize how fortunate we are to live in the America we live in today. Water for Elephants is an exciting read. It gives an insight into the life aboard a travelling circus in Depression Era America. While the performers seem so extravagant and seem to have the "perfect" life -- everything is not all peaches and cream. Water for Elephants is a story about friendship, bravery, love, protection, and standing up for what is right. 

Those are my favorite books that I've read (or re-read in Harry Potter's case) in the last year. What are some of your favorites? I am ALWAYS looking for suggestions of good "light" reads -- especially things that will get my mind off of all the reading I'm doing for my classes throughout the semester. 

I hope your weekend is as fabulous as you are!

xoxo, 

M

Happiness

I got asked today if I was happy.  At first I thought that was a no-brainer, of course I'm happy what do I have to be unhappy about? But then I began wondering, do I seem like I am an unhappy person?

I mean everyday I am going through the motions dead-set on my schedule and may not seem too excited about it, but that doesn't mean I'm unhappy.  I go to class, go to work, come home, eat, and do homework everyday.  I've realized that I don't ever embrace the ordinary, everyday things that happen in my life.  I live in this beautiful world, I'm surrounded by family and friends that I would do anything for, I go to the school of my dreams, and I am loved by a God who has given be the world.

I've realized that although I may get bored of going through the motions, I need to embrace every second of this life that I have been given because it won't last forever.  I want to be one of those people who are so outwardly happy that people become instantly happier after talking to me.

How many people have you made smile today?

Always, always find joy in the ordinary.

xoxo,
M
"Delight yourself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of your heart." -Psalms 37:4

Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Howdy! I have no idea what it is, but every year around this time I get giddy with excitement.  I love everything about the fall & winter seasons.  Whether it's the fashion, the cool crisp air, the Starbucks holiday cups, eating fall soups for every meal, the abundance of "cuddly" weather...I just love everything about this time of year!  Not to mention it's football season...and who doesn't love the adrenaline rush of watching their favorite team fight for the W? I know I do...I often get too carried away while watching Fightin' Texas Aggie Football. Then again, what Aggie doesn't? 

I can't get on Pinterest these days without wanting to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe, give myself (& my roommates) makeovers, re-decorate our house, bake yummy sweets, and craft all in a day's work.  It's becoming an issue.  I have found my fall inspiration looks to wear, to decorate, to make up, to bake, and to DIY. 

This dress + scarf + boot combo would be GREAT for fall days in Texas!

While I usually tend to stay pretty neutral throughout the week, I love this subtle eye +bold lip look for the fall!

If this front porch doesn't get you in the mood for fall, I don't think anything will.

One thing you must know about me...I will never turn down a scone. These cinnamon roll scones are the perfect fall treat! (Please feel free to send me ALL of your favorite baked-good recipes!)

I feel bad for pumpkins, I think people kind of just toss out the idea of decorating with them after Halloween. This is a quick (& seemingly simple!) DIY to use pumpkins as decoration throughout the fall!

What has inspired you this fall? I quite frankly am enjoying this change of weather...it truly is the most wonderful time of the year!  Christmas will be here before we know it! 

Until next time, 

M

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven" -Ecclesiastes 3:1