The future and all that

Dear 2012 Lauren,

Please do your Christmas shopping early.  Heck, start buying presents the week after Christmas if you need to!  (Everyone knows that's when the real black Friday sales are, anyway!) Year after year you wait until the very last minute to buy your presents.  But imagine if you bought them early - you could be baking..... drinking hot cocoa by the fire.....crocheting a blanket.....playing Christmas songs on the piano.  Doesn't all this sound nice?  Yes, I think you should try it in 2012.

Sincerely,
Help me I'm present-less

PS: In one year to the day, people are saying the world is going to end.  I used to believe all this and I couldn't (and still won't) watch the movie 2012 because the plot scared the bajeezee's out of me.  But awhile ago a friend sent me this article from CBS and I don't know, I just believed it.  I'm still not sure what is going to happen because whoever does?  But I found comfort in this article and maybe it will help you too if you feel like reading it.  Happy holidays!  (Here's to hoping I have as many shopping bags as the lady in the picture by the end of the day - credit: google) 

Last week was bittersweet

This week was kind of huge and epic and busy and perfect for so many reasons....Here's some pictures to prove it!  

Last week of school dinner

meow gorgeous girlfriends

making it rain swagger real $

mich hey's birthday

@UCF graduation pictures

my first layer b'day cake TEAM USA

$cake$

BGN = Board game night

Brit (in the middle!)'s engagement party :)

Master Gator Grads <33

MSM Program! WE R FAMILY

I DID IT! I GRADUATED (AGAIN!)

Making an impression

I’ve always been told that first impressions last a lifetime.  And these last few months I’ve REALLY been hearing it because of job interviews and what-not. If you’re reading this, you’re obviously smart.... so I don’t know why I bother to tell you geniuses this.  But, these are boots that make an impression.  You see, people aren’t sure if they should like them because they're torn and worn and clearly soooo vintage (FYI: they're sooo not vintage) or if they should avoid eye contact at all costs and walk briskly by because I am surely about to ask them if they can spare some change.   These babies have definitely walked a mile or two.  They'e been on the east and west coast! Of the USA! Talk about jet-setters! but I’m just not sure yet if I’m ready to part with these guys.  Maybe it’s just time for a closet-buddy.  These are some of my most oggled over brown boot duds: 

Ivanka Trump "Arlecia" boot

Steve Madden "Ruckuss"

DSW Franco Sarto "Rapid Over the Knee" boot

Dolcetta by Dolce Vita Harness Heel Boot

Isn't it awesome how this is the second post I've made about my shoes falling apart?? That's gotta be a blogging record.

TMI Thursday

If I do say so, I thought I did a pretty poor job introducing myself.  So I selflessly filled out the following to get better acquainted.  {Oh, how this reminds me of all those Myspace surveys me and my friends would send back and forth to each other!}


NICKNAMES: just to name a few....Glads, Gladdy, LayGay, Pepper, La, Lalita
BIRTHDAY: 29 May
ZODIAC: Gemini :D
HEIGHT: 5'8
EYE COLOUR: I'm rockin hazel
HAIR COLOR: Blonde
HANDED: Right-handed
FROM: Gainesville, FL
PETS: I haven't taken the plunge yet myself but I'm the proud auntie of a krazy maltipoo:

FAMILY: Yes...I have a family :)
LIKES: friends, card games, game nights, crocheting, reading, traveling, piano, online shopping
DISLIKES: controversy
FAVORITE ACCENTS: this is an easy one - Aussie
FAVE ACTORS: Kyle Chandler, Charlie Day, Jason Segal, Will Arnett
FAVORITE ACTRESSES: Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston, Connie Britton, Helena Bonham Carter, Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett
FAVORITE ANIMAL: killer whale 
FAVORITE MUSIC: right now I'm reppin country but I like it all! Bring it on Mumford, Carrie, Miley, Matt & Kim, Dolly, Ke$ha, Beyonce....
FAVORITE BOOKS: Harry Potter & Hunger Games #teampeeta 
FAVORITE COLORS: brown, gray, peach
FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK: today's Thursday and I'm pretty optimistic about it
FAVORITE DRINK: H20 but if we're talking adult bevs I choose sangria
FAVORITE FLOWER: tulips, peonies, gardenias
FAVORITE FOODS: cereal, apples, Johnny Mazetti {it's a southern thing} - funny, I never realized it was called "Johnny MaRzetti after all these years until I just looked up the recipe - also burgers and fro-yo
FAVORITE GIRL NAMES: Eloise, Sailor
FAVORITE HOLIDAYS: Halloween
FAVORITE MONTH: December and May {holla birthday!}
FAVORITE NUMBER: 7
FAVORITE SHOES: For the record I don't own any of these {Santa: I've been so good this year!}...

FAVORITE SPORT: Tennis, volleyball
FAVORITE TV SHOWS: Friday Night Lights, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Friends, Modern Family

THREE THINGS THAT SCARE ME
1. Halloween Horror Nights
2. guns {even talking about them scares me}
3. being alone at the house {getting better at this}

THREE THINGS I'D LIKE TO LEARN
1. a different language
2. photography
3. massage therapy 

THREE THINGS ON MY DESK
1. laptop
2. my planner
3. stapler

THREE THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I DIE
1. go to a shooting range {to get over my fear of guns}
2. go skinny dipping!!!
3. get married and have babes

THREE THINGS I LIKE ABOUT MY BODY
1. eyes
2. arms
3. scars

FIVE THINGS ABOUT YOU
1. I wish I was a little bit taller {you're welcome 90s fans!}
2. I can't go into a gas station without buying a scratch off lotto
3. I like to text like I'm still in 7th grade {ex: HeY gIrLLLL i BoUgHt $uMtHiNG 4U~!~!!~}
4. Love Karaoke
5. Love 2 Dance 

THREE PLACES YOU WANT TO GO
1. Abroad: South of France
2. In North America: Canada
3. In the USA: Austin, Nashville, Hawaii


That about sums it all up, folks!  That was really long and now you know waaay 2 much about me. 

Giving Thanks

Now that I’m finally out of my turkey coma from yesterday I thought I’d write a post with my hands up their playin my song the butterflies fly away wishing everyone a very happy and hunt-filled black Friday.

I’m heading to Orlando in just a few hours to see my bff (you met her here) and missing all of the madness.  But, I did drive by Best Buy last night before midnight and the line outside was circled around the entire parking lot!  I’ve actually never done Black Friday before – I’ve also never spent a Thanksgiving not in a full-on food coma. Some things never change, and I like it like that.  

I'm mad happy

I have so much to be thankful for...  But when my week is made up of things like:

-                          * Yanking off a hangnail 'til it bleeds

-                          * Inconsiderate drivers

-                          * Getting a ticket for an expired car registration (super L) 

it’s easy to forget all the REALLY REALLY GREAT parts of my life and instead focus on these insignificant details. But one thing I am so excited to share that happened to me this week is………….

I finally received my Stitch Fix package!!

Stitch Fix {if you haven’t heard yet} is this really incredibly-new way to shop & has some really great pieces.  I ordered my stitch fix earlier this week and just opened it.  Fastest delivery. Ever!  How it works is you sign up (you have to be confirmed), take a fun and short style quiz, and then the rest is up to their brilliant style team.  Kind of like birchbox, too, if you've heard of it.  I really thought the whole experience was easy and fun and there's no pressure to buy anything if it isn't your style. 

So, besides stitch fix – I am also thankful for my family, health, friends, happiness, and a three-day week!!  It must be Thanksgiving ;) 

My First Time In a Smock

Gainesville really has surprised me this year in how many fun and unique places it has to offer.  Corks & Colors is no exception.  I always thought when I left Gainesville four years ago to go to UCF, I wouldn't be coming back.  But I have to tell ya, I’m going to be really sad now when/if I leave after December graduation!! 

Finding a job has been tough but my friends are helping me get through it because we’re all in the same boat.  Going to Corks & Colors , I think, was just what we needed.  It’s this lovely place where you have an instructor help you paint.  Did I mention it was BYOB?  It was awesome.  We had a great time.  I love these girls!!

Furballs and Cat Ears

Last week my lovely friend Katy turned 23 and to celebrate for this big one she made cat ears for us to wear and we dressed like kittens (Katy’s favorite little animal).  Happy Thursday! Meeeeeow!

Gator-licious

This weekend I was so lucky to have one of the best weekends with my bff Michele.  She came up to visit for Gator Homecoming festivities (we beat Vandy!) – mainly Joel McHale/Goo Goo Dolls at Gator Growl.

                                                    Goo Goo Dolls!!! I <3 UF

But on Sunday, after she left, the fun continued.  I met up with photographer superstar Shandon Smith for a few mini-holiday sessions with some of the most presh families.  I was just there to make sure makeup wasn’t smeared, necklaces were in place, and to try to keep the kids laughing during their sessions.  {Fun fact: the fastest way to get a child to smile for pictures is to make farting noises.} Here she is hard at work.  And let me just say, the 2 boys she’s capturing here were some of the cutest.  The one on the left is one of those old souls - 6 going on 68.  

It was such a fun weekend!

Super Mario Ghost

Happy Halloweeeeeeen all of you!

I handed out these goodies today they were so easy to make!  That last one reminds me of Mario (as in, Kart - Mario Kart) 

Where did my weekend go?

Hi everyone! I hope every stinking ONE of you had a rad weekend.  The Gator's lost but my Knights won -- they beat Memphis 41-0.  Nilch. Enye. Nada. ZIp.  I can't even handle how good they are this season :) Here’s the nail polish I used to kick off the w/e in stal (aka: style).  Neutral and a bit on the alien-esque side.  Perfect timing for Halloween.  Happy Halloween-eve ya’ll!

Baby Steps

I did something kind of monumental today: I dressed myself in something other than sneakers, Nike shorts and top before 5pm!  

While most people get dressed in the morning -- I've been getting dressed after 5.  As much fun as my two-week break has been from school, my school friends went home and my out-of-school-but-now-I-have-a-job friends couldn’t play until after 5.  Thus, the no dressing before 5 rule was born. 

Since I’ve been on hiatus from this whole dressing thing, it'll be baby steps from here on out. I mean, jeans and a tank top??  Can only go up from there.   

We Love to Party!

I wish every night could be as fun as my sister’s engagement party. Most of our closest friends and family were able to make it and it was just a special night of dancing, chatting, but mostly, for celebrating K & C.  After 10 years of dating, Casey has become more of an older brother than juuuust “my sister’s boyfriend” and I know I could count on him for anything.

I’m pretty sure they know this but when it was my time to make a speech {ugggh I hate public speaking} I didn’t mention any of it; instead, I said exactly what I had told myself over and over again not to say.  Go figure!!  Therefore, I am going to try to be more prepared for the real speech I’ll be making in August.   

Anyways there are so many pictures I wanted to add today but I chose some of my favorites!  

Granddaddy, dad, and Casey's dad looking snazzy

Mom {bottom far right} and her friends

The boys and bff Lauren 

Katherine {in red} and all the bridesmaids!!

Casey, Casey's mom, and Katherine

Reacting to my speech...good or bad I can't tell!? How beautiful are they!!

Jillian Schmillian

On Friday day my weekend plans were looking pretty depressing and I was feeling like a loser.  But {dun dun dun dunn} my weekend turned out great and I was able to spend quality time with some amazing friends.  LOVE weekends like that J

Also, it turns out yours truly is the hot ticket pet-sitter.  For the next month I’ll be staying with Bea.  I've been walking her about 3-4 x's a day.  Pf yeah.  And that's not all...look how fast we’re chugging along!  Who needs Jillian Michaels when you've got Bea.  

Show & Tell

I've been going ba-na-nas for this piece after I saw it on pinterest.  Isn't it wonderful and perfect for brightening up a plain white wall? {Yep, those ^^ walls are white} But with a price-tag of $130 and so many tutorials on the web, I thought it would be a perfect project posting {eat your little alliterated heart out, Courtney Stodden}.  Let me just say, I am beyond shocked that I actually finished this instead of stuffing it in a closet 1/2-way through.  THIS IS HUUUGE FOR ME!!

But be warned, this is definitely a project that takes a while.  It took me a few days and 7 or 8 Dawson Creek re-runs to complete.  So, if you don't have the time to make it or DIY just ain't your thang...but you, like me, can't live without it...you should definitely check out Confetti System and all of their other beautiful pieces.

Also, my older sister and roommate is engaged to her HS sweetheart and getting married in August '12.  This weekend was her engagement party and pics are to come!!

Senior.

It’s finals week and gosh do I have a bad case of senioritis.  Thankfully, a friend showed me this video today and it has been inspiring, to say the least.  If I imagine the boy saying “FINANCE” instead of “bike” I might get through this week.

Exhibit A

Remember when I said earlier that things in my life don't always go according to plan.  Take a look at Exhibit A, people...

But on the bright side, this happened after I walked into the men's bathroom.  Thank goodness, cause that could have been awkward.

P.I.T. - Photographer in Training

Here are a few pics of my fav place: my garden.  She hasn’t been photographing well lately.  Or rather, I can’t take a good photo …but that’s something we’re working on here at the So She Did offices {aka: my couch}.

And here I am kneeling in my garden...Hello!

I don’t always wear a nametag or dress like I’m about to fire someone, in case you were wondering, but today is Career Fair!  This G.R.I.T.S. is graduating in December and I am off to land a job!

What’s your favorite flower?  I can tell you what my least favorite is.  These mums that have no will to live.