The Best of Friends... The Forever Kind

Last night was the 2nd Party Night for Sorority Recruitment.

To continue our NFL: Nations Finest Ladies theme, the room was decorated with football paraphernalia. 

The focus of last night's party was our various philanthropy involvement. First, our international philanthropy Camp Fire USA. Next, our chapter's philanthropy Ovarian Cancer Awareness. And finally, we got the girls that were going through recruitment involved in our efforts by helping us "build a bear" for children that are removed from "unfit" homes. 

It was another great party night. I think that being a senior makes you appreciate moments that you wouldn't otherwise. Last night Mere and I sat on the patio with some of our sisters and we laughed for probably a good 30 minutes. We had sisters come to our rescue and chase (or hop after) a frog in order to save us from his attack. New inside jokes were created (aren't those the best?!), and I would even argue that new friendships formed. I love my sisters, and I feel so blessed to be a Gamma Phi Beta.

Tonight is our final party night and this ceremony truly shows our deep bond as sisters.

xoxo, E

"Gamma Phi Beta Welcomes You Here"

Last night was the first night of Recruitment (or rush, lol) and it went very well! I can't believe it's my last year to be a part of this process! I met some absolutely wonderful women last night that I know would do splendidly in our house. We had four parties last night (to those of you that go/went to bigger universities, I'm sure that sounds like nothing), and I was absolutely exhausted by the end! We had frozen pink lemonade (yum-o!) and sang our songs for the girls. They all loved "Fraternity Man" (and it just happens to be one of my favorites as well).

Here are a few pictures from last night:

Claire and I

You can kind of see it in the back... 

Our theme this year is NFL: Nations Finest Ladies

Last night was our NFL Hall of Fame :)

Mollie and ME

Whenever I hear, "E-Newton!," I know it's Mollie

My name twin! Okay, so she goes by Liz, but her name is Elizabeth too :) Love this girl.

Time to gear up for night 2 of recruitment!!!

xoxo, E

Dreaming...

Have you ever had a dream where you needed to use the potty, but you just couldn't go? Usually, I wake up from the dream and realize I actually need to tinkle (too much info? LOL)

Well, I had a similar experience yesterday morning. In my dream, I was talking to the Dean of my school. After a lengthy conversation, I walked out of his office and saw my co-worker standing before me... 

"Oh no! Charlie! What time is it?!" 

"Dude, I don't know... but it's definitely after 5." 

"Shoot!!! I missed my scheduled time to work!"

At this point, I awoke and looked at the clock on  my nightstand: 8:10a.m. 

Shoot!! I set my alarm for 7:15a.m.!!

Time to get up!! I quickly washed my hair and got ready for class. Luckily, I give myself plenty of time to get ready in the morning, so this episode of over-sleeping did not result in a missed class. Whew. 

The Moral of the Story: Your subconscious knows when you need to get out of bed!

Hopefully, my Taylor Swift ringtone will wake me up (and keep me awake) next time!

xoxo, E

A Road to Self Discovery... Is that your final answer?

What would your answer be if someone were to ask you, "Whose career/lifestyle do you admire?" 

Well, I was asked that question as a part of my reading assignment for my Entertainment Business I class. We are reading "You've Only Got 3 Seconds," and there are multiple personality/value tests in the book to help you discover more about yourself. 

Things I learned about myself: 

- I have good self-worth

- I do not believe that life is a series of exchanges 

(I will do for you even if you aren't going to do anything for me)

- I am motivated by recognition 

- Spending time with my grandmother is probably one of the most vivid and positive memories of my childhood.

(Have I already told you the stories? If so, please forgive me for re-telling them... When I would stay with my Nanny, she would make me pancakes in the morning with my initials monogramed on the pancake. She introduced me to the ORIGINAL Parent Trap, Pollyanna, Escape To Witch Mountain, and soooooo many more movies. I would always snack on the plethora of candy in her kitchen while watching movies, but her Dalmatian was always there to eat the skittle colors that I didn't like... we had a system.)

- There isn't anyone I would want to switch lives with

(I must admit, I was pretty happy with that answer! I'm so happy with where my life is and where it's going!)

- I have no clue what I would do if I win the lottery. Like none. Save? Spend? AHH!!!

- I'm a ESTJ personality: "a person who believes in the 'work ethic.' Conservative, traditionalist, comfortable in hierarchical structure, honor bound and obligated, pessimist, joiner, backbone of society." Hmm... that is a pretty accurate description, although I would argue against the "pessimist" label. And I interpret "joiner" as being a part of far too many activities! LOL

But to get back to my original question at the start of this post, "Whose Career/Lifestyle Do You Admire?" 

You may be thinking, "I wonder what Elizabeth's answer was?"

Buckle up folks...

The first answer that popped into my mind was...

Rachel Zoe.

Now, if you do not know who Rachel is, that's okay. She is a celebrity stylist who has her own show on Bravo and she is living a "glamourous life." To explain my choice, I wrote : "I think I am drawn to the apparent glam and 'fabulousity' of her career as a stylist. It is something I would love to experience in my life, but I know that I want to have a healthy balance." I would love, love, love to work for Rachel (even if just as a summer intern) so that I could experience the reality of her job. I just think it'd be amazing to go to New York Fashion Week, and have the opportunity to shop and style celebrities for a living... 

Take a look at her studio... for real... I DIE!

xoxo, E

Senior Year Bucket List UPDATE

There have been some changes to the Senior Year Bucket List. One has been accomplished, one has changed, and a few have been added!

Woo hoo!

1. Watch "Twister" (I feel like it's a necessity

after going to school in Oklahoma)

Completed: August 22, 2009

2. Go to the OKC Bombing Memorial

3. Go to POPS!/Get our kicks on Route 66

4. Get a Little Caesar's pizza.

(I haven't had it since I was in elementary school)

5. Go see the Christmas lights in Nichols Hills.

6. Visit OU (University of Oklahoma) and possibly attend

an athletic event

7. Go to the Oklahoma State Fair

8. Volunteer at an area soup kitchen/Ronald McDonald House

9. Go to a Piano Bar

10. Eat at Iguanas (a Mexican restaurant here in OKC)

11. Have a picnic at Lake Hefner

12. Train for and run in the 5K at Homecoming

13. Train for a half marathon and run next December to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

14. Eat at Big Truck Taco (and try the fried avocado)

xoxo, E

Do my friends know me or what?

I had a very special surprise waiting for me when I checked my mail yesterday. A very sweet friend sent me these ADORABLE magnets.

Doesn't she know me and my obsession with olives so well? 

Thanks Leslie!

The agenda for today is: Stage Management class, Work for an hour and a half, lunch with Megs, break, Touring class, then gym, dinner, and time at the Gamma Phi Beta house to prep for rush this weekend! I'm hoping that somewhere in there will be some time to sit back and relax... so here's to a Terrific Tuesday! xoxo, E

Back in the OKC (cont'd)

As a small add-on to last night's post... here is a pic of the 2009-2010 Oklahoma City University Student Government Association

Back in the OKC

After a weekend in Lone Wolf, Oklahoma (oh yea, it exists), I'm back in the OKC. I'm SO happy to be home (school home)!!! It was an entertaining weekend with a lot of laughing! We had some great bonding time with existing friends and definitely made some new ones. Oh, and in case I didn't mention it before, we were on the Student Government Association retreat. LOL. Now that I'm back, I've GOT to get focused. But I wanted to share a couple of pictures with you before I get wrapped up in homework and laundry tonight.

Our "resort" in Lone Wolf. 

I must admit, the environment WAS beautiful. Ellen and I went on a walk along some of the trails and started laughing (nervously) when we both came to the realization that our trail looked like something that would inspire a Lifetime movie. We could see the headline "Two OCU students disappear while on the SGA retreat." Oh bother.

Eli and his dinner table creation... Silly boy

Gearing up for another week of school. Sorority recruitment is this weekend. Excited for our new girls!! xoxo, E

I miss my summer routine

Waking up to the sun shining through my window, spending the morning reviewing all of the latest blog updates, updating my own blog, enjoying a leisure breakfast and some TV, heading off to work in glorious Los Angeles...

I miss my summer routine.

We all know that I haven't been updating my blog nearly as much as before... and the subject matter hasn't been that FAB either. But I also haven't had time to read up on the fabulous blogs I subscribe to. I miss it SO much!! And I'm not exactly sure how to get back in the habit. I have always said that it takes the first week or two of school to get into the routine. I'm hoping that holds true this year.

Today is a crazy day: Class at 9, work on campus from 10-1, 2 hours to grab lunch and pack for the SGA retreat this weekend, conduct a meeting for homecoming at 3, then leave for the retreat at 5:30. Whew. Here we go!

xoxo, E

First week of school

I got a little bit of a slap on the wrist by Momma today for not updating my blog. My apologies. The first week of school is going very well, and I think the semester will go swimmingly. 

I am busy working on Homecoming preparations already. I am in charge of the entire week and events for the whole university. EEK! Why do I keep taking on roles that require the time commitment of a full time job? And I still have to be a student!! Oh well, I'm really excited for the semester!

Tonight is one of my favorite event series that the university sponsors. Free Movie Night. We have the opportunity to head to the movie theatre and see any movie that starts after 9pm for FREE :) Tonight, Mere and I are going to see "Julie and Julia"

I will probably not post again until Sunday or Monday. We leave for Quartz Mountain tomorrow for the SGA retreat. Whew, crazy, crazy, crazy life :) xoxo, E

It's only the Second Day of School?? Really?!

This title might sound negative... but I assure you, it's not.

I got home from the gym tonight and thought, OMG it's only the second day of school. I feel like I have been back for a LONG time, but I'm loving it!!

Not much to report, but here's a pic of me and 

the roomie on her 21st bday :)

xoxo, E

Let the senior year begin!!!

Okay, this picture is a little premature, but I am SO excited for classes to start today! I realize that is a little peculiar, but I love the routine of it all. I'm excited to see my professors and get the learning started!! Because I still have one more fall semester (since I changed my major, I'll graduate December of 2010), today isn't my "last first day," but I am thinking of it as my last fall semester with my class.

The classes for this semester are as follows:

Intro to Public Relations

Intro to Advertising

Entertainment Business I 

(this is a first-semester freshman class... lol... and I'm taking it as a Senior. But, I'm very excited to meet the freshman! And my fellow "major changer" is in the class with me. Go seniors!!)

Stage Management and Production

Intro to Graphic Design

Touring Performing Arts Organizations

I'm so excited!!! xoxo, E

A very special P.S.- Happy 21st Birthday Roomie!!! I love you!

Already making progress!!

Mere and I are already making progress on the Senior Year Bucket List! Last night we watched "Twister" and all I can say is, "Why in the world did we pick Oklahoma for college?!"

  

Scary movie but it was SO good :)

I'm loving this bucket list idea so far!

Happy Saturday! xoxo, E

Senior Year Bucket List

There was a perfectly blue sky today, and I just had to capture the beauty of our campus to share with you all. PS I was standing with my friend Julie when I pulled out my phone to take the pic and she goes "Uh oh, Elizabeth is going to blog about this!" Haha

So to update you all on the Senior Year Bucket List... 

The list is quickly growing... 

Mere and I have come up with the following:

1. Watch "Twister" (I feel like it's a necessity after 

going to school in Oklahoma)

2. Go to the OKC Bombing Memorial

3. Go to POPS!/Get our kicks on Route 66

4. Get a Little Caesar's pizza. 

(I haven't had it since I was in elementary school)

5. Go see the Christmas lights in Nichols Hills. 

6. Visit OU (university of oklahoma) and possibly 

attend an athletic event

7. Go to the Texas State Fair (September 26th)

8. Volunteer at an area soup kitchen/Ronald McDonald House

9. Go to a Piano Bar

10. Eat at Iguanas (a mexican restaurant here in OKC)

11. Have a picnic at Lake Hefner

12. Train for and run in the 5K at Homecoming

13. Train for a half marathon and run next December to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

That's all for now :) We are so excited to get started!!

xoxo, E

Whew, TGIF

It's been a crazy-busy week spending time with my sorority sisters, and I've loved every minute of it. After a day full of sister time and "mock recruiting" the boys, Mere and I decided to cook dinner: bow tie pasta with chicken and broccoli.

I'm also catching up on my Wednesday night shows: Top Chef Masters, Top Chef Las Vegas, and Dark Blue. The schedule lightens up a lot starting tomorrow so hopefully I will have a much more interesting update for you all!! xoxo, E

Design Update...

Well, my sweet friend Casey suggested the exact idea that Momma came up with before she left. The winner for the above the bed decor? A photo collage of the Italy trip. I'm really pleased with how it looks. 

I love this first week back at school before classes begin. It's a great time to hang out with friends and get back into the groove before the craziness officially starts. Mere and I were hanging out last night and she showed me one of her Sprite cans that exploded because her fridge got too cold. While this IS an amazing pic, I'm wondering how she got so lucky that it didn't go everywhere? I, unfortunately, have put a can in the freezer to get it cold quick and it has exploded all over the freezer... ugh, such a mess. But I'm glad Mere didn't have to deal with a clean up.

I've also been helping Jeff organize his closet. He appreciates (sometimes, lol) my crazy organizational tendencies and has asked me to help with his closet. He decided to go through his belts to decide which ones to keep and which to toss. He wanted to keep this belt and the conversation went a little something like this:

"Jeff, NO! You cannot keep that belt. It's WAY too big!"  

"I'll just tuck the extra part in my pocket. It totally fits!" 

Ugh, what a boy... P.S. He will kill me if he sees this pic online :( LOL

I'm feeling much better after my surgery. It's been just over a week and I only have moments in my day when I'm in pain. I will hopefully get my stitches out on Thursday! Woo hoo!! 

Xoxo, E

I'm a Senior... EEK!!

I am back after a long absence from the blogging world. 

What have I been up to? 

A 5 hour flight from Charlotte to LA

A 19 hour drive from LA to OKC

A full day of moving-in (well Momma and some fabulous friends moved me in since I cannot lift anything until my stitches come out) and unpacking. 

A City Bites sandwich and cookie (yum-o)

Catching up on missed TV shows b/c of the road trip (Dark Blue and Top Chef Masters... FAB!)

Now for the title of this post... I'm a senior in college. OMG this is too much to digest. Even though I won't be graduating until December 2010, this is my last year with my friends in my class; It's my last year living with my roomie (we've been together since sophomore year in the same apartment-style dorm); It's my last year in my sorority; It's my last year to have photoshoots with my bestie; It's the last year of college!!! Oh man. 

I've decided that I'm going to make a list of things I want to do before I go out into the big-bad world. I'm SO excited to start!! (Don't worry, I'll post it on the blog just in case you care to know what makes the list)

Okay, the next portion of this post is a few pics of the apartment so far... they aren't the best pics and they are def not the final product... 

Okay, here goes: The walls in my room...

 

(please note: The Roman Holiday poster of Audrey on the vespa... 

and my FlapperDoodle pic and frame that I painted!) 

One wall in my bathroom...

(my own photography)

The living room area so far...

(pillows from Anthropologie)

(pillow I won from a Down & Out Chic giveaway!)

but I need a little bit of advice...

Clearly, the walls are still a little bare... But the major HELP moment is above my bed... I have no clue what to put here. Any great decorating ideas? I'd appreciate any suggestions!!

Xoxo from a College SENIOR! -E

iHeart my iPhone

I love, love, LOVE my iPhone. I am dependent on it, and I have no shame in saying that. I call, text, and email from my phone. I capture and review photos. I surf the internet, and I listen to music. I check my bank account and of course my Facebook. My entire life (aka my calendar) is at my fingertips. I can check the weather for any destination. If I hear a song I love, I use Shazam to see who sings it. I use the Maps to see where I'm going and how long it'll take me to get there. I play Dactyl and Paper Toss, and I use TipStar to calculate how much to leave my waiter.

iHeart my iPhone.

and iHeart these iPhone cupcakes!!

(photo: Cupcakes Take The Cake)

Nice and Cozy

Well I must say, I love camping out on the couch with my computer and a blanket. And that's what I'm doing today. I had high (and unrealistic) hopes for my recovery from my surgery yesterday. 

Thus far, Elizabeth = No Bueno. I'm in a lot of pain, but blog surfing and The Food Network/HGTV are helping ease the pain a bit. Thanks to Dilly Dallas for blogging about Betty Sonics etsy shop. I sure do love cold weather (as long as I'm dressed for it) and I think these key covers are just precious!!!

These are gorgeous fall colors... I think I'm drawn to these because they are the colors I love wear!!

These are such warm and cozy colors!!

These just make me smile. I love the bright colors; they remind me of ice cream flavors! And the best part? They are AFFORDABLE! Check out the etsy shop here!!

xoxo, E

A day at the lake

A Day at High Rock Lake:

Jacob and Uncle Geoff.

This little guy kept us laughing all afternoon long!!!

Jacob and Allie out on the Lake

Allie and Aniston

Baby Will rockin' out his Momma's sunglasses and his lifejacket!

Aniston and me pre-tubing... a pic of us post-tube would NOT have been cute. We hit some major bumps and got splashed ALOT

And whew, we caught some MAJOR air!

It was a great day with the family... just what the doctor ordered :)

xoxo, E

Extra, Extra, Read All About It!!

The travel section of The Charlotte Observer features residents that "travel with the observer." Although we didn't make the print version, Momma and I made it on the slideshow for this week's travel section! 

Check it out HERE. We are the THIRD picture!!

I hope you have had a great weekend! We are off to the lake today to spend time with family and eat some yummy food! My grandfather's cousin is making BBQ ribs, Momma is making key lime cheesecake and banana pudding, not sure what Nanny is bringing, but whatever it is, it'll be YUMMY. Can't wait to spend the day chowing down with the fam and going tubing on the lake :)

Happy Sunday!! xoxo, E

It's a Beautiful Day...

Thank you all for your sweet comments and prayers. We met with the surgeon today and my surgery is Monday at 3pm. He feels confident that my doctor got all of the cancer, but he has decided to go back in to make sure. I am feeling good, but still trying to digest the situation.

On a much lighter note, you all know my obsession with Kate's FlapperDoodle illustrations. Well, I asked Kate to do a custom piece for me. I hope to have my own event planning firm one day, and I want to name it "Olives and Audrey" (my two obsessions). Well Kate did an amazing drawing, and I want to share it with you all!

So, now I have a question for you all: Do you have any obsessions or items you like to collect? I love anything with Audrey Hepburn or olives (except real ones). I have olive pushpins, frames, christmas ornaments, notepads, and even an olive pillow. And I have Audrey Hepburn pictures, journals, books, and a new poster that I'm going to frame and put up in my apartment! I can't wait to hear what grabs your attention!! xoxo, E

Praise in the Storm

Received some bad news today from the doctor, which has left me without much creative inspiration. After removing a spot from my back on Monday, the doctor called today with the news that the spot was Melanoma. Meeting with the surgeon tomorrow for the next step. Very hopeful that we caught it early. But for now, my friends and family are keeping my spirits high... and of course, belief that my God will carry me through this storm...

I was sure by now

God you would have reached down

And wiped our tears away

Stepped in and saved the day

But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear Your whisper through the rain

“I’m with you”

And as You mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm

And I will life my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

Every tear I’ve cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

- Casting Crowns

Mommy WOW... I'm a BIG KID NOW!!

I love, love, love "House" and "Grey's Anatomy."

However, I have a major issue with needles. I hate being stuck, and I hate watching others endure this fate. 

My Momma has been a loyal Red Cross donor for years... and I have always said, "I will NEVER give blood." However, after this past weekend at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, I reconsidered my stance. I learned about the importance of donating platelets, and the immense benefit these donations have to the young patients.

I thought about it and came to the conclusion that if I wanted to donate platelets, I needed to donate "whole blood" first. You don't jump off the high dive without swimming in the deep end first... how's that for a metaphor?! LOL

So today was the day, Momma took me to the Red Cross and I donated!! I have the tendency to build things up to a greater height than necessary... I do this so that I will be relieved when it "wasn't that bad." And guess what?! It wasn't that bad!!! LOL

Of course there is a little pinch when they insert the needle, but I felt so great when I was finished!! My next task is to donate platelets. It can take up to two hours, so that may be a task for fall break.

If you've never donated, or are like me and have a fear of the dreaded needle, I encourage you to stand tall and take the plunge... you'll be glad you did. Helping others is one of the best feelings in the world!! -E

p.s. I was pretty proud of my "red dot" souvenir!! 

LOVEly giveaway winner... plus a BONUS prize...

Well, I'm home!

And Random.org has selected the winner of my LOVEly giveaway...

Congrats to The Socialite at Vanessa's Runway! 

Email me your address and be on the look out for a lovely surprise!

Waiting for me when I arrived home was my most recent FlapperDoodle order. Inside, there was a bonus mini-print. To me, love means giving to others. In the spirit of love and giving, I decided to gift the bonus print that Kate gifted to me... Random.org selected:

Lauren from Shooting Stars Mag 

as the BONUS winner of the flapperdoodle mini-print. 

Shoot me an email with your address as well  :)

Congrats to you both! I'm glad to be home and back to my blogging! -E