4th of July

A few photos that I found on my phone from the 4th of July in Annapolis!  

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Chilly Mexico

Yes, I am in Mexico while it is 10 F at home, but its chilly here too! Like I don't have a tan and I wish I had brought sweaters.  Just wanted to send a little update! Hope everyone is staying warm wherever you are!

Merry Christmas + Happy Holidays

I hope everyone had a safe and special holiday with their families and loved ones!  

It was so nice to be home for the Holidays this year and I'm so happy we were able to celebrate with family and a few friends.  I also spent most of the day writing notes to pals around the world.  

I received Christmas cards from friends near and far this year and I can't get over how lucky I am to call these people my friends. 

Happy Holidays xo

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Copenhagen Thanksgiving - A Year in Review

[a late post from Thanksgiving]

I was reminded today as I helped Grandma make the stuffing that I was not here for last year's Thanksgiving feast!  I was in wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen.  

I can remember the Thanksgiving feast that my immediate group of friends had the actual night of Thanksgiving that mostly consisted of Americans and Australians.  Instead of an expensive turkey, we opted for chicken wings, boxed mashed potatoes, and boxed stuffing.. not our classiest moment.

But later that weekend we had our very own huge Thanksgiving spread.  

I found my blog post from my study abroad blog, The Anchor Drops and felt a pang of nostalgia as I remembered skyping in for dinner last year while my parents and grandparents celebrated without me.  

Also, just found this from the movie Hans Christian Anderson (1952)

Wonderful, Wonderful Copenhagen from Danny Kaye.  

Singing it forever more.

Happy Turkey day

Gobble Gobble! 

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Finals Survival Guide

Finals survival guide 2 by hilarybadger featuring a pom pom blanket


Happy Finals Week!
Not much has changed since last year's final survival guide, just the geographic location.

How do you cope with this extremely stressful week?

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Happy October!

It's officially time to start decorating for Halloween!

 Halloween means sweaters, mom opening up the windows and airing out the house, and decorating from top to bottom.  Mom had awesome Halloween decorations that she passed down to me to take to college my freshman year.  She always made sure everything had a little orange and black attached & I loved it!  Dad would bring home a stack of hay and pumpkins.  It was a lovely time.  I'm excited to be here this season since I haven't experienced halloween in America since 2011! 

To get you in the spirit, here are few fancy finds from Pinterest.

Halloween desktop wallpaper

Decorating a small college suite is challenging for any season.  With garland, you can never go wrong. 

Etsy Trick or Treat Garland

Etsy Halloween Paper Garland

In a dorm room full of 21 year old females that are currently writing dissertations, there are bound to be some wine bottles laying around.  What easier way to add a touch of Halloween to your common room than a few pumpkin inspired crafty bottles.  

Pumpkin and Ghost Bottles

Have fun decorating your dorm & Happy October.  

#OOTD

Happy Monday folks!

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend.  I spent mine in DC attempting to unplug and unwind after an already busy summer.  I only have about 4 more weeks left living on the Hill so its crunch time.  So many fun places to visit, people to see, drinks to have, etc.  

This 4th of July weekend I wanted to be comfy and fun.  I had never paired these two pieces together before and it just felt right.  While it was a bit warm here in the district, it was the perfect outfit for me to wonder about Capitol Hill.

Sunnies: Ray Ban | Top: J.Crew | Shorts: J.Crew | Belt: J.Crew | Flats: Steven Madden

Did you do anything fun this holiday weekend? 

Happy Independence Day!

Happy 4th of July, everyone!  

How do you plan on being patriotic today? 

I can't wait to check Bloglovin' and see everyone's super cute [red, white, and blue] outfits!  

I'm not crazy about stars, but I love me some stripes.  

Today reminds me of : flags, stripes, red & blue, strawberries & blueberries, watermelon, water balloons, parades, streamers, lawn chairs, catonsville, dc, baltimore, beaches & coolers, cut off jeans, pools, fireworks, live music, lightning bugs, friends, and sparklers.

What reminds you of the 4th?  

Have a blessed holiday with family, friends, and good health!

  Never forget the people that died so we can be free!  Live out your dreams for those people, but especially for yourself & remember how lucky you are to be born in America!  

God Bless America!

The real party is on the 3rd of July

 I am feeling pretty patriotic this 4th of July.  I'll be spending my first 4th in D.C., our nation's capital [which is exciting].  No metro'ing back to College Park, or Baltimore...I can walk to the fireworks and concert on the Mall!  I figure if I'm gonna do the 4th, DC style, it might as well be while I'm living on Mass Ave & in walking distance of everything on Capitol Hill.  

Now, from my experience last year, it seems that everyone on the political side of the game here in the district uses this time to escape DC for a week, or a long weekend.  And I can't blame them, I escaped to Annapolis with my roommate last year to avoid the extremely crowded metro's and masses of people that seem to be flocking to the district to celebrate, Founder's style.  [Because what better way to celebrate freedom and independence than to stand shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of hot/smelly people on an inescapable train car?] 

But I get it, you're in the 'center of the free world,' it's bound to be exciting, right? 

I'm still not entirely sure how I'm going to spend my time, but I do know some sort of brunching experience is going to happen.  Check out this great article on the best brunches this weekend in DC for the holiday.

My roommate from Oklahoma's best friend from OSU is here for the week experiencing DC for the first time, so I am very much looking forward to doing the 'tourist tour' with her over the weekend.   

If I was to have a 4th party of my own, I'd probably use some of these super cute free printables from Life Made Simply.  I found this on Pinterest the other day and I printed some out at work [they are simply too cute not to].  Did I make cupcakes?  Nah, but I might decorate our little row house with these little tags. 

I am starting the celebration early tonight with the annual best friend family party that I've been attending since I was 15.  Good friends, a great family, great food, happy music; it's bound to be another great 3rd of July tonight! 

Do you have a 4th of July tradition? 

 How are you planning on celebrating America, land of the free and home of the brave?

Happy 3rd, everyone!