6 Things to Love About Fall

Happy second day of fall! I got to wear my favorite vest today so you know it's going to be a good day...hopefully. Honestly though, Wednesdays are long for me, but there are so many positive happy things to think about right now, like early fall weather! This is my favorite time of year because I get less allergies than the seasonal transition to spring and I love layering sweaters, plus it is only for a few months so I can binge on these things and then wait 9 months for it to roll around again. Please note, my birthday didn't even make the cut...that's how much I love everything else about this season! It's hard to pick a few of my favorite things, but if I had to choose, these would be them.

1) Pumpkin Spice Lattes

Realistically, this is pumpkin flavored anything, but I do love this drink. There are a few recipes for homemade ones that I have yet to try, but I will let you know when I do. I love the smell and taste of pumpkin and I think it's because it is seasonal, but regardless...this is definitely a fall favorite.

2) Layering Vests

I love any look that is practical, comfortable, and cute. Believe it or not, I actually like wearing turtlenecks, and if I didn't, you'd never catch me in one. Layering is perfect for those cold, frosty fall mornings that warm up to be 70 degrees by the time you walk home from class. 

3) Bonfires

Okay, so you can do these any time of year. But wrapping up in a blanket with a cup of hot chocolate sounds pretty great if you ask me.

4) Fall Colors

...and fabrics. One of my favorite parts about going to Gold Cup with my family is seeing everyone in warm fall colors and suede, furs and tweed. Normally, I am not one to stray from my classic navy, but I love dark plums and burgundy this time of year.

5) Football

Does this even need explaining? It's time to tailgate and watch your favorite college, professional, or even High School team play. Also, this is a good time of year to re-watch Friday Night Lights...you know you want to.

6) Apple Pie

Really any pie or hearty fall dish actually, but fresh apple pie is always good. What's more fun than going to an orchard and picking a bunch of apples to make a pie with when you get home? Well, I think it's fun...

What are your favorite parts of fall?

xx,
Erin

Snail Mail Correspondence

Today we communicate through texting, snapchat, phone calls, and emails. Everyone is always engaged. Handwriting skills are being replaced by speedy typing and a card is being replaced by an evite. I am far from complaining about this because I absolutely love having everything just a click away, but I do sometimes miss the seemingly lost art of snail mail correspondence. Actually, I miss it so much that I wanted to make a conscious effort to write some cards and I put it on my 22x22 list! 

Recently I got a couple of cute stationary sets at Target since I brilliantly left all of mine at school and this morning I decided to take advantage of the rain keeping me inside and watching sportscenter  to write a couple of cards. 

It doesn't take a ton of time, and it is always so much fun to get a letter in the mail. Stationary prices and style selections have a broad range for however formal, colorful, etc. you want it to be. In addition to loving cute packs of stationary, I am a huge fan of fun, individualistic cards. I have a few that I got from Harriet's General in Culpeper, one of my favorite little shops ever, especially for their paper goods selection. Individualized cards are great to add an even more personal touch to a correspondence and I sometimes have one or two on hand for close friends who don't live close by just in case they need a card or a pick-me-up one day. 

Does anyone else love snail mail correspondence?

xoxo,

Sugar Snap Pearls

Summertime Hiking

Those of you who follow along on Instagram already know that I crossed another item off my 22 by 22 list on Sunday. I am really behind on this list, so I am super excited that I got to cross this off and that I had so much fun doing it!

I hadn't hiked Old Rag in easily 10 years before Sunday. It used to be a regular hike for my family, but with the divorce and my one incident up there, it really lost it's appeal and we just didn't go back. Honestly, I was totally nervous about having to conquer the mountain again, but the trip was so much fun! For those of you who haven't been before, it is a pretty strenuous 8 mile hike with a lot of rock scrambling towards the top. I was definitely feeling the burn after that hike, in large part because I decided to pace myself with one of my brothers who apparently wanted to treat the hike as a sprint, not a marathon.

Regardless, it was such a wonderful hike and if you are looking for some sort of weekend activity or alternative exercise, the summer is the perfect time to hike! This hike was largely in the shade so we didn't feel the midday sun and the views are absolutely spectacular!

And of course we had to stop at Moo Thru on the way back! (we totally earned it) Seriously, the best Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream ever...

If you are looking for places to hike in your area, check the NPS site or just a google search will show other local and state parks! Also, always be sure to check if you can bring pets before you leave for the park because some (including Old Rag) don't allow pets for various reasons.

xoxo,

Sugar Snap Pearls

Turtle Time

Have I ever mentioned on here that my family used to have six pet turtles? Yeah, we had a pen for them outside and fed them, put leaves on them to hibernate, the whole nine yards...it was pretty awesome. Well, if you didn't know that, now you do! Speaking of turtles, I am totally on board with the tortoiseshell trend in jewelry. I love how it looks amazing with any color and can be dressed up or down.

Recently, there was a Fornash sale on RueLaLa (thanks to one of my followers to tipping me off to it!) and I got a necklace and a great set of tortoiseshell bangles. Now I am on the hunt for the perfect tortoiseshell necklace, and I think I found it, also through Fornash. Admittedly, I have been scouring the Fornash site to use my gift card that I won through an Instagram contest, but it is perfect! Fornash actually has an entire section of their website dedicated to "Tortoise Chic" which everyone should check out! Personally, I am ordering the Melisa necklace because it is a bit more of a professional casual item:

Fornash Necklace

Here are some of my other favorite tortoiseshell accessories:

The Lucky Knot Necklace
(use "Erin" promo code for 15% off)

Design Darling Clutch

Kate Spade Earrings

Jack Rogers Black Label Sandal 

Purple Peridot Cuff (only $14.99!)

Case Mate Case 

Michael Kors Watch

There are so many great tortoiseshell items out there, which ones are you coveting?

xoxo,

SSP

Finals Friday Five

Okay I have been compiling items for my Five on Friday for over a week now and it is taking all of my willpower not to share them at once (check back next week). Also, I hope everyone's finals are off to a good start...just think, summer is right around the corner!

One: Thirteen Life Lessons We Learned From The Devil Wears Prada

I don't really think this list needs a description, but I will give it one anyways. HerCampus totally delivers with this clever and hilarious group of memes. Cheers to finding a job where you get Andrea's wardrobe...without the ice queen boss! Disclaimer: I would totally work for Miranda Priestly...

Two: Dirty Chai

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Okay, my friend has now tested a Dirty Chai from a local coffee shop and it is confirmed that Starbucks has the best product. I like my chai to have some kick to it and there's is just the right amount. Of course, the price for one of these will set you back a bit, but a little self indulgence is okay every now and then. Also, I have a free drink at Starbucks right now (gotta love that Gold Card life) and can't wait to get my venti, skim, light ice, double dirty chai next week as I power through finals!

Three: 200 Girls Have Gone Missing

This is far from happy, but I believe it puts life in perspective and also exposes some of the media bias that we experience every day since this story really hasn't made headlines. We could all use some perspective during finals, when we believe that failing a final is the worst thing that could possibly happen to us. Please keep these girls in your prayers and count your blessings

Four: Soaking Up Sunday

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The College Prepster had her friend, Maxie, guest blog this post and I loved it. I feel like I dread Sundays right now, I mean all it is to me is the day before the school week and I spend the whole night in the library. There is so much to be said for recharging before a long week and I am really going to try some of these this summer!

Five: These Heels

I am in love with these shoes. They are such an amazing summer sandal and I wish I had the money for them. I have absolutely been obsessing over how bloggers around the web are styling them, especially Cait from Southern Curls and Pearls. I don't have a ton of places to wear them, but with a shoe this cute, I think I could make it work!

Bonus: Disney and Pixar Sing "Let It Go"

I couldn't help but squeeze this in here! I am such a disney lover and the guy in this video does a great job at all the voices!

xoxo,

SSP

Retail Therapy with The Lucky Knot

Finals Stress is cured by retail therapy, right? Well, I think it is.

A couple of weeks ago I found out that I was chosen as a Crew Rep for The Lucky Knot. Located in Old Town Alexandria, The Lucky Knot is one of my absolute favorite stores and I make at least one trip down there every time I go home. Their store carries some of my absolute favorite brands and has introduced me to others! Luckily for y'all, you don't have to be in Northern Virginia or DC to go to The Lucky Knot because they have an amazing online store. Even better than that? Because I am a rep, I get to share a discount with all of my lovely friends.

This means that if you type in the promo code "Erin" at checkout, you will get 15% off your purchase (online only)! How amazing is that? Happy shopping, friends! If you're looking for a starting point, here are some of my favorite items in their online store:

Elizabeth McKay blouse

Fornash Bit Necklace (one of my go-to items)

they have an amazing collection of men's neckwear!

Kiel James Patrick Bracelet

you have to see the back of this dress

you can never have too many tumblers!

tortoiseshell and a fox!?...ahh I love it

perfectly adorable for an afternoon on the beach

looking for a Spirt Jersey to pair with norts on a summer evening?

the perfect gift for the American-loving man in your life

Gosh, I wish I could just buy one of everything (stupid college budget)! What is your favorite piece on their site? I would love to know what y'all end up getting!

xoxo,

SSP

Kate Spade Keds DIY

A college girl's budget is hard to shop on. It means learning how to bargain hunt like a professional and what is worth spending money on. Jack Rogers? Worth it...oh and did I mention they're on sale on Last Call right now? I am talking I just spent like $65 and got two pairs of them...yeah, two. Follow this link to get the gift card and you can save extra money by entering the code "BestMom" at the living social checkout and enjoy!

Okay, back to this post...

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I am definitely on a budget and that budget does not include $75 Kate Spade Keds (similar)...even if they are totally adorable and covered in polka dots.

Well, all I could do was think about them and then one day when I was in Target (my happy place), I got an idea. Why don't I just make my own Kate Spade Keds? So for less than $20...yes TWENTY...I made my own pair and I couldn't be happier! (aka I got 2 pairs of Jack Rogers and a cute pair of sneakers all for the price of the original Keds)

What Do You Need:

White Keds or flat sneakers (mine are from Target)

Gold Fabric Pen

Pencil

Tissue Paper

How To:

1. Stuff the tissue or newspaper inside the shoe and try to pack it in there. It is much easier to draw on the shoe and apply pressure if there is a solid backing to it.

2. Take the laces out of your shoes so that you can color that part of the shoe too.

3. Add polka dots to the shoe.

This part is totally a personal preference thing. If you are not confident in your ability to draw a circle, trace the end of the pencil with the gold pen and then color inside that circle (this can take a while...I was trying to hold the pencil in my mouth...it was a hot mess). I personally freehanded the circles and the spacing, but I totally understand if you don't want to! Also, make sure that the color paint is what you are looking for. I did these last night with one pen and when I remembered that I had a gold paint pen, I re-did them this morning and I am so happy I did!

left is the new gold, right pen was more yellow

4. Add the laces back in and rock the shoes!

Seriously, this was such an easy DIY. I think I finished them first time in an hour and for so much less than I would've paid for the original Keds.

xoxo,

SSP

22 by 22 is Halfway There!

Happy Easter Weekend! I hope everyone is having a great weekend, I am with my family at Wintergreen for the weekend which is just the escape from school I needed. Not only is it Easter weekend, but today is my half birthday! I don't normally care about this, but it is the halfway point on my journey to completing my 22 by 22 list and I still have a lot of stuff to check off. I am not actually halfway through my list, but I have definitely checked off a few items have plans for how to check out a few more! For those of you who aren't familiar with my 22 by 22 list, here is the original list:

1) Get in Shape

2) Read 13 Books Just for Fun

3) Feel Like I've Made a Difference in my Community 

4) Manage Money and Balance my Budget for the Rest of the Year

5) Hold a Conversation in Spanish with a Native Speaker

6) Learn to Fly Fish

7) Consign Old Clothing

8) Figure Out My Favorite Big Girl Drink

9) Get a Pajama Set

10) Develop A Daily Routine

11) Host a Dinner Party

12) Spend a Day Downtown

13) Hike Old Rag

14) Read Anna Karenina

15) Make Ten Pinterest/Online Recipes

16) Snail Mail Correspondence

17) Make Business Cards

18) Blog 4/times a Week

19) Raise $1000 for Relay For Life

20) Make an At-Home Face Mask

21) Visit a Friend at a Different College

22) Put $10 in Savings Every Time I Check Something Off and Invest It in Something I Want for my 22nd Birthday

If you go to the 22 by 22 page, you will find how I have progressed so far, but here are some of the items I am planning to check off in the coming weeks!

2) Read 13 Books Just for Fun:

I am going to need to relax a bit this week after such a hectic week last week and this is just the way to do it! My momma brought a couple of selections to the house this weekend and I can't wait to dive into one or two of them

10) Develop A Daily Routine:

I basically have a daily routine, but I anticipate it getting pretty regular this week in preparation for finals coming up!

16) Snail Mail Correspondence:

I keep meaning to write a letter to Cat (my best friend who lives in Colorado) and I have the stationary for it...

20) Make an At-Home Face Mask:

What better way to relax this week than by trying an at-home spa day? I am totally turning to Pinterest for this one...

Do you have one of these lists? How is your progress going? Also, thanks to those of you who emailed me your Five on Friday responses!

xoxo,

SSP

Five On Friday: Relay and More

Happy Relay For Life Friday! Today is the day! We have prepped and raised money all year and today is the big event! I am so blessed to be a part of such an amazing organization and I am so proud of our accomplishments this year. Before I go any further, you should come out tonight for at least a few hours. We have tons of music, food, and other performances and all the money goes to fighting cancer! That being said, here is today's Five on Friday:

1) Why Do You Relay?

I realized that I somehow never blogged about this. I guess I was so busy doing Relay stuff in my "real" life that it slipped my mind to include anything on my blog. I Relay in honor of Grandmama, Lauren, Sandy, and Olivia. I Relay in memory of Linda, my Grandfather, and sadly, I am adding Toss Cline to my list this week as he lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday. Mr. Cline was a beloved teacher at my High School and the community will miss him dearly.

I also just relay for a world with more birthdays. Let's fight to blow out those candles every year and to have the word "cancer" be a thing of the past.

2) 22 Reasons Rory Should've Stayed With Logan

I have posted the Gilmore Girls "Which Guy" quiz before, but this just solidifies that Logan is the greatest. And if you're a Jess lover, there is a list for him too. He is pretty great, I'll give you that, but I will always choose Logan over Jess. Oh, and if you prefer Dean...who are you? no...

3) Lilly Pulitzer Accessories Sale

Did you miss the Rue La La sale the first time around? Looking for some cute desk accessories or gifts? Well RueLaLa is having a Lilly accessories sale at 3pm and I am sure they will have lots of goodies for you to swoon over!

4) How to Jump a Car

Huge shoutout to Christy for helping me jump my car on Sunday. I had never actually jumped a car before because I have AAA so keeping this little guide on hand is worthwhile. Thank you Pinterest (typical).

5) 10 Best National Parks to Visit this Spring

I love hiking and being outdoors this time of year (note: I said nothing about camping...). I love spending a day hiking, eating lunch, or, as finals season rolls around, studying outside. It is that perfect time of year for these adventures because it still isn't too hot to spend the day outside around here. Oh, and Shenandoah National Park is featured on this list...yay for my home state!

Bonus: 2048

Since this is probably the best way to describe why I've been MIA, I figure I should include it. I have since beaten both the regular and UVA edition of this game so I should probably be back to blogging full-time ;) oh and hint for this game: keep the big number in the corner!

Have a fantastic weekend!

xoxo,

SSP

Starbucks Lite: What To Drink This Summer

It finally feels like Spring and I am so excited for this weather. Thank God I am going home for a bit this weekend so that I can grab all my sundresses and officially transition my closet to reflect the temperature. In addition to changing my closet, I will also be transitioning my go-to Starbucks drinks. Don't get me wrong, coffee is still going to be an important part of my diet, but now I will readily ask for it to be served on ice!

Starbucks has a great lineup of iced drinks, and I even tried their Sweet Tea the other day! A lot of people worry about the calories of a Starbucks iced drink, immediately associating it with a frappuccino, but the menu has much more to offer than that, and many of these other drinks won't kill your plans for a beach body!

One quick tip before we go into their drinks: Get Light Ice! Usually they put a ton of ice in a drink and quite frankly it's largely unnecessary unless you like it watered down. Personally, I love getting light ice because when I get a drink, I really want to enjoy it...all of it! haha

Iced Coffee is always a safe go-to, plus it only has a couple of calories if you get it unsweetened. They can add milk to the drink, but if you just want a tiny bit for flavor, I would recommend just going over and adding a bit at the station on the side.

I love Iced Chai and when I have a free reward, I get a skim dirty iced chai (add a shot or two of espresso)! Again, I really recommend this drink with light ice because a watery chai is no bueno! Iced Vanilla Lattes are also a good option if you get it with nonfat milk, a tall is only 120 calories!

Their iced teas (sans the Sweet Tea) have no calories. Yeah, zip, zero, nada...oh and they're delicious. I alternate between the iced green tea and passion tea all the time in the summer. The advantage of a green tea is that there is a bit of caffeine you won't find in a passion tea. Plus, this drink is wildly customizable as a base drink. You can get it mixed with lemonade (more calories, but delicious) or blended as a frappacino. Also, if you really like the taste of either of these, getting it sans water is delicious. Usually if I do that, I don't ask for light ice, but I do love the extra kick of the stronger green tea. This is a drink to mess around with until you figure out what you like, but it is always delicious and an iced tea is very cheap (for Starbucks)

None of these sound as appealing as that Frappuccino you're craving? Well, if you still want a frappuccino, just get a tall, skinny, light one...sans whipped cream!

Also, you can get a Trienta size in iced drinks, basically a supersized Starbucks!

What is your go-to Summer Drink?

xoxo,

SSP