Celebrating Galentine's Day

February 14th is Valentine's Day...or if you're single, it's Saturday. Actually, it is still Valentine's Day and there is no reason to be bitter about it. No one said Valentine's Day had to be about romantic love. So instead of sitting around, hating the weekend, some of my friends and I are going to do "Galentine's Day" on Friday. Now, some of you are probably like "OH MY GOSH, Parks and Rec!" and that is totally the correct reaction to have. However, I have never seen Parks and Rec, but my friends mentioned it, and we decided to turn it into a wine night instead of a brunch. Whatever, or whenever (Saturday is good, too), you decide to have Galentine's Day, here are some tips to making it fun and successful.

One: Food
There are no guys around to see you eat a dozen cookies, an order of french toast, or an entire pizza. You can do classy appetizers like baked brie, or you can just throw some Easy Cheese on the table and go with it.*

Two: Music
Spotify has plenty of Valentine's Playlists for whatever mood you're in. You may want to avoid the Barry White, Marvin Gaye one and focus on something a little less sexual. That being said, you don't need to blare Miranda and Taylor and hate men the whole time.

Three: It's About Your Friends
This is Galentine's Day, not Hate Men Day. I mean, you can talk about boys, but don't have a bonfire to get rid of everything your exes gave you, like the one on Friends.** Hang out, talk about boys, talk about clothes, and basically have a normal night...but with a fun title.

Four: Movies
If you want to watch a movie, I recommend "He's Just Not That Into You" or "Bridesmaids." Really, almost any rom-com will do, just avoid "Love Story" or "Titanic," the first one because it's gonna make everyone cry, the second because it is way too long for a girls night!

Five: Wine
Okay, this doesn't have to be a factor, but wine nights are always fun and that is definitely what my friends and I are going to be drinking. You can even make it BYOW and then try each other's bottles of wine and see which ones you like. Or, you can all accept that you're in college, buy some Franzia, and call it a day.***

Six: Laugh
Enjoy the night! Who said that Valentine's Day meant you have to hole yourself up inside and hide from the love all around? Treat it like a Friday and Saturday night because, honestly, it's just the weekend to most college students. #SingleAndReadyToMingle

xx
erin

*I do not actually recommend using Easy Cheese...is it even cheese?
**see below

***Trader Joe's has cheap wine, don't buy Franzia

Summer in Shape

Okay, going back to the real world tomorrow is going to be really tough. Coming off a couple of fun days at the beach and then a relaxing weekend is a far cry from a 40 hour a week job and an internship. However, I would probably get really bored just sitting around all summer knowing me, so maybe this isn't the worst thing in the world.

Speaking of Beach Week, I have a confession. While I had a great time there, I was a bit down for parts of the week because I was not happy with how I looked in a bathing suit. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying I was feeling so terrible that I never showed my face or body on the beach, but I was just a bit self-conscious. I could have and should have been in better shape going into the week. There is no excuse for me to eat unhealthily or not exercise during the year, and yet I managed to somehow convince myself that it was okay.

I go to the beach six weeks from yesterday, and I plan to be significantly more confident going into that trip than I was for this one. I am not saying that my body is going to do a 180, but I can definitely make some good life changes in the meantime. I spent a lot of time over the last couple of days looking at different health tips for eating and I have a gym membership as well as two feet that know how to run, so I am pretty set for my exercise. This isn't going to be easy for me, knowing my love of snacking and sweets, but it is time to make some healthy changes in my life. 

You may notice, there is a new tab on the header for this journey. Honestly, blogging about this is going to have its good and bad moments, but it will definitely keep me more accountable! If any of you are planning on getting in shape this summer I would love to know what your plan is and keep in touch (you can just email me: sugarsnappearls@gmail.com) and if you have any tips, I would also love to hear them.

Also, I just want to stress that this is a personal decision for my health. I do not love myself any less at whatever weight I am, it is about more than that. I am also not doing this as a "beat the scale" challenge because, from what I've heard, those never go well. This is a summer for fitness and making changes that will last me a lifetime! 

xoxo,

Sugar Snap Pearls

*image from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/*

Beach Body in One Week

So you are leaving for Florida on Saturday and that whole "beach body" routine you'd been planning on doing sort of fell off to the wayside thanks to Girl Scout cookie season and those winter blues? No worries. There are still ways to improve your body in the last couple of days before your big vacation for you to kick it into gear. No, I am not promising some sort of crazy weight loss pill or diet...that is unrealistic and unhealthy. If you want to lose 5lbs by Saturday, my only recommendation would be a stomach flu, kidding, but you get the idea.

These are some tips on how you can improve your beach body in the last couple of days before the big vacation. And if you still aren't happy? Wear a PFG and let's get in shape after Spring Break as we prepare for Beach Week (this is my plan...those Girl Scout cookies get me every time, whoops)

1) Drink More

Drink more: water, tea, detox water.

Drink Less: caffeine, carbonation, and alcohol.

Essentially keep yourself hydrated. Detox water can be as simple as adding any combination or one of the following things: mint, lemon, cucumber. It makes the water even more refreshing and will help flush out your system. You should always stay hydrated, but it will especially help this week. Oh, and as for the drink less section, if you think I am not going to drink my morning coffee just so that I look good at the beach, you're crazy.

2) Exercise

Well, this should be self-explanatory. Even if you aren't going to magically transform your body in less than a week, exercise will stimulate blood flow and help kickstart your metabolism. Plus, have you ever noticed that you look more fit after working out, like if you do a killer ab routine that you seem to have flat abs for a few hours? Well, that is because the blood is going to your muscle tissue during the workout and it will hang around for a bit. So, if you want to look like you're in better shape than you are, get a workout in before you head to the beach. (disclaimer: you will probably be sore if you do this after not regularly working out...)

3) Eat Right

Stick to those leafy green vegetables and stay away from the fast foods. There are dozens of lists of "detox" foods out there and basically those are the ones that are less likely to make you bloat and easier for your body to break down.

4) Spice Up Your Life

Add some cayenne or jalapeño peppers to your diet! There are so many studies that show how adding spices to your diet will jumpstart your metabolism so just throw them in with your normal food and you'll be good to go.

5) Stress Less

I realize this isn't totally possible. I mean, I am stressed about the exam I have today and the two papers I have due tomorrow. However, I need to plan it out and know that it is all going to get done...and be thankful that yesterday's snow day caused my Friday exam to get moved back. So on Thursday, I am going to do a personal at-home spa day, but I need to keep calm all week. Just use a motivational quote or a to-do list to remind yourself that you can do it!

Obviously, this plan isn't perfect, but there isn't any plan that will get you the perfect beach body in a few days. And anyways, you should love yourself and the way you look regardless...there is always room for improvement, but don't let that stop you from loving yourself and your life right now. 

xoxo,

SSP

Struggles with Stress

"Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere."

-anonymous

Thank you, Pinterest, for that quote. That was actually one of the first quotes that I ever pinned and I still remember thinking about how accurate it was and how much it pertained to my life. I am such a worrywart. I stress out easily and then lose sleep and nothing good comes of it because I am too tired and stressed to produce at my full capacity. I am trying to really work towards embracing stress management tactics because I know that I am as guilty of this rocking chair life as anyone else.

Worrying is pointless, stress can be crippling, and life still goes on. Somehow out of all the messes that I have gotten myself into one way or another, a quote that a wise man once recited to me rings through:

"Some of the worst things in my life never even happened"

-Mark Twain

This is a quote I tell myself daily now. We are capable of spending so much time worrying that we forget about the here and now. I am not saying that stress will ever disappear, and sometimes a crunch deadline is just the motivation I need, but I am saying that we can manage it. For example, I am pulling late nights in the library this week preparing for next week's exams so that I can enjoy my brothers' visit to UVA this weekend. I am managing my stress, sure it will still come around, but there is no sense in hoping on my rocking chair of worry for what the week will bring

1) Plan Ahead: Take your syllabus or important work email and put all the deadlines in your agenda, google calendar, etc. Make sure that you know what's coming up so that you're prepared for the weeks ahead and that you don't get caught off-guard and have to scramble to get all the work done.

2) Make a List: No this isn't the same as number 1. Making a list means that you should make a to-do list of everything you need to do to prepare for an exam, work presentation, etc. If you have a checklist, you can benchmark your progress and feel more productive as you ensure you get everything done and having a plan means that, while it may be overwhelming at first, it is doable.

3) Relax: Do not spend so many hours in the library that you go cross-eyed if you can help it. Read a book, watch Netflix, or just do something that will let you decompress from the stress and pressure of work or school. 

4) Release Endorphins: Let's take a page from Elle Woods on this one. Exercise is such a great tension relief and it is also a nice study break. Take a break for a run or to go to the gym and come back feeling reinvigorated and ready to take on the rest of the day's studying.

5) Sleep: There are several studies that show if you are sleep deprived, you may as well be drunk. Well, that doesn't sound particularly conducive to effective work or exam taking. Get some rest, you will be far more productive in a few hours of alert studying than that crappy prep we have all done at 4 in the morning...it just doesn't work!

6) Eat Well: Start your day with a balanced breakfast. Get some brain food, jumpstart your metabolism, and take on the day. No one wants to be hungry and stressed...especially if you're a stress eater (totally guilty of this one).

Essentially, the key to stress management is staying on top of your game. Falling behind is when stress really tends to seep in. There is no point in worrying about something that we cannot change, but it will probably happen all the same. Just try to manage this stress and make it a mild motivator rather than a crippling burden.

How do you manage your stress?

xoxo,

SSP

Overcoming Embarrassment

To have embarrassing moments is to be human. It shows that you've lived a bit and stumbled (sometimes literally) along the way. The trick is to take those moments in stride and not worry about them, to overcome that situation and move on with your life. 

 I am an expert living through these situations. Without a doubt, I am one of the biggest klutzes I know and I definitely say the wrong thing or end up in an awkward situation more often than I'd like to. This wouldn't be a problem if I could simply move on, but I really struggle with that. Seriously, I am up writing this post at 12:42am because I couldn't sleep thinking about one of these situations. So what did I do? I grabbed my phone and discovered that a quick google search had no good solutions. Come on internet, someone has to have a guide for getting over this! Then I realized, I am totally capable of doing it on my own and so is everyone else. Sure I can get caught up in the emotion and what I perceive to be embarrassment that should result in me moving to the Arctic or at least transferring colleges, but that doesn't have to happen. Just follow a couple of easy steps to getting over your anxiety:

has this happened to you? keep reading...

1. Keep your head high: I tend to kind of burrow in my shell when faced with an uncomfortable situation. If you can keep going as if nothing happens, people will think nothing has happened...the power of perception, people!

2. Laugh it off: You are not the first nor the last to be in a situation like the one you're in, regardless of what it is. Think of it as you would if your friend was in that position, chances are, it is probably comical and/or ironic that this happened.

3. Own it: Guess what? It happened. Whatever it is that you are running over a million times in your head will not change if you keep thinking about it, so don't. Move on with your life and focus on more important things like, who's gonna win Juan Pablo's heart on The Bachelor.

4. You aren't that important: One more thing, this is a big deal to you, but probably not to anyone else. And if they really have the time to dedicate to thinking about the awkward situation- a) they need to pick up a new hobby b) they're just as awkward c) you thinking about it, doesn't change it.

just because this is adorable

Seriously, this happens to all of us. This is the third consecutive semester that I have had a class and discussion (actually, techincally this semester we have a once-a-week intensive seminar) with one guy and I literally just learned his name in class today (yesterday? most of y'all are probably asleep while I'm writing this). The best part? He didn't know mine either. See, it was a quick awkward name exchange and then we moved on with our lives. So move on with your life, awkward as it may be, and live it to the fullest without caring about how others are judging you! Disclaimer: I mean judge you for being awkward, this is not an excuse to give up showering or be a b**ch 24/7.

So, live life, embarrassing moments and all. How do y'all overcome embarrassing situations?

xoxo,

SSP

Sick Day Essentials

And just like that, the semester has started. And just like that, I am coming down with a cold. It's not exactly surprising since I have been on the go for a while now and this weekend was back-to-back days of recruitment. There is nothing worse than getting sick at college. You have to go on with life, go to classes and other meetings, and try to take care of yourself. That's why it is so important to take care of yourself at school. So if you feel a cold coming on, make sure you take care of yourself and try to adjust your schedule accordingly. It might be a bummer to miss out on a day or two, but it is so much better than being sick for a long time and being out of commission for a week. So stock up, and make sure you're keeping yourself healthy as we start classes up in the midst of flu season!

What are your sick day essentials?

xoxo,

SSP

Do It Today!

There aren't enough hours in the day. If I had a nickel for every time I thought that or had a friend express it to me, I certainly wouldn't know what college loans feel like. The sentiment is true though, it is so easy to overcommit ourselves, especially in college. Fear of missing out (FOMO) is real, and we want to capitalize on everything, so how do we do it? 

I have expressed my love of to-do lists before and I stand by it. Without a list, I would get nothing done. As much as my lists helped me though, I still found find myself getting distracted. A list really is no good if you spend 3 hours watching Netflix or take a nap that results in 10 things left on your list at 9pm. There are ways to overcome this though. Recently I have really started to schedule my day in my head, sometimes even writing a time next to an item on my to-do list just to help me schedule it. Oh, and the Pomodoro Technique is awesome...definitely helping my productivity!

I made a sample daily agenda for this post, so feel free to use it. And if you have any other motivational quotes to include on it, email or comment with them! I'd be happy to make ones with different colors and quotes! Let's be productive together!

Also, this post is a part of a new series that I am going to be starting on College and Beyond. I know that I am not alone in trying to navigate my life as a 21 year-old with a broad range of interests and a liberal arts degree! More on this later...

xoxo,

SSP

The Essentials: Kitchen Edition

This is probably strange, but I love grocery shopping. I think it's that I feel so accomplished after I do it...you know, because without it, I'd starve. Well I was grocery shopping the other day and I realized that:
A) it is much different to grocery shop for an apartment than for a dorm (much less Easy Mac)
B) there are a few essentials that I always have at my disposal. 

Fruit and Veggies

Everyone thinks fresh produce is expensive but it really isn't. If you buy it, eat it and you won't have to spend money on more unhealthy snacks. Bell peppers are a personal favorite because you can chop them up and throw them in a salad, bring them as a snack, or sauté them to accompany your main course. I also love bananas, apples, berries, spinach, and carrots. 

Coffee

Keurig. Duh.

Chicken

It's cheap and it freezes well. I get the value packs and then just cook up one or two for the week and reheat them. I would absolutely fail as a vegetarian so this is a must for me.

Pasta

Kroger brand whole wheat pasta is $0.99. You can't beat that and a box is good for a couple of meals. Just grab some olive oil and seasonings or red sauce and you have a quick and easy meal. I also get the bulk pack of frozen meatballs to heat up and toss in with the pasta...perfect and cheap!

Sandwich Supplies

I love sandwich thins because they're perfect for a regular sandwich or a breakfast sandwich. I get the vacuum-sealed deli meat at Harris Teeter because it's a great selection at a great cost.

Ice Cream

How do I avoid exhibit self-control with ice cream? I buy the individual serving cups when they're on sale. I love the Skinny Cow Carmel Cone ice cream (which apparently Kroger doesn't have...). These are sometimes put on sale for 10/$10 so stay on the lookout. And don't worry, the cashier's judgmental face when you buy 7 single servings doesn't seem to matter when you get all that goodness ;P

Snack Foods

If I am running out the door to a meeting or classes, I often don't have time to prep something. I usually grab a trail mix and an apple for lunch and that easily gets me through to dinner. My friend at tech had a great idea to prep snack baggies ahead of time for the week so it's cheaper and just as healthy!

Instant Meals

Sometimes it is just a easy mac kinda night. There's no shame in being too tired to cook. I have easy mac, soup, and tuna at my disposal for nights when cooking just isn't happening.

It was really hard for me to pare down this list, and honestly there are quite a few other things I rely on, but what are your kitchen essentials?

xoxo,

SSP

22 by 22

HI! I'm 21 today!!!! I really wanted to do something for my 21st that would be meaningful to me and so I decided that I would take a page from Mackenzie Horan and do a list. Now mine is not quite as intense as her 101 in 1001, but I thought a 22 by 22 would be a good idea. Anyways, I am posting it here and later this week I will add a tab to the blog so that y'all can keep up with my progress.

turning 21 with some of my favorite ladies at Gold Cup

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

5. Learn to fly fish

7. Consign some old clothing (use money made towards #22)

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 (in DC)

13. Hike Old Rag (traumatic experience last time I did this when I was 12...)

14. Read Anna Karenina (it will happen one of these days)

15. Make 10 pinterest recipie dishes

16. Snail Mail Coorespondence

17. Make business cards

18. Blog 4 times/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 one off and then invest in something I love for my 22nd Birthday 

Do any of you have a list?

xoxo,

SSP

Fall Getaways

I am almost Blacksburg-bound people! I am so excited to spend a couple of days with amazing friends and my brothers and of course Hokie Football. Weekend getaways are the best, but I always struggle to pack for them. What if the weather changes? What if we go (insert activity here) and I don't have (crucial item)? There are endless struggles with packing and I certainly get my overpacking gene from my Momma. I'm not kidding the woman brought a full suitcase for Parents Formal last weekend.

My trip this weekend is less than 48 hours, but the list I am giving would be perfect for a Friday afternoon-Sunday evening trip. Also, I tried to include as many suggestions as I could from J. Crew Factory because again, it is 50% off today...yeah, crazy amazing. You would be hard pressed to find this quality at this price elsewhere. Enjoy!

The Packing List:
Good Overnight Bag: I absolutely love the Carry-On bag Lesportsac gave me. If anyone is looking for the perfect weekender, this is it! (Lesportsac)

Sweater: it might get chilly (especially in Blacksburg) (JCF sweater)

Button-Ups: regular and Chambray...they go with everything (JCF Camp Shirt)

Riding boots/Duck boots: Change this up based on the weather and what you're doing, but I can say that I have never regretted bringing my Duck Boots anywhere

Ponte Pants: I may never wear real pants again (JCF Gigi Pant)

Jeans or Cords: Real pants are always a good idea too

Skirt: It's the perfect item to dress up or down. Bring one in a neutral color and mix and match it with other items you bring for the perfect outfit for any activity (JCF accordion pleat mini)

Field Jacket: I am loving my new J. Crew coat, it is perfect for this weather and so cute. (JCF Field Jacket)

Vest: Puffer vests are one of my favorite things about fall that I left off of my list. I wear mine all the time, also, Eddie Bauer has them on sale sometimes for amazing prices so keep an eye out! (Eddie Bauer Vest)

Necklace and/or Scarf: Bring a fun piece of jewelry with you. Just one that can add a little flare to your outfits, shockingly enough my tortoise flower necklace is my neutral travel go-to ;) (JCF necklace)

Flats: This should go without saying. A neutral flat will get you far in life. (Steve Madden)

Comfy Stuff: Relax, wear something comfortable, I know you'll want to on the drive back!

Toiletries: self-explanatory...I hope
Game Day Attire: I will be rocking some serious Orange and Maroon tomorrow

What are your weekend getaway essentials this fall?

xoxo,
SSP

Fostering Friendships

"He who covers up a misdeed fosters friendship, but he who gossips about it separates friends."

Proverbs 17:9

Chi Omega: Lambda Gamma

I have this habit of opening my bible to a random page, reading a verse and seeing how it applies to my life. I feel like God is really speaking to me when I do this and it calms me down when I can't deal with all the stress. Today's verse made me think of a couple of interactions I've had recently where I said something without thinking and immediately regretted it. Quite frankly, I always regret talking bad about someone right after doing so. I know what it is like to be talked bad about and I know how much hurt can be inflicted by the slightest comment. Even if I pass a judgement on someone or have an opinion, that doesn't mean it should be said. It is not up to me to influence those around me of the characteristics of another person (unless one of my friends is going on a date with someone I know to be seriously bad news bears...obviously). 

I have thought about how much I dislike doing this in the past but never acted on it. Today I am going to make a mini-resolution. I am going to work on stopping doing this. There is no reason to pass harsh judgement on a person's actions and all you'll end up with is an empty hole in your heart where friendship should be fostered.

Be the friend you want to have to everyone you come across. Sure, there will be people who don't treat you with the same respect, but wouldn't you rather be the happy one surrounded with good friends?

And on that note, I am going to stop procrastinating on this paper...

xoxo,

SSP

Allergy Season

This morning I woke up to discover allergy season has hit Charlottesville. Fall allergies tend to come out of the middle of nowhere for me, often before most of the leaves have changed.  Since I ended up having no classes today and a to-do list a mile long, I got to spend some time sitting at my kitchen table in my apartment checking it off...an activity I will resume after my evening meetings (college is busy!).

My Allergy Survival List:

Tea

Coffee is my favorite morning (well, really anytime) drink. However, I stick to tea when I have a scratchy throat. There are so many great herbal teas out there that can sooth the sorest of throats. For my fellow caffeine lovers, I recommend a black tea infused with spearmint!

Honey

It's sweet and sometimes I like to add it to my tea. I've also heard that local honey can help with allergies? I don't know that this is true but I always buy local honey and frequently sneak a spoonful of it on its own! 

Cough Drops

Sometimes these help, sometimes they don't. Regardless, I keep a little stash of these ready to combat a day with bad allergies.

Water

I cannot stress this one enough! Drink tons of water. It will help clear up your sinuses and water won't hurt a scratchy throat, in fact it may help. Keeping hydrated always makes me feel better when I am under the weather.

Allergy Medicine

Obviously, talk to your doctor before taking any medicine first and foremost. I am not a doctor or anything remotely close to one, but my doctor always knows what's best for my allergies. Keeping ahead on my routine here does wonders for the allergies!

Has anyone else been hit by fall allergies yet?

xoxo,
SSP

Oh Mr. Darcy

"You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

-Mr. Darcy

Well, gee, ummm, okay, sure let's get married. Who doesn't melt into a puddle reading that line? Of course, that was actually what he said before Elizabeth shut him down, but that's a minor detail, moving on now... (Also, I have this quote framed on my gallery wall...NBD.)

Pride and Prejudice is a timeless love story that has given every woman a dream man. Mr. Darcy is cool and calculated. He seems to be an starch-collared, arrogant member of the gentry, yet as you read on you begin to see his softer side. His life experiences have made him hardened, but a woman like Elizabeth Bennett has the power to change his callous nature. Women love Darcy because we want to believe that behind every stern brow is a man who is capable of passionate love and affection. 

I could go into my adoration for Mr. Darcy and Jane Austin's character development (as well as that of several others) for hours...but this is about a far more important matter. This is about how he is portrayed in cinema. Before we go any further, I feel as though I should issue a slight disclaimer: if you have never read the book you might disagree with me because you have no medium to compare it to, but anyways...here it goes:

Honorable Mention: Martin Henderson from "Bride and Prejudice"

I mean, how can you not love a Bollywood take on this classic? I know I love it. Seriously, go watch it. It's absolutely hilarious and the costumes are amazing! Fun fact: we actually watched this in my AP English Lit class after reading Pride and Prejudice...thanks Mrs. Wydra!

3) David Rintoul- 1980 BBC miniseries

He is an excellently stern Mr. Darcy, however the character never seems to warm up, there is only a sudden change at the end. Also, the BBC acting around this time was a tad bit plastic and feels a bit like a soap opera. Bonus: The actor portraying Mr. Collins delivered the most accurate portrayal I've ever seen. 

2) Matthew Mcfayden- 2005 film adaptation

If you think he should be #1 you probably haven't read the book. If this is the case, you have also never heard the quote from the beginning of this post because it was butchered in that scene where Hollywood thought a rainy rotunda* would do better than the parlor...which I actually thought took away from the emotional tensions present. Also, Darcy should've been more composed, throughout, than in this version...proper decorum mate it hard enough to marry below your class, let alone show such overt emotion.

If you have read the book, I can see how you might want to see a flaw, but being this awkward just isn't Darcy. I guess I just really prefer a prim and proper Darcy a la my #1...

1) Colin Firth- 1995 BBC miniseries

This should never be questioned. Ladies and gents, Firth epitomizes what a Mr. Darcy should be. He is composed and yet there is a sense that he might be a bit less haughty than that appears. Firth just has a way about him that suits him so perfectly for this role. Most people who have seen him here tend to carry this image of him whenever they see him in other movies. There is a reason he was such a perfect Mr. Darcy to Bridget Jones. He really is sensational in this adaptation and I swoon for his Mr. Darcy. Plus, being a miniseries, it actually covers the book pretty thoroughly. 

Oh, and you know, the post-lake scene isn't half bad here ;) (*note: it is okay to slightly alter less crucial scenes)

Who's your favorite Darcy? I can't believe I just dedicated a post to the subject...

xoxo,

SSP

P.S. My friend Meghan approved this list, so I know I'm not alone in this...

College Commitments

"The secret of happiness is: Find something more important than you are and dedicate your life to it."

-Daniel Dennett

Have you ever heard that it is better to stretch 6 inches wide and 2 feet deep than it is to stretch 2 feet wide and 6 inches deep? Well, that is the jist of what my high school counselors and other mentors have always told me. It makes sense, why be barely involved in a dozen things when you can really delve into 3-4? 

I believe that college is both one of the best opportunities to explore what interests you, and the final chance to do so before the responsibility of the real world comes crashing down post-graduation...okay, that might have been a bit dramatic but you get the idea. 

Do what you love and love what you do. Don't do something because it will bolster your resume...if you hate it that will show and it will affect you in other ways. Yesterday I had 4 classes and 3 discussions and all I could think about was how excited I was for my Relay for Life meeting that night. And guess what? After my meeting I went to the Chi Omega house and spent another hour brainstorming with one of my sisters about Relay. I love Relay and I love working on things for the organization no matter how exhausted I am.

lovely Chi Omegas take Relay (indoors because of dumb rain...)

It isn't too late to get involved. Write down a list of things you love and look at flyers around campus/grounds. Ask friends what they do and stop and talk to people who are tabling. Just find something and get involved now. You will find that as you pursue a passion, it motivates you to achieve. I believe in hard work, but I also believe that without passion, hard work is just an empty shell with little reward to show. 

This should translate into other aspects of your life. Pick a major that inspires you, that is why I study Foreign Affairs! Find a summer position that exposes you to an interest. I am so lucky to be a fellow of The Perfect Game Foundation. I got to work on an amazing internship this summer and while working 2 jobs plus an internship sounds crazy to some, it wasn't for me because I reveled in the time I got to spend working for a sports-related company.

Pick a passion and pursue it. It sounds so simple, yet it took me 20+ years to really understand it.

xoxo,
SSP

P.S. for all my Hokies out there, Ut Prosim might be the phrase with the single biggest impact on me throughout my life. I guess you really do bleed maroon and orange once you touch that Hokie Stone...

Rowdy Redneck and Sorority Socials

So I should be reading or doing my spanish homework right now...but I wanted to blog and decided that was more important, so, you're welcome ;)
First off...HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to (one of) my little(s), Emily. I adore you and I am so happy that I got you as a little! Who knew that my first owl pal would become one of my favorite Chi Omegas!
Anyways, back to blogging! This weekend was so much fun. Chi Omega had our first date function of the year...the infamous Rowdy Redneck! We kick off the year with this d-func every year and it was a blast. I took one of the Chi O transfers and we had so much fun. I loved everyone's costumes and it was great to get to see everyone. 
Having so much fun got me thinking about other date function themes so I went on a bit of a pinterest binge and here are some of my favorites that I think everyone should suggest as a mixer/dfunc theme in the future! Hope y'alls weeks are off to a great start!

 

other social/date function ideas:

woodstock!

 

"noah's ark" (left) "you are what you drink" (right)

"dynamic duos" (left) "nursery rhymes" (right)

What is the best social/date function theme you've been to?

xoxo,

SSP

Game Day: Girls in Pearls

Who is ready to watch UVA trounce get annihilated by Oregon today? Well, if you want to watch it and you aren't in Charlottesville...it'll be on ESPN2.
I love college football. The tailgates, the hype, the fashion, and the fans. Admittedly, the game isn't a big deal at UVA but we get to dress cute and tailgate on the lawn, which is a plus. We're a notoriously preppy school (apparently credited with making duck boots popular?) and for football games it's "Girls in Pearls, Guys in Ties." Dressing for these early games is pretty easy because it just involves throwing on your Jack Rogers or cowboy boots, a sun dress, and pearls. I'll do a post about cold weather games later...but it is just too nice out today to think about stuff like that.

Sundress

I think I might actually be wearing a skirt to today's game, but still, same idea. A google search for game day dresses will result in several websites with adorable school spirit outfits. Some of the sites even separate the dresses by school color which is an awesome time saver. 

Boots

I love wearing my cowboy boots because they're sturdy and I am not worried about getting them trashed while I stand on the hill at the game. Plus, sundresses and cowboy boots go together like peas and carrots!

Jack Rogers

For those days where it's just too hot to wear your cowboy boots, or if you want to show off that new pedicure, Jacks are the way to go. Like the game day dresses, you can easily find these in almost every school color and they even sell college and sorority themed ones specifically!

Crossbody bag

I wish I'd had the forethought to buy a monogrammed bag for football games. I have my coral one, but obviously that doesn't go with my school's colors. Any crossbody will do, its just nice to have somewhere to keep your keys, phone, school ID, and a bit of cash.

Pearls

Naturally...you need these! Freshwater pearls are more than affordable if you find the right vendor. There are always glass pearls too if you're on a tight (college) budget. The advantage of the pearls is that you can literally change your outfit 60 times and they will still go perfectly with what you're wearing!

Sunglasses

Prevent those crows feet! Get some sunglasses so that you can actually enjoy the game...a lot more fun than squinting! Oh, and don't forget your croakies! Seriously, I don't care if you don't like how they look. A pair of sunglasses on croakies trumps a busted pair on the ground any day!

Again, I know that different schools have different dress codes. At tech we just wore a VT shirt and shorts...I loved that simple look plus seeing everyone in maroon and orange made the stadium look awesome! Also, just throwing this video clip of the greatest game I've ever attended in here...seriously, I still have dreams about this game. 

Happy Game Day!

xoxo,
SSP