Turkey Day Pinteresting

Thanksgiving always seems to get shafted when it comes to celebration since it is sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas. I mean come on, it is a holiday dedicated to food and football...is there anything better? This year I am mega bummed that we are not with my extended family and that I am not in charge of decorating the table with G, but sometimes things happen. I mean there is always next year and I get to catch up with old friends and play with my puppy so it isn't as if I am miserable at home. Although we may not be doing the big Turkey Day shindig that I am used to, I am still ready to celebrate this holiday with a little help from Pinterest. There are no words for how much I love getting inspired by everything on there. It really is the perfect study break, but I have to limit my time on it or I will get sucked in for hours. Oh, if you have an iPad or iPhone, download the app. I actually prefer pinning on my iPad to my laptop! 

Anyways, here are a few of my favorite Thanksgiving themed pins for the holiday. If you click on the caption it will take you to the original pin (and directions, etc). Oh, and if you are looking for outfit inspiration, check yesterday's post. Enjoy!

what a great way to kick off the morning

loving this table

he's so adorable/funny-looking

crockpot cranberry sauce

thanksgiving cocktail

love this idea

stuffins

30 thanksgiving dessert recipes? you're welcome

What are your favorite recipes or traditions? Please feel free to share, I feel like getting a bit creative in the kitchen this year!

xoxo,

SSP

P.S. while writing this post my brothers came over to me and, after telling me I should dedicate a a post to how they are "young at heart" (read: immature), they nagged me to pay attention to them so they could show me how N had done some dumb hilarious defensive move when K went to punch him. Oh the joys of being home...but seriously, I do love being around these goofballs.

What to Wear: Turkey Time

Three cheers for Thanksgiving Break! Gosh I am so excited for a couple of days off, especially after the craziness that was happening this past week. My absence from blogging was due to exams, papers, and Relay for Life kickoff week. I love this blog, but I love my grades and involvement in the community more (especially grades...sorry, not sorry).

Anyways, with Thanksgiving a couple of days away I thought I should share some outfit inspiration for the holiday. To be perfectly honest, I am not really concerned about my outfit this year since we aren't going to be spending the holiday with my family in North Carolina like we normally do, but I am still breaking out a sweater I haven't worn for some holiday cheer. I am also more concerned with comfort because the day will be followed by an eight hour shift at Talbots in Tyson's starting at midnight on Black Friday. Since we are always in Charlotte for Thanksgiving (and really aren't into Black Friday) I have never witnessed Tyson's Black Friday and I am a little scared...it's hectic there on a normal day!

Back to outfit ideas, one of these is more casual than the other and that is totally based on how formal your Thanksgiving will be. Mine isn't, but if you go to a restaurant for dinner, chances are you should dress a tad nicer. Oh, and if you're going to visit your boyfriend's family (woohoo! you go girl) for the holiday, ask him what dress code is and then plan to dress a tad nicer. I don't know what it is about guys, but they generally lack the ability to gauge what exactly the appropriate dress code is for girls. I am pretty sure it is due to their "it's always khakis with a polo or sports coat, or a suit" mentality. And don't forget, shift dresses and flowy tops are a girl's best friend when it comes to occasions where you want to indulge! 

Turkey Time by sugarsnappearls {item details though link}

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?

xoxo,

SSP

Sweatshirt Chic

I am trying to remember where i first saw the "dressed up sweatshirt" look, but I can't. Honestly, I would bet you dollars to donuts that it was something on Pinterest as so many of my ideas come from that online slice of heaven. Regardless of where I first saw the style, I fell in love with it. People always say to me that they see me dressed so nicely all the time and what they don't know is that the second I get home, even if for just an hour or two, I fold my outfit and throw on a big tshirt and boxers. I love to be comfy, and I probably wear a sweatshirt and leggings once or twice a week around because it is college and I cannot be bothered to always dedicate time to an outfit (usually that is the time spent laying in bed and I use a cute outfit idea to motivate me to get up). 

The sweatshirt look is cute, comfy, and so easy. Seriously, it requires such little effort. All you need is a cute sweatshirt, button down, and a statement necklace. I am a huge fan of the Old Navy sweatshirts because they are at a price you can't beat and they are light-weight...perfect for those menopausal lecture halls (seriously, pick a temperature). 

I have talked about my love for statement necklaces before, and I really can't emphasize how much I love them enough. A necklace, or even a great bracelet or pair of earrings, can completely change the mood of an outfit. Plus, getting fun accessories is an excuse to only really need to stock up on the basics so that you can splurge on that one item you are absolutely dying for. 

Sweatshirt Chic by sugarsnappearls {as always, click on link for details}

Have you dressed up a sweatshirt yet? If you haven't already seen it, I did it today on my Instagram!

xoxo,

SSP

Gifts for the Guys

Today's the day! My baby brothers are 19!!! Oh my gosh, sometimes it is hard to believe they are so old and in college and doing big things. Of course, then I see them in person and am reminded that they dwarf me so that brings me back to reality. I love my brothers so much and I cannot wait to see them for Thanksgiving.

In honor of their birthdays, and the fact that being in a sorority means lots of girls wondering what to get for their guys, brothers, or dads, I decided to make a bit of a list. I categorized it by interests, and while I know I left off those with musical interests and a few others...but you get the idea. And seriously, anything in the "for the dude..." section can go to any guy.

My brothers are this strange combo of frat star and outdoorsman so I tend to hit up LL Bean for them because they love their flannels this time of year. Of course, I have never gone wrong with a bow tie or food before. As for outdoorsman supplies, fair warning, you will look like an idiot in Gander Mountain if you don't know what fishing flies or gun cleaning kit to buy (yes, personal experience).

presents for guys 1 by sugarsnappearls (click on set link for product details)

for the guys 2 by sugarsnappearls (again, details in set link)

What are your go-to gifts for guys?

xoxo,

SSP

Long Week Pinterest Inspiration

My week is crazy, crazy busy. I have 2 huge papers and 2 exams, oh plus it's Relay for Life Kickoff Week (please like this pic). What happened to "off weeks" is that just not a thing anymore? Anyways, here is a little pinterest inspiration for everyone else who has a packed week this week. We can do it!

{via}

{via}

{via}

{via}

xoxo,

SSP

Fall Fashion with a Coffee in Hand

First of all, thank you to everyone for such wonderful feedback yesterday. I love that it resonated with y'all. Thank you for reading my blog and supporting me, it means the world to me. Now, back to this post...

Fall is here and I am definitely feeling it. Tights have come out, momma is driving down with my late fall/winter gear today, and I am perpetually wearing a scarf. Just because it is cold out doesn't mean that we can't dress cute! In fact, I love the look of a comfy, worn-in sweater in the winter. Today's Fashion Friday includes some of my favorite fall looks thus far. As always, follow along on Instagram for regular outfit posts! Also, I realize there is only one picture included here where I am not holding a hot beverage...
I love coffee and it loves me, okay? no judging...

J. Crew Factory vest, pants // DSW shoes // sweater (old)

J. Crew Factory shirt (similar), bracelet, scarf //
Eddie Bauer vest

sweater (old) // Old Navy tights // J. Crew Factory skirt

J. Crew Factory jacket (similar), scarf, shirt //
H&M cords (old) // boots (old)

Ralph Lauren sweater (old) // JCF skirt //
Old Navy tights // Shop Ruche shoes

JCF sweater (old), skirt // DSW shoes

What are your favorite fall outfits so far?

xoxo,

SSP

P.S. sports fashion note: not a fan of the NBA Christmas Day jerseys, but this promo video is awesome

The Truth.

I am not the prettiest.

Not even close. 

I never have been and I never will be.

I have been told I was undatable due to not being pretty enough to have the sports knowledge I do and for being too sarcastic.

My brothers are more attractive than me. They know it, I know it, people who see us know it.

Sometimes I don't want to post a picture with them because of that.

I am the least athletic in my family and my klutziness is a running joke.

I am not a size zero. I have hips and a butt and they aren't going anywhere.
This isn't going to change because I like to eat...and it isn't always healthy food.

My head is big, as is my nose.
My smile is crooked.

My hair is flat (no matter what I do) and I hardly know anything about makeup.

I am beautiful.

Just the way I am.

I have amazing friends and family who make me feel this way.
Sports are the best. I won't stop loving them just because it emasculates somebody. Trust me, you'll have me beat on car knowledge...oh, and soccer. As for my sarcasm, it's humor, and you not liking it doesn't mean it isn't funny.

My brothers love and support me. They know it, I know it, and people who see us are envious of our relationship.

I still post photos of us because love and happiness is beauty.

Last year I ran a 17.75k and a half marathon, the rest of my family didn't. My klutziness makes my family and friends laugh and provides for some great stories.

Some girls wish they had my curves.
I have learned to appreciate and cook good food, so of course I am going to eat it.

Maybe my head is big because I have so many ideas? I'd say Barbra Streisand is amazing, big nose and all, and Jenna Lyons is absolutely inspiring.
My smile makes me unique and I won't hide it because smiling can improve even the worst of days.

My little cousin says I have "princess" hair and not being proficient at putting on makeup saves time and money.

I am beautiful, just the way I am.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

This post probably seems a bit out of the blue, but on Tuesday I became really self-conscious about how I look. It was one of those instances where my friends were commenting on a guy I know and I realized just how much more attractive he was than me...in like an "he's out of your league" kind of way. I don't really know why this particular case bothered me, it's not like I had been thinking of him as a potential date or anything, but it happened all the same. I try really hard to not worry about stuff like that. I believe beauty comes from within, but sometimes this feeling of insecurity sneaks up. It is okay to be self-conscious and worry sometimes, but at the end of the day, you have to think up a list like this to see your value. I started this list laying in bed that night, wide awake because I was so down on myself.
I am not going to pretend that I am suddenly the most confident girl in school. In fact, I am pretty shy around people I don't know. This feeling of being insecure with my image is still here, but eventually it will fade. It will start to disappear because I am aware of it and I have the ability to tell myself that I am better than that. I have other things to offer. I may not look like a model, but I have a good head on my shoulders, a sense of humor, and, I'd like to think, good fashion sense. And you know what, some guys want the girl next door.

xoxo,

SSP

just a note: This post is not meant as for a pity party for me. In fact, I hesitated to post it because I didn't want it to come across that way. I wrote it because it is how I feel and one of the things that I have learned from these last couple months of blogging is that I am not alone in my experiences. Thank you to Bry, K-Soms, and Kyle for encouraging me to publish this. Insecurities are fine and they are normal, but let's not let them define us...we deserve better than that.
Oh, and don't forget, all y'all are beautiful, because beauty is about more than a pretty face. Looks fade, happiness endures. 

with my two favorite guys, crooked smile and all