Finally, a Bookcase!

I love books. More than people realize I suppose. When I was younger my sister and I would get books for Christmas and have them read within the afternoon. We'd sit by the kerosene heater and read until we were done. I miss those days. As a teenager my step mom passed along her John Grisham and Patricia Cornwell books. They became my favorites.

Then I took too many years off from reading anything. I joined the Army, started college and had mandatory reading which kept me busy.

Fast forward to the last two years or so and as you can tell from my growing book collection I have started reading again. Last fall I gave myself the goal to read one book a month. I of course surpassed that, even with all my other obligations and my crazy schedule. Then for the new year I joined a Good Reads challenge to read 52 books this year. It's sort of a lot  too many a challenge, but challenges are not supposed to be easy, as I tell my dad often. I've only read 14 books so far.....

This summer it became a goal of mine to find a bookshelf that could fit into our already outgrown apartment. This weekend I got the Threshold™ Carson 3-shelf Bookcase.

Leading up to my purchase I turned to Pinterest as I often do.

We actually went to Barrett Street to look for a ladder.

I thought my dad could build me this!

My Bookcase 

Maybe it's not styled to perfection quite yet, but it's getting there. (Before you ask, no this is not all of my books.) I am still looking for the perfect bookends. At the moment I am using my fiance's heavy brass ones we picked up while antiquing. Of course there is a list of books I'm dying to add as well.

xoxo Gwen

Fujifilm Instax™ Mini 8 Camera {Pink}

$119.99 at Michael's

The film $24.99 at Michael's

This camera will remain on my wishlist until I have one. Even if it's "uncool" by the time I actually get around to splurging on one, I will still want it. They have them for cheaper on eBay (which I never entirely trust), Best Buy, and a few other places but I have coupons for Michael's. Plus I definitely want the pink one. Seriously someone buy me one!

I was definitely tempted this weekend when I had a 50% off coupon, but *sigh* poor college student and all that......

xoxo Gwen

Outer Banks, North Carolina

Outer Banks, NC has a ton of beaches as you can see from the map. Each beach offers unique experiences. Carova is the place to go if you want to get away from it all. It has wild horses and is only accessible with a 4X4. Kill Devil Hills, the oldest official town in the Outer Banks, is the perfect spot to try hang gliding. You can also visit the Wright Brothers Memorial. Manteo, located on Roanoke Island, includes the NC Aquarium, Elizabethan Gardens, Lost Colony Drama, and the Roanoke Island Festival Park. Buxton is a small village that is perfect for fishing, kite boarding, and windsurfing. Hatteras is best known for fishing, tourism, history and its remote, pristine beaches.

Each summer my fiance and I choose to stay in Avon, NC. We stay in the Avon Motel and grab pizza at night and coffee from Uglie Mugs Coffee House in the morning. There's a private beach attached to the hotel so sunrise and sunset we're on the beach. During the day we shop, and do other touristy things like visit Hatteras and take pictures of the lighthouse. It's a great getaway for us in the small fishing town without tons of tourists.

From my July 2011 trip

July 2011 trip

xoxo Gwen

Hampton Roads Staycation

By now we've all heard of a staycation. It's a great way to save money and still have a blast during the summer. Think of it like this, you're A: Giving yourself a tour of your hometown, and B: Going to all the places that you usually skip because of work, school, volunteering, etc. So what do you actually do on a staycation? That depends on where you live.

Virginia is for Lovers

Here are some ideas:
Visit your local museums.
Hampton Roads Naval Museum
1 Waterside Drive
Norfolk VA
757-322-2987
Open Daily 10 am-5 pm
Admission: FREE

The Chrysler Museum
245 W. Olney Rd.
Norfolk VA
757-664-6200
Open Sunday noon-5 pm, Monday (closed), Tu-Sat 10 am-5 pm
Admission: FREE

Go to the beach or pool.
Virginia Beach
Sandbridge

Get your bike out and hit the trails.
Virginia Bicycling Federation

Go to a Movie (or two, or three).
Rent a movie, watch something on Netflix, or go to the movie theater.

See a show.
Little Theatre of VA Beach
Little Theatre of Norfolk

Support your local sports teams.
Tides

Go shopping, take a nap, take a hike (literally), read a book, take an exercise class, host a barbecue, go to the park and have a picnic, go camping, eat at new restaurants, and spend time with your friends.

xoxo Gwen

Sorority File: White Attire Part 3

The last post in this series covers the last bits you will need for your white attire (initiation wear). You can find the dress post here and the shoe post here if you missed those.

Make-up and jewelry may be worn, but must be minimal. This is not the time to experiment with your make-up or costume jewelry. Simple, natural, day-time make-up is acceptable. No dark red lips or eye shadows. For jewelry think simple. A pearl necklace and small diamond stud earrings are both classic options.

Necklace

This necklace is simple and classy, but won't break the bank.

Freshwater Pearl Necklace with Sterling Silver and Cubic Zirconia via Target $69.99

Earrings

Whether you choose to wear real or faux diamonds remember.....keep it simple and tasteful.

Perfect

Clutch

For the actual ceremony you will not be hauling around your clutch. However, you will need a place to stash a few items: your key(s), ID, sorority pin, lip gloss, gum or mints, and cell phone. Again think white, but since you will not be "wearing" it at the ceremony it could have metallic or colored trim.

My dream clutch $1,500

Don't Forget

*Nude pantyhose

*Proper under garments (beige colored panties and bra - white shows in pictures!!)

*Camera (most people just use their cell phone cameras) #selfie #sororitygirl

xoxo Gwen

Updated Summer 2014 Bucket List

As we head into the second week in July I am able to cross off 2 more things on my Summer 2014 Bucket List.  See the list below (new accomplishments are bolded red). 

I still want to get back to the beach (hopefully OBX), but I did go down to the oceanfront on July 5th for a stroll on the boardwalk, some great pizza, and a fireworks show. It was a fun night. Then just this week I was able to spend some time with in the pool with two of my friends. Also a lot of fun.

Visit the Chrysler Museum   June 20, 2014

Go to the Norfolk Botanical Gardens  June 29, 2014

Go to as many festivals as I can  ~~Bayou Boogaloo (June 21, 2014)

Go to a Concert

Spend time with my Big

Shop the Farmer's Market

Stay involved with the LTVB  June 1, 10, 11, 12, 23, 2014

Visit the D'Art Center

Read (a lot)  ~~The Husband's Secret (by Liane Moriarty), Mockingjay (by Suzanne Collins), Eleanor & Park (by Rainbow Rowell), Ladies Night (by Mary Kay Andrews)

Pick fresh berries  June 22 & 28, 2014

Make smores over a fire

Craft (at least 2 things)

Go to the beach! July 5, 2014

Go swimming July 8, 2014

Go hiking

xoxo Gwen

Wordless Wednesday {Instagram Recap}

 

xoxo Gwen