Thanksgiving: What I Wore

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! 

Happy Black Friday! 

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. 

I spent the majority of the morning watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, wishing I could live in New York City and make a tradition out of sitting on the streets of NYC - the couch will have to do for now. 

I also spent  part of the morning making Pretzel Carmel Bark - it was super easy to make and was a hit with everyone. 

I had two (very) similar outfits for thanksgiving that were both comfortable, and dressy when needed.

My family had an intimate dinner, just the 5 of us for Thanksgiving. I chose a simple, comfortable outfit for the casual dinner. 

After dinner, we had a "Friendsgiving", where we had an open house with desserts. I chose a simple black skirt and stayed constant with my sweater, boots, and accessories. 

As I mentioned yesterday, I love this time of year and the countless things that I am thankful for. It's been such a fun year and I cannot wait to see what the last month of 2013 brings. 

How did you spend your Thanksgiving? 

Love, Sydney 

Social Media: Twitter  Instagram  Pinterest  Goodreads Email Bloglovin

Blessings and Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving! 

As  I wake up this morning, I am watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with my sister, smelling the warm aromas of food cooking in the kitchen, and am so ready to spend time with family and friends.

Thanksgiving is one of my absolute favorite holidays, after Christmas. It is such a joyful time of year, with Christmas just around the corner, meaning people are really thinking about what they are truly thankful for and blessed to have. 

We go through our days and weeks, never stopping to think about how blessed we truly are ... We live in a country that allows us to freely speak, freely practice our religion, receive a free education, we have the right to vote. (The list could go on and on). When you evaluate your daily life, you realize (or at least I have) that there is something each and every day that you are blessed and thankful to have. There are the generic things, such as family, friends, a home, and food; yet there are other, smaller things, that we take for granted each and every day.

Such as musical instruments and the music we use to play these instruments. 

The books we have to read, and the ability to read. 

The amazing education that we are offered. 

The paper, pencils, and pens. 

The health that we are given. 

Clean water to drink.

Shampoo, Conditioner. 

I could go on for days. 

This past Saturday, I attended and volunteered at The Feeding of the Multitudes, in Downtown Charleston on the East Side. Seeing people's faces light up when they received used clothing was truly humbling. Seeing children's faces glow when I handed them new books to read, getting their faces painted, and jumping in jump castles. 

Seeing how grateful people were for a simple Thanksgiving meal.

It was a humbling experience. 

This year has had its ups and downs, yet I am still thankful for where it has brought me today. 

The year isn't ending; you still have a month to make a difference and show your gratitude and think about how blessed you really are. 

I hope that this Thanksgiving Day, you make a mental or written list of things you are truly thankful for. 

Peace be with you on this beautiful day. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good.

His love endures forever.

Love, Sydney 

Social Media: Twitter  Instagram  Pinterest  Goodreads Email Bloglovin

Wish List Wednesday: Countdown to Christmas #2

Happy Wednesday! 

It is Thanksgiving Break and I couldn't be happier. I am so ready to have a few days off and enjoy time with family and friends. There is so much to be thankful for this time of year, but also each day there is so much that fills our lives that we are so blessed to have.

This week's Wish List Wednesday includes J. Crew Factory items that are on my Christmas Wish list. (Can you believe that Christmas is 28 days away?!) 

Pleated Mini

Double Serge Mini

Scallop Trim Mini

Critter Charm Necklace

Shapes Necklace

What are you currently loving from J. Crew? 

Love, Sydney

ps. do you own Hunter Rain Boots? If so, do you enjoy them and are they worth the investment? I am thinking about adding them to my Wish List.

Social Media: Twitter  Instagram  Pinterest  Goodreads Email Bloglovin

Favorite Instagrams

Yes! It's "Friday"! I am so excited for Thanksgiving Break.

Along with my excessive time spent on Pinterest, I spend a lot of time also on Instagram. I could spend hours looking at people's pictures. I love viewing people's creative pictures and reading inspirational quotes.

Below I have shared some of my favorite Instagrams: 

@ashleybrookedesigns

@agirlastyle

@collegeprepster

@kjp

@lucylaucht

@onefinea

@sarahkjp

@sarahshermansamuel

@sarakatestudios

@theodorefitzpatrick

What instagram accounts do you recommend? 

Love, Sydney 

Social Media: Twitter  Instagram  Pinterest  Goodreads Email Bloglovin

Weekend Lookbook + Motivation Monday

This week is Thanksgiving, and I only have to go to school today and tomorrow! On Tuesday we have the Junior vs. Senior Powderpuff game, meaning an activity schedule and shortened classes. (What a way to end before break!) I am excited to have a few days off and spend time with family.

This weekend I volunteered at the Feeding of the Multitudes in Downtown Charleston on the East Side. After seeing how grateful people were for simple clothes and a meal, I am truly thankful for the things that I have. 

With only two days this week, I don't need to much motivation (even though I have so much due today and tomorrow). 

Some of my favorite quotes I found on Pinterest this week:

What are you most excited for this week?

Love, Sydney 

Social Media: Twitter  Instagram  Pinterest  Goodreads Email Bloglovin

10 Pieces - 7 Days

It can be difficult getting together outfits for each day of the week. 

But there's a solution - and, naturally, it's from Gap. 

This season, Gap is offering a ten piece "set" that can be mixed and matched each day to create a totally new outfit - and there are more combination that could be created that just aren't shown here. 

You could say I am in love. 

There are, obviously, some pieces in this set that are out of my comfort zone. But when purchasing the items, you don't have to pick the exact ten. (I'm not too comfortable with the leather jacket - so maybe I will purchase a substitute for that item.)

I love the color combination - a pretty pink and a dark navy, light jeans and khaki chords.

How are you styling your outfits for the cold weather?

Love, Sydney

Social Media: Twitter  Instagram  Pinterest  Goodreads Email Bloglovin

Wish List Wednesday: Countdown to Christmas #1

Last week in vocal, we started Christmas Music; I am ok with singing it, but I am refusing to listen to it until Thanksgiving... or at least when break starts. 

I've started my wish list for Christmas, and (of course), it is filled with items from Gap. This Christmas I am asking for lots of clothes/accessories because I feel like these are items that I am in need of this season. 

Boyfriend Chords

Real Straight Chords

I don't remember the last time I owned a pair of corduroys... so, naturally I ask for 2 pairs.

Straight Khakis // I don't have a pair of Khakis, yet I feel as though they are a staple piece. (And they come in Navy - double plus.)

Flannel Shirt Dress // I have been wanting a shirt dress since I first saw the J. Crew Shirt Dress on the College Prepster. 

Fleece Pleated Dress // A dress that can be worn through winter and spring - and boots! 

Slim Cropped Print Pants // Love the print. And the fit. (Love everything about them!)

What clothing items are on your Christmas Wish List this season?

Love, Sydney

Social Media: Twitter  Instagram  Pinterest  Goodreads Email Bloglovin

Best Pinterest Accounts to Follow

Happy Tuesday! 

 Got through  Monday. 7 days and counting until Thanksgiving Break.

and it's my 100th post! 

I am addicted to Pinterest - and I am not afraid to share it. Pinterest is a way to unwind (or to start your day)(or to help increase procrastination)(or to spend your whole entire day on), and is easily understandable... after a few days of practice. 

I love creating boards, but I love to pin. Even though half the things I pin I never look back at (this is a big issue!), I still love to pin because you never know when you may want to look back at it. 

Ashley Brooke // (and her blog). 

Favorite Board: The Good Stuff

Amy Stone // (and her blog). 

Favorite Board: Chic

Carly, College Prepster // (and her blog). 

Favorite Board: Legibly Beautiful

Katie Coppens // (and her blog). 

Favorite Board: My Style {Classic With a Twist}

Kira Ann // (and her blog).

Favorite Board: More. (or Les Vacances)

Mackenzie Horan // (and her blog/shop)

Favorite Board: Style.

Sarah Belle // (and her YouTube).

Favorite Board: I Do.

The Pink Diary // (blog).

Favorite Board: <the pink diary>.

Who are your favorite pinners?

Love, Sydney

ps. Check out my Boards on Pinterest!

pps. I had so much fun writing this post - would you like to see more "favorite social media..." posts?

Social Media: Twitter  Instagram  Pinterest  Goodreads Email Bloglovin

#MotivationMonday: Thankgiving Break

Happy Monday!

It's Monday. 8 Days until Thanksgiving  Break.

This last week before Thanksgiving Break is crucial. Once getting back from break, vocal will have just 1 week until our Christmas Concert with the Symphony Orchestra... and we just got music last Wednesday - and there is more to come. 

Teachers have also assigned tests and projects due on the two days next week that we have before break - so there is also that to deal with and manage. (#timemanagment)

With all that being said, this past weekend was full of organizing, planning, and getting ready for the last stretch before break.

"By standing firm you will gain life." Luke 21:19

What is motivating you this week? 

Love, Sydney 

Social Media: Twitter  Instagram  Pinterest  Goodreads Email Bloglovin

Updated: Favorite Apps

Before school started, I talked all about apps and programs that I thought would be helpful for the school year - it turns out that almost all of these apps are deleted or gone. 

In the end, most of the apps were not going to help me become more efficient - they were going to cause me to spend more time on my iPad, messing with them and becoming addicted with updating them whenever possible. I stick to writing all my assignments in my Lilly Pulitzer Agenda, which I absolutely love. 

Although most of these apps are deleted, but I have found apps that work for me - including some fun, entertaining ones along the way. (And I am always open to suggestions:  I love trying new things, so please recommend apps in the comments!)

Quizlet  // Creating sets with Quizlet is just as easy (if not easier) than writing note cards with pen and paper. I have found it most useful when making World Geography flashcards, but it also comes into use when studying French (or any foreign language) and Science. The biggest plus of Quizlet is the fact that you can search for sets that other people have created, and study their sets of cards.  

Kahn Academy // Kahn Academy helps me most with math - Mr. Kahn works out the problems step by steps and verbally tells what he completed in each step. So helpful. 

Bloglovin' // Makes it super easy to follow all of my favorite blogs. This has helped with my morning routine, making it quick and easy to read everything in one place. 

Wunderlist // After seeing my friend use this app, I fell in love. Being able to check things off is super helpful. I love writing things on a notepad, but also having a digital check list is helpful.

Pinterest // Best. Site. Ever. (But it doesn't help with homework). Pinterest has become one of my favorite ways to take a break, to end my night, or to start my day. I love pinning new things to try. 

What are your favorite apps? (Any kind!)

Love, Sydney 

Social Media: Twitter  Instagram  Pinterest  Goodreads Email Bloglovin