Sac City

Hey loves! I honestly cannot believe it's the end of July already. Seriously though, in a little more than 2 weeks I'm headed back to school. Can't say I'm not beyond excited! These past couple days have been both great and a little heart breaking at the same time. This past Thursday my family and I headed out to California to help move my brother into his very first apartment, as he is attending Sacramento City College this fall. He will be playing on their baseball team which is one of the best baseball programs in the nation. I couldn't be more proud of him and I know Sac City will be a great stepping stone for an even brighter baseball career. I'm hoping he makes it to the bigs so he can set me up with a teammate, who wouldn't want to be a MLB wife?! Haha our trip consisted of a long and painful trip to IKEA, an even more painful day of assembling all the furniture, as well as a day trip to San Francisco! We had a great time at Fisherman's Wharf in San Fran checking out the shops and walking around the boardwalk. There were a few too many birds and an obnoxious amount of people there for my liking but it seemed like something you had to do if you were in the area! Below are some pictures I took that day. Now, it's back to reality and the working world for a couple more weeks!

Do I have any west coast followers?! Or anyone else sending a sibling away for college?

xoxo,

rFe

Lilly planners & coupon codes!

I'm anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Lilly planner! I swear by my planner, it keeps me organized and helps me keep track of all my events for school, sorority, tennis, and work! I love all the options for the Lilly planners this year, it was so hard to pick one! I opted for the Soft Cover Agenda mainly because I'm in love with Multi Floral Punch print :) It's exactly the same as the Large Agenda but it has a plastic cover so it's a little bit lighter in weight - never a bad thing!

I'm also very excited about the sticker packs (I'm such a kid at heart). Now somehow I stumbled upon a coupon code that allowed me to get free shipping whooo! Since this was the first time I've ordered from the Lilly site (surprising but I tend to use Preppy Princess more) I got to use the code "welcome" at the check out. If this isn't your first time ordering from their site, I'd try using a different email and maybe it'll work. The second code I have is "ohshift" which you can type in to get a free keychain! I love saving money almost as much as I love spending it :)

Who's ordered their Lilly planners already?! And which style/print did you get?

xoxo,

rFe

Sunday Social - Vacations

Happy Sunday loves! Today I'll be linking up with Ashley at Ashley's Carnival Ride and Neely at A Complete Waste of Make Up for Sunday Social, this week's theme is vacations! I absolutely love to travel and have been fortunate enough to have gone quite a few places in my day :) I hope I can continue to travel in the future as much as I have the past 20 years. Let's get to the questions...
1. What is the best trip you've ever been on? I can't pick just one, I have two! Both very different. My first favorite was a family vacation to Hawaii. I believe I was a junior in high school and I loved every second of that trip. Getting to Hawaii was not the most fun however, (we flew from Green Bay to Minneapolis to L.A. to Honolulu to Maui) and they lost our luggage for a day in the process! No worries though, we got to buy new swimsuits and our hotel was very accommodating as well. We spent 5 days in Maui and 3 days in Honolulu. Maui was definitely my favorite, it was unbelievably gorgeous. I would go back there in a heartbeat! A couple fun things we did in Hawaii was take surfing lessons, go on a helicopter ride, and we went to a luau :)

My other favorite vacation was also when I was a junior in high school. I had been dying to go to New York City and my grandpa used to fly there for work every week. So we picked a weekend in October and my grandparents, mother, and I went there for a long weekend. It was great because my grandpa was going there for work anyway so we just went along to shop and got all the perks of flying with him...After arriving in New York we were picked up by A LIMO which drove us through downtown Manhattan to our hotel. It was so amazing and our hotel was beautiful! We spent the next couple days shopping and we were supposed to go see Wicked but unfortunately that's when the play writers were on strike so the show was cancelled :( I definitely want to do a trip to New York again soon!

2. What is your best idea for a girl's weekend trip? If everyone could afford it, I think New York would be a great place to go with some girlfriends for the weekend. The shopping, the shows, and the nightlife would be a blast. I've also done Chicago weekend trips (pictured below) which are always a good time as well!

3. What is your best idea for a couple's trip? Hmm...there's a small area in Wisconsin called Door County which is made up of tiny little towns that could be a good place for couples. It's right on the water so there's tons of beaches and the cutest beach houses you'll ever see. I go up there with my mom a lot because they have some good shopping. It'd be nice to stay in a bed and breakfast there and explore for a couple days!

 4. What is the best vacation on the cheap? I'd say weekend trips to Chicago are relatively cheap if you do it the right way. I have friends that live near there so we always stay at their houses so there's no need to pay for a hotel. Then all you have to pay for is a train ticket to take you downtown as well as meals and such.

5. What is the place you most want to visit? Europe for sure! I plan on studying abroad either Spring semester or doing a summer term in Europe. Right now I'm thinking I would go to Italy and I'd like to travel to Spain, France, England, and Greece while I'm there!

6. What are your travel necessities? Well I've already gone over some of those in my Travel Essentials post and I'm working on the second part of that right now so stay tuned and you'll find out :)

That's all I have for today! Thanks for reading!

xoxo,

rFe


 

Hit me baby one more time

So I'm beyond excited to announce that I've been nominated for the Liebster Award AGAIN! I guess I'm doing something right :) Thank you so much G and S at Southern Sass, y'all are hilarious I love your blog! So in case you haven't read my previous post...

"The Liebster Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome." 

So here are the rules:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves

2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer

3. Choose people and link them in your post

4. Go to their page and tell them

5. Remember, no tag backs!

11 Facts About Me :)

1. I'm a total Pinterest addict, I have 23 boards!

2. I went through a stage in high school when all I wanted to buy was Juicy Couture, I still have 4 Juicy purses, a wallet, and a ridiculous amount of jewelry 

3. I'm really trying to become a runner but it's not working at all

4. My breakfast usually consists of a coffee and a blueberry crisp Clif Bar 

5. My 18 year old brother is one of my best friends 

6. I believe napping can solve almost any problem

7. My Starbucks order is almost always a vanilla latte 

8. Ever since I stared working at Banana Republic, all of my clothes come from there or Gap - I can't resist my 50% discount! 

9. My mom, grandma, and aunt are all huge shopaholics - when talking about my shopping habits they always say they "created a monster" :)

10. I'm really afraid of getting old

11. I have an unhealthy obsession with Tim Riggins

Answers to S and G's Questions

1. Did you have a "fake" name a child you would always go by when playing? If so what was it? Hmm, I never had anyone call me by a different name but I had an imaginary friend named Bubba...lol

2. All time favorite movie? Cruel Intentions!

3. Do you already have your future children's names picked out? Haha yes of course :) for girls I like Emerson, Anabelle, Analeise, Blair, Lilly, Gemma, and much more I can't remember! For boys I like Jaxon and Grayer 

4. First concert to attend? I saw Kelly Clarkson right after she won Idol

5. Number of hours spent on the computer a day? I would say one and a half, maybe two? During the school year it's a lot more though

6. Favorite food? I love Mexican food :)

7. Favorite quote? My favorite quote is "you can never be overdressed or overeducated" wise words Oscar Wilde

8. Would you rather be a stay at home mom or a career woman? I'd like to be a career woman first and then a stay at home mom 

9. Jacob or Edward? EDWARD

10. Jen or Angelina? I think Brad's better with Angelina but Jen's more normal 

11. Do you find Tom Cruise and his ways creepy? Oh definitely 

My Questions

1. What's your favorite movie quote?

2. What's your go to outfit for a night out?

3. What's your favorite part about blogging?

4. If you could have dinner with anyone (dead or alive) who would it be?

5. Mac or PC?

6. Team Gale or Team Peeta?

7. What's your favorite sport to play and what's your favorite to watch?

8. What's your favorite restaurant?

9. Who's your favorite designer/brand?

10. What's your favorite season?

11. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

And the award goes to...

The Midwest Prep

Southern Bug

Bluegrass Bred

Kentucky Belle

Pink Kisses & Wishes

Love your blogs ladies!

xoxo,

rFe

Liebster Award!

So I'm going to try and contain myself here but I've been nominated for the Liebster Award! Eeeeee (yes, I'm actually squealing with excitement)! My greatest thanks go out to the lovely Helen at With a Little Sparkle and Shine for nominating me, I absolutely adore your blog!

"The Liebster Blog Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers. The meaning; Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome."

So here are the rules:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves
2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've tagged to answer
3. Choose people and link them in your post
4. Go to their page and tell them
5. Remember, no tag backs!

My 11 Facts :)

1. My dream law school is Vanderbilt, I might actually die and go to heaven if I get accepted there

2. I have the worst diet ever, my favorite foods include - candy, Starbucks, and Chipotle - I really should be obese

3. I'm not athletic at all but somehow I'm good at tennis

4. I'm slowing turning into my mother

5. I love horror movies but they really freak me out - I refuse to sleep with my windows open because I'm afraid someone will break in and abduct me

6. I'm so horrible with directions, I seriously get lost every time I drive somewhere, thank god for GPS!

7. Joining my sorority was by far the best decision I've ever made in my life

8. I have a unicorn Pillow Pet named Pauly 

9. I absolutely LOVE to travel, I've been so blessed with all the places I've gotten to go. Our most recent family vacation was to Cabo, it was my 3rd time in Mexico and I was finally old enough to drink! We had a blast going to the bars in town :)

10. I'm beyond terrified of birds - no joke

11. I was lucky enough to be in a fashion show this year, one of my good friends (and sister) made this dress completely our of umbrellas - it was so exhilarating walking the runaway!

Answers to Helen's questions:

1. What is something unique about you? I have a black belt in Taekwondo!

2. What is your favorite commercial on TV right now? Ahh, I don't get a chance to watch TV very often but I can tell you my least favorite commercial - this horrible Chevrolet commercial where all they say is "Tonito" the whole time. Seriously so annoying, I tried to find it on YouTube so y'all would understand but I couldn't :(

3. What is your worst habit? Procrastinating for sure! I really need to work on that one...tomorrow...

4. What is your favorite boy band from the nineties? I was an N'Sync girl :) but Backstreet Boys are a close second

5. What is the grossest thing you have ever eaten? Probably venicen, my family lied to me and told me it was steak so I'd eat it - I could totally tell the difference but we were at a friends' for dinner so I was polite and ate it anyway

6. If someone made a movie about your life, who would play you? I'd like to think Emma Stone would play a pretty good me :) I love her

7. What is your favorite activity to pass the time? SHOPPING and blogging

8. What do your favorite shoes look like? I'll show you :)

9. What is the weirdest thing you have ever done while driving? Take off my pants haha I was driving to a tennis match and was miserably hot so I took off the sweatpants I had on over my tennis skirt

10. What is your biggest pet peeve? When people are rude for no reason, I hate poor manners

11. What is something you are truly proud of? I'm proud that all my hard work payed off in high school and I am now attending (and doing very well at) the 4th largest University in the nation - a lot of people said I wouldn't make it in the big city but I've loved every second of college. I joined a sorority, made the club tennis team, got a job, and kept up a good GPA - I think I proved them wrong :) 

My Questions

1. What has been your biggest accomplishment in life thus far?

2. What is your all time favorite song?

3. Facebook or Twitter?

4. What's your drink of choice? If you're 21 years of age of course... ;)

5. If you could travel to any place in the world, where would you go and why?

6. What's your most embarrassing moment?

7. What's your favorite quote?

8. Who's your biggest inspiration?

9. Why did you start blogging?

10. Have you read 50 Shades of Grey? Opinions?

11. Who's your biggest celebrity crush?

And the award goes to...

The Preppy Diaries
Monogrammed Scrubs and Strings of Pearls
Preppy Love
Creativity and Cardigans

It was hard for me to narrow it down to 4! There's so many great blogs out there. Also, I have a special little surprise tomorrow so make sure y'all check that out :)

xoxo,

rFe

OHP Wednesday

Yay it's that time again to link up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday! This is pretty much the only link up I consistently do every week (except last week...haha) but I'm such a Pinterest addict I can't help it. I think I have some pretty good pins too ;) enjoy!

Always

Love everything about this picture

Obsessed with this ring 

Dive in theater - is this real life?

My favorite season 

Hot damn...

Frye boots are definitely on my fall wish list!

I really love this quote 

A living Blair Waldorf 

And I'll end with some wise words from Patrick Star

As always, let me know what you think of my pins! 

P.S. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten - Travel Essentials: Part 2 will be posted shortly!

P.P.S. I'm doing a fabulous giveaway once I hit 50 followers, so stay tuned for that :)

xoxo,

rFe

Travel Essentials: Part 1

So I know I've been relatively absent lately but I've been traveling so much! I figured this presented a great opportunity for me to do a post about all of my travel essentials. There's way too many things I love for traveling to put into one post so I'll be doing two! Part 1 will be all essential suitcases/bags/totes that make my trips a little less stressful and are just all around life savers.

1. Vera Bradley Large Duffel Bag - this duffel is the perfect weekend bag. I don't like to use large rolling suitcases when I'm only going somewhere for a weekend, they're just inconvenient and heavy. What I love about the duffel (besides the obvious - it's adorable) it that it fits SO much stuff in it. I'm a notorious over-packer so having a lot of space is ideal for me. It's also easy to carry around, it has large straps that easily go over your shoulder. Lastly, it's bright, cute, and looks great in the backseat of my car :) I'll make a note that I use this duffel for weekend road trips only. The website says it's carry-on compliant but I don't believe that's the case, there's no way you'd be able to carry this large of a duffel on a plane. I would also never check this bag because I've seen Vera duffels get ruined (the handle got detached from the bag) because of the not so gentle handling from airline employees. However, I make weekend trips much more often than I do week long vacations so I definitely have gotten my money's worth out of this bag. This is the exact size and print that I have :)

2. Lilly Pulitzer Insulated Cooler - this is another essential bag I like to bring on trips with me, plus it's Lilly so I already adore it. What I really love is the insulation, you can use it in multiple scenarios. The first one is obvious, for any type of beach/lake trip the cooler is ideal for holding drinks, refrigerated snacks, and such. So easy to pack up and throw it in the boat. Another practical use I've found is for carrying cosmetics and hair products. It's so nice to have them separate from my clothes because all too often something spills and ruins whatever it's next to in the suitcase. Any spillage in the cooler though can be easily wiped off and nothing gets ruined! I also enjoy the bottle opener that comes attached to the bag, how convenient... :)

3. Longchamp Le Pliage Tote - okay I'm obsessed with my Longchamp. Before I purchased one, I didn't really understand the hype but I've had mine for almost a year now and I'm so in love. I use it for school, work, traveling, running errands, you can use this bag for literally any ocassion. The size is absolutely perfect and the material of the bag lets you easily wash off stains. I made the mistake of bringing mine to a party once and some drunk idiot spilt beer all over it (I know right, so annoying) however, I used a washcloth and water to clean it the next day and it looked like brand new! Anyway, it's perfect for traveling because I can fit my magazines, Nook, water bottle, and anything I forgot to put in my other suitcase in there. My Longchamp is always my carry on bag when I fly. 

This is the exact Longchamp I have :) I'm in love with the color because it's so different - it's discontinued now so I rarely see ladies with the same one! Also, if you're looking to buy a Longchamp but don't want to shell out $125 keep an eye out at big department stores' outlets. I got mine from Off Saks Fifth Avenue (one of my favorite stores) for $98! They definitely don't carry them often but that's where you should look if you want to find them on sale. 

Alright, so I've covered all essential bags and duffels for traveling - stay tuned for Part 2 which will cover essential clothes and cosmetics for traveling! And let me know what you think of my picks :)

xoxo,

rFe

Yes, I'm still alive

Hello lovebugs! Sorry I've been so M.I.A lately but with my trip down to Summerfest and the 4th of July I've hardly had time to get to a computer (I'm doing this post from my phone - hopefully it works ok!) Unfortunately, you don't get all the perks of posting links and such but that's alright, I just wanted to update y'all on what's going on with me lately :) So I got to spend 3 days with my little last week, we attended Summerfest which is a music festival in Milwaukee and had such a good time! We saw Lupe Fiasco and the band Fun (they sing We Are Young) I couldn't have asked for a better time, we also got to meet up with a couple sisters that were in town. Since then I've been at my cottage with all of my family, boating and hanging on the lake! It's the perfect place to come and relax, I'm so happy I have this week off work. Anyway, here's a couple pics (bear with me, they're from my phone) of what I've been doing. The first is one of my sisters and I at Summerfest, second is our lovely Lake Emily, and last is my little and I! Happy late 4th everyone :)

Xoxo,

rFe