Oh How Strapping

Ok ladies, I need some help. I've spent the last few weeks researching a new camera. After scouring the internet for as many reviews as possible before choosing, I have made my decision. I haven't had a new camera since 2010, and I don't even know where the charger is for it anymore. I've been using my iPhone for any and all pictures, it's sad I know. All our pictures from our honeymoon are from my phone, gasp! Moving on, I finally decided on a mirrorless SLR camera. Given it's size, weight, amazing sensor, and price it's the right fit for our little family. Now comes the fun part. I'm on the hunt for a camera strap and I've narrowed it down to these four from Etsy.

Lace + dots
I love the colors, and the lace. It's practical and pretty at the same time.

Linen + Lace
Another practical strap with a little variance on the lace.
And it has linen which is a staple here in the South.

Leather
This beauty is classic yet chichi. It's also manly
enough my husband won't be embarrassed by it.

Scarf
This is the least practical, but the most fun. I like that this one is airy and light,
and I feel as though it would be comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
My concern is that it would get a little dirty in warmer climates.

What is your experience with them? I'd love to hear your opinions!

Liebster Award

Casey over at Little Miss Florida Prep and Katherine from Katherine Nicole have nominated me for the "Leibster Award." I'm so excited to share some details about me with y'all!

Here's how it all works:

1. List 11 facts about yourself

2. Answer the questions of the person who nominated you

3. Create 11 new questions

4. Nominate 11 new bloggers that have less than 200 followers

11 Facts About Me:

1. I was raised in the Baptist Church and now attend a non-denominational church in Bluffton. 

2. I was a college athlete all four years at Charleston Southern.

3. I have three brothers, two sisters, three sister-in-laws, and two-brother in laws. 

4. I majored in Kinesiology in college and planned to become a Physical Therapist, and then changed my mind to Physician Assistant. It was definitely the right choice for me. 

5. I love British reality shows but hate the American ones {Real Housewives of whatever and the like}. If you loved The Hills, you might want to check out Made in Chelsea. It's my favorite.

6. I have an unhealthy obsession with my little poodle, Sperry. 

7. I could literally eat desserts for breakfast. I have been known to eat creme brûlée and cheesecake in the last 2 weeks.

8. I never thought I would ever own a cat due to allergies and the fact that I've never really liked them, but I decided we needed one a few months after we were married. We named him Dumbledore, and he acts like a dog. 

9. I love Walt Disney World and Harry Potter. I'm actually counting the days until I can return and visit the new additions. 

10. I'm not really a fan of Facebook. In fact, if it weren't for my class group in which we share info and study guides, I would have deactivated my account.

11. I was blonde for about 12 years through high school and college. I dyed my hair to my natural color after I graduated college and will never go back.

Katherine's Questions:

1.Are you an early bird or night owl?

I have to say early bird. I wake up around 5:45 for school most days and commute an hour to get there. This often carries over on the weekends. I also get my best studying done in the morning before anyone else is up.

2. What are you currently reading?

Technically I should be reading my Obstetrics or Pediatric textbook, but I'm not.

3. What would be your dream job?

I'm pretty lucky to be in school for my dream job. A PA is seriously the best of both worlds in my eyes, you get to help people but also have a life outside of working all the time.

4. Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate, particularly Twix or Score bars.

5. What is your most prized possession?

I guess I have to say my pups and kitty. They're definitely the first thing I would grab if the house caught on fire. 

6. What's the first thing you do in the morning?

I usually snooze the alarm once but then head to the bathroom to rinse my face and brush my teeth. 

7. What is your favorite food?

I love all food, except pizza {gasp!}. I especially love Mexican, my husband says I should have been born there as much as I want to eat it.

8. Biggest pet peeve?

People who don't drive the speed limit. It really grinds my gears being that I drive 70 miles total to school and back. I don't have time for people to only go 40 in a 55. Seriously.

9. What was the last movie you watched? What did you think about it?

I actually just watched Man of Steel with the hubby tonight. It was okay, but very long. I'll probably never watch it again.

10. Pasta, wine and a good book OR pizza, beer and a movie? Why?

Pasta, wine and a book. I'm a huge Potterhead, like huge. There is just something magical about getting into a book so good you forget what time it is.

11. What's something your readers might not know about you?

In reference to #10, I'm a nerd. Or so my husband loves to call me that. I read a lot, and not necessarily for school {please don't let my teachers find out}. I read 5 books over the Christmas holidays. I'm obsessed with Harry Potter, so much so that every time it comes on ABC Family I watch it. True story.

Blogs I nominate (I broke the rules and only chose 8, shame on me):

Girl With A Latte

Lavender & Light

Prescription for Preppy

Lew Party of 2

Home Sweet Ruby

Happily Ever Parker

Life as I know it

Living the Gill Life

Questions I'd love y'all to answer:

1. Who is your personal style icon?

2. What is your favorite dessert?

3. How many brothers or sisters do you have?

4. Do you envision a big family, or just one kid or two?

5. Did you play any sports when you were younger?

6. What is your most favorite book you've read in the last year?

7. iPhone or Android?

8. Powder foundation or liquid foundation?

9. What is your go to drink on a night out?

10. Where is your favorite place you've traveled?

11. What is one skill you want to master?

Thanks again Casey and Katherine!

Weekend Happenings

Friday afternoon my sweet hubby and I met up for lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant. I guess I'm a bit high maintenance but my favorite dish isn't on the menu, I make it up as I go. What is it you ask? A hard grilled chicken taco with grilled onions and peppers and cheese. Yum. I could eat it every day.

Friday night was a pretty uneventful for me. The hubs went to Charleston for the Lowcountry Redfish Cup, and I spend my night making a lavender cheesecake. I loosely followed this recipe from Gimme Some Oven. Y'all, this is such an amazing dessert! It is such a fresh, Spring recipe but we all know I've been dreaming of Spring since January 3rd. My cheesecake cooked a little bit more on top and is a bit more golden than I think it's supposed to be, but it sure does taste amazing!

I did practically nothing at all n Saturday. Seriously, but Saturday night we attended the my husband's sister's surprise birthday party. It's pretty difficult to pull one over on her, but I think we just may have accomplished it. 

Top { Forever 21 old, similar} Jeans {J.Crew Factory } Boots {Corso Como Nordstrom}

Birthday girl and her husband

Yep, that's a unicorn piñata.

Sunday was spent recovering from the night before and studying for a test and a quiz that I have today. I hope you enjoyed this peak at my weekend!

Five on Friday

Hooray for Friday! I don't know about y'all, but this week was a pretty rough one. I'm ready to relax and enjoy the weekend {and study a little of course}. Let's start the weekend with some Friday Favorites!

1. This table is the epitome of fabulous. If only Spring would 

hurry up so we could have more outdoor dinners at our house!

via

2. These little babies are the perfect combination of two of my favorite desserts; creme brûlée and cupcakes. You're going to want to try these out, even if they do take a little work. It's worth it. You don't like cupcakes you say? Well that's ok, this recipe makes some of the best custard filling I've ever had! 

Creme brulle cupcake recipe by Cooking Classy

3. After you enjoy those beauties above, you're probably going to feel like you need to work out. Here is my favorite leg workout ever. It's a Barre workout with the Tone It Up ladies featuring Renee Herlocker. I played sports all my life and through college and my legs have never trembled as bad as they did after this workout {maybe I'm just a little wimp now}.

4. In another effort to wish Spring's arrival in the South, I think this hat would be the perfect addition to any wardrobe. There is just something about the perfect hat that pulls your spring outfit together. 

Ondamar

5. I have a tendency to say "yes" to almost everything and think this quote is a perfect reminder that it's OK to say "no."

via

Well that's it for Five on Friday! Don't miss out on the fun to come and follow along on Bloglovin or Google Friend Connect!




Also linking up with Lauren for Fab Friday!

OOTDs

It's Thursday and we're almost finished with the week. Unfortunately I have to head to school tomorrow morning for a makeup class due to "inclement weather" last week. So here are my outfits from this week minus tomorrow.

Day 9

Top {Silk Floral Sleeveless from J.Crew old, similar} Skirt {handmade by me from this tutorial}

Day 10 was also my ALE day where we headed to the nursing home to perform a full history and physicals on the residents.

Top {TJMaxx Philosophy brand} Skirt { J.Crew Factory last spring, I love this new one} via instagram

Day 11

Shirt {New York & Company sold out, similar also loving this form J.Crew Factory} Pants { Banana Republic old, similar}

Only one more day until the weekend y'all!

Valentine's Day Outfit Ideas

I believe Elise over at Cheers Y'all hit the nail on the head by saying she's "Valentine's Day neutral." I've always been a firm believe in showing love all year round, but as a lover of all things pink I thoroughly enjoy dressing for the day. I've put together some different looks to try out in honor of the holiday.

(I'm linking up with Style Elixir Style Sessions)

Which type of look will you be going for next Friday?

Gift Guide: Valentine's Day for Her

In an effort to be fair to us ladies, I've put together some ideas of what I would love for Valentine's Day. I'm sure most of you will agree that any of these beauties would be a welcome surprise, no? Now the trouble is relaying these to your significant other. 

What are you hoping for this Valentine's Day?