Tis The Season?

This morning I was on the bus headed to class and what is playing on the radio you might ask but Christmas music. Now I don't mean to be Scrooge but Christmas music is for after Thanksgiving. In my opinion after Santa Claus comes to town (via the Macy's day parade of course) is when Christmas season is allowed to start. Until then I don't wanna listen to Christmas music and I don't wanna see Christmas trees, ornaments or lights. Now I love Christmas don't get me wrong, it is by far my favorite holiday and I love the Christmas spirit yadh yadh yadh. That being said, lets think about Thanksgiving for a second. Poor Thanksgiving, its gotta feel like the last kid picked for the team. Everybody just skips over Thanksgiving and wants to move straight to Christmas.  I know I might be a little bias, fall season is by far my favorite and its kinda of hard to think about Christmas when its 70 degrees outside and you are wearing shorts.  However think about Thanksgiving people, its not over yet and Santa hasn't come to town so fight the urge to listen to Christmas music eat a slice of pumpkin pie instead and think about the pilgrims instead.

Rain Rain Go Away

Rain rain go away come again... never. Gosh I am so sick of all this rain! It has been raining for the past three days its just nasty, nasty weather. Well gotta  look at the bright side at least it is not that cold chill you to the bone type rain. So in honor of all this rain I figured I should dedicate this post to umbrellas. Just because an accessory is practical doesn't mean it has to look boring (and yes I consider an umbrella an accessory). Of course this is coming from a girl who hardly ever remembers to grab an umbrella, typically I just throw on my North Face shell pull up my hood and rough it.  Anyways here are some super cute options.

Can never go wrong with Kate Spade

 Love the handle on the Kate Spade umbrella, but for $75.00 not the most economical choice for my fellow college students out their.

Of course Lilly Pulitzer

Two totally cute umbrellas by the one and only Lilly Pulitzer and only $28.95 now that's what I am talking about.

Gotta have a monogrammed option

I love the simplicity of this one and its doesn't hurt that its monogrammed. You can't beat that, check out Emily Rose Jewellery. Of course I am gonna save my favorite for last.

Vineyard Vines Duh!

 Vineyard Vine's patchwork pattern is seriously my favorite pattern of all time. The only problem is I can't find this on the website anymore. O well better keep my eye out on ebay.

Vitamin String Quartet

Now remember awhile back I said something along the lines that I can't listen to music and study at the same time.  Not anymore, I figured out my problem was that I focused to much on the lyrics when I was studying. My solution to the problem you ask? Enter Vitamin String Quartet. If you have not heard of them before get on Youtube right now! VSQ is a group of musicians out of LA who do tributes to Rock and Pop songs.  Check out their version of "Snow (Hey On)" by The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Harry Potter

The second to last Harry Potter movie comes out this Thursday. I can't even start to tell you how excited I am! I grew up with Harry, as in we were both the same age... I was 13 reading about a 13 year old Harry Potter.  Anyways I have got two tests this week so I am thinking if I work hard and do well on my exams then maybe I will reward myself and go to the movies Thursday/Friday. I can't remember the last time I have seen a movie.

Moutain Weekend

Just going for the weekend I swear.

 So the cooler is painted and my Vera Bradley is packed just waiting for my date to get out of class and then we are headed over to Tennessee for his fraternity mountain weekend. It's going to be a epic weekend. I am sure I will have plenty of stories when I get back. Have a safe weekend y'all.

Secrets.

 
This song was in the trailer for the move "Love and Other Drugs" which I really want to go see.  Anyways "Secrets" by One Republic is my new obsession.  I seriously can't get it out of my head. Enjoy.

Fall Break

So yesterday I wrote about my little road trip down to Ole Miss. Today I figured I should actually write about my visit. First off let me say for the record that Oxford, Mississippi is absolutely gorgeous.  I am so jealous of the square it puts our one road downtown too shame.

The University itself just seems so much more well planned out then Clemson. Maybe its me but when I am walking around Clemson's campus it just seems that the buildings are laid out so inefficiently and there is a lot of wasted space. Plus all the old homes that surround the campus just add to the old southern charm.

So Friday night I arrived at Hotty Toddy Sister's dorm room. I felt like I was reliving freshman year! The shower shoes, having a bathroom down the hall, the RA and how could I forget the germs? Hotty Toddy Sister was getting sick when I was there and then I started feeling sick. Friday night we walked around the square and got some dinner. By the way Friday night before a home game and no reservations is not a good situation, it was an hour and half wait.  Saturday we did some shopping. Seriously the little boutiques in the square are amazing sooo many cute clothes, just another reason I am jealous of Ole Miss.  I found a really cute blue dress to wear to the football game that evening.  Get this the University actually designates which games the fans wear red and which games they wear blue.  Clemson administration should take note, there gets a point where trying to find a handful of orange game day outfits gets old... not to mention frustrating. 

My new favorite dress and the Walk of Champions

Anyways we got a bite to eat then headed back to the dorm to get ready for the Grove. I almost forgot HTS showed me her sorority house, which just so happens to be the same sorority I am in here at Clemson.  Reason number 100000 why I am jealous of Ole Miss, their houses there were beautiful! Finally we hit the Grove.  Both my Aunt and my Dad (hence the name Hotty Toddy Daddy) are Ole Miss alum. My Aunt and Uncle don't live that far away from Ole Miss and make it to most of the home football games so HTS and I stopped by their tent. I was so nice to see them and my cousins. I couldn't believe how much my cousins had grown!

Cousins at the Grove

The game itself was somewhat disappointing,  mostly because it was freezing at that point and they were losing. I couldn't believe though that Ole Miss didn't have block seating. Their student section was just a free for all. That night we went to the Square. I couldn't believe all the people that were out and all the bars put our handful of bars to shame. Sunday I had to head back to Clemson. I had such a great visit though. Seriously Ole Miss is a wonderful school and the people there are some of the nicest around.  A message to Hotty Toddy Sister, you better watch out next semester I have a feeling the girls and I will be making a road trip!

Cities

Last weekend was fall break so I did a little road trippin' (actually there was nothing little about it an 8 hour car ride is not "little" in my book) and went to visit Hotty Toddy Sister at Ole Miss.  I loved seeing Hotty Toddy Sister don't get me wrong but the road trip itself is worthy of its own post (don't worry HTS your post will come). Now we past through two cities, Atlanta and Birmingham. Well some could argue three as we passed Talladega on a race weekend, which has now by the way inspired me to add "Go to a Nascar Race" on my bucket list.

'dega baby these people were tailgating 2 days before the race, my type of sport!

Anyways the 7/8 hour drive gave me a lot of time to think.  I cannot wait to graduate and move! Seriously don't get me wrong now little college town is great for 4 years of college, its safe and cheap.  However now going into my what seems like my 7th year in college I am ready to move on.  I want the bright lights and hustle and bustle of the city.   I want to live in that crappy up town apartment that costs three times what my rent in college is. I want the high crime rates and even higher taxes. I say bring on the smog and pollution.  Am I crazy? Yes, but I am just so ready for a change in scenery and independence.

The Vest.

It's official, fall has arrived (doing the happy dance). Now that it is officially fall it is time to break out the vests. Vests a long sleeve shirt underneath some jeans and my Wallabees, that is my go to fall outfit.  Now when I say vest I mean fleece vests, not the sweater vest that subject is worthy of its own post.  I have two vests that I absolutely love a Navy Vineyard Vests from Vineyard Vines and a Natural Synchilla Patagonia.

Hotty Toddy Sister and I at the Pumpkin Patch last fall wearing my Navy Vineyard Vest

Another option if you wanna step it up from just a long sleeve tshirt is an oxford underneath.  I would like to get a black vest in the near feature. I am thinking of switching it up and trying Mountain Hardwear's Mistral vests.

Mountain Hardwear  Mistral Vest $100.00

On the other hand I love my Vineyard Vines vest why not go with the safe option and their new Sherpa Fleece vest?

http://www.vineyardvines.com/product__108648_____14691_13051

Walking Thoughts

Weheartit.com how I heart you...

 So tonight I went walking with one of my good friends who lives up the street from me. I feel like an old lady whenever I reference "walking" but those "old" ladies are on to something. Walking is awesome. It gets you outside, it gets you moving, clears your head, you can do it longer than other physical activities such as running and plus you can be social. Back to the point, so my friend is from New Jersey (no she is not friends with Snooki or The Situation in fact she is the farthest thing away from your stereotypical "Jersey Girl") anyways I was bending her ear about how I am getting frustrated with people I know being disrespectful.

No need to hold an umbrella, just common curiosity will suffice

She brought up something that I thought was really interesting and observant. We both agreed people from the south are known for their manners and hospitality. However she made the observation that as time went on and you became good friends, some southerners suddenly loose their manners and become just as rude as the "stereotypical Yankee".  No more "Can you please pass me that?" it instead becomes "Pass me that".  Now I have been thinking about that all night and you know what? I think she is on to something.  This is coming from my own personal life experiences but southerners tend to put a lot of stock in outward appearances and impressions. So the politeness and the good manners initially all make sense.  Now all of the situations that I have thought about that support this observation have two things in common, one all the offending parties were female and second they were all college age. So in their defense maybe its just a "college thing" and they will grow out of it. I for one certainty hope so.  Even if you are with your best friend there is no need to be rude or forget your "please" and "thank yous".