MULE

So this is my first week back at school, with all new classes. Everything has been going well thus far, and I am pretty excited about a few classes I am in. I am really excited about my Intro to Music Tech class, seeing as I really am clueless about a lot of technology! During the first class we went over the course briefly, took a survey, and then Dr. Walters talked to us about MULE. Mansfield University Laptop Ensemble. Crazy, Right?! Basically combining a bunch of different smartphones and other devices Dr. Wetzel wants to lead a group of students in creating an electronic group. I think this is so super fascinating, and I really want to try it out! Here is a video Dr. Walters showed us in Music Tech to give us some idea of what it might be like...

So if you think this is awesome, and go to Mansfield, consider joining! (He will talk more about it at Promenade today)

good ideas for a good day!

Happy First Day Back To School-Mansfield!

I have always loved first days. Of school, of a new year, of a new job, of anything. They offer this feeling of excitement and hope. I believe that I usually make a bigger deal of my first day of school in the fall, but I felt bad leaving my winter first day- out in the cold (pun intended). Here is a post of wonderful winter ideas to celebrate a new beginning for us all. 

Idea 1:

restyle that scarf!

Check out this video posted at Ruche for 3 easy but new ways to style your scarf!

Or watch the video below! 

Idea 2:

 don't be friends with Jack Frost!

 Ice Proofing the Car Windows 

What you need:

Spray Bottle

2/3 Vinegar

1/3 water

Just spray on windows and ice will melt away!

Idea 3:

recycle the sweaters that you won't wear!

Learn how to turn a cozy sweater into even cozier mittens!

 Idea 4:

Keep your feet nice and dry!

Learn How and Why 

you should waterproof those shoes this winter!

 Idea 5:

Reorganize your space! 

  Take another tip from Ruche 

and reorganize, and clean your closet! 

Did mine yesterday- (pictures to come)

That is all of the good ideas I could muster up this morning, but there are so many more out there. Take today to think of a few ways to improve your lifestyle for this new beginning!

 

Leading Lady

I am not exactly sure why, but all of the sudden this line from The Holiday got stuck in my head. I think it's because lately I have been feeling so out of control, like an on-looker in the story of my life. I know it happens to the best of us, but I really want to pull things together and regain some leading lady gumption before the semester begins! Here's the clip- good movie, cute and girly, but worth watching.

Magical Tent of Wonder (which also serves as a Fort)!

A little while ago Gabby and I made a Fort! I had been seeing so many lovely pictures of forts on Pinterest, and other blogs and I wanted one so badly to cozy up in! Lucky for me Gabby also has the spirit and imagination of a five year old so we set out to build a fort. 7 suitcases, 1 tote, 1 picture frame, 1 drying rack, 1 large sheet of cardboard, a few tacks, a shower curtain, a sleeping bag, a quilt, and 7 sheets later... we had ourselves a FORT! enjoy the pictures and video tour below!

The Outside

 Another outside shot!

 Door Closed...

 Door Open!

 Watch this next clip and get the full tour! (So worth it!)

A glance at the lamp, high ceiling, and lights!

 Gabby enjoying the coziness :)

 Me- also clearly being cozy

 Macey returning to reek havoc on the fort... 

or be cute,

who can tell?

 There is enough room to lay on the floor and stretch out!

 And even enough room to stand!

 Me: hard at work

in the fort

writing a blog post, 

about the fort. :)

I hope this post will inspire at least a few of you to make your own fort! 

Happy building!

A New Year

Happy 2012 Folks!

I realized that I have been really neglecting my blog lately, and as part of my new year's resolution, I would love to start blogging more often, especially this month since I am on break. I realized since I have been home that Pinterest has been consuming my life!! Which is fine, I mean it has been ever since I got one, but it isn't an excuse to just ignore my poor blog. Sorry blog, do you forgive me?? (it said yes).

Other than more frequent blogging I am taking on some other new habits. I am back on the 17 day diet. Unfortunately the holidays took a hard hit at my waist line, so I am cycle 1-ing it up to drop some weight before the semester starts up! I might so a post with healthy recipes soon... but only after I try a few more! (can you say healthy onion rings?)... Oh gosh I am drooling already! (if you can't wait look at some of my posts in may and june for inspiration now)

Aside from the blogging, and diet, I also received a sewing machine for Christmas! Hooray! Which makes me want to start a thousand crafty projects. But I am gonna take this slow and possibly document some of the crafts I do for the blog.

There are slews of other things I could write about that I am intending to do/ work on, but I think I will stop there with the "resolution" thing for now. Who says I can't resolve to do something in February, or June!? Actually it wouldn't be a bad idea to do a small monthly resolution....

Now back to blogging, I am looking forward to blogging more and here are some things you might see posts on:
1- healthy recipes
2- sewing projects
3- other diy projects
4- links to funny videos (because everyone deserves smiles)
5- hair/makeup/style photos (can't do much with clothing until I have my wardrobe back)
6- organization
7- cool inspiring ideas!

If there is something you as readers would like me to post about please leave me a comment! I want to write things that are interesting to me, but also others. Give me some love and leave a comment below!

Have yourself a very Ugly Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone! This week I have really been in the Christmas Spirit, Family time, Shopping, Movies, Food, Pictures, and most of all Ugly Sweaters. Our Second annual Ugly Sweater Party happened this past Sunday and it was a smashing success! We were sad not all of our original party guests from year one were able to attend, but we were excited for our new comers, and gladly welcomed them into our tradition! 

Here are select photos from the evening (most taken in front of our tacky photo backdrop!)

Enjoy the ugly- try not to throw up!

<3

 Kissing Kitten: Josh & Alyssa

 Glitter & Glitz: Audrey & Gabby

 The Christmas Lick: Justin & Kate

 Awkward Couples Pose: Danielle & Eric

 Reindeer Games: Brian & Danielle

 Snowball Fight: Kelley & Danielle

 The Ladies:

 The Men:

 The Family:

In case you are wondering who won the categories... here they are:

Ugly Sweater Champion: Alyssa Magee

Most Festive Sweater: Eric Glynn

Most Creative Sweater: Josh Lowery

Best head-to-toe outfit: Alyssa Magee

We had a fabulous evening full of food, fun, 

and rating videos of fireplaces on youtube for quality. 

Thanks all for reading, Merry Christmas!

Ugly Sweater Contest

Judgement Day is Here!

Now is the time for your feedback on Ugly Sweater week. I have 11 excited participants who wanted themselves entered into the ugliest sweater contest. Here is the format. Their name will be displayed above the picture, and a description will be below. Voting is at the bottom! Thanks to all the many individuals who participated in this week. Sorry if you had a sweater and you forgot to submit- but I couldn't wait any longer! 

Alex

Alex was proud to be rocking this sweater which he originally found in the ladies section at the good will! Not only was it popular for it's burnt orange and brown colors but the zip up made it both convenient and easy to take on and off as necessary (although who would ever want to take this beauty off?). Alex is sure that this picture will make his mom proud!

Arielle

 Arielle donned this sweater in hopes that she would brighten up people's days and get them into the holiday spirit. Instead, her sweater sent 4 people rushing to the bathroom to vomit from the ugliness. This sweater has no place around Christmas time because it will most likely frighten everyone away! 

Dr. Walters

 Dr. Walters joined in some ugly fun and dug this gem out of the back of his closet. He was caught saying "well it's not THAT ugly," although some of his theory students may have disagreed! One student said, "I couldn't focus on anything in theory all I kept doing was staring at his left shoulder asking myself... is that a pork-chop?"

Gabrielle

 Fearlessly participating from afar, here, Gabrielle sports a wonderful specimen of a sweater that was not purchased for this event, but to wear in everyday life. The sweater itself is a curiosity because of its summer-time rose theme, making it both splendidly hideous and deliciously ironic to wear in December. Pfft, ugly sweaters for the summer... if only!

Jessica

 Jessica is sporting a vintage red and black velvet v-neck sweater. You might notice that the sleeves don't quite reach her wrists. This is because this sweater originally belonged to her grandmother who was dedicated to the grandma look even when she was training to be the best arm wrestler in the world. Her theory? "If I can see my forearm during the match, i can figure out how much muscle to use." The crazy pattern didn't hurt when it was distracting her opponents. Her granddaughter can only hope one day to get as much glory out of this ugly sweater as she did. Don't be surprised when you see Jessica on a Wheaties box showing off her sweater accented guns.

Josh

 You might be surprised to learn that the picture above is not of a where's waldo scene... in fact it is a lovely sweater! Josh wore this sweater proudly displaying his love of golf and ugly things. Josh's favorite feature about this sweater is that no matter where he goes he always has people with him, which is quite suitable for his warm personality and friendly demeanor. 

Natalie

 Natalie opted for a classic pet portrait sweater to celebrate ugly sweater week. Throughout the day she was kicked out of multiple classes and other buildings because of the 'no dogs allowed policy.' Natalie was caught three times petting the dogs on her sweater, talking to them, and trying to get them to perform tricks. These life like dogs seemed to be confusing everyone! 

 

Nicole

 Nicole made a special trip to the thrift store and dug through mounds of ugliness to find 'the black swan sweater.' Not only was she confused with Natalie Portman 4 times that day, but she was also asked to perform in Swan Lake with her sweater. She truly knows how make ugly sweaters work!

Peter

 Peter displays above what I like to call 'the bloody zebra' sweater. The gray/white and black print of the sweater is splashed with a festive blood red shade. He sent students running from how ugly his sweater was when he unveiled it in soupy. However a few people were caught racing to get their photo with him because they had never seen an uglier sweater!

Sarah

 I know what you're thinking and you can stop right there, no, Sarah doesn't model ugly sweaters for a living.  Please take a moment to appreciate her decorated collar in all its splendor.  Also, come to appreciate the amazingly high 'Michael Jackson' style shoulders.  Then, look carefully at her right shoulder, you will come to notice a pointsettia plant perched there, then, as if that wasn't enough, there is a flower stem that traces down the front of the sweater.  Not pictured are the equally decorated cuffs of the sleeves.  Then, as if everything going on here wasn't enough, the fine makers of this sweater decided they would add a cable knit down the front of the sweater, because this sweater is all about subtlety.  

Sydney

 Sydney is rocking her finest sweater above. She thrives on the minimalist approach that the sweater makers took when creating this sweater. During the day multiple people had to take medicine to stop the blazing headaches that Sydney's sweater created. This sweater in conjunction with Sydney's winning cackle made it clear that she is on the right path to becoming a crazy old lady.

PLEASE ONLY VOTE ONCE!!!!