Overwhelmed

I'm feeling really overwhelmed today. Its the end of the semester and exams are only three weeks away. I feel like I need to catch up in ALL of my classes. Plus, I didn't do so hot last semester so I really need to do better this semester, but I'm SOOOO burnt out on school and am lacking all motivation. I mean, I've been in school since 1990 - I'm tired! 

I need to figure out what classes to take next semester and this summer. I also need to find a summer job, a paying job! I will be interning for a local family law attorney part time this summer but its unpaid and I need to make some money! And in case any of you are unaware, we are in a recession and jobs are few and far between. I'd love to find a babysitting job but don't really know where to find one! STRESS....

Anywho...I got the Lilly dress in the mail yesterday and I lOVE it! Its so colorful and it fits well. Other than that - not a lot of exciting things going on today. Have a good evening ya'll!

do you cook?

bc I don't... and I need your advice! 

Like I've written about before, I'm hosting a brunch to celebrate my best friend's engagement. The thing is it is at the horse track and I'm kind of unsure of what food to bring. I like to bake, so definitely some muffins! I'm also making cupcakes (well, probably) because the brunch is at 10:30 but it is also kind of a tailgate before the horse races so we will be out there enjoying ourselves for a while! :) 

So my question is, do you all think I should make a big casserole, fruit salad, quiche? Or should I get some bagels and toast them that morning and set out some flavored cream cheeses? 

Do you all have any good recipes? Preferably EASY! 

{pictures from Marthastewart.com}

cute cute CUTE giveaway

I REALLY want to win this one (fingers crossed!!) 

Head over to Lauren Nicole Gifts to enter her latest giveaway. It ends at midnight on 4/2/09, Winner will be drawn on 4-3-09. Her online shop has some adorable gifts as well!

*just lovely*

Calling All Louisville Dog-Owning Residents!!

The UofL chapter of the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund is hosting "Puppy Palooza" on Sunday, April 5th from 1-5. Please come by, bring your pup, and support a good cause! 

A new website for Louisville brides

I got an email today about Derby City Bride Wedding Planner - a new, free online wedding planning tool that will be introduced on April 2nd at http://derbycitybride.com/planner. With this helpful local tool, Louisville couples will be able to plan and manage their entire wedding in one convenient.

Features include:
Ideas & Inspiration - Keep track of the great ideas that you find around the web!
Task Lists & Shopping Lists - Flexible lists that come pre-filled to help get you started.
Guest List Manager - Create your invite list, track RSVPs and gifts (it's integrated with Facebook and Gmail to make sure you don't forget anyone important!)
Find Vendors - The Courier-Journal provides local vendor listings for you - Keep track of notes from your phone calls & upload vendor paperwork.
Budget Tracker - It may not be the most fun part of planning your wedding, but we'll halp you keep track of your spending budget.

They are launching the Derby City Bride Wedding Planner at a special event hosted by Williams-Sonoma in the Mall St. Matthews on April 2, from 6:00 - 9:00 pm! The event is targeted at brides, but all are welcome. It's a great opportunity to meet local vendors, start a wedding registry, and be entered to win great prizes from Williams-Sonoma.

Here is the invite! All local brides should attend, sounds like fun!

i heart getting mail!

My cute target finds came in the mail today! Just as cute in person as online! But, just FYI I ordered a M and I wish I had ordered a S bc it is kind of voluminous! I bet they will shrink though... 

Also, I got an email from the Etsy shop that made a couple of decorations for the brunch I'm hosting, the items are in the mail & she sent me these pics! I think they turned out wonderfully! 

Be sure to check out Mary Had A Little Party!

greek letters

I've been out of college for almost two years now and I'm still sporting my sorority letters. I'm wondering when I'm expect to stop wearing them? If I do, I will have like no t-shirts or sweatshirts...my uniform for class. When did you all stop wearing your letters, or did you? 

ebay item

I put this dress up on ebay! New With Tags, Size 6, J.Crew Janey Cotton Cady Dress in Bright Berry ($275 new). This is really pretty dress and can be dressed up or down, it just doesn't fit me quite right so I'm selling it. 

Check it out here:

last season lilly?

ok, i'm in crim law and should be paying attention but instead i'm worrying about what i'm wearing to keeneland in a couple of weeks! so, what do you all think of this outfit? I'm thinking about buying them both off ebay (NWT) - but... is it ok to wear last season lilly to keeneland? also, does anyone have this dress? bc i usually wear a 4 in the more fitted lilly dresses, but i know this one is supposed to fit loosely and i'm considering getting a 6 just to be sure it is not too form fitting.

{and i would just like to note that i do know that "i" is supposed to be capitalized, as well as the beginning of every sentence, but i'm used to typing in Word and it does those two tasks for me! so now i'm just lazy - sorry to anyone whom this bothers :)}

thanks Miss. Pretty!

Miss. Pretty was kind enough to give me an award! These are fun, and really make me feel more cool than they probably should! Thank you! 

Rules do accompany this honor: 

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

And I would like to pass this award on to the following lovely ladies: 

Megan over at Pretty in Pink 

Miss. Mindless over at Mindless Musings 

BLC over at The Company She Keeps

Sweet Bea over at Sweet Bea

**and thanks to you four for your input today! I appreciate it!**

{Edit} I've never been one to read the directions before jumping in...oops. But I've got to get to bed so I'm only tagging 4 ppl instead of 8!

ok, how about these?

Ok, I just ordered these to go with the Derby outfit...

IN MY DREAMS. haha. I wish I could have those...but alas, I am a poor, sad, lowly law student...still searching for some nude pumps that I can afford AND like...hmm. 

I have pearls (of course!) but idk, they may just be too simple. So I can either wear my single strand, borrow my mom's triple strand, or get one of the following J.Crew necklaces.  

These are both kind of longer. But for some reason I really like the locket. 

and maybe this clutch for some color?

Thanks for all your input! 

help me!!

Ok, so I need ya'lls help! I'm going to Derby with my roommate and I'm having wardrobe issues. She is wearing a bright yellow dress and springy hat, and I feel like I may be too drab! I saw my hat and fell in love and had to have it - before I had any other idea of what I was going to wear....so, what accessories do you think I should add to my outfit? What kind of shoes? Necklace? 

my hat...it is floppy and HUGE! *love* {looks kind of odd in this pic}

My dress - JCrew cotton caddy Daisy dress. This fits me really well and is really cute on!

So what do you all think? P.S. I hate red and hot pink shoes. Hate. 

DIY brunch invites

In an attempt to save some money I decided  to DIY the invites for the brunch I am hosting for my friend next month. I ended up with 20 invites for less than $20 - and that cost includes a sticker making machine! 

Me at my little craft station (excuse the beer)

I purchased two 10 packs of plain 5x7 flat cards with envelopes at Michael's. I used a 40% off coupon (in every Sunday paper) and got these for about $6. 

I drew up the invites in Photoshop and just printed them out on the flat cards. I wasn't sure how to set the printer to print the small size paper so I went over to the Paper Source website and borrowed one of their templates and copied the invite on to it in Word. Because I couldn't get the monogram to open in the Word template in color, I just printed the whole thing in black. Oh well. The monogram looks like the one that I had made into a rubber stamp - but I have yet to receive it in the mail. I'm excited to get it bc I got some pretty spring colored ink pads! 

Then I thought the invites looked kind of boring, so I decided to jazz them up a bit by making envelope liners with some Martha Stewart scrapbook paper that I already had from another project. I made a template by cutting off the flaps of one envelope and used it to trace around. The liners don't need to go all the way to the bottom of the envelope so I didn't make the liners the full length. 

The invites and envelopes w/out the liners.

and after

Pretty much it! Then I wanted to print some labels on the computer but the label paper I had had smaller size labels than I wanted. So, I went back to Michael's and got a sticker making machine (really excited about this, I've always wanted one!). I had a 50% off coupon they emailed me, so I got the machine for $10! I also got some scalloped scissors to mimic the scallops on the monogram. I printed out the addresses in pink font and cut them and then ran them through the sticker maker to make my own address labels! 

Dropped these babies off in the mail box this afternoon! 

Sweet Giveaway!

Head over to Preppy in the City's blog to enter to win this super cute Williams-Sonoma Daisy Crown Cupcake Pan!! ** although secretly I don't want any of you to enter so I have a greater chance of winning :) haha I LOVE it!**

cute target find

I ordered this shirt dress from Target last night...its pink gingham! I thought it was pretty and springy!

I went ahead and ordered this green one for my mom, she loves green, and she never wears dresses - I think its time for her to start! 

need some inexpensive wall art?

how about one of these...

Paris Map $4.50

France Map $4.50

Both are 20x28 inches

Just pop them in an inexpensive frame from Michael's and voila! instant inexpensive wall art!

Here is a coupon that is good till Saturday, and its good on frames that are already on

 sale - when I was there yesterday all the 'Home Collection" frames were already 40% off so you could get a total of 65% off! 

true love

Last night Ben and I went over to Greater's for some ice cream after we grilled out. I ordered a sugar cone of coffee ice cream (w/out the chocolate chunks). The guy handed me my cone and I, of course, immediately began enjoying! Well, while Ben was still ordering I noticed they had banana ice cream as one of their seasonal specials, so I was bummed that I hadn't ordered that. Knowing that I love banana ice cream, Ben volunteered to eat my coffee cone and let me get what I really wanted! He doesn't really even like coffee ice cream. Now if that's not love, I don't know what is! 

Thanks Woobie :) I love you! 

monogrammed lovelies

Just wanted to share these cute calling cards I got a little while back from here . I thought they would be handy since I don't have business cards - although, truth be told, I haven't given any out yet! ha. But maybe in the future I'll come upon a lawyer who wants to give me a job and I can give them one of my pretty little calling cards. 

{obviously not my info and mine have my number and email on them}

spring is FINALLY here!!

I'm so excited that spring has finally come! Although, being that I live in KY, it will probably snow like a foot next week or something crazy like that. I've been trying to frame the "LOVE" print I bought last week, but it is an odd size and I attempted to DIY a matt for it and it was a disaster...guess I'll have to buy a custom one...boo. 

The tree out front is blooming :) 

ER

Well, it has been an eventful day thus far! I spent the morning in the ER with my younger sister. She was at her first day of work at the hospital as a nursing assistant and passed out in the hallway and hit her head. They still don't know what made her pass out, maybe a sinus infection. 

Anyways, it is gorgeous out here! I'm headed out to the patio to soak up some sun! 

40 things you never knew you wanted to know about me!

1. Where you named after anyone? My middle name is Jean, after my mom's mom whom I never got to meet, and my mom just liked the name Katherine. 
2. When was the last time you cried? Last week, thank you PMS. 
3. Do you like your handwriting? I can have really pretty handwriting when I try, but usually I'm trying to write fast and its not so pretty.
4. What is your favorite lunch meat? Smoked Turkey.
5. Do you have kids? NO! Not ready for that yet! But, I have Logan, my 20 month old nephew.
6.If you were another person, would you be friends with yourself? I guess that depends on who I was.
7. Do you use sarcasm? Yep!
8. Do you still have your tonsils? Yes, but I tried to get them taken out at 19 and the Dr. wouldn't do it.
9. Would you bungee jump? I don't think so, don't really have the desire to do so.
10. Naked? Not at the moment!
11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? I rarely wear shoes with laces.
12. What is your favorite ice cream? Coffee from Graeter's, the one w/out the chocolate chunks - or maybe coconut, mmm...
13. What is the first thing you notice about people? I guess just their overall appearance and what that conveys about them.
14. Red or pink? Pink, I look bad in red.
15. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? I'm very unforgiving, I can't seem to be able to forgive and forget, and I judge too quickly. 
16. Who do you miss the most? My Pa, he died two years ago this month and I miss him everyday. 
17. What color pants and shoes are you wearing?I'm in my pajamas, pink cropped pants with brown horses on them and one of Ben's t-shirts.
18. What are you listening to right now? Nothing, well TV from the other room.
19. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Whatever color Logan makes me color with, he is very insistent that you "lala" with him, and he gets to choose your color! 
20. Favorite smells? Clean linens, or maybe (and this is kind of gross) Ben's deodorant which smells like "Irish Spring"!
21. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? My mom like 5 mins ago. 
22. Favorite sport to watch? haha UK basketball?! NOT! (they are playing in the NIT right now and I'm not watching)
23. Hair color? Brunette.
24. Eye color? Green. 
25. Do you wear contacts? Yes. 
26. Favorite food? Soup, all kinds. 
27.Scary movies or happy endings? Happy endings - love LOVE Pride and Prejudice  
28. Last movie you watched? Old School, it was just on TV.
29. What color shirt are you wearing? White. 
30. Summer or winter? Both I suppose. But after Christmas I'm done with snow.  
31. Hugs or kisses? I guess hugs from most ppl! 

32. What book are you reading now? Nicholas Evans, "The Divide." 
33. What is on your mouse pad? Don't have one, on my MacBook right now. 
34. What did you watch on tv last night? Dancing With the Stars and Castle. 
35. Favorite sound? The sound of warm summer nights. 
36. Rolling Stones or Beatles? Beatles. 
37.Where is the farthest you have been from home? I lived in Paris for five weeks and it was amazing and scary all at once!
38. Do you have a special talent? I can roll my belly, does that count? 
39.Where were you born? Baltimore, MD. 
40. How did you meet your significant other/spouse? The most beautiful place in the world (kidding!!) Panama City, FL (horrid) on spring break my sophomore year of college. 

a history lesson

I was curious about the history behind St. Patrick's Day so I went over to history.com and watched this video. Here is the link to the video if you are curious too! 

http://link.history.com/services/link/bcpid12040009001/bclid1675979350/bctid1455377204

Martha's Cookie of The Day

tag, I'm it!!

The lovely Megan over at Pretty in Pink Megan tagged me for the "Kreativ Blogger" award! Yay! I now feel like an official blogger! Can't wait to see you at Keeneland Megan! 

The award rules are as follows:
List 7 things that you love, and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you love! Be sure to tag them and let them know that they have won. You can copy the picture of the award and paste it on your sideboard letting the whole world know...you are Kreativ!

Seven things I'm loving right now:

1. Spring Break! I can't tell you how great it feels to know I don't have school ALL week! 

2. Being in Lexington! I am staying in Lexington for the week with my family. 

3. My blog! I just started this last week (I think) and I'm sooo addicted already! Now I'm always thinking, 'oh I should put this on my blog'. haha I'm a dork.

4. Ebay. Ben has always been into ebay, but I've just recently started buying things off there and I'm loving the deals!

5. Planning Rebecca's engagement brunch. I love planning parties! If I thought I could make any money doing it, I might have done that as a career. Maybe some day...

6. $1 soft drinks at McDonalds (any size!!)! I'm a diet coke addict - and now I can feed my addiction for just a buck!

7. Sleeping till noon. Thats right, I just got up less than two hours ago, and I'm not ashamed! I love to sleep late and nap. There might be something wrong with me...  

The 7 bloggers I'm sharing the LOVE with:

1. DC Prep

2. The Little White Book

3. The Monogrammed Nest 

4. The Company She Keeps

5. Sparkle Sparkle!

6. Twenty Three Sixty Five

7. Emily's French Life

my life's work

I've been working on this darn needlepoint belt for myself for like two years now...well, I haven't actually worked on it in like a year and a half. I also have one that I'm making for my little cousin that is all things golf and it is in the same unfinished state. I just can't seem to make myself finish them up! I have completed one in the past though, for Ben, so I know that it is possible!

i've got a party to plan!

I'm hosting an engagement brunch April 18th for my best friend Rebecca who is getting married late October. Keeneland will be having its spring meet in April so we will be having the brunch at the track. *praying for beautiful weather* Sort of like a tailgate/brunch, but I think that sounds kind of tacky! I've been ordering decorations and such online and wanted to share some of the cute stuff that is on its way! 

I ordered plain pink drink koozies off ebay. I got them for less than a dollar apiece with shipping! I'm going to order a custom rubber stamp with the bride and groom's initials off etsy and stamp each koozie using fabric ink. I thought this would be a cute favor and useful for a day at the track! Then I can give Rebecca the custom stamp as a gift...

The stamp will look something like this.. but with "R&J".

Stamp from Sweet Paperie

I've also ordered an adorable "congratulations" banner off etsy that I can hang from the buffet table. I'll be serving mimosas and breakfast sandwiches on croissants, and of course I will be serving cupcakes! I've ordered some sweet cupcake toppers for those! 

both from Mary Had A Little Party

The banner will be in spring colors and say "Congratulations" - I got it in the "mini" size, and the cupcake toppers will be similar to these only they will have "R <3 J>

Now onto invites...

junior league

I've been thinking about joining the Junior League in Louisville, from what I understand they have two classes per year. I was a Kappa Alpha Theta in undergrad at UK and I really miss being involved and having that sense of connection to a group of women. Are any of you members of your local Junior League? Would you suggest I join? 

just lovely

just wanted to share these gorgeous flowers from Country Living, they made me smile and I thought you might also like them! 

Wrench in my plans

So Ben and I were planning on leaving today for Charleston, but he got a call yesterday that the company he interviewed with Monday wants another interview this coming Monday. So... our trip is delayed till after Monday. I'm disappointed bc I was looking forward to leaving today, but he has been looking for a job for three months so this is actually a good wrench in my plans I guess! 

Etsy

I heart Etsy! I just bought this print from Made by Girl (link below)...

Have you all discovered the wonderfullness that is etsy? If not, you are seriously missing out. You can get anything from panty liners to engagement rings! It is an online "mall" of shops. Everything is handmade or vintage. Haha you may be wondering how panty liners could be handmade or vintage??...you would be surprised!! 

Some of my favorite shops:

Drenched In White - whimsical artwork 

Eddie Ross - vintage dishes etc. 

Karen Hilton Designs - bright throw pillows 

Penny People Designs - oh so cute prints 

Trial by Cupcakes - calligraphy 

Promos In a Snap - custom paper products 

Myrakim - gorgeous bridal hair pieces 

Letter Perfect Designs - super cute initial throw pillows 

Takenote - custom stationary 

La Vita Lola - pretty clutches 

Storia Home - crafty beautiful party things 

Whitney Smith - handmade pottery 

Gracious May - delicious kids shoes

So Bright Designs - fun personalized gifts 

Frippelous - pretty odds and ends 

Lettergirl - adorable custom rubber stamps 

Made by Girl - lovely colorful prints 

I could go on and on, but I'll stop here - I'm in evidence class and should be paying attention! oops :)