Real World Post

So usually I do not like to get into the nitty gritty of my life, but I am feeling a little torn and need to express and would love any feedback! 

I am a senior and while I am sad to leave my carefree, no responsibilities life of a college kid, I am also excited to get into the real world with a job, money, and real responsibilities. 

I am so thankful that I have so many different opportunities for jobs out there for me, especially in this economy. Currently, I have one amazing job offer and 6 interviews lined up. Yet, many of them I do not desire. I know it sounds selfish to not care about some of the interviews, but in the end I want to be happy where I work. While working for a huge company with a great reputation is an amazing opportunity, I do not want to work 60+ hours a week and commute 2+ hours a day to work. I want a work-life balance and I am still young, I want to have fun also! 

Also, most of the job opportunities I am applying for are in the Northern Virginia/DC area. While it would be fun to live in the city, after growing up in the suburbs of DC on the other side of the Potomac, I have no desire to deal with its competitive atmosphere. And after living in Richmond this summer, I believe it is where I am meant to be, at least for some point in my life.

I am struggling to push through my remaining interviews after my one today went not so great in my mind when I have such an amazing opportunity already in my hands (and it doesn't help my BFF's from the summer already accepted their offers). In the end I want to work someplace I wake up wanting to go to and love the people and culture, and feel like I already have that but am afraid I am leaving something better behind. I am going to go through the interviews and hopefully I put my best foot forward but feel like unless someone does something extremely amazing, my heart is set in Richmond. 

What I am loving Wednesday - Hokie Leaves

If God isn't a Hokie, why do the leaves turn orange and maroon each fall?  

Happy Fall ya'll! 

Francesca's Collection

Lately I have been hearing lots about a great store called Francesca's from my very fashionable friends! While living in Richmond this summer, I apparently walked past it numerous times unknowingly and am now kicking myself! 

My middle sister (third from right) got the amazing striped dress for Clemson games (I already told her to bring to Blacksburg this weekend). 

How cute are they? 

All their clothes are very affordable and well made, I am yearning to add some of their pieces to my wardrobe! 

Have you heard of Francesca's Collection? 

Informal Recruitment

I am so excited to welcome 13 new beautiful baby Kappa's to Virginia Tech's Kappa Kappa Gamma! 

They got amazing Hokie KKG letters! 

Learning our gang sign! 

Grandlittle and new baby! 

We participated in Informal Recruitment this year (very refreshing and relaxed from Formal) and have 13 wonderful new girls! As the oldest pledge class in my chapter, many of my pledge sisters have graduated and its great to welcome more amazing women to our chapter before I graduate! Congrats to all the new girls! 

Inspirational Country Songs

Every once and a while after a long, stressful week I just need my go to songs that inspire me to continue on with my head held high. I love these songs because they calm me down and remind me of the important things in life. While all your activities may be hectic and crazy always remember whats important in life! 

So Small - Carrie Underwood

"Sometimes that mountain you've been climbing is just a grain a sand, And what you've been looking for is in your hands"

I Hope you Dance - Lee Ann Womack

"And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you Dance" 

If You're Going Through Hell - Rodney Atkins

"But the good news is there's angels everywhere out on the street holding out a hand to pull you back up on your feet"

Don't Forget to Remember Me - Carrie Underwood

"Tell my baby sister I'll see her in the fall, And tell me-maw I miss her yeah, I should give her a call, And make sure you tell Daddy that I'm still his little girl, Yeah I still feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be" 

Live Like You Were Dieing - Tim McGraw 

"Some day I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying'"

Hope everyone finds a little inspiration in whatever they need! What are your go-to inspirational songs?

Online Purchases

Since the booming metropolis of Blacksburg, VA is anything but a fashion mecca, I typically resort to one of my favorite past times to fulfill my shopping fix ... online shopping. I recently purchased some great transitional pieces to help me fall into fall! 

J Crew Factory Crewneck Cardigan in Cabernet

J Crew Factory perfect-fit ruffled scoop neck tee in white

Factory printed cotton sateen mini in orchid shadow

Tommy Hilfiger Straight Legged Jean

And a great ebay purchase! I trust ebay greatly with fashion jewelry for cheap since it is good for some trendy statement pieces without making a significant investment. 

J Crew Red Floral Necklace 

Homeplace

This past Friday, some of my senior Kappas and I headed through the picturesque mountainside to a little house turned restaurant known as the Homeplace.

The Homeplace is a family style restaurant where they bring out tons of food and refill whatever you need! We ate fried chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, biscuits with apple butter, mac n' cheese, green beans, coleslaw, blackberry cobbler and more! It was all so delicious and I think I will have to make another trip soon! 

We also took advantage of the gorgeous scenery to snap some "sistah" pics! 

It was the first chilly day of fall, so we all dressed warmly! 

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili

Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili
Servings:

1 onion, chopped
1 can black beans
1 can tomato sauce
1 can of corn
2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning
Chili powder
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Combine beans, onion, corn, tomato sauce, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday - Barns

Kindle!

For my internship, we were treated like royalty. Not a week went by without a free meal, every week we had events like go-karting and wine tasting, I traveled to Chicago, went to Kings Dominion and so much more! At the end, they even gave us a gift as a thank you for our internship and I got the Kindle!

Well, I finally got it thanks to my Mom's slow shipping but I am so excited to check it out. I need some book suggestions to download and if anyone has any tips or tricks for the Kindle I would love to know!

Cascades

Over the summer, my friend and I decided that our senior year needed to be epic. While we have fit a lot into these past 3 years, there are a few things I want to do or re-do before we left Blacksburg and head into the real world. One of the items on my list was to hike the Cascades, a trail near Blacksburg that ends in a waterfall, and luckily our sisterhood retreat this year was just that!

Girls on a rock

Family Keychain

Kappas on a bridge

So strong

Girls at the overlook of the waterfall

Being daredevils on the wobbly log

It was so much fun and hopefully I continue to check things off my senior year bucket list!

Stadium Stompers

Check out Let's Be Preppy's new giveaway for Stadium Stompers, adorable boots for all the college gals. Of course, these are my favorites ....

Go Hokies!

Fall TV Preview

Happy Friday Everyone! Hope everyone had a great week despite all the rain and has some amazing plans for the weekend!

There are so many new shows coming out this fall that are new ... or old classic remakes sure to provide flavor to our tv viewing. Some of my favorite newcomers include:

Charlie's Angels

ABC, Thursdays, 8 pm

A hot new remake of the classic with lots of butt-kicking!

Person of Interest

CBS, Thursdays, 9 pm

Can Crimes be prevented before they are even committed?

Up All Night

NBC, Wednesdays, 8 pm

Comedy about raising a newborn in this crazy world.

2 Broke Girls

CBS, Mondays, 8:30 pm

Can two totally different girls survive, in this odd-couple comedy?

Pan Am

ABC, Sundays, 10 pm

Remember when air travel was glamorous, it is coming back!

What new shows are you excited to see this fall?

Wordless Wednesday - Rain

Cars

Currently, I am driving my Dad's old 1999 Acura TL. I am so thankful to have been able to drive the car around at school the past two years, however, after this year I will pass the torch onto my sister so she can use it at college. With this in mind, I have been looking into some new cars for me in the real world!

Ford Escape

Jeep Patriot

Nissan Rouge

Kia Sportage

Mazda CX-7

As you can see, I really like small SUV's and crossovers. Hopefully, I will be able to afford one with a big girl job! Does anyone have any suggestions for a new, realiable car under $25,000?