Catch Up!

Hey everyone! I'm back...finally! I'm sorry I was gone so long. But I'm going to be blogging like crazy now! :)


I'm gonna try and catch you up on what's been going on with me since my last post. Well, first off, I graduated college! I can't believe it! I now have an associate degree in Technical Arts in Law Enforcement and an Associate in General Studies. I received honors with both degrees. And what was most special about graduating, was that I got to walk with my mom.

There was no order in which the graduates were suppose to walk, so I insisted that my mom go first, since it was a bigger moment for her, it was her first time walking at graduation (she got pregnant with me in high school and wasn't able to graduate). But she said I HAD to go first, that she was too afraid she'd trip or mess up somehow. Haha. Gosh, I love that woman.


I was nervous with all that attention. Notice the crazy gum chewing and how I was racing to my seat? :D




My grandma made me this sign: "Now that you've graduated, I made you this just in case your college stuff doesn't work out, you'll have a back up."

My grad party...my cousin Avery being a cutie! The ice cream cake was too cold for him.
There have been some other changes too. I have been looking for a new job, which has been soaking up my energy and time. Bath & Body Works just isn't cutting it (3 hours a week? No, please). So I'm waiting to hear back from a couple places. Fingers crossed! I also worked over the last weekend temping for DKNY for their big holiday sale. My first time working in a clothing store! And I didn't make it out without buying something! Or a few things actually! $30 for a pair of pants normally priced $89! I mean come on! :)

And I'm sooo excited for this! I will be getting my very first DSLR camera this weekend! I've been dying for one for so long! But I'm debating between the Canon Rebel T1i and the T2i. Decisions, decisions...
Let me know if you have opinions on either one! I need help choosing!

Stay tuned for videos, hauls, and outfit posts! They're on their way! Once I get my new camera, there will be no stopping me! :)

XOXO,

Courtney

My Day In Photos

This was actually my Sunday. I spent the day with the whole family at my aunt's house. We were celebrating the March and April birthdays in the family, as well as visiting with my aunt who is here from Alabama for my cousin, who is currently going through chemotherapy (as I explained in my Video Sunday post).



We had a potluck dinner with strawberry shortcake for dessert. Here's some of my family chatting at the table.



After dinner, we had some fun with my camera. My mom and I.



Gotta love goofy photos! :)



We got a little carried away with the freaky faces. My camera is full of them! My brother, Stefan, and I.



We shared some videos on Youtube. My mom, and cousins Iain and Mark.



My Cousin Katie, Dad, and Aunt Stefanie.



My two younger brothers, Stefan and Austin.



Met my new cousin, Viola, for the first time. She was born on March 7th.



My baby cousin, Avery.



I told him to smile and this is the face he gave me. Haha.



He then showed us his new dance moves. Haha.



Then all thirty or so of us piled into the living room and chatted and watched tv (Tosh.0) before parting our separate ways and going home.

XOXO,

Courtney

Video Sunday

"Jar of Hearts" by Christina Perri
This song is one of my new favorites. The video kind of creeps me out though. But I like it at the same time. Haha. I love songs that get back at loser heartbrokers! :)

I hope everyone's weekend is going great.

Today is going to be a complete family day for me. My 21 year old cousin, Andy, was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer. As some of you already know, I lost my 18 year old cousin, Matt, back in October due to suicide. So it's a really hard time for my family right now. I can't lose another cousin. One of my aunts flew in yesterday from Alabama to be here while my cousin begins chemotherapy, so we're all coming together today. We are hopeful that he will be okay. Testicular cancer runs in the family, but it was still a shocker for us because my cousin is very young. It just reminds me how important family is and that you need to cherish each other while you can.

Have a good Sunday!
Give everyone you love a hug today and tell them how important they are! :)

XOXO,

Courtney

My Day in Photos

Woke up. I never get up before 10 am when I don't have to!



Showered, dressed, and got ready.



Had my morning tea! I've had this mug since I was about 6. I used to be obsessed with suns, stars, and moons. And I've always loved cobalt blue. It's my favorite mug.



Picked up my youngest brother from middle school.



Went to Value Village with my thrifting partner, my mom. Value Village is my favorite place to go thrifting. They have the best prices, most unique pieces, and best vintage stuff compared to other stores. I will do a haul soon on what I got!



We then went to the Goodwill in search of more thrifted goodies!



After browsing the clothes, I searched through the handbags.



Checked out the art!



Scanned the bookshelves!



My purchases! Found Son of Rosemary by Ira Levin, the sequel to one of my favorites, Rosemary's Baby. I was so excited cause I haven't read it yet! And a cookbook, Paula Deen & Friends: Living It Up, Southern Style. Both like new! And I got them for $2.99! Score!



We then went to a local department store where I found Hocus Pocus on sale for only $6.99! It was one of my absolute favorites from childhood. I hadn't seen it in about 10 years!



Had shrimp mixed with asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and penne noodles in a garlic sauce for dinner. It was good!



Since my dad and brother were gone and my other brother was busy playing video games in his room, my mom and I took over the big screen tv and watched Hocus Pocus together.



My mom and cat relaxing before we started the movie. My mom is the type of person who is always cold, so she is attached to that heavy weight sleeping bag, when at home. She can't just use a blanket like a normal person. Lol.



After the movie, I tried out my new Paula Deen cookbook. I made oatmeal lace cookies. I had never heard of them and thought they sounded good. They are definitely unique. They come out very flat and look like...well, puke. Like those fake rubber vomit props! Haha. They are easy to make, super sweet, and chewy, but crunchy at the same time. The "cookies" taste like rock candy. They're great if you are having a sugar craving! My family can't stop eating them!

Here's the recipe, if you want to try them:

1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, softened
1 cup of sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with aluminum foil, parchment paper, or nonstick baking mats.
2. Cream butter and sugar together until thoroughly combined. Add the egg, salt, and vanilla and mix well. Stir in the flour and oatmeal. Mix well.
3. Drop by teaspoonfuls, 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets.
4. Bake 5 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges.
5. Let cool completely before removing from the cookie sheet. Peel cookies away from the lining.

Well, that was my Monday!

Be sure to enter my giveaway if you haven't already! :)

XOXO,

Courtney

My Day in Photos

 Woke up with my kitty at my feet. Showered. Got ready.

 Went and had afternoon tea with my cousin, Breanne, at a local tea room.

 My first cup of tea ever! A mixture of raspberry, pear, and jasmine!

 Little finger sandwiches.

 Finished tea off with a berry scone.

 After tea, we went by my work for a little shopping. It started raining, like always.

 Bought some Wallflowers for the house. My room now smells like yummy frosting!

 Then we went by Target to get some gifts for my boss's baby shower.

 Out the door! My final purchases. Top secret!

 All wrapped up! How cute!

 A little later, I went to the store with my little brother and picked up some movies to watch over the weekend: Love and Other Drugs, Due Date, Burlesque, and Life as We Know It. On the way out, the Girl Scout girls got us. But I'm not one to turn down Girl Scout cookies! So good!
 Ended the night with vegetarian tacos for dinner!
How was that for my first "My Day in Photos" post? I hope not too boring! I would have liked to had more photos, but I forgot to take pictures most of the time. It was actually kind of fun taking pictures of everything and everywhere. But I did feel a little bit strange. Haha. My brother told me I looked like a detective trying to snap shots quickly and secretly without letting people notice. Haha. Overall, it was a great day. I would like to thank my cousin, Bre, for introducing me to tea! :)

Well, I'm off to go watch the movies I rented with the family!

Thanks for following and commenting! I love it!! =D

XOXO,

Courtney

Someone is a Birthday Girl!

Today marks the 21st year of my life. I can not believe I am getting so old. You know when you were little and your grandparents or the relatives you didn't see very often would look down at you and always repeatedly say, "Look how old you are! You're growing up so fast! Time goes by too quick!" and you would get secretly irritated and then say something about how you wished you were older? I feel like the grandparents and barely seen relatives now. Time does go by too quick! You never realize it when you're super young because you can't wait for time to hurry up and move along. Now, I want it to slow down! Lol.
Because it's my birthday and none of you have ever seen me past my 20 year old self, I'm gonna do a blast from the past. Polaroid style. Here it goes...

















I'll update you all/post pictures tomorrow or so on what I did on my birthday. Fyi, I'm going to be messing around with the layout and fonts so things will look a little funky until some time tomorrow.

XOXO,

Courtney