TGIF

Luck seems to be on my side today… We had another day off of school!! I didn’t have to go to school Monday because of how late our plane arrived, and we had the day canceled Tuesday because of the freezing cold temperature! (below 10 degrees in the morning!) We woke up Wednesday to a two-hour delay, and (unfortunately) had a full day of school Thursday. Luckily, to help us recover from that tough full day of school, we got school canceled again today for black ice and freezing rain!! (these are the times when I really love the cold) 

My friends and I headed to Panera for a very satisfying lunch. (kids buttered noodles, baguette, and a mango smoothie for me!) Before I left Panera I decided to get a bagel to take to work with me (French toast bagels are my favorite, plus you can never have too many carbs in one day!) and the man working the cash register (I think he was the manager) gave me a free drink and gave me a discount on my bagel! I only had to pay fifty-two cents!! These are the kinds of things that really make me smile (and also remind me why I love Panera). Then I headed to work, but I was early so I decided to stop in CVS on my way to look around at the makeup (typical). I hit the jackpot!! The Sally Hansen salon effect nail strips were 75% off!! I only had to pay three dollars for a pack of them… I don’t know if all these discounts in one day are a coincidence, or if they’re a sign that I spend too much money… Oh well! I hope everyone’s Friday is just as great as mine has been! Here’s to the weekend!

Sincerely,

Allyson xoxo

Sweater: H&M

Pants: H&M

Socks: Hunter

Boots: Hunter

Scarf: PacSun

Earrings: H&M

Phone Case: Kate Spade

Bastille

I have recently fallen in love with the band Bastille, and now I'm dying to see them in concert. The lead singer, Dan Smith, is extremely talented and one of the only singers (that I've heard) that can pull off the accent while singing (besides Ed Sheeran of course). Here are my two favorite songs from them that are currently on repeat...I just love these live versions! There's something so powerful about an acoustic version that just echoes... and I love the stomping and clapping waaaay more than the drumming... it gets me pumped!  

Pompeii- Live in Paris

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytie995zY-Q

Flaws- Live in Paris 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3D-B56YgXQ

Sincerely,

Allyson xoxo

Travel Troubles

In order to kill my boredom while waiting for our flight home, I'm writing a post. Nothing special. Our flight was delayed two hours and we may not make it home until 3 am... (ugh). Lucky I may be able to skip the first half of school tomorrow!! (or hopefully our county gets a two hour delay due to ice...fingers crossed for either!!) 

In true Austin fashion, I had to get myself some Austin peanut butter crackers to snack on (and an Orange/Melon Starbucks refresher... I had a Rasberry/Pomegranate one this morning and these things are just so tasty! And low in calories!) I'm also cozied up in my Jcrew camp socks, Blowfish booties, and my Llbean pullover

This is the coolest thing I have ever seen!! It's a vending machine for Benefit Cosmetics!! I had to really restrain  myself from getting something... (I felt like a beauty guru kid on christmas morning!)

Sincerely,

Allyson xoxo

OOTN

Last night we celebrated my Granny's 60th birthday! It was crazy to have the entire family under one roof! (there were sooooo many people!) We had a great time, lots of laughs, some awesome food (hello brisket and cake) and a late night game of "Imagine If" before heading off to bed!! Here's what I wore last night:

Sweater: Gap outlet (similar)

Jeans: H&M (similar)

Shoes: Rack Room (the brand is blowfish but I couldn't find a link :( )

Earrings: Gap outlet

Silver monogram necklace: Christmas gift from my friend! :)

Eye makeup: Urban Decay Naked 3 

 We were supposed to fly out of Texas today, but beacuse of the weather conditions back home our flight was delayed about 2 hours (and still tbd). Pizza is on its way so we can kill time with the family!

Sincerely,

Allyson xoxo

Resolutions! (for real!)

At the end of my post about my favorite moments of 2013 I briefly talked about my New Year's resolutions. I do like resolutions (despite popular opinion) and I think they're good motivators to better yourself in the new year. I do not like, however, that I can never stick to the resolutions I make! (ie working out and eating healthy...boooo) I think I usually set standards that are a little too high to meet, and I give up when I don't meet them (that's the perfectionist in me coming out). Via A Touch of Southern Grace, I filled in the blanks in this graphic to motivate myself to obtain reasonable goals for 2014! 

Side note: Some of these aren't really resolutions (ie #5 and #7) but they will definitely be happening this year!!

Sincerely,

Allyson xoxo

Hello 2014!

I'm a little late getting this post up, but better late than never! (and in true procrastinator fashion!) 2013 brought me so many amazing memories, challenges, and lessons, and I am so blessed to have had such an awesome year!! Looking back, these are some of my favorite moments of 2013: 

Our AIRC riding team came a long way in 5 years: last to first! Winning grand champion was an amazing feeling after all our hard work!

Spending Easter in Florida with the family!!

Junior prom! One of the most awkward, funny, and fun nights ever!

Seeing Taylor Swift for the second time in DC! She put on an amazing show, even if she didn't pick us for the tea party ;)

College tour! Still haven't decided where I'm going ;)

Trail ride with the monster! This was such a fun day!

Shooting my senior pictures...It was fun to feel like a model for a day!

Running the Color Run! I'm not much of a runner, but it didn't even feel like I was running a 5k! It made me feel good to finish, and throwing all the colors during the after party was so awesome (even if we couldn't breath) 

Every year the therapeutic riding program I volunteer with travels to the DSNV buddy walk with a couple of horses for pony rides! It was such an amazing, eye opening experience. 

Hiking skyline drive: cold, then hot, then cold, then windy, then hot, then puncturing my knee, then eating some thai food and scarfing down some ice cream. Can we go back to this day?

This year's VHSA finals was everything I could've wanted and more (or less). Even though I couldn't bring my own horse Roxy (stupid feet) I still got to go compete with a school horse from my farm. I really had to learn to overcome challenges not only before this competition but during it as well. This quote decribes the weekend perfectly:

"There's a level of vulnerability that comes from competing. The humbling feeling of giving everything you have and still not being good enough. There's no shame in that. The only shame is in being too afraid to accept that vulnerability and not compete."

Even though it wasn't exactly how I imagined my successes during my last finals, I had the best time socially. The people at my farm are the most amazing group of people, and I had so many laughs and tears of joy!

Turning 18!! Does it need an explanation?

IEA horse shows! (this one especially..I'm the one curled up in the zebra blanket!) I love my team, my coaches and all the parents so much. When I'm with them I always have a good time (and the riding is a plus!)

Now I probably should follow this up with a few of my resolutions for this year, but I think The College Prepster sums it pretty nicely :) I am trying to do the cliche: work out, eat better, be happier, grow closer to Christ, live life to the fullest.... but I don't necessarily think you need a new year to change the way you live life or look at life. A new year just gives us a little bit more motivation to do what we've been holding back on doing the past year! So here's to a new year, new adventures, and not holding back on anything! Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Allyson xoxo

New Years Eve Travel

I'm in Texas! We've been here since Tuesday, and I'm a little surprised at how cold it is here! I've been spending some time with the family, shopping, and of course eating some good food! Here are some pictures from our New Year's Eve travel day: 

We had to wake up 4 am for this trip...Gotta have my caffeine! Dunkin Donuts hazelnut coffee was just what I needed (also becuase the line at Starbucks was ridiculously long)

Travel necessities

Time flies... (oh the puns)

The sunrise was absolutely gorgeous before take-off!

Waiting in line on the runway to take-off! 

I tried to read The Maze Runner on the plane, but I ended up sleeping the entire time (it was a nice 3 hour nap!) 

Sincerely, 

Allyson xoxo