Accentuate The Positive

There aren't words to describe just how chaotic this semester has been. When I originally planned my Spring semester schedule, I thought it would be laid back and relaxed with lots of time for hanging out with friends.... but boy was I wrong. In the past few weeks my mind has been in a total whirlwind going in all different directions. In a sense though, I am grateful for each and every thing that has been placed on my plate because I believe that it is all making me a stronger individual and God would never throw something at me that He knew I absolutely could not handle.

I found a great quote on a fellow blogger's page, The College Prepster:
Good things happen to those who wait and work hard in the meantime


When I saw this quote I knew it could not have come at a more appropriate time in the semester. While this semester has been quite the challenging one, I remind myself that no matter how hard the situation might be or how impatient I can get, that if I wait and take the time to not only make "me" happy but also continue to work twice as hard, that everything will be ok.

I have been extremely lucky to have been blessed with some pretty amazing friends. One of my closest friends truly brightened my entire day when he sent me this passage from one of his favorite books:
"I go to seek a Great Perhaps."
- François Rabelais 


He explained to me the search for the "Great Perhaps" is that of an optimistic future. If you know me, you know that I am extremely optimistic and that can sometimes do more harm than good. While I am learning to look at life in a more realistic manner, I will never fully let go of my optimistic view. I'm so thankful for my family and friends who remind me to slow down and enjoy the good things in life when it starts to get just a little crazy.

Are you going to seek your Great Perhaps?

Paris is never too far away..

"Paris is always a good idea"

-from the movie Sabrina

I've always loved everything French and I have always wanted to go to Paris, especially in the Spring. This weekend, I received my own little piece of Paris to remind me that it is never too far away.

Here is my Eiffel Tower charm that my aunt gave me to go on my charm bracelet so I will always carry a little piece of Paris with me :)

It was so nice to be at home with my family for my Spring Break. Although "home" isn't far away (at all), its still nice to get away from campus and just have quality time. My parents are amazing cooks. They love to experiment with foods from all over the world. Recently, we have been very into Spanish cuisine and making paella. Entertaining is important to my family and we love to provide our family and friends with a total dining "experience."

Our paella, it was SO good!

What types of food do you like to cook?

Art & Friendship

I had the opportunity to travel to the quaint town of Augusta, Georgia this past weekend. Having never been to Augusta, I found that it reminded me a lot of the fictional town of Mayberry from The Andy Griffith  show. For my South Carolinian readers, if you've ever been to Camden, double that and you get Augusta. I must admit though, I really kind of liked it!

Growing up in the art world has allowed me to meet some really interesting and talented people in my time.  South Carolina believe it or not has produced some extremely successful artists. One of those artists is Myrtle Beach native, Brian Rutenberg. Brian is represented by museums and galleries across the United States and his primary gallery is the Forum Gallery in New York City. His bodies of work are absolutely mesmerizing. His abstract oil paintings have a way of telling stories of life on the Carolina coast. The neatest thing about his paintings is the way that he applies the paint. There are some areas on the surface that are 4 inches thick of oil paint and rise above the surface. If you are in the Augusta area, you most definitely should venture to the Morris Museum of Art to see Brian's show I Will Tell You A Place: Paintings by Brian Rutenberg on exhibit until May 1, 2011. In the mean time, check out Brian's webpage to see a collection of his works.
http://www.brianrutenbergart.com

Pavillion by Brian Rutenberg 2008-2009 Oil on Linen 
Jerald Melberg Gallery, Charlotte NC


Brian is a dear friend to my family and we had the pleasure of being able to catch up over a nice dinner at a charming restaurant called Frog Hollow in the heart of downtown Augusta, which really comes alive at night.

Who are some of your favorite South Carolina artists? 

Just Another Manic Monday....

It's the start of yet another busy week. Don't you just hate those mornings when you are so tired and you keep hitting the snooze button? I've been having a lot of those lately. I feel like my morning hasn't really started until I've had my daily dose of caffeine and during the school semesters its the coffee and Diet Coke that really keep me going. I love coffee, bold with half and half and you can normally catch me with either a Starbucks cup in hand or my monogrammed travel mug (its pink.. of course). My dad taught me to be a connoisseur of coffee and while I do like mochas and caramel macchiatos, coffee is the best just by itself. Although my ultimate drink of choice comes from a local coffee house, called the Immaculate Consumption and it is the Motivator - coffee with two shots of espresso. What makes it even better.. they know us by name and start making our drinks when we walk in the door! 

People have been saying for years that too much coffee is bad for you and that you shouldn't drink it and so on.. but I have news for you! Coffee is actually really good for your health! An article by Kerri-Ann Jennings, the Associate Nutrition Editor at EatingWell Magazine states the top 5 healthy reasons you should not quit consuming coffee.

1. Coffee is heart healthy! 

Drinking 1-3 cups of coffee a day can lower the risk of a stroke and because coffee is high in antioxidants, it can even help to lower your blood pressure.

Did you know? Each serving of coffee has more antioxidants than blueberries

2. Coffee can help decrease chances of Type 2 Diabetes 

The antioxidants found in coffee can help to increase your cells sensitivity to insulin therefore regulating your blood sugar.

Did you know? If you drink 4+ cups of coffee a day, you can lower your chance of Type 2 diabetes

3. Your liver likes it.. a lot

Coffee decreases the likelihood of various liver diseases and can also lower the risk of liver cancer by 43 percent.

4. Its good for your brain

Drinking 1-4 cups is not only good for your heart but also good for your brain and aids in lowering your risk for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

5. Bye bye headaches 

The normal 16 oz cup of coffee ( which is the Grande size from Starbucks ) can relieve you from headaches and even migraines! 

With that said, I'm going to get some coffee :) 

All information came from "5 health reasons to not quit coffee" by Kerri-Ann Jennings 

View the entire article at http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/health/5-health-reasons-to-not-quit-coffee-2460820/

Sourire

Spring break is finally here and that makes me one happy girl! 

Want to know what else makes me smile?

My Skye Terrier Morgan

Cupcakes from the one and only Cupcake Cafe in NYC 

Sitting on the USC Horseshoe on a Fall night

Fresh flowers, either peonies (pictured above) or white daises 


"Life is like a mirror, we get the best results when we smile at it."
  ~Author Unknown


What makes you smile?

If the shoe fits....

It's the week before spring break, I've had homework for the first time this semester and professors are scheduling exams before our week of relaxation and sunshine (I hope). This week seems to be moving at full speed and its almost half way through?

The week has been off to a pleasant start beginning with the Oscars on Sunday and a viewing of The King's Speech last night, which I highly recommend that everyone go see this film.  It is definitely deserving of an Oscar for Best Picture.

Although this week has been quite busy, I have found time to online shop.. my guilty pleasure.  If the shoe fits, buy it in every color or at least thats what people say, right?  A girl can never have enough shoes, so in this post I'm going to share with you my favorite pairs that are currently adorning my wardrobe and those that will be one day....

"Sometimes we need really special shoes to make the walk more fun."

Is that not the truth? Its amazing how different a pair of shoes can make you feel.

Jack Rogers Navajo Sandals - Platinum

If you know me, then you know that I love my Jack Rogers and I wear them....a lot. Platinum is the best color because it goes with everything. (I mean literally everything)

The Black Pump

The black pump is essential to any girls closet and can instantly transform any outfit. My black pumps are my go to shoes. These are Christian Louboutin's.... they WILL one day be added to my shoe collection. Aren't they great?

Cole Haan Mariela Peep Toe Pumps

I tried these babies on right before Christmas and fell in love.  Its the perfect summer heel, great for sundresses or jeans and a fun top.

J. Crew Ballet Flats

These are the best shoes to just throw on and go but still look great! 

What are your dream shoes?