Sunday, December 31, 2017

Passion Story of the Month| December


Hey guys! Happy News Year Eve!! I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing Christmas or holiday. Is it me or does it feel like Christmas went by EXTREMELY fast!?! I feel like I just blinked and it was over. 😢 BUT on the bright side, 2018 is right around the corner and that gives everyone a chance to have a fresh start to a new year! I can't believe 2017 is almost over! This year was SUCH a whirlwind--I don't think I've fully processed everything that happened! Regardless of what happened this year, I'm glad we all made it to the last day of the year. Goodbye 2017 and cheers to a New Year!!🍾

promo pic for her role in "Hairspray" (opens January 5th, 2018!)

Anyways, I'm excited to share with you guys December's Passion Story. This month, Emily Blackburn, is our featured story. She and I were great friends in middle school and I'm happy we were able to stay in contact all these years.😊 Not only is she an old friend, but she is a fellow blogger who has a passion for theatre and other extracurricular activities. 

Without further ado...

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Passion Story of the Month| November

Happy Sunday Classy Crew! I hope everyone had a fun, safe, and VERY filling Thanksgiving holiday this week! I know I did. Tbh, I ate so much food these past couple days that it was hard for me to stand up straight after each meal...that's how full I was!! Legit, I sometimes had leftovers for lunch and dinner. I honestly do not want to eat anymore turkey, dressing/stuffing with cranberry sauce, collard greens, mac n cheese, or any other popular Thanksgiving food until next Thanksgiving.

Anyways, I am excited to announce November's Passion Story! 


Today's Passion Story is about Isaiah Haynes! He is basically my "brother from another mother" and I'm happy that he wanted to be a part of my Passion Story Project. 

So without further ado...

Sunday, November 19, 2017

What Are You Thankful For?


I don't know about you guys, but I AM SO EXCITED FOR THANKSGIVING!! I have literally been waiting for Thanksgiving Break and the actual holiday since Fall Break ended. Thanksgiving is my 2nd favorite holiday right after Christmas, which I am even more excited about! And don't even get me started on the food. Oh my word! My mouth is watering just thinking about my granny's cornbread dressing/stuffing with cranberry sauce😍 Honestly, it's not a true Thanksgiving if you don't take a nap after your first plate, so you can replenish your energy for a second plate. Can I get an Amen?


Okay enough blabbering about how excited I am. Besides the obviously glorious food that we consume on this glorious occasion, I want to take the time to recognize what things I am thankful for in this current year of 2017. You guys know me. I love making lists--hit me up if you need me to write up a grocery or packing list for you😜--so of course I made a list of things I am thankful for.

So without further ado...

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Life Update+It's Almost Thanksgiving| November


Hey Classy Crew!! Happy HUMP day!! lol🤣 I hope you've had a good week so far! 

Alright, I'm going to be honest. I totally wanted to upload a blog post today about the pros and cons of taking 8ams in college, but I couldn't quite convince my brain to work properly right now. All I really want to do is lay down and watch a movie. BUT...I won't do that. Or at least I won't do that right now. I promised a blog post today, so I'm going to give you guys one! So today's post is going to be chill because I just want to share with you guys what I've been up to lately😊.

So without further ado...


Sunday, November 5, 2017

6 Tips For Living With Someone For the 1st Time |college


College is a time characterized by a lot of firsts. First time living away from home (unless you live at home and commute to school). First time showering in a community bathroom. First time taking the necessary steps to pursue your future career. And even first time living with someone who is not your sibling. 

I have a little sister and we used to room together when we were younger, but I've never roomed with someone longer than a week. I understand living with a complete stranger can being extremely intimidating because number one, you don't know them as who they truly are as a person and number two, you don't know if you two or three will get along. Luckily, I was able to room with my friend from middle school, so I had a sense of peace rooming with a familiar face, but I was still nervous deep down because we went to completely different high schools and hadn't seen each other in four years. Four years is a LONG TIME!!! A person can change a lot in four years, whether it be for better or for worse. Again, I'm not bragging but I consider myself super lucky to have Tara as my roommate and she and I get a long very well. But for those of you who are anxiety-ridden with the anticipation of meeting your roommate during move-in day or have already found disparities with your roommate currently, here are some tips to help you conquer your fears or keep you from pulling your hairs out.

So without further ado...

Sunday, October 29, 2017

Passion Story of the Month| October


happy fall y'all! (oh man, it feels so weird saying y'all! i don't know why!? I'm from the South, so you would think the word would be in my daily vocabulary, right? wrong! I actually don't like saying y'all. I say you guys instead. don't ask me why, i just do but for the purpose of the quote and rhyming, I had to type the dreaded "y'all". never again tho😅😆.) 

anyways, I am so excited that it is finally feeling like fall here in the South. I have been waiting impatiently for the opportunity to drink hot chocolate and not break into a sweat on the way to my classes. tbh, I love fall not only for the colorful leaves, but it is so much easier to dress for. all I have to do is throw on a sweater, jeans, and a pair of boots and I instantly look cute & put together for class. what's not love?

okay. okay. enough blabbering about fall! the real reason why I am excited about this post is because it's my FIRST EVER PASSION STORY ENTRY!!!!!🎊🎊🎊 

Today's Passion Story is about MacKenzie Wilson!! She is the Co-Founder and Creative Director for Delight Ministries, a nationwide ministry inviting college women into Christ-centered community that fosters vulnerability and transforms stories! The first time I met her was at a convocation for my school and immediately after talking to her, I knew I had to have her be one of my passion story features! The conversation we had was so down-to-earth and inspirational and I could not help but share it with you guys.

so without further ado...

Sunday, October 15, 2017

dorm room tour| 2017-2018

Hey MTV, welcome to our crib!😜


Before I give you guys a sneak peak into my roommate and I's dorm room, I want to express how overwhelmingly happy I am with the positive responses to wanting to see a dorm room tour!! It made my heart so happy to know that you guys were excited to see the room just like I was excited to decorate my side. Okay, I won't keep you guys waiting any longer. Enjoy!!

So without further ado...

Thursday, September 21, 2017

What's In My Backpack? | college edition


*QUICK EDIT: I know that school has been in session for about a month now for most people, BUT I liked how this post turned out, so that's why I'm sharing it with you guys! Please don't judge me!😅🙈 lol*
Okay guys don't judge me, but I actually enjoy buying school supplies for the new school year. Is that weird??🙊🙈 I don't know why I do. I guess there's something about having a fresh start and getting a chance to reorganize your life in some shape or form. Out of all the school supplies available, my favorite thing to purchase is a planner, especially the ones with cute, minimalist designs and quotes! I'm a Type A person, which means I love structure and planning out my day, and planners are absolute life-savers! If you don't have one, you need to get one RIGHT NOW! 

Anyways, there are so much more to school supplies than just planners and when you are in school, whether it be elementary, middle, high school, or college, you need to have all the right materials to help you be prepared and ace your classes!

Below are some of my favorites and must have school supplies that help me stay sane while juggling homework, extra-curricular activities, and a social life.

So without further ado...

Friday, September 1, 2017

8 Easy Back To School/ Lazy Day Hairstyles


Hey CLASSY crew! I'll admit, I have been a little MIA from the blog for a bit; I've decided to take a mini hiatus from blogging in order to focus on transitioning into college life and tackling the workload and activities that come with it. I knew college homework would be more demanding than high school, but I had no clue how much reading and annotating would be required of me practically every single night. Despite the workload, the rest of my college experience has been a little overwhelming but mainly fun and eye-opening! I have met so many incredible people from diverse backgrounds and different states and my professors seem very passionate and knowledgeable about the subjects they teach. Overall, I have been enjoying my time in college and I am looking forward to the rest of the school year!

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Sweet Summer Memories//2017


Oh my word! There's no way summer is slowly coming to an end; it felt like it was just yesterday that we were bursting through the school doors and embracing the sweet summer break air. What's even more mind-boggling is the fact that I will sadly be leaving the place I called home for many years and move into my new "home away from home". It's crazy to think that this time next week I will be an official college student!!🙈🙈 It's truly something to sit and think back to how many years have gone by and all the little moments that I have experienced that has brought me to this next important stage of my life.

Just simply humbling. 

Now in an effort to reminisce the sweet memories from this summer (even though summer hasn't officially ended yet), I have compiled a little list:

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Only a 100 Words!?!

What's up Classy Crew! It's officially August now and school is about to start very soon😐-unless it has already started for you, then I am sorry. I know I mentioned this in the last post, but it honestly feels like mother nature took a pair of scissors and cut summer in half. Anyone else?

Anyways, I hope this week has treated you well. Overall, my week was decent. I got a chance to celebrate one of my friend's birthday by attending the Shawn Mendes concert and let me tell you... IT WAS AMAZING! The concert is easily one of my all-time favorites now. Even though the venue was filled to the brim with about 10,000 fans, he somehow managed to make it feel like everyone was part of a big, happy family. There were even moments where it felt like he was singing just to you.



 I will definitely be listening to more of his music and you may even say me and the group of girls who were also invited might have an itsy bitsy crush on him now😍😍. Like legit, we spent the whole car ride home fan-girling over pics of him from Google!😆😆

I also had a chance to reconnect with my friends whom I graduated with. It was so great to hug and catch up with them after not seeing most of them during the summer, especially since we are all going to separate colleges😢. Nonetheless, I think we all have a friendship bond that will hopefully last through the long distances and I believe it's really something special when you can be away from your friends for a period of time and then reunite and act like nothing has changed:)

Alright before I get to what this blog post is all about, I want to take a second and share something near and dear to me. I like to pride myself in being personal with you guys by sharing my growth and journey through life as well as providing content that is positive with good vibes. But sometimes you have to get raw and deep in order to truly connect with your readers because you can't have sunshine without rain.

Although this week was filled with some fun, it didn't start out that way. This past Monday, I received word that a co-worker of mine had unfortunately passed away. I have experienced some deaths in my family in the past, but I have never experienced one of a close friend. He was one of the sweetest people I have ever met in my life and he supported my blog from the very beginning ( something that means a whole lot to me). He will be truly loved & missed and I know heaven is happy to have another angel.💜 I wanted to share this with you guys because I want you guys to know-including myself- that life is short and it is important to make the best out of the time we have here on this Earth. The legacy that Adam left was one of love and kindness and I think everyone should strive to do the same (love one another as you would love yourself) because there is a lot of evil in this world, but good can override it!

Okay...time to lighten the mood a bit.

Recently, I viewed the post of a fellow blogger, Grace from "Totally Graced", that challenged her readers to write a memory they had in only 100 words. SO consider this challenge ACCEPTED!

                                                                                   So without further ado...

Sunday, July 30, 2017

Q and Ayeee w/ lovetlhayden

Happy Sunday Classy Crew! I can't believe August is almost here! Where has the time gone?? It felt like we just got out of school yesterday. Please don't leave us summer break!! 😢

But before we say goodbye to July and hello to August, I want to throw it back to the beginning of July when I went to Chicago. During my trip, I had the opportunity to meet one of my sister's friends, Tamika Hayden.  She is a branding creative/ girl boss who owns her own business where she not only blogs but sells home & office decor, dorm room bedding, and inspiring accessories. The items on her online shop are super cute, especially the throw pillows.  *Click her name above to see her website!* Of course I had to make the most of the visit, so we ended up doing a little Q&A about blogging and being a modern-day female entrepreneur.

                                                                                  So without further ado...

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Friendship Reunions & Thrift Shopping

                                                                                   Hey classy crew!😊

Confused? Don't be. Welcome to the SQUADDDD!  (Do people even say squad anymore!?!😅) Oh well! I wanted to give you guys, my lovely readers, a name so we can feel more like a cute, little family instead of a random group of individuals reading words created from my brain. Do you guys like it? I do and I hope you do too. :)

Anyways, I practically spent almost everyday this week hanging out with friends and I am definitely grateful for it. The week started out with reconnecting with two friends from middle school; we discussed the past four years with each other and relived past memories over toasted Panera Bread sandwiches. Towards the end of the week, I ate lunch once again with my Stats girls (food is always a great way to bring people together😋) and later that day, I, and my counselor aid chicas, satisfied our sweet cravings with some much needed fro-yo (this summer heat is no joke!🔥🔥) And to finish off the week, another friend and I decided to do a little thrift store challenge.
       
                                                                        Check out our finds down below!
                                                                                               ↓↓↓↓

Monday, July 10, 2017

Travel Diary: Chicago




Hey lovelies! It has been a hot minute since I have updated my blog. I know. I know. In the beginning of the summer, I said I would upload every Sunday, but I feel like it's more important for me to post content that I am proud of sharing and have spent quality time working on versus creating content to just have something up. So yes, I have missed 2 Sundays in a row, but let me tell you why. For the past week, I've been in Chicago spending some much needed quality time with family especially my older sisters. It's not often I get to "play" tourist and explore a city that's so rich in art, culture, music, food, and countless other things that would involve way too many commas for this sentence😜. Of course you know I had to take of advantage of this opportunity, so I decided to make another travel diary video. If you haven't seen my 1st travel diary video, click this link: Travel Diary (Hawaii)

Now sit back (or stand up/it's a free country😆). Relax (maybe in a recliner?) And enjoy!(preferably with some popcorn 😄🍿)  Let me know down in the comments below if you like these travel diary style posts:) and most importantly, don't forget to "stay classy".😊

                                                   

Sunday, June 25, 2017

My College Orientation Experience

Hey lovelies! Happy Sunday to everyone:) Today I am writing a weekly update about experiencing my first ever college orientation. How crazy is that? I have scheduled my classes for the fall semester and in about 2 months I will be an official college student. I am so excited and nervous at the same time; this is such a BIG change and I hope that great things will come of it. Okay, enough of my blabbering😆.

                                                                           So without further ado...

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Don't Apologize for Being YOU!

Happy Sunday everyone! Most importantly, Happy Father's Day! I hope everyone had a chance to hug their father and express your thanks for his existence. And for those of you whose fathers are watching and protecting you from heaven, I hope you find comfort knowing they are happily smiling down on you😊.

Today, I am giving you guys a slight break from my back-to-back food posts. I told you I loveee food😜. I wanted to give you guys a little dose of motivation to help you prepare for the week ahead.

                                                                             So without further ado...
                                                         

Sunday, June 11, 2017

All Thai'd Up

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you guys have had a fun and productive week. Today I have another food-related post for you, but it's not a recipe. Think of it like a mesh between a food review and a restaurant recommendation with lots of pictures. Originally, I was planning on posting something more inspirational but the restaurant has inspired me to dedicate a whole post about it. And you know the restaurant is pretty good when you and your family try it for the first time and go back for more the next day.

                                                                                     So without further ado...

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Honey Roasted Plums



                                                                

OH MY GOODNESS...I absolutely LOVEEEE food!!! I could seriously talk about food all day! I have always had a true passion and appreciation for food since I was a little girl. Everytime we had free time at after school care, I would immediately gravitate to the kitchen play set area and pretend to cook meals for the dolls and my friends. And don't even get me started about my discovery of Food Network ( I think it was around 5th or 6th grade)! Bobby Flay. Emeril Lagasse. Giada DeLaurentiis. My list of my favorite Food Network chefs could go on forever, but maybe I'll save that topic for a future post.  Anyways...the intro above is basically my way of geeking out about my first ever food post!!! I am so excited to share this recipe that I have improvised for you guys. But before I share the recipe, I need to give proper credit to Mimi Ikonn on YouTube for her "What I Eat in a Day" video, which featured a scrumptious-looking roasted plum dessert that inspired me to make my own simplified version! Above is a short instructional video of the recipe ( I recommend playing it in 720 for better quality). You can choose to follow the recipe via the video or the written instructions down below!

                                                                                      So without further ado...

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Behind the Blog// Get To Know Me Pt. 3


Hey lovelies! I hope you guys have had a great week so far! Hopefully, most of you guys are done with the school year and are enjoying an early start to summer. I know I have definitely been taking advantage of some extra time to sleep💤😜. I am so excited to be able to spend this summer updating and adding new and fun content to my blog! I have so many ideas for new content to write, but first I need to finish what I have already started; therefore, I am going to finish out my "Behind the Blog// Get To Know Me Series" with pt.3.
                                                                                   So without further ado...

10 Tips To Help You Survive High School

Hey lovelies! It's been a hot minute since I have added new content to my blog, but I am officially back and it feels good to be writing for my blog again! Last semester of senior year for high school is no joke. Senior week, prom, final testing, GRADUATION, sending final transcripts to college, and lots more will grab your attention and forget to give it back. Thank goodness I have succeeded in gaining some of my free time back.😉 Another thing worth mentioning is the fact that I am an official high school graduate preparing to take on the wide world of college!! IT'S CRAZY! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT EITHER! I didn't believe people when they said four years of high school goes by fast, but I truly believe them now. Time sure does fly by! So in honor of celebrating the end of one chapter in my life and the beginning of a new one, I have compiled a list of 10 tips to help you conquer high school.

                                                                                 So without further ado...

Sunday, April 2, 2017

Travel Diary: Hawaii


Hey guys! I am so excited to share with you my travel diary video of Hawaii from this past November. It was such a fun trip and I am so glad I got a chance to make incredible memories with my band family. Before you watch the video, here is a little background story:

My marching band had the wonderful privilege to perform in the Waikiki Holiday Parade as well as commemorate the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor by playing in front of the USS Missouri Battleship. It was such a humbling experience and an honor to participate in alongside my friends. Those are definitely moments I will NEVER forget! The video above is basically highlights of the fun activities we did while in Honolulu, Hawaii. Last but not least, I hope you enjoy the video (I wish the quality of my camera was a little better but "oh whale"😃). This video was fun for me to edit as well as a pain sometimes, but without further a do...

**PICTURES DOWN BELOW**

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Behind the Blog//Get To Know Me Pt.2


Hey guys! I apologize for being M.I.A from the blog for a while. I have been busy with this thing called "life" and I finally have found the time to sit down and write again. By the way, tomorrow is Presidents' Day which means no school tomorrow! Hallelujah! Anyways, I decided to complete part 2 of my "Behind the Blog" series.
                                                               
                                                                              So without further ado...

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Dear Dreamer,

Dare to DREAM! And don't you ever stop. Dreaming is such a beautiful thing. It's a place that lets your mind wander and escape reality just for a little bit. A place where all your thoughts come together and in some sort of way actually make sense. It's something special when you have a thought and your brain takes it and shapes & molds it into something attainable. Something powerful. It's so powerful that you sometimes become numb to your surroundings. To others, it looks like you're frozen in time. Not moving. Not blinking. Just lost in thought. And there is nothing wrong with being lost in thought as long as you know how to find your way back.

Monday, January 2, 2017

New Year, Who Dis?

OH MY GOODNESS!! I can't believe 2016 is officially over. It was definitely one for the books. So much happened this year, some good and some bad. Regardless, thank you for the memories 2016, but it's time to create new memories with 2017. So without further a do...

WELCOME 2017!!!  I hope you treat us right and I look forward to seeing what you have in stored for us.

The Power of a Hug


It has been said that a hug can help release oxytocin and dopamine, which can improve social bonding, relieve stress, and improve happiness or pleasure.

A while ago, I stumbled upon a YouTube video of a social experiment: hugging someone for 4 minutes straight. Some people who hugged were: a mother and daughter, roommates/bffs, a couple with an adorable baby (😍), and many more.

I always enjoy watching these types of videos not only because I'm interested in social experiments but to see what emotion can be evoked by watching them. Normally, I constantly smile through these videos-and I did with this video-but it also evoked another emotional response.

Behind the Blog//Get To Know Me Pt.1

"Askin' all them questions. Askin' all them questions. Why you askin' all them questions...making statements...ASSUMING!" Does anyone else remember that song from YouTube? No? Just me?

Well anyways, I feel like you deserve to get to know the person behind the blog. If we're going to go on this "stay classy" journey together, I think you should get to know who I am. So, I decided to do a little Q & A for you guys.  I asked a bunch of my friends to send me random questions to answer. Some are fun and out-of-the-box while some are thought-provoking and deep. They sent me a TON of questions, so there will be a pt.2 and pt. 3 coming soon. Without further a do...

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