lots to discuss [extra long post ahead]

I hope I didn't scare any of you off with my spicy post! C mentioned to me that I didn't say if I enjoyed Jitlada or not, and needed to do so. Sorry, C! YES, I loved Jitlada! The food was amazing [albiet spicy] and I definitely want to go back!

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So my week has been consumed with a whole lot of Tour de France. I'm serious! I've been recording the stages and watching them when I get home from work! I feel so bad for Lance! It's one thing to be older and not win because of lack of ability to compete with the younger cyclists, but it's totally different when you are knocked out because of bad luck. And he sure did have a lot of it in Stage 8. I have high hopes for Andy Schleck to win and Levi Leipheimer to at least get on the podium.

Are any of you watching the tour?

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I made a homemade cake last weekend and it was delicious! I wanted to share the recipe because it is perfect for any chocolate lover. I don't enjoy many chocolate desserts, but this one really had me contemplating seconds [and maybe thirds, too]! I found the recipe on the back of a Hershey's cocoa powder container. It was super simple and you probably have most, if not all, of the ingredients in your house already.

The recipe makes a two-layer round cake, but I decided to cut each of my layers in half so I ended up with a four-layer cake. Unfortunately, the frosting recipe only makes enough for the original two-layer cake so if you are going to add the extra layers, I'd recommend making extra frosting as well.

You can click here for the cake and frosting recipe!

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Thank you to the lovely Ashley over at Sweet Southern Prep for giving me the "You're Going Places" Award! I need to share where I think I will be in 10 years and then pass the award on to ten bloggers.

I honestly have no idea where I will be in ten years. I hope to be in a different career, doing something I enjoy and have a passion for. It could be party planning or baking specialty cupcakes. I just know I don't want to be in an office for the rest of my life, being controlled by corporate policies. I hope to be married, possibly with children. Or at least a dog!

I don't know who has received this award already! Sorry if I award anyone twice...you're just extra loved :) Desperately Seeking Seersucker, A Daily Dose of Davis, Chic & Pink, Inner Workings of a Real-Life Barbie Doll, Handbag Obsessed, Ordinary Girl, Extraordinary Journey, Polish and Pearls, Nautical by Nature, Powderpuffs N Pearls {private blogger}, and Sweet Simplicity.

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And lastly, I'll share a few pictures with you from 4th of July in Las Vegas. I never did a vacation recap so I'll let these pictures speak for themselves!

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Sorry for this extra long post. I hope that at least some of you made it to the end!

random, but all important!

First things first, a few THANK YOU's are in order!

I entered a giveaway over at Brunch at Saks, and guess what?! I won! So a big thank you to Brunch at Saks and Perricone for the opportunity to try the Face Finishing Moisturizer! I'm so excited to receive it and let you all know what I think!

My next big thank you goes to my dear friend, MRM, from Preppy Girl Meets World. She surprised me with the Lilly Pulitzer panda thermal mug! I love this limited edition pattern so much and am really happy to have something in it! Thank you MRM and Preppy Princess, for sending such a beautifully wrapped treat!


Lastly, I have received a couple of awards and tags recently, and don't want to forget to thank the lovely bloggers that recognized me. Thank you Trish, for awarding me the Beautiful Blogger Award! And thank you Julie, for awarding me the Versatile Blogger Award! I love both of your blogs and am so glad that you thought of me!

Each award requires that I share things about myself and then tag fellow bloggers to participate. I've shared so much over the year and a half I've been blogging, but I'll try to think of some somewhat interesting new facts to share with you today.

1. I don't understand the World Cup. We watched the final game yesterday, and I was so confused. A lot of running, that's for sure...
2. I woke up on Sunday morning feeling very domesticated. I swept and vacuumed the floors, cleaned the top of the refrigerator [so dusty!], baked a homemade chocolate cake, and made pancakes for breakfast! Needless to say, I was sleepy by 2 pm :)
3. I'm counting down the days until my two week summer vacation [45 days!!!!!]. Not sharing the destination yet, but anyone have any guesses?!
4. I'm a nail-biter.
5. On Saturday, I dragged C to the movies to watch Eclipse. And afterwards, we happened to see that Toy Story 3 was about to start so we snuck in and watched it. Is that bad? It was early afternoon so it wasn't like the theater was busy and there were so many open seats. We enjoyed both movies!
6. After several weekends of laying out by the pool, I can actually say that I'm tired of it. I had no desire to even go outside this past weekend.

I tag anyone who hasn't participated yet! Let me know if you do so I can come read some fun facts about YOU!

I have such sweet friends {long post ahead}!!

My blog friends have been too kind! I have recently been awarded with a number of accolades, and I'm so excited about it. I have been meaning to post for quite awhile now, but I just keep getting pulled away from blogging to do other things, like papers and group projects {why, oh why??!}. This is way more fun though! Although my current paper on gender differences in the workplace and the effect it has on promotion rates really is very interesting.

Moving on, thanks to all of these ladies for thinking of me for these awards. It really is very sweet and makes me feel oh so good!

The lovely Ashley from The Ramirez Family gave me the One Lovely Blog Award! Please check out Ashley's blog - she is so darling! Her and her husband just got the most adorable little puppy too! I'm going to give this award to any of my followers that don't have it!! Thanks again Ashley!

One of my very favorite bloggers ever, The Luckiest Mrs., just reached her 101st post and created an award to go along with it! Don't you love it? It's the Happy 101 Award!!! Along with the award I have to list 10 things that make me happy and 10 bloggers that brighten my day, so here goes!

10 things that make me happy: sleeping in, tv, family, my pup, my significant other, good movies, food!, the holidays, friends, and pay day! and 10 bloggers that brighten my day: Kate {you better post this, I know where you live :)}, Jill, Gwen, Jules, Summer, Bronco Mom, Danielle, Britt, Phoenix, and Jenn!

The Luckiest Mrs. has a pretty awesome Mom too - Maria of Personalized Sketches & Sentiments! She awarded me with The Icing on the Cake Award! It's so fun that I want to give it to all of my followers that don't have it yet!! You all deserve it :)

Lastly, Emily, Leigh, Elle and Wendy all gave me the Sugar Doll Award! Thanks ladies! I am supposed to come up with 10 facts about myself, but I'm really not that interesting...sadly! Ha! I've seen this going around the blogworld, so if you haven't gotten it yet, please take it!!

And that's it folks! I've got an assignment to work on now so I'm off! I'm so glad it's almost Friday! I have school two nights a week this term and both of my professors like to keep us there until the clock strikes 10 pm {that's late after a full day of work}! Needless to say, it's a good night for some wine and catching up on my shows!!

Bloggy Love!

Ooh, I am SO excited! I just found out that I won a super fabulous giveaway for a Boatman Geller melamine plate in my choice of design! I chose the Madison design with a classic monogram in the center. If you are wondering where I entered this giveaway, let me tell you! I have a wonderful blog friend, Bronco Mom over at Powder Puffs n Pearls, whom I "met" a few months back. She was just starting her blog and she asked me for some advice {not that I had anything useful!} on blogging. I started following her right away and since then, she has become quite the blogger! Bronco Mom recently had her blog made over by The Design Girl and it looks tres chic!

I am very excited and honored to have won her giveaway for the plate. I know Bronco Mom has plans for future giveaways soon, so please go visit her and welcome her to the blog world! She is wonderful and she also has an amazing recipe for crockpot Brunswick Stew that she was kind enough to share with me and I will be trying it out this weekend!

Thanks again Bronco Mom!

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Thanks to a couple of lovely ladies who recognized me for awards!

The "Your Blog is Over the Top" Award from the lovely Maria over at Personalized Sketches and Sentiments. I hope you all pay Maria's blog a visit. She is the sweetest blogger and always leaves such nice comments! She is also supremely artistic. I am always blown away by her artwork.

Here are the Rules:

1. You can only use one word to answer the questions!
2. Pass this along to 6 of your favorite bloggers!
3. Alert them that you have given them this award!
4. Have Fun!

Now, for the Fun Part:

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your hair? straight
3. Your mother? kind
4. Your father? awesome
5. Your favorite food? Mexican
6. Your dream last night? vivid
7. Your favorite drink? water
8. Your dream/goal? happiness
9. What room are you in? office
10. Your hobby? baking
11. Your fear? worms!
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? alive
13. Where were you last night? couch
14. Something that you aren’t? organized
15. Muffins? cupcakes!
16. Wish list item? Cadillac
17. Where did you grow up? Georgia
18. Last thing you did? lunch
19. What are you wearing? clothes :)
20. Your TV? grande
21. Your pets? sweet
22. Friends? fabulous
23. Your life? busy
24. Your mood? happy
25. Missing someone? family
26. Vehicle? SUV
27. Something you’re not wearing? glasses
28. Your favorite store? JCrew
29. Your favorite color? pink
30. When was the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? months
32. Your best friend? far
33. One place that I go to over and over? email
34. One person who emails me regularly? Dad
35. Favorite place to eat? PF Chang's {not one word...oops!}

I tag: Jenny at Lucky in Love, S at Inner Workings of a Real-life Barbie Doll, Gwen at Confessions of a Control Freak, Ashley at Ramirez Family, Katie at Katie's Life Journey, and Amanda at Amanda's Sunshine. If you ladies already have this award, then consider yourself especially loved!

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"Superior Scribbler Award" from Taryn over at Mr. Jones and Me! This was awarded to me some time ago, but I so appreciate it {please don't think my late posting has anything to do with my excitement over receiving the award}! Little Miss Taryn is getting married November 21 and I'm just so excited for her!

Here are the Rules:
1. Each Superior Scribbler (SS) must pass the award on to 5 most-deserving blog buds.

2. Each SS must link to the author and name of blog from whom he/she has received the award.

3. Each SS must display the award on his/her blog and link to this post which fully explains the award.
4. Each blogger who wins, must visit this post and add their name to the Mr. Linky list at the Scholastic-Scribe's blog so we can keep track of all who wins this prestigious award!

5. Each SS must post these rules on their blog.

I tag: Brandi from The Life of a Small Town Girl, Perambulations through Pittsburgh, Katie at The Perks, Stace at Seashells and Sunshine, and Amy at The Un-wife Housewife Life. Again, if you have received the award already, then consider yourself extra loved!

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Thanks for sticking with me through this long post! I have some exciting news this week, but am waiting until it's official to share with you! Hopefully by the end of the week or early next week!!! And I haven't forgotten about my giveaway promise - the announcement is coming soon, I promise!! xoxo

A Tag, Award & Giveaway

*hApPy ThUrSdAy*

June is flying by so quickly - I can't believe that next week is a 3 day holiday! Yippee!

I thought I'd use this post to combine several items so please disregard the hodge podge of information - I hope you'll stick around because there is a giveaway announcement at the end of all this rambling!

First up, the lovely Danielle at Well, That's Just Fabulous, awarded me with the Honest Scrap Award. Thanks friend! I'm supposed to tell you 10 things about me you may not know that are true. So here goes: 1) I am hopelessly addicted to NCIS. 2) I am an obsessive e-mail checker, probably 3o times a day. 3) I hate conflict and will do anything to avoid it. 4) I have to try very hard to keep eye contact with people. 5) Sometimes I forget to feed my dog {don't call animal control on me, the bf always remembers!} 6) I can't style my own hair to save my life. 7) I am a compulsive nail biter. The only way to keep my hands out of my mouth is to have nail polish on my nails. 8) I don't answer the phone and I never return missed calls. But I promise I can be a good friend! 9) I haven't told the management at my apartment that I have a dog. Oops. 10) I am a maniac behind the wheel. It's the only time I let a foul word slip out of my mouth.

Bitsy from Bitsy and Olive also tagged me to tell you 10 things about myself, but I think it may be the same thing as above. I'm afraid I'm really not that interesting and think I would have trouble coming up with 10 more facts about myself. Instead, go visit Bitsy's blog - it's darrrrrrrrrrling!

Mel at Over the Rainbow...At Last, awarded me the Funky Blog award! Many thanks Mel! I'm sorry it took me so long to post, and I'm very grateful you included my blog to receive this fun award! I am going to bestow the Funky Blog award to all my followers. Put it up on your blog because you are all fantastic and deserving!

Thanks for the tags and awards Danielle, Bitsy and Mel!

♥

Now I have a fun giveaway announcement to share with you! I hope you aren't growing tired of giveaways...HA! This week I have teamed up with a familiar face, Barbara from Finders Keepers Jewelry! There were so many of you interested in the last FK giveaway that Barbara has asked for me to host a giveaway for another wonderful item, the John Hardy inspired Cobblestone Cuff.One winner will receive this gorgeous cuff! Won't it look perfect with many of your summer outfits?! If you'd like to be entered to win, simply 1) leave a comment on this post and 2) be a follower of my blog. Leave your entry by Tuesday, June 30 at 12 pm EST. Also, don't forget to enter Finders Keepers 30 Days of Giveaways. You can enter once per day!

♥

Lastly, don't forget to check out my Ebay listings. Most of my auctions are ending this Saturday around 10:30 am PST (so 1:30 pm for my East Coast friends). I am planning on listing a couple more of my Lilly dresses {it's still undecided if I can bear to part with them} in the next couple of days. I'll let you all know when they are posted.

Blog Awards

Thank you Chic & Pink and Stuttering Shell for the Queen of All Things Awe-summm Award! First steps to being a Queen: 1. List seven things that make you awe-summm 2. Pass the award on to seven bloggers you read religiously 3. Tag those 7 bloggers 4. Don't forget to link the Queen that tagged you 5. Copy the pic and put it on your sidebar 7 things that make me awe-summ - I always try to do the right thing, I'm honest, I love my friends and family (and they love me), I love to bargain shop, in my dog's eyes I can do no wrong, I can bake yummy treats, and I'm not afraid to eat at a restaurant or see a movie by myself. 7 blogs I read religiously and tag - Cardigans and Clogs, Politics and Pearls, Polka Dots and Cupcakes, Pink is My Signature Color, One Preppy Day, It's the Sweet Tea Talkin', and Perfectly Pleasant.

My next award is from Mimi Elise of Live Laugh Love. Thanks so much! The rules of this award are to recognize the blogger who bestowed the award and then nominate ten other blogs you admire. Well, I admire everyone's blogs so I nominate anyone who doesn't have this award yet!

Sweet Jordan from Two Dogs, a Girl and a Husband's Grace recognized me for having One Lovely Blog! Rules: 1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award 2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. I pass this award on to The Monogrammed Sailor, Preppy Politico, Tickled Pink and Green, Southern Pathways, Virginia Southern Belle, Tales of a Soon to be Soccer Mom, Fritter Chicks, Beach Family Updates, A Little Pink in the Cornfields, Preppy Pink Crab, Preppy Southern Princess, Precious and Pink, Life is Beautiful, Soon to be Mrs. Dew, and Happiness is a Journey.

Check out the discount code for Cute Clips and More by clicking here.

Summertime Swap is now closed. I will post the partners tomorrow.

Bloggy ♥

A big thanks to Brandi and Celeste for awarding me with the Lemonade Award! What a surprise!

The Rules of Accepting and Sharing this Award

1. Put the logo on your blog or post 2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude 3. Link to your nominees within your post 4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award 5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award. 6. Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude

My answer to how I've come to have an attitude of gratitude: You know, life is good. To be alive, surrounded by people you love really makes you stop and think about how lucky you are. So I may not have an expensive car, a window office or a wardrobe full of couture clothes, but I do have friends, family, a job, a roof over my head, money for food, etc. To me, those are the things in life that matter. Every day I find myself thanking God for all that I've been blessed with.

I am going to pass this award on to: Holly, Carie, Donna, Torch Lake Prep, Lis, Niki, Sweet Tea Talkin', Mrs. Sitcom, Shell, and Ashley Pizarro. If any of you ladies have already received this award, then consider yourself extra loved :)

I'd also like to say thank you to BellaMartinelli for the Neno's Award! Check out her blog - Classic Girl in Pearls - for a fun and fabulous read!

Perfectly Pleasant is Just That!

♥Hi lovies- happy Wednesday...only 3 days until my birthday♥

Upon waking up and checking my trusted Google reader, I discovered that Perfectly Pleasant awarded me with the Neno's Award! Thank you so much! Ashley is a semi-new blogger (since February of this year) and has a fun blog that you need to visit if you haven't already. In fact, Ashley is hosting a "pay it forward" where she will draw two random comments to receive a little something from her. But the deadline to enter is 5 pm today so scoot over there and show her some love! Thanks again Ashley for this award!

The goals of this award are: 1)As a dedication for those who love blogging and love to encourage friendships through blogging. 2)To seek the reasons why we all love blogging. 3)Put the award in one post as soon as you receive it. 4)Don't forget to mention the person who gives you the award. 5)Answer the awards question by writing the reason why you love blogging. 6)Tag and distribute the award to as many people as you like. 7)Don't forget to notify the award receivers and put their links in your post.

So, why do I love blogging? I love blogging because it has opened the doors to so many new friendships. While I may never actually meet a blog friend, it doesn't make them any less of a friend because they are here when I need them; to celebrate with me, laugh with me, cry with me, and support me.

I don't know if the following ladies have had this award bestowed on them already, but if so, just consider yourselves and your blog extra loved!

Jules at Chic & Pink
Britt at Politics and Pearls
MRM at Prep in the Big Apple
Gwen at Confessions of a Control Freak
Sassy Pink Monogram
Karie at Wife of a Wounded Marine

Just a quick thank you to BLC :o for the Cute Blogger Award as well!! xoxo

Okay, I'm done...

Excuse my Tardiness

Enter my Birthday Giveaway #2 here.

Now on to the important things!

One of my very favorite bloggers, Jules from Chic & Pink awarded me with the Sisterhood Award last week! I am so sorry to be behind in posting this lovely accolade. I absolutely adore Jules and her blog - please visit her if you haven't already! You won't be disappointed!

Sister is another word for friend.
Sisters are blossoms in the garden of life.
Sisters are forever!

I would like to pass this award on to the following bloggers and if you have already received this award, then you must think of yourself as extra special!

1. Lola Cupcake from Polka Dots and Cupcakes - this girl is a great blogger, she has the best little posts! And she is hosting her first ever giveaway! Go, follow, enter...you won't be sorry!
2. LuLu from Life with LuLu and Pete - fun blogger looking to add more followers! For every 25 additional followers that sign up, she is going to host a giveaway!!!! We all love those so go visit her blog and sign up to follow! And please tell her Sweet Tea Diaries sent you so I can get some extra giveaway entries :)
3. Lou Lou from Lou Lou in Lilly - one of my favorites! She should be one of your favorites too!
4. Kristen from Kristen's Palace - such a sweet blogger! Go congratulate her on her new job that started this week!
5. Her Preppiness at Preppy 50 and Loving Lilly - this blogger has the best updates on preppy shopping finds and such!
6. Erin from The Prep-E Girl - one of the very first blogs I ever read!!! If you're not reading her yet, you should be!

I'm not sure how many bloggers I am supposed to award so I'll stop at six! Thanks to the above ladies for being my bloggy friends! Now go and share the love ♥

UPDATE:

And I forgot to include one other blog that I absolutely adore...plus 7 is my lucky number so I have to have to award 7 ladies, not 6!!!!

Chloe from Cardigans and Clogs - one of my very favorite ladies out there in the blog world and she is currently hosting a giveaway too! You must go and check her out! How I could have forgotten her...I'll never know! I blame it on it being a Monday :)