OOTD & TGIF!

*woot woot*

The weekend is oh-so-close!  Here's what I threw on this morning...

And then tonight, I have an 80's-themed birthday party to go to -- I can't WAIT to show y'all the pictures from that fete!

Also, can we just pause for a second and think about Saturday?  Oh-muh-word, the Bluegrass state just might implode!  But everybody knows that cats EAT birds, right?  :)

Happy Friday lovies!

Thankful Thursday

So often, I get so caught up in one of the million things going on in my life, that I forget that sometimes, I just need to take a step-back and think about all of the things that I have to be thankful for...

Here's a quick little list.

--My Family.
       I am extremely close with my family, and I feel blessed to say that I am.  Working in education, I see first-hand what an impact family life has on a child, and I am so thankful that I was raised in a household with two parents, a brother, and a sister.  I was lucky enough to know my grandparents on both sides, and even great-grandparents.  Sure, there are times that we fight, but what family doesn't?  The older I get, the more I realize what a wonderful gift my parents gave to me.

--My Friends.
       My friends are basically family, so this should come as no surprise.  I can honestly say that I have a handful of friends that would be there for me -- no matter what -- and that's a pretty great feeling.  No idea why they put up with my craziness, but they do, and I love them for it.

--My Job.
       Talk about being blessed...  I scored the job that I wanted, at the school that I wanted, and I have loved every minute of this first year.  Every time I hear about unemployment rates and people losing their homes due to foreclosure, I close my eyes and say a little, "Thank You."  If you asked me two years ago if I thought it was possible for someone to really love their job, I would have told you, without a doubt, NO.  But now, I totally get that old adage of "If you find work doing something that you love, you'll never work a day in your life."  (or however it's supposed to go!)

--My Abilities.
       I am capable of doing so many things in my life -- I can travel when I want to go somewhere, I can pay my own bills, I live by myself, I was able to balance working and going to school to get my Master's, I can stand-up for myself, speak for myself, and think for myself -- and while some of those things may seem like common-sense, they're not for everyone.  At least once a day, it seems that I'll notice someone who cannot do for themselves, and it makes me acutely aware of all that I have going for me.  How thankful I should be.

"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." -- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Be thankful today girls.  Be sure to say "Please," and "Thank You," even for small efforts.  Smile instead of frown.  We all have so much to be thankful for.

Link-Up: Tail-Waggin' Tuesday

Linking up with Miss C-Mae today for


So let me introduce, Miss Maddie...  Instagram edition!

Yeah...  She's pretty awesome.

And she's a Great Dane, not a Greyhound -- she's just "Dainty!"

Annnnnd, she hated being dressed up as a unicorn, incase you were wondering!

So Many Dresses, So Little Time...

Hello, my lovelies!

Spring has finally sprung, and you know what the means for us KENTUCKY gals -- Keeneland!

Now, for those of you who are unlucky and not from Kentucky, Keeneland is one of the prettiest horse racing tracks in all of the country.  Not only do you get to place your money down on your fav-o-rite pony and cheer them onto the finish, but you get decked out in your best dress, and break out the bourbon (and mixers, for me -- straight bourbon is just a tad too bold, ha!).

Here's where my problem lies -- I'm not sure what to wear, and it's getting to be crunch time!  I have a couple of dresses that would be an option, and I will try to take pictures of them tonight, and post tomorrow.  Buuuuuut, what girl doesn't like an excuse to buy a NEW dress?!  And, opening weekend is also the week of my birthday, so I'm in the market to add a beauty to my wardrobe. :)

If you girls have any go-to boutiques that are under the radar, AND have a website -- LET A SISTA KNOW!!

I've Missed Y'all!

Can you believe it?!  The Belle is back!!

I know, I know...  I'm so sorry for the crazy-long, unannounced hiatus -- But believe me, this past year has been insane!!  Let's see...  Where to begin...

Well, internship was successfully completed and I got a job here in the same area!  I feel SUPER lucky to have scored the job that I wanted!  I am LOVING teaching (although, you would be completely disappointed blown away by what kids are willing to tell their teachers today).  I have mostly sophomores in my world history class, and there is never a dull moment!

I've also gotten back into running, and since January, I have run three 5K's, and I'm running my next race on Saturday, which is an 8K.  I've always liked running (and especially what it does for my booty!  HA!), but only since about October can I honestly say that I LOVE it!  It's my "me-time" to clear my head after a stressful day -- and not to mention it's helped me lose 25 lbs. SO FAR!  *Woot Woot*  GO ME!  Here are some pics from some of the races I've done this year...

Treating myself to some TJ Maxx after my first 5K of the year -- HA!

 Jan. 2012 -- Charlie Post 5K in Sullivan's Island, SC

 Feb. 2012 -- Oyster Race & Roast Trail Run in Mt. Pleasant, SC

Mar. 2012 -- Gasparilla Distance 5K Race Weekend in Tampa, FL.

Let's see...  I've also been doing a bit more traveling and just enjoying life.  Being single def. has it's perks!  :)

Annual Oyster Roast @ Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, SC

Random Weekend Getaway to Beaufort, SC

And best of all, I've got several other trips coming up!!  I'm headed back home to God's Country -- a.k.a. KENTUCKY-- for opening weekend of Keeneland's Spring Meet and to spend Easter weekend with my family.  It worked out PURRR-FECTLY to where I am on Spring Break that week...  Now to decide what to wear!!  I'm planning a post next week on outfit options, so you lovely ladies are gonna have to help me decide!!

Then, I get to head back to the beach, and celebrate my birthday (we don't have to say what number birthday -- let's just look at it as a reason to celebrate!) with my college buddies!!  How funny is this invite we worked up?!  His birthday is the day after mine, so we always had birthday co-parties in college.

Annnnnnd, speaking of KENTUCKY, I am SOOOOOO excited for tonight's big game!!  Time for some redemption for our one-loss, by one-point, with one-second remaining!!  Wish I could be in Atlanta to watch the game in person, but alas...  I will be cheering on the C-A-T-S from my living room -- perhaps a bit too loud at times, but OH WELL neighbors -- deal with it! ;)  Seriously, check out my St. Paddy's Day attire:

WOOO-HOOO!!  GO BIG BLUE!!

Long Overdue...

Ladies,

I'm Baaaaaaaaack!!

Full-post to come before this weekend...