Eye Candy

I haven't really had a celebrity crush since my middle school days, when my locker was plastered with photos of Shane West and John Mayer graced the cover of my binder. I'll readily admit when I think an actor or musician is particularly good-looking, but that giddy swoon factor has been missing until I re-discovered the beautiful manly perfection that is Ryan Gosling. 

Be still, my heart.

Photo via this wonderful tumblr blog. Check it out for drool-worthy pics and plenty of LOLs.

Color-Coordinated

I meant to go to sleep hours ago, but between all the thoughts racing through my mind and the fact that I'm starving...it just hasn't happened yet. Rather than toss and turn in the dark, I decided a little online browsing would be fun. And OMG did the JCrew website deliver the fun. The "Cold Weather Comforts" section is the perfect combination of warm and fuzziness + outstanding color coordination.

Also, can I just say yes, please to this teal snood and these perfectly simple black boots?

Now I'm inspired to re-organize my closet by color...I guess sleep will just have to wait.

21.

Every birthday, people ask "How does it feel to be a year older?" and it's always just a little disappointed to admit that it feels pretty much the same. I looked forward all year to my 15th birthday as the day I'd finally feel a change. Then my 16th birthday. Then 18th. And even though those years came with big milestones and changes to make them special, I never felt that difference I was hoping for. Until now.

Last week I turned 21 and I can honestly say it feels different to be a year older--amazing and fun and scary all at the same time. Maybe it has something to do with the look of awe on my students' faces when I tell them my age. Maybe it's the confidence in my voice. "I'm 21." Maybe (probably) it's being able to hand my I.D. over to a waitress and get it back with a tasty cocktail and a smile. The point is, I'm a year older and it feels great.

That kind of feeling is worth celebrating, so I did! As per usual, my birthday is carrying over long past November 1st--I've got plans for birthday dates and festivities all the way to December when I get home to spend time with my family and friends in Texas. Here are some of the highlights from my Providence birthday adventures. 

 

Made my birthday wish on a red velvet cupcake.

A pineapple mojito at a (late) lunch at The Cheesecake Factory.

 Delicious birthday cookies from Evan.

Perfect party balloons from my mom's birthday package.

Counting Down the Days...

This wonderful Kate Spade sun hat pretty much sums up what I want my Spring Break to be like.

Sprawled out in the sun, tanning (fingers crossed, this usually doesn't happen), with a giant limonada from Tropical Island.

Driving around with my brother singing along to Taylor Swift with a stop at a Walgreens for a couple of cans of Arizona Green Tea.

Wearing shorts and flip flops and giant sunglasses in the backyard while my dad barbecues.

Driving over to my favorite bakery, walking down the street to surprise my friends working at the library, and then running across to Happy Dayz for some ice cream.

Meeting my grandparents for lunch at Junction or Taco Fiesta and running in to everyone and their mother, and probably their grandmother too.

I cannot wait to be home!