This goes out to all my [media] ladies

Back in my 10 Things...I'm Thankful For post I mentioned how blessed I am to have the job I do. From Day 1, my dad had encouraged me with the words "It's gonna be okay, and it's gonna be better." That phrase has since become my life mantra. I didn't have the time or words last time to talk about just how amazing the media team at Whitehardt is, but now I do. 

Last Thursday was the Whiteoudt Christmas Party, I had the pre-party fun of getting ready with the other media auditor Maggie who I have come to absolutely love! Then it was off to party town. This was my second year of office Christmas parties but my first year of an office Christmas party that felt more like family than co-workers. I have never laughed so hard while playing a card game with the CEO of my agency playing along right beside me. I have never laughed so hard watching the entire agency steal back and forth and back and forth a plush blanket from Target during Dirty Santa. And never have I ever learned so much about the people I work with during a crack up game of Never Have I Ever. This is what I had always wanted; a job I love with people who cheer you on. 

I now have this picture of the media girls on my fridge right next to the pictures of me and mom, Emily's wedding, Sara's wedding, and our Pittsburgh trip. Because in three short months these girls have become more than just "my buyers" they've become my friends.
That 'ole phrase "Everything happens for a reason"? Yeah, I'm living proof.

"Don’t you see?

You can try to fight it

But it’s meant to be.

Don’t believe

Anything they tell you

Right here

I swear

This is where you’re meant to be"

Crafty crafting

I am a candle girl. I la-la-la-love them. I would also love to be able to afford the always yummy smelling Yankee Candle but for right now I am a Wal-Mart girl and proud of it.

Mom got me hooked on the Wal-Mart brand pumpkin spice candles last year when I lived at home and this year I made the addition of the pumpkin apple scent to my little collection. These two scents together are heavenly!

Now, it says on the jar the label is "easy peel" but I have found that to be false so during my Christmas decorating extravaganza this weekend I discovered a quick and cute fix to that pesky label.

1 stray piece of burlap ribbon + a bobby pin + a $3 Wal-Mart candle = Ta-Da 

This little discovery along with my Christmas surprise of hand polka-dotted wine glasses from the little made me one very happy homeowner last night! Do you have any quick, easy, and most importantly cheap decorating tips? 

S.N.O.W

Downtown snow days are the pretties, but I may be biased.

Happy first snow Baby Kress!

FA LA LA LA

This past Sunday was certainly Funday full of burlap wired bows, wreaths, Christmas lights, and polka dot tissue paper wrapped presents.

Just change my address to 5th Ave North [Pole].

Such a HUGE thank you to my momma for the best holiday surprises of burlap, wired ribbon, extra wreaths, and those precious big bulb lights! 

xoxo Elf Caroline 

It's easy to forget in the day to day drudge, but this life really is something else.

Take it all in.

[not so] extreme couponing

My life theme at the moment can be summed up in three words: Ballin on a Budget ["a"s not really a word]

Just last weekend I was digging through mom and dad's recycling to find that $5 off Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupon. 

So when Sara emailed me a Shutterfly offer last week, I couldn't refuse. 

Side Note: I am a HUGE fan of Shutterfly and their sister company Tiny Prints. Heck, I even blogged for Tiny Prints just this spring. 

Shutterfly runs some amazing deals, you just have to catch them! And boy did Sara catch a good one.

We each got an 8'x11' free photo calendar, all we had to do was pay the $4.95 shipping. Now, $4.95 I can handle.

A quick trip to the folder of all my favorite pictures from this past year, some dragging and dropping, and TA-da! 

I absolutely love it. And who knows, you might just be in it...

Southern Living kind of Life

Three words: I. Did. It.

I picked my recipes. I made a grocery list. I made a pie. 

And not just any pie, a Southern Living Thanksgiving Pie. 

(and mayyybe Mom saved my butt a couple times, but I still did it)

And it was a damn good Coconut-Pumpkin Chiffon Pie.

Now, we conquer Christmas..

So, here is my Thanksgiving in pictures [duh].

Pumpkin Pie Spiced Trail Mix, um #yum

My own personal heaven

Half way there!

November 28th was half Thanksgiving and half football

I. Did. It.

December 1st: Santa mug

Have a holly jolly Christmas, it's the best time of the year

Today and Forever

I remember hearing stories during rush, not only in the Zeta suite, about how these are friends you'll have forever. I remember in new member meetings hearing about how the big/little bond is something you'll have for life. I remember running through the halls of Laurel with my clues in hand to find my big. And my little screaming in my face when I finally took her blindfold off to reveal I was her big.

I've told the story before of how Molly and I fell apart my junior year, something I wish I could go back and remedy everyday. But like the stories told in countless sisterhood circles, big/little is forever and we found our way back to each other. 

This weekend I was lucky enough to get a night out with my little and her sweet boy. 

It reminded me how much I absolutely cherish our friendship and all the laughs we've shared not only this weekend but all the time.

I've learned friendships are built on the little things, like polka dot band-aids in Christmas present boxes, coordinating flannels and puffy vests, being eternal Mich Ultra girls, and that look we can give each other from across a crowded room and know exactly what the other one is thinking. 

So here's to big/little, today and forever.