A little lesson in life..

I have a birthday coming up and I really cannot believe that I'm turning 20. It is actually an eye opener that I'm starting a new chapter in my life and I think I can say that I'm ready.

I think that most people around me know that the past two years have been really hard in so many ways. Starting with loosing my Mom, to moving, going off to college, and then transferring it has definitely taken some time to adjust and find a happy place. I've finally settled into life and found things and people that have made me genuinely happy. I love my school, my sorority, my friends, and most importantly my family. I do think the list below is really an eye opener, one of the biggest challanges I have encountered is just excepting what life has handed you and not trying to change it.

So here is to the next chapter, this next upcoming year, and to Summer '14!

1. You're going to be broke for a very long time. Stock up on Ramen and make the best of it.
2. The first time you fall in love probably won't be the last. There are different kinds of love and people that will come into your life for different reasons.
3. You will undeniably grow apart from your friends in some ways. You're going to move and get into relationships and careers that take up a lot of your time and rather than resent each other for that, cherish the time that you do have to spend together.
4. Nothing in your life is permanent. That's horrifying and invigorating all at the same time. You have to embrace change and accept that it is 100 percent necessary.
5. You're never going to look "perfect," but you're beautiful the way you are. Accept what you see in the mirror and stop trying to change it. You're young and vibrant. Own it.
6. You're going to feel alone sometimes. It's going to seem like everyone has their own lives and you are floating in the ocean all by your lonesome. That's OK. In the end, you can only really count on yourself, and you will become stronger from the moments you felt abandoned.
7. There's never going to be a time that you will not need your parents in many ways.
8. You're going to feel unappreciated, defeated and disappointed at times.
9. You're going to change your mind about things. You can't feel guilty about leaving a relationship, city or career if it's what's best for you. Changing your mind is what you're supposed to do.
10. The job market isn't what it used to be. Your college degree or work history isn't an easy ticket to success anymore. You are going to have to constantly prove yourself. Hard work is good.
11. The past is over. You have to let go of every "what could have been" and go forward.
12. It's not always going to be easy to be a good person. You're going to have to fight for what you believe is right and sometimes, no one will seemingly agree with you.
13. Not everyone is going to like you and if you think that it's possible to be universally liked, you will kill yourself trying.
14. You're going to misjudge people. Don't beat yourself up over trying to see the good in someone.
15. When you do find your person, they aren't going to be perfect. Your relationship or marriage will be hard sometimes. It isn't about thinking someone is perfect; it's about knowing that they are perfect for you. You need to marry your best friend, not your "dream" man or woman.
16. Your body is going to change. Whether its due to having children or not having enough money for a gym membership, you're not always going to look 20. I repeat from #4, you're beautiful. Your body is supposed to change, just like everything else in life does.
17. You're going to fall on your face multiple times. This could be from a relationship or job or really anything, but it will happen. You have to brush yourself off and learn from your mistakes.
18. Not everything will be like you imagine it now. You may not want to dish out the money you'd need to have your Pinterest Wedding or have the job you imagined for yourself, and that's OK.
19. Your core values will not always align with those of the people around you. But you need to stand by them.
20. You're going to feel like a different person after these years and probably know a heck of a lot more than you do now. It's most important that you remember who you are in your heart. Love freely. Move towards your dreams. Accept imperfection and realize that life will get messy, but it's a beautiful mess and it's all yours. 

 

Catch Up

Since I returned home from Houston I feel like I have been going non stop. Between work, summer classes, and just keeping up with life I have barely had time to sit down let alone keep this blog updated. 

My summer Spanish class started last week, I officially made it one week! I have to say I'm pretty proud ha! It isn't too bad, I must say that it is much better than I expected. My teacher is pretty funny and it goes at a decent pace. 

Work has also been keeping me busy, I'm glad to be back in a routine for sure but am looking forward to a few days of relaxing. 

Y'all are going to have to catch up through Instagram until anything too interesting happens around here!

Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day weekend at the pool while I'm selling shoes!!

xo

I forgot to share that we went to a concert while I was in Houston with Lady A, Billy Currington, and David Nail. It was so so good, neither my Dad or I had seen any of them before and they put on a great show!

 

Please ignore our post dermatology faces!

Oprah always seems to be right, my Starbucks definitely made me think that morning!

 

My drives home in the evening are some of my favorite moments. I love to roll the windows down and plug my iPhone in and process my day. Sunsets like this make me love where I live even more.

 And I must share my new clutch! One of my favorite new finds and I have used it so so much already! It is the perfect size and since I classify navy as a neutral it goes with everything! Thanks Grandma!

San Antonio

I flew back home to Richmond this morning, I always forget how exhausting traveling is even if you aren't going that far. 

It is always hard to leave but it always nice to get home at the same time. This trip to Houston was probably one of my most enjoyable, my Dad and I got in some good road trips and some great quality time. Which is exactly what I needed after ending the semester. 

I took a late night flight into Houston on Sunday and we left for San Antonio early the next morning. Neither of us had been to San Antonio for a few years and have been wanting to go back and this was the perfect opportunity. 

 

Once we finally made it, checked into our hotel, and got something to eat we decided to walk around the River Walk and go see the Alamo. 

 My Dad and I had both previously seen the Alamo but it is definitely something that you should revisit if given the opportunity. They had some really cool exhibits and some neat traveling things on display. Surprisingly it was one of my favorite stops!

After crossing all of our super "touristy" things off of our list we headed back to the hotel to get showered and ready for dinner. My Dad has made a previous reservation for a dinner cruise, I'm not going to lie I wasn't too excited about it. Eating on a boat with birds and strangers just wasn't too appealing but I was SO wrong. It was amazing. 

It was food from a fabulous restaurant on the River Walk called Boudros and it was fabulous. Not only was the food great but we lucked out and got a great group of fellow cruise goers. 

 

They gave us drinks and apps including freshly made guacamole and salsa after we placed our orders while we cruised along for a little tour. 

 

It was a fantastic trip that was way too short and definitely hard to leave but heading to San Marcos outlets definitely made it a little easier. I mean who knew that Lululemon had outlet stores?!

After we spent way too much time shopping we decided that we would continue up the road to Austin. I had never been there before and we figured that we could get some lunch and a look at University of Texas. 

To say that the campus was gorgeous would be an understatement and I would be lying if I said that it wasn't on my list of potential grad schools.

We made a pit stop at Food Network's famous Franklin's BBQ, which did everything BUT disappoint and then we headed on back to Houston.

Sorry that this was such a long post but I didn't want to leave any detail of such a great trip out!

xo

Summer Break and Baby!

Summertime has finally arrived!! 

I have done nothing the past three days, it has consisted of relaxing and some family time which have both been much needed lately. I don't think that it has quite clicked that I'm not going back to Farmville in a couple days and that I'm home for summer.

I moved out of school on Tuesday afternoon right after I finished my last exam, Caleb and I actually hightailed it home because Baby Marchetti was about to be born!

We made it home just in time! Lawter Chase Marchetti was born Tuesday evening. She is the most gorgeous/adorable baby that I have ever seen, I may be a little biased but you have to see her!

She has the cutest little nose and the most beautiful head of hair! One sweet sweet girl! Congrats to Joanna and Anthony, y'all are going to be the best parents. And of course Townley and Paul, we know that you have both been anxiously awaiting Lawter's arrival!

Proud Uncle Pookie

 

 

Today is actually my Nana and my Grandpa's birthdays, so a big happy birthday to them both! I hope you both has days as special as you are!

Sunday evening I have a birthday party to go to for my Nana and Papa and later that evening I'm headed to Houston for 10 days!

Hope everyone else is having a great start to their summer!