I believe in

My blog bff Maggs  posted a while back this post, her version of a link up topic that has been circulating in the blog world for awhile. My favorite yoga pants girl did hers too here.  As it turns out, I'm equally inspired to rattle off what

I believe in...  even if I'm a few months too late.

I believe in mixing brown with grey and grey with black, but never black and brown. 

I believe in having a buffet of drinks at breakfast.

I believe that laughter, chocolate, and wine are the best medicine.

I believe in treating your dogs like they are your children.

I believe in Jesus saving us all. 

I believe in saying I love you every chance you get. 

I believe in 'Merica and all that it stands for, even if it's too complex for me to understand or agree with. 

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I believe in making fun of yourself and being your worst critique. 

I believe in the practice of medicine.

I believe in having obsessions with dead presidents.

I believe in painting your nails once a week.

I believe in laughing until it hurts and flailing your body.

I believe true love conquers all. 

I believe in jamming out to the Backstreet Boys and not being ashamed.

I believe in pink and all things girlie.

I believe in holding your breath and making a wish while driving through a tunnel.

I believe in being an Apple product snob. 

I believe in drinking 3,000 ml of water a day.

I believe in Nurses being Angels in disguise. 

I believe in Michael Scott and that's what she said. 

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I believe in dry red wine and sometimes a little white.

I believe in drunk karaoke. 

I believe in career women.

I believe in making your bed daily with throw pillows.

I believe in our Founding Fathers.

I believe in dark jeans, a white tee, flats, and pearls when you can't think of anything else to wear. 

I believe in Jameson when the CAPS score a goal. 

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I believe in best friends.

I believe in guarding you heart.

I believe in dressing up when you want to, and wearing workout attire when you don't. 

I believe in saving to read all your favorite magazines over summer at the pool. 

I believe in eating carbs.

 I believe in straight hair, a little foundation, bronzer, blush, and lipgloss on your smile is all you need to feel pretty.

I believe in the Real Housewives of where ever. 

I believe in going to the Dentist every 6 months.

I believe in pretzels and cream cheese. 

I believe in Mark Twain's words 

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." 

I believe in listening to Eric Church with your windows down.

I believe in The Office & Grey's Anatomy and that they will always be my favorite shows.

I believe in Jim and Pam.  I believe in Derek and Meredith. They will always be my favorite on screen couples. 

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I believe in putting your party pants on before heading out. 

I believe in blogging like it's your job.

I believe in the sun reflecting over water.

I believe in calling your Momma and Daddy for anything, they always have the answers. 

I believe in being a Southern Belle 55% of the time and a trashy redneck the other 45. 

I believe in traveling the world. 

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I believe in wedges with anything. 

I believe in planners, tabs, to-do lists, and colorful pens.

I believe the best meal is from your Momma's cookbook. 

I believe in taking scolding hot showers and listening to Pandora when you do.

I believe in spending lazy days on the couch with a blanket, your lover, and your DVR.

I believe in saving wine corks. 

I believe in 30 second dance parties. 

Medical Monday: Dear Junior 1's

I had a hard time coming up with something to talk about for Medical Monday.  I'm on summer break, with the exception of an online research class, so I'm not knee deep in thoughts about Nursing school.  After 4 years of working in a pharmacy, nothing new or exciting happens to me enough to make a post about it.  A few months back I wrote about what Nursing School has taught me so far, so I thought I would write a post for incoming Nursing students.

Dear Junior 1's,

1. Prepare to study your butt off like you never have before.  Were you one of those students who didn't really have to study in A&P or Micro? You just skimmed your notes the night before the test and still made an A? Well you won't be anymore.  Getting a C is a victory! They make it hard for a reason, there's going to be a life in your hands one day.

2. The professors don't hate you.  They don't want to see you fail.  They are there to help you.  But you bet your behind they're going to push you as far as you can be pushed, because this is the semester they weed out the weak from the strong.  I strongly believe this is the semester that will shape you into the kind of nurse you will be.  It's your foundation, don't give up.


3.  Read. Put down all your medical supplies for the first few weeks. I know you're excited, but this isn't Grey's Anatomy. Pick up your Health Assessment and ATI Skills book. Read them like your life depends on it. The fun stuff will come later.

4. Practice, Practice, Practice.  Practice how to take vitals like it's never going to go out of style, because it won't.  After your know how to take vitals like a BOSS, practice your other skills the same way! Practice on humans, practice on bananas, practice on chickens. Practice, Practice Practice! Knowing how to properly insert a foley catheter, give a IM shot, and insert an IV is essential after your first semester and the rest of your career. Don't screw it up. 

5. Love care plans. Learn how to develop a care plan properly and practice that too.  

6. Use this time to find an area of interest.  It came easy for me.  But if it doesn't, no big deal.  You've got forever to decide.

7. Make friends with everyone.  They're going to be by your side for the next two years, there's no reason to have any enemies.  You're not competing anymore. You're all going through the same thing, be supportive. You're a team now. Act like it. 

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8. Take everything seriously except that one class they throw in as a filler.  I mean no disrespect, but use your time wisely.  Time management is essential and setting priorities is a must from the get go!

9. Don't over think.  Your first test may make you feel like you're having a panic attack, it's okay.  Every one else is probably having one, too.  Your first test will help you to learn how to study.  It's not important to study small details anymore.  You have to study it all, the entire big picture.  Nursing school tests are like no other.  All answers will be right, but what answer is the most correct?  Always remember, safety first and pain never killed anyone (within reason). 

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10. Get a planner.  Self explanatory.  

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11.  Relax some, but study more.  

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12.  There's hardly ever an absolute.  But if there is, you better remember it.  For instance, a diastolic murmur always indicates heart disease, or alcohol always interacts with medications.

13. calm down, relax, and laugh a little.  This is only 2 years of your life.

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14. Frequently visit sites dedicated to nursing humor, because laughter is the best medicine. Here's my favorites.

• http://lolnursingschool.tumblr.com
• http://whatshouldwecallnursingschool.tumblr.com
• http://whatshouldwecallnursing.tumblr.com

And make a pinterest board of your journey :) Here's mine I share with my former lab partner but forever my person, Liz, who on the first day of Health Assessment lab I said "hey girl, wanna be my partner?" and we've been pretty much inseparable ever since.  

P.S. Hey, Penelope Design giveaway is still going on! 

Hey, Penelope Design Giveaway

Born in the Boot Shirt

c/o Hey, Penelope Design

Express Shorts

Cowgirl Boots similar 

Need these boots 

Brown Belt (similar) from TJ Maxx

Ray-Ban New Wayfarers

Silver Coin Earrings 

Y'all know I love everything Louisiana, and I basically can't get enough of this adorable shirt!  It's from Hey, Penelope Design on etsy by the amazingly talented Desiree.  Desiree is a graduate of SLU with a Bachelor's in Art // Graphic Design.  She started designing invitations and prints for friends and fell in love with it.  She decided to start up her own business and it is steadily growing. Inside her etsy shop, you will find everything I love :)  Louisiana shirts/tanks (both LSU and Saints related, and some crawfish too) pillow cases, totes, and adorable chevron and cupcake prints! Even if you aren't a Louisiana fan bless your heart she has something in her shop for you! 

Recently her  'just nap it out' Pillowcase was  featured in Shop Til You Drop Magazine in Australia

Desiree is going to give one lucky Ash Ann Pow reader a $25 credit to redeem in her Hey, Penelope Design shop! The winner will be verified, so please be honest!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I had some little friends come visit during my shoot

My favorite thing about Fridays

I have to keep it country this week again.

My favorite Jason Aldean song ever.

This pretty much defines where I was born in LA and where I grew up in NC. 

p.s. #30dayssober begins tomorrow for me! 

Update on Monday and again every Thursday!

Paleo Diet #30DaysSober, Just Because

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This little Paleo thing, let's talk about it.  I'm clearly late to the party, but it's only a party when I show up..so let's get to it!

I would maybe consider myself somewhat healthy. I know that no magic pill, no body wrap, no smoothie is going to make you shed the pounds.  Can it help you? Sure, but the only way to keep the weight off, tone your body, and stay healthy is through your diet and exercise.  Now, I must admit I live a sedentary lifestyle despite all my knowledge.  My husband has his Bachelors degree in Sport in Exercise Science from UNCP and I'm currently working on my Bachelors in Science of Nursing at AASU, so I'm not ignorant by any means.  I know how the human body works, I know what has to be done to live life healthy. 

Therefore, I've decided on June 1st I'm cutting out all harmful foods, chemicals, and substances from my daily life.  No processed foods, no alcohol, no cigarettes, and no chemicals (except for the few medications I take ).  Yes, you read that right. I'm not going to drink any alcohol. WTF am I thinking? Seriously though, I'm going to eat all healthy, natural foods and drink nothing but water for at least 30 days.  

I plan to blog about this little adventure of mine in which I will call it #30DaySober, so if you already do this or are interested, please leave me some advice and tips on how not to go crazy the first couple weeks.  I'm also going to continue on my fit-naaasssss. To be healthy and strong again is all I'm after, not skinny.  Feel free to follow me on Instagram and Twitter in addition to this blogblizzy for more updates beginning June 1st. 

#30DaysSober, let's do this

God made my favorite thing in just 2 days

If there's one simple thing I love in this beautiful life, it's seeing the sun hit a body of water. There's just a feeling of complete joy or fullness when I see this sight. Every drive home from Georgia, when I drive over South Carolina's largest lake, Lake Marion I know I'm half way home.  It's usually as the sun is rising, and on the drive back to Georgia it's when the sun is setting.  I take a picture no matter what.  I can't tell you how many pictures I've posted on Instagram of this lake, it's absolutely breath taking.   This particular landmark is a guarantee every drive on I95 and my heart is happy when I get to it.

 It's always the same bridge, the same water, the same sun...but always a different day. A different picture always results.  And I love everything about that.

Power lines when you drive North

Double bridge when you drive South

Living in the Savannah area the past few years, I've been fortunate to see my favorite site at different locations.  The Savannah River, the Ogeechee River, Tybee Island, and Dutch Island just to name a few of my favorites. 

The Ogeechee River

Dutch Island

One trip to DMV, my sister took me National Harbor and we had dinner on the pier at Mcloone's Pier House.  It was one of the most beautiful dinners I've ever had.

National Harbor 

'Merica. 

Might I add, the Chardonnay and Jameson we're just lovely. Oh, and I had the crab cakes too. 

Another one of my favorites was the sun setting over the Caribbean Sea while Rob and I vacationed at St. Lucia this past Christmas.  I was so sad because it rained a lot at night while we were there and in the morning it was cloudy, so I worried I would never get to see it.  But, one of the last nights we were there the sun showed it's face through the clouds a little. Even though it didn't reflect off the water, it still was enough for me. 

Halcyon Beach,  Sandals St. Lucia 

La Toc, Sandals St. Lucia

But there's a couple things I know for sure about St. Lucia...

The sun is still beautiful, even through the clouds

and the water is still beautiful, even if the sun doesn't reflect off of it

Grande, Sandals St. Lucia 

Grande, Sandals St. Lucia 

Grande, Sandals St. Lucia 

I can't wait to go back someday and I can't wait to see a lifetime of sunrises and sunsets over water.  Thank you, God.