Over spring break I fell in love with an area of land that in all of my years of living in upstate New York had not known about until now. The beauty of this land struck me and I fell in love with Lake Champlain all over again.
I am so thankful for my life. I am seriously SO blessed. My family moved to the south (from Pennsylvania) when I was nine years old and as I have mentioned before I spend life split between two incredible cultures. If I say I love the South I follow it up with: and I love the North. But if I said, I love the North I quickly follow it up with: and I love the South.
Today I am going to share just a few reasons why I love the South.
(Forgive me in advance: you will quickly notice that sweet tea and grits are not listed. I could blame a variety of reasons but the honest truth is I am allergic to both. *smiles*)
Reasons I love the South
* love of family
*warm weather
*big front porches
*delightful community
*high school football games
*pretty magnolias
*respectful men who still hold doors
*the sweet ladies who always want to give hugs
*the way everyone talks with you - even in a grocery store
*the laid back feel of life (on some days!)
*love of community
It is that last reason that really resonates with me. I love community and desire to make my blog a place of community and friendships. There are so many lovely southern ladies whose blogs are charming. Honesty this is just one more reason why I love the south!
I have been so thankful for all of the sweet love and support that I have received since announcing my recent diagnosis and treatment plan decision. I am overwhelmed by the incredible show of support that I have received. Thank you so much for all of your sweet emails and messages that I have received during this difficult time. Several of you have sweetly asked how you can contribute to the medical expenses that I will incur during the time of being in California. The funds that I am needing will cover alternative treatments but also will cover finances for hotel costs (which alone are approximately $2000 to $3000). I have created a "go fund me" account and have placed the link in this post and can be found on the right of my blog. I am so humbled by your support. Words can not express how grateful I am. Thank you again!
THANK YOU so much for all of your prayers… I admit that this is an emotional time. I am thankful to have a direction to go in but am nervous and (yes, I admit it) scared to go alone. I am also nervous as I have heard that the treatment is difficult and right now I feel weak. I am SO thankful for all of your prayers as we seek the Lord for His provisions and for healing. I treasure your friendship so much!
With lots of Hugs,
Rebecca
I mentioned before how I love the ocean. When I was in high school I visited Hilton Head, SC for the first time and I truly believe that was where I first fell in love with the ocean. I had visited the Jersey shore when I was a child and different ocean coasts several times in middle school but it was the Hilton Head, SC visit that sealed my love with the ocean. Last year my sister and I decided it would be fun to go to the ocean for my birthday. We originally started by searching for places along the Georgia coast but the price was to much for our budgets so we turned to Hilton Head and it was a decision that we never regretted.
We went just for the weekend and while it took approximately 5 hours from Atlanta to get there we had a great time! And of course we had to stop at Uno's for a gluten free pizza! (Yes, E's hair was blonde!)
After hours in the car we were so thrilled to see the first signs of Hilton Head, SC.
We stayed at the Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa and from the moment we pulled up to the property we were enthralled with its beauty. (Just a quick note about the price~ don't forget to use Triple AAA for extra discounts! We saved approximately $45 using this!)
The room we reserved was on the 3rd level right ocean view side(we choose it because of the price) but when we arrived we couldn't see the ocean because of the palm trees that blocked the view. My sister quickly sprung into action and talked to a hotel manager and asked if we could be upgraded to a different room. The manager was delightful and our new room came with a gorgeous view that we enjoyed for the weekend. 
The pool area was so gorgeous and we enjoyed spending hours by the pool and in the hammocks that overlooked the ocean.
For dinner we drove to Harbour Town and enjoyed eating by the famous lighthouse.
If you haven't had the opportunity to visit Hilton Head, SC I definitely recommend it and definitely recommend staying at the Hilton Head Marriott. You won't regret it!
Y'all know that I love discovering and going to thrift stores. Similar to the smitten posts I write I hope to share with y'all thrifting stores across the United States that are wonderful hidden treasures to discover. I love discovering new places to go thrifting and hope that these places that I talk about from time to time on here might be a wonderful discovery for y'all if you enjoy thrifting as much as I do!
There are several wonderful places to go thrifting in Burlington, Vermont. Today I want to share about just one of them!
The Salvation Army on N Winooski Avenue is truly an eclectic find. While you won't walk out of this Salvation Army with LOADS of clothes or furniture (ok, I have never bought a piece of furniture there!) I am always able to find a "steal" with at least one article of clothing every time I have gone. While this is probably one of the "dirtier" thrift stores that I go to you will be able to find a treasure or two if you really hunt for it! This Salvation Army does offer senior and student (any university!) 20% discounts and also has 50% color tags and $1.00 clothing options.
The Salvation Army store is located at: 336 N Winooski Ave, Burlington, Vermont. The phone number is: (802) 864-9552. The store hours are from 9 to 4:30pm but I would definitely recommend calling before you go visit! {It is approximately 5 minutes from downtown Burlington and pretty easy to find.} If you are afraid that you will get lost just watch out for these very bright buildings across the street! hahaha :)
Last week when I went to the N.Winooski Avenue Salvation Army I found a brand new Banana Republic Dress, a cute Target summer dress, a lovely Charlotte Rousse top, and an adorable jacket and paid a total of $6.13(with my 20% student discount).
Do y'all have any favorite thrifting spots that I should check out in Burlington or other places in the United States?
smitten: {adj}: infatuated, charmed, captivated, beguiled, betwitched, enamoured
There are certain products that I use or have that I am just smitten with. I love discovering great products on other blogs and hope that these items that I talk about from time to time on here might be a wonderful discovery for y'all!
I have to share that I am really excited to share with you one of my favorite products that I use on my hair. {I do admit that this is not a natural or organic product but I don't use it everyday.} While my schedule this year carries with it different hours I fell in love with this product last year with very early mornings that encompass being a teacher. *smiles* As someone who has very thick hair it takes me at least 30 minutes to fully dry my hair. To be honest this is just not time that I had in the morning!
Last year my hairdresser mentioned the KMS product: Free Shape Quick Blow Dry Hair Spray. I admit that I was a little skeptical that it would cut down the drying time at all. Imagine my SURPRISE when it cut down the drying of my hair to twelve minutes! YES, all of my hair only took me twelve minutes! I was AMAZED and seriously so thankful.
It is so easy to use. After washing your hair simply towel dry your hair and spray the Free Shape Quick Blow Dry Hair Spray onto your hair. Start drying and get on with your day!
I will admit that it is a little bit pricey (at salons the price ranges from $18-$20 for a 6.8 oz bottle) but I recently found it on amazon for cheaper. (You can find it HERE!) You don't have to spray a ton on your hair (I use approximately 5 sprays for my whole head) and a bottle lasts me six months (using it 5 days a week last spring).
I definitely recommend trying it!
I have to share that I am really excited to share with you one of my favorite products that I use on my hair. {I do admit that this is not a natural or organic product but I don't use it everyday.} While my schedule this year carries with it different hours I fell in love with this product last year with very early mornings that encompass being a teacher. *smiles* As someone who has very thick hair it takes me at least 30 minutes to fully dry my hair. To be honest this is just not time that I had in the morning!
It is so easy to use. After washing your hair simply towel dry your hair and spray the Free Shape Quick Blow Dry Hair Spray onto your hair. Start drying and get on with your day!
I will admit that it is a little bit pricey (at salons the price ranges from $18-$20 for a 6.8 oz bottle) but I recently found it on amazon for cheaper. (You can find it HERE!) You don't have to spray a ton on your hair (I use approximately 5 sprays for my whole head) and a bottle lasts me six months (using it 5 days a week last spring).
I definitely recommend trying it!
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