WHAT a Weekend.

I had one of the best and busiest weekends I've had in a while.

So many festivities in Athens, just another reminder of why I live in the best college town EVER. 

We went to two concerts this weekend, a Pig Roast, and Twilight was going on. (Twilight is a big bike race through Athens) Basically, Athens was the place to be this weekend... it was chaotic and oh so lovely. 

So considering how many cool things I went to this weekend, I'll have to split them up into separate posts.

So today I'll do the Pig Roast.

Saturday afternoon the FourCoursemen hosted a Pig Roast at their shotgun house off of downtown.

The FourCoursemen are  a group of chefs from the Athens area who love to cook and entertain. They have this awesome shotgun house that they host dinners in once a month, and anyone can go... if you manage to get a reservation. They go FAST. And the food looks incredible. 

"We’re a group of close friends who use sustainable ingredients to create meals with paired wines because we are passionate about food, wine, challenging ourselves and our community, and want others to share that passion. "

They keep the location of their house a secret, and we discovered them because they were featured in a show on the Cooking Channel a while back. They are all just the NICEST guys. So welcoming, and so passionate about what they do. 

Check out their Southern Living article HERE.

So once a year they hold this Pig Roast for their fans, you bring a covered dish and they provide the pig and some beer.

So duh, we went.
We didn't know a soul there, but most people didn't know each other. Nothing like food to bring people together. :)

 Everyone mingled, and drank beer and wine punch while we waited to eat. 
It was such a neat atmosphere, and such a variety of people. 

Great Music.

and then it was time to eat!

 

 I wish there was a way to let you smell that food. It was amazing.
So much fun, and now I'm DYING to go to one of they're actual dinners.
Crossing my fingers I can one day get a reservation!

Hope y'all had a wonderful weekend too!
 

Life's Miracles.

Yesterday two of our close family friends had babies.

There is nothing like the birth of a baby to remind you of the miracle of life.

Seeing how little, and precious life can be laying there at only 7 pounds, 10 ounces.

They named him Cale, and he's such a beautiful baby! Absolutely perfect.

Maybe I'm just emotional right now, but something about babies being born makes me all sappy. You see them in their Mama's belly one day, and the next day you're able to hold them and feel their little legs kicking under the blanket. And to think about all of the things that can go wrong during a pregnancy, it makes you so thankful that we are all so healthy and perfect. It's such a reminder of how miraculous human life really is. 

 On another note, one of the pharmacists I work with had her baby last Thursday. She had complications when they gave her the epidural. 

For a quick summary: They ended up missing several times with her epidural, and went too high up the third time they administered it. Today marks a week that she's been in the hospital. She still cannot hold her baby, eat, or move. She's laying flat on the hospital bed because even the slightest movement sends searing pain through her body, and she was rushed to ICU Monday night as things worsened. In the meantime they're trying to figure out how to alleviate the pain, her spinal cord is leaking spinal fluid and they've tried two blood patches now. Please keep her in your prayers, prayer is such a powerful thing, and right now she needs all the prayers she can get! 

WILW

Happy Wednesday!

Today I'm linking up with Jamie to share What I'm loving :)

Today I'm loving...

[one]- That last night Jasmine and I went to Fuzzy's tacos downtown for Taco Tuesday. Nothing like an ice cold draft to finish off the day!

[two]- When we were walking downtown we passed Georgia Theatre, and saw some concert posters. This one caught my eye, Perpetual Groove? Definitely sounds like a show I need to see. 

One hour later, we got our tickets. I live for concerts.

[three]- Glee last night.

I loved the Whitney songs!!! 

Definitely one of my favorites this season. 

[four]- My job.

I work in a Pharmacy, for those of you who don't know, and it's a retail space located inside of a hospital. So it provides endless entertainment. Not only are my co-workers amazing, but I love all of our regular patients. Every day is something exciting :) I swear they need to make a TV show like the office, but called "The Pharmacy." 

What are you loving?

Go link up and share it with us!

Just Can't Do It. [Part 2]

You may remember my post from a few weeks ago, talking about the grocery store and things I just can't sacrifice to save a dollar. 

I loved how so many of you felt the same way about Coca Cola products... Pepsi is NO substitute.

So I'm doing another list today... 

Here are a few things that I just cannot sacrifice:

1. Heinz Ketchup   
      - Hunts is just watery. Heinz is the best recipe, and the only way to go if you're slapping it on a hamburger bun or hotdog. In my humble opinion.

Source: packaging-int.com via Lala on Pinterest

 2. Crest toothpaste
     -  Since Mama has been couponing... we've been forced to try other brands since you practically get Colgate toothpaste for free. But friends, we've decided you get Colgate for close to free because that's the only way they can sell the stuff. It does not leave your mouth feeling as fresh as Crest. :) Gotta have fresh breath.

3. Mayonnaise
     - I'm not a big mayo fan, but if I'm going to have it.. it better be Blue Plate or Duke's. The other stuff really makes me want to gag.

Source: upins.info via Julieta on Pinterest

4. Toilet Paper
    -I'm not necessarily picky about toilet paper BRANDS, but I can't do the el cheapo stuff. Answer this for me: Why do they even make 1 ply? It takes ten years to get enough off the roll to be the equivalent of a thick square of toilet paper.

Let's just leave it to ellen to explain the Toilet Paper madness:

Now let's hear what you just can't sacrifice!

I like to hear y'alls so I know I'm not crazy!

;)

Orange.

I'm not really a fashion-oriented person.

I mean yeah, I like to read the fashion blogs and pretend I could pull off those looks... ;)

BUT, I'm really into the color block trend this year.

and the vibrant colors! 

For so long it seemed like everything was drab, and boring...

and now all of this color is making me so happy!

Particularly orange. 

A color I never thought I could pull it off.. but it's EVERYWHERE and I'm loving it.

I scored this dress at Belk's this weekend on sale.

hollaaaaa.

and the shoes I got at Belk's too.

I can't wait to wear my new outfit to church. :)

I feel like my closet is really lacking in spring/summer clothes.

It's full of sweaters, turtlenecks, and vests.

Basically, I need to win the lottery so I can replenish my Spring and Summer wardrobe. 

What are y'alls favorite trends this year?

As I get money saved up I'm trying to invest in some fun clothes!

Randoms.

I've just completed a paper that I've worked on since Saturday... so my brain is a little shot.

As a result, this post is  just a bunch of random-ness that's been going on with me lately!

[one]- my little sis, Mallory, toured UGA Tuesday and loved it. (so happy!) She'll be a HS senior next year... which I can't believe. I'm hoping maybe, just maybe, she can be a DAWG with me! I mean... how cute does she look in Athens? 

She belongs here. 

[two]- I'm a little obsessed with the song "Call me, Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen. At first I didn't like it at all.. but it's on repeat right now. What a great girly jam.

[three]- I've been reading the 50 Shades of Grey series... currently on number 3. And these sequels get better and better. At first I was hesitant to keep reading the first one.. but my word. I can't put them down now. I can't wait to see who they cast for a movie!

Source: barnesandnoble.com via Faith on Pinterest

[four]- I've been going through weird phases where I become obsessed with a food. Currently: it's pimento cheese. I can't tell you how many pimento cheese sandwiches I've had lately... but it's slightly ridiculous. Do y'all do this?! Get latched onto a food for a few weeks?

Source: designsponge.com via Sondra on Pinterest

and on that note, I'm off to class!

Happy Thursday!

Be Proud.

I know I've shared with you a lot about my struggles with school over the past year... or two.

I went through times where I was so easily discouraged, and felt like I would never get where I wanted to go. And not to say those days aren't over... but I've had an overwhelming feeling of peace the past few weeks.

I stressed and stressed... and STRESSED over hearing back from pharmacy school after my interview. I checked our mailbox every hour, and let it consume my thoughts.

When the news finally came, I found out I've been put on the alternate list. They don't tell you where you fall on the alternate list, and they only evaluate it as they have an opening. So in a nut shell, I'll be reapplying next year. At first I was heartbroken, but I know there are improvements I need to make on my application. I started thinking if I had gotten in this year it would have just been TOO easy. It's a bit of a blessing that I have another year to really prepare myself before investing four more years into intense studies. I mean, I thought O-Chem was intense... but I know Pharmacy school is going to be a whole other level. So in the meantime, I'm making preparations for next year's round of applications. 

But for the MAIN message of this post.

I've come to love this quote by Leo Buscaglia:

There is so much truth to it. 

I can't tell you how much a kind word from someone can turn my day around, and lately kind words have been much needed. 

My family has been so encouraging to me, particularly in the last few years of college. I tend to bottle up a lot of my emotions, and then they build up until I just spill out into an emotional wreck. Mama tends to be the lucky one to deal with it... and she's given me some of the most encouraging words out there. 

"I'm so proud of you."

Just that simple sentence alone brought me so much reassurance. 

For so long I've worked for myself, and to have someone recognize it and tell me they're PROUD of me really brought it home. It made me really sit back and realize how much I have accomplished over the past few years.

 In my small group last night, our leader spoke to each of us about how much we've grown over the past year. She expressed how PROUD she is of all of us for the transformation she's been able to witness, and the young ladies we've become and are continuing to become. 

There's the word again, proud. 

It just gives me such an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment that someone recognizes my actions enough to acknowledge them and be PROUD of them. Kind of cheesy.. but until someone tells you they are proud of you it's easy to just overlook how far you've really come. 

I've accomplished a lot, and I've really grown as a person over the past few years. I've matured SO so much, and blogging has really given me the ability to witness it. I love that I've been able to document everything over the past few years, and look forward to continuing to do it. 

I want to challenge you to look at your accomplishments and be PROUD of them.
Don't let your hard work go unnoticed, because I guarantee someone out there has noticed it... even if they haven't told you. And not only that, but extend the compliment to someone. Tell someone you admire their hard work, let them know it hasn't gone unnoticed by you.

Never underestimate the power of a simple compliment.

Source: google.com via Leslie on Pinterest

And if you've made it this far... I'm proud of YOU! ;)

Thanks for reading my long rants. 

:)

Winding Down

The semester is winding down,

and with that comes the chaotic last-minute assignments, quizzes, tests, and preparation for finals.

Oh my lanta, I would say I'm ready for summer... but I'll be spending it taking Biochemistry.  (Every. Single. Day. at 9AM.)

The joys of being a college student. ;)

So seeing as how I have an 8-page Religious Analytical Timeline paper due Thursday... I'm about to knock this bad baby out.

And hopefully be able to post more exciting posts this week...

and read your lovely posts too!!

Good luck to the rest of you who are spending these next few weeks finishing up your semesters! 

Summer is in sight!!

I Need Recommendations

Today I'm calling on all of you iPhone veterans out there,

I need some advice for apps!

I'm a newbie, and I want to know the "best of the best" in your opinions!

 

I've got instagram, and am totally obsessed. (username: @lesliebentley)

PLUS, I feel like I've heard there's a better app to use for twitter than the twitter app.

I feel like there are probably a ton of great apps that you fabulous bloggers know about... so share the deets!!

Which apps are a must?

Happy Friday darlings!

Guest Post: Raising Awareness of Your Personal Beauty Through Fashion

Today I'm sharing a guest post with you from Jackie Clark.

Jackie contacted me a few weeks ago about sharing a post on my blog, and she won me over with the passion behind her blogging. She does Outreach for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance, and wants to empower women to feel beautiful despite their cancer diagnosis or given circumstances. 

Check her out on twitter HERE.

and you can read one of her latest posts HERE.

Raising Awareness of Your Personal Beauty Through Fashion

by Jackie Clark

All women are beautiful. Some of them just don't realize it. Whether a woman has low self-esteem or is going though a difficult time in her life, she may fail to realize that she has inner beauty. She just has to let it shine. Once a woman has learned to embrace her inner beauty, she often begins to realize that she is in possession of outer beauty as well. No woman is physically the same. Each woman is a unique and beautiful blend of characteristics and features that will never again be found in one individual. That fact alone should be enough reason to celebrate, but often it is not. That's where an awareness of fashion may help.

Fashion doesn't equal beauty, but fashion can go a long way toward making a woman more self-aware of her own personal beauty. Woman face so many challenges that they forget to focus on anything but their struggles. For example, a woman who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer may forget that she is so much more than a cancer diagnosis. Fashion can be used as an outlet to bring a woman back in touch with herself as an attractive female. Exploring various fashion trends can serve as a vacation from worry as well as an experiment to discover which styles look best. A woman's goal should be to find the statement pieces that make her look and feel her best. Sometimes a woman needs to see more than just a face and body in the mirror.

When a woman puts on a  fashionable outfit in the hottest color of the season, it can help her mood considerably. Soft, pretty floral prints or bold, colorful stripes can make a woman feel more vibrant. There is always time for wearing sweatpants and pajamas around the house, but those old standbys never make a woman feel like the prettiest girl in the room. On the other hand, a fun and fashionable outfit by the most popular designers of today can make a woman feel attractive. That feeling can lead to desire for tasteful makeup and a new hairstyle. Before you know it, a woman has a whole new outlook. She looks and feels better. That's the benefit of fashion.


Women should try very hard not to let anything stand in their way of realizing their inner and outer beauty. Although it can be challenging not to let a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis or other illness send them into a depression, it can be difficult. The important thing is to remember that difficult doesn't mean impossible. Adding a fresh burst of color to a wardrobe can be a pick-me-up, and seeing a well-dressed and fashionable reflection in the mirror is sure to put a smile on any woman's face. There is never a bad time to experience with fashion, and developing a signature style can be fun and empowering. Whether it's adding bold prints or colors to every outfit, any woman can find comfort in the arms of fashion.

WILW

I'm linking up with Jamie today to share What I'm Loving

today I'm loving...

[one.]

that I am officially the proud new owner of an iphone 4S

I have waited for this day for YEARS!!! 

( so long Samsung Mythic. )

me and Siri are basically going to be BFFs. ;)

p.s. I'm also on instagram now so find me!! (username: lesliebentley)

[two.]

That I registered for classes this morning, got everything I wanted... and I'm taking beginner's golf. Watch out, next year I may just be in the Master's. I'm also thinking, the girl to guy ratio in that class may be in my favor... just a thought. Not a bad way to complete that PE requirement... ;)

[three.]

Jasmine is going to start selling Stella & Dot.

making me reeeeally excited because they have super cute stuff.

and you should t-totally go check out her giveaway she's doing to celebrate!

(because it's awesome, and they're gorgeous earrings)

and on that note, I'm off to work!

Happy Wednesday sweet friends!

Mallory's Prom

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, my little sister had her first PROM this past weekend.

yes, EASTER weekend... terrible planning. 

So I have to share with you some of the pictures. She looked so beautiful, and grown up. 

 

and her date was SO sweet. When he got there he said, "Mallory, you look beautiful!" So sincere... melt. my. heart.

They had a blast at Prom, but on their way home their limo broke down and the boys had to push it into a parking lot. Apparently it ran out of gas? Ill prepared. They better get some money back if you ask me ;)

Happy Tuesday!

Easter Sunday

We had a lovely Easter this year, with all of the family gathering at our house for our annual Easter lunch together.

My sweet little sister Mallory had her prom the night before, so she was absolutely exhausted. We are STILL trying to figure out which genius decided to schedule the high school's prom on Easter weekend... SMH.

We had such a delicious lunch, those ladies in my family know how to COOK. I ate waaaaay too much.

our Easter outfits for church!

all of the girls

Mal, mama, and me

  and we had a blast hiding eggs for the kids. I miss the days of running around searching for the "money egg" ;)

We heard there's a Scavenger Hunt app on the iphone that you can set up a scavenger hunt with... and some people used that for an "Adult Easter Egg Hunt." How fun is that?! I think my family needs to look into that for next year... 

:)

Hope you had a wonderful Easter with your family!

Top 5 Tuesday

I'm linking up with Rachel today for her Top 5 Tuesday!

Today's Topic: 5 Beauty Products I Can't Live without!

[one.]
Lancome Definicils Mascara
there's just no going back after you try this stuff ladies.
It's a little pricy, but it lasts.
I've tried a lot of different mascaras, and after using this one there is just no comparison. Get you some ;)

Source: sephora.com via sostinkinhappy on

[two.]

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Thank you Santa for bringing me this baby at Christmas ;) 

I am so obsessed. 

This eyeshadow set is so versatile.. it's easy to use, and I find myself experimenting with eyeshadow more now that I have it!

Source: sephora.com via Kelsey on Pinterest

[three.]
Lip Color.
Last year I blogged about "To Lipstick or Not To Lipstick" and a few weeks after the post, I took the plunge. I have become such a lipstick person. My make-up just doesn't feel complete until I have some color on my lips.

I'm still nervous about trying new colors though.. I don't like to be too risky. AND lipstick is HARD to pick out... it never looks the same once you get it on your lips. I always get a make-up lady to help me out! ;)

The Ulta lady helped me pick out this Urban Decay shade, it's a little dark.. but with a light gloss over it you're golden. (It's the color I'm usually wearing in my pictures on here!)

Source: urbandecay.com via Shannon on Pinterest

[four.]
Bare Minerals
Best. Foundation. Ever.

Source: google.com via Renee on Pinterest

[five.]
Julep Nail Polish
I won a giveaway of this nail polish a while back, and ever since my life has been changed. I was always a total essie girl... but Julep is more natural. It's glossier, and doesn't ruin your nails. PLUS, they have a neat birchbox-esque program! Click here if you're interested! (Who doesn't like a package in the mail?)

Source: pinkdandychatter.com via Hoa on Pinterest

Now go link up with Rachel and share what your top 5 are!!

The Color Run

Friday night we headed up to Atlanta to spend the evening dining with friends at the Cheesecake Factory, and prepping for the Color Run the next morning!

It was my first time actually spending the night in Atlanta, and we had the prettiest view from our hotel window. Naturally, I took zero pictures of that. (Or of dinner) SMH.

We started off SUPER clean in our White Tee's.

and ended all colorfully. 

It was so much fun.

Basically, a giant party.

They don't call it "The Happiest 5K on the Planet" for nothing! :)

I really hope the Color Run comes back to Atlanta next year!! If it comes to your city, I highly recommend running in it. It's not timed, but it's more of an experience than anything else. 

Such a great weekend!