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.