My Bookshelf..

So for Chanukah, my dad bought me a kindle and a cute case for it! YAY! But unfortunately I had gotten about 4 books from the public library before and now I can't find free versions of these books for the kindle since they are newer, yet I can't bring myself to buy them since I have free versions sitting on my "bookshelf" (otherwise known as wherever in my room I decided to store them). 

My new kindle in its box and ready for me to open!

My solution: read the hardcopy books and then go for the kindle (especially excited to read it in Cancun)

Here are the books that I believe I will be happy reading for pleasure this winter break:

1. Ender's Shadow (Book 6 of Orson Scott Card's Ender Series) I know that it is science fiction, but I have been getting into these books lately...less on the sci-fi side and more on the dystopian future side. If you have read Ender's Game though, this is a great sequel from the little guy's point of view..

2. Uglies : Recommended by a friend I am excited to read this dystopian society book about a girl who wants to get her surgery to become pretty but has to convince her friend to come back to society in order to get it...we will see..it could be interesting

3. Hunger Games Series: I have already read it (all three books in 4 1/2 days but it is so good that I might just read it again on my kindle. If you haven't read it...read it now! The movie comes out in March for the first one and I couldn't be more excited. Oh how I love Peeta and Gale...

4. Blue Bloods: A series about the rich and powerful vampires of Manhattan..it's not the best quality of books but gives me a fix for True Blood for now..I have read the first book and just downloaded the second one, Masquerade, from the public library database

5. I need to find some Jodi Piccoult or Nicholas Sparks book to throw myself into that can just be my emotional chick flick book of the season...why not?

I have already read these but if you haven't read the Sookie Stackhouse Series (the books which True Blood is based off of) then pick them up immediately. So much better than Twilight will ever be and much better than the TV show...let's just say if you like Eric..you will love these books! 

I hope I have enough time to do the other things I wanted to do while on break..hopefully this reading thing doesn't take up too much time...maybe I'll still buy a cursive handwriting book to do on the plane to Cancun? Because that won't weird out the guy sitting next to me...oh wait! That's my friend Kristen! haha

Visit with my Sister and Mr. A-Z

So this weekend has been a busy one! Especially if you include Monday as well. 

On Saturday I worked at the lovely LOFT from 12:30-6:30, and it was quite busy thanks to the busy shoppers who are buying lots of gifts for their family and friends. 

On Sunday, my mom and I went to visit my sister in Arlington, as we don't get to see her that often and everyone always needs a girls day every once in a while. We went The Liberty Tavern for a wonderful Sunday brunch, where my mom ordered us all mimosas and a grand buffet of all the possible brunch items you can think of and more. The bartender noted to one of the customers that the orange juice was for color not flavor--the perfect way to make a mimosa. My favorite part of the meal was the delicious white pizza with caramelized onions, ham, and pears as well as the applewood smoked bacon. 

As that was our only meal for the day, the three of us decided that the rest of the afternoon would be best spent at Loehmann's, our safehaven for shopping in NOVA. We spent a good 3 hours shopping there, each of us getting only a few, precious items. As I have been ruining shoes for a good 2 semesters at UVA without rain boots, I finally decided to get some, as well as a cute Free People shirt. My mom and I then headed home tired and full from a great day with my sister.

On Monday, after spending the morning with my best friend Stacey, my other best friend Elyssa came to Richmond from Norfolk to go to a Jason Mraz concert benefiting SPARC. 

Elyssa and I before the concert started getting our smiles on

Elyssa being goofy...again..

It was downtown and was awesome. Although, Mr. A-Z really did need a haircut, his voice was phenomenal and we snacked on pretzel M&Ms while watching some talent...I need to find a husband that can serenade me like that!

This morning, Elyssa and I then went to Boychik's Deli with my dad for a delicious breakfast of eggs, hash browns, and bagels. We then ventured to Costco where I purchased a new camera :) Lots of pictures to come from that one..trust me on that

Elyssa then had to leave to go celebrate Chanukah with her family, as I did with mine. So my dad and I spent the evening cooking potato latkes and pork tenderloin...ironic? 

Happy First Night of Chanukah!!

Fall Semester Overview

So this semester really has flown by, and there has never been a dull moment.

Here are some of the highlights from the past 4 months!

I started out the semester with my ZTA sisters getting ready for the first football game

Tailgated with my best friend Kristen and her friend from home Sara

Roadtripped down to UNC-Chapel Hill...

And met lots of new friends

Went to some interesting concerts...as a study break for orgo

Tried to stay at a UVA football game for more than 25 minutes

But tailgated instead..

Celebrated my best friend Kristen's 21st!

And took shots at midnight!

Got to hang out with my best friend and one of my favorite people in the world!

and see one of the best shows I have ever seen with her and my dad

Raised money for breast cancer research and awareness by selling pearls on the lawn

And bought a few myself....

Got to hang out with a friend that I have known practically since birth at a UVA football game!

Hung out with friends and their younger siblings..as he pretends to be a prospective student

Celebrated a great Halloween as the different flavors of Burnetts

And got to party with my roomies for next year! 

(Here's to hoping we find a 4th!)

Trick or treated on the lawn with lots of adorable kids in costumes

And went apple picking/eating with some of my favorite sisters

In addition to all these things, I enjoyed a great Parent's Formal with my sister and my mom and celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family! 

Here's to a wonderful holiday break and a great spring semester!

Thanks to everyone for making my fall semester so special!

Perfect Winter Outfit with a Pop of Color

Perfect Winter Outfit with a Pop of Color by arielleffron featuring a funnel neck coat

TIBI extra long sleeve shirt
$275 - tibi.com

Funnel neck coat
$100 - alloy.com

Paige Denim mid rise jeans
$116 - zappos.com

H M metal jewelry
£3.49 - hm.com

18k jewelry
$45 - maxandchloe.com

What I Am Looking Forward To Over Break...

I get to go home to Richmond in 2 days!! I am so excited to play with my puppy and celebrate the holidays with my family (and there is always the plus that I don't have to study for finals anymore). I have compiled a bunch of things that I am looking forward to for break until I have to come back in January for spring semester and sorority recruitment.

I am most excited for my trip to CANCUN! I am going with one of my best friends Kristen, my mom, and another family that I have known my entire life. We are staying in an all-inclusive resort called Hacienda Tres Rios and staying there over New Years! I am so excited to just soak up the sun and celebrate New Years in Mexico this year! I also get a 30-min massage included in the package and unlimited drinks...the life I live...(Although I am basically going to have to devote the next 2 weeks to working out and eating almost nothing so that I look good for the beach)

I am also so ready to play with my puppies that I haven't seen since Thanksgiving. I just want to cuddle with them and play with the one thing that will always love me! My beagle and my coton!

I want to make these Santa hat brownies :)

Aren't they jus so adorable?! I wish they made blue strawberries
so that I could make them Chanukah colored..

Even though the recipe tells you a whole recipe for frosting and whatnot..I am just probably going to be lazy and use my favorite Ghiradelli box recipe, buy some amazing Ukrops frosting, and cut the strawberries! So excited!!! (I hope they turn out okay)

I also get to work this winter break at LOFT at Short Pump, which I don't know if I am that excited for it but I am excited for the money that I will get paid so I can buy a couple of things that I want such as:

- A new camera (Either going for the Canon sx230hs - compact zoom or a rugged Tough camera so I can take it anywhere...still deciding)

- Some new perfume (I really want Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb)

- A kindle (I read wayyyyy too much)

I am hoping to go to NY to visit my cousins this winter break right around Christmas so hopefully it will work out and I won't have to work at LOFT too much. I love visiting my cousins up there and it doesn't seem like I get to see them as much as I would like..and we always have so much fun! My brother and sister are going up there so I might as well join in!

I am excited to do some crafts this break..my room at school needs an overhaul on one of the walls (otherwise known as there is nothing on it) so Kylene and I are going to get some crafts over break and when we get back decorate it! I am so excited to go to Ben Franklin Crafts (which I feel like is only in Richmond) and Hobby Lobby to buy lots of decorations so our room is pretty for sratty recruitment! 

I also am making the name tags for the second round of our recruitment for ZTA. This is all kind of my way of easing my brain into taking 4 science classes next semester and nothing artsy fartsy.

I am really excited to do no work..After taking 2 exams yesterday (one at 9am and one at 2pm) I have realized that I deserve a break plus some...I have 2 more to go and then I am done for months!

I kind of want to relearn cursive handwriting..I think I am going to buy one of those books at barnes and noble and reteach my hand how to do it so when I write something, it looks more eloquent...therefore sounds better :)

I also might pick up my violin when I am home and see how bad I have gotten; see if its possible for me to be decent again. I haven't played in 3 1/2 years and I just want to fiddle a little...maybe play some Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

So here's to a great winter break and getting through these last 2 finals so that I can get to go home and do whatever I feel like!

What Did I Really Learn this Fall?

As I sit in the last class of the semester I wonder if I have actually really learned anything in the long run from any of my classes..After learning organic chemistry structures and about foreign language acquisition in children I'm curious as to how I will actually use this information in my daily life. 

Here are the things that I believe I could possibly use in the future even if I end up working in a random job that has nothing to do with my education.

3. I have some interesting drawing skills and can draw hexagons quite well now.. thank you Orgo!

2. If I ever have kids, I know how to make them learn language really fast and make them baby geniuses. It will be a bit of time though before I think of anything like that. Oh child psychology...

1. As much as I like to think that I can draw hexagons, I am definitely not a talented artist and I never probably will be. (Thank you Psychology of Art for boosting my self-esteem)

How unfortunate is it that I can only come up with really only 3 useful things from this semester, and they aren't really that useful. I am sure there is more but it seems that this semester might come in handy in grad school and later in life when I am not experiencing college life. 

On the other side of things, these are the things that helped me get through this semester:

1. My iphone has been my lifesaver between getting emails right away on the go and taking pictures whenever I want, I have never been happier. I also have done a good number of psychology readings on it.

2. My watch (a beautiful birthday gift from my sister and my mom) has been one of the best gifts I have ever gotten. If you don't have one...get one.. I actually get to class on time. 

3. My roomie Kylene has been a great study buddy this semester. She has also kept me sane and pointed out all my quirks...at least she can't say she didn't know what she was getting into.

Kylene and I at our ZTA Pearl Trunk Show on the lawn at UVA to support Breast Cancer Research!

4. The meals cooked by our lovely ZTA chefs Dianah and Kim have made my stomach so happy this semester! My favorite meals so far would have to be the eggs Kim cooks for me in the morning with cheese, peppers, and tomatoes and the jumbalaya (which we had tonight! yum!).

5. Last but not least my Backstreet Boys radio station on Pandora has gotten me through some rough walks to exams and to class. I think next semester I might mix it up with my new Jason Mraz station, but for now I will pay tribute to the endless *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, and The Click Five that I get to listen to!

Happy Holidays from the ZTA House!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE ZTA HOUSE!

P.S. This is my first Christmas tree and it couldn't be prettier!

10 Things I Miss From When I Was Younger

 We all have to grow up (at least age-wise) but I like to think I still have some little kid left in me. Being here at school and studying for finals, really makes me miss some of the things I had or believed when I was little...So here are the top 10 things I miss.

10. I miss the TV shows that we had when I was little.

Loved Pinky and the Brain...

Is it bad that I had a crush on Shawn? 

I was Patty Mayonnaise for Halloween two years ago...and who doesn't miss Skeeter?!

Me and my suitemate during our first year at UVA with me as Patty Mayonnaise and  Lauren as Quailman

                                                      

And last but not least Saved by the Bell of course! How could you resist a nerd like Screech?

9. I miss writing letters to my friends for their birthdays, and writing to my grandparents. I had lined stationary. I would write to my parents while at camp too.

8. I miss disposable cameras that you had to take to the store to get the pictures developed. When you picked them up you got real, concrete pictures and not data on the computer. I know digital cameras are faster, less expensive for developing, and easier to use, but something about carrying those pictures when I was younger made me feel so cool.

This is what my first real camera looked like that I got when I was about 7 years old.  Gotta love film..

7. I miss not having to wear a bra... enough said

6. I miss being able to carry around a stuffed animal and not be judged. Being comforted by some imaginary friend and not worrying whether it was weird or unnatural. It felt good back then to be able to have fun with my friends and their stuffed animals too! haha

Exhibit A : Me and my lamb named Molly
(I named all my stuffed animals rhyming with olly)

5. I miss getting money for little things like losing my tooth and putting it under my pillow for the tooth fairy and finding the afikomen (for all you Jews). I also miss believing in the tooth fairy..

I remember one time my mom forgot to replace the tooth with money and I went to her the next morning upset because the tooth fairy didn't come, so she told me that the tooth fairy gave her the money to give to me...classic.

4. I miss playing violin concerts with my sister for my mom for the holidays, and if it didn't sound good people were still impressed. 

3. I miss playing with my barbies..

One of my favorite barbies when growing up...as a result she didn't get a haircut like most of my other barbies

My other favorite barbie growing up. I think I loved her sparkly green platform shoes the best...

2. I miss when putting band aids on my boo boos made everything feel better. (And trust me my mom always had a constant supply since every time I even partially twisted some limb or scratched myself, a band aid always worked to get me to stop crying)

1. I miss not caring about more than what flavor my ice cream was or what color I was drawing with. When I didn't have to understand and inform myself with the doings of the world or politics. I would play with my friends with no cares in the world and eat whatever I wanted.

My preschool dance recital singing The Ants Go Marching. The two girls on the right are still two of my best friends. Note how I am rocking a skort-- LOVE 

Exam Prep: Perfect Outfit for Exams

Everyone always has different ways they dress for an exam whether it be the "I actually woke up on time and am wearing what I wear everyday", the "I was in the library all night" look, the "I literally just rolled out of bed" look,  or the "I am going to dress extra special so I feel better" look. Here, I will put together the best mix of these looks to give a comfortable yet stylish exam outfit.

Perfect Exam Outfit by Love to Eat and Live to Laugh

Jcrew Donegal Wool Shawl Cardigan  www.jcrew.com  $138

Jcrew Perfect Shirt  www.jcrew.com  $78

Citizens of Humanity ‘Second Skin’ Stretch Denim Jeans  www.nordstrom.com  $209  (a more comfy way to wear jeans)

Tory Burch Selma Riding Boots   www.toryburch.com   $495

Ugg Australia Classic Tall Boot in Chestnut  www.nordstrom.com  $179.95 (if you like your feet to be warm and comfy)

Tory Burch Double Wrap Logo Bracelet  www.nordstrom.com   $95 (comfy bracelet that still gives some style)

Obviously there are variations to the outfit but this is the basic idea.

 If you want to wear a watch to watch the time instead of a wrap bracelet, go for this beauty:

Michael Kors 'Runway' Crystal Topring Watch   www.nordstrom.com   $225

Happy Studying!!

To give a better idea..

Below is a bunch of things that I just find really interesting/fun...just to give a better idea of what I am all about.

This is basically me...
half the time I am laughing at myself instead of my horrible jokes

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year! Even though I am Jewish I love when every neighborhood is covered in lights and the radio plays Christmas music! My new favorite thing is Elf Yourself by Officemax. Seriously...check it out. 

Video with two of my best friends!

My sister and I enjoying the holiday season!

My puppy who is now 3 years old! She basically is the stuffed dog that loves you back!


One of the best meals I ever had...

I know its green but this steak-frites was one of the best meals I have ever had. They basically ask you how you want it cooked and what kind of wine you want and it is parfait!

Le Relais de L'Entrecote in Paris, France. I have been there three times with my mom and my sister. Twice when I was high school and once while visiting my sister when she was studying abroad..and they won't give you the recipe to the delicious green sauce...

Last but not least...