Weekend Recap!

Happy Monday everyone! 

I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and I can't wait to read all about it on your lovely blogs! I was back at Lilly today so I was able to finish the last of my Christmas shopping! Tonight I finished wrapping all my gifts and put them under the tree! The onlyy gift I have yet to figure out is something for my 9 year old nephew...he's really into legos? I guess...but also loves gameboy so I might stick to getting him a game- but any creative suggestions?! 

As I mentioned yesterday- I got home late Saturday night (the flight was 45 minutes long! hellooo flying is SO much better than sitting on a 4-5 hour bus ride- gah) and on Sunday we decorated my tree and apartment for Christmas with my niece and nephew! And then we were off to my cousins apartment in the city for a Christmas party! Here is my sunday in photos (warning photo overload!): 

(christmas tree before the ornaments...)

(Christmas Tree after! The tree is on the shorter, fatter side than we usually get- that's what happens when my parents pick it out without me!) 

(the same nativity set that we've had since I was a baby!)

(our nutcracker collection!)

(coffee table decoration) 

Cousin's Christmas Party!

(Set table!)

(Decorations on the window and some view of NYC)

(my cousins painted the back of their bar in their kitchen with chalkboard paint! And always have different colored chalk handy- it's the perfect way to keep kids occupied with little cleanup!)

(Roo- who has been in the family for years!)

(me and my wonderful daddy)

(boys!)

(girls!)

(homemade chestnut soup- AMAZING-perfect winter soup)

(leg of lamb)

(cornbread stuffing and stringbeans) 

*the cornbread in the stuffing was homemade...pretty impressive I would say!*

(Cranberry/Cream Cheese/Chocolate Cake...)

(One picture just wasn't enough!)

The whole afternoon and evening was a perfect first day back in New York. It was great reuniting with family who I haven't seen for a long time, especially around the holiday season. All of the food was homemade and absolutely delicious! My cousin's husband was responsible for the entire meal and he is an absolute genius in the kitchen! I'm glad we all get to spend Christmas together just next week! 

How was your weekend?!

XOXO

ps so sorry that some of my pictures are horizontal- blogger was giving me a really hard time tonight! 

Happy Sunday!

And I'm backk....! 

I just got back to NYC last night and I could not be happier to be home with my family! The last two days in Boston was a bit crazy...laundry, packing, cleaning, OH and taking my exam...so I guess studying also! But it's all over now! One month of completeee relaxation (with a little work at Lilly of course!)! 

My family arrived from Germany yesterday also...did I mention I have family in Germany? My sister moved there with her husband (who is German) and raised their kids there aka my niece and nephew! I only get to see them twice a year so I was sooo excited to get home and reunite with them! Giulia is 11 and Alexander is 9! They are my favorite children in the whole wide world and I cannot wait to cuddle and play with them all of break! 

Today we're decorating my tree and apartment for Christmas and then we're off to my cousins for a pre-christmas party! (pictures to come tomorrow!) So before I sign off here are some cute Christmas photos from Pinterest (of course)...

(such a cute idea for a night in with the kids...)

(adorable mantle decorations!)

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! And for all my college blogger friends- if you're done CONGRATS! If you're just finishing up- GOOD LUCK!

XOXO

Weekend Recap!

Happy Monday Readers!

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! December has been flying by! I can't believe I only have one more week left in Boston before I go home for about 3 weeks! And then when I return- we have formal recruitment and get new babies! WHY AM I SO OLD?

Well, as everyone else, December is filled with holiday parties, holiday shopping, baking, cooking, etc! It's my favorite month of the year! (Well besides May, which is my birthday month!). On Thursday, a few friends and I, got manicures for semi formal and did a little shopping on Newbury Street. One of my best friends is a brand ambassador for Madewell and was hosting an event at their store. It was 50% off sale items! Such a good deal! Here are two things I picked up!

I got both of these items for only $12! 

Of course, a trip to Newbury Street isn't complete without stopping at Forever 21! I picked up these items there: 

(I got these to wear with my semi-formal dress!)

(This looks kinda silly on a hanger- but it was a crop top with a cute cut-out in the back!)

  

(I've been looking for one of these for a while to hold my Lilly folders below!)

(So useful!) 

On Thursday night I went to a holiday party at Bijou (a new club in downtown Boston!)- it was a White Party in honor of the holiday season so the whole club was covered in white balloons and confetti! 

And then Friday was SEMI FORMAL! I'm not sure if like semi formal or spring formal better. Semi-formal has the Christmas feel but typically my chapter does spring formal at a cool location and it's always a surprise! Here are some photos from semi! I'm wearing a Lilly, Naomi dress! 

( I thought I had a ton more photos :( I'll update this post with more later this week!) 

Then on Saturday, I went to one of my professor's holiday party! It was such a nice time and her home was very festive! I've had this particular professor for 2 classes and I'm signed up for her Event Management class next semester! Everyone had to bring a dish or a beverage so I decided to make Brie en Croute. I'm going to post the recipe and photos tomorrow because I highly recommend it to everyone who needs to prepare an easy but delicious appetizer for a winter party! Here's the final product for now!

(It was a huge hit at the party!)

I spent Saturday afternoon Christmas shopping! I got presents for all my friends in Boston and a few for family in New York. I have to finish family shopping at home since I'm flying home for break, I won't be able to carry much! 

(Unfortunately we weren't able to get a tree this year :( so we put all of our presents around the TV- some of these are my roommates!)

Saturday night, my roommates and I had a family dinner! We made fresh pasta sauce, garlic bread and a big salad! As we ate, we of course watched 25 Days of Christmas on ABC Family! I made cupcakes for dessert! 

Then on Saturday night, I decided to go to a Christmas party at a Harvard Finals Club (the plus of living in Boston!) The house had an AMAZING christmas tree and all the boys were dressed up in cute Christmas gear! It was such a fun night! 

AND THENN...on Sunday morning, my sorority had our annual End-of-Semester brunch! This is a big tradition in our chapter and the best way to get together one last time before the end of the semester and say farewell to sisters traveling abroad in the spring. We also do our officer installation ritual aka I officially installed our new president who also happens to be my little sister! I cannot believe my year as president has come to an end! It has been such a rewarding experience, that I would never change in the world. I learned so much about myself and gained so many valuable qualities that will most definitely assist me in the future. Of course, since I can't handle graduating and moving on- I teared up during the ritual (can you say embarrassing?) but AEPhi has been such a huge part of my life for the past year it's going to be SUCH a strange adjustment not being president anymore. But I know I'm leaving the chapter in amazing hands and I couldn't be prouder that my little is taking over! 

(Okay rant over...) 

(I'm on the right with the new president and my little, Steph!) 

(Incoming and Outgoing presidents, with our wonderful advisors!) 

So that was my weekend! I spent Sunday afternoon and evening watching an SVU marathon and eating pad thai haha- first night of no presidential responsibilities! 

Good luck to those taking finals this week! I finished all my major papers and projects last week so I only have one final on Saturday! 

ps be sure to check out Crystal from Coffee at Nordstrom's holiday giveaway! 

pps also check out Ashley from Everyday AEM's amazing giveaways here! 

XOXO

It's OK Thursdays!

Happy Thursdays Readers and happy December!  I hope everyone is having a great week and is gearing up for the weekend! 

There's a TON of things I'm okay with today...

It's OK...that I finished my paper for my blog project last night...the reason I started Pink Zin was because of an assignment for one of my classes (hi Professor Quigley!) and couldn't have imagined that I would fall in love with blogging so much, meet so many amazing people and really just find a hobby that I truly enjoy. I definitely don't plan on abandoning Pink Zin just because my project is done! 

It's (really) OK...that I received two plaid flannel shirts in the mail last night! They were a surprise from my mom and an early Christmas present! When I was home for Thanksgiving break I couldn't stop talking about how much I wanted a flannel for the bitter winter months! She picked them up at Old Navy and I'm in love! They're super oversized and comfortable- perfect for finals studying!

It's (really) okay...that I received my package from Pink Gasoline last night! I mentioned this on Monday but I purchased a monogrammed coffee cozy and keychain last week and was eagerly anticipating its' arrival! 

(used it this morning! such a nice touch to my disposable coffee cup!) 

It's OK...that I finally received my sorority's stationary in the mail yesterday (it was quite the day for packages!) Now we can have personalized stationary to send thank you notes to our panhellenic sisters! 

(They were ordered from Alpha Stationary in Indiana)

It's (not) OK...that fall semester is over in less than 2 weeks...that means I only have one more semester left at college...that means I'm one semester closer to graduating and entering the real world. WHAT THE HECK? I'm not ready to leave! 

It's OK...that I missed the Victoria Secret Fashion Show on Tuesday..though I try to watch it every year because it is definitely an amazing show and super entertaining...I always feel just a tad bad about myself after watching...call me superficial, whatever

It's OK...that I want everything on Carly from College Prepster's monogram gift guide. But for myself...it's not acceptable to buy presents for yourself when Christmas is only 25 days away, right?!

It's (really) OK...that it's december 1st because this means many things..

1. Boston finally has cooled down! It felt downright wrong that I could walk around in shorts and a sweat shirt when I should be in the Christmas spirit. Some people hate the drop in temperature but I'm not ashamed to say I love it. 

2. December 1st means the start of ABC Family's 25 Days of Christmas. I love Christmas movies...I don't care how old I am but I will always love a cheesy holiday movie! 

3. Secret Santa! This winter I am participating in three different Secret Santas! One within my sorority, one with the other presidents of the sororities on campus, andd the one I'm probably most excited for- the Holly Jolly Secret Santa Swap hosted by Crystal from Coffee at Nordstrom, Emily from Life of Emily, and Ashley from Everyday AEM! I sent out a Christmas card to my secret santa this morning and I cannot wait to receive mine in the mail! 

What is OK about your Thursday?! 

XOXO

ps you must check out Crystal from Coffee at Nordstrom's giveaway! I'm really crossing my fingers for this one!