seperation anxiety from 2013

In hindsight, there was nothing super extraordinary that happened in 2013. There were no big changes and I didn't do anything worth uploading a Facebook "life event" to my profile... but it was a year that I will always look back on fondly for it was a year of comfort. After finishing up my junior year in the spring, I went back home and worked as a beverage cart girl for my second summer, and then in the fall, I moved into "Buck House" with the same sorority sisters that I lived down the hall from in the Kappa house for the past two years. 2013 was safe.  2013 was consistency. 2013 became "home".

As I pondered my resolutions for 2014 (because regardless of the fact that I stuck to about 5 out of the 13 I made for 2013, I love dreaming, making lists, and setting goals), I started to realize how much my life is inevitably going to change in 2014...

2014 means I'm graduating... 2014 means I'm going to have to get a real job (WHY CAN'T I JUST STAY ON THE BEV CART FOREVER?)... 2014 means turning 22 (birthdays are lame and don't matter after 21...)... 2014 means no more 6 hour Netflix binges... 2014 means moving out of my hometown?... 2014 means paying back college loans... 2014 means I'm officially a "grown-up"...

I suppose, whether I'm ready for it or not,  2014 will be the year I step out of my comfort zone.. and even though I'll miss my lazy college days where I don't have to get out of bed 'til 11 to get to my 12:15 class, I am excited to push myself and see where the uncertainty of 2014 takes me.

In 2014,  I resolve to flourish.
In 2014, I resolve to thrive.

The 5 Senses of Summer

Saw something similar to this in a magazine I was reading by the pool and thought it'd be a fun post! 

My FAVORITE thing for each of my 5 senses for the summer!

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SIGHT:

The golf course I work at!

HEARING: 

The Luke Bryan station on Pandora

TASTE:

This strawberry salad with candied walnuts and gorgonzola cheese over mixed greens with balsamic dressing from the golf club I work at. It's absolutely DELICIOUS, I would eat it everyday if I could. -I took this picture with Instagram during my lunch break on the beverage cart :)

SMELL:

FOR ME- Light Blue has been my go to Spring/Summer scent for years now. 

I got a sample of the New York Yankees for Men Eau du Toilette in a package I received from Lord & Taylor and FELL IN LOVE. I want to get this for my boyfriend as soon as he runs out of his cologne now. I would even wear this on myself!

TOUCH:

My Norts were definitely what I wore most this summer! So comfortable for running errands, putting over a bikini to the beach, working out, shopping, anything! 

Summer Loving Happened So Fast

I feel like this happens to me every year... When summer break begins and I think about the LONG four months I have off from school, it seems like an eternity lies ahead of me. Now, as we soon approach celebrating the Fourth of July, I wonder where the time has gone.

Especially this year, I feel like I've done nothing to make "Summer 2012" a memorable one. So I'm making a pact to myself to make the best out of the rest of it! Especially July, since I can justifiably  blame doing everything and anything in celebration of my 20th birthday (on the 13th)!

I need to cherish the time I have with my high school besties, because come August 20th when I'm back at school for Recruitment, I'll regret it if I don't. It's weird to think that pretty soon I'll be a big girl and not even have summer vacation! I'm getting so old.

Have a HAPPY 4th and AMAZING JULY everyone!

xo, cheri

My Lilly Masterpiece!

Living at home for only four months of the year has led my room to become more of a storage unit for things I have to move in and out of my dorm every semester, compared to my own personal escape from reality growing up. 

Even though I've been home for almost two months now, I still have so many Sterelite storage bins cluttering my personal space and blocking paths to my dresser and closet. These bins are filled with a lot of decor that was originally in my room that I took to my dorm at school, and now am too lazy to rehang in knowing that in less than two months, I'll have to take it down again.

While I don't feel the need to go out and spend money on buying new decor, I still wanted to spruce up my room a little bit so that it felt more "homey".

I decided to channel my inner sorority-girl and take a ride over to Joann's for some crafting supplies. Canvas, acrylic paint, Martha Stewart stencils.. and voila! 

I'm obsessed with this Lilly print. It's the background of my Twitter page, desktop, iPhone... and soon will be a pop of color on my bedroom wall! I'm really happy with how it turned out. I debated putting my monogram on it, but to be honest, I don't want to ruin it!

I took a few art classes as a kid, but I'm no van Gogh. Regardless, I found painting so relaxing! I definitely plan on doing a few more pieces with either: quotes, chevron print, or a fleur de lis. They're super easy and I feel like it means more to know that I made it myself! 

Creating pieces like this would also be a great alternative to the oh-so-classic Marilyn Monroe posters in a dorm room.

Has the summertime given you time to get crafty?

OOTN: Friend's Birthday Dinner

TOP // J. Crew Outlet

SKIRT // Tobi (also on nastygal.com)

SHOES // Target

BRACELETS // Alex and Ani

WATCH // Michael Kors

RING // Tiffany's

NECKLACE // Penny Weights

EARRINGS // Rock Candy

NAIL POLISH // Essie's Lights

Happy Birthday to one of my beautiful best friend's, Jennifer! The girls and I celebrated by going to a restaurant in town for drinks and sushi. I had a blast. I can't remember the last time I laughed as hard as I did. It's funny how the little things are what really matter most. We decided not to use birthday's as an excuse to get together and going here will be our new weekly tradition! 

xo, cheri

It's FINALLY Here!

Instagram: cherihamilton

A high of 90°F and bright blue skies, it's OFFICIALLY SUMMER.  I could not have spent my afternoon any better way than with my bestie soaking up the rays by the pool! 

Hope it's sunny where you are and that you're enjoying your first summer day!

xo, cheri

Orange REALLY is the New Pink

I just wanted to make a quick post about how I've literally been OBSESSED with orange lately. I feel like it scares a lot of people away, but if done right (and in the right hue), orange can accentuate your summer glow and compliment other popular summer colors like gold, white, cobalt blue, and turquoise

I saw this picture on Tobi and ever since I've been on the hunt for the perfect orange top and white jeans to pair with it. No luck yet, BUT I have explored this bright tangerine color on my nails and lips!

 Essie's Meet Me at Sunset via my Instagram (Follow me! -cherihamilton). I LOVE this shade. You only need two coats of this for an opaque finish and I felt like it didn't chip as fast as it usually does.

Make Up For Ever's Rouge Artist Intense #40. I tried to find a shade similar to this at the drugstore, but was never satisfied. I was testing out SO MANY orange shades at Sephora and once I found this lipstick, I knew it'd be well worth the "splurge."  This is my first MUFE lipstick and I have no complaints. It's full coverage, long lasting, and didn't have a chalky finish. This is a great alternative in the summer to a red lip. I paired it with a light gloss, but I think it'd be fine on its own as well! 

Will you be caught sporting orange this summer?

xo, cheri