Take What You Need

Erin and I like to have a little something on our doors for the people walking by to see. Erin saw this pin, and told me we should do something similar. I agreed right away! Especially with exam week coming up, people always need a little something extra. I must say, I love the way the metallic Sharpies look on the black paper.

We made the tabs three layers thick so that multiple people could take them. We put this up a few days ago and quite a few of the tabs are already gone. 

As a little extra, we wrote relatable Bible verses on the back of each tab. We loved this addition because it adds a bit more comfort to a troubling time, and reading my Bible always calms me down, so hopefully we can help others as well. 

What do you need? I'll post any of the Bible Verses you want in the comments.

Love y'all, Robin Malia

Time With Friends = A Good Time

This past weekend was pretty awesome. It has made starting the new week pretty tough! I just want to relish in doing nothing productive a little longer. Thankfully Thanksgiving break is coming along quickly as well as the end of the semester.

Friday, Erin had a dance performance and I went to see her! It was such a good show. There was a wide variety of styles and I was in awe at all the talent in the room. After the show, Erin went out to dinner and I got crafty. I found this snowflake tutorial and had to try it out! I love they way they look hanging from my ceiling. And a plus is that they don't look too Christmasy, so I could leave them up all year if I wanted to.

When Erin got back from dinner, her and I stayed up late talking. It was great to have some girl-time with her. I need to appreciate every moment we have together before we both go abroad in the spring.

Saturday was very relaxing. I went to the gym and then sat around and read my book (I should have been doing school work, but oh well). Erin had another show, and afterwards, two of our friends came over to watch a movie. We ended up talking for a while before actually starting the movie at 1:30am. After a long decision process, we chose "Sydney White", a movie from the early 2000s starring Amanda Bynes in her prime. It was such a funny movie - lots of laughs. It was set on a college campus and we got a kick at how unrealistic it was. After the movie was over we starting talking again and before we knew it it was 6:00am!! Oops! Even though we stayed up much too late, I wouldn't take back those awesome conversations for anything.

On Sunday, after sleeping in until noon (which was still too early), Erin and I went to go see our school's theater production of Peter Pan. They did such a good job! Since it was a Sunday matinée, there was a lot of little kids there. A lot of them were dressed up as Tinker Bell or Pirates. I think it was one of the cutest things I have ever seen. After the performance, we went to go pick up a few things from Wal-Mart and ended up wandering into World Market as well. I had never been in a World Market, and Oh My Groceries, I am in love. Two hours later, I walked out with two scarfs and a headband, but I could have bought so much more!

My weekend was action-packed, but I loved every second of it. I am so glad I got to spend quality time with some great ladies.

What did you do this weekend?

Love y'all, Robin Malia

Counting Down to Christmas?!

I am so excited for the Christmas Season!

 Cozy sweaters, fires in the fireplace, peppermint mochas, and all the beautiful lights and decorations. And those are only a few of the things I look forward to around Christmas time. Being able to spend time with family and friends has become super important now that I am away at school for so long during the year. Also, since I live in such a small town, a lot of festivities happen and I feel like everybody gets along a little bit better. I'm never one to look forward to the cold weather, but something about watching a Live Nativity Play outside with all the little actors and actresses makes it worth it. And don't get me started on Christmas decorations! Decorating with my family has always been one of my favorite things to do. 

I recently changed the board outside my door to this message. I wanted to see what other people thought on the subject!

Never too early you say? Thought so.

42 days my friends! 

What are some of you guys' favorite things about Christmas time?

Love y'all! -Robin Malia 

Thankful for Thanksgiving

I moved into my dorm on campus in the middle of August. Since I live four hours away, I haven't been home to see my family since moving in. The amount of driving and the price of  gas  does not make a weekend visit justifiable. I would have gone home over fall break, but as you know I went to California then. Since I have a Tuesday night class, it made it difficult to catch a ride home with someone for Thanksgiving, so I had originally planned to just go home after exams. 

However, this past weekend, homesickness hit me really hard. I miss my mom. I miss my dad. I miss my brother. I miss my dog. I might even miss my cat (he's a grumpy-gus). 

I would love a weekend at home now, but I know that can't happen. My two suite mates saw how upset I was and ended up pressuring me (in a good way) to contact people who lived in my direction to see if I could end up riding home with them without inconveniencing anybody. 

Well, I am so glad that they did! Because now I get to see my family! I get to eat my mom's turkey. I get to help decorate for Christmas. I get to cuddle with my puppy. And best of all, I get to relax!

I am so excited, but I can't get ahead of myself. I have 21 days to go and a lot of school work to get done between now and then. There is an 8 page paper I have to write that isn't due until after Thanksgiving, but my goal is to finish it before I leave so I don't have to stress over it. 

I also have a group project. I'm not against them, however this one is getting off to a rocky start. Wish me luck!

In addition to school work, I have a lot of Study Abroad things to sort out. Lots of forms to fill out and workshops to attend. The biggest thing I am concerned about is figuring out where I'm going to live once I make it to England. I've sent some emails and hopefully I'll get some answers soon.

On a really awesome note, I bought plane tickets today!!! Ahh!!! It still doesn't feel real!

All in all, I am super excited and super thankful that I am able to go home and visit with my family before exams start. I'm most looking forward to go pick out our Christmas tree (Mom is letting us get a real one this year!) after eating our big Thanksgiving dinner. 

Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions you are looking forward to?

Love y'all, Robin Malia

I'm Going Across the Pond!!

GUESS WHAT?! 

I am Studying Abroad in England for the Spring Semester!

{source: weheartit.com}

Yep, thats right! I will be spending 5 months in the UK learning all there is to know about being British! I'll also be doing some other travel around Europe while I'm on that side of the world.

This has been such a long time coming and I cannot believe it is FINALLY official! 

I've been wanting to tell you guys for a while, but I didn't want to jinx it. I'm still working on a lot of paperwork, but the University I will be studying at just sent me my acceptance letter!

I plan to be blogging about all my adventures while I am over there as well as some posts talking about getting prepared. Let me know what you want to see and I'll try to give it to you! Do you think I should start a new blog specifically for travel? Or keep it all on this one? Maybe I'll post on a separate one so they are all in one place for others to read who aren't interested in all my DIY posts, but I'll link all my posts back here! That sounds like a solid plan to me. 

I really should get to doing some homework. Or eat something more than a chicken wrap from Cookout. I was about to get started on some reading when my mom texted me a picture of my acceptance letter. That was two hours ago. Oops. 

Well, now that I have shared my excitement with you, let me know what you think! Have any of you been abroad? If so, feel free to let me know in the comments some advice! I'd love to hear what you have to say! Any sights I just HAVE to see? 

Love y'all, Robin Malia

Week of 10/28 OOTDs

This past week I decided to take pictures of my outfits each day so you guys can see what's in my closet. Personally I love reading OOTD posts so, I hope you guys do to! Let me know in the comments. 

I will tell you the brands of what I'm wearing, but I buy so much on clearance and in thrift stores, many of the things I wear are not available in the shops anymore.

Monday, October 28

Shirt - Ralph Lauren, Statement Necklace - Charming Charlie, Jeans - American Eagle Skinny, Shoes - Madden Girl, Watch - Vintage Bulova, Silver Bracelet - Copper Fox Etsy Shop, Other Bracelets - J. Crew

Tuesday, October 29

Shirt - TJ Maxx find, Shoes - Target, Jeans - American Eagle, Earrings - Claire's 

Wednesday, October 30

Shirt - J. Crew, Cardigan - Target, Pants - TJ Maxx find, Shoes - Toms

Thursday, October 31

Shirt - Maurice's, Skirt - JC Penny, Shoes - Toms

I was going to do a picture for Friday as well but it ended up being a "Casual Friday" and I wore my Under Armor hoodie, jeans and Toms. Not too exciting. 

Which was your favorite? 

Let me know if I should keep doing posts like these!

Love y'all, Robin Malia