College is really expensive.

**Disclaimer: I have been compensated for this post, but all opinions are my own.**

I've written before about my plans to go back to college and finish a Psychology degree. I love love love psychology - I think the nuances of the human mind are ridiculously fascinating, and I can't wait to get started really digging into it in more depth than I did in my last degree. 

One of the hardest parts about going back to school though, at least for me, is that it is so stinking expensive! Tuition, course fees, school supplies....not to mention the textbooks. Oh, the textbooks. I remember when I first left home for my freshman year....I had worked and saved all summer, and I thought I was hot stuff with my like, $1400 I brought to school with me. Yeah, the bottom dropped out of that ride real quick when I realized that just my textbooks alone for the first semester were going to cost almost $800.00. YIKES. 

This time around, I'm doing things a little bit smarter, and have decided I will be renting my textbooks from www.CampusBookRentals.com. The minute I discovered this site, I was like, "um, holy money-saving power, Batman!" Textbooks are really cheap on this site (seriously, one of the ones I looked at was $134 retail, but I could rent it for just $19...$19, people!!), AND they offer free shipping both ways! Seriously, you just can't beat that. 

And then there's the studying. You might think that since you're essentially borrowing the book, you wouldn't be able to highlight important passages. Uh, WRONG. You totally can! CampusBookRentals.com understands that sometimes in life, you blow off studying for that really important text until five minutes before the prof is handing out the blue books, and you need to be able to flip through the book and glean the really important stuff ASAP. Ergo, they let you highlight in your rented books. Heck of a deal, huh? 

And let's say that your school operates on a quarter schedule, instead of a semester. You wouldn't want to pay the cost of renting a book for the entire semester if you're only going to need/use it for 11 weeks. So CampusBookRentals.com also offers flexible rental periods! A LOT of campuses are moving to trimesters now, as well, and my last college worked on the quarter schedule, so this option will really come in handy. 

And here's something even cooler: Let's say that you purchased a bunch of books for class last year, but now you just don't need them, and you're not sure what to do. No worries! CampusBookRentals.com allows you to rent out your textbooks to other students, so that you get paid each time they are rented. This definitely would have come in handy after my first years of college, when I had literally about 26 textbooks, and no reason to keep them and nowhere to put them. Selling them back to the bookstore is just silly because you only get like 10% back of what you paid. I seriously wish I had had this option back then, because it just makes so much sense!

And as if all of those awesome things weren't enough, CampusBookRentals.com also donates to Operation Smile with each textbook rental. This is actually a cause very near and dear to my heart for a number of reasons, so I am really excited to be able to help such an awesome charity while saving money AND still having the textbooks I need for school. I would definitely encourage you to check out CampusBookRentals.com if for no other reason than you know that by doing nothing more than finding textbooks for your education, you are helping to save a child's life, or at the very least, increase the quality of their life. 

I am so excited that I found this website. If you're currently in college, thinking about going to college, or even just interested in checking out some awesome textbooks for a review of what you've already learned, or to do some self-teaching, you definitely need to check out this website. You won't be sorry, I promise!

Never, Ever, Ever will I be late to a link up. Just kidding!!!

**Quick note: I know I'm a whole day late to getting this done, but yesterday I was sick, so I didn't do anything blog related. Sorry!**

It's time for another week of "Never Ever Ever"!! I love this link up because a.) it's fun to come up with my own new list every week, and b.) it is SO fun to read everyone else's! 

So, again, my apologies for being late...and here we go! :)

Never, Ever, Ever........

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Will I think that duck faces are sexy instead of funny

Will I think that having a big huge wedding is really all that important

Have I enjoyed the taste of black coffee

Did I think I would actually enjoy painting freehand off the top of my head

Did I think I was going to spend my birthday at Noah's Ark

Will I think that Oreos are a bad idea

Will I not love wearing sandals (as long as my toes are pedicured)

Do I think I'll master the art of actually doing my own hair in a cool style

Will I be able to blow dry my hair and round brush it at the same time

Will I not have a part of me that wishes I could have gone to actual public or even private school at least for high school

Will I not love being able to sleep in

Schooled on Saturday {Link up}

Sometimes you have to date a few crazies before you meet the right person for you.

Ever wondered how or where to get your awesome Instagram pictures developed so they aren’t all weird and misshapen? Look no further – you can have them printed and mailed 

straight to you with Printic!

Her Royal Highness Princess Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (at least I think that’s her official title) finally had her royal baby, His Royal Highness the Prince of Cambridge, St. James Palace. And because he’s a royal, and about nine million times cooler than the rest of us, apparently, he has already written the world a letter.

You should marry a man who eats ice cream. Because it’s delicious. And fun.  

Apparently, dogs are like toddlers. Good to know in case you’re considering actually getting a dog. Which I am.

And last but not least, in case you’re interested in participating in any Fantasy Football leagues this year, you absolutely need to check out Sarah’s list of potential team names for girls. And even if you’re not considering it, still read it, because it’s totally clever and also completely hilarious.

What did you learn this week? Link up and share!

It's Fill-in-the-Blank Friday!

It's Friday, Friday, gotta get down on Friday. 

Thank goodness that Rebecca Black does not occupy any space on my iPod. That would be more embarrassing than Los Del Rio. 

Also, since it's Friday, it's time for another rousing rendition of "Confessional Friday" with Leslie. Let's get to it, shall we? 

1. My worst fashion offense of all time has to be: uh, I probably commit some sort of crime against fashion every single day. So I wouldn’t even know how to pick one!

2. The most embarrassing song on my iPod is probably: The Macarena. It’s completely ridiculous, but it’s my happy song.

3. The last white lie I told was: I honestly don’t remember. Probably something along the lines of “I’ll call you” or something.

4. The celebrity I most wish would disappear is: basically all of the Kardashians. And Kanye West.

5. Sometimes I wish: that I actually played the lottery, because then I’d at leave have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning, which is more than you have if you don’t play.

6. My childhood crush was: Seth R., Justin S., Curtis R. – and Jonathan Taylor Thomas.

7. I've never turned down: free money, a Kick Start, or a massage.

8. Applying for jobs and going to interviews makes me a nervous wreck.

9. I'd rather watch paint dry than: train for and/or actually run a half- or full-length marathon.

10. Much like a train wreck, I can't turn away from watching: Dance Moms. I haven’t seen it since I moved, and (I’m somewhat ashamed to admit), I actually miss it!

Am I the only one.....???

This picture has nothing to do with anything. I just put it up because it's true.
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I don't know if any of you have noticed, but it appears that a lot of bloggers in the world all like and do a lot of the same things. I don't like or do any of these things. Which kind of leaves me feeling like I'm that sort of weird girl on the playground at recess that people are pseudo-nice to because they think they're supposed to be, but they really have nothing in common with her, so everybody kind of keeps her at arms length. 

Like...being Mormon. Am I the only blogger who isn't a Mormon? 

Am I the only one who isn't married or engaged?

Am I the only one who forgets/straight up just doesn't take pictures of every drink I have or plate of food I get at a restaurant? 

I'm fairly certain I'm the only person on the blogger planet who still buys my planners at Barnes and Noble. (I'd like to buy an Erin Condren one at some point, but they're expensive, so I'm waiting until I'm gainfully employed again before I go down that path.)

I might be one of the only bloggers who didn't go nuts over the NKOTB/98 Degrees/Boyz II Men tour, has never worn a pair of jelly sandals in her life (although to be fair, I always wanted some when I was a kid, I was just never allowed to have them), and doesn't have the phone number of at least one other blogger so we can have awesome text convos outside of blog or Twitter land. 

Also pretty sure that I'm the only girl in all of blog world who isn't obsessed with Kate Spade or Lily Pulitzer, and has never once owned a single article of clothing from J. Crew, Banana Republic, or the Gap. 

It appears I may also be the only one (or one of the only ones) who doesn't do my hair all the time, or my makeup, and doesn't generally look all put together and cute, like all of the time. Actually, most of the time I look like a hot mess. Am I the only one who can't seem to get it together??

I have like, the world's hardest time writing my posts ahead of time. But it seems like so many people are like, super on the ball with that stuff, and have all their stuff written and scheduled ahead of time. HOW DO YOU PEOPLE DO IT??!! (Although, I'd like to point out that I'm writing this post on Wednesday and it's not getting published until Thursday. I figured writing ahead would be a good idea, since it's my birthday on Thursday, and I'm going to be spending it at Noah's Ark water park, cuz I have an awesome Boyfriend who loves me and wants me to be happy.)

I have no idea how to do any kind of coding or customization to my blog design whatsoever, as you can probably deduce the instant you happen upon this little space. But it seems like everybody else has this awesome handle on it, and has like this awesome header, and all their social media buttons that work, and all that. And I'm just over here like, "uh, wtf." 

Along those same lines, I seem to be the only one who doesn't have a "brand" for my blog yet. I'd like to, but I'm not sure how to go about it, plus I don't have a specific topic direction that I follow. I just kind of write stuff when I feel like it, which means I tend to be kind of all over the place. 

If I am not the only person for whom all of the above things ring true, feel free to let me know.. Solidarity, and all that. Either way, I'll just keep on keeping on, marching to the beat of my own drum, and playing alone in my corner of the playground. I'm pretty good at it by now anyway. :) 

Cheers! 

Check this out! :)

Hey Guys! I had the opportunity to do a Pinterest-inspired guest post for Sarah over at To Be Mrs. Collier today. Head on over and check out some projects I've added to my list for whenever I finally have a house. And while you're over there, spend some time getting to know Sarah, as well! She is such a sweetheart - you're going to love her! :) 

It's Wednesday - and I love stuff! :)

I haven't done a What I'm Loving Wednesday post with Jamie for a while, so I figured it was time to do it again! Yay!

I am loving mystery novels. I know I’ve been on like a crazy mystery kick lately, but seriously, trying to figure out the endings before I get to them is one of the only things that challenges my brain right now, so I’ve been going through them like mad. Here's my current addiction: ----->

I’m loving that Boyfriend and I have been incorporating some running into our walks. Also, I hate this.

I’m loving that I’ve started watching “The Office”. I know it’s over and everything now, but I’ve only just discovered it via Netflix, so I’m having myself a whale of a time.

 On a related note, I’m loving John Krasinski, because he is completely adorable. (See above photo.)

I’m loving that I finally have my Wii back, which means I can watch unhealthy normal amounts of the aforementioned Netflix.

I’m loving that I’ve applied for a bunch of jobs. Also, I hate this. Let me explain. Given the law of large numbers or whatever it is, the fact that I have applied for like 45 jobs should mean that I’ll actually get one of them soon, right?

I’m loving that it’s Christmas in July on Thursday...because really, who doesn't love that?? :)

I'm loving that I got to Skype with my two little nephews on Monday! I miss them so much it's not even funny, so getting to see them via the magic that is the interwebs is like, the highlight of my life. 

What are you loving this week?

Not gonna do it...Wouldn't be prudent.

It's Tuesday! And you all know what that means... 

Yep. We're linking up with Neely for another edition of "Never, Ever, Ever..."

And away we go.. 

…will I not think that Jack’s makes some delicious frozen pizza

…will I stop loving going to movies

…would I complain about a great thunderstorm, even at night

…would I not be excited about dinner at The Melting Pot

...will I understand why certain people refuse to get out of their own way

…would I turn down an Amazon gift card

…would I be upset if people gave me presents, just because

…will I get tired of watching documentaries about the ocean

…would I have a long-distance relationship again

…will I not love the ambiance the white Christmas lights provide, and wish I could put them up in my house without making it look like a dorm room

…will I think there is a better way to eat green beans than straight from the plant in the garden

…will I stop reading mystery books and loving them

...will I understand the nuances of blog design and HTML coding

...would I turn down a home on a lake (or with a view of a lake or ocean)

…could I ever possibly be bored of watching “Friends”

When I'm 40..

When I am 40 years old, my perfect day will look like this…

I should probably point out that technically,no perfect day of mine would start with me being 40, because that thought  scares me more than a little bit. But then again, 30 is pretty terrifying for me too, and that’s coming right up, so I guess I just have to put on my big girl panties and learn to love it.

Also, I wasn’t quite sure which kind of day he was referencing (vacation, regular weekday, Saturday, etc.), so I decided to go with the one I’ll most likely be experiencing the most – a regular weekday.

When I’m 40, my day will start slowly, and gently. None of this alarm clock blaring out big noises nonsense. I’ll have one of those fancy-schmancy sunrise lamps that brings light into the room gradually. This will be good not only for me, but for everyone around me, since I am an absolute menace in the mornings if I’m woken up too quickly, or in any other manner I deem inappropriate.

I’ll be able to spend a little time relaxing on my deck, drinking delicious coffee with just. Then I’ll hit the ground running to get ready for the day. Hopefully, by the time I’m 40 my hair will have figured out how to be a dear and just do itself so I won’t have to fuss with it. I imagine there will be children and a husband running about as well, who have places to go and people to see, so we’ll all be scampering through the house in the best kind of organized chaos to make sure we all get to where we’re supposed to be when we’re supposed to be there.

I’ll have a lovely house with fresh flowers all over the place, because they’re so pretty and they just make everything seem so much more cheerful. So even during the morning madness, I’ll be able to literally stop and smell the roses, which will be just delightful. Plus, fresh flowers always make me happy, so I think they should always be around. 

I will be a licensed and practicing therapist by this point, so I’ll take my little self on over to my office. Oh, did I mention that I’m in private practice when I’m 40? Yeah, I’m kind of a big deal. Anyway, my office will have even more coffee (yay!), so I’ll indulge in some of that deliciousness.

I’ll meet my handsome hubby for lunch, and we will discuss such titillating topics as who will be picking the kiddo(s) up from school/sports/rehearsal/friend’s house, what we will be having for dinner, and whose turn it is to do the grocery shopping. I know, I know…my 40 year old self is wildly fascinating.

The afternoon will be spent with some more clients, where I will of course do all kinds of incredible good for the world. Then that evening, I’ll come home to a meal that is already on the table, courtesy of my wonderful husband who had previously volunteered to do all the picking up of children and cooking of meals that needed to be done.  

We’ll enjoy a nice family meal, and then play some kind of fun game together as a family. We may also work on some homework with the kids. I would also get the chance to go for a workout, or at least a nice walk.

Then, after the night has settled, and the kids are in bed, Husband and I will sit down with a glass of wine and debrief our day for a bit. Then we will snuggle on the couch watching the news or a movie or something. Actually, he will probably watch the news or whatever. I’ll probably fall asleep, since that seems to be my M.O. when I sit down to watch tv at night already, and I don’t see it changing as I get older.

Actually, the more I think about it, the more this kind of day sounds really appealing, despite the fact that I’ll be 40 (yikes!). It’s almost like the most exciting kind of boring, because it’s the kind of boring you build for yourself. So now I can’t wait to be this boring!! J

What will your perfect day look like when you’re 40?

Feeling blue....

Do you ever have one of those days weeks where literally nothing feels right? Like, your clothes don't fit right, your hair can't be bothered to look any kind of decent no matter what you do to it, food tastes weird, sleep isn't restful, etc.? 

That's the kind of week I'm having. And I have no idea why. I don't know if it's just a girl thing, or if it's just because I'm feeling stressed and this is just the manifestation of that... Or if it's just a weird kind of funk thing. I don't know. Either way, I'm all kinds of irritated. I have lots of ideas for posts, but literally no inspiration to write them. 

What's a girl to do when her brain is just straight up not in the mood to do anything? 

I've spent my brain-mush week reading (which has been awesome, cuz you know, I've read some good books, and we all know I love reading), and job hunting, and playing around with pictures in PicMonkey, because that site is all kinds of ridiculously addictive. 

Entertaining? Yes. Sort of.

Productive? No. Well except maybe for the job hunting part. We'll see what happens there. 

Also, since I have been somewhat MIA in the blogging world, I haven't been staying completely up to date on all the blogs I read. Which means that even if I tried to do a Schooled on Saturday post today, I wouldn't even know what to include. So I guess I'll try to catch up on stuff tonight, and get a Schooled post out tomorrow. Or whenever. 

Anyway, the point is, sorry that I've been such a dud this week. I have high hopes for next week. Keep your fingers crossed for me, lovelies. 

It's Friday, so check out this awesome giveaway.

Oh hey everybody! Happy Friday! I've got some awesome news...I'm joining together with Patricia for a super-big-awesome giveaway. Seriously, there are some amazing prizes in this giveaway, and you definitely don't want to miss it. Ad space,and gift cards, and PayPal cash, oh my!  

Catalyn // Lisette // Rachel 

Medium Muffins ad space // Tempranillo ad space // $15 Itunes Gift Card

Amanda // Ashton // Jordan

$15 Paypal Cash // $15 Paypal Cash // $10 Amazon GC & Necklace ad space 

Beth // Autumn // Bonnie 

2 months "Glass of Merlot" ad space // $5 Starbucks Gift Card // 1 month Featured ad space

Confessional Friday {Link up}: Guilty Pleasures

All right lovelies! It's time to join Leslie for another juicy rendition of Confessional Friday! Today we're confessing our guilty pleasures. Let's get to it!

• Reality television. I know, it’s awful, but I love the cooking shows on the Food Network, I love Dance Moms, and I love competition shows like X Factor or So You Think You Can Dance. It’s a possibility that I may have gotten sucked into a Teen Mom/Teen Mom 2 marathon once or twice, too, but I’ll neither confirm nor deny that specifically.
• Chocolate. Honestly, if I could be trusted with Hershey’s kisses in the house, you can believe I’d have at least one bag available at all times, as well as at least one backup, just in case I finished the first bag.
• Alcohol. I don’t really like to get drunk, but I do love to relax with a nice glass of red wine, or some other type of mixed beverage. I mean, let’s be honest….who doesn’t love a delicious vodka red bull, or a sex on the beach, or a long island iced tea? Or two of them?
• Salt & vinegar potato chips. I’m addicted. Really, it’s kind of embarrassing how quickly I can put away an entire bag of them, but you know…whatever. They’re delicious, so I don’t care.
• Hot fudge sundaes from Dairy Queen. I mean, seriously, I could probably eat one every day, and be happy. My inner fat kid keeps trying to get me to do exactly that, actually.
• Mountain Dew kick starts. It’s no secret that I am borderline obsessed with these, especially the fruit punch flavor. I can put them away like there’s no tomorrow. 

What are your guilty pleasures?