What's For Dessert?!

Fall is by far the best time of the year for delicious, stick to your ribs, food.
And it's ever better for desserts and yummy breakfasts!
Pumpkin, apples, caramel, spice, pecans, walnuts, warm maple syrup.
Life doesn't get any better.

I've been dying to try these recipes as soon as I can peel myself away from the library and my textbooks.
I may just have to wait until December break, but late is better than never in my book.


First up, Silver Dollar Pumpkin Pancakes from the fabulous Ree Drumond aka The Pioneer Woman.
I'm a sucker for all things pumpkin and I've never had pumpkin pancakes, so this recipe is at the top of my list!

I think I could eat about 8 of these.

{via Ree Drumond}

Next up, apples. 

Apple Compote, Apple Cupcakes, and delicious Apple Butter.

Who in the heck doesn't love apple butter?!

No one, that's who.

I'd be suspicious of anyone that doesn't love apple butter.

These recipes are from the lovely Missy at Pink Pistachio. (I love her blog! So stinkin' cute!)

{via Missy}

And finally, here's an amazing Plum Strudel from Saveur and a gorgeous Sparkling White Peach Sangria from The Kitchn. Ok so maybe Sparkling White Peach Sangria is more summery than fall-ish, but I'm not following the rules here. Rules schmules! 

Looks delicious either way. And besides, you need something tasty to wash down all the pumpkin, apple, and cinnamony goodness with.

{via Saveur and TheKitchn}

Mmm.... on second thought... I may have to bump the plum strudel and peach sangria to the top of the list. 

Looks so good, I'm starting to drool on myself.

I need a plum strudel and peach sangria, stat!

Anyone wanna make it for me and have it delivered to the library? Or my house.

Which ever works best for you is totally cool with me. :)

What are you guys craving this fall?

Eat 'em Up Cats!

Dear Nicole,

Congratulations and welcome to Texas State University! I am pleased to inform you that you have been admitted, and to invite you to join our campus community for the spring 2013 semester. In evaluating applications, my staff and I sought to identify students whose academic achievements, diverse talents and leadership abilities would complement the exceptional Texas State student body. We believe that your unique contributions will make Texas State an even better place to live and learn.

Whooohooo! I got accepted to Texas State University!
I am now officially a TX State Bobcat.
I found out late last night and have been jumping for joy ever since. :)
I was so relieved and excited that I stayed up until 2 am and woke up at 8 am this morning, so needless to say, after Chemistry class and an exam afterward - I am dead tired.
But still happy!

This, my friends, is where I will be spending my days at next semester:

Isn't it gorgeous?
Yeah, I think so too.
I'm beyond excited!
I cannot freakin' wait to be hanging out on this beautiful campus in the Texas Hill country.
Although... I must admit I'm not too excited about the 35 minute drive there and back. I live in south Austin, and there's no way in heck I'm moving to San Marcos, so - commute I must.
But that's okay though, I like driving.
That just means I get to jam out everyday before class and get amped to get my learn on!

I'm thrilled at the prospect of learning more, meeting lots of new people, and having tons of fun in the process. ACC (Austin Community College) is where I've been going for the last 2 years because, let's face it - community college is waaaaaay, waaaaaay more cost effective and I don't want to be saddled with extreme debt when I graduate. Plus, at some point I'll be going to the University of Texas too (hopefully) so my loan debt will start really adding up soon!
Anyway, so while at ACC, I've met people, but no one I've become really good friends with.
Now that I'll be going to Tx State, I'll be spending the majority of my day there during the week and I figure I'm bound to meet a boatload of people.
Oh and come Fall 2013, I'll be joining a sorority.

Many adventures await and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Happy Tuesday, friends.

Green With Envy

I can feel fall slowly, but surely creeping up around the corner.
The weather has finally cooled off, and the nights are becoming chilly.
It feels amazing outside.
It really makes me wish I wasn't stuck at campus all day, errrday!
Zach and his buddies go play disc golf and bring the dogs along, while I'm in multiple science labs and at the library between classes. No fair!

I must confess, though. I can't study 24/7 - I mean a girl needs to rest her brain once in a while, so sometimes I goof off and browse pinterest or watch youtube videos.
Speaking of youtube videos - I found this amazing makeup channel by Tiffany D a while back.
She does tons of makeup tutorials, product reviews, and she even blogs too!
You can find her makeup/fashion blog here.

Her smoked emerald green tutorial has me drooling and wishing I could afford the Urban Decay Smoked Palette. (Hint, hint friends and fam!)
Here's the perfect gift, if you can't decide what to buy me for my upcoming birthday! ;)

This girl really knows how to put together one killer smokey eye!

Perfection, don't you think?

Me too.

I wish she could do my makeup every day. 

I never thought I'd say this because I'm a total summer girl through and through, but I'm actually kind of excited to wear boots, scarfs, and warm sweaters. And I can't wait to drink a caramel apple spice from Starbucks with those gift cards I won! (You can read about that over here.) These fabulous items are really getting me in the mood for fall weather too!

1. Uggs. They're not just a necessity, they're required. 2. Chunky bracelets and a gold Michael Kors watch. 3. Fishtail braid. 4. Essie nail polish in topless & barefoot. 5. Navy stripes and leopard print scarf. Classic. 6. Fabulous studded boots! (If you know where to find these, please let me know!) What are you guys crushing on this fall? xoxo

It'sNeverTooEarlyToTalkChristmas.

That's what Erin says.
And what Erin says, goes.

Erin from Living In Yellow is partnering up with Jessah from Dreaming of Dimples to co-host an ornament swap and all of us lucky kids get to participate!
I've always thought ornament swapping was such a good idea, whether it be with your parents, siblings, friends, your honey... you name it.
But swapping with a totally random blogger from a different part of the country?
Now THAT is a good idea!

Sounds pretty fun to me!
You should totes participate.
The more the merrier. :)

Here’s how it works. 

Step 1. Sign up here. 

Link up your blog to let Erin and Jessah know you want to participate in the swap.
Sign ups close at Midnight on October 31st.

Step 2. Spread the word. 

Everyone loves getting special deliveries in the mail. Especially when it’s a super festive item like an ornament for your holiday tree. So let all of your blog friends know about the swap. The more, the merrier. 

Step 3. Get your match. 

On Thursday, November 1st, Erin and Jessah will post the swap matches. You will contact the blogger you’re buying for via their blog, email, twitter, facebook, etc. to get their address. 

Step 4. Shop and Mail. 

On or before November 12th, purchase and mail your ornament. This means your ornament should be en route to its recipient NO LATER THAN the 12th. 

Step 5. Receive & Blog about your ornament! 

This is the fun part! Blog, Instagram, Tweet your Ornament Swapping Adventure. Be sure and use #ornamentswap on Instagram & Twitter so other Swappers can find you! 

Step 6. Link up! 

Erin and Jessah will be hosting a Linky Party on December 1st for those of you bloggers that want to link up your posts! (This gives you plenty of time to make sure your ornament arrives & recap your adventures.) 

That is it. 

It's pretty simple. 

Sign up & send. 

Now, I know people may have a few more questions about the details, so here are some additional things you should know. 

1. You should spend between $4-$14 on your ornament. 

2. Ornaments should be new, as no one wants any “gently used” tree decorations. 

3. The ornament you purchase should be something fun, quirky, or beautiful that you’d like to receive and that you will be proud of when it is associated with you and your blog. 

4. You can purchase ornaments from anywhere. Like these handmades from Etsy or unique ornaments from 

Pier One or Target.

5. You will not be sending and receiving to the same person. Technically you aren't "swapping", more like a daisy chain of ornaments will be flying through the skies via the postal service. You will send to one person and receive from someone else. This way you get to know at least two people! 

6. Be sure to package your ornament in bubble wrap to ensure it arrives safely. Getting a broken ornament is no fun at all. 

7. Please do not sign up unless you are 100% sure you can fulfill the swap requirements, we would hate for someone to sign up and not participate.

Giveaway: If you post the ornament swap button on the sidebar of your blog, you'll be entered to win this cute, zebra ornament from Pier One.

Here's the synopsis: 

Sign up.

Spread the word. 

Get your assignment. 

Send/receive an ornament. 

Blog about it. 

Link up.

So, there you have it folks. 

Get your butt on over to Erin's blog, sign up, and spread the word.

Have a happy hump day, friends. :)

Memorization Equals DEATH!!!

That's what my physics professor says.
We're not allowed to memorize anything.
You have to fully grasp the concept and be able to demonstrate to him that you know what the efff you are talking about.
No bullshitting here, my friend.
All the questions require essay answers.
So wish me luck on my first physics exam tomorrow!

Hopefully the loads of studying I'll be doing tonight will help. Or something like that.

I actually really like my physics class.
Ask me that tomorrow, though, after the test.
It's only been a month and I've already learned so many cool things I never knew before.
It's amazing the things you learn in college!
Who'ddaa thunk?!

Anywhoo - I can feel the sticky tentacles of school life dragging me to the library and classes and days that last from 11:30 am to 9:10 pm, which means my blogging life is taking a major hit.
It's a little sad. I was just starting to really get into this whole blogging gig.

But, through all the 3 1/2 hour classes, study time, homework, and countless sleepless nights, I will make an effort to continue blogging.
So please bear with me if you see sporadic posts from now until Christmas break!
I've got so much that I still haven't had time to blog about, but I'll try my best to make an appearance every now and then.

I hope you guys stay with me!
It'd be a lot cooler if you did.
10 points to you if you know who said this movie line.

So even though my posts may be minimal from time to time, I do have some exciting things coming up this week that you should definitely be on the look out for!
The first one takes place tomorrow, so come back to find out what that is.

The second one takes place on Saturday.
I'll be puttin' my horns up at the Texas vs West Virginia football game! \m/
Hook 'em HORNS!

So I'll have lots of awesome pics for you to stalk look at.
You don't wanna miss it.

Now my friends, it's time for me to go eat dinner and get back to physics!
I'm going to make this test my bitch.

Happy Tuesday, yo.