Fashion Forward.

So posting has been difficult, the last week was crazy because I participated in RUSH! I am now a Kappa Kappa Gamma. Below is a picture of the two corner groups before pref night. It was cocktail attire. From back, left to right: Erin (my roommate), Julia (neighbor), Michelle (neighbor), and Lauren (neighbor). Front: Me, Maddi (suite mate), Jimena (neighbor), and Liz (suite mate).

Sorority pose, girls!

Kappa girls and me on bid day! That was one of the most exciting days of my life. We were given our sorority shirts and we had to sprint to the area at which our sorority was standing. 

So I now have my own personal scanner and yesterday it was working very hard. I bought the September issue of Harper's Bazaar and it may have been one if the best issues I have read in a while. The articles were fascinating, and the pictures took my breath away. I intended to scan more pictures, but time was not allowing. I love how Jennifer Aniston was capturing the enticing character that is Barbara Streisand. She did it well, I believe. 

The photos below are part of one of my favorite spreads in the issue. I love how this beautiful, chic woman is traveling all over the world. I would love to be her some time in the future. 

I absolutely loved the spread on Daisy Fellows, these pictures are so incredible classy but yet the edge of the black and white and dark lipstick seems to bring the whole shot together. 

As many of you know, I have come the conclusion that I was born in the wrong generation. These photos just feed my old soul. 

One more thing: there were so many photos and advertisements with horses. One after another they tore at my heart. I miss my horse. Below is Ralph Lauren. 

Oh, and I LOVE those blue Keith Haring by Nicholas Kirkwood booties. So cool. 

So college is surely an eye opener. Over the past weeks I have been exposed to all sorts of behavior unfamiliar to me prior to college. I believe I have handled it quite well, though. God has provided me with all sorts of people and opportunities to keep me going, I hardly have time to be upset. I attended the first Campus Crusade meeting last Thursday and we discussed Matthew 7. There were these verses, though, that stole my heart. 

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

Matthew 7:24-27

With God you will always have security. He is the rock, the only solid foundation. Base your life upon him and you will never fall. 

COLLEGE.

So now I am in college. It's hard to believe I'm sitting in a dorm room right now about to begin the rest of my life. I am in love with the University of South Carolina. My future is finally in reach. I am going to have to learn a better method of learning people's names, however. That isn't one of my strongpoints. I am overwhelmed by the immense amount of buildings and people surrounding me. Yet, I feel like I have been here forever, as if home is just a dream. Rush begins tonight, classes begin Thursday, life is crazy. Please pray for me as I embark on this new chapter. I'm not sure if postings will come less or more frequent, but I do not have much to say right now.

Anyways, to the right is a picture of me on the first night (last night). On the way back to our dorm from the dining area the bottom fell out. Yes, that is why my hair is soaked, not because I took a shower.

Last night I read Romans 8. In it lies one of the most famous verses, and one of my personal favorites.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:38-39

He is with me, even when everywhere I look I see unfamiliar people and scenery.

"Where I lived and what I lived for."

So I failed to fulfill my promise of posting pictures while in Blowing Rock. But, on the last day, I took a complete photo shoot of the house, inside and out. I also have some pictures from the gala, but they were taken by the photographer so I must wait upon their arrival.

I got some really cute clothes while in the lovely town. And some Sam Edelman harness boots. I can't wait to post them! 

Below are pictures of the house.

Olivia's Room

Master Bedroom. I love that mirror, below. 

Above, dining area; below, den.

Below is the front lawn. 

All our ribbons at the show!

These two weeks flew by so quickly I feel as if it was all a dream. Each day I walked on the stepping stones leading to my car, and made my way to the show grounds. The weather was incredible, other than a few summer storms. My horse was a superstar. Every day he proved to me the heart on his forehead isn't just for show. He has such an incredible capacity for love. A horse, who knew? Though our ribbons do not necessarily back me up, I believe this was certainly one of our better shows. Hardy and I seemed to work together almost flawlessly. I do have a picture of us, as well, but I have to wait for that to arrive in the mail along with some others.

Before I knew it, this show was over. A part of me will always remain in this celestial place, it seems I leave more every year, making each reuniting even more joyous. Maybe that's what's so great about this place. There is so much of me here, so much of my childhood and adolescence. I reminisce all year about my experiences there so when I finally return it's as if I never left. But then I depart and the memories take over. In comparison, the rest of the year seems drab and bland, but it sure does make me appreciate my yearly visit to this place. And I just have to search for the goodness of God in other places for the remaining months. I almost always find it. Sometimes more easily than others.

Here are the pictures of the heavenly back yard. 

On my drive home yesterday I caught myself in some deep thought. A common occurrence during long drives by myself. I noticed while following the Blue Ridge Parkway that I couldn't enjoy the beautiful views moving past me. This situation could also be an analogy for one not truly enjoying life for all it can be. So many "drive" through life, they keep their eyes on the future and fail to see the beauty they could experience upon every single step. I know, if I did this while I was driving I would most likely end  up in a wreck, or lose my license. But maybe we can take some time to enjoy the scenery God places in the present. The future will arrive without fail, so why push it? Why is it so hard to soak in the present? I was cloud watching on my last day in Blowing Rock, loving the deep blue sky, when I realized it was easier to look at the clouds when there was a telephone pole in my peripheral vision. For some reason, the clouds and the blue were too much for me all alone. I needed something to keep me grounded, to remind me that I was on this earth. I still don't understand why, but it's an interesting concept.

While I was gone I finished Into The Wild by John Krakauer. It was so intriguing, and I actually agreed with many of Chris McCandless' life philosophies. He loved Thoreau just like me. When I finished, I was inspired to begin reading Walden again. And one of the most famous chapters from that book inspired the title for this post.

I was reading Jeremiah while in Blowing Rock, but it was just too difficult for me. So I began reading Romans. I love the book, but I don't believe I have ever read it from beginning to end. One of my most favorite verses comes from Romans.

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20

I think I have featured this verse before, but here it is again. Enjoy.