DANCE MARATHON DAY

Happy September 25^th also known as: Dance Marathon Day! 

I know what most of you are thinking: You’re like 5 days late… Well yeah, I am just a little late on this post. I had computer issues and was without a laptop for a couple days, so you know how that goes. So the way I see it is: Better late than never!

For those of you who don’t know what dance marathon is; Dance marathon is an event where people go for a certain amount of time without sitting to raise money for a cause. I have personally involved with dance marathon since my junior year of high school in support of Riley Children’s Hospital.

Riley Children’s Hospital is a world-renown children’s hospital in Indianapolis. This hospital doesn’t turn any patient away even if they don’t necessarily have the means to pay for treatment.

That in itself is just awesome is it not? That’s where dance marathons come in and help. All the proceeds from each marathon goes directly to the hospital to aid in financing all of these costs.

I became involved in this amazing cause my junior year and after that marathon, I was hooked. The kids are my number one inspiration as to why I dance. Every time I get ready to go to a marathon, I just remember why I'm doing this. I'm going to these marathons because with all of the hours I have to spare, why would I not give it back to kids that sometimes don't live past an hour. If there's any way that I can help give them a way to live until 1 year old, 5, 10 or even 50 years old, I am going to do it. The passion I have for dance marathon has only intensified since coming to college with IUDM.

What is IUDM you ask? IUDM is the dance marathon that we host at Indiana University. It was began in 1991 in memory of Ryan White who died from AIDS the year before by a group of friends and raised $10,000. This organization has grown over the years and last year $2.6 million was raised! Another inspiration that the IUDM organization dances for is Ashley Louise Crouse. Ashley was a Kappa Kappa Gamma here at IU in Bloomington. The year that she was on the executive council for IUDM she was tragically killed in a car accident. She truly gave inspiration to the IUDM organization as a whole and still to this day gives so much motivation, passion and love. These two people are why, whenever at these marathons you're exhausted, you keep going. Just watch this video and you’ll understand why it’s so hard to not be involved with such an important cause:

My committee in this organization is Marathon Relations. What we do as a committee is go around to all of the high schools and help them put on their marathons. Since joining this committee I have found my niche and family. These people inspire me and motivate me each day. Whether this is in fundraising or in just being a better person, this group of people has truly changed my way of thinking and looking at things. They have taught me that after reaching one goal, there is always another goal to be reached. They truly have become my family and with only 45 days left until IUDM 2014, I can't imagine spending this time or the marathon with anybody but these people. 

So bottom line is you should go get involved or help someone you know reach their goal! (PSA this person could be me! (: ) Go check out my fundraising page and if you have any questions you can always ask that person or me! It’s a cause you will not regret helping or being apart of! You will regret however, NOT being apart of it!

XOXO & FTK 

Emily

MY FUNDRAISING PAGE

It's Fall!!

Happy fall, everybody! I may be a day late, but whatever. Details, details. There’s nothing quite better than a fall day in Bloomington, Indiana. I mean just look at these pictures:

Now enough with the cheesy scenery of my beautiful campus and on to the real point of this post.

Usually I stick to my guns and talk up winter. Winter just has so many good things to offer; Snow, Christmas, etc. But whenever fall rolls around I get reminded of just how many good things there are in the fall.

For one, let’s talk about football tailgates. One of my favorite things about IU is the football tailgates, not games, tailgates. Some of my favorite memories are from these tailgates. For one the attire is some of my favorite and most comfortable things to wear. It may not be the south or southern style but at least we’re comfy;

Must be a Midwest thing

Next, let’s not forget everyday fall attire. I, myself have been sporting my new riding boots with dresses twice this week already and it’s only Wednesday. Riding boots are my favorite trend for fall and just go with everything and just pull an okay outfit into a spectacular one. My favorite style of riding boots is the Tory Burch ones. 

They just look so classy and it's definitely high quality leather. Now, I’m in college so I’m not going around buying $400 boots. So I found boots on Amazon.com and I’m in love. They fit so perfect and are not cheap feeling or looking which is always a win! (Pictures to come soon)

Another item I particularly love this season, is a staple I keep in my closet year round: the leopard scarf. Whoever said that leopard is not a color should probably double-check their wardrobe, because I view it as a neutral just like Jessica Lyons said. It gives just that little extra oomph you need to give you that extra confidence for the day.

The last fall staple I want to talk about is the vest. Vests are my one true love. Quilted or puffer I’m in love with them both. They make your outfit look so effortless when in reality you could have just rolled out of bed! I’ve been searching for reasonably priced ones for months—yes I was looking for vests in the summer, and found basically every style you could imagine at Old Navy. I know what you’re thinking: ‘WAIT… Old Navy?’ Yes, Old Navy. I work at Gap when I’m home back in Indy and with Old Navy being apart of Gap Inc. I make my way over there from time to time. What I found online just baffled me though. A quilted vest for around ONLY $40, which is insane. (Should be coming in soon so post with it is yet to come) They also have puffer ones which are perfect for those extremely cold fall days and early winter days!

The last thing I’ll leave y’all with is probably what you were expecting with a fall post and it’s my favorite thing about fall: the return of the PSL.

I know, I know. So basic, so typical. But in all honesty, anyone who makes fun of the pumpkin spice latte, has never had one or just has awful taste. (Just kidding) But really, if you’ve never had one I suggest you run to your nearest Starbucks and order yourself one. Starbucks also has pumpkin flavored scones in the fall which are also DELISH.

Now if you have a problem paying $5 for a coffee, like most people do, go to Mcdonalds and they taste virtually the same for half the price. You can also buy the creamer from any grocery store!

Now run and get a pumpkin spiced latte or scone and enjoy! 

XOXO, Emily

Here Goes Nothing...

Hi, I’m Emily! I’m commonly referred to as Em or by my last name. With so many Emilys running around in the world, you have to have a way to distinguish them from one another.

I love any shade of yellow, cobalt blue and all things sparkly and leopard—yes, glitter and leopard are colors. I love winter, country and pop music, fall colors, pumpkin spice anything, Taco Bell, dogs, running, weather that is sunny and 75, wings and any food that is definitely not good for you. I have an insane love for Pinterest, Instagram and all forms of social media. (Feel free to follow me on anything!) I have a lot of pride in calling myself a Hoosier, as I am currently a junior at Indiana University in Bloomington. I’m studying biology and you’re probably thinking that I am pre-med or something like that, but think again. After school I want to pursue law and see wherever that takes me whether it be New York, Chicago, North Carolina, DC; I could be anywhere!

Which leads to the question: Why start blogging?

Well for one: I am a huge media follower, whether it be celeb news, fashion blogs or current events I check the sites religiously and make sure I am up to date.

And another reason: I have been wanting to start one of these for a while now but,  either I just didn’t have the motivation or didn’t know what to write. So with life starting to take a crazy turn and with all the fashion blogs I’ve been reading I’m finally ready to make this my outlet, a picture into my style and beauty habits and just a creative way to give you all an insight on what I do from day to day

So as you can see I have mixed reasons to start this blog. Not just as a creative, journalistic outlet of family and friends, but also to share tips and tricks I acquire when it comes to fashion and beauty or to see what new things I’m watching out for or wearing. So bottom line: It’s going to be a mix of things you’ll see.

I guess I’ll share a few of the people that make up the recipe of my life:

My Family:

I have one older sister, Stephanie and two loving parents: Greg and Michele. They’re the people I turn to when life becomes a little too much to handle or need advice. I’m also the baby of the family which is pretty awesome to have three people that are older and wiser than you watching out for you.

My friends:

I have multiple groups of friends that I feel need distinguishing because they are all a significant part of my life in one way or another.

Let’s start with my friends from my hometown:

Julia, Kirsten, Courtney, Jasmine and Sumer are the ladies I have known for years and they have never gone away. They are always there for me and even if we go months without seeing each other, it’s like nothing has changed when I see them

Fab Five:

The ‘Fab Five” is a group of my friends that are basically my SATC (sex and the city) ladies: Gretchen, Natalie, Hannah, Emily. These girls are here through thick and thin and the ones I can count on for anything

Maddi and Justine:

These are two of my freshman year friends that I met in the dorm. Although we are in different chapters here at IU, I still seem them at least 3-4 times a week. Maddi was my roommate freshman year and Justine is her best friend from home. It’s a forever kind of friendship

Kappa Delta:

At IU, I am in the sorority Kappa Delta. These girls have changed my life and shaped me into the person I am today. Without them I would not know what to do with my life. They mean the world to me.

Also this is my beautiful little, Penny; 

Right from the moment I met her, I knew she was be a Kappa Delta. The Taco to my bell <3

The last ingredient in my life that I wanted to touch on are my pets. I have two dogs: Casey and Indy and just recently got a fish Kahlua.

Aren’t they just adorable?

Alright well that’s all that I really have for this intro to the next adventure in my life. So stay tuned; The best is yet to come.

XOXO,

Emily