Updates

So, it's been a while, but here are some updates since my last post.

I have studied French 6 times...not doing so good with this resolution!

I have exercised 12 times... not great either!

I have read 2 books, The Secret Garden & Reading Lolita in Tehran, and am almost finished with my 3rd book, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid-VERY funny!

And I have eaten 5 servings of fruits and veggies 43 days.

I think I should just stop making resolutions because I am not good at keeping them (as is evident from the info above!)

Ok, onto my grad school info.

I have applied for housing, but I have not heard back yet.

I have applied for 4 scholarships, but I have not heard back from any of them.

-BUT-

I have heard back from you all! My sister has had me babysit a few times, my brother has had me coming over to his house to clean once a week, I have done a painting for my cousin (I have a picture of the painting below) and have a few more people interested in having me paint something for them, and I have taken some of my, my parents & my brother's old books, magazines, movies and cds we no longer want to Half Price Books. You all have turned me into a nanny, a maid, a painter and a recycler and with your help I have earned about $440!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!! It will definitely be a big help =)

And again, if anyone is interested in having me put together a scrapbook for you, painting a picture, tutoring Spanish, cleaning for you, dog sitting, or pretty much anything else you could think of, or if you want to give me any old books, magazines, cds or dvds you no longer want, I will be more than willing to do that for you! Thanks again for your help and I will keep you updated on how much money you all contribute to my college fund and how much scholarship I receive. (and I will try to do better with my resolutions =P)

The "Send Caroline to Grad School" Fund

Ok, so I can start by updating on my slow progress with resolutions.

I'm about a third of the way through a book and two thirds through another, have study French once, worked out four times, and have eaten 5 servings of fruits and veggies 16 days. I have also applied to one scholarship and am in the middle of applying for another.

I am really excited about heading to Scotland next year, but I am a bit worried about money. There aren't as many scholarships out there for grad school as there are for undergraduate, so I am proposing making my own "fund."

Basically what this entails is you guys supporting me! I am not asking for you to give me money, I want to earn it. So I can do odd jobs for you all, and you can pay me whatever you think is appropriate for what I have done. My first supporter is my sister, I've babysat for her twice. Including a bit of tip money from work my total is $123 so far. Not bad!

These odd jobs could be pretty much anything! I will tutor Spanish, paint a picture, a picture frame or a shelf (or pretty much anything else paintable!), make you a scrapbook, babysit, dog sit, take old books, magazines, cds and movies to half price books for you and you can give me whatever the total payout is. I can't think of much else but if you think of something, tell me and I'll see what I can do.

I know the economy is bad right now, but really every dollar will make a difference. I have some money saved but I don't want to have to take out a huge sum in student loans, so earning some extra money and getting scholarship money will be key.

Thanks in advance to anyone who supports me (and to Michele who already has!)

Auld Lang Syne

I read today that the New Years song Auld Lang Syne was a folk song that originated in Scotland. This seems fitting since I found out yesterday that I have been accepted into the University of Saint Andrews, and I'll be heading to Scotland in the fall!  I'm very excited but also a little nervous about everything I need to do before I head over there, but I am sure everything will work out and I'll have an amazing experience there!!

And that leads me to my real reason for this post- New Years Resolutions. I have a few resolutions. (One was going to be getting accepted to grad school but that's already checked off my list!)

So here are my resolutions
1)read a book every  2 weeks)
2)eat 5 fruits or vegetables a day
3)work out 3 times a week
4)study french 3 times a week
5)work on contentment

and probably the most important one

6)get scholarship money to help pay for grad school!!!

Ok, so I know I'm not great at updating this blog, but I am going to try to update semi-regularly about how I am doing with my resolutions. Hopefully knowing people are looking at my progress will help motivate me stick with it =)

Happy New Years everyone!!

Derby Dress Pro's and Con's List

Opening up a bunch of links is frustrating, so I have decided to put pictures of all the dresses here and list what I do and do not like about each one.

Dress #1

Pros

I love it! It looks a bit retro. It definitely is fun and spring-y for the Derby.

Cons
It is the most expensive($88). Also, maybe a little too retro? I can't decide.

Dress #2

ProsI like the ruffles. It is pretty, simple and eligant. I also have a $15 off coupon!

Cons
Maybe a little too professional and not quite as light-hearted as I would like.

Dress #3

ProsI like the cut of the dress and the braided belt at the waist. It also looks like it would be really comfortable.

Cons
Maybe a little too dark for spring. Also, not too sure about the website it is listed on.

Dress #4- decided I don't like it

Dress #5 (in blue)

 

 Pros
I like the ruffles and the cut of the dress.

Cons
Maybe too many ruffles and it is a little on the short side.

Dress #6

Pros
 I like the neckline and think it is a fun sun dress.

Cons
I don't like the ruffle at the bottom of the dress, also not too crazy about the color.

Dress #7 (in blue)

ProsIt looks like a light, fun dress.

Cons
A little on the short (and transparent) side!

Dress #8

 

Pros
It is a little different with the 2 fabrics. I like the floral print at the top, and since it is only at the top, the pattern isn't overwhelming. And, unlike most of these dresses, I can try it on before I buy it!

Cons
The fabric doesn't look expensive to me. Also, the model's pose is ridiculous! (haha, not that has much to do with anything!)

Dress #9

Pros
I like the asymmetrical design.

Cons
The color looks more Christmas than Derby to me.

Dress #10

Pros
I really like this one! I think it would be fun for the Oaks. It is a good price as well.

Cons
A little low cut. Also, you can't buy from H&M online so I would have to go to Cinci or Indi to get it.

I think 1, 2, 8 and 10 are my favorites.



I also found this gem if I want to go super literal! haha! I could wear it with the rose tights and put a trophy on my Derby hat just to make it 100% clear where I will be headed to in this outfit ;-)

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

So my etsy account was definitely a failed attempt at making some extra money! haha, but I'm not too upset about it. I don't really have time to make many crafts to sell.

And I am still waiting to hear back from grad school. Hopefully I will know something soon.

I am having a lot of fun with my job. And I know that I am looking ahead, thinking about the Oaks and Derby, but I am looking at dresses trying to find something to wear those 2 days. Here are some contenders that are more or less in my price range! haha =)

Dress #1
Dress #2
Dress #3
Dress #4 (in blue)
Dress #5 (in blue)
Dress #6
Dress #7
Dress #8

I also like some dresses from H&M but since there isn't a shop online for their store, I can't share the dresses the same way. here are 2 pictures of the dresses I like there.

This is mostly for me, to have all 10 dresses in one location so I will be able to conveniently look at them, but if you want to tell me what dresses you like the best, that would be nice. I like input! And I am also really indecisive so it could come in handy =)

Anyway, I hope everyone has a merry Christmas!