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Don't forget to enter to win the Forever 21 $50 Gift Card!! Only 24 hours left!! http://theladyhood.blogspot.com/2015/03/fabulous-50-forever-21-giveaway.html

It's My Party and I'll Cry If I Want To

Bonjour!

It has been a busy busy week! I turned 21 on Thursday, we went to a Easter party on Saturday, and of course on Sunday, we celebrated Easter itself! Becoming another stage of adulthood made me hope (wishful thinking, of course) that if I thought really hard, I would be able to think myself into a higher level of maturity. Ah, the ignorance of youth. While I don't feel any differently, I know that I have the potential to become whatever I choose, whomever I choose- I just have to work at it to attain it.

     I was thrilled with the presents I got as well. My youngest sister had picked out most of them, and, to my great delight, she has a good grasp of my general style and tastes. *Sigh* I trained her well. What else are younger sisters for, after all? Their minds are so malleable. ;) Anywayyy, she had found a pair of shoes with polka dots on them (too cute), a lacy knapsack that I originally picked out, some hairbows, and burlap. Why she got me burlap, I have no idea. And neither does she, as it turns out. Next item on my to-do list is to find out what the cupcake a person can do with a yard of striped burlap. There were also many other things that made my day, but the funniest surprise was the giant box of 12 donuts that I got from my other younger sister. She knows my weakness well (four were gone in one day, but then I had to make myself hold back).

     Overall, it was a good haul of goodies and a memorable day. Best of all, it was a 21 spent without alcohol. I know so many people that celebrate their 21st by taking advantage of their new legal ability to drink. I am not one of them. Alcohol has always been something I have avoided, even when being surrounded by it on a secular college campus, and it is something I will continue to avoid in my adulthood. Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise- Proverbs 20:1. It is not just a choice made based on religion, but one based on common sense. I will not allow my mind to give itself up to a drink and risk the safety of my body in the process. Too many horror stories of bar bathroom pass-outs and waking up to find you are not where you remember being is enough to convince me that I will always choose sober over party-hardy. It's just not worth it. I totally respect the people who make this decision and thus put themselves up for public humiliation. It's not easy, and the peer pressure can be nasty, but in the end, the self-control will be so worth it. Just a little soapbox service announcement. I think maybe I can get away with it, it is my birthday after all, right? :)

You guys are the best. <3

 Dress/Shoes/Jacket: Thrifted | Floral Hairpin/ Eiffel Tower Tee: Gifted

P.S. Don't forget to enter the $50 Forever 21 Gift Card Giveaway!  http://theladyhood.blogspot.com/2015/03/fabulous-50-forever-21-giveaway.html

xoxo, Sara

Fabulous $50 Forever 21 Giveaway!!!

Bonjour!

As promised, here is the giveaway to (drumroll please)... Forever 21! Forever 21 is a fabulous place for women of all ages to find style and quality for a good price. They are also a family-operated business, and from what I hear, a Christian business (just look on the underside of their bags).

You have the opportunity to win a $50 gift card to one of my all-time favorite stores, as well as 2 free prints from my all-time favorite Etsy shop, CraftyCollaborations. All you have to do to enter is follow the directions below a Rafflecopter giveaway and get started!

Can't take the chance of not being chosen? Shop now at Forever 21 and CraftyCollaborations on Etsy!

Fine print: You must be 16 years of age or older to enter. The winner will have the option of a physical gift card (sent by mail) or an e-gift card for the Forever 21 prize. If the winner resides outside of the U.S., it will be sent online. The Etsy prize will be sent after further directions by email. If the winner does not respond within 24 hours, many tears will be shed and a new winner will be randomly selected.

Get ready to celebrate!

xoxo, Sara

Big City, Little Lady Part I

Bonjour!

It has been a fabulous time in the big city of Chicago! Even though I live in the same state, it is a big deal to go up into the congestion of major-city traffic and the circus-like hussle and bussle.

First stop: Navy Pier

     Since this is Spring Break, and the snow hasn't completely melted yet in Chicago, most of the rides were closed for the season. The Ferris Wheel was happily open though, and it is a fabulous (though somewhat nightmarish for those of us with acrophobia)  view from the top. We also went inside the Crystal Gardens and admired the tropical flora and fauna- and I mean REALLY admired, considering the only plants outside were the ones that could survive 30-40 degree weather- and then went downstairs for some Auntie Anne's and souvenir-shopping. Now, the whole catalyst for the trip for me was getting a picture with Bob Newhart. Not the real Bob Newhart, of course, but his statue on the couch that resides at Navy Pier. And even though it took us about 20 minutes of searching and 4 or 5 people of inquiring, we could not find that Bob Newhart anywhere; he had apparently been moved for the Pier renovations, and no one seemed to know where he was relocated to. :(
     We did manage to find the Crack the Whip statues and the Captain statue (pictured above), so it wasn't a complete loss, but my Chicago experience won't be complete until I've had my picture taken on Bob Newhart's couch. Even if it means putting it on my bucket list, because I WILL do it if I have too. :)

And thus ends Part I of Chick-ago. Sniff. Good memories.

Cat Top/Black Cropped Bomber Jacket/Floral Sunnies: Ragstock | Pink Bow Skirt: Romwe | Polka Dot Denim Tennies/Black Leggings: Walmart | Polka Dot Hairbow: Forever 21 | Hot Pink Crossbody: Thrifted

xoxo, Sara

Big City, Little Lady + Giveaway!!!

Bonjour!

I am so excited to announce that the Ladyhood will be traveling to a major city tomorrow! Can you guess which one? Details coming soon!

I am also jumping up and down for a giveaway we are having here within the week!! Our first one, YIPPEE! This is to share the celebration of my 21st birthday, and I can't wait to get started on it. Be sure to check back regularly for your chance to win! Prize announced and entry submission begins Thursday, winner announced April 2.

Goodbye, Winter Blues

Bonjour!

 Well, Spring Break has finally sprung! I am so happy to have even a week of relaxation from the hubbub of the school life, and I suspect I am not alone in that regard. Not only does today signify the first day of spring break, it is also the first day of Spring!!!! HOORAY!!! And even better news for part of America is that all of the snow is now completely melted, which means no more wet feet, freezing temperatures, or heavy coats. We even had a day in the 70s! Of course, then it seems really cold when it drops back into the 40s for a couple days, but I guess we really have no room for complaints here.

     Not only am I excited about spring break, but I also have a surprise for Ladyhood readers coming up that we have never done here before, so stay tuned! (Hint: It involves someone winning something). Also next week will bring about an exciting post as I travel north, and that will be a new experience as well. Spring has a way of making things happen- je t'aime Spring!

     Be sure to come back next week to get a piece of all the excitement! What is your favorite part about the season?

Top: Gordmans | Skirt: Pick Your Plum | Pink Jacket/ Grey Puffer Vest: Thrifted | Chain Belt/ Floral Headband: Gifted

xoxo, Sara

Be My Little Baby Bumblebee

       Be My Little Baby Bumblebee

Bonjour! It's been a whirlwind since Valentine's Day, but this week has been especially crazy. With a major assignment due every day and smaller assignments scattered throughout, it has been all I can do just to stay hygienically acceptable for public while making sure the work gets done.

One particular assignment I had to do was cultural research on my family genealogy. This turned out to be quite the event, involving a parent and grandparent and asking a lot of questions/ sorting through timelines. And what I found out was pretty interesting...

1. My family comes from a wide variety of European backgrounds, including England, Canada, and Ireland (as recently as the 1950s!) on one side and Germany, Switzerland, and Austria on the other (I am actually 4th generation German).
2. Many of my ancestors were teachers, preachers, farmers, or soldiers/captains. I must be following in the teacher trend, but none of the other occupations play out in direct or semi-direct relations.
3. My grandpa helped install the first ATMS in my hometown, and my great-grandma was a riveter (like Rosie the Riveter) during WWII.
4. We may have a Native American (Indian? Native North American?) line due to a possible marriage between a related Canadian trapper and a woman of a Canadian tribe.
5. One ancestor was the captain of a trading vessel who immigrated to Canada in the 1600s. A line would later immigrate from Canada to the U.S. in 1880.

Just having the confirmation that part of me was in Ireland (ok, a distant line of relatives, but still!) makes me want to break out the Celtic Thunder even more. And Irish Tenors. I've got a good excuse now, after all. :)

Isn't it fascinating how you can find out so much about the lives of people who are related to you, but who lived long ago in the past? What are your national roots?

Yellow Plaid Jacket/Dress/Purse/Shoes: Thrifted | Silver Chain Belt/ Silver Hairclip: Gifted | Sunglasses: Old
Wearable Heater: Imaginary. This was right before it snowed a few inches.

xoxo, Sara