Simplicity

sending out postal

Simple weekends are just the best. I am ecstatic to announce that I have my Statistics final tomorrow... meaning I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel with this course! Math is just not my thing, and it's almost over! I have been getting very high grades so far (far above the class average ;), so let's hope I continue and finish strong.

Sadly, I had to decline a few fun events my friends invited me to this weekend because I knew that in order to keep my high grade, I needed to study, study, study! My mom has been enjoying studying Theology, so this weekend consisted of Panera and Starbucks sit downs and runs for the both of us. I just loved the simplicity of this weekend and the time I got to spend with my mom. (I also received snail-mail from one of my favorite bloggers, Dorothy, which was definitely a highlight to the calm weekend!)

Starbucks run!

fresh mani

via my instagram: @courtneyecarter

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and enjoy what's left of it! The work week is creeping upon us!

Work hard, give back, and love.

Tallahassee and Thomasville

Hello all!

I hope you all had a great 4th of July Weekend. Hearing fireworks and seeing the amount of love we all have for our great nation make my heart so happy. 'Murica! 

I always enjoy dressing up for holidays, but it sure does take me a while to decide on the perfect outfit. Should I go subtle or all out? How much is too much... Or not enough? Ah! For this year's Independence Day attire, I decided to go classy but noticeable. I wore a blue and white blouse and a bright red statement necklace. I filmed a OOTD video on my YouTube channel featuring the outfit, so be sure to take a peak!

sorry for the selfie

                                        

I had a fabulous weekend. I am just smitten with Tallahassee and am so happy I had the chance to visit my college-town! The north Florida atmosphere makes me grin from ear-to-ear! So many of my friends also made the drive up to The Florida State University this past weekend because it sure is the place to be on the 4th. 

Wescott Fountain at Florida State

my sister and I

On Saturday, my mom, dad, sister, and I ate breakfast at Panera Bread, and my YouTube channel came up in conversation. I then checked my channel and noticed that I had exactly 2K subscribers! Wow! Thank you all so much! I am so lucky to have each and every one of you. :) 

After breakfast, my family and I crossed the Florida Georgia line and spent the morning and early afternoon in Thomasville, Georgia. This was my second time in the quaint little town and it was just as cute as a button. Boutique hopping is one of my favorite hobbies and I just love me some southern hospitality! There is something about the words "ma'am" and "y'all" that make me smile.

had to add a snapchat story ;)

boutique hopping in Thomasville

boutique hopping in Thomasville

boutique hopping in Thomasville

boutique hopping in Thomasville

boutique hopping in Thomasville

boutique hopping in Thomasville

boutique hopping in Thomasville

lunch: BLT && BBQ chips

After spending time in Thomasville, we drove back to Tallahassee, “hung out,” and apartment toured for my sister. When the dinner hour arose, we were all exhausted and a bit "hangry"… at least I was! We ate at Ghengis Grille which is not only an all-time-favorite for my family and I, but also several of my friends. Mongolian stir-fry is just to die for! Delicioso! 

my delicious delicacy!

On Sunday we ate at the infamous iHop for breakfast before saying goodbye to my sister. Me being a plain-Jane ordered what I always do, the 5 Stack ButterMilk Pancakes. Everyone always pokes fun at me for always ordering the most basic thing at iHop possible, so this time I changed it up just a tad. If it counts, I added a side of Oatmeal! 

The drive back home was no fun. No bueno! It rained half the time and the traffic was terrible. We saw several accidents, one being a 10-15 car pile-up! Holy smokes! I will never understand why people continue driving quickly while weaving in and out of lanes while it’s pouring. It makes no sense and it’s dangerous. I hope everyone in the large amount of car accidents and pile up is okay.

I’m now home, resting, and listening to the bellowing thunder. While I do absolutely love Tallahassee and Thomasville, it is always nice to come home. I would have to say I had a pretty solid Fourth of July weekend with the famjam.

What did you all do for the Fourth of July? Tell me! I’d love to know. :)

Work hard, give back, and love.

Hello July | Peppy Pix

my go-to summer 'sticks!

sunday fundays

mixing business && pleasure

snail mail is happy communication

business casual ootd

Hello hello hello,

Just like that, June has come and gone. I am just floored at the thought that 2014 is already more halfway done! We're already three days into July and have a holiday weekend right ahead of us. Hurray! 

I hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July Weekend! I'm going to be visiting my college-town for the weekend... and boy oh boy am I excited. (For those of you who watch my YouTube videos, don't fret! I pre-recorded two videos for you all: one will go live tomorrow at 11am EST, and the other on Sunday.)

Happy weekend! Happy life! : )

Work hard, give back, and love.

2 Years on YouTube!

Hello hello!

I hope everyone had and is having a great weekend. Sunday afternoon/evening means it's unfortunately coming to an end, but hey, we have another week to make a difference, right?

I come to you all today with reflecting eyes. I have officially been fashion, beauty, and lifestyle vlogging on YouTube for two years today! I honestly cannot believe it. I've been creating content for 2 years, learning about the media and fashion industry, and growing as a person. It's been an incredible journey so far and I can't wait for all of my following blogging + vlogging years to come!

YouTube has created so much positivity in my life. I've met so many YouTube friends, subscribes, signed with the StyleHaul network, and have been in two online magazines. If you would like to read the magazines articles I was featured in, click them below!

The Double U Magazine Article
FSU HerCampus Article

Here's a video I published today regarding this two year milestone that I hope you all enjoy.



Thank you for sticking by me. :)


Work hard, give back, and love.

The Type A + Workaholic Life

g o o d m o r n i n g,

I would like to share a little bit of information about myself that's a good thing on one hand, but can drive myself and others around me crazy on the other. I was born with both a blessing and a curse. I'm living with Type A/Workaholic vibes pumping with each beat of my heart.

one of my fave outfits for work

You should also know that I'm one of those people that have to plan EVERYTHING out! I am the farthest thing from having a "go-with-the-flow" attitude. No, no, no! I need a plan. I need a schedule. I need my planner. I need my phone reminders. I need Post-it notes, paper, or my notes section of my smartphone near me at all times. I need to plan my work phone calls before I make them and prepare for what the receiver may say. I need a watch on at all times. I need to plan my outfit the day before. I need to plan... well, everything.

Being a workaholic can be a great thing! I am proud of my work ethic. I am working in an executive recruiting office this summer and always arrive at least 10 minutes early, complete my daily tasks thoroughly, ask every one repeatedly throughout the day if they need me to do anything else for them (even if I'm flooding in my own work!), and don't leave exactly when my shift is over unless I've completed everything I wanted to accomplish for that day. I work 8 hours every day, but that's not enough. There's a part of me that craves being busy... and even busier. I'm always thinking to myself, "What else can I plan out? What more can I do?"

For instance, while I should be spending my lunch breaks clearing my head (and I do sometimes!) I usually have my Youtube/Blogging notebook in hand and write down video ideas, blogging ideas, photo ideas, and just plan everything out until my fingers go numb. I just can't seem to give myself a break! When I come home from work, though exhausted, I start filming YouTube videos, editing YouTube videos, studying for my tough statistics class (which I didn't even have to take this summer, I CHOSE to to "get ahead"), and busying myself with tasks on tasks on tasks until my body cannot keep up anymore.

It stresses me out that I have to plan everything out throughly and don't always take as much time for myself as I should, but because of being Type A, I always get so much more out of a weekday than expected.

So what do you think about the Type A/Workaholic syndrome? Should I consider it a blessing or a curse?

Thanks for reading!

Work hard, give back, and love.

A Little Letter Writing

Hello, hello, hello!

I hope everyone is marvelous this calm Sunday afternoon.

Now, I don't know about you all, but I am a sucker for snail mail! While I am attached to my electronics and am always texting, tweeting, emailing, etc (the list goes on and on), snail mail has actually proven to be my favorite way of communication. Obviously, writing letters is not the most practical communication tool for day to day life, but give me cute cards and sweet pen-pals, and I'm a happy gal!

homemade letters

It's actually somewhat of a thrill for me having to wait when I know a sweet letter is coming from of my blogging &/or YouTube friends. What I think makes snail mail so special is that it actually takes time to pick out or create a card, write the letter, attach the correct postage, and send it on it's way. Then, the receiver has to wait a few days before getting the lovely package in their hands. It's even more special when you don't know a letter is coming, and to your surprise, a bright envelope sealed with colorful washi-tape is there waiting for you when you come home! It takes only a few seconds to write a text message, and when a text is sent, the receiver will  get the message instantaneously or a few moments later.

I personally enjoy creating stationary myself. It's a relaxing past time for me and crafting is my middle name (not really, but I craft ALL the time). I'm a regular on YouTube and recently published a video showing 3 DIY Snail Mail Stationary Ideas which you can watch here. I hope you enjoy the video and let me know what you think!



Have a great rest of your weekend, my friends.

Work hard, give back, and love.

Mixing Business + Pleasure

Hello all!

I hope summer time is treating you well! I've just really been enjoying summer, but believe it or not, I'm actually busier now than I was in college last semester! Who would-a thought?! I'm now working full-time at an executive recruiting firm while also taking a math class and trying to balance YouTube, blogging, and my social life... i.e. I've really hit the real world this summer!

Enjoying work

Not to toot my own horn, but I've noticed that I have a really great work ethic. At first, going to work was intimidating because I knew I'd be working full-time and long hours. However, now, I've found that I really enjoy going to work! Again, who would-a thought?! I always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early eager to get started!

I've found my own way to mix business with pleasure by picking out a cute but professional outfit each day, which I think really gets me motivated each morning. Business-Casual attire can be quite cute, you know! I enjoy exquisite blouses, dashing blazers, clean-cut pants, and nice, but professional-looking, stacks of arm candy. I'm a sucker for this professional wardrobe!

Today, I got off work early because my family is dropping my little sister off for the beginning of her college career! I can't believe that just last year at this time, college began for me. My, oh my, does time fly!

And with that, I bid you all adieu... but not for too long!