Football, Basketball, Finals, & a Very Merry J.Crew Christmas

Hello friends!

My sincere apologies for not being able to post in over a month! When football and basketball season begin to cross over, life really gets crazy! Let's see here, since then so much has happened. DAAP has their finals week a week before everyone else, I really have no idea why. So last week involved a lot of coffee and all nighters. I managed to get all my work done and I was very happy with how my final review went over. This semester I  found a few things out about myself. 1. I love to paint. I plan on doing a lot of it over break. 2. Wheel throwing is not my thing haha to say the least. It really is like learning a foreign language. So with my fine arts degree, I plan on focusing on drawing/painting. I only have one more paper to type and then I am officially on Christmas break. As much as I love to paint, it will be nice to just sit at my computer and not have the added stress of worrying about my work turning out well. I can just sit and type and be done. Ahhh.

As far as the sports side of my life, two weeks ago I traveled to Houston to cheer the football game. The weekend before that we had played at Rutgers and absolutely killed them, which allowed for our boys to build up some confidence when facing Houston. Despite the rainy/freezing cold weather the team pulled off the win, which allowed us the perfect scenario before we played Louisville last Thursday night. Before I get into the Louisville game, I want to add that I had the best Tex Mex I have ever had. It was so authentic and fresh. I can't even describe how amazing it was. Caitlin (a sweet girl on my team) and I shared shrimp fajitas and between the two of us we still had enough food to feed us again the next day.  It was without a doubt top 5 best meals I had ever had. If you are ever in Houston I highly recommend Little Pappasito's Cantina. Now, on to the game that all of #BearcatNation is still heartbroken over. The amount of hype that was built up around this game was unreal. This is the football version of the Crosstown Classic. (Cincy vs. Xavier basketball game) The game was huge for a couple of reasons. This is the last game in Nippert Stadium for two years. We are adding on, meaning next year all of our home games will be at Paul Brown Stadium. The Big East fell apart last year resulting in Louisville going to the ACC. Also, bowl play was huge. With the chance of a possible BCS berth on the line, it was more than just a game. The environment of Nippert was electric. Our fans did their part, staying until the end, enduring the freezing cold and rainy weather. In the end we just didn't come through. The boys did their best, against a very good team, and a very good Teddy Bridgewater. We're going back to the Belk Bowl in Charlotte to play UNC. As much as I wanted the Russel Athletic Bowl, or the chance to play in a BCS game, I am thankful we are in a bowl game, in a beautiful city.

Last thing…It has been very hard to balance my school and cheer schedule with my work schedule. So with that said I haven't been able to work as much as I'd like. But I am hoping to get more hours with Christmas break coming up. I do have to share with you my favorite things from J.Crew this holiday season that I believe are a must have.

I hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and as you prepare for Christmas, please remember the Reason for the season! Oh, I forgot to add that the church I attend, Vineyard Cincinnati- the Tri-County branch is having their Christmas concert Dec. 23rd at 6 & 8 p.m. as well as Dec. 24th at 2, 4, and 6 p.m. I know it's a busy time for everyone, but if you get the chance to make it you will not regret it. There will be some very talented groups performing!

This was my final project for my wheel throwing class.

This was my first "real" self-portrait. I had to build my own canvas and then stretch it. I spent a solid 3 and a half weeks working on this! But after you paint yourself, your confidence level really rises because anything after this seems easy. Also, this semester was my first time painting with oils, which could not be more opposite of acrylic paint. 

This is my drapery project. I was terrified when starting it but  I ended up really loving it and I am no longer afraid to paint fabric. (I had the most wonderful/best/awesome teacher ever…that definitely came into play) 

This was the night I pulled my all-nighter.  I somehow manage to get paint on me every day, even when I try really hard not too. But yeah, this stayed on for a couple days. 

We had to do a series of four still lifes, ( black & white; red & green; blue & orange; purple & yellow) This was done in acrylic, after I had painted with oil all semester. In my head I hear "Oh you'll be okay! You've used acrylics for years!" But in reality it started out as a hot mess.

This was the night we went out in Houston for Tex Mex! 

This picture does not do this food justice. 

We had to wear hats because it was so rainy out.  I think they looked cute & it was something a little different from what we normally do. Needless to say our hair lasted about 12 seconds in the rain. 

On the bus headed to the stadium. You can kind of see it in the back ground.

Houston's stadium was being renovated soooo we ended up playing our game in a soccer stadium. I have no clue how that came to be. 

I didn't mention this up above but I ran the Turkey Trot in Miamisburg on Thanksgiving with my best friend from back home! It was freezing, but it was such a pretty day.

These little pillows were $3.00 from Target! 

For my Christmas wreath I wanted something classic, so my mother told me that I should buy a live wreath. So when I was at Walmart a couple weeks ago, they had these for about $8.00.

This was an outfit I wore the other day and I just think it's perfect for this time of year. The necklace is Francessca's, the lace shirt is Banana Republic,  and the green sweater is from J.Crew about 5 years ago. 

Okay…so I NEVER do selfies but I sent this pic to my mom so she could see my outfit for work. I apologize for the messy room behind me. But the skirt, and plaid shirt are both from J.Crew. The shirt is this year, the skirt is from almost three years ago. The necklace and boots are  Forever 21.

These are my fab five things that should be on your Christmas list this year from you guessed it, J.Crew.  These are all current items you can go online and buy!

"When following Christ, there is a humility required in every step we take. As we humbly walk with God we begin to see His plan."
- Rob King; the new senior pastor at Vineyard Cincinnati