Sweet Southern Pearl

Someone said something to me today that I feel like should've really offended me. My feelings should've been really hurt, and honestly probably seven or eight years ago that would've been the case. I've always been a pretty confident person, but there are definitely things about my body that I've been very self-conscious about. I think every girl in the world can say the same thing - and guys too.  When the comment was made to me, my mind flashed back to this morning, because coincidentally, it went right with something I saw something that my sister had posted on Twitter:   ***So as a disclaimer, I don't really agree with putting words in God's mouth, but based on his love for us and the things of the Bible, I feel like this is pretty accurate.*** When I read this, I cried. I cried because I remember feeling that way. And because my heart hurts for girls that feel that way right now, who have been told that they aren't pretty or ski...

1. Granny's first trip to Biltmore was so much fun! We finally went on Sunday after talking about it for like a year. I'm going to make a more in-depth post about it later with pictures! 2. Beautiful sunset at the church by my house on Monday made me happy :) 3. Starbucks after a loooooong Monday was the only thing that got my coworkers and I through the 8th grade curriculum fair that evening! 4. Me and Brooke's TEN year "friend-versary"... hard to believe we've been friends since Saint Patrick's day of 2006! So happy to have a friend like this to go through the amazingly great and not-so-great parts of this journey of life! 5. A happy Saint Patrick's day with family and good food :) happy weekend! eBa

"Come on, Ms. Burroughs, donate money! We know you got it, lookin fresh outta the sorority." ‪#‎ LooksCanBeDeceiving‬ 😂 😂 😂 A couple students visited me after school and wanted me to donate money for a fundraiser. The quote above is directly from one of them LOL. He proceeded to comment on my pants and said "I bet those are Lilly Pulitzer!!" I said "Actually, no, they are Ralph Lauren, and my shirt was $3 at Walmart, and so was this cardigan (I was wearing a gray cardigan that matched my shirt and it was about $6 at Walmart but looks expensive because it's monogramed) and my shoes are from Target and the pants are from the Ralph Lauren OUTLET so they were cheap! And my necklace was FREE!" (Monday Dress does promotions where if you buy $50 worth of clothes you get a free necklace or scarf or earrings, etc). I love when I can look like I spent a lot of money on my clothes, when in reality, I got great deals and spent almost nothing. ...

This is a real quick "Friday Five" without pictures because I'm in a hurry, but I really want to make sure I get this done because I'm trying to post even when I don't have time to add pictures, just for the sake of keeping my blog more updated! I often don't post because I want each post to have pictures and be well thought-out, but sometimes simple and impromptu is best! SO, Five things I've been thankful for this week: 1) Finally getting a chance to get my nails done on Monday. 2) Amazing weather - it's been in the 70s all week and I've absolutely loved wearing dresses and sandals and driving with my windows down and sunroof open! 3) My wonderful coworkers who bring me large Starbucks drinks and doughnuts and Sweet Shoppe cookies and bend over backward for the kids at our school because they genuinely care about them :) 4) Spending time with my brother this week while he's home for spring break. 5) The bag of Krispy Kreme mini ...

I wrote this LAST Monday (February 29th) and forgot to publish it (insert slit-eyed straight face). .......................................... This weekend I FINALLY got to go back to Boone after two months.   When I got into town, I met Kacie, Michael (my brother), and Taylor at our favorite sushi place - COBO!!! I had been craving an Appalachian Roll for so long.  I had so much fun hanging out with them. We went out Friday night and had Boone Bagelry for brunch on Saturday. We played with the Face Swap option on Snapchat and laughed til we couldn't breathe at a picture of my brother and Taylor.  Saturday afternoon was spent shopping. Kacie and Taylor went with me. I needed to buy birthday gifts for a few different people, stuff for the baby shower I had for Brooke yesterday, and stuff for my house.  After shopping, we had dinner at Canyons in Blowing Rock and it was SO GOOD. The view from the restaurant is amazing. The beauty of the moun...

Every Thursday, I have my students write a list of things they are thankful for that week because we read an article that suggests that writing what you are thankful for each week can increase gratitude.  (I started this on Thursday, March 4th but am just now finishing and posting it because #TheStruggle.) Last week I was thankful for spring doughnuts at Krispy Kreme and the coupon I had for two dozen for $9.99. It helps me cope with the fact that there are no more $3.99 Panthers victory doughnuts on Mondays. I was thankful for Ashley's 17th birthday and the chance we had to go to dinner and celebrate. I cannot believe she is 17 now! Time sure has flown, and I'm so thankful for her and the joy she has brought to our lives!! 17 was such a great age for me, and I'm praying that this time next year, she will be able to say the same. ...................And I was sooo thankful for the surprise we got - on Ashley's birthday, Brooke's baby ...

Hello March! So good to see you! I don't really like winter, and I am so happy when we start feeling the first few signs of spring. This March will be a super busy month for me - my calendar is already full! I remember my Granny and great aunt always telling me when I was little that March "Comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." For some reason I thought that was so cute and cool and I felt like when we entered March, we were on the verge of something awesome! March has been extra special to me for the past 17 years now because it was 17 years ago tomorrow that my little sister was born! I'm so excited to celebrate. For me, 17 is one of my most memorable and cherished years of life thus far, and I'm hoping that for Ashley it will be the same. :) ANNND March has been even more special the past two years because March of 2014 brought me a goddaughter... ANNND this March will bring me a second goddaughter - her little sister! ...