Pom Pom Party!

Happy summer everyone!
I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer filled with sunny days, salty kisses, and sandy feet. One of my favorite things to do is travel and summer time is the perfect season for me to have some fun visiting new places while learning new things in the process. One of my favorite places I traveled this summer was Chicago for a weekend of modeling (so basically playing dress up) in fashion shows for MacDuggal's new prom line! There are so many fun and cute styles and fabrics to look forward to wearing at your prom or formal this year... did I mention FUN?!
I'll have to admit, my favorite outfit that I modeled the entire weekend was this adorable two-piece dress with these pom-pom heels! These little black booties were like craft-time turned New York Fashion Week. These booties are perfect for the girl who loves to rock a simple dress, but wants to update it with some fun shoes.  So next time you want to have a pom-pom party on your feet, grab a pair of old black booties and some E6000 glue and get ready to be glam!

<3 EK

Life Lessons with Sam

Older brothers are useful for much more than intimidating boyfriends and making protein shakes. Both of my older brothers (Sam and Will) have given me many "life lessons" that I am very thankful for and,surly, will be useful sooner than later. 

I have learned some valuable lessons just by listening to my brother and his friends who play college baseball. Apparently a pretty clear analogy can be made between baseball and dating. Baseball players talk in a type of code that only a true insider can understand- the pitching rotation for the team is essentially translated into the dating rotation! So ladies, listen closely the next time you happen to be hanging out with a group of baseball players... the conversation may in fact not be about  the past week's game...

Main lesson learned here- Never date a baseball player. 


- The Friday night starter: This is the girl you want to be. If the Friday night starter is not the official girlfriend yet, she is destined to be. The Friday night starter is a strong pick in the personality AND attractiveness categories. Just like a coach usually plays his best pitcher in the first game of a big weekend series, the best girl is chosen to fill that important Friday night spot.

- The Saturday starter: A close second behind the Friday night starter, but something essential is missing. She might be weak in one area, but a strong 10 in another.  Her potential is very high, but consistency is not quite that of the Friday night starter. It wouldn't be the end of the world if the Saturday starter had to go in for the Friday night starter, but it's definitely not the Coach's (or guys) primary choice. 

- The Sunday starter: A wild one. Either you are going to get 7 really good inning... or you are going to give up 8 runs in the first inning. You either get a lot of good or a lot of bad. You never quite know what you are going to get with this one. This person has a lot of upside, but they are not consistent enough to be your Friday or Saturday. I mean, it's the last game of the series at this point so you kind of just have to take a risk. 

- The Mid-week: Like a coach can depend on the mid-week pitcher to throw strikes, this girl is always dependable for a "good time." The mid-week pitcher is pretty dependable to throw strikes no matter the circumstance, but nothing too fancy. The growth potential just isn't there. From what I have picked up on, this is not where you should aspire to fall in the pitching rotation. 

Romas 9:17

"I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Romans 9:17 

Graduation. A time of saying goodbye to what has been the norm for the past few years. A time of transition from dependence to independence. A time to look forward to the opportunities you will encounter in the next few years. 

A time of reflection over what legacy you have left.

It is hard to believe that I am already a High School graduate and will be starting a new chapter of my life this August. This time may seem sad because I will no longer be surrounded by the immediate support of my family and friends, but it is exciting because of what lies ahead for me and the rest of the Class of 2016. While college is definitely something to be excited about and look forward to, Bishop Hartmeyer's homily during our graduation mass reminded me to not get carried away with looking forward and, as a result, forget to look back over the past several years. 

One of my favorite bible verses is Romans 9:17. This verse always serves as a reminder to me to not forget that I have been placed on this earth for a greater purpose. A purpose larger than myself and I am given God's word as a guide for action. Since I am Christ's representative on earth, I must behave as Jesus would appreciate and approve. (Kind of like the WWJD philosophy many of us learned in Sunday School!) As Christians, it makes sense for each of us to hope to leave a Christ-like legacy. After reflecting on my years of High School, my hope is not to be remembered necessarily as the Student Council President or Homecoming Queen, or even as Salutatorian... but rather as the Christian leader who served as a projection of God's light. 

What legacy do you hope to leave?

"Rock the Runway" for the Red Cross, well... ROCKED

 This year the Youth Board raised $45, 076... IN THREE WEEKS. Now as Co-President of this amazing group of High School volunteers, you could imagine the excitement!! The annual Red Cross Heroes campaign that raises money for our local Red Cross chapter has officially come to a close with some pretty impressive numbers. I am especially proud of the Red Cross Youth Board this year for stepping beyond their comfort zones of just asking family and friends for donations- but in addition to this- organizing fundraising events that put their passions into action. 

As a 5'11' girl who has traveled across the country modeling for major fashion designers, you could imagine how excited I was to be able to bring a taste of my experiences back to my hometown and allow my friends to experience a little bit of the thrill of walking in a fashion show. I was excited about this opportunity to allow these high school girls a chance to have their moment to shine on the runway, even if it was on a small scale. Plus the audience was able to see some trendy and adorable clothes, jewelry, and shoes from one of my personal favorite boutiques, Vignettes! I can't thank my community, Vignettes Boutique, and Aquinas High School enough for the massive amount of support. Without them and the FABULOUS models... $1,700 in one night would have been impossible. 

Other Youth Board members put THEIR passions into action in an effort to exceed our goal of $40,000 in three weeks. Chefs at Augusta prep showed their skills in the kitchen by baking treats to sell during break at Augusta Prep, other youth board members used their public speaking skills to present about the Red Cross at corporate board meetings, members with an artistic hand face-painted at the Green jackets baseball games, and the incredibly talented students at Davidson Fine Arts magnet School organized and performed in a "Rock for Relief" Talent show. 

                             

Prom season!

Can you believe that it is already Prom season?! Wow... this year has flown by. With Prom season comes prom dress shopping season. Luckily, I get to enjoy that during a majority of the year. Modeling for one of the nation's leading prom dress designers means that at every market runway show I basically play dress up and do the prom shopping for my friends and me (whether they really want me texting them in August saying "I found your Prom dress" is questionable). It also means that I get a little preview of what styles are 'in' for Prom that year.

Let me just tell you... there is definitely a reason to be excited for Prom season this year.

I am super excited about this years major styles... lot's of two-piece dresses, florals, and even some simple chiffons were on the runway. My biggest advice for staying in-style this year is to not be afraid to be bold. Whether that is through a bright color, a fun pattern, or maybe even a pant suit is up to whatever best suits your own sense of style!

Link to MacDuggal's Prom line 2016- https://youtu.be/QMjO3TphwOo
*PS- Recongnize the first girl? ;) 

"Stand up and Shout"

Spent the week sitting at your computer? Studying? Netflix? Whatever the case is, you probably still feel exhausted but can’t quite figure out why since you haven’t exactly worked out. As surprising as it may seem, what your body might actually need is a little jog or workout to wake it up and get it out of lazy-mode.

As much as you currently might not want to, I encourage you to take those few minutes today to hold a 1-minute plank and knockout 25 crunches and 10 pushups! In fact, if you allot a few minutes every morning to do this I promise you will gain more energy then that extra cup of coffee. A light workout might just be all you need to wake up your body and get yourself ready to take on the next week like a boss.

The perfect clock

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8

It never ceases to amaze me how perfect God's timing is. As I sat in my friend's mountain house this past weekend surrounded by an example of God's beautiful creation in nature, I couldn't help but feel drawn to pray. I noticed one of my favorite devotion books sitting on my friend's living room table so I decided I would open it up to the devotion assigned to the day.


As a senior in High School, the past few months have been filled with anxiety and worry because I am in the waiting period for hearing back from the many colleges to which I applied. I am definitely a planner and the activities for each of my weeks are laid out in my school agenda. However, the message in the devotion really made me pause and think about why I am so filled with anxiety. While I may be simply trying to figure out my future so I can feel at peace, I am actually grasping at things that are His. This, like all forms of worry, is an act of rebellion: doubting His promises to care for me.
I really needed to hear God's word reminding me to hold his hand in trusting dependence because He will guide us through our days. God's timing is better than any plan I could ever write out in my agenda, and I am thankful for reminders of this in God's word.

Live a LIFE of prayer

Life is full of busy moments. As humans, we constantly strive to strengthen our mind, body, and spirit. As a High School student, I am constantly strengthening my mind by taking difficult classes at school and studying for tests, etc. As an athlete, I am constantly strengthening my body by working out, eating the rights foods to power my body, attending track practice, etc. But in the hustle and bustle of improving my mind and body, the spirit can easily be forgotten. We become so focused on improving ourselves by our own power that we totally forget that God's power is what is truly essential for becoming our best. How are we supposed to attempt to fulfill whatever amazing plan he has for us if we are not in communication with him through living a life of prayer?! I am definitely guilty of getting swept away into the business of life and attempting to control everything on my own... but no matter how hard I study or how many miles I run, I can never accomplish God's plan for me if I don't strengthen my spirit through communication with Him. 

Girlfriends, I encourage you to take a step back and look at where you place your priorities in your life. Are you a top student athlete but for some reason keep feeling defeated? This is most likely a result of a distance between God and you that is in need of being lessened. You have the potential to accomplish anything if you rely on God's strength to  build your spirit, along with your body and mind.   

"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23

PHOTOGRAPHY: www.philipleephotography.com/

ACT (#thestruggleisreal)

February 6, 2016.

A date that has been highlighted, underlined, starred, etc in my agenda for the past several months.

This Saturday is the ACT, and for many seniors it is our last attempt to improve our score for scholarships and even some college acceptances. My week will consist of many practice test and I highly suggest you practice as well if you are planning on taking the ACT this Saturday,  I have actually only taken the ACT one time and I went into the test without a moment of preparation. While I did not do terribly (especially having no preparation), I did not do as well as I know I am capable of performing.

With that said....my advice to any underclassman (even Freshman)  that are trying to get accepted to a tough college or want scholarship money... TAKE THE ACT NOW AND PREPARE! While one Saturday morning test may not seem like something that could have that big of an impact on your life... it does!!!

The ultimate "Hit the Quan" workout.

Most of my friends already know this but I'm probably the biggest "Hit the Quan" fan out there. Perhaps this is from cheering for my brother (the long snapper for the Ole Miss Rebels) almost every Saturday this past fall... Laquan Tredwell is one of the star players so whenever he made a play "Hit the Quan" filled the stadium. Anyways, since this song is my ultimate hype jam I HAD to incorporate it into my workout routine! Squats and grande pliés are essential for toned legs but can be miserable if you don't make the toning exercises fun. I mixed the infamous "Hit the Quan" dance and the classic squat position to create the perfect 3 minute thigh workout that is perfect for the dance floor (or even better, in the middle of the woods!) 

https://youtu.be/MVVVJVL2NIY

Renew in me a right spirit

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

So often in my life I worry or stress for absolutely no reason. I allow negative thoughts of self-doubt to creep into my mind instead of letting our heavenly Father take control and guide me where he see's fit. I was reading one of my favorite daily devotional books and came across a great reminder-If we continue to try to do our absolute best in everything laid out in front of us (but through our own measures) than we will only continue to greet disappointment. Don't get me wrong. I think it is so so so important to take full advantage of the opportunities we come across in life and I am an example of someone who really has trouble saying "no" to opportunities.  However, in order for us to have a renewed spirit we HAVE to let go of all the worry, stress, planning, etc and allow God to take control of our lives. He will define your paths and with His spirit in you, you can actively fulfill what he has laid out for you. While we may feel like we can accomplish everything on our own, it is best to sit back and as Carrie Underwood once sang "let Jesus take the wheels."I have made a dedicated effort to do this more in 2016 but it is tough......I continually will be reminding myself of one of my favorite verses Proverbs 16:9.

Finally winter

Well baby it's cold outside and that means it is officially SOUP SEASON! For snack today I enjoyed a bowl of delicious Kale Bean soup and it was too good not to share. Try out this recipe...

1) Boil until tender

Black Beans (We used one bag)

2) Saute 

Onions

Celery

Garlic

Salt

14 oz of Chicken broth 

Fresh rosemary 

3) Add a large bag of kale and the black beans and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 3 minutes

PS-Thanks for the yummy soup mom!!

Looking forward to a happy 2016!

Here's to a happy, healthy, and rewarding New Year--filled with good things and college admissions! I am really looking forward to a great 2016! This is a year full of big steps for me since I will graduating High School and starting college. What are YOU looking forward to in 2016? Comment below :) 

PHOTOGRAPHY: Philip Lee Photography 

http://www.philipleephotography.com

A fresh, NEW start to the NEW YEAR

WOW... It's heard to believe that Christmas break is over and second semester is about to swing into session. I'm not sure about you, but I know this Christmas break has made getting out of shape a little too easy. Fortunately the new year is a great time to either return to or jumpstart a healthy lifestyle. 

One of the best ways to get in the routine of being active is to find an activity that you actually enjoy that keeps you fit. For me that's distance running so whenever I am stressed out or need a pick me up, I hit the trails! If you aren't sure what active activity is best for you, don't be afraid to be adventurous and try out new things. I am also a big Barre fan so if running isn't your thing than perhaps group exercise classes are...its always helpful to have others around you that keep you  motivated during your workout. 
What ever activity you choose, be sure to stick to it and turn it into a habit so that it becomes a part of your lifestyle. Oh... and REMEMBER TO ALWAYS STRETCH so you won't be too sore the next day. #nooffdays 

PHOTOGRAPHY: Philip Lee Photography 

http://www.philipleephotography.com