Manic Monday's Made Motivational

Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think, say or do. It is more important than appearance, gift, or skill. It will make or break a company...a church...a home.
The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day...I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.
- Charles Swindoll

Happy Monday! I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend and has a great week.

Manic Monday's Made Motivational

Always continue the climb. It is possible for you to do whatever you choose, if you first get to know who you are and are willing to work with a power that is greater than ourselves to do it.
~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Happy Monday everyone! Sorry for my recent lack in posting. I have been quite busy with school; however, will be back to regularly updated posting soon. Hope your week is wonderful!!!

Love Always,
Alaka

Manic Mondays Made Motivational

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to older, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
-Melody Beattie

Happy Monday & Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Love Always,
Alaka

My New Idea

Each Monday morning, I wake up already aggravated. Why? Because it's a Monday and no one likes Mondays. It's the beginning of the week, which means our time off is gone and our crazy schedules are back. The more I think about it I realize I shouldn't wake up mad that my alarm went off. Instead I should be happy that I'm up and a new day has started. I think starting the day with something positive might help this situation, which is why I have decided to do something called "Manic Mondays Made Motivational" to help motivate myself and others who struggle with the same thing. I'm going to find inspiring quotes/poems and will share them with everyone. I will try to do this as early as possible, so when you're feeling crappy that it's a Monday...maybe my quote will help get you through the day. I strongly encourage any of you who have quotes you'd like to share to pass them along! Hope you've had a great weekend and like this new idea of mine! :)

Love Always,
Alaka

Viva Las (Delta) Vegas

My favorite thing to participate in with my sorority is Greek Sing. I look forward to it all year. For those of you who don't know, it's basically a dance competition between the Fraternities and the Sororities. A LOT of time and money is put into this event and all the money goes to Chi Omega's philanthropy (Make a Wish Foundation). It is so great to know that while I'm having an amazing time with my sorority sisters, I am also making a difference in someone else's life.

Last year, we won overall with our Video Game theme and knew we'd have to doing something fabulous to top it this year. We decided our theme for Greek Sing was going be Vegas! I was thrilled with this idea and fell in love with it from the beginning. This year, Greek Sing was earlier than usual and we only had 2 weeks to pull everything together. I was nervous about this since we've never had such a short amount of time to prepare for this event.

I am obsessed with Greek Sing and look forward to it every year. I have never been a dancer or a cheerleader in the past, but Greek Sing is so much fun and the entire chapter participates. Unfortunately, due to my class schedule, I couldn't dance and had to be a character instead. I decided to be Elvis because I thought it would be the most fun to dress up like him. I had so much fun wearing my costume and playing the part (if you can't tell by the pictures). This year was even more important to me than ever because it is my last year to participate in Greek Sing. I also have a little cousin (Olivia) who is in the sorority with me. Every year she has attended Greek Sing to cheer me on and this was year she was actually getting to perform with me! It was really special and something I'll never forget. My family also knows how important this event is and they always come to support me too.

I wanted to win more than anything!!! But I thought the odds were slim since we were overall champions last year. Of course I thought we had the best theme, costumes, music, etc. but you just never know how the judges are going to react to everything. After the judges had announced the top sororities and I didn't hear our name I was really nervous...there was only one thing left to win and it's the biggest award of all...Overall Champions. And finally, I hear them say: "And the 2011 Greek Sing Overall Champions is...DELTA, DELTA, DELTA"!!! I went crazy!!! I couldn't believe it. We all ran on stage to claim the trophy and take our picture. It was the best feeling ever and it was something I wanted so badly (I seriously can't stress how important this event is to our chapter, me and how much we all love it)! I couldn't believe we were back-to-back champions! I'm so proud of all my Delta Sisters!!!

Even though my Steelers didn't win a championship this weekend I wasn't too down about it. I guess it was because we won Greek Sing and I was still in awe over it all - lol! I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend and enjoyed the game!

Love Always,
Alaka

Black & Yellow, Black & Yellow!

Since I can remember, I've always been a BIG Pittsburgh Steelers fan! I was born in Pittsburgh and even though I only spent a few years of my life there I've always remained a fan. I cannot express enough how excited I am for them to be going to the Super Bowl again. I love this day and I'm so happy my favorite team will be playing (if only I could be there). Even when my team isn't playing, I am still just excited for the big game. I can't wait to see all the commercials and half time performance!

This year, my sister has decided to host a potluck for a few of us Lexington folks. I'm so eager for Sunday to arrive I've already been looking for great ideas on what I can bring. I am sure most of you will be doing something for the Super Bowl as well...so I thought I would share some of the recipes I've found with you!

Chili Cheese Dip

View recipe here

Seven Layer Fiesta Dip

View recipe here

Italian Breadsticks

View recipe here

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

View recipe here

Baked Tostadas

View receipe here


My FAVORITE part about any meal is the dessert!!! Here are some of the lovely recipes I've found.

Red Velvet Cheesecake (Red Velvet is my favorite kind of cake)!

View recipe here

Brownie and Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwiches

View recipe here

Butterfinger Cupcakes

View recipe here

Cake Brownie

View recipe here

What are your plans for the big day? Do you have any delicious recipes you'd like to share? Hope everyone is looking forward to Sunday (or just the weekend in general) as much as I am!

GO STEELERS!

Love Always,
Alaka

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Don't we all love to watch "Breakfast at Tiffany's?" I know my sister and I loved watching this movie and many more Audrey Hepburn's classics. She is just so adorable, you can't help but fall in love with her! I also enjoy finding unique items relating to Audrey. Not just the same famous pictures you see time and time again at Target or Bed Bath & Beyond that every college girl has hanging in her room...I like to find new and unique Audrey items.

You can find them here and the owner has other amazing pillows as well.

I came across these pillows and almost died! I think these are so precious!!! I love vintage looking items and silhouettes. I just think silhouette’s are gorgeous and there's something special about them. I love the colors of the pillow and all the cute details. What can I say...I've fallen in love<3.

I feel a lot of people identify with Audrey and her classic, elegant and simple style. Who wouldn't love one of these? Just wanted to share in case there's someone out there who loves Audrey like I do!

Love Always,
Alaka