Outfit Inspiration: Fall Wedding

So sorry, friends! Life has been a bit crazy lately but I am going to do my best to get back on the blog train! 

A few weeks ago, my sweet sorority sister said "I do!" to the man of her dreams! 

While it was so great to see so many sisters and friends, planning an outfit for a fall, Florida wedding was a bit tricky. I searched high and low (and all over Pinterest) for the perfect outfit inspiration before it hit me...Lauren Conrad! 

I LOVED Lauren's look at The Speidi Wedding on The Hills. The little blue dress was so classic and would be perfect for any wedding. 

While Loubs and Chanel don't like in my closet, I knew I had a lot of the basic pieces to get the look going. The only things I picked up were a Blue Cynthia Rowley dress from my local TJMaxx and an embellished necklace from Charming Charlie's. 

Congrats, you two! 

Which celebrities do you turn to for last-minute outfit ideas? 

Today's Pickins:

1. Apple Cinnamon Rings

2.  Love this placecard idea! 

Blog Every Day in May: 16-18

Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it

I think my weight it something I have always struggled with in life. I've never been skinny. The best way to explain is to simply say I was always the Khloe Kardashian in my group of friends. My best friends have always been cute petite girls and I have always been the tall, thick girl. 

Loving yourself the way you are is something we all come to know in different ways. I think I have come to be so familiar with it as it is all I've ever know, at this point. 

Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why

I love this photo for vain and sentimental reasons. First, I like how tan I am...something that only happened during recruitment. Second, the three other women represented in the photo (pictured, and the new members we were wait on!) are all so dear to me. it was my senior bid day so I was dealing with a multitude of emotions. This truly was the beginning of an amazing year. 

Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

I remember the day we got Savannah, my first dog. I was getting ready to start Kindergarten and my dad said we couldn't get a puppy until Mel and i were 10 and 11--which seemed like a lifetime away! Finally, we talked daddy into getting a puppy. His one condition--it had to be a big dog. His friend, who lived in Memphis, bred Golden Retrievers and just had a litter. In a few weeks, the puppies would be ready to go home. When the time came, my dad flew up to spend a few days in Tennessee before bringing home my angel. 

I remember my dad's navy Explorer turning the corner at our old house and seeing the sweetest little blonde puppy smiling as  her head hung out the window. Mama was instantly in tears and Mel and I ran to the truck to meet her. Being the big sister, I just had to be the first to hold her! That was, until Daddy said "Careful, she might need to pee." At which point, she was passed off to Melanie. 

We played and played and all our neighbors and family came to meet the new angel. I remember being so excited with this new toy. At the time, I didn't realize the amount of unconditional love that had entered my life on that day. 

Chuggin and Thuggin.

Chuggin and Thuggin. My ode to a fabulous weekend! 

First and foremost  it was our chapter's Alumni weekend. It was beyond fun to see so many of my wonderful sisters again! Being reunited was the chicken soup that my soul has been needing. It's really amazing how closely knit this crazy random group of women can be. 

Our night ended up at Swamp, a favorite bar in Gainesville. 

I was able to fully enjoy my favorite drink in the whole wide world--The Dazzler! You know you're higher rolling when you buy a $7.50 drink in a college town. But let me just say, it was worth every cent. Delish! 

It was also great to have hours of shooting the shit, if you will.I love being able to laugh and joke about things with a table of friends and not even be sorry. Saturday night was definitely the vodka my soul needed. Allll the vodka. 

My fabulous family at Swamp! 

So where does the thuggin come in with a group of sorority alumni? My car ride home. I straight up thugged like I was in a rap video. What started this, you ask? Nelly.

In the spirit of this week's Glee, I have a guilty pleasure confession. I love Nelly. 

First off, I (surprisingly) think he's hella sexy. I may or may not be obsessed with all of his music. I thugg to Nelly on a regular basis. 

Yummy. 

Turns out, Nelly is a huge Florida Georgia Line fan and they decided to remix the song "Cruise" together. I happened to hear it on the radio on the way home and I am officially obsessed. 

The version isn't anywhere on youtube yet, so CLICK HERE to listen to the audio!

That's all, kids. I'm too tired for pickins. Not sorry. 

A Day to Celebrate!

Happy Friday, Y'all!

We've got two things to celebrate today at Cotton's Pickins!

First and foremost, I want to wish the happiest of birthdays to Little M, who turned 21 today! I wish I could be in Gainesville tonight to celebrate.

Second, today is acceptance day for The University of Florida, my alma mater! I cannot believe it has been four years since I officially became a Gator! I can't say I have ever been as happy as I was on that day and will ALWAYS be proud of be part of the Gator Nation!  

Have a wonderful weekend!

Today's Pickins:

1. DIY Valentine Bag Toppers

2. Loving the touches of Emerald

3. Love was made for Me and You

Laughing at Myself: Reviewing 2012 in Pictures

2012 was one heck of a year for me. Both good and bad. 

Let's just say that I am glad I lived it, but don't look forward to repeating it!

Anyway, I love when other bloggers post photos for me to creep on, so I figured it would be a much more enjoyable way to do the obligatory "end of X year reflection".

Plus, I don't start my new job until next week ;)

January

Upon returning to school, H and I celebrated our 21st with the notorious 21 signs! 

Clearly mine was Cotton!

Let's just say I can't hear the words "Dirty Shirley" without gagging a little after this night. 

January also brought my last Sigma Kappa bid day, which was Twitter themed!

February

We kicked off the month winning THIRD in Stroll-off! My favorite philanthropy!

My last Sigma Kappa away grab-a-date to see the Orlando Magic play!

And of course, the EPIC sisterhood to Animal Kingdom!

March

My favorite day of Spring--Alpha Gamma Rho's White Trash Bash!

April

Kicked off the month with my last Dance Marathon!

And my last Sigma Kappa formal!

This picture is perfect.

PC 09 Besties!

A bar adventure with our favorite, retired House Mom!

I became an Alumnus of Sigma Kappa

Crying my eyes out after the ceremony...

And our SK themed Senior Sign Night after!

May

I accepted my first job offer and GRADUATED from The University of Florida!!

June

I bought a new car!!

July

No Photos. 

My boyfriend at the time was preparing for the bar examination and both of us were crabby all month.

Not even kidding. 

August

Visited then Boyfriend in NC for his little's wedding.

We also ventured to Chapel Hill, his Alma Mater, for a day.

September

Kicked off football season with then boyfriend.

We also broke up that weekend.

Back to the Sig Kap house! 

Ended the month is Key West to visit our parents and for Little Cotton's 21st!

October

More 21st Celebrations!

And Florida beats South Carolina!

November

Met My GG! Finally! 

Last home game with TP!

Thanksgiving

Black Friday at LegoLand/ Cypress Gardens!

December

First Giveaway! And hit 100 followers! 

My 22nd Birthday!

Christmas!

Exploring Tampa with TP

And ending off the year on a UHaul Adventure moving TP's stuff back here!

(More on this later)

There you have it!! Looking back on the photos of the year definitely made it seem like it was much more fun than I remember it being--not a bad thing! 

What do your photos say about the year 2012?

Today's Pickins:

1.  Love this list of fellow Greek Bloggers!

2.  The inside of the lampshade is covered in sequins!

3.  Get in my home! Now!