Sunday Social!

Happy Sunday friends! It has been quite a while since I have participated in Neely's Sunday Social link-up, but apparently getting my wisdom teeth other this past Thursday has made me quite the blogger!! I am on a roll if I do say so myself! So here are this week's questions and let me know if you link up! I would love to read your answers!
What is currently on your wish list?

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Share a new iphone, droid, ipad app you have recently discovered that we all need.

I've always been the type of person who needs their schedule on hand at all times. Since my purse is the size of a small suitcase, I oftentimes do have my Erin Condren planner on hand, but I still like to have an electronic form of my day to day activities. I downloaded the Week Calendar app a while back when I was frustrated with the calendar app that came with the iPhone. With two jobs, school work, and various appointments and things I needed to have separate 'calendars' within my calendar app to keep everything organized. And I love it! I keep it color coordinated with my EC planner so everything makes sense whether I'm looking at the paper or electronic version of my life!

this week's schedule for example
I already talked about how much I love the iHeartRadio app in my favorite's post, but truly if you don't have this on your phone, what are you waiting for? 
What is a new Fall TV show that you have added to your DVR?
It's a sore subject, but I still don't have DVR! (Damn you Time Warner!) BUT i I did, you bet your bottom dollar Nashville would be on there!

Share your social media links for us to follow you on (pinterest, twitter, facebook, etc). Tell us which is your favorite and why.
Pinterest {here} Twitter {here} Tumblr {here} Instagram @swtcarolinagrl5 Youtube {here}
I love all forms of social media, but if I had to choose a favorite it would be Twitter. I think blogs are a way to 'meet' people, and then you actually get on Twitter and talk to each other and become 'friends.' If I had to give up my blog tomorrow I would still have twitter to talk to all the girls I chat with on a daily basis. 
They all have their perks though. Tumblr for me is like lazy man's blogging, Pinterest houses my dream wardrobe, house, wedding, and menu; Instagram is for when I'm too tired to read Twitter, and Youtube is where I discovered my love for all things beauty-related.   What is a TV series or movie or song you could listen to or watch over and over and over and never get tired of...feel free to name one of each!
TV Series

Big Bang Theory

Movie

Song

It's so hard to choose just one song, so I'm going with one artist...Carrie Underwood!
Hope everyone has a great ending to their weekend!

Sunday Social Week 10

Linking up once again for Sunday Social. And it's another one about my favorite things...FOOD!!
If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be? I know it's technically more of a 'group' of food then one food item, but I've always said I would want various types of chips and dips as my "final" meal. I'm craving some even as I'm typing this...

What's your guilty pleasure/comfort food? Nice greasy cheesy pizza. Preferably with some marinara or garlic sauce to dip it in (clearly I'm a dip person)
What's the weirdest/craziest thing you've ever eaten? I play it pretty safe when it comes to food, but probably the craziest combo I've ever done is spaghetti noodles with ketchup
What foods do you avoid at all costs? beef (hence the spaghetti-ketchup combo), mustard, bologna, lima beans, sushi
What meal reminds you of your childhood? When my brother and I were little our grandmother watched us every summer and I always remember she would cook the traditional Lebanese dish rice with noodles. Since I don't eat red meat this is one of the few Lebanese dishes I eat!

Share one of your favorite recipes and the story behind it. Considering I don't cook, this was the toughest question this week! The only thing I have made with success is Buffalo Chicken Dip. I don't really have a set recipe I use, but this one is the closest except instead of baking mine I just mix all the ingredients in a pot on the stove and let it simmer until it's warm enough. Definitely a party favorite!
Have you linked up this week? If so let me know!!

Sunday Social Week 9

Once again linking up with Neely and Ashley for Sunday Social! Can't believe it's week 9 already. Even though I haven't participated every week this may be my most consistent link up! #progress
Here are this week's questions: 
1. What is your favorite Fall activity? College football (this will be a recurring theme in this post!), specifically SEC football

Source: collegefootballstore.com via Natalie on Pinterest

I enjoy everything about football, from the early morning tailgates to the night games under the lights of Williams-Brice, there is nothing like the atmosphere inside your home stadium. 

2. Do you follow a football team? If so which one and why? In case you are a VERY new reader, I will introduce myself: Hi my name is Natalie and I am a DIE HARD University of South Carolina Gamecock fan!

Source: Uploaded by user via Natalie on Pinterest

In South Carolina before you can even say your first words you are crowned either a Gamecock or a *dreaded* Clemson Tiger. The rivalry runs deep, you don't have to necessarily graduate from USC, but if you do that devotion to the garnet and black runs even stronger. I was a casual fan before I went to college, but being able to go to the football games every single weekend and sit in the student section made me just a tad obsessed with this team (I'm talking turning off Real Housewives and watching Sportscenter!).   3. What is something fun about Fall in your area? Growing up in SC the first 2 weeks in October always mean the SC State Fair is coming to town! The fair is full of things to do and see, from simply people watching to riding rides and eating crazy fried food (fried Pepsi with a side of fried Snickers anyone?!?), there is something for everyone at the fair!
4. Fave Fall outfit staples? Here are a couple looks I will be *attempting to* sport this fall

Source: homestoriesatoz.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: celebritystyleguide.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Natalie on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via Natalie on Pinterest

5. Thing you are looking forward to most about the coming Fall season? So much anticipation this fall! Gamecock football, my 23rd birthday, starting my master's program, hopefully starting a new job, and fall tv!!
6. Favorite Fall holiday? Traditions? Probably Thanksgiving. It's a pretty low key holiday for my family because my entire family gets together for Christmas, so we all go separate ways to the "other sides" of our families. So it's usually just our family of 4 at my parent's house eating your traditional Thanksgiving meal. Some years we head down to Myrtle Beach the day after Thanksgiving for some Black Friday shopping at the outlets...it depends on whether or not I have tickets to the Carolina-Clemson game, which is ALWAYS Thanksgiving weekend ;)
Hope everyone has a great start to their week!! What is your favorite thing about fall??

Sunday Social Week 8

Happy Sunday! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was mainly spent being frustrated at work and that's always a bummer. But the good news is that I have a job interview this week that I am cautiously optimistic about so hopefully will be able to share more soon! Anyways, on to this week's questions... 
1. What is your dream job? 

Since I've decided to get my Master's in Cosmetic Chemistry, I would obviously be something in the cosmetic industry. I'm sure at some point I'll work in a lab formulating cosmetics, but I think I would ultimately like to be a field educator for a cosmetics company and go around to different vendors and show them the new products.

ULTIMATE dream job would be college football commentator. AKA the job Erin Andrews had for ESPN.

 

2. If you had just won the lottery and didn't need to work for money, what would 

you do with your time?

Play tennis and give kids tennis lessons, volunteer at a children's hospital, focus more on blogging, try out and test all kinds of beauty products!

3. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was little my mom brain washed me into thinking I wanted to be a nurse anesthetist like her. I quickly changed my tune and through most of high school I wanted to be a marine biologist and essentially swim with dolphins (I mean who doesn't?!?). 

4. What piece career advice would you give to someone just starting out in your 

field?

Haha well considering I'm trying to transition into the cosmetic field I am all ears for advice!!

As far as my experience in the medical/pharmacy field, make sure you actually get some experience working in a pharmacy before you 100% decide it's the career you want. After working in a retail pharmacy for 4+ years I can with certainty say that I am glad I didn't go to pharmacy school. Things happen for a reason people!! 

5. Biggest Pet Peeves either in life or in blogging or at work

I answered this question in the post below, but as far as blogging and "social media" pet peeves my biggest thing is non-acknowledgement. I FULLY understand that we are all busy but a simple email or tweet acknowledging a communication isn't that hard. 

BIGGEST work pet peeve is the "do as I say, not as I do" mindset. Too many people I work with have this attitude and it drives me NUTS!!!

6. Biggest FearsNot finding love, immediate family member dying, spiders and snakes
Hope you enjoyed this week's link-up! Also if you're a fan of all thing monogrammed (and let's face it who isn't) make sure you head over to Chicago Prepster's blog and enter to win a monogrammed or Greek letter tee! Just don't do too many entries cuz I wanna win! ;)

Have a great start to the week everyone!! 

Sunday Social Week 7

I've missed the last couple Sunday Social link-ups for various reasons (wedding, vacation, sick etc) but I could NOT let this one pass me by! Especially since it's about one of my favorite new purchases! ;)

 Favorite handbag you've ever owned

My new Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM in Damier Ebene! I bought this my first day in London (almost immediately after we got off the plane!) after saving for what seems like FOREVER and it has been my obsession ever since. I carried it the majority of the trip and it was a saving grace when you have to lug around all your rain-gear and souvenirs. Even my dad who was appalled at me that I was spending this much on a handbag came to at least accept it after I carried his stuff around all week :)
   

Dream handbag you lust over


Since I have acquired the bag I have been lusting over for years, I had to peruse through a couple websites to find another bag that captured my attention. I know I know it was a tough task, but never fear I did prevail...

Valentino Bow-Front Dome Tote

I mean who doesn't love a classic black tote with a huge bow on top?!? Not saying I'll be buying this bag (or any bag for that matter) anytime soon, but if this beauty was to find it's 

way into my closet I wouldn't be upset. 

Of course there is the infamous Hermes Birkin bag that I think all girls lust over. Unless I happen to find myself a man as wealthy as Christian Grey, this will probably be a bag that I will be lusting over for a LONG time! 

Daily essentials in your purse or work bag

Besides the normal basics like wallet, phone etc, there are a couple things that I don't like to leave home without...

• Erin Condren planner (can't wait to order my new one!)
• some sort of lip balm 
• body spray
• sunglasses

What's in your purse(with pictures)

1. Union Jack umbrella  2. Badgley Mischka wallet  3. Michael Kors pouch  4. Erin Condren planner  5. Target wayfarers  6. Target coupon organizer  7. Gucci sunglasses  8. keys  9. Orbit gum  10. B&BW body spray  11. deodorant  12. hand sanitizer  13. hand lotion  14. pedometer  15. hairbrush  

1. Vera Bradley Carry It All Wristlet in Call Me Coral  2. Bath and Body Works Hand Sanitizer in Winter Candy Apple  3. Wimbledon keychain  4. Apartment keys and fob  5. Car remote and key

1. Gucci sunglasses (discontinued)  2. Target wayfarers (here)  3. Erin Condren planner (here)  4. Foray Porous Point Pen...don't bleed through the pages! (here) and random Fleet Feet pen

1. bareMinerals READY SPF 15 Touch Up Veil in Tinted (here) 2. bareMinerals Flawless Face brush (here)  3. Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Volupte in 6 Rose Cannele (here)  4. Revlon Colorburst lip gloss in 008 Peony (here)  5. Chanel Glossimer in 03 Glaze (here)  6. Revlon Lip Butter in 020 Brown Sugar (here)  7. Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara (here)  8. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser (here)  9. Vaseline...great lip treatment!  10. EOS lip balm in sweet mint (here) 

1. Bath and Body Works Fragrance Mist in Paris Amour (here)  2. Dove deodorant (here)  3. Bath and Body Works lotion in Carried Away (here)  4. Bath and Body Works PocketBac in Twilight Woods  5. Pedometer  6. hairbrush

Hope yall enjoyed this post! I can't wait to read all the other posts that link up!!

Sunday Social Week 2

Once again linking up with Ashley and Neely for Sunday Social. Let me know if you guys link up I would love to read your responses!
Favorite movie of all time?

Even though I am not a huge movie person (I would much rather watch an episode of my favorite tv show) there are a couple that I will immediately turn to and watch when I see them on tv. Grease is just a fun movie to watch, even though it is a tad dirty (was anyone else surprised when they watched for the 'first time' with 'older' eyes and ears??) and the message isn't the greatest haha. 
The Little Mermaid will always and forever be my favorite Disney movie. I can't really explain why, but ever since I saw it when I was 3 years old, I was hooked.
The Wedding Date wasn't a favorite from the start. When I first saw it in the theater, I though it was just ok since I had read the book prior and thought it was much better. But this is one of those movies that is on tv all the time, and as I kept watching it, I fell in love. I love Debra Messing and think Dermot Mulroney is pretty swoon-worthy, and I like how their relationship develops and his protective tendencies towards her (I'm a sucker for a alpha-male, protective type). If you're scrolling through the tv and see this movie on, definitely give it a shot if you haven't seen it. 
Favorite movie quote? I pondered this question for a bit and not one quote could come to mind! Don't get me wrong I am a huge quote lover but most of my favorites come from music, tv shows, and books. So I didn't want to simply look up a random quote and stick it on here! 
Best movie to watch for a girl's night in?

From the few link-ups I've already peeked at this seems to be a very popular answer! But there's a reason 99.9% of girls love this movie. It's the ultimate head-over-heels, all-consuming love story that is guaranteed to make you cry each and every time.
Best break-up movie?

I would consider The Holiday one of my favorite movies in general, but I think it's also a great break up movie. I think it shows what toxic relationships can do in your life, and how life DOES go on and there are better things to come when you least expect it. Also Jude Law isn't hard to look at ;)
Favorite celeb eye candy?

Ladies...I present Mr. Channing Tatum! Although I would also take any of his Magic Mike co-stars (Who else is SOO excited about this movie btw?!?)
Which movie star's closet would you like to raid?

I love Reese Witherspoon. I feel like her style is classic yet still on trend. I also love how you see pictures of her from years ago and they don't look dated or out of style. I hope I can say the same when I look back on pictures of me!
Hope you guys enjoyed this little Q&A! Have a Happy Monday!!
xoxoNatalie

Sunday Social Link-Up!

I know I know...where the h*** have I been?!?! I have no excuses, only that I have missed this little blog and am hoping to get back into a writing routine. Especially since I have a couple of big events coming up in the next couple weeks, from my college roommate getting married to family vacation in London! So to kick things off....

I saw this link-up mentioned by one of my new favorite bloggers Meghan @ Shine On...tales of a twenty-something and thought it would be a great way to dive back into things (even though I am a day late!)



The Sunday Social linkup is hosted by Ashley and Neely, and each Sunday they are going to post a set of questions with a central theme with the main goal being so that you can link up on their blogs and get to know some new bloggers! I wasn't a reader of either blog before tonight, but I am definitely a follower now! With this being the first week of the link-up, the questions had a "get to know you theme"
How did you come up with your blog name? Originally, I named my blog carolina prep (see URL since I've never changed it), but about 2 years ago I realized I wasn't so much a fan of that name and decided to switch over the Sweet Carolina Girl. I think it's much more a representation of what my blog is about, as well as matches my twitter name (@swtcarolinagrl5) and other social media sites. If anyone has an idea how to switch over my URL lemme know! 
What is your favorite thing about blogging? Hands down all the friends and people I have met. This is also largely in part to Twitter, but I would have never met any of the fabulous people I now talk to on a daily basis if it wasn't for the blogging world. I also love that even though we all live our crazy hectic lives, most of the time you're able to find someone who is going through similar situations you are and you know you aren't alone. I've said it multiple times but I so wish I lived closer to some of these wonderful ladies!
What is the one thing you have discovered because of blogging and now can't live without? O my goodness, there are so many things. Erin Condren life planners (SOO excited about the new planners coming out!), Etsy, flash sale websites, new makeup products, the list goes on and on and on!! 

Facebook or Twitter? and why? TWITTER!! Even though I haven't written on this blog in almost 4 months, I am on twitter constantly. The obsession only grew when I got my iPhone and literally had it all day everyday with me in the palm of my hand. I think twitter is a great way to develop the relationships you have made with the people you met while blogging. It also often acts as a source of news (it's where I first heard about Osama Bin Laden's death) and always keeps my updated on my SVU scoop! 
If one celeb read your blog who would you want it to be? The woman is way too busy, but my fave Mariska Hargitay. The woman can do no wrong! 
What is something you want people to know about your blog? I may not post all that frequently, but what I post is 100% me. I am a twenty-something recent college grad trying to find my dream job in this crazy place they call the "real world." I'm obsessed with all things beauty-related, will watch Law and Order:SVU all day everyday, and will be a Carolina Gamecock fan until the day I die!!

Hope everyone has a great start to their week. If you have any kind of blog post you would like to see, please let me know! I'm hoping to put up a couple mail-order beauty box reviews and some favorite products soon! Love yall!!
xoxoNatalie