sCe Reflects: Post Grad Life

"You get a strange feeling when you are about to leave a place. Like you'll not only miss the people you love, but you'll miss the person you are now, at this time and place, because you'll never be this way ever again."- Azar Nafisi

I can't believe I have been out of college for an entire year. Not only does it make me feel old, but it's definitely bittersweet. Not a day goes by that I don't think about my favorite little place in Virginia.

Coming from someone who is now a year out of college, I think the above quote sums up a persons time in college. I have been looking for a way to put the "feeling" of graduating college and venturing out into the world that is called "real" onto paper (my first attempt was purely satirical). My plan was to write a sort of "reflection" as a year of post-grad life had passed. I have been thinking on this for a while and could not seem to form the "feeling" into words. I have half written blog drafts, notes on my phone, but none of it seemed up to par with my collegiate experience. Call it writers block, if you wish. It's more of a strange feeling than a sad one or a happy one. When I stumbled upon the above quote it was as if my feelings were eloquently versed. Of course, this is not what Ms. Nafisi was referring to in her memoir, but as I pull the quote from its' context, it just works.

As I have ventured through life, now as an adult, I have grown and learned in more ways than I could have ever imagined. I hope my thirst for knowledge and experiences never wanes. I feel even more thankful now, than I did a year ago, to have had such an incredible 4 year experience... so incredible that I am still posting about it today.

My 4 years in college were some of the best years of my life and I would not go back to change a single thing about those years nor how I have chosen to spend the first year of post-grad life. Throughout the years, the cliched saying of "everything happens for a reason" resonates through and through. Throughout my life, I have lived with two concepts in the back of my mind, always: hard work always pays off and be kind to everyone you meet.


“JMU is not just an institution of higher learning, but it is a
spirit, it is an atmosphere, it is…a way of life. I am glad to say 
that I have lived.”


Cheers to "sophomore year" in the real world ;)

Congratulations to all who are graduating this year. It is certainly something to be proud of!
Have a fabulous day! 

Yours, 

sCe

Summer Wind Readers Share!

Remember when I posted about my graduation cap and how I decorated it? Well, it's only taken me a month, but some Summer Wind readers sent me photos of their amazing caps and they are just too fabulous not to share! 

A fellow Steeler fan, Caroline decorated hers in Lilly with a pretty monogram. She also had bird stickers because it was a special thing between her and her mom. Such a neat thought!

 This is Jessica of the Preppy Post Grad's cap. I love that she outlined her monogram! 

 This pink and green beauty was created by @barbiedoll313. Love that she added a bow to one the corners!

And this is Andrea's fun red, white and blue cap. I absolutely love the detailed woven aspect... so creative and different! 

Are you planning on decorating? Did you decorate yours? Thanks to those who sent in their caps-- I loved sharing them! Have a fabulous day.

Yours, 

sCe

Graduation season is upon us...

With graduations around the corner, I thought I would share how I decorated my cap for my James Madison  University 2012 graduation! 

I didn't do this, but looking back on it, I would start by drawing a mock-up of what you want your cap to look like. Realistically, your cap is a diamond, not a square when it sits on your head. I didn't realize this so I decorated it as a square. I broke it down into 4 quadrants but the possibilities are endless. 

Then, I found high res photos of Lilly Patterns (and a random gingham pattern) and printed them out. I did a lot of measuring but the darn circle in the middle threw me off. Definitely draw a mock cap and place the circle in the mock-up and then you won't make that mistake. 

This was on a whim, so if you have time, if might be smart to order a vinyl monogram or two. For mine, I just cut out letters than I printed in Word. I found the printed ZTA letters on Tumblr and then got the Zeta crest and JMU crest off of Google images. The Lilly bow was from an old perfume. 

It rained on my graduation day so I suggest getting this laminated or spray it with something that will protect it from the elements because mine got ruined. So sad. 

I know a lot of schools don't allow cap decorating, but if they do, you should definitely do it. My parents could spot me from a mile away! 

Here are a few other I found from doing a simple Google/Pinterest search... 

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You can kind of see the top of my cap in this picture. Please note to all ladies out there. Graduation gowns are the absolute worst. Those hoods are bizarre and the hat gives you a bump in your hair and those cords... well you lose them as the day goes on (oops).... but it's the once in a lifetime experience that  matters! 

Did you decorate your cap? Send me a picture and I will feature it in a future Summer Wind post (SummerWind41490@gmail.com). Do you plan on decorating your cap? Have a fabulous day! 

Yours, 

sCe

Time Flies

I cannot believe that it has been an entire month since I graduated from James Madison University. It is truly amazing how time flies; especially 4 years of college. But even post-college, things have not slowed down! In an effort to savor the moment, here are some more photos from that great day! 

 Daddy and Mother! 

Daddy! I wore a very old Lilly dress (it had the white tag with the black "Lilly") because I wanted to be absolutely sure that no one would have the same dress as me and it worked... lots of girls were in Lilly and I saw a lot of repeats but no one had on the dress that I wore. I actually had never worn the dress before; It was my first ever eBay purchase. I searched high and low for a Lilly dress that I loved that was also old enough that no one else would have it.

Mother!

At one point it started to torrential downpour and my cute little cap got ruined from the rain... the things that you wear around your neck and down your back are called "hoods", so I thought it would keep the rain off of my head... I thought I looked like Dumbledore. 

A sea of proud parents!

Walking off stage with "diploma" in hand.... we don't receive our actual diploma for a month or so by mail. I loved that there were no assigned seats so I got to sit with my best friends and sorority sisters. jSl was right behind me and aBl was right in front of me!

Mac loves JMU! Every time he comes to visit, we take him to the quad to play! This was back in February and he had a great time!

aBl and I! We had matching necklaces on.

After yesterday, both cCm and I are graduates! What a month it has been! I am so thankful for all of my friends,  family and blog-o-sphere friends for all of the well wishes, compliments and support. I feel so lucky to have been fortunate enough attend such a wonderful school and receive a college education. Have a fabulous day!

Yours, 

sCe

James Madison University Class of 2012

Cap and Gown in front of Wilson Steps on the Quad

bEw and I at a "pink out" football game. Zeta organized the entire pink out!

Daddy, Mom, and me in front of the sign of my freshman dorm, Spruce.

My ZTA family on Bid Cel, 2010 on the Quad

Walking to bEw's fraternity and taking a pause on the steps of Wislon, Quad. 

Zeta Seniors at Dave's Taverna. Best cheese steaks ever. 

Crab Grab 2011

Clockwise from top left: My sorority house, walking to my car in Warsaw, Harrison Hall where I took most of my classes, The quad on a sunny day.

Clockwise from top left:Walking to class through Forbes Center, Looking from the parking deck to see my Converse Hall (my sophomore year dorm), Carrier Library (where I studied and got my Starbucks fix), the quad from Harrison Hall POV.

Clockwise from top left: The convocation center where we won Greek Sing 2012, Festival Ballroom where I put on an event, JMU's East Campus, Hanging out on the quad.

E-hall. Ranked 5th best food in the country!

Bid Cel 2011, jSl and I on the quad

Tailgating, Fall 2011

My best girlfriends.

Hats off!
And if you want more gorgeous shots of my HOME, check out this incredibly well done video of last years graduation; it brings a tear to my eye.

Yours, 

sCe

Dear Graduation Fairy...

Happy May!! So, I happen to be graduating... Have I mentioned that recently?! Anyways, I thought instead of doing a graduation gift guide, I'd do a list of what I'd like to receive for graduation.

 Lilly Pulitzer Murfee in Surf Blue Checking In

I love this print and have yet to own a Murfee so it is about time!

A Vineyard Vines Shep Shirt

This is another closet staple that I don't own. It definitely needs to get into my wardrobe. Plus, I just love how BAH of Panache monogrammed hers! What a perfect idea. Question about these: Should I get a small or medium? I've never even tried one on and can't decide if I want it fitted or roomy-- how do you wear yours? Most of my half zip fleeces I like roomy.

Herend

Le sigh.  I know I would break this within days of wearing it... But it's so pretty.

MacBook Pro... 13" or 15" or 17"?!

This is not even a want at this point, it's a need. I won't even bring up "the computer that shall not be named", cough DELL cough, because it is ready to bite-the-dust. Finally. I've Tweeted/blogged/etc. about how much I hate my Dell. It literally is the worst computer I've ever owned. But still, I consider myself lucky and am thankful to have a computer (thanks Mom and Dad!). I'm ready for the Mac world. The only thing is I am wondering which size I should get; 13", 15", or 17"? I am leaning towards the 15" because I feel that the 17" will be too large to fit in some of my tote bags and then the 13" will be a little smaller than I'd like. Feel free to weigh-in under the comments!

Kate Spade Tudor City

I'm a big girl now! No, not the pull-ups commercial, but really, after my disastrous experience with Gallery Leather, I think it's time I get my hands on this gem.

 Sheridan French Clutch
I love that this is such a vibrant blue hue. It is a perfect match for a tan, little white shift, gold Jacks, and a gold cocktail ring.

A little orange box

But really... I tried to score a clic clac on Rue La La a few weeks ago, but they were sold out before I could snatch one.  

Alright, I am going to stop now before I get a phone call from my parents asking me if I think I'm getting a "job" as a socialite upon graduation...Have a fabulous day!

Yours, 

sCe

As we go on, We remember...

{I cannot believe this was 4 years ago! I look so silly, but this was the only picture of me with my cap on... I took it off as soon as I could!}

I will be graduating on Saturday May 5, 2012 from college. To say I am excited is an understatement. I am sad to leave this chapter of my life, but excited and ready for a fulfilling post-grad experience.

For privacy/security reasons, I have never given any information as to what school I attend. Although, I have dropped many a hint ;). Since I am graduating, I figure it is about time that I let the world know about the amazing school I have attended for the past 4 years. Not to mention, it will be pretty obvious with pictures of me in my cap and gown in specific locations around the campus.

So, I am going to hold a contest of sorts. You can comment with where you think I go to school. I am not going to publish any of the comments so everyone gets a fair chance and the ones that guess the correct school will be entered into a raffle and win a surprise/small gift from my school.

Your guess will not be counted if:

• You are friends with me on my personal Facebook
• You go to my school (I would hope that this is a given, but you never know!)
• I have told you personally through e-mail

I thought this would be a fun/different way to go about blogging about my graduation (because I can promise you, there will be many posts about it!). The winner will be announced the week of May 7, 2012. Good luck! I am excited to see what people think. Happy guessing! Have a fabulous day!

Yours,
sCe