2013 Homecoming Weekend

This weekend was WM's Homecoming.  As a senior still attending The College, it wasn't so much a coming home event as it was a weekend with a nonstop schedule of events.

The highlights of the weekend would have to be Spotlight's Homecoming performance, the WM vs. JMU football game, the brilliantly amazing Freelance Whales concert, and my parents and brother making a visit.

Perfect weather and a victory against JMU was a great start to the night.  While the first half was pretty slow, I will say that it was an exciting game.

Unnecessary selfie taken before the Freelance Whales concert, an indie rock group from Brooklyn, New York.  And the best on campus concert I've been to my four years at WM.

Opener, John & Jacob.

Judah Dadone, lead singer of Freelance Whales!

Hayley's setlist that I got her to sign.  :D

Picture with some of the band.

Seeing alumni come back to The College, while heartwarming, makes us seniors remember the reality of this year.  It's time for us to decide what the hell we'll be doing come the spring.  And time to remember to make the most of senior year.

Currently listening to: "Hannah" Freelance Whales

Fashion Pinspiration

Skirts.  Perfect in the summer, easy to layer up in the fall.  Can anyone say socks and tights?  In particular, I love the silhouette that skater skirts give a body.  I've been looking to try out pleated skirts, too.

As always, all pictures can be found on my Pinterest.

Hello Fall!  Boots, cardigan, and a cup of something steaming.  That's all I need.

Currently listening to: "Kilojoules" Freelance Whales (in anticipation of a post to come)

Hot Pot and Pumpkins Galore

Why is it that my trips home revolve around food?  I'm not sure, but I'm not going to question it.  Fall break at home, while still rainy, was spent with family and food.  My sister and I baked two pumpkin recipes: Pumpkin Poppers and Pumpkin Bread.  Both came out really well, if I do say so myself.

For dinner one night, we had hot pot.  The dish revolves around a boiling pot of broth in the middle of the table and all types of accoutrements; noodles, vegetables, meats, and seafood.  As always, it was amazing.

Another day, my parents and I visited a small farmers market nearby.  I just can't stay away from a farmers market and the autumn vegetables.

Currently listening to: "Alone Together" Fall Out Boy

Heading for Greener Pastures

Heading home for the long weekend and looking forward to having a postworthy break.  Leaving campus for Fall Break is made oh, so more enjoyable when the weather's been as wet and rainy as it has been.

Currently listening to: "Red Hands" Walk Off the Earth

Farm 2 Fork

I'm beyond excited to write a post about the amazing dinner I went to yesterday.  Our campus held their 2nd annual Farm to Fork dinner outside on the Sunken Gardens.  The idea of the dinner was to take food produced and grown in local farms and put together a big, family-style dinner for a couple hundred foodies and people who want to feel good about knowing where their food is coming from.

After a stressful and busy week, this event was great for getting my spirits back up.  The event started just before sundown and it was a perfect autumn atmosphere.  All guests that attended were given small jars of local jam to take with them; I took back strawberry and blackberry jam.  The table setting was a basket filled with autumnal vegetables and a mason jar with water and rosemary.  Throughout the dinner, there were various folk music groups performing.

Table setting.  The basket and pumpkin are looking great in my apartment now.

Most importantly, the dinner was phenomenal.  A picture of the menu is up above and I think my favorite course was the wild mushroom lasagna, with the crab dip a close second.  The combination of the incredible food and the meal being family-style resulted in a comatose-like state by the end of the dinner.

Roast Free Range Chicken with Assorted Vegetables and Seasonal Greens

 Five Spice Rubbed Beef Brisket with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables

 

Supporting local farmers and smart, healthy eating are both things for which I am a big proponent. Having learned about the food industry methods and the environmental effects, in addition to its effect on small and local farmers, has led me to "shop on the edges of the supermarket" and buy organic and seasonal as often as I can.  This dinner was the perfect mix of my environmental and food consciousness.

Currently listening: "Featherstone" The Paper Kites

Fashion Blog Spotlight

Happy October!  It's hard to believe that it's the season for pumpkins, apple cider, and fall leaves...it's still 80 degrees on campus.  Hopefully it'll permanently change into fall soon, I miss my tights and sweaters.  :)

But in my rare free time tonight, I found this absolutely great French fashion blog, Et pourquoi pas Coline.  Her style is everything that I want mine to be: a perfect mix of edgy and urban, with its mix of textures, particularly leather and beautiful prints.  What I love is that her outfits aren't overly complicated, so every piece is intentional.

Currently listening to: "Philosophize In It! Chemicalize With It!" Kishi Bashi