New Car Accessories

Last night I got my first ever, brand new car! I'm sure the whole world is sick and tired of hearing me talk about my dream of a white SUV with a third row; I know Christopher was! After much debating on body styles and features, we decided to go with a Toyota 4Runner SR5 Premium. It met all of my "requirements": white, tan leather, third row, sunroof; and was sporty looking in the body style for him.

But now comes the fun part: the accessories. The hubs puts nothing on his car, but I like a little personality and flair {monogram, anyone?}. These are a few things I'd like to deck "Fancy the 4Runner."

My favorite pewter GS Alumni license plate frame is nowhere to be found!
This one from Amazon would be a good alternative. 

If not going the Georgia Southern route, I am loving all things marble right now.
A monogrammed set from Etsy would do the trick! 

Speaking of marble and monograms...I may have already ordered
this Moon & Lola keychain in the "Blonde Tortoise" marble-y color
with my gold monogram! 

I've never really had to think about a trailer hitch before, but
this cover would be the perfect way to show my GS pride! 

Phi Mu Forever

I joined Phi Mu Fraternity in the fall of 2010. I went through recruitment the week before starting my freshman year at Georgia Southern University and never looked back. Participating in recruitment wasn't even really a thought for me, it was something I knew I would do. My mother had been in a local sorority in college which eventually became the first Panhellenic chapter on Kennesaw State University's campus...a Phi Mu chapter, too. I knew that the organization provided her a home, a place to belong, and I grew up seeing her relationship with true, lifelong friends. There was no doubt that I wanted that, too.

Phi Mu brought me not only lifelong friends, sisters, and bridesmaids, but opportunities in the workforce and socially as an adult. I am an active member in our local alum chapter, and serve as the Financial Advisor to the Georgia Southern Phi Mu chapter, Kappa Mu, as well as the treasurer for the Kappa Mu House Corporation. When they say that Phi Mu is forever, it's totally true.

This Tuesday, the local chapter hosted a Founders' Day ceremony and dinner and invited the alumni chapter. It's one of my favorite events each year because I love seeing all the girls in their pink, and it's a good excuse for me to wear it too...not that I ever need an excuse!

The alumni chapter is made up of a great group of ladies from all walks of life. I love hearing their stories about how Phi Mu used to be, here and at the other schools they attended. It's like having my own grown up pledge class!

And of course, it's a convenient way to schedule the weekly dinner{s} with the bestie, too...

#2015bestnine

2015 has been such a whirlwind of a year. Today, I'm exactly four months away from getting married and with New Year's Eve tomorrow, it seems like the perfect time for reflection.

2015 Best Nine Memories

My best memories of this past year don't exactly align with my most popular Instagram photos of the year, but they're pretty close.

1. Engagement pictures--this was something I had looked forward to for such a long time. We had a great day with the perfect weather, as well as an excellent photographer who helped me relax and perfectly captured our relationship. Christopher and I both talk about how much fun we had on that day, and how excited we were to look through the pictures only a million times. 
2. Dolls Do HHI--The first of hopefully many annual college girlfriends weekends during the last weekend of July on Hilton Head Island. Too many memories from this weekend to count, and too many we may not remember...oops. 
3. Georgia Southern football games--something I look forward to every year, but this year was by far the best. We got into a really good groove, and I loved having my regular weekend visitors stay with me!
4. My best friend's wedding--Niki's wedding was a definite reoccurring theme throughout 2015. Weddings seem to provide extra opportunities for fun times together, which I love. We had a great time going on her bachelorette in Chattanooga, and her wedding was perfection. 
5. Wedding planning--Once we settled on a date in early spring, planning my wedding truly began! Finally! It's been something I've really enjoyed and has been relatively stress free. I've had a while to cultivate a vision and feel for the day, which has helped the other events like showers and things come together seamlessly as well. Of course, I couldn't do this without my mom and Maid of Honor, as we hash and rehash everything a million times each night on the phone! 
6. Moving into my new house--I moved into a new house at the end of February which I am incredibly thankful for. It has been a place of serenity for me, as well as a home full of laughter and love, filled frequently with friends and family. I'm thankful to have the space to share and time together. 
7. Starting Therapy--maybe this isn't the cool thing to talk about, but starting to see a therapist regularly has been life changing for me. It's something I look forward to, and something I've grown from. Most people know that my life over the past two/three years has been tumultuous at best. After keeping a strong front, I finally wore down and could not handle the stress any longer. After working through some bigger, overarching issues, my sessions focus a lot of self development and being an emotionally healthy person. My goal from the beginning has been that I want to be my best self for my marriage. I feel like therapy has helped all of my relationships so much, but also my own personal sanity and physical health as well. If you're questioning it, don't--just find someone you're comfortable with and trust. It's life changing! 
8. Phi Mu--I've become an advisor for my Phi Mu chapter this year, and have also taken on an important role in the chapter's housing corporation. It's been challenging, but so very rewarding. I love spending time with the girls that were mine when I was the new member director, as well as learning from the alums that are still involved 60+ years after graduating.  
9. Friendships--My friendships have evolved a lot this year. I've also needed my friends more this year. It takes a while to transition from seeing your friends everyday in college, to incorporating them into your daily life postgrad in an intentional, real way. I've also developed more 'adult' or 'professional' friendships that I enjoy.  I'm thankful for the reconnections, the closeness, and joy that I've experienced in these relationships and can't wait to celebrate together in the coming months. 

Thankful for an amazing 2015, but I know 2016 is going to be even better...I can't wait!

So Apparently I'm Famous...

When I woke up this morning and saw a Facebook alert from a sorority sister reading "Piper, you're famous!" and a link...I'll admit, I got a little nervous. "What now..." was my initial thought, although I couldn't think of anything scandalous enough to make me Internet famous. Either way, I was pretty excited once I spotted it. Can you?

Check out the link now: http://www.buzzfeed.com/candacelowry/secrets-sorority-girls-wont-tell-you

And follow me on Instagram for more awesome pics {I can't not do a plug for this, right?} @piperellice.

Bid Day Memories

Happy First Day of School, GSU, and to many others! This is really the first year of my entire life that the first day of school hasn't significantly impacted my schedule...besides eliminating all trips to Wal-Mart, El Som, etc. Last week, I was able to stop by the Phi Mu house after a long day of recruitment and drop off some cookies with the BFF to all of the girls who had worked so hard throughout the week. It was great seeing everyone's beautiful faces, and I can't wait to spend more time with them now that school is back in session. Bid Day was Saturday this year, and looking through all of the pictures made me just a little nostalgic. They did a great job--Great Gatsby themed day, and it was too cool!--but I miss my days as a little Phi Mu!

Two years ago, I was in charge of Bid Day, and our theme was "We're Glad Phi Mu's on Your Mind" kind of like "We're Glad Georgia's on Your Mind." Here's some of my favorite shots from the day:

Phi Mu's flower, the rose colored carnation, as the new class'
yard signs. 

Is it okay to have the same centerpieces for my wedding?
I loved these! 

Quatrefoil Bid Day Cake

Me and my craftastic bestie, Kirstie!

Welcome to all the new Phi's--can't wait to meet you! 

Flashback Friday: Spring Break

Woooohooo!! It's Friday! And not only is it Friday, but it's the Friday before Spring Break! While I don't have too many glamorous plans {visit from fiance, stay with mother, Savannah} I am excited for a break from the real world for a week. Here's a few of my favorite pictures from Spring Break 2013, when me and the dolls all went on a cruise. This was my first cruise, and I'm not quite sure yet if it will be my last. I do wish I was laying out on the beach all week!

My Sweet Little Family 

Prettiest Girls I Ever Did See 

Not a backdrop, but the most beautiful sunset ever!

Bahamas 2013 

Bahamas 2013

My New Boyfriend: Senor Frog

One of my first Phi Mu friends, Amanda!

Throwback Thursday: Homecoming Edition

Georgia....Southern...!!! 
Whose house? Our house! 

It's that time of year again--Homecoming! I've missed the campaigning, voting, socializing, and Doo-Dah-ing of Georgia Southern Homecoming Week so much this year! I can't wait to spend Saturday on campus with all of my Phi Mu sisters and GSU friends tailgating and reminiscing. It's going to be so strange to attend the alumni brunch at the Phi Mu house as an actual alumni for the very first time. In honor of this fun-filled weekend, here are a few of my favorite football pics!

Homecoming 2010

Toga Party Social, Homecoming 2011

Football Season 2011, a.k.a. the day I grew a sixth toe,

had multiple wardrobe malfunctions/changes, and sprained my ankle

Homecoming 2012, with all of the Phi Mu house girls

and my bestie roommate, McKenna! 

Alumni Status

Tonight I became an alumna member of Phi Mu. These past three years have meant more to me than I could have ever imagined. My experiences and involvement in this amazing sorority have pushed and shaped me into someone I'm proud to be. I'm different because of my sisters. And for that, I will be thankful for eternity.

"To lend to those less fortunate a helping hand. To think of God as a protector and guide of us all...To be to others what we would they be to us..keeping true to the womanhood of love...To walk in the way of honor, guarding the purity of our thoughts and deeds. Being steadfast in every duty, small or large...and thus keeping true to the meaning, spirit, and reality of Phi Mu."