YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW...

Stories are fun. You get to tell a little information about yourself and something you have experienced. One of the things I love about blogging is that you get to know other bloggers through their stories, but there is still plenty you never get to know about them.

Here are a few things you probably don't know...

I secretly wanted to be a child actress. In middle school*, I wished that they would have a spin off of Gilmore Girls, and that I could be on the show. I have since then learned acting is not exactly my thing, but I secretly used to get so excited when the commercials about casting for new Disney shows came on the radio.

I was a bit of a tomboy in elementary school. This wasn't always the case. But I went through a couple of years where the idea of wearing a dress or skirt was repulsive.

My guilty pleasure snack is potato chips. 

I used to get really bad hives as a kid. One day in first grade, I convinced my mom let me go to school with them, because I wasn't sick otherwise--and I was the weird kid that begged to go to school even when I was sick. During our free time some kid drew a picture of a girl with red dots all over her face and said, "Look, it's Taylor!" I never went to school with hives again. 

I once named a fish Duke after Channing Tatum's characters in both She's the Man and GI Joe.

I used to say I was never going to wear makeup. This only lasted until 8th grade--where I experimented with wearing purple eyeliner. What was I thinking?

My favorite movie series is the Back to the Future movies.

I have been trying to teach myself the guitar since 4th grade. Similarly, in 4th grade my friends and I were convinced we were going to start a band. We used to spend hours coming up with names for it. 

In middle school I asked for a medical terms book, and I would spend hours studying it--to the point that I understood some of the stuff they were talking about on House M.D. more than most people would. I thought I could get a head start on studying for medical school.

One summer I watched Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl nine times.

What's something I probably don't know about you? 

Join the linkup at Helene in Between!

*Many of my awkward moments and stories of course come from middle school. 

FALL FAVORITES

Fall is a favorite of many. As much as we love sunshine and beach days, the crisp Autumn air is accompanied by some pretty fun fall traditions. This has become even more apparent to me as I started paying attention to the blogging scene. The transition from summer to fall used to be more about getting used to the new school year and switching over items in my wardrobe. But anyone who uses Pinterest knows PSLs and apple/pumpkin-themed pictures are fall-musts for many.

A few of my fall favorites:

//ONE//
Football Games
I will admit I am not super knowledgeable about any sports. I couldn't tell you which teams are better than any others in any sport of any kind. Yet, college football games are one of my new favorite parts about fall. There is so much excitement in the air. School pride is in full bloom. My favorite part at my school is admiring the sea of red herding to the stadium. Everyone is in a good mood, ready to root on the team.

//TWO//
Fall Weather
This week has been super rainy, and I am not a fan of getting unexpectedly caught out in the cold rain. It makes my naturally curly hair a frizzy poof-ball, and there's something about rain that makes me uncomfortable. My idea of a perfect fall day is sunny with a sort-of crisp cold in the air. It's warm enough to tolerate being outside, but it's cool enough to bundle up in a knit-sweater and a scarf. Yesterday was finally that day--just in time for one my roommate's birthday. It was a gorgeous day, and one of the few we may have left before the seemingly never-ending winter that is approaching too quickly.

//THREE//
Big Sweaters and Scarves
As I mentioned, my favorite fall weather involves being able to wear sweaters and scarves. They are both comfy and cute. I love looking at the fashion pins in the fall. There are so many ways to dress up a simple sweater, which definitely makes the change in weather bearable.

//FOUR//
Fall Coffee
Including, but not limited to the Pumpkin Spiced Latte. I am a sucker for a good Salted Caramel Mocha--my favorite is at Starbucks. Who doesn't love a good seasonal treat to warm them up?

//FIVE//
Boots
As much as I love my converse, they do not hold up in the winter months. I need something that's going to offer me a little more protection from the cold and the snow. Plus, boots can be super stylish. I love that you can turn a look from sporty to semi-dressy just by swapping out your tennis shoes for some riding boots.

//SIX//
Holidays
Admittedly, Halloween is not my favorite holiday. It's fun, but I am awful at coming up with costume ideas. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and that keeps me motivated on so many levels. It's a chance to get back home to catch up with family and friends. And this time of year always makes me so nostalgic. I love sitting around the table with family, talking about everything we are thankful for.

//SEVEN//
Halloween Movies
While Halloween isn't really my thing, I love all the movies about it--specifically the children ones. Any Halloweentown fans? Can we just pause for a minute to talk about the fact that is was totally not okay when they replaced Marnie in the final movie? It felt so wrong. But the first three are still amazing. I also love Hocus Pocus, Mom's Got a Date with a Vampire, Phantom of the Megaplex, and Don't Look Under the Bed.  I am not a huge fan of actual horror movies, but if there is any time for a good scary movie, it is now.

//EIGHT//
Fall Treats
Last weekend we had a birthday party for a couple of my roommates, so we decided to make a few desserts for our friends. A few weeks ago I picked up a Betty Crocker pouch and cream cheese frosting to make Pumpkin Bars. I had never made anything like them before, so I was a little be nervous. I cut them up into bite-size rectangles and I had to muster up some pretty great self-control to leave them for guests. I think I am still one up on my friend Jen, who is crazy about anything pumpkin. She even sent a picture in our group message of her pumpkin-themed grocery basket at Target one day. No matter how much you love/hate pumpkin, there is a fall treat for anyone. Fresh apples and caramel are one of my favorite fall snacks.

What are your favorite parts about Fall?

Currently

What's new in the Life in the Lost and Found Bin?

Week one of sophomore year. Check. 

Loss of time management skills. Check. 

Updating Life in the Lost and Found Bin. Oops.

Today I am linking up over at A Mama Collective. I was actually inspired to do so after reading Jessica's "Collective" recently on Seeking Individuality. 

 
Thinking About// What I want to do with the rest of my life. The beginning of a new semester is always interesting. You meet new people, which leads to awkward small talk--which, in turn, leads to "so what's your major?" As I am undecided, answering this question is always interesting. Sometimes I say something like, "I want to do communication arts--the Film, TV, Radio track, and possibly double that with Strategic Communications through the Journalism school." For classmates who understand the majors better I might say, "Comm arts and strat comm through the J-School"--because short lingo is always way more fun. But more often than not, I simply reply "I am studying film and advertising." It is a a concise and understandable version of what I am considering the most. As I live a Life in the Lost and Found Bin, I don't have it all figured out. But it is nice to have ideas about what I am most passionate about.

Excited For// This weekend I am going home for a friend's wedding. I cannot believe one of my friends from high school is already getting married, but I am so happy for her, and I cannot wait to see her walking down the aisle. It will also be nice to be home for a weekend, even if it is a little earlier in the semester than I anticipated.

Reading// Class readings. So many class readings. My classes this semester all involve a large chunk of reading. It is obvious I won't be doing to much reading-for-pleasure this semester. The other downside of this semester is I have a lot of course-required writing, which that leaves less time for writing things like blog posts and short stories. My goal is to keep up reading a few blogs every day, and writing a post at least twice a week. Cross-my-fingers it works out.

Watching// I have been attempting to keep up with the end of my favorite reality show, Big Brother. Given that I spend most of my time reading and doing homework now, there is not much extra time to watch TV. When I have watched anything, it has been mostly for social enjoyment. After the football game on Saturday, my roommates and I came back and crashed on the couch to watch She's the Man. The only thing that might have been funnier than Amanda Byne's at her best was one of my roommates constantly complaining about how unrealistic it was. We had to keep reminding her many movies are not known for their realism, as they are often imaginary events.

Listening to// "One Night Town" by Ingrid Michaelson feat. Mat Kearney. This song made my summer a little cheerier. A good friend told me he swoons every time Ingrid sings, "Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh." These two are some of my favorite. I have even seen Ingrid and Mat at two different Basilica Block Parties. In my opinion, the singer-songwriter genre of this decade culminates in this uplifting duet.

 

What have you been up to lately?