aaaaaaannnnnnnndddddd CUT! bloggini

The Style Your Sole Party has came and gone! I feel it was extremely successful! The weather was beautiful, the people were enjoying themselves, and there was so much to look at!

I will have pictures coming to you soon!

Although I feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, I still feel so much stress for what is still to come.

I guess just sit back and relax because this is going to be a bumpy ride for about 5 more weeks. And then, smooth sailing for the summer. . .I hope.

GREECE & TURKEY HERE I COME!! ooooooo I can't wait for that trip!

I leave this short, but sweet bloggini with the song that is in my head :)

It's a Sound Thing. . .

To help me get through a bad day, designer block, or just depending on the mood I'm in music plays a role in all of it. I guess I shouldn't just say music, sound in general but we will focus on the music part.

This little bloggini is going to give you a little taste of what music I listen to and maybe give you a little sumthin' new to listen to.....again, just a little bit no where close to everything.

PS. . .Don't steal

Classics:
Super Tramp -Take The Long Way Home

Styx - Renegade

Faith No More -Epic

Forigner -Jukebox Hero

Journey -Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'

Country:

Jonathan Singleton & The Grove -Look Who's Back In Love

Carrie Underwood -Before He Cheats

Rap:

Outkast -Bombs Over Baghdad
I Like the Way You Move

Dorrough -Cream on the Inside

Flo Rida -Right Round

Baby Bash -Cyclone

Everything Else:

The Features -Lions
Wooden Heart
(any The Features Song ever made)

Jack Johnson - Flake
Let it be Sung
Sittin' Watin' Wishin'

John Mayer - Assasin
Edge of Desire
Something's Missing

Maroon 5 - Secret

OAR -Crazy Game of Poker

30 Seconds to Mars -The Kill

3 Days Grace -It's Not Too Late

Audioslave -Like A Stone


. . . . This is just a little taste of it all.

Recipe Day!!!

I wasn't sure what to blog about today and then I realized that I've been doing some cooking recently and trying out some new things in the kitchen. Don't get me wrong, I am no Top Chef, Iron Chef, or Food Network chef, but I do like to try new things and sometimes tweak them when I don't have all of the ingredients or just to make them my own.

I like things that are simple, not too difficult to make, and that uses the fewest dishes possible! Not to mention, I work on a budget.

Should we start with dessert first? I think we should. . .

Peanut Butter - Chocolate Ritz Crackers (This is typically a Christmas gift/treat idea)

*Some parchment paper or aluminum foil

*At least 1 box of Ritz Crackers (I get the Good Value brand b/c they are just as good at half the price)

*A jar of your favorite peanut butter (I would stick with creamy)

*2 packages of Almond Bark Baking Chocolate (it should be down your baking aisle)
You can choose to do white chocolate but I normally do milk chocolate. . .no reason you couldn't mix it up a bit.
Did I mention how simple this is going to be?

1. Go ahead and lay out about 2-3 sheets of your parchment paper or foil on your table, depending on how many sandwiches you are planning on making.

2. Make your peanut butter sandwich crackers. I would suggest a lot of peanut butter if you like. The chocolate tends to get a bit heavy and if you don't put enough peanut butter in them, you will lose the flavor.

3. Follow your directions on your Almond Bark package and melt the chocolate in a large bowl. I know this is kind of tedious because you can only microwave it for 30 seconds at a time but FOLLOW it because your chocolate will burn and will not taste good at all. TRUST ME I've tried it.

4. Once the chocolate is melted, I drop 2-3 of the peanut butter sandwiches flat into it and let them get covered on one side, then i flip them and push them down into the chocolate so that they are completely covered and I use a fork and spoon to pull them out and let an excess chocolate drizzle back into the bowl. (if you may have a better method than this, please share with me). Then place your chocolate covered peanut butter sandwiches on the parchment/foil and let them sit while you finish the rest.

5. Once you have finished all that you want, you should either let them sit overnight so that the chocolate is firm or if you decide that they are firm enough, you can bag them or put them in an airtight container or baggie. May I suggest putting a few in the refrigerator. . . they are pretty good when they are cold!

IF YOU HAVE LEFT OVER CHOCOLATE.......
Don't let it go to waste. . . this may sound crazy, but it is so DELICIOUS, take some Original Pringles and put them on foil or parchment paper, take your remaining chocolate and just drizzle it over them. Let it set and bag them up. This too is to be a huge hit to whoever you give them to.

Simple and tasty!! These make a great X-Mas, Easter, Birthday, any time gift for teachers, friends or parties.

Here are some images of different ways others have decorated theirs for you to see. . . sorry that I haven't taken pictures of mine in the past. I will make some soon and do that.





I hope you all enjoy!

A little break. . . maybe

Today officially starts Spring Break for me. . .well sort of.

This much needed break couldn't have come at a better time. I mean, it will be great to not have to worry about deadlines for the next week, but I do have to worry about them for when I get back.

No word about the TOMS internship yet, I wouldn't expect anything for a while. . . I'm still nervous and on the edge of my seat hoping and praying that I get this internship. If you haven't noticed already, I am EXTREMELY passionate about giving!

I am still planning, purchasing, arranging, and promoting the TOMS Style Your Sole Party at O'More College of Design on March 27th!! Please come out for a fun time and help promote a GREAT cause. You can purchase your shoes at the event from Nashville Clothing Company if you haven't already purchased some. :)

I know you have heard me say enough about that so I am going to talk about something a little different. . . . SURPRISE!!!!

The O'More annual cocktail party is coming up. Myself and the rest of SGA are doing our best to top last years. . . and I think we might just be doing that.

I wanted to buy a new dress for this occasion, but due to a budget, I don't see that happening. . .I can however dream and research dresses online, and here is what I found:

This AMAZING gown was found when I was searching for a yellow dress. Don't ask me why I wanted yellow, I have no tan, but I really wanted one.

I saw this dress and instantly fell in love!! I honestly don't dress up often but when I do, I like to do it right. After a little more research I found that this dress came out in 2007 and it is Oscar de la Renta. . . . . FACT: Oscar de la Renta is not cheap, kinda like $8995 NOT CHEAP! Of course my heart was broken after seeing that price tag and this dress was extremely far out of reach.








Moving on:
This cute little number was found on Etsy.

This dress would fit my body perfectly because of the high waist line and the way it flows down. . . .my hips need a little privacy so this dress could totally take care of that. But the more I look at it, the more I realize that it isn't really what I am looking for in regards to a cocktail dress. Don't get me wrong, still really cute, just not the "ONE".

I'm a tough shopper. Unless I feel like it is the "ONE" or an unbelievable deal, I won't buy it.


Then there was this dress:

Again, perfect cut for my body style and it accentuates the small waist and torso but there is just something about yellow and black that reminds me too much of being like a bumble bee. Not that yellow and black don't go together, but I prefer canary yellow with a navy. This dress also reminds me of a 50's house wife. . .and I don't know that it would compliment my hair style.





Call me crazy. . .but there is something about this dress. . . I'll need to marinate on it a little more to figure out what it is, and I know it goes against everything in a dress that will flatter my body. . .but I'm liking it.

Since I haven't found any winners, I guess the search will continue. I will try and keep you updated, but there are no promises. Well. . .no promises but more than likely.










Don't forget to get your TOMS and give a pair of shoes to a child in need. . . . .I can't wait for the new wedges!!! Check the beautiful babes out!!

FACT: I WILL own one in each color!!

One for One :)

Get a Little, Give ALOT Bloggini

Time is winding down on your opportunity to order your shoes for our TOMS Style Your Sole Party on March 27th! Monday is the last day to order from me on this FORM. Just in case you don't get a chance, we will have Nashville Clothing Company on campus vending what inventory they have.

I knew that this event was going to be huge for me and for my school when I considered doing it in December, but I didn't realize how big!!

No, we probably aren't going to have 100 people like other college campuses. . . I mean comm'on . . . we have MAYBE 200 students total. But, we are going to have so much fun with wonderful friends and hopefully wonderful weather!

The idea of having an auction of specialized, designed TOMS from the bands Jonathan Singleton & The Grove and The Features is showing to be a GREAT SUCCESS! Not only are we raising money for Haiti and Partners In Health, but we are actually getting publicity for it as well!!

Nashville Scene

The Tennessean

You still have an opportunity to bid on these shoes! The auctions do not end until Monday:

The Features Auction

Jonathan Singleton & The Grove

I am so grateful for being able to spread the word about TOMS and their great cause. I have had some amazing responses as well and followers who would not have known about it unless I had told them and that truly makes me feel good inside. I am accomplishing something with a purpose and I think everyone should do it AT LEAST once in their lifetime.

Thank you so much for listening and I hope that my experience and passion for TOMS Shoes and their cause will help you realize a passion of your own and influence you to pursue it!

Get Your TOMS On

Thanks to some wonderful friends and their talented husbands, we are now officially auctioning some celebrity TOMS for our SYSP and to help raise money for Partners In Health!!

First up, we have the band that I always talk about. . .THE FEATURES!!!

Here are what the shoes will look like. You can't see the other shoe, but it will have the signature of all of the band members. Not only are you getting a fabulous, one-of-a-kind pair of signed TOMS but you are also helping a child in need who will also receive a pair of shoes.

If you are interested in this auction, you can go to this site where you may bid and there are more details regarding this auction. PLEASE BE SURE TO READ ALL OF THE INFO!!!

The Features Signed TOMS Auction
Next, we have Jonathan Singleton & The Grove!!! These shoes will have The Grove symbol on one shoe with the signatures of all of the band members on the other.

Again, not only are you getting a fabulous, one-of-a-kind pair of signed TOMS but you are also helping a child in need who will also receive a pair of shoes and Partners In Health who have teamed up with TOMS to help the people of Haiti.

If you are interested in this auction, you can go to this site where you may bid and there are more details regarding this auction. PLEASE BE SURE TO READ ALL OF THE INFO!!!

Jonathan Singleton & The Grove TOMS Shoes Auction
I can't thank these two amazing bands enough for all of their support and fabulous music!!!

Don't forget, if you are in the Franklin, TN area and you want to style your own TOMS, please come join us for O'More College of Design's first ever Style Your Sole Party on Saturday, March 27th from 1-4 on O'More's Campus located at 423 South Margin Street, Franklin, TN 37064.

The last day to order shoes for the event will be on Monday, March 8th. There will be shoes vended at the event by Nashville Clothing Company, but there will be a limited selection of colors and sizes so to make sure you get the ones you want, please order from this form TOMS ORDER FORM

If you have any further questions feel free to email Me (Merissa) at sys@merissatomlinson.com

I want to give a special thanks to the sponsors of our event:

Nashville Clothing Company
Chick-Fil-A South Franklin
Smoopy's Vintage Bikes
Stevierocks & The Blues Connection
O'More College of Design
O'More College of Design's SGA

Also, thanks again to The Features, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove, Jay Sheridan PR, and many more. . . you know who you are!!!