this is what makes us girls

I celebrated my college graduation this weekend with my closest family and friends. I don't live in the busy city or on a rural farm, but in a sparkling little suburb with extra green grass and plenty of room to entertain. It started off as a scorcher, but the sudden afternoon showers cooled it down. There was lots of sunshine, sangria and good company :) 

I took pictures just as company was arriving, and a few at the end of the night, but most of the time I was too busy mingling. There's too few occasions where you get to see everyone you like, but that's what makes celebrations so fun! Ah, going to miss college so much, but I'm so excited to see what this pretty little life has in store for me...

Lots of love,

Sami Xx

P.s. The lovely flowers were all done by my talented NYC floral designing sister : )

&

Stay tuned for a furniture DIY (featured in this post) on the blog tomorrow!

Live the life you've imagined

Here's a special congratulations to any 2013 college graduates out there, we did it!

This is such an exciting and scary time in my life, but I am so grateful to have graduated from URI and ready to move on to the next stage of my life. I truly feel blessed to have had such an amazing four year college experience at a quintessential New England university. This is where I've met the most wonderful friends, professors and peers who have guided me to a study abroad experience in London, and to two degrees in journalism and fashion! It is so wonderful to see how many of my good friends are continuing on to amazing journeys, and I'm thrilled to be able to watch them continue on the path to success! :)

I think this is a very important time to reflect on what success means to you, on both a personal level, and a financial level. There is perhaps no single more important time in my life where I will deeply consider this, especially before I start applying for graduate school. I look forward to a little break from school, but I am eager to start up again at the same time! I am so passionate about learning and life that I am simply happy to just be, for the time being at least. I think it's important to remember that wherever you are, you should be all there. Cherish the past and dream about the future, but please live fully in the present.