Sunday Social

1. What is the name of your blog and how did you come up with it?

Fate from 5'8. It was originally a beautiful beginning, but that seemed to be so common and used and I wanted something unique. I'm 5'8 obvi, and it just sounded good together. I wish there was a cute fancy story behind it, but there's that.

2. What do you love the most about blogging?? I LOVE meeting new people from all over the place! so.much.fun.

3. What are your 2 favorite posts you've written?

One of my more serious posts: on change right before I left for college.

My Milkshake: I'm the president of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee you know! 

4. What is something you'd want to tell someone just starting out in blog world? Don't look at stats. It will ruin you and consume you. Just blog. Be yourself. And see what happens.

5. Biggest blogging learning experience you've had? I'm not sure if this is a learning experience or not but I've loved sponsoring Neely's blog this summer! I got over 100 new followers and met some awesome people! It gave my blog lots of exposure!! 

6. Give us 3 blogs we NEED to be following that you love

Messy Dirty Hair

Don't Quote the Raven

ACWOM

Happpy Sundayyyy!!

Emily 

I need YOUR help!

Alright lovelies! I need your help!


I added a new tab to my header: link-ups. I'm adding the daily link-ups under this tab, in hopes to get all the bloggy link-ups, up there.


I have a few right now which may or may not be my favorites: Sunday Social, It's OK Thursday, Friday Letters etc.


I need you to leave me a link in the comment section with your favorite link-ups! 


I'll go to that blog and grab all the info (jpg, day, details) and I'll add it to my page! 


I'm excited to find out some new link-ups, as well as share some old ones too! This will be fun! make sure you spread the word! 




Happy Monday


oxox,


Emily 

Sunday Social- Week 1

Neely has a brand new link-up for Sunday! woot woot! Sunday Social! 

Ok! The questions this week are:

How did you come up with your blog name?

I was chatting with Jenn, my blog designer (she's awesome) and I wanted something perfect for my stage in life (graduation, starting fresh, college etc). She helped me come up with a beautiful beginning! 

 

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

I LOVE the community hands down! So much fun, laughter and encouragement!

What is one thing you have discovered because of blogging and now cant live without?Facebook or Twitter? and why?

I blame Twitter on this one. so obsessed. See also: pinning, pinerest, pins. you get the picture.

If one celeb read your blog who would you want it to be?

Dang. This one is hard! Men: Channing Tatum or Ryan Gosling. Girls: J Biebs (I kid, I kid), Lady Gaga (obsessed with her music) or merp I have no clue!!

What is something you want people to know about your blog?

I want people to know I'm honest! I put myself out there flaws and all. I also 

try to be funny but usually fail.

Happy Sunday! 

My first blog sponsor(ing)

I'm so excited. 


I send my money and it's official. 


Neely, from A Complete Waste of Make-up, is letting me buy one of her July Sponsor spots! This will be my very first time to do something like this. My highlight post will be the second week in July.

Neely is SO easy to work with and she answered all my questions! She promised me my blog will get more followers and page views! I'm pretty pumped. PS- her rates are super affordable too. 

Be looking for my post in July! It may or may not include a big summer giveaway too! :) woot woot!!

I'm off to enjoy my first day off in over a month!

oxox,

Emily 

Monday Randoms

~On Friday morning, I headed up to Evangel for EU-24 (a glorified campus visit). It was better than I was expecting. It was non-stop and so much fun. I sat in on 2 classes, met several professors, ate in the cafeteria (ewws), tailgate party and football game, bonfire, taco bell at midnight and met TONS of people. I'm beginning to get a little excited! 


~I need to balance my checkbook. It hasn't been done in 2 months. Fail


~I ordered my silver glitter TOMS last week. They are supposed to be here by Wednesday and I am SO excited! 

~I'm obsessed with Instagram. I love that droid users can use it now too. I'm not a professional by any means, so I enjoy putting fun filters on my pictures and sharing them. If you are on IG, look me up (emilyduncan) and I'll follow you back!


~Branson's weather has been weird here. It is colder in April than it was in March. It was 80+ degrees then and now it's in the 50's. I'm ready for warmer weather, but not too hot because my AC still isn't fixed!


~Neely is hosting another giveaway!  There are 18 ways to enter! 

 

~I'm thinking about getting a blog re-design this summer, before I go to college. Maybe something a little more modern and changing my name to The Fate from Five 8. Who knows....


~Yesterday Briggs had his birthday party. He turned 5. I've mentioned him and his older brother before. I've known them since they were babies. In fact, their mom was our babysitter when we moved to Branson 10 years ago! He had a beach themed party and it was too fun! He requested cookies and red velvet cake! He is such a hoot! 


~Graduation is in 11 days. Weeee!


I've got to go work on ACT prep, grad slideshows, party arrangements.......


If you don't hear from me in a while....send help!

monday randoms

yes. i need to do a braindump. i have alot going on. expect random blog posts this month week. heck i have a graduation party to plan, invites to design, and all the little nitty details. fun. 


~The AC is still out in my car. expect to see me have wind-blown hair the rest of the summer.


~I'm heading to Evangel for a campus visit this weekend. Pray I fall-in-love with the campus because there will be serious problems if I don't. Heck I'm paying alot of money to go there and I want to love my dorm, campus, fill in the blank. 


~I nannied on saturday all day. I haven't babysat or nannied in about a year. long story. anyways we had a blast. we ziplinined (perks of being the bosses kids and working at a zipline), ate Cold Stone, and I learned how to play Halo on xbox360. I was died mutilated.


~Over the weekend, we had 15 people staying at our house. I had 7 girls in my room. It seems like we have people in my house all the time. probably because we do.


~I have 4 new blog followers this week and I'm very excited! It brings my grand total to 69 lovely loyals. 


~I have a tattoo idea up my sleeve (not literally, well yet anyways) and I am SO PUMPED!!! I'm thinking white ink but not totally sure yet. 


~I'm so in love with my senior pictures and keep looking at them over and over.


~I'm working about 20 hours a week at Cold Stone. I was trained to be a shift leader. Minor details


~Whenever a friend randomly texts me and asks how she can pray for me, well it pretty much makes my month morning! Thank-you Addie for that today :) 


~18 days till graduation!! Oh and I just ordered my grad invites yesterday. judge away.


~My little broske turned 16 last week. I can't believe it. We had a blast ziplining, eating and celebrating all day. He is one of my best friends and we are so stupid together. I'm going to miss him.


I am always random which means my random brain dump could go on. and on. and on.


Happy Monday!


E


~

Bloggy Wars: aka the day I got chewed out on InstaGram

     Several days ago, I posted a comment on InstaGram. In fact, it was a comment on one of Kelle Hampton's pictures of her nursing Nella. (By the way, have any of y'all read her book Bloom. I just ordered it and I can't wait to read it). I had asked a question to another commenter re:her comment saying that she was nursing 35 months and going strong.

      Even though I am not a mother, I know it is an accomplishment for however long you nurse. I asked her a question and she B-L-E-W up at me. She wrote me a paragraph about how I was offending her and Kelle etc etc etc. I was upset, not because she blew up at me unexpectedly, but that I came across sounding like I was judging her or being mean. I felt awful.

     I politely explained that I was still in high school, I've never been a mom, and I didn't mean to offend her. I never heard back a reply so I left it as that. I did get on twitter and talk to Neely (one of my fav bloggers btw) about the situation. I was so confused on top of it all. Sheesh!

      I wanted to share about what happened, not to cause more trouble or get a mean blog comment (I don't need ANY more), but to just process some of my thoughts about this said situation. 

      I know that there are thousands of blogs written by multiple people from all background. There are parenting blogs, mommy blogs, family blogs, blogs from working mommies,  business blogs, and photography blogs. Honestly, the list could go on and on and on. The blogs that I read through on a daily/weekly basis are the ones that I have something in common with, I know the person, or I just downright love reading them. 

     That being said, I really don't know why people, especially women feel the need to look down on and criticize other women? Why do we feel the need to tear each other apart with our words? Why do we leave mean comments? I don't get that. I hate getting mean comments on my blog and I only have 69 followers. I can't image how big name bloggers handle the nastiness. Honestly, if you hate someone's blog and disagree with them, either keep reading their blog and keep your opinions and thoughts to yourself, or just stop reading their blog altogether. 

    Some of the blogs I read, I know that I probably don't see eye to eye on every single thing with the writer. You might even feel the same way as I do. I know big debates on mommy blogs like working vs. stay at home mom, formula vs. breast feeding, c-section vs. not, co-sleeping vs. not, the list could honestly go on and on. I have seen SO many hurtful, mean comments from people that it makes me sick. Can't we at least try to get along?

    I know that I have developed a lovely community of friends in the blogging world and I love it! I love spending time in my day reading about y'all's life and adventures in dating, mommyhood, etc. I know it sounds shallow to say I wish we could all get along, but I really wish that we could use what our mother's taught us from the time we were little; if you can't say something nice, don't say it at all. If this doesn't work for you, I found something on Pinterest for you instead.

Happy Sunday!

Love,

Emily 

    

It's OK Thursday

It's OK that:

*I have M-A-J-O-R- senioritus! 

*I'm obsessed with my senior pictures. I can't stop looking at them! More sneaks coming soon!

*I'm saving my pennies Cold Stone tips for an ENO hammock.

*I just colored my hair and it's only been 5 months!!

*I'm freaking out/so excited/slightly nervous because I graduate in exactly 1 MONTH!!!!!!

*I'm overly excited to be registering for classes at Evangel! 

*To be SO excited to meet Emily and love her sweet blog! She shares my name and we are the same age!! That rarely happens!

*I'm white. as in no tan at all whatsoever. I'm working on it.

*I want AC back in my car so bad!

*I'm still working on Israel recap posts! Will be up shortly as well as a slew of other blog posts!

Happy Thursday!

Emily 

It's OK Thursday

It's ok that:

*I'm frantically looking for a new phone because I dropped my phone i water last night at work. Tweet me if you wanna reach me!!

*I'm a little bit nervous but super excited about becoming a shift leader at Cold Stone!!!!!!! 

*I haven't blogged much in the past 3 weeks. Israel, spring break/work, and school/work this week. 

*I'm having my senior pictures taken next Tuesday and STILL don't have my dresses yet.

*I'm working doubles all.the.time.

*My AC went out in my car, I will learn something from this experience, I just haven't decided what yet...

*I am NOT a morning person

*I STILL haven't colored my hair since November (actually i'm not ok with it, i just have been too crazy busy to sit down and do it)

*I snort laugh when something is really funny. I'm talking snort like a dying fat pig.

*I haven't pinned hardly anything on Pinterest in 1 month.

*I'm obsessed with the birds that chirp outside my window every morning

*I'm upset gas is almost $4 a gallon :( thankfully I get 30mpg

*I have the absolute BEST april fool's day trick planned. Blog post Monday am! It's like awful and SO funny! 

*I haven't used my debit card in 3 weeks except for gas. I've gotta save, save, save!!

*I'm so over high school and want to graduate right now! #35days

Happy Things

Even after a long week, I'm happy about so much today!

*I'm finally getting back on B-town time after all my jet-lag from Israel. 

*I'm at work right now. I love my jobs and I'm SO thankful for them! I'm gearing up to work doubles, which I don't mind!

*I'm at the ziplines right now, which means I'm with an all-guy crew. This means one thing. I pick the Pandora station. Winning

*Katy Perry came out with her new music video, Part of Me. I'm so obsessed. Watch it.

*Last November, I rode the motorized zipline, The Sky Surfer. Our marketing guy took some video/picture footage for the Chamber of Commerce. I didn't think anything of it, or that my pictures would get used. I came into work yesterday and saw my picture on the front of the main brochure. I felt so uhh famous. random and weird i know. whatere

i had to post. cheesy pix! 

*Tonight, there will be at LEAST 50 college kids at my house. We are having a Two for 22 birthday party for my brother and his girlfriend, who have birthdays 4 days apart. The theme is Dr. Seuss. The decor/ideas are coming along and I think it will be SO fun! pictures/blog post to follow!

*I'm in shorts right now. This makes me happy

*Spring started this week. It is my favorite season because it means summer is right around the corner. Boating, swimming, kayaking, work, ice cream, suntans/burns, shorts, flip-flops. 

*I'm just beginning to watch SMASH. What are y'all's thoughts? like, love?

*I'm obsessed with The Voice. the end

*I skyped with some of the kids from my Israel trip. I miss them so much and it's only been 5 days. I'm pathetic

*I worked at Cold Stone for the first time since September. I'd forgotten how much i LOVE their ice cream. 

*My new CHI came in the mail yesterday and I used it this morning!!! My first one melted in Israel because of a problem with the converter :(. I'll be blogging about it in my recap posts.

*I'm happy when I can defend myself, especially because I HATE being wrong. Blog story coming soon!

*I'm happy because I'm getting back into the swing of running. I took a break because I was sick. I'm excited to be training again!

*I'm scheduled a campus visit to Evangel. Let's pray and hope I fall in love with the campus.  

Happy Friday! The weekend is here!! 

It's OK Thursday

It's OK that:

*I'm still not packed for Israel. working on it as i write 

*I'm crying because I got my rejection letter from CofO today.

*I sent out texts to my closet friends letting them know. gosh dang i wanted to go to school there SO bad!

*I'm obsessed with this website!

*I'm nervous about flying 20+ hours tomorrow

*I won't be blogging for 2 weeks!

*I didn't set up any guest bloggers. oopsies!

*I'm not excited about going to Evangel for college.

*I really don't know what I'm going to do for my future

*I've emotionally drained 

Friday Links!

~I'm obsessed with this new worship song.

~This story is incredible. It really shows how unselfish and caring people can be. This couple totally put their needs aside and were able to help numerous others because of their selfless actions.


~My friend Hayely, that I work with, did "My week in Tweets" #1. I'm dying laughing from this video. Seriously go watch it and follow her on Twitter. 


~Did you wish Justin Bieber a happy birthday yesterday? 


~AP, from I Love You More than Carrots talked about finding balance. This hit home for me, minus the part about having kids. 


~I bought this tank from Old Navy last night. I can't wait to wear it with some skinnies and flats! maybe?! 


~Francesca's is having a style-off contest! Make sure to go vote!


~What a fun way to announce the gender of your baby! super cute. 


Happy, Happy Friday! Enjoy the weekend! 

Sometimes and Always

Sometimes: I try to pretend I am too old for Justin Bieber.
Always: I LOVE him and bought his new single today. Biebs Feves 

Sometimes: I want to enjoy every moment of high school left

Always: I want graduation to be here soon (68 days)

Sometimes: I try to blog on the weekends

Always: I miss at least 1 day

Sometimes: I don't want to go to the gym

Always: I feel incredible after I run 

Sometimes: I try to eat less fastfood and pack my lunch

Always: I eat fastfood at least three times a week

Sometimes: I attempt to sing

Always: I can't sing so I make the best of it

Sometimes: I try to stay away from online shopping (car, car, car)

Always: Ebay sucks me in and I bid like a mad woman 

Sometimes: I think want to get married 

Always: I decide I will die a nun (ok kidding but serious about the single part)

Bloglovin Testing

Testing....

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Friday Links!

I love, love, love this post from Melissa, for I am a daddy's girl through and through. Her words are so true and so captivating. 


I'm really sad that this hoodie sold out :( i was just about to buy it! boo!!


This story breaks my heart. so, so sad


One of my favorite blogs, Loves of Life, just announced that she is having a 2nd little girl! I'm so happy for her. Go read her blog. You will fall in love with her just like I have! 


One of my favorite photogs, Heather, shot these pictures for a Monday wedding. This bride is absolutely stunning!! 


I just found this blog. It is one of my new favorites!


I'm obsessed with the new arrivals at Francescas this week! 


I'm also obsessed with Train's new single, Drive By! 

This bloggy mama has the sweetest little girls! True, Brave, Soul, and Glow! 

Have you entered my Starbies giveaway yet? 4 more days! 

Happy Friday Friends!

It's OK Thursday

It's OK that:
*I have literally told every single person I can that I ran for 20 minutes WITHOUT stopping last night! That is a B-I-G- deal for a couch potato-just started running 6 weeks ago-kinda girl! I'm SO happy and excited!!
*I haven't started packing for Israel, but I have been doing some online shopping for backpacks, luggage, clothes etc
*I straightened my hair for the first time since Christmas. lazy much?!
*I'm so tired and all I want to do is sleep.
*I decided to do another random giveaway! 
*I get excited with each new blog follower I get! 57 and counting!
*I have a HUGE crush on Channing Tatum. I mean who doesn't? Seriously.
*I'm going to watch The Vow again! I LOVED it!
*I'm skipping a really good concert tonight to have a coffee date with someone that I LOVE :)
*I bought new running shoes this week! eeep I can't wait to use them!
*I'm going to STL this weekend with the Jr. High Kids from youth group for a conference! I can't wait to hang out with some of the sweetest, coolest kids around! 


Happy Thursday!

Meet Me

I'm SO excited to be linking up with Neely from A Complete Waste of Makeup today! I've linked up with Neely before because she co-hosts the fun It's OK Thursday link-up! I thought I would share a little bit about me and hopefully get to meet some new bloggy friends in the process!

1. Tell us why you blog

I started blogging right around a year ago. I wanted my family and friends to be able to read about my life (if they wanted to of course). I took a big blogging break over the summer, but started back again full swing in the Fall. Most importantly, I've loved meeting blog friends and finding out that we all have alot in common. I've loved the support system I've gotten, most recently for my efforts in running a 5K! I've loved all the fun link-ups I've participated in and the giveaways I've won too! :)

2. Tell us about your blog

My blog is called a Beautiful Beginning. (I'm guessing you saw that already tho). My blog designer, Jenn, helped me pick this out and I love it! I'm about to graduate high school and go to college. I'm on the beginning of becoming my own person and branching out. I'm in the middle of figuring out who I really am. I love what we came up with!

My blog is a little big of everything. I blogged about Pinterest, friends, music, coffee (hello Starbucks), running, and everything in between. I don't have just one "type" of thing that I talk about. Queen of random! :)

3. Tell us about you

I'm 18 years old and I'm a Senior in High School!!! whoop whoop! I'm almost done! Graduation is on May 5th! My family is very close. I'm a daddy's girl through and through! I have 3 siblings. I love to have fun and be crazy! I'm not a morning person. I love staying up late with a cup of coffee or tea and watching TV, blogging, or reading a book! I dream of being a big name blogger. A girl can dream right??!

* I LOVE Target. and i can spend alot of money there in a short amount of time. It's a weakness. I walk in to buy 1 thing and walk out with $116 worth of stuff. True story.

* I love random. I am random.

* I use exclamation points and capitals for no special reason at all.

* I love coffee, especially if it's Starbucks! * I love all things Vera Bradley. I especially love Hope Garden.

* I love spring. fresh starts, warm weathers, shorts, work, flowers!

* I love loud. I shout almost everything I say. I have no shame. I love to be fun and I love to be loud!

* I try to be real, especially on my blog.

* I love shoes

* I could eat blackolives by the can. Oh wait! I already do that! I think I'm secretly Italian!

4. Tell us about your job

I have two jobs actually. Because I'm still in high school, I do most of my work in the summer/fall. I work about 50 hours a week in the summer! I've worked at Cold Stone Creamery for 2 years! World's best ice cream not that I'm biased! Last May, I started a job for Adventure Ziplines. I'm a photog, front-desk girl, ATV driver, you name it I've probably done it (besides being an actual guide because you have to be a guy and you have to be strong. two things I am not :) I love it there! I've said it before but they are def my 2nd fam!

5. Tell us about your city

I live in Branson, Missouri! The "show-capital" of the world! I LOVE it here. Summer is my favorite season, probably because "the strip" (Hwy 76) is packed full of tourists. Cold Stone is out the door with customers and the ziplines take full tours every 15 minutes. I work all day and then hang out with friends/co-workers until 2am at McDonalds after we close! Branson's weather is SO weird. It snowed last night but it was 65 deg. the entire month of January! It's so unpredictable but i LOVE it! There is so many fun things to do here too! I've lived here for 8 years now, the longest I've ever lived anywhere! It really is a great little town!

6. Tell us about your favorite activities/hobbies/things to do.

I love hanging out with friends. I love cooking/baking. I have a HUGE sweet-tooth! I love taking pictures and posting them all over facebook :) social media queen right here! Recently, I've loved running, especially outside! I love my church and my smallgroup I'm in. I love blogging: reading and finding blogs, as well as writing my own.

I just started a new link-up on Tuesdays called Top 10 Tuesday! We've done food, music, and tomorrow with be the Top 10 things on your bucket list!

I can't wait to meet some new bloggers in Neely's link-up today! Thanks for letting me share a little about me!

Happy Monday!

It's OK Thursday

It's OK:

*i had to skip my 5K workout tonight because I'm sick! boo :(

*that i'm SO excited that I leave for Israel in 1 month!!!

*i only had 4 hours of sleep last night

*i LOVE being with addie

*i wear my heart on my sleeve

*to be nervous/excited about hearing from CofO this month!

*that today is my 1 year blogoversary and I'm not doing anything special

*this is my 100th blog post and still nothing special

*i want a hot shower, comfy clothes, and my bed stat!

Happy Thursday Y'all!

Mini Blog Makeover + Blog Button + New Link-Up!

Whew! How's that for a long title? This week, I upgraded my blog to the Deluxe Package from Munchkin Land Designs. As always, Jenn did an awesome job! New font for blog post titles, 4 sidebar titles, and a personalized blog button.

As you can see, this isn't a button for my personal blog. It's a new link-up I created for Tuesdays! Top 10 Tuesdays will be different every week. For example, the first one I will do (January 31st) will be your Top 10 Foods. Me, being a lover of food and snacks, I thought this would be perfect! :) I'm already brainstorming a list for the future: foods, blogs, vacation spots, books, places to shop etc. It'll just be a fun way to connect with others and get to know each other. What do y'all think? I can't wait to give it a try this Tuesday! I think it'll be fun!

oxox,

Emily

Sometimes and Always: Round Dos

Linking up with Megan again for Sometimes and Always Round Dos!

Sometimes: I want to have pretty nails every single day

Always: My nailpolish is chipped on one hand.

Sometimes: I try to make my bed neatly

Always: It is left in a heap of blankets and pillows

Sometimes: I try to wash my face every single night

Always: I miss a couple nights every week

Sometimes: I try to be a funny when I blog

Always: I am not

Sometimes: I try to rotate my music I listen to

Always: When I like a song, I listen to the same song, on repeat

Sometimes: I try to not overcommit myself and say no

Always: I end up always putting more on my plate than I can handle

Sometimes: I wonder if I'll miss highschool

Always: I count down the days till graduation (101 by the way)