Don't worry, I'm still here!
Christmas has driven me away from the computer and toward fun times with the fam, friends, and my wonderful man.
I'll be back soon!
Just wanted to pop in and say hello.
Updates of my life are coming soon.

Here's a funny little video- Always remember to stand out in the crowd.
Merry Christmas!

Busting Fashion Myths>> Nice Girls Don't Wear Leather

I'm baaaack!

Finals are over & I can breathe again.

Here is a fashion post just in time for those wonderful holiday parties (that we have nothing to wear for)

:)

XO,

Tori

It's the attitude. 

The sexy and sleek persona. 

I want it, I know you want it... :)

Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Mrs. Spears can all rock it day in and day out... Why can't we? 

Who says leather is only for the "bad girls"?

Leather can be rocked in everyday attire. It doesn't take one looking like Sandy in the final scenes of Grease to have a good leather look. Take it from these good girl celebs...

Leather is easy! Just think of it as denim (with a little less forgiveness on the hips...) Make it you! Choose a simple leather skirt or dress sans fringes and studs- and rock that thang!

Try this one out... I double dog dare ya! Can't wait to see y'all be rocker chic!

what's up>>

The picture below may seem as if me and Chewie have been taking it easy lately... But don't be fooled!
Things are getting a little holiday hectic around my neck of the woods, but I wanted to update y'all with some reasoning for all the silence.

finals. They are coming up. 3 on Monday, 1 on Tuesday, and 1 on Wednesday. Please pray that I'll remember my stuff and that I won't draw blank {a huge fear of mine}. I'm not in the place of my passing or failing an exam will really effect me, but I would still like to ace as many as possible, especially my Physics & Astronomy exam... Please, please, please!! :)

younglife. Finally-- I was placed! I'm officially a Young Life leader at my old high school! Isn't that so neat?! Truthfully, that was one of the schools I was praying to be placed at! God surely does know the desires of our hearts-- Thank you Lord! Can't wait to start some amazing work with such a great organization.
Don't know what Young Life is? You can read about it {here}

christmas. I feel like every time I turn around anymore I have a Christmas party to prepare for, or a gift that arrived in the mail that I need to wrap and put under the tree, or I think of a gift that still needs to be bought/ordered. Shew! I feel like I have so many to buy for this year (well, at least my wallet feel that way...) Oh well-- I love the holidays so much, it's totally worth it, right?!

Well, that's all the excuses I could think of!
What's up in your life? Are you ready for the holidays?
Since you probably won't hear from me until Wednesday... I leave you with a light-hearted video I found this week.

Xo,

Tori

Sopapilla Cheesecake//

If any of y'all are like I am, Pinterest has become more than an addiction.
But I really don't have a problem with it anymore...
Not only do I feel that Pinterest is much more beneficial than staring at ignorant comments from friends on Facebook or Twitter, I also really feel that Pinterest is inspiring another generation of home-makers... or at least crafty, cooking, DIY-doin', I-will-try-anything-to-save-some-cash lovin' women!
Can I get an amen?
I digress...

This past weekend I found {this} mouth-watering recipe on good ol' Pinterest and couldn't pass it up. It's super easy, fast, and {most importantly} delish!
Here's my version of:

Sopapilla Cheesecake

Via

Ingredients:
-2 cans Pillsbury butter crescent rolls
-2 {8oz} packages Neufchâtel cheese {softened}
-1 cup sugar
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/4 cup butter {melted}
-Cinnamon & sugar

Instructions:
---Unroll and spread 1 can of crescent rolls on the bottom of the un-greased pan {I use a 9x13}.
*Note: The original recipe called for 3 cans of rolls, but with a little pulling... 2 is plenty. Save some calories and some dough... {HAHA! Dough... as in money. Oh, the wit!}

---Combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Spread mixture over crescent rolls.
*Note: I also used Neufchâtel in place of cream cheese {they're right next to each other on the shelf}. It's 1/3 less fat {and a higher protein content}. Can't tell the difference one bit! There's no way you can pass this recipe as healthy, but this at least helps :)
---Unroll and spread remaining crescent rolls over mixture. Spread melted butter over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

---Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

---Devour!

Busting Fashion Myths>> Horizontal Stripes

It's all about looking slim. Wearing dark tones, wearing earrings larger than a quarter, wearing sky-high heels- face it... we all have our tricks.

And then there are things we have been taught to stay away from. One being horizontal stripes. 

We've all heard that horizontal stripes add pounds to our precious figures, but how true is that? Not. At. All! 

Stripes are daring. They are bold and fearless. They attract attention. Really, they are quite harmless.

My Do's & Dont's for Stripes:

Do wear thicker stripes if you want a smoothing effect or if you are curvy.

Don't wear too many stripes at one time. Try to keep it down to only on or two striped items per outfit.

Do wear stripes with solid colors. The biggest key to flattering stripes is to keep it under control and tone them down.

Don't wear more than 4 colors of stripes at a time. Unless you are 6, this isn't flattering.

So where are you going to strut your stripes?

snap-shots of the weekend.

I left birthday balloons on little brother's car while he was at school.

Baby brother and I went thrifting... Found this awesome vintage tie. Best part: it was $3!


And I made this yummy, Pinterest inspired, Sopapilla Cheesecake!
{Recipe coming soon!}

Things I'm looking forward to this week:

-Younglife placement!

-Last day of classes!

-Making hand print reindeer sweatshirts with my new friend, Katie!

What did you do this weekend?

Fall Bucket List- Check!

Remember {this}?

Well time is up! It's December 1st and I've accomplished {almost} all of my goals- did you?

Go to a corn-maze.

Bake a pie.

Build a fire.

Make leaf art.

Click {here} to see the tutorial.

Carve/Decorate a Pumpkin.

Wear Cozy Socks.

Drink Fancy Coffee.

That's it folks! 7 out of 8, ain't shabby for a busy college student... right?

Oh... 

Happy December!!